Tell us a little about yourself. What are your passions and interests? 

Some of my interests include traveling, exercising, whitewater rafting, hiking, and paddle boarding. 

What advice do you have for people who strive to be in leadership positions? 

Focus on your emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills just as much, if not more than, your technical skills. Good leaders inspire people to follow them and achieve more than they believed possible. 

It is important to develop strategic and critical thinking skills as well as the ability to take complex concepts and simplify them in a way that everyone can understand and get behind. Stay humble by soliciting and embracing feedback as an opportunity for growth and identification of your blind spots. Lastly, be aware of imposter syndrome, and don’t let it consume you as you move up the ranks. 

What is one lesson you have learned throughout your career? 

Representation matters. We need more representation in leadership who let their authenticity shine through to help show young people they don’t have to change who they are in order to succeed. The traits and unique perspectives that you bring to leadership help augment and enhance what others bring, not threaten it. We all benefit from that balance. 

My favorite quote: 

“With great power comes great responsibility.” 

Describe your leadership style and how you “lead” others.  

When it comes to leading my team, I set the vision and priorities, then focus on clearing the path for my team to execute. I am extremely transparent and trusting with my team, some would say to a fault. I believe in empowering people at all levels and helping each person maximize their potential. I believe my job as a leader is to develop my team to the point where I am no longer needed. That is when I know I have succeeded.