What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy the collaborations. I think we have a lot of smart and creative people in our department, and some pretty amazing ideas arise when we try to solve problems—this is very unique. What’s more, during most collaborations when someone makes a suggestion, there is often a voice in the room saying we don’t have the resources. But here, that person also asks how we can get there. We try to find a mechanism to do what needs to be done.
You’re from Puerto Rico. What do you miss most about the island?
I especially miss the weather in the winter and living in close proximity to the beach—getting there in 20 minutes is a luxury. I also miss the warmth of the Puerto Rican people. You can meet a stranger for the first time, and you might hug when you leave. There is definitely a difference in personal space.
If I were to plan a trip to Puerto Rico, what is the one place I shouldn’t miss?
There is a small island off the coast of Puerto Rico, called Vieques, that doesn’t have any large hotels or all-inclusive resorts, so life there is much like it was in the Caribbean 50 years ago. Vieques also has one of the brightest bioluminescent bays in the world. You arrive by kayak with a tour guide, and when you hit the water with your paddle or pour water on yourself, you have the surreal experience of seeing streaks of light from the fish moving around the kayak.
What does your perfect day look like?
Generally, I wake up at 4:30 am before my kids, so my perfect day would start by sleeping in until 6:30 or 7:00 without any children in my bed. The kids would miraculously be ready for school or daycare, and I would easily get them in the car and drop them off. I like the days I go to the office and see my colleagues. We’d have a confab and catch up on what we’re doing, our challenges, and proposed solutions. In the afternoon, I would have time to work on my half-written manuscripts with no email interruptions, and finally, I would pick the kids up early and see their happy faces.
If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be?
Persevering. I don't give up, personally and professionally.
Hurricane Fiona Relief
Here is a list of organizations you can donate to hurricane relief in Puerto Rico.