I’m a highly experienced IT leader with over a decade of experience in managing complex infrastructures and guiding teams through critical technology transformations. From my early days deploying end-user systems as a John Deere contractor to leading the entire IT department of a biopharmaceutical company, I have always prided myself on bridging the gap between technology and people.
I started my career learning the importance of empathy and clear communication in a technical support role, where I worked with users of all skill levels. This foundation shaped my approach to IT and is still an integral part of how I operate: I believe that technology should be a tool that works seamlessly in the background and allows users to focus on using the tools, not supporting them.
As I progressed into more advanced technical roles, I developed an expertise in systems and network administration by collaborating with mentors who encouraged me to grow beyond my comfort zone. My time at Westec provided hands-on experience with advanced networking and server environments, where I learned the value of understanding both the technical intricacies of an environment and the broader business context that guides them.
Working for the State of Iowa, I led an IT team, managed the development of a productivity tracking site for case managers, and expanded my leadership abilities by fostering a collaborative and efficient team environment. My transition to the private sector at NewLink Genetics, now Lumos Pharma, brought all of my experience together. Over the past eleven years, I’ve taken on a wide array of responsibilities—from server/network management and cloud integrations to system validation and compliance. In my duration at Lumos I have led many critical projects like merging public and private infrastructures, migrated standalone servers to enterprise-grade solutions, and completely revamped our policies, procedures, and access controls.
What sets me apart in this industry is my relentless curiosity and ability to quickly master new technologies. I thrive on problem-solving, adapting to change, and translating complex technical issues into straightforward, actionable insights for both end-users and executive teams.