People

Creating a culture of innovation depends directly on the individuals who work at SRI. Our staff of more than 1,400 members worldwide provide the innovative thinking and technology leadership that sets SRI apart. Here's a chance to meet some of our team and learn why they joined SRI - you may discover that you would like to join the team, too. Visit Careers @ SRI for descriptions of current openings.

Focus @ SRI:
Directing research and evaluations on programs for children and youth with disabilities and other factors that put them at risk.

Title:
Director, Center for Education and Human Services

Day in the Life @ SRI:
My days are very populated. With a staff of 75 in the Center, much of my time is spent addressing staff-related issues and responding to the pressures raised by our rapid growth. I save about half my time for research and writing. And I never miss any of the many and famous Policy Division parties. Any excuse for a celebration!

Before SRI:
After 20 years at SRI, it's difficult to recall life before. The preceding 4 years were spent at Research Triangle Institute doing similar social science research.

Academics:
Three degrees in political science, including a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Why SRI?
My husband of 20 years worked at SRI as the director of the Regulatory Analysis and Management Program and recruited me to join him and SRI for a future in California. He eventually left SRI but I stayed, and it's been a wonderful ride.

Inspiration/Perspiration:
I love to see my efforts make a difference. That holds for the results of the research I do, as well as for relationships with the staff. It's wonderfully satisfying to watch our staff set goals, acquire new skills, take on added responsibilities, and become their very best. When they are at their best, our work, too, is the best it can be. That's when it can truly make a difference.

Languages:
Just one.

Proudest Accomplishment (professional):
There are two, one inside and one outside SRI. Inside SRI, the Mimi Award (in recognition of fostering the personal and professional growth of others) has to be the high spot. It is a tremendous honor that the people I work with every day think of me in conjunction with the "people first" values that the Mimi Award embodies. Their nomination means the world to me; winning was a happy bonus! The external accomplishment I'm most proud of is that the research I directed from 1985 to 1993 (The National Longitudinal Transition Study of Special Education Students) was key to rewriting several provisions in the federal special education law twice in the 1990s. We have begun a similar study for elementary and middle school students and hope to be awarded a contract to repeat the original study of high school students over the next 10 years.

Words of Wisdom for New SRI Team Members:
You get out what you put in. Invest!

Best Read:
Harry Potter (all of them). Sometimes there's just too much real life going on; a touch of fantasy does a soul good!