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What is your personal background and how has it shaped you and your approach to your career?

Prior to NNSA, I spent many years in small business and government contracting. While working for an aerospace engineering firm, I worked with contracts, procurements, management training, IT, Human Resources, financial reporting, and budgeting. Working in a small business setting requires a diverse set of skills because of the multifaceted nature of the industry and the unique challenges faced by small businesses. This helped grow a broad foundation that has been very helpful throughout my career.

What is your proudest accomplishment while working at NNSA?

One of my proudest accomplishments was being able to help new staff enter the Liaison Officer program by using my experience in budget, contracts, projects, and process capture. I find it very fulfilling helping others learn new skills, explaining processes and learning from others along the way. In this program, I learned a great deal about different aspects of nuclear security and helped streamline some internal processes which provided cost savings, efficiencies, and improved response times to funding requests.

Tell us something interesting about yourself.

One interesting thing about me is I am an identical twin, which means I have answered to two names my entire life. Once in high school math class, the teacher called on MaryLu (my twin sister’s name) and I answered the question. The teacher was upset with me for calling out the answer when she didn’t call on me. I tried to explain I have an identical twin sister and was so used to being called MaryLu that I answered. However, the teacher did not believe me. As a twin, I have had several conversations with complete strangers who thought I was my sister. And no, we didn’t take tests for each other, though we did (for entertainment) switch classes occasionally.

How do you plan to celebrate Women’s History Month?

I have started a reading list which includes a number of books by or about influential women, such as The Girls of Atomic City by Denise Kiernan; The Chancellor, The Remarkable Odyssey of Angela Merkel by Kati Marton; Becoming, by Michelle Obama; The Code Breaker by Jennifer Doudna; and Dorthy Day by Kate Hennessy, at least to start.