When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A teacher. My mother was a high school teacher, and I had the best elementary school teachers. They encouraged us to be creative and inspired a love of learning, which really impacted me. I would play “school” with my brother and parade around the house in my mother’s high heels. My passion for teaching went so far that my favorite birthday gift was an old teacher’s manual. Maybe I’m still teaching today, but without the high heels — and there is no manual!
What do you like most about working in healthcare marketing?
It is interesting to see how health has evolved to become mainstream. My first job was on the PR team launching Viagra and I saw how a drug can become part of pop culture. Then, working on vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, it became clear how critical science is to our future. As someone in the “sandwich generation,” caring for my kids and, eventually, aging loved ones, it’s interesting to see the impact and influence of our work and it’s inspiring to know that I play a role in that.
What would you do if you didn’t do what you do?
What I love most about my work is the connections I make to the people around me. I get no greater satisfaction than when I’m helping someone excel or advance in their career. If I didn’t do what I am doing now, I would likely be working in human resources or leading learning and development training. Those are areas that bring me so much personal satisfaction.
Pick one: In-office, hybrid or remote work? Why would that be your choice?
Hybrid. Nothing can replace what you learn from being with people face to face. But, as a working parent, it’s a joy to be home when the kids get home from school and not have to rush from the office to make it home for dinner. Plus, it’s great working in leggings on a Friday! Hybrid offers a better balance of the people time I crave and the family time that’s so important to me.
Who is your hero, and why?
My mother. She was a working mom, and her mom was a working mom. That really informed my belief that I could have it all — family and career. Being a working parent is challenging, but I am proud of the work ethic I’m modeling for my kids. Although my parents worked hard, we managed to have dinner as a family every night. My parents taught me how to be a calm presence for my kids, and how to set good boundaries.
What’s something your colleagues don’t know about you?
Most people assume that I’m a born-and-bred New Yorker. Although I have lived here for over 20 years, I’m still a secret tourist. I grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. I came to New York for an internship after college and never left. Even after all that time, I love doing what tourists do and I have a fascination with reading other peoples’ New York City travel itineraries. The Floridian in me loves the beach, but an ideal day is walking five miles or more and exploring Brooklyn or Manhattan.
What are the three things in your daily workspace that you can’t live without?
I keep an old-school handwritten to-do list on paper, and I cannot live without it. I also have a framed photo of a great family vacation to Hawaii on my desk. It was the best vacation we’ve had yet, and that picture makes me happy. I started buying myself fresh flowers during the pandemic because I needed something to bring me joy. Now, I buy some for my desk every week.
Where do you want to be, professionally and personally, 10 years from now?
Professionally, I would love to continue to lean into the genuine relationships I’ve cultivated with clients. I would like to be even more focused on leveraging my strength in bringing together the best people, resources and solutions to anticipate and meet client needs. On the personal side, my husband and I will be empty nesters in 10 years, so it would be great to travel more. Mostly, I hope my contributions to the healthcare industry, helping to spread the word on preventative care, health screenings and lifesaving medicines, support a healthier future for us all.
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