This is the second in a new spotlight series launched in February to feature integrated business operations (IBO) and administration staff at the Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) and Department of Psychiatry. The IBO model was implemented in October 2019, when Yale School of Medicine (YSM) leadership asked each of the departmental business managers to collaborate and find opportunities for business operations staff in both departments to work more closely together. The initial collaboration led to further integration of operations in the areas of Human Resources, Faculty Affairs and Staffing Administration, Research Finance and Administration, and Clinical Finance and Administration. Each of these areas are now run inter-departmentally and the IBO model has been adopted by nearly all YSM departments.
How long have you been at Yale?
I've been at Yale for almost 16 years and have supported many departments, mostly at the Medical School as a Human Resources Business Partner. I've been supporting the Department of Psychiatry for 8 years, half of the time I've been at Yale.
What led you to this career?
I always enjoyed working with people and studied Organizational Psychology at Michigan State University. I graduated with a great liberal arts degree, but no real applicable HR job experience. Through a family friend, I interviewed and got a position as a personnel secretary at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis. I spent 10 years in hospitality HR in positions of increasing responsibility before moving on to Human Resources in a manufacturing environment, and then came to Yale as an HR business partner 16 years ago. I'm still learning something new every day.
What energizes you outside of work?
I enjoy visiting and spending time with my daughter in Washington, D.C, vacations in Antigua, and Pilates workouts.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
I would love to travel to Cuba. My husband was born there, and he's not been back since he was six years old.
What would you like to share that might surprise your colleagues?
I've moved sixteen times and have lived in 12 states. After moving around so much, we settled in Fairfield 26 years ago.