Consultant Spotlight - November 2025

How long have you been with miLEAD? 

3 years!

What is the focus of your research?

My research focuses on identifying metabolic vulnerabilities in pancreatic cancer using in vitro and vivo models with the goal of better detecting and treating this devastating disease.

What are your current career goals?

Following my PhD, I want to transition into management consulting, where I can apply my scientific, analytical and problem-solving skills to help organizations make data-driven strategic decisions.

What roles have you played on projects? 

I have served as a consultant, project manager, and advisor on multiple projects. Last cycle, I served as the Director of Marketing and Web Services, and I am currently the Vice President of Operations at miLEAD.

What led you to seek out miLEAD?

I joined miLEAD to expand upon the skillset I have been developing during PhD research. Even at the start of my PhD, I was interested in non-academic careers, and miLEAD provided a great opportunity to bridge my academic expertise with business problem-solving. Through working on real client projects and collaborating with other graduate students with similar interests, I gained practical consulting experience that has been instrumental in preparing me for a career in consulting.

Since joining miLEAD, what skills have you been able to develop?

miLEAD has been instrumental in developing my business strategy, problem-solving and communication skills. Working as a consultant allowed me to hone my analytical and research abilities. Progressing to a PM and advisor allowed me to grow in leadership, strategic thinking, and client relationship management. As a board member, I further strengthened my skills in organizational development and strategic planning.

What has been one of your most rewarding experiences thus far working with miLEAD? 

One of my most memorable experiences with miLEAD was serving as a project manager for the first time. This role allowed me to take more responsibility in leading a team, communicating with the client, structuring the project's timeline, and guiding our overall approach. It was rewarding to see how clear communication, both within the team and with the client, enabled us to adapt our methodology and successfully complete our deliverables when challenges arose.

Serving as VP of Operations has allowed me to take a more active role in shaping miLEAD's goals and supporting our members' development. One of my goals for this cycle is to strengthen miLEAD's connections with the external community and pursue additional pro bono consulting opportunities.