50 for the Next 50 Judge; Dean of Faculty
What advice would you give to a girl graduating from Williston today?
“Live authentically. Follow your instincts. Speak truth to power. Take up space and cultivate your voice. Ask for support when you need it. Look upon yourself with compassion. Give generously of your talents and time. Come back and tell us of your adventures! We will be proud of you, no matter what!”
Tell us about a woman who is your hero and why?
“My grandmother is a heroic woman in my eyes. She loved her family with wild abandon, gave grace and kindness unconditionally, and weathered many storms during challenging times in US history. She worked in a factory during the Second World War, and she managed to support her family during a time of great challenge while my grandfather was overseas. She had unbridled faith, fierce loyalty, expansive capacity for love, and fortitude.”
What do you think is next for women in your professional field?
“We need more women in school leadership nationally. The field of education, like many industries, needs to evolve in our thinking about how we support women, in particular, to balance success as parents or members of a family (in whatever shape that takes) with success as a leader.”
What motivates you in your work and life? | What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
“I’ll combine these two… the following quote has been attributed to Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ, and it guides my mind about work and life —
‘What you are in love with,
what seizes your imagination,
will affect everything.
It will decide
what will get you out of bed in the morning,
what you do with your evenings,
how you spend your weekends,
what you read,
whom you know,
what breaks your heart,
and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.
Fall in Love,
stay in love,
and it will decide everything.’
I’m lucky; I fell in love with teaching. I also love Williston. In that, I couldn’t be happier with where I work and what I do right now.”