1. Share a fun personal fact:
I recently started a new pastime of cake decorating. A friend of mine makes the most beautiful cakes and she held a few Zoom sessions on some of her techniques. It has been so much fun learning and practicing! If the cake turns out, I can give the cake away, and I’m happy. If the cake looks terrible, I get to eat cake, and I’m happy.
2. How long have you been a SIM member?
I joined SIM at the beginning of this year after participating in a TechGirlz ‘You Can Code!’ session with SIM MN members Shelly Wolfram, Lisa Schurch, and Harold Knutson. Afterward, Shelly invited me to a SIM MN event where she was sharing information from our TechGirlz session. I was very impressed with the group!
3. Why do you invest your time in SIM?
I really like the SIM model where members have the opportunity to engage at a national, regional and local chapter level. There are so many opportunities to learn and network! It is also a fun time to be part of SIM MN because the chapter is starting many new initiatives and actively working to grow the membership base.
4. What is one of the most important lessons you’ve learned in your career?
A lesson I learned early on is the importance of helping people feel safe delivering bad news. Most people are uncomfortable delivering anything negative, which can result in delays in getting important information to the right people and getting issues resolved timely.
5. Tell us about an impactful SIM event that you’ve attended, and what you took away from it.
I’ve taken something away from each SIM event. The topics are very diverse and time is provided for networking. I really enjoyed our April event with Lea B. Olsen, Play to Win: The secrets to finding the Wins that matter in life and in work. It was a great presentation and really highlighted the importance of making connections and building relationships.
6. What is one goal you have for 2021?
My personal goals for 2021 are quite simple. I am working towards reducing stress and improving health. I had a health scare 3 years ago and it went a long way to impress upon me the importance of living your best life every day.
7. If you could have 1 day with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Great question, coming out of a pandemic. I think this long stretch of not being with our friends and family, and then also not having social interaction on the rare occasions I was out, would bring me to my answer of anyone. I certainly have a greater appreciation for in-person human connections!