Let’s start at the beginning. What early lessons from your family shaped you?

I vividly remember cooking with my mom at an early age. That’s how she taught me math. “How many eggs would we need if we doubled the recipe? If we don’t have a half cup, how can we use other measuring cups to get the same amount?”
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Sounds like a good teacher.

She was a teacher, literally, and instilled in me a passion for learning. My dad was my artistic and creative influence—a home builder. He helped me recognize that there’s nothing I couldn’t figure out how to build or make.
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What was your very first paying job?

I was a lifeguard at a waterpark. I wore blue sparkly glasses and spent a good amount of time counting butt cracks.
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Thus continuing your math education.

Yup. (Thanks Mom!)
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Jumping to today -- what do you do outside of work that might give people a hint about what makes you tick?

I always make time for some creative outlet – like painting or building something. (Hi Dad!) But I also volunteer with and support a psychology lab at UCSF studying novel therapies to address depression, addiction and other ailments. I’m also the Executive Director of a nonprofit called the Women On Boards Project, which has been some of the most rewarding work in my career.
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Ok, speaking of work, what drew you to VMG and its particular culture?

I specifically pursued a career in HR because I want to see more companies representing the consumers they serve. This is a huge VMG value. It’s in our DNA and we walk the walk. Our team and portfolio are both beautifully diverse. But we always ask “how can we do better?” Increasing diversity in companies isn’t just a nice thing to do it’s strategically and financially smart! As a Talent Partner I feel responsible for moving that needle and I’m super grateful to have a team that supports this goal.
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So let’s talk about the H in HR. What makes this VMG team so special?

We function a lot like a family (the kind you actually choose!). We all have such different strengths and complement in such important ways. We genuinely care about each other and enjoy hanging out.

And VMG as an organization really embraces our full humanity -- quirks and all. I feel like I can be my whole self at work – opinionated, inquisitive, passionate, creative, sometimes pink hair, definitely a little weird. I think everyone feels they can be themselves too. Even if we end up on the receiving end of one of Mike’s dad jokes.
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Think your lifeguarding description might illicit a Dad joke or two?

Pretty sure he’s working on that now.

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