Home: Boca Raton, FL. Age: 37. Birthplace: Kiev, Ukraine. Profession: Attorney, patient advocate. Alma mater: Northwestern University (B.A.); DePaul University College of Law (J.D.). Languages spoken: English and Russian.
Current project: Serving as president of the GI Research Foundation. Recent recognition: First female president of GIRF in 65 years; younger than any of my predecessors by 30 years. Recent professional development: My new career in patient advocacy. Latest accomplishment: Raising millions of dollars for digestive disease research. Hobbies: Reading, exercising, traveling. Last book read: Life Force, by Tony Robbins; The Next 500 Years, by Christopher Mason. Recently viewed and recommended: Downton Abbey. Recent unique acquisition: Adopted a puppy.
Personality profile: Direct, honest and transparent; bright, funny. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Tenacious. Moral compass: North star. How do you define a perfect friendship? Comfort in silence and picking up right where we left off. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Shared goals and aligned incentives. What is your greatest joy? My family. What is your greatest fear? Societal unrest. What is your guilty pleasure? Ice cream. What natural talent have you neglected? Interior design. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Doctors and surgeons. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Traveling. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Family.
What three emojis best describe you? 🥰 💗🙌.
What was your first paying job? Customer service at Target. What was your favorite college course? Linguistics. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? My bike. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Love Actually. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Family photos. What’s the best advice you received growing up? The “falling dream” means you are growing. What’s the best advice you received in your career? If you are going to respond, respond quickly. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? The iPhone; Tesla. What is your favorite app? Instacart. What is your go-to source of news and information? Twitter. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? The pandemic lockdown.
What is your big idea? Intensity lights on the back of cars to see how hard the driver hits the brakes; creating personalized cancer vaccines for everyone. What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Patient advocacy in insurance coverage. What message do you want to send out into the world? Take a deep breath and remember exactly who you are.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? All I Ever Wanted was Everything. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Kate Hudson. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A judge. What advice would you give your younger self? Do favors now for your future self. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? College.
Personal motto: Everything is fine. Favorite quote: “Whatever you want from life, you must do for someone else first” (Karma).
