Working alongside a team of researchers representing BMW and the Jacobs Institute, this role focused on the distillation of industry and academic case studies for the advancement of climate-positive driver behavior among BMW’s customers.

Over the course of the fellowship, our team generated a publication and presentation for circulation among BMW’s Sustainability division, compiling research from consumer electronics, transportation, and public health industries.

This role provided fulfillment in contributing to the sustainability goals of an automotive icon and a first-hand understanding of the breadth and depth of insight obtainable through the resources of a global design and engineering juggernaut.

Above all, this experience reinforced the value of understanding the perspectives of the user in the effort to achieve meaningful change.

My work as a panelist with the Knight New Work grant program provides is an inspiring lens into one of my favorite spaces – artists working with emerging technology. This role provides me with the opportunity to evaluate and engage artists and designers seeking to create and collaborate through new modes of production, expression and communication.

Alongside an energizing panel of industry experts and the guiding minds at the Knight Foundation, the Knight New Work program granted $500,000 in support of six projects spanning topics from textile-based video games to open source robotics.

Beyond the excitement and inspiration that comes from engaging with these projects, my involvement with the Knight Foundation provides a stabilizing reminder that the power of emerging technology can best be captured through the unpredictable lens of human expression.

I treasure the time that I spent leading Technology and Digital at LACMA. Working alongside brilliant minds, gaining exposure to world-class artists, and spending my downtime exploring one of the best encyclopedic collections in the world; this experience left an indelible impact on my career.

In this role I had the opportunity to oversee teams responsible for completely distinct facets of technology. Leading the Digital Media department introduced me to the impact of storytelling through digital tools. The big-budget world of IT infrastructure taught me when to invoke technology and when to invoke humanity. Overseeing the renowned Art + Technology Lab taught me the power of emerging technology in the hands of artists and designers.

Reporting to the museum’s Director and CEO, I learned how to understand and execute on vision, turning fragments of ideas into successful initiatives. I learned how to navigate unfamiliar situations by understanding when to stay quiet, listen, and learn, and when to speak up.

This experience provided me with the clarity to understand my own strengths, weaknesses, and passions, compelling me to pursue my next steps beyond the walls of the museum.

And I got to do it all while advancing the impact of a mission-driven public arts institution in the city where I was born. How many people can say that?