Educational background: St. Cloud State University, Communications
Prior work experience: MIT Sloan, Director of Corporate Relations; MIT Club of Boston, President and Director
Current or most recent position: Executive Director, MIT Leadership Center
When I was a Sloan Fellow, I felt like a kid in a candy store. The faculty and my classmates were smart, creative and diverse, and came from all over the world. The international travel, courses and interactions with the other fellows gave me an international perspective, and I learned a great deal personally and intellectually. While I came to MIT Sloan for a solid grounding in business skills, my understanding of people skills and the importance of communicating your message to get things done was a valuable perspective to bring to the experience.
Upon graduation, and before joining the staff of MIT Sloan, I ran my own business helping executives with their communications. I often interviewed CEOs and other executives about leadership, and spoke to companies about how organizations were changing and needed to change how and what they communicated to key stakeholders. Knowing of Tom Malone, Peter Senge and their work at MIT Sloan, I often referenced their research in my business.
One of my fondest memories at MIT Sloan is speaking to my class and the incoming class about the Sloan Fellows Program and the personal and professional challenges it presents. It gave me the opportunity to move away from business, grades and achievement to talk about the personal side of the experience. At MIT Sloan, I found collaboration and teamwork. I got to know a small group of classmates through a walking-pool — instead of car-pooling. We walked to school each day from the Back Bay. Developing relationships during those walks enabled me to foster close connections to several classmates.
MIT's reputation globally is phenomenal. It opens doors at the highest levels. We had the opportunity to meet with Jack Welch, then CEO of General Electric, and dozens of other executive and government leaders from New York, Tokyo, Bangkok and Hong Kong. It was very enlightening to hear the challenges and issues facing them, and to tap the exciting global network that MIT Sloan offers.
© 2013 MIT SLOAN SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT