My Career
I've been involved in Human Resources and Management for over 30 years. After college, the Peace Corps (Colombia) and a stint in the public schools, I guided a non-profit community organization, Woodside on the Move, in Queens New York for its first 10 years. We developed youth programs, built an apartment house for senior citizens, provided a community employment service and revitalized the commercial strip.
Government was my next stop, and I ran the NYS Office handling the Neighborhood and Rural Preservation Companies. These groups provide community development services and housing throughout NYS. From there I went to the private sector and worked as Vice-President of Human Resources for Harman Consumer Group for 15 years. As a Fortune 500 company, HCG had offices in New York and Los Angeles and factories in Mexico and China. Employee surveys showed high levels of satisfaction.
Throughout my career, I've volunteered to help many non-profit organizations including:
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The Queens Women's Network (where I was the first President)
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The local Community Board where I chaired the Housing Committee
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The Hyde Leadership Charter School in the South Bronx where I chaired the Human Resources Committee
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The Taproot Foundation where I led Human Resources projects at other non-profit organizations.
What is most interesting to me about my background and experience is that in each organization, good management and good Human Resources were always the same. Treating staff with respect, letting them know what was expected, defining their jobs clearly so they could be successful; these basic elements always created the supportive climate that encouraged people to show initiative and be innovative.
My education has been varied as well. My bachelor's degree in Psychology is from Tufts, my master's degree in Guidance is from Bank Street College, and my doctorate in Educational Psychology and Statistical Analysis is from the City University of New York.
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