#1—What brought you to Emma Willard School?

I was born in Troy and grew up next door in East Greenbush. So, Emma Willard was always a known unknown! After I graduated with a degree in computer information systems, I started my nonprofit career and fell into (and started loving) database management. I had a mentor and former colleague who had come to Emma let me know there was a position available. I was working for a human services organization at the time and was really used to fundraising for immediate, very tangible needs: shelter, clothing, food. When I came to Emma I had to shift my thinking to fundraising that looks towards the future, to the students who are here now and the leaders and change-makers they will become. 

Once I got to campus and started meeting the students and the people here, it all clicked, and the mission really hit me!

 

#2—What is a typical day-in-the-life at Emma like for you?

It depends on the season! Our season has a similar vibe to the school year, but I mostly make sure behind-the-scenes operations for the Advancement office are going smoothly. I work with a lot of offices across campus. I might be reconciling with the business office, managing the registration process during Reunion, or fine-tuning our fundraising database. I especially love working in Microsoft Power Platform to automate tasks! I really enjoy the nitty-gritty of data and figuring out how to streamline or improve a process. 

 

 

 

#3—What is one thing about working at Emma that would surprise people?

Everyone is so authentic here! When I first got here, I was blown away by how skilled everyone is, but no one is lonely in that; it’s a community of people who are geared towards working together. It’s really collegial, and everyone is interested in each other’s expertise in a way that lets us come together and make things happen. 

 

#4—What were you like in high school?

I was a nerd! Definitely a computer nerd, though I would have also been an emo kid if I was just a little bit younger. I was a friendly kid with really specific and obscure interests, and a band nerd! 

I also did lighting on stage crew. I came across a picture earlier this year of me in front of the spotlight I ran for two years. I had to laugh because, oh, of course! There I am behind the scenes making sure things are going okay! Even though I'm not that same insecure kid anymore, I definitely still love to sit in the background and quietly make the magic happen, and if I’m doing my job right, you won’t even notice!