- Campus:
- IU Bloomington
How did you end up at IU?
I came to IU to complete my undergraduate degree and then worked in various cities around Indiana in corporate IT jobs before making my way back to Bloomington. I have family in the area and have always loved Bloomington and was happy to rejoin IU as an employee.
Could you explain some of the responsibilities of your role at IU?
My role at IU has changed considerably over the years. I started as a software developer in UITS (University Information Technology Services) and over time moved into leadership roles in IT. I then shifted from UITS into IUHR (Indiana University Human Resources) in a role that led operational functions (customer service and transaction processing) as well as IT-related areas. This role was incredibly helpful in giving me a broad understanding of the HR function as whole.
In my current role, I oversee the HR Centers of Expertise (COE’s)– Benefits, Compensation, Talent Acquisition, Strategic Operations, Employee and Labor Relations, and Talent and Organizational Development. I also serve as the Data Steward for HR related data and actively participate in HR systems and reporting needs. It’s an exciting role with a wide variety of issues to address every day, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have fantastic leaders and team members in each of the COE’s working to continually improve the services that IUHR provides.
Do you have any advice for women and those of marginalized genders who work with technology?
One is to not let fear get in your way. Technology can seem intimidating, and sometimes peers who are highly skilled can seem intimidating as well. Surround yourself with others who are smart, technically strong, and willing to help you out. Be willing to do the work to learn and don’t forget to celebrate your successes (even if they are small).
Do you have any advice as a woman in a leadership role?
To me, the key to successful leadership is building trusting relationships with your team and leveraging your collective strengths. Women are often harder on themselves than they should be, so accept that you cannot do it all and surround yourself with people who can bring strengths to the table that you don’t have. Try to have fun – we spend a lot of time at work, and we should make it as enjoyable as we can.
What would you do for work if you weren’t doing this?
If it were just for fun, I often joke that a forest ranger would be the job for me because I love being outside in peaceful, beautiful forests. Otherwise, I would try to find work that is similar to what I do now. I would want it to leverage my analytical and problem-solving skills in a work culture that is full of engaged, fun, smart people that I get to collaborate with each day.