Digital technology specialist and incurable humanist.
Experience
Employment History
2021-2022
British Standards Institute (BSI), in partnership with University College London (UCL)
As a part of my graduate school thesis within the Science, Tech, Engineering, and Public Policy (STEaPP) Dept. at UCL, I conducted a 6-month long research project with BSI. Our team was tasked with exploring needs and requirements for AI standardization. Our research focused on understanding AI and Regulation, AI and Innovation, and AI Risks & Harms. Our group conducted three literature reviews (one per research cluster above) in addition to leading a primary research effort. We interviewed experts from UK and global standards bodies, the private sector, and UK Regulators to provide BSI with actionable and evidence-based strategies for tackling AI risk, compliance, and encouraging innovation. We also conducted Horizon Scanning activities to determine what technologies and needs might emerge in the AI space over the next 3 years.
2015-2021
SAS Institute, Inc.
I was the Lead Designer for the SAS Visual Analytics (VA) web-based Viewer platform as well as the VA Add-in for Microsoft Office. I initiated the SAS humane design effort and designed & facilitated a workshop series to operationalize ethical principles; connected with users through customer site visits and and user group presentations; contributed interface and component mockups, specs, and prototypes; worked with developers and product managers to guide the direction of the product; designed cross-platform elements and components like the KPI and Key Value; conducted 12 usability tests in the SAS Usability Lab and on-site; and worked to ensure consistency between the web and other VA platforms.
2014-2015
The University of North Carolina General Administration
As a Presidential Intern, I worked full-time at the University of North Carolina General Administration, the system office which oversees all 16 North Carolina public universities and the NC School of Science and Math. I primarily assisted the Education Policy, Planning, and Analysis Department, the Institutional Research Department, and the State and Federal Relations departments with data visualization development, the production of educational and interactive outreach materials, data analysis, database management, Board of Governors-mandated annual reports, the tracking and updating of accreditation status for all NC higher education programs (public and private), and other special projects.
2014
Orange County Health Department
I worked with three other team members to craft a business plan for an Orange County community support service, modeled after the education and support program the Harlem Children's Zone. I conducted research, reported on my findings, and conducted on-site visits. I used GIS to map areas in Orange County where such a program would be most beneficial. I created a resource map, identifying resource gaps in each neighborhood of interest. In addition, I collected a master list of possible community partners and worked to lay a foundation for the program in area schools. Finally, I created data "snapshots" of each possible neighborhood to present to the Orange County Health Department.
2012
Public School Forum of North Carolina
As a Policy Research Intern, I researched the benefits of expanded learning - specifically afterschool and summer programs -- to students with Autism Spectrum and other behavioral disorders. I presented my research to the Board of Directors, and it was published in PSFNC's yearly publication. I also wrote articles for the weekly Friday Report, a newsletter sent to 3,500 educators across the state.
2011
United States Department of State
I worked with the Public Diplomacy and USAID departments in the US Mission (Embassy) to Uganda. I wrote daily news briefings for the Ambassador and his team, cultivated the Mission's social media presence, and worked at community events. I also synthesized data, using the results to write success stories published to the USAID website.
Education
2021-2022
University College London
I will receive my MPA from University College London's Science, Technology, Engineering, and Public Policy (STEaPP) department in the fall of 2022. As a final thesis, I am working with the British Standards Institute (BSI) as a Student Researcher assisting in the creation of technical standards for Artificial Intelligence, with a focus on mitigating risks and harms.
2010 - 2014
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Public Policy, Education focus. I received minors in Education and Mandarin Chinese. I graduated with a 3.5 GPA.
Interests
In my free time, I am a singer and occasional bass player. I am a newbie community organizer (with lots to learn!) and a volunteer with Second Chance Animal Rescue fostering puppies and dogs. I'm an intermediate Mandarin speaker, a table top RPG nerd and aspiring Game Master, a self-taught philosophy nerd, and a huge fan of the work of the Center for Humane Technology.