Director, Editorial Operations, American Physical Society
Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from, and what did you study? Where are you currently based?
I grew up in Levittown, PA (Bucks County – northern suburbs of Philadelphia – Go Eagles!). I attended Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI, and obtained an A.S. in Travel/Tourism Management and a B.S. in Sports/Entertainment/Event Management. I went on to graduate school at West Chester University of Pennsylvania and obtained a M.S. in Counseling/Higher Education Management. I spent the first 15 years of my career in higher education and moved on to working for professional scientific societies over the last 10 years. After living up and down the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the US, I moved back to Pennsylvania in 2012 and currently reside in New Hope, PA, with my husband, Aram, and our dog, Winston.
Describe your current role and organization. What are your main responsibilities? What type of organization do you work for?
In April, I transitioned to a role with the American Physical Society leading their editorial operations team. As a part of the APS Publications Leadership Team, I work closely with my colleagues to ensure organizational goals and objectives are met. Previously, I served as the Senior Director, Global Editorial Operations with the American Chemical Society, where I oversaw a team of 23 hybrid and field-base professionals within Editorial Services, Publishing Integrity, ACS eBooks & eReference, and Researcher Products & Engagement.
Share your journey in scholarly publishing. What was your first role in this field, and how did you land it? What path led you to your current position? What unexpected challenges have you faced?
I unexpectedly came into scholarly publishing in 2016 when I was with the Electrochemical Society. At that time, I was serving as the Director of Membership Services, and the organization had taken on a bold publishing initiative called Free the Science. With this, there was a need for the organization to strengthen its business practices within the Publications Department. The CEO asked me to take on the Director of Publications role, given my success in membership. And I accepted. In Publications, I had a seasoned team who were very knowledgeable in the publishing industry. I worked alongside them to learn the business, build trust, and lead a transformation to advance the goals of the organization at that time. After four years and success in completing some major initiatives, I recognized that my ability to grow would only come from moving on to a new role within a larger organization. That led me to ACS and my current work.
Can you share a memorable project, achievement, or pivotal moment in your career development? Was there a defining moment or influential person who shaped your career?
There have been many achievements I’m proud of in my career development and pivotal moments of growth and learning. I started working at 16 and have been working for 30 years. It was early on that the most important piece of career advice was given to me by my grandfather, a man who never graduated from high school. He told me to not only learn my job but also learn the jobs of others around me. It will only help you do your job better. To this day, he is one of the smartest individuals I’ve met in my life. And his advice has been the driver of my career success.
In your experience, what skills or qualities are essential for success in scholarly communications?
If I had to pick one skill that would be essential for any or all roles in publishing, I would say communication is the key to success.
What future trends do you foresee in the field of scholarly publishing?
While much of this is already happening, technology and how we utilize technology will be critical to our industry. AI is at the heart of industry conversations, and it will be interesting to see how AI changes the way we, as a society, work beyond specific uses within the publishing industry.
What motivates you in your work? What keeps you passionate about your role in scholarly publishing?
I’m motivated by the work of a team driving towards a goal that has a greater impact on humanity. I think that is why I’ve always found myself drawn to working in the nonprofit space. My motivation was first about supporting the growth of students in higher education and has grown into the focus of advancing science critical to supporting our global society.
How do you balance your professional and personal life? Any fun facts or hobbies outside of scholarly communications?
I try to find balance by setting boundaries and having focuses outside of work. There will be times you tend to work more because of a project or needs of the organization. I try to balance that out when times are slower. It’s important to take your time off and disconnect. As a leader, I try to lead by example for my team. Fun fact: I am a planner, and I love to travel! So, I tend to plan out all my time off and personal travel for the year. This gives me and my husband something to look forward to on a rolling basis.
What advice would you give to aspiring professionals in scholarly communications?
Like any industry, I would share that it is important to learn what type of work environment is important for you to be successful. Take the time to truly understand yourself, your personal values, and your strengths. This only helps you find the right organizational fit for you.
