I’ve had the privilege of conducting research as part of the Workplace and Occupational Wellness Lab. In this position, I’ve been able to review literature on topics like artificial intelligence, job insecurity, belongingness, and leadership. Being part of a research lab that bridges academic knowledge and practical application continues to shape my perspective on people operations and how analytics can help to improve the workplace experience.

At the Marghetis Lab, I explored creativity and problem-solving through behavioral studies, while analyzing research data to build a comprehensive databank. Using R for data analysis and presenting findings through a poster session gave me valuable insights into how research can drive meaningful conclusions.

In this role, I’ve worn many hats to support a growing startup, from recruiting and mentoring over 30 team members to analyzing data with MySQL to guide workforce planning. I’ve worked on streamlining policies, improving team dynamics, and creating operational workflows to make our processes smoother and more effective. Helping the team grow and thrive has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.

As part of the regional board, I had the chance to provide my insight and opinion on different ways for the board to best support its members. Additionally, in the monthly meetings, I took minutes to make sure those who were not able to join can still be informed. I went with other committee members to nearby schools to explain the benefits of the program and answer questions from students and their parents. Currently I’m one of the tournament co-directors, helping organize and coordinate volunteers and classrooms for an event for hundreds of people.