Senior Executive Consultant, Self-employed, Alexandria, VA, USA

AGU embraces the global community and welcomes leaders representing various identities, voices, and perspectives. List any identities, voices, and perspectives you would bring, including but not limited to nationality, regional representations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and anything else you feel comfortable sharing.

I am honored to answer such an important question. I offer this role a rich fabric of identities, voices, and perspectives. As an LGBTQ+ individual, I value inclusivity and unique perspectives from varied life experiences. Being a woman in science and leadership roles empowers me to advocate for all and to ensure all thrive in geophysical sciences.

My experience as a clinician, combat veteran and spouse of a combat service member gives me a deep understanding of our national security and the science that supports our defenses and protects our democracy. I have a deep understanding of resilience, dedication, and the challenges faced by military service members and families - an extension of society. These experiences have honed my ability to navigate complex situations and foster solid and supportive relationships and communities.

With a background as a public servant at the Federal and local government levels, I bring a unique perspective on policy development and implementation that emphasizes integrating scientific research with practical applications for community health and safety. My diverse experiences enable me to bridge gaps between various sectors, ensuring initiatives are comprehensive, inclusive, and effective. I am committed to a global community that values every voice and perspective.

Volunteer experience that relates to this position:

Commissioner: Environmental Planning Commission for the City of Alexandria; Clinician Policy Reviewer, American Public Health Association; Conference Evaluator, International Association of Emergency Managers; Truman Security Project, Defense Council Member supporting national security, climate change, public health, and emergency preparedness; Lead Scholar Mentor for a Girl Security Scholar in Biodefense – a project identifying gaps in the National Biodefense Strategy and her presentation to Halifax International Security Peace with Women Fellows in 2020

As one of the elected leaders of your section, how will you partner with your president, president-elect, other leaders, and staff to communicate with and engage your members to achieve AGU’s vision, values, mission, and goals?

In an era where science faces scrutiny, promoting collaboration within the AGU community is crucial. I will build strong partnerships with the president, president-elect, other leaders, and staff to resonate with AGU’s vision, values, mission, and goals.

Creating a culture of psychological safety will encourage open dialogue, where all voices are heard, and innovative ideas can flourish. I will collaborate with the leadership team to nurture creative and inclusive platforms for member engagement, such as cross-disciplinary projects. Recognizing the diverse perspectives within our community, I will champion initiatives that leverage this diversity through mentorship, data-driven insights, and intentional collaboration.

To accelerate discovery and solution-based science, I will promote interdisciplinary research and the application of new technologies. By creating opportunities for more translational research, we can bridge the gap between discovery and application. Initiatives such as hackathons, innovation challenges, and solution-focused workshops will be integral to this approach, promoting creative, actionable outcomes.

Building trust is fundamental to excellence. Demonstrating integrity and ethical conduct in all our actions will strengthen our community bonds and represent organizational excellence. I will advocate for transparency and accountability initiatives, ensuring members feel valued and respected.

Collaboration extends beyond our immediate community. We can amplify our impact and address societal challenges by forging partnerships with external organizations, governmental bodies, and other scientific communities. Together, we can champion science as a unifying force that drives a thriving, sustainable, and equitable future as a high-performing organization dedicated to scientific excellence and societal impact.

Section affiliations:

GeoHealth; Global Environmental Change; Natural Hazards