Director of Communications, Institute for Global Health Sciences and the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Overview of Journey at UCSF:

I came to UCSF in 2015 after spending eight years in marketing and development at UC Berkeley. When exploring job openings at UCSF, I came across a marketing role at the UCSF Library and the rest was history. My time at the UCSF Library was such an adventure. When I joined the Library was at a crossroads trying to define their relevance and identity within UCSF. We decided that the Library would dive head first into innovation and creativity. Over the next five years we established a maker’s lab, leaned into classes and events (and experimented with online courses) and redesigned the website toward a service-based model. In 2019, I decided it was time to explore other departments at UCSF and my outgoing manager recommended that I apply to the communications role at the Institute for Global Health Sciences and the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. It was a space I had absolutely no experience in, but I found that as a communicator, I thrive off of jumping into new sectors and providing a fresh pair of eyes. Who would have thought, what we all would be facing around the corner? When the pandemic hit six months into my role, my global health and public health education accelerated at an exponential rate. As I was building the airplane, I had to fly that thing too! Everything from crisis communications to social justice communications to virtual event planning was my life in the last two and a half years. It was wild, challenging and rewarding all at the same time. 

If you could go anywhere for a day, where would you go?  

Outside! I will go outside even in the rain but anywhere that is sunny, breezy with lots of plant life is where I want to be. 

What advice would you give yourself early on in your career? To a woman entering your field today? 

Early in my career, I felt like I had to do everything myself and learn everything myself. I was afraid of what it would look like to ask for help. I was very ambitious, and I operated as if I had to figure things out on my own to meet my ambition. The guidance I would give to myself is to build a community of people to help me in various aspects of my career and life. Build a personal board of directors made up of people with diverse experiences, in various sectors and with different perspectives.  

To women in communications, I would say there is nothing more powerful than an authentic woman. Be yourself, that is, get to know how your energy works, your ideal work pace, what you like to do and what you’re good at. There are so many spaces to enter within communications and when you can get clear on who you are today, you will be clear on what opportunities are right for you.  

Next, I would say to continue to sharpen yourself as a professional. Every one to two years, apply to positions that you may be interested in pursuing. This is not only a great way to keep yourself relevant but to also use as a negotiation tool with your current employer. Be the leader of your career – ask questions, build relationships, seek out learning opportunities and create boundaries that work for you.  

What has been an important success in your career? Have you had a key breakthrough moment? 

After 20 years in marketing and communications, I now know that my entire career has been a success. The highs, the lows, the wins, the losses have all contributed to where I am today. My breakthrough moment was when I started to see myself as both a student and a high value contributor. I see my career as a space where I will always be learning, growing and teaching.  

What do you like to do outside of work? 

Outside of work, I love being outdoors, hiking, crafting, yoga, dancing, spending time with friends and family. I also love art and enjoy museums and galleries. And of course, food. I enjoy cooking for others and love eating out for myself.