Home: Greater Atlanta, GA area. Age: A limited edition. Profession: Public health. Organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Title: Health scientist. Alma mater: University of Alabama at Birmingham; Emory University.
Current project: Serving at the food bank. Recent professional development: Plain-language scientific writing. Latest accomplishment: Learning to grow food. Latest contribution to others: Leading a mentoring circle. What’s been your big (or biggest) leap? Helping bring dialysis machines to underserved communities. Hobbies: Swimming, hiking, river kayaking, gardening and other physical activities. Recent travel or adventure: A trip to Italy. Last book read: Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, by Samin Nosrat. Recently viewed and recommended: Yellowstone. Recent unique acquisition: A small painting on an ethically sourced walrus tusk.
Personality profile: Contemplative, open-minded, intuitive and thoughtful. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Witty. Moral compass: The words of sages. How do you define a perfect friendship? Being there when you need each other. What is your greatest joy? Spreading joy. What is your greatest fear? The world collapsing. What is your guilty pleasure? Chocolate. What word or phrase do you use far too often? Really. What natural talent have you neglected? Developing musical instrument skills. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Artists and philanthropists. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Good food. What is at the top of your bucket list? Visiting places I have not yet seen. How do you relieve stress? Physical activity and meditation. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Scenery.
What was your first paying job? Working at a big-box store. What was your favorite college course? Brain and Behavior. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Musical chairs. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Paintings. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? Mentors. What’s the best advice you received growing up? See the good in other people. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Either enjoy what you’re doing or move on. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Motor vehicles. What is your favorite app? Advance-order apps. What is your go-to source of news and information? Comparing and discerning among different news sources. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Nature. What company or organization do you most admire? Organizations dedicated to saving lives and protecting people. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? The Olympics—seeing people from around the world come together in harmony.
What is your big idea?
Bringing people together.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Upgrading my skill set. What change would you like to see in the world? Greater harmony. What message do you want to send out into the world? Enjoy each day. What widely held belief do you reject? That the weekend starts on Friday morning. What mega-trend most excites you? Gen Z’s potential to change the world. What mega-trend most concerns you? AI in everything.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Adventures, Learning and Lessons. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? The divinely inspired ones. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? An engineer. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? Family photos. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? Surrounded by loved ones. What advice would you give your younger self? Be more daring. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? The days I spent with my father in the hospital.
Personal mission: Serving others. Personal motto: Do as much good as you can every day. Favorite quote: "Anything worth doing is worth doing well" (father). "Live and let live" (mother). Desired epitaph: He did the best he could.
