Equity Centered Systems Designer, Washington D.C.
Please introduce yourself and describe your career. What do you do for a living?
I’m a Black multiracial European Jew with she/they pronouns, over a decade of tech experience, and a newfound enthusiasm for the unknown after being one of the thousands in the space impacted by org-wide laid offs. My family and I call DC home, where I juggle being a mom to a one-year-old named Hendrix and a four-year-old mini-golden doodle. In October 2023 and during a 1am feedings with my newborn, I ventured into art to raise money for humanitarian need, and have now sold and connected to people all over the globe.
With over a decade in culture-first roles, I've navigated various stages of the talent lifecycle, leveraging human-centered design and agile principles to create innovative solutions. I facilitate the design and execution of equitable workplace interventions. I envision a future where every workplace embodies fairness, inclusivity, and opportunity for all. Like many, I was recently impacted by company-wide layoffs, but I was most recently Director, Equality at Salesforce.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I’ve dreamt of being a queen, a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, a ballerina, and a Broadway star (despite my dubious singing skills), a WNBA player (thank you, “Love and Basketball”), a lawyer, a teacher, an investigative journalist. As a young person, I was fascinated by gender roles and the expectations tied to my assigned gender at birth. While I didn’t have the language then, this curiosity sparked my journey into understanding identity and societal norms.
My mom is my role model who laid the foundations for perseverance, resilience, compassion, and wisdom. She worked, was active in my classrooms, a PTA President, and was known in the community as someone who advocated for children around town. As the daughter of Black Panthers, we learned our history, the importance of community, and self-advocacy.
I was also fortunate to have a few inspiring teachers who embraced experiential, project-based learning, and Waldorf education. They believed in me and nurtured my potential. Their kindness, influencing skills, stakeholder management, and collaborative spirit continue to guide me in my professional journey today.
What did you study? How much schooling do you think is required to get into your role? What could you have skipped?
I dabbled in Philosophy, flirted with Journalism, and ultimately found my calling in Sociology, which taught me to dissect culture and data. Though my formal education laid the groundwork, the real lessons came from juggling jobs, internships, and leadership roles. Degrees can open doors, but diverse experiences and self-learning can kick them wide open.
Formal schooling shouldn't be a strict requirement for my role. Our society often equates degrees with competence, but this perspective misses the mark. Many people acquire knowledge and skills through non-traditional means, and relying solely on formal education can be exclusionary. Systemic barriers like socioeconomic status, race, and geographic location limit access to higher education for many. Valuing diverse educational pathways, practical experience, self-learning, and on-the-job training creates more inclusive opportunities for everyone. The critical skills for my role—such as critical thinking, adaptability, and interpersonal communication—were honed both inside and outside the classroom. By embracing diverse learning experiences, we can break down biases associated with formal education and promote a more equitable approach to professional development.
Was your path hard or smooth getting to where you are in your career? (Can you briefly describe what it was like on your journey so far?)
Navigating my career has felt like walking a tightrope between aspiration and reality. I envision a world of true diversity, equity, and inclusion and often ponder, "What if we were already there? Would my work feel more liberating?" My journey has been a blend of passion and reflection, with challenges and triumphs bringing me closer to a future I believe in and strive to create.
As a leader, I inspire, support, and guide my team toward success by unlocking their genius. I'm focused on balancing advocacy with inquiry and managing ambiguity.
Lastly, I believe in embodying integrity and working in spaces that ignite my genius, solving problems to make things fairer for all.
What are some questions someone should really ask themselves if they want to get into your industry/career path?
While I’ve been in a DEI titled role the last 3 years, I’ve traversed across HR. Despite this, I believe in centering fairness. In this light, you can ask these questions:
Why am I passionate about helping people develop and grow in their careers?
Understanding your motivation can help you align your personal values with your professional goals.
What systemic issues do I see in current workplace environments, and how would I address them to make systems more inclusive and fair?
Reflecting on this can reveal your ability to identify and solve complex challenges.
How do I handle difficult conversations and navigate sensitive topics with empathy and effectiveness?
This question helps you assess your readiness to engage in important but challenging dialogues.
When faced with ambiguity and change, how do I adapt and continue to drive positive outcomes?
Your approach to change and uncertainty is crucial in a field that constantly evolves.
Where can I continuously learn and grow to stay ahead in the talent management and DEI landscape?
Identifying your commitment to ongoing education and professional development is key to long-term success.
What do you enjoy most about your career? (What do you enjoy least?)
I thrive on the creative chaos of collaboration, where minds spark the best ideas. There are different frameworks on how to design and build, for various audiences: waterfall, agile, small interventions, global interventions, and there are different ways to get there. I enjoy facilitating the movement from inception to execution. Watching inclusion based initiatives transform workplaces is deeply satisfying, and maintaining momentum amidst corporate inertia or a political landscape is key. This is a long term play.
What tools/resources do you frequently use? (Books, podcasts, mentors, wellness habits, software, etc.)
I am a firm believer in going back to my roots, drawing inspiration and wisdom from those who paved the way. For guidance, I turn to Audre Lorde; for encouragement, Toni Morrison; and for world-building, Octavia Butler. Yet, I also believe in the power of slowing down and reflecting. It’s surprising how much we can learn in a single day if we take the time to pause and absorb.
I build my own GPTs for brainstorming and organization. Asana keeps my projects on track, while my personal board of directors—trusted mentors and peers—provides invaluable guidance and support. These tools keep my sanity intact and my career on course.
What is something you do when things get difficult? How do you handle stress/challenges?
When the going gets tough, I get mindful. Meditation and breaking tasks into bite-sized pieces help me stay centered. I also lean on my personal board of directors for diverse perspectives and remind myself of my long-term goals to stay resilient and focused.
What advice would you give to someone who is trying to figure out what they want to do (for work) in general?
Embrace the journey and revel in the detours. Dive into what excites you, experiment with different roles, and pivot without fear. Tap into your network for insights, and balance your exploration with wellness habits to keep your mind sharp and spirits high.
Do you have any mentors or key pieces of career advice that helped you get to where you are today?
When solving a workplace challenge, it's imperative to understand the customer to provide an effective solution. Through research and human-centered design, you gain a deep understanding of the issue at hand. I believe that by witnessing and understanding, we can tell the truth, and in all aspects, the truth leads to problem solving and innovation.
People will always remember how you made them feel, so be kind. Own your career, advocate for yourself loudly, set firm boundaries, and get comfortable with uncertainty—it’s where the magic happens.
What excites you about the future OR what's up next for you in the near future? (Could be career-related, life-related, or even a future career pivot/path)
From a macro perspective,
The future is a thrilling mystery. I’m excited to dive deeper into DEI and talent development. On the home front, I’m navigating the joys and chaos of motherhood while chasing my professional dreams. It’s an adventure I’m fully embracing, twists and all.
Where can readers find/connect with you if they have questions? OR How can we support you?