Member Spotlight

I've launched into a new phase of my career after completing a PhD in Management, Designing Sustainable Systems. Certainly, the degree is an achievement, but what I'm most proud of is the personal growth I've undergone that led me to and through this pursuit.

This degree marks a transformation in how I view, think about, and interact with the world. It doesn't mean I always get it right, but it's my attempt to do better.

As with many significant life decisions, this one started with deep self-reflection. On the surface, it would seem that I had already accumulated enough education and meaningful work experiences to hold me over in this lifetime. I went from studying psychology, to working as a systems analyst in Silicon Valley, to studying finance and accounting in New York, to landing in management consulting and steering mergers and acquisitions. I covered a lot of ground in what might seem like a happenstance path.

As I reflected on the invisible thread that weaves through this trajectory, I recognized a fundamental belief that propelled me along the way. I see humans as ever-evolving beings, filled with curiosity and the capability to learn. The idea that I "should" be done studying is merely a societal construct, but my humanity compels me to continue growing. So, I approached this PhD as an opportunity to synthesize decades of experience into a coherent framework for understanding how sustainable systems truly function.

This journey deepened my systems thinking capabilities in profound ways. I've always understood that organizations only exist because groups of people come together to operate them, but the PhD helped me articulate the intricate interdependencies that make this collaboration either flourish or falter. What I developed most is the ability to hold complexity without rushing to simplify it.

My background spans both analytical rigor and creative, human-centered approaches. I love improv comedy and deeply identify with the principle of "yes, and"—building on what exists rather than negating it. This PhD taught me to apply that same improvisational mindset to organizational challenges, while refining my ability to bridge theory and practice. The result is a more nuanced understanding of how to design interventions that honor both the complexity of human systems and the practical constraints organizations face.