Degree(s) and Year(s) Degree(s) Conferred: Ph.D., 1988; M.S., 1986
Graduate Academic Program(s) at Penn State: Industrial Engineering
Current Professional Title: Founder & Operations Leader
Current Employer: SOS Consulting, LLC
Briefly describe your professional career, including your employment history and notable accomplishments
I have over 20 years of experience delivering results using engineering, statistical and business process improvement methodologies. Clients include manufacturing organizations in the chemical, food, automotive, education, and printing industries. Prior to consulting, I held a variety of technical and leadership roles at RR Donnelley, GE Lighting, DuPont and Kodak. I am active in the Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE) and American Society for Quality (ASQ), serving in local and national roles. I was a member of the 2006 and 2008 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Board of Examiners. I am an ASQ Certified Quality Engineer and a Six Sigma Master Black Belt.
I have been an active alumna of the College of Engineering, serving as president of the Penn State Engineering Society and a member of the Industrial Engineering Department Industrial & Professional Advisory Committee for over ten years and was named an Outstanding Engineering Alumna by the College of Engineering in 2009. I am active in engineering education, representing IIE on the ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission and Board of Directors from 1997 – 2008. I was named an ABET Fellow in 2007.
Please list honors, awards, and professional achievements
- Penn State Outstanding Engineering Alumna, 2009
- ABET Fellow, 2007
- Examiner, Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, 2006 and 2008
- Penn State Engineering Society Distinguished Service Award, 1999
- DuPont Engineering Bronze Award, 1992
- DuPont Engineering Silver Award, 1990
- Certified Quality Engineer, American Society for Quality, 1989
Please provide any advice to graduate students related to career exploration
Leverage your network – family, friends, former co-workers. Get experience with the type of work you want while at Penn State (teaching, research, internship). Don’t hesitate to reach out to organizations that say they do not hire right out of college.