A mathematical background is a great springboard for variety of careers. I was first attracted to mathematics because of the patterns and structure found in foundational subjects. As I explored mathematics more deeply, I came to appreciate how much more there is to mathematics. Indeed, mathematics is a creative field which fosters reasoning and logic skills and encourages tenacity and curiosity. These skills and perspectives come in handy no matter what career path one takes or what problems one encounters.

After graduate school, I began a career as a professor in Industrial Engineering at the University of Washington (UW) but eventually switched careers. A key motivation for my career change was my interest in the experiences and challenges of women in science and engineering. I decided that I could have a larger impact by working on the issues of women in science and engineering more directly.

I'm now the Program/Research Manager for the University of Washington's ADVANCE Center for Institutional Change. This program, which was originally funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, supports the participation and advancement of women faculty in science and engineering. I design activities and resources which support faculty, particularly women faculty, and which encourage and advocate a welcoming and supportive academic culture. My personal experiences as a woman in science and engineering provide a valuable perspective.