Northwestern Intersections

In our final installment of our four part back-to-school mini-series, we speak with Shreya Sriram ’22 and Florencia Son ’23 PhD. Shreya is a third-year undergraduate student at Northwestern University where she is majoring in Economics and Communication Sciences and Disorders on the Pre-Medicine track. She conducts independent research in the Auditory Research Laboratory and the CAPLab.  Florencia is a third-year PhD candidate in the Chemistry Department and part of the Farha group at Northwestern, studying metal–organic frameworks for the purpose of the detoxification of chemical warfare agents. Both Shreya and Florencia serve as Student Directors on the Northwestern Alumni Association’s (NAA) Board of Directors. In this episode, Shreya and Florencia give us an inside look into navigating campus virtually. They share their experiences in the classroom, the lab, and their social circles, in addition to providing their insights into the NAA Board of Directors. Join us for a conversation between four Northweste

In our latest installment of our four part Back to School mini-series, we speak with Tiffany Wells ’09, ’19 MS.  Tiffany serves as the assistant head of school at Guidepost Montessori Wicker Park in Chicago where she heads up the school’s operational response to the pandemic. Tiffany shares how “rolling with the punches” has been the guiding principal of her career and her personal life. She reminds us all the importance of perspective and reflection in our lives, as well as the value in dreaming big.

The Northwestern Intersections team is kicking off our latest season with a four part Back to School mini-series, where we will speak with Wildcats at the intersection of education and the pandemic, discussing how they are approaching their work in our ever-changing, virtual world. In the second episode of the mini-series, we sit down with Tim Dohrer ’95 MA. Tim is the director of Northwestern’s Master of Science in Education program, as well as an assistant professor for the School of Education and Social Policy. Throughout his career, Tim has taught middle school, high school, and college students in rural, urban, and suburban settings.  In his current role, Tim teaches teachers. On today’s episode, Tim dives into the under recognized parts of teaching, and shares the ingenuity that is happening in classrooms today.  

The Northwestern Intersections team is kicking off our latest season with a four part Back to School mini-series, where we will speak with Wildcats at the intersection of education and the pandemic, discussing how they are approaching their work in our ever-changing, virtual world. Melissa Foster ’96, ’01 MMus, a full time senior lecturer in the theatre department and a member of the musical theatre voice faculty in the School of Communication, occupies a unique position on Northwestern’s campus. She is one of the five Northwestern faculty members that live with their families in residence halls with undergraduate students. In this episode, Melissa guides us through what it’s like building residential community without all members occupying the same space, as well as the intricacies of teaching voice lessons over Zoom calls. Melissa also shares the importance of gratitude and your support network when navigating some of life’s most challenging patches, whatever it entails.

Small businesses across the US and the world have been hit hard by the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, many businesses have found ways to be creative with their business and have found experienced an outpouring of support from their communities. Austin Harvey ’04 knows this well. Austin is an advanced cicerone and the curator and co-owner of employee-owned Beermiscuous, a Chicago craft beer bar and retailer. Chicago’s shelter-in-place order went into effect two weeks after Austin and his colleagues purchased the bar from the founder. In this episode, Austin shares the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on his business and the strong bond between the bar and the community. He also dives into his perspective on work, and alleviating some of the pressures that come with our society’s definition of success and education.  If you’re interested in learning more about some alumni-owned small businesses, you can visit the Northwestern Alumni-Owned Small Business Directory on our website, al

Virtual interviews aren’t new, but they are more prevalent and necessary than ever. Executive coach Corinne Vargas ’14 MS is here to help our listeners perfect their skills and ace their next interview with some simple, memorable tips. She shares her ABCD’s, standing for avoid technical issues, mind your background, curate your verbal and written voice, and discover as much as possible about your potential employer. Corinne dives into how this advice can help you be your most confident, authentic self, while standing out from the rest of the applicant pool.

For many of us, food has been a major part of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, for better or for worse. In our new segment Wellness Tip, Carla Hightower ’85, ’87 MD, ’91 GME, ’02 MBA explores the connection between nutrition and many chronic health conditions that exacerbate the effects of COVID-19. As a physician, a certified integrative health coach, and a corporate wellness consultant, Carla shares some ideas on how to make lasting changes to our eating habits so our bodies can operate and feel their best. Carla has two free resource guides for our listeners on overcoming diabetes naturally and strengthening your immune system to put today’s tip into action.

In our new segment, Career Tip, we brought back Chareen Goodman, a former guest from our Career Webinar Series, who shares how to map out a plan to S.O.A.R., which stands for stop, observe, assess, and respond. She lays out tangible steps on how to respond to your unexpected life and career change as the CEO of your own life.   Chareen will be offering complimentary career coaching call just for our listeners as a way to help out fellow ‘Cats in need during this time. You can go https://careercrushercoaching.com/naa-free-gift/ to connect with Chareen Goodman.  

How do you start a conversation with children over sensitive topics like systemic racism, historical trauma, grief, or divorce? In this episode, Anthony Ward Jr. ’06 chats with the NAA on his take and experience on variety of techniques as a clinical therapist and also a father of two daughters. His key advice? Empathize with their point of view other than your own. Start the conversation early. On July 21st, 2020, Anthony was a featured presenter on the NAA’s ’Cats Wellness Chat to lead a discussion on cultural issues conversations. You can check out the recording either here or on our website www.alumni.northwestern.edu/intersections to hear more from Anthony.

As important conversations surrounding diversity and equity are happening in industries across the US, Jaime Esposito ’14 and Stephen Hall ’13 are leading the way for more queer representation in classical music. The two percussionists and educators are also the co-founders of Spectrum Ensemble, a performance group with the goal of giving the queer community a platform to create and make music. Spectrum Ensemble’s mission is to commission and perform beautiful music while supporting the community by commissioning queer composers and using their music to fundraise for LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations. In this episode, Jaime and Stephen share insights into their work, the process of starting an ensemble, and the impact their work is having. You can catch Spectrum Ensemble’s next performance at the New Media Art and Sound Summit here on July 22. 

The word ‘pivot’ has become ubiquitous with the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and that is no different for Caleigh Hernandez ’15. Caleigh is the founder and CEO of RoHo, an accessories brand usually specializing in sandals, jewelry, and handbags. RoHo partners with four artisan groups across Kenya to create their products while creating consistent, fair paying work for their artisans, most of whom are women. With the economic impact of the pandemic, sandals and handbags were no longer a top of the shopping list purchase for most consumers. But Roho’s artisan partners still needed to put food on their families’ tables. In this episode of Northwestern Intersections, Caleigh shares the creative changes the company has made in order to support their team, the challenges of global business, and the importance of open and honest communication in leadership.

On this episode of Northwestern Intersections, your host Helen Kim ’16, speaks with Vlada Bortnik ’01, the CEO and founder of the app Marco Polo and Joya Communications. Marco Polo is a video chat app that allows users to connect with friends and family on their own time, without the pressures of curated social media or a scheduled video chat. Vlada helps us think about screen time and screen fatigue in new ways, while sharing candid insights from the C-suite and her home during the coronavirus pandemic and anti-racist movement.

We live in an unprecedented and uncertain time, filled with stress, anxiety, and new realities for our home and work lives. It can be overwhelming, but Dr. Coco Cabrel is here to help you take a few moments to re-center and take care of yourself, whatever your struggle may be. Dr. Coco will lead you through three meditations-without-meditating, or what she calls “The Calms.” Stay tuned after The Calms to hear more about Dr. Coco’s work and experiences during this global pandemic we are all going through together. Coco Cabrel ’87 BS, ’89 MD, is the founder of Lifestorm Calms, her coaching and consulting system for calming stress and burnout smack in the middle of the chaos. She currently offers courses and 4-week intensive programs just like the ones in this episode on www.lifestormcalms.com/kestrel. You may contact her directly at drcoco@lifestormcalms.com, connect on LinkedIn at /linkedin.com/in/cococabrel, or on her Instagram @lifestormcalms.

Most first-year Northwestern students come into their undergraduate studies with a vague idea of what they want to do post-graduation. Neal Taparia came into Northwestern with what would become a research management tool staple for his peers and students after him: EasyBib.com. Developed with a friend in high school, EasyBib—acquired by education technology Chegg-- was just the start of Neal’s entrepreneurial career. In this episode of Intersections, Neal shares the importance of hustling, the valuable advice he has gotten throughout his career, and the ways he stays connected to young entrepreneurs on campus. Neal is now exploring how classic games can help with brain and memory training with his new initiative Solitaired.

Since 1932, the Northwestern Alumni Medal has celebrated alumni who have had a transformative impact on their fields, who have performed exemplary volunteer service to society, or who have demonstrated an outstanding record of service and support to the University. In October 2019, three accomplished alumnae received the highest honor for the positive impact they have made in their careers and communities. This week, we’ll hear, Bridgette Proctor Heller ’83, ’85 MBA, a senior executive with more than 30 years of experience with Fortune 500 companies. Northwestern Intersections will be featuring all-female guests during the month of March in conjunction with the Women’s History Month and the 150 Years of Women at Northwestern to honor those who have shaped and inspired the future of our community.

Since 1932, the Northwestern Alumni Medal has celebrated alumni who have had a transformative impact on their fields, who have performed exemplary volunteer service to society, or who have demonstrated an outstanding record of service and support to the University. In October 2019, three accomplished alumnae received the highest honor for the positive impact they have made in their careers and communities. This week, we’ll hear from Yie-Hsin Hung ’84, a top-ranking female operating executive at New York Life.  Northwestern Intersections will be featuring all-female guests during the month of March in conjunction with the Women’s History Month and the 150 Years of Women at Northwestern to honor those who have shaped and inspired the future of our community.

Since 1932, the Northwestern Alumni Medal has celebrated alumni who have had a transformative impact on their fields, who have performed exemplary volunteer service to society, or who have demonstrated an outstanding record of service and support to the University. In October 2019, three accomplished alumnae received the highest honor for the positive impact they have made in their careers and communities. This week, we’ll hear from Lisa M. Franchetti ’85, who led several commands in support of US national security strategy. Northwestern Intersections will be featuring all-female guests during the month of March in conjunction with the Women’s History Month and the 150 Years of Women at Northwestern to honor those who have shaped and inspired the future of our community.

According to renowned American lyric soprano Amanda Majeski, understanding your personal definition of success is essential in any career, but even more so in the arts. Amanda gives us an inside look into the ins and outs of the opera world, as well as the unifying power of music and art. She shares how she befriended performance anxiety in a high pressure career and her strategies to managing it that will prove valuable for creative and corporate careers alike. She also emphasizes the importance of one’s support networks, both personal and professional, in accomplishing goals. Northwestern Intersections will be featuring all-female guests during the month of March in conjunction with the Women’s History Month and the 150 Years of Women at Northwestern to honor those who have shaped and inspired the future of our community. 

As the Partner and U.S. Health Services Sector Leader at PwC, Gurpreet Singh has expertise in Health Information Technology and Digital Strategies that drive innovation. We get the inside scoop on some of the cutting-edge innovations the healthcare system is moving towards and the impact of Chief Digital Officers bring to an organization. Outside of work, Gurpreet serves on the Board at non-profit organizations in Chicago, IL with his two young rock star sons. He passes down to his sons what his father taught him: no one ever can take your education from you nor the experiences you have with others.

We brought back Melissa Donaldson to continue our conversation after her highly-praised webinar presentation on Intentional Diversity and Inclusion Practices, hosted by the NAA last month. Melissa, who is currently the Senior VP and Chief Diversity Officer at Wintrust Financial Corporation, dives deeper into the questions we all have when it comes to being a diversity and inclusion practitioner and supporter. You’ll hear candid perspectives and personal experiences from both Melissa and Helen and you can click here to watch the webinar recording.