Born in San Francisco, I was raised in Israel, where I did most of my schooling, up to a masters in Biochemistry. Working at UCSF for 4 years, interacting with breast cancer patients, I learned that life is too short to leave it to chance or miss an opportunity. I also learned to be creative in finding solutions to the challenges I face.
I am determined, and clearly goal-oriented. And I am devoted to finding solutions that work for all.
I was self-employed for 5 years, providing services to businesses. I maintained web sites, worked in retail, and developed many networks. While processing welfare applications, I gained a renewed appreciation for the blessings in my life and demonstrated that I could leave all the hardship I was dealing with every day at the office, and go home to enjoy the opportunities life presents to me.
If I had to choose one life-lesson to mention, it would be that the answer to any challenge could come from an unexpected source. That is why I pursue many different directions until one provides the answers to my current endeavor.
I am currently retired.
I am a Gender non-conforming (GNC), assigned-female-at-birth (afab), queer, Jewish, American-Israeli, scientist, nonviolent person with a non-conventional approach to Zionism.
"Renaissance Soul" is a term coined by Margaret Lobenstine and "scanner" is a term coined by Barbara Sher to describe people who have an insatiable curiosity, love to learn and do new things, and seem to be "jumping" from one thing to another. This goes along with an extraordinary propensity for learning and modifying your world view. Barbara Sher describes many subtypes, and through reading her book "Refuse to Choose" I have identified myself as a "Plate Spinner" and a "Wanderer."
As a plate spinner I have multiple interests and I keep coming back to them, keeping all the plates in the air simultaneously. The clearest manifestation of this is that I have returned to many interests over and over: foster youth; knitting; networking; learning; racism; Judaism.
I participate in Israeli Folk dancing; volunteer at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival; sing (Threshold choir, Thrive Song Circle); study Talmud (ancient Jewish Law); explore Judaism including new ways to practice it.
If you are part of a group you think I would enjoy, please email me.
Being a Wanderer is about being interested in a specific aspect of everything. For me it is: what is the challenge? So, for instance, I discovered that the challenge in sign language is developing the dexterity to move your hands fast enough to be fluent. I discovered that you can have an accent in sign language, too, which I think is fascinating and obvious. Every so often something catches me, like Talmud study, and I dive in deep.
I have experience in:
I communicate extensively, and err on the side of asking too many questions, rather than assuming the answers. I am very effective at figuring things out, and therefore need minimum direction. I am sensitive to priorities and frequently ask just the right question to open the thought process and shed preconceptions and unhelpful patterns of thinking.
I enjoy asking "How can I do this?" rather than "Can I do this?" I want to be involved in efforts where you can measure the outcomes.
I believe every person brings a unique and special gift to the world. My unique and special gift is to support others. I am a first follower, coach, identify and use their unique and special gifts. Previously I empowered people by providing public assistance, as well as training them in computer and job search skills. Then I empowered leaders in volunteer organizations. Now I empower people at a large corporation to speak up, both by example and through encouragement. I want to live in a community that includes children so I can help them find their unique and special gifts.
I believe in mutual support and treading more lightly on the earth, and that together we will make the world a better place. I value scientific thinking and gaining knowledge where you need it, through informal education
I don't always achieve the best results directly. I generate lots of ideas, and cannot always discern which ones are exceptional. I am an acquired taste: some people find me delightful and others find me offputting. I have never been someone else so I don't know if this is everyone's explerience. I have adopted a "back seat" leadership style: I identify good leaders, encourage them to lead, and spew out ideas. Then they implement the good ones. Of course I am always available to do things, and especially to co-lead, but I am not called to lead solo.
| MS in Biochemistry | |
| Database Administrator for custom Administrative/Financial Database | 1989-1994 |
| Grant Administrator at UCSF: Breast Cancer SPORE | 1994-1998 |
| Clinical trial manager at Medical Device Startups | 1998-2000 |
| Programmer (Custom software): iKnowMed | 2000-2001 |
| Program Manager/Change Manager at UC Berkeley: Childhood Leukemia Study | 2001-2003 |
| Self Employed: Managing and coordinating construction projects (described below), assisting in hiring, web site maintenance | 2003-2009 |
| Classroom Software Trainer: Public Assistance, Medical Professionals, Job Seekers (underserved) | 2009-2013 |
| Public Assistance (Food stamps and County Medical Services Program) | 2010-2011 |
| Web Publisher, Process Development and Improvement | 2013-2017 |
| Records and Information Management Internal Consultant | 2017-2019 |
| Data Response Analyst | 2019-2020 |
| Program Manager for Electric Palantir Foundry efforts and Data Quality | 2020-2024 |
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