What is your degree?
- B.S. Business Management & Human Resource Management, Alvernia University, 2005
- Masters of Business Administration, Alvernia University, 2016
What is your current employment?
Director of Operational Excellence at Penske Truck Leasing
What current service work are you doing at Alvernia and in the wider community?
- Alvernia Alumni Council & Career Development Committee
- Penske Women's Network - Community Committee
- Leadership Berks Alumni Council
What does it mean to you to be an Alvernia Alum?
Being part of the Alvernia community has opened doors and allowed me to make personal, professional and community connections. These connections have helped to guide so many different aspects of my life.
What impact has your Alvernia degree had on your career?
My undergraduate and graduate degrees from Alvernia have helped me in my career at Penske.
My career at Penske began my freshman year at Alvernia. The classes and curriculum from my degree helped provide me with the foundation I needed to move forward in Penske. Much of the work I do at Penske is very collaborative throughout our organization. Having team and group assignments during my undergrad really helped prepare me for my work at Penske.
Going for my MBA a few years ago had a different impact on my career. The classes and curriculum were great and helped me to enhance my knowledge and skills. The biggest impact it had on me was going through the group program with 26 of my co-workers, many of which I might not have had the opportunity to work with.
What was your involvement on campus when you were a student?
Unfortunately, I did not participate in many campus activities. In hindsight, I would tell myself to branch out and join more on campus activities.
What was your favorite memory from campus?
My favorite memories are having classes and meeting friends that have become like family to me.
To this day, this group of ladies have been by my side through college, getting married, moving different places and having kids.
It just goes to show that time at Alvernia is more than an education. It’s about making connections that frame your entire adult life.
What challenges are you faced with in your position right now because of COVID-19?
Initially, we all had the same challenges most people had. How do we all adapt to the new normal of being remote, working virtual more than ever, balancing home and work at the same time?
Now, instead of challenges from COVID, I try to look at the positive aspects. I have had the chance to meet my team’s family members on zoom calls. We now consciously take time to have a catch-up call and have “water cooler talk”. We now see more patience amongst everyone. It is okay that dogs are barking and little kiddos join in on the meetings.
We are all in this together.
What are you most passionate about in your work?
I’m most passionate jumping in and doing whatever I can to help whether it’s helping our teams, business or community.
What is the one piece of advice you learned since graduation that you would pass along to a current student?
Go for the job you love and that makes you happy. Once you are happy everything falls into place.
