Finding My Place at the Intersection of Tech, Policy, and Leadership

When I came to SOM, I wanted to deepen my understanding of global leadership and gain the confidence to make decisions that drive impact at scale. My career since then has been focused on implementing technology in government—helping leaders leverage digital tools to improve services and decision-making.

As a consultant at The Clearing, I was part of a team advancing the maturity of a key initiative within a leading U.S. government agency. I partnered with leadership to define short-, medium-, and long-term goals, designed processes to support them, and identified opportunities to streamline operations through automation.

As the team’s tech lead, I improved operations by reducing manual, time-consuming, and error-prone work through technology implementation. This involved requirements engineering, database design, computer programming, platform testing, and managing deployments and updates. Beyond the technical aspects, I also tracked compliance requirements, ensuring the responsible use of AI and adherence to data privacy and accessibility standards. Looking back on this work, I see how it fully integrated my experience as a computer engineer, a former SaaS entrepreneur, and an MAM student.

So much of what I learned at SOM continues to shape the work I do to support operational excellence and workflow automation, but three lessons stand out. The first is the importance of baking accessibility into everything. Working with Yale’s Accessibility Services completely changed how I think about accessibility. It’s not just a compliance checkbox—it’s about making sure technology, processes, and communication truly serve the people they’re meant for. Whether designing a system, structuring a meeting, or rolling out a new platform, I always ask: “Who might be left out, and how do we fix that?”

SOM also taught me to demystify complex systems with agile thinking. Kyle Jensen’s course Advanced Management of Software Development course provided me with a practical understanding of Agile methodologies. His teaching style set a standard for how I communicate technical ideas—a really helpful skill when working with diverse stakeholders. This confidence also empowered me to learn new technologies quickly, allowing me to become a subject matter expert in an unfamiliar tech stack within a year.

Another useful skill I picked up at SOM was using policy modeling to map out scenarios. Whether forecasting data growth, balancing paid and non-paying clients, or assessing financial runway in uncertain environments, this approach has helped me make more informed decisions when advising leaders.

Beyond the coursework, the SOM community has been an incredible source of support in my post-graduation journey—personally and professionally. I’ve been struck by the enduring nature of my relationships with friends and mentors; I still talk to classmates regularly, and I’ve received advice from alumni who graduated decades before me. The SOM network is truly global; to matter where I go, there’s always someone from SOM willing to connect or offer help. And the Career Development Office continued to be a tremendous resource even after I left campus.

Looking forward, what excites me most is the ability to create large-scale impact while doing work I truly enjoy. For me, making an impact in this space has meant ensuring sustainability by integrating user feedback throughout product development; prioritizing accessibility from the start; designing for operational excellence by tying every initiative to clear organizational goals; and communicating with clarity. Supporting senior executives, designing systems that improve efficiency, and building technology that helps millions of people—that’s what keeps me going.

Before SOM, I felt like an engineer who struggled with business decisions. Now, I confidently navigate the intersections of technology, strategy and policy. This flexibility earned me Yale’s Swiss Army Knife Award from the Accessibility Service, and it has been one of the most valuable skills in my career. I look forward to bringing these lessons, skills, and experiences to organizations solving complex challenges and shaping the future.