Why did you choose to work at HBS?
What got me in the door was Harvard's focus on work/life balance. Before HBS, I was working at a small, but growing start-up software company that focuses on software to enable e-medicine. It's a great company, and it was a dream job for a single twenty-something. With my second child on the way I was no longer interested in the lifestyle required when working at a start-up. You just can't get those long hours back.
How has your career developed at Harvard or HBS?
Here in ITG, a great deal of attention is paid to each individual's career development. There is an emphasis on training both internally and externally. Every employee has influence over his or her path. I've been fortunate enough to participate in a number of high-profile projects. I started here as a contributing member of a team and grown into a position of technical leadership within the department. There are so many opportunities to shine here.
How does HBS compare — positively and/or negatively — to your previous place of employment?
Without question, this is the best job I've ever had. I truly want this to be the last place I work. I'm challenged and busy every day, but I'm also able to leave work here and focus on my family at the end of the day. That was difficult at most if not all of my previous jobs. The careful project planning, attentive project management, and awareness that we all have lives outside of work make this possible.
What is special about working at HBS?
It's a real community of friendly people. I feel I can have a meaningful conversation with anyone here. Everyone is focused on working toward a common goal. One of the guiding principles of our department is to promise what you can deliver and deliver on what you promise. This makes for a very rewarding environment in which there is frequent and valuable feedback on the team's progress. It's great to know that the work you're doing during the day has a direct positive impact on other people at the school. We all get to see the fruits of our labor regularly.
What are your interests/hobbies outside of HBS?
Raising two fantastic kids, cooking (and eating!), home remodeling, carpentry, woodworking, landscaping, gardening, cycling (mostly for commuting purposes), non-work software development (home automation/media center stuff)
What about HBS makes us different from the rest of Harvard University?
Being over in Allston gives HBS a very distinct identity and cohesive culture. It's also interesting to be in the middle of Harvard's busiest development area.
What HBS accomplishment are you most proud of?
I'm not sure if I could choose a single project to highlight. I'll just say that I'm proud every time I hear from one of our partners that our work has made their work lives better. That's why I do this.
What opportunities have you had at HBS that could have only happened here?
A few times a year, HBS employees have the opportunity to participate in an MBA case as MBA students do. For someone with a highly technical background and no management experience, I found it absolutely fascinating.