Birthplace: South Dayton, NY. Born at home. Profession: Life science lawyer and leader. Organization: DLA Piper. Title: Partner; Vice Chair, FDA Regulatory Practice. Alma mater: University at Buffalo (J.D., M.P.H).
Current project: Building our dream home. I’ve always loved architecture and interior design and now we are bringing our dreams to life in a home for our family. Latest accomplishment: Successfully launched, from scratch, the FDA regulatory practice at a global law firm. Building it from the ground up taught me entrepreneurship within the structure of a law firm and how to create and cultivate culture and process for strong teamwork and excellent client service. Latest contribution to others: My main contribution to others, and hopefully the world, is raising good humans (who are quite small humans at the moment) and being a good human every day. Last book read: The Power of Regret, by Daniel H. Pink.
Personality profile: Mastermind archetype; enterprising, investigative. Excellent, ambitious, successful leader. Curious, authentic, courageous. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Intense. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Partnership of equals, fair give and take. What is your greatest joy? My children, and the process of raising them to be amazing human beings, with my life partner. What is your greatest fear? Being alone. I thrive on togetherness, both personally and professionally. What is your Superpower? Grit. I have strong endurance, tenacity and focus. Smooth seas don’t make for skilled sailors; I believe that discomfort is the currency of life.
What was your favorite college course? Art History, taken as a semester abroad in Sienna, Italy. What book have you repeatedly read? Ronia, the Robber's Daughter, by Astrid Lindren (1981). I read it as a child, a teen and as an adult, each time with no regrets. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? A rotating mix of artwork we collect at flea markets, auctions, antique stores, or by pure happenstance, including examples of surrealism, landscapes, famous artists that reflect our cultural heritage, original woodblocks used in printing and an amazing set of prints by a Jewish-Greek artist. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Success is never settling for less than your best. I love how this advice focuses on “your best” leaving me to define what is best and never focusing on success compared to others. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Video chats. With family and friends all over the world, this is an invaluable tool to stay connected.
What is your big idea?
Create, live and share abundance. We live a limitless existence, there is always more, to create, to experience, to share.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? To make “big law” a better place for lawyers to thrive. The client opportunities and sophistication of the work is unparalleled, but we need to create a better place for lawyers with talent and professional drive to actually thrive as humans What widely held belief do you reject? You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. In fact, we can, and must, evolve and change.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Third Time’s The Charm. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My dad. Not enough time, so much left unsaid and unknown. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? My plaster belly casts. I didn’t do maternity photo shoots and they are the real representation of the amazing journey my body took to bring my children into this world. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? My wedding day, over and over again. My heart was so full of joy, there was such a strong feeling of connection and freedom and the celebration of our love, surrounded by friends and family on a beautiful nighttime beach, I think about it often as a grounding moment and the start of an amazing life journey together. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? Everything between 25 and 35. Everything.
Personal mission: Create, live and share abundance. Favorite quote: “Stop shrinking to fit spaces you’ve outgrown:” (Unknown). Desired epitaph: Move on, let go, grow.
