What do you do?

I lead the Data & Technology Innovation group within the Office of the CIO, Technology Services, which includes a team of data analysts & data engineers and the Service Intelligence team (who run Splunk and Nagios for monitoring and alerting). We consult with groups across campus to automate data flows in the cloud and prototype new technologies. Every project requires different tools and platforms, so we’re constantly learning new skills. Due to the flexibility and broad skills of my team, we support efforts that touch many corners of the university, including IHR and Strategic Marketing & Communications for Operational Excellence, the Alumni Association, Illinois App, GenAI Solutions Hub, cybersecurity initiatives, student success, research support, and more. With so many different engagements, I focus my efforts on clarifying requirements, facilitating discussions around difficult decisions, communication, and prioritization to keep projects moving forward. I am also actively involved in developing the data strategy at unit, campus, and system levels. In 2024 I was a the Technology and Operations subgroup lead for the Systemwide Data Strategy Task Force. 

What led you to this career?

I have had a very interesting career path that is both winding and clear (in hindsight). My undergraduate degree was in education, with a plan to become an elementary school teacher. Facing burn out two years into the profession, I pivoted to outdoor education which led to working in organic farming for 8 seasons. A cross-country move landed me a job at Yale University Library, which evolved into working in library IT. Moving to Illinois in 2015, I took a position leading international programs for a large engineering department, which gave me experience in student recruitment and academic advising, cross-institutional collaboration, and program management. The position enabled me to complete a Masters in Library Information Science degree at the iSchool, where I started down my current data and innovation path during a practicum project. Looking back at my winding path, the constants have always been curiosity, willingness to learn new skills, and data.

What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute your success to, and why?

I have been told that I make people feel like I care (because I honestly do!) and I think that helps build trust, which enables us to problem solve at a deeper level. I am also skilled at collecting bits of information that enable me to make connections between people, efforts, and issues, and to synthesize that information into a clearer path forward. 

What’s your favorite way to relax after a long day or week? 

Recently, I’ve been taking a daily walk at sunset, and it really helps me reset and transition away from thinking about work. I’ve also become an avid Illini basketball fan over the last few years, which is a surprise to many who know me and my lack of sports ball knowledge.