What was your role at Esprit de Merci?

I helped with the research and development side of things at Esprit de Merci. I was also fortunate enough to work on a community fundraiser where we designed T-shirts that celebrated the amazing work of individuals during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The fundraiser was called Supporting Those Who Support Us, and all of the proceeds went to an amazing non-profit called Giving Kitchen.

What did you seek to support through your work at EdM?

I personally believe that teams and individuals struggle with something that all humans inevitably struggle with: the concept of the ticking time clock. It all boils down to the classic case of feeling like you have so much to do and so little time to do it. This is why I think it’s incredibly important to create a plan of action that includes long-term and short-term goals as well as steps to achieve those goals and possible contingency plans.

This classic struggle can also lead to poor teamwork as taking the time to truly listen to the ideas of others might seem like a waste of time during a stressful time crunch. Creating a plan can help to reduce the potential for this problem and can create the space for listening to beneficial ideas and delegating tasks based on everyone’s strengths rather than panicking and giving people tasks at random.

What is your top CliftonStrengths™ strength, and how do you leverage that?

My top CliftonStrengths™ strength is strategic. Life continues to teach us that nothing is set in stone and life constantly strays from the written path or plan. With my top strength being strategic, I always start each project with a plan A, B, and C to ensure that the given goal is met regardless of potential bumps in the road. It’s all about being able to adapt and reframe projects to better work in the given environment.

What other experiences and skills did you bring to your work with Esprit de Merci?

As a student in high school, I have had several research and writing assignments that have given me the opportunity to learn more about how to find reputable sites, properly format and organize research papers, and pick out the important details and information in a given text. I have been involved in the student council since fourth grade. This has allowed me to learn a lot about teamwork and goal setting starting at a young age. Student council has also given me the opportunity to come up with lots of different ideas, so I am used to thinking creatively and working with others to come up with plans to achieve common goals.

What and where do you most associate with your early years?

I most associate my early years with the outdoors. Whether it was jumping on a trampoline with friends, swimming, or just going on family nature walks, I was constantly outdoors. I definitely attribute my appreciation for nature, animals, and the small but important details in life to spending so much time outside.

What's a hobby you enjoy today (and/or wish you had more time for)?

I truly enjoy playing music and writing. Both of these hobbies offer a wonderful creative outlet as well as a comfortable space to learn and grow.