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Athena at Work: Annika Christensen ‘13, Legislative Aide at the U.S. Senate

The career paths of Athena Alumnae Network members span many sectors across the country. Athena at Work is a series of posts that showcases the diversity of professional choices that Athena alumnae have taken on post Barnard. Annika Christensen shares her story, and her passion shines through her answers to the interview questions below. Read on to learn about her path from the Athena Scholars program as an American Studies major to her current role with Senator Gary Peters of Michigan in the U.S. Senate.

How did you get to the U.S. Senate in DC after Barnard?

After graduating from Barnard in 2013, I was able to move to DC because I got a paid fellowship at She Should Run, a nonprofit that encourages and trains women to run for office. That was an incredible transition into my career in politics because it carried forward many of the things I was passionate about at Barnard. One of the main reasons I came to Barnard was to explore the social and political power of women and other underrepresented groups. Barnard is so active in trying to raise up these voices in every conversation and push for women to be better represented at the top of every field. That's why I loved being an Athena Scholar: I got to study and support women's leadership, including that of my peers. The Athena Center also made it possible for me to intern for Congresswoman Anna Eshoo in DC and Senator Gillibrand in NYC, which is how I fell in love with the work I do now.

What do you do in your current role? How did you get there?

I currently work as a junior legislative staffer for Senator Gary Peters of Michigan, helping advise him on economic and judiciary issues. Before this, I had the great fortune to work for my home state senator and the former Senate Democratic Leader, Harry Reid of Nevada. Even though I was at the entry level, managing the front office and answering phones, that was one of the best professional experiences I will ever have. It was so rewarding to help the people back home get in touch with our team and the Senator, understand his work in Washington, and tell their stories. And the members of Team Reid are some of the most brilliant, kind, and dedicated people in DC. When Senator Reid announced his retirement, I knew I wanted to keep working in the Senate. I was so happy to get this position in Senator Peters’ office because I felt they had that same intense dedication to constituents and that same feeling of family. 

At a hearing, Annika staffs Senator Gary Peters.

What's your day to day like? 

Each day varies a great deal here. Some of my most important daily duties are meeting with constituent groups and helping the Senator respond to letters and calls from constituents. I also develop legislation to respond to our constituents’ needs and national issues, a process that involves a great deal of research, writing, and working with other congressional offices and state partners. A lot of my daily tasks also hinge on what’s happening in the Senate and the Senator’s busy schedule, including votes, committee hearings, meetings with Michigan groups, meetings with Senate colleagues, and more. I help brief the Senator for these, making sure he has all the in-the-weeds details he needs to discuss and make decisions. Some specific things I’m proud of are helping the Senator advance legislation through the Small Business Committee, staffing him in hearings with witnesses like Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, writing speeches for the Senate floor, and staying up all night to monitor endless series of budget votes. Did I mention I love my job?

Are there any ceremonial aspects of working in public service that you find charming or unexpected?

I majored in American Studies at Barnard, so I’m always thinking about American history, culture, and myth, as well as politics. I think it's fascinating how every action in Congress has some aspect of symbolism, because everything represents and affects millions of constituents. For example, the practices and rules you see on the Senate floor are highly ceremonial, but there’s a reason for the protocol. I love Senate procedure because it makes the Senate tick and it encodes each senator's ability to object, the equal power of each state and each legislator. It’s not just ceremony, it's about our democratic institutions. Everything is part of a larger picture, but also part of different, sometimes competing, stories about what America is and should be. You can see this even in the place where we work, the Capitol: they say it's the “symbol of our democracy,” but I always feel it's a fraught symbol. In every stone and painting there are layers of history, triumphant and terrible moments, and always debate about where America should go - that's democracy. I feel like part of our job here is to listen to and negotiate between all these different stories and ideas about America.

Annika with Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid.

What motivates you in public service?

Making people’s voices heard, helping represent those who don't feel represented, is what motivates me here. I often think about my grandma, who was galvanized to get involved in her Nevada community when she saw how the state was restricting welfare for single mothers who were working harder than anyone just to get by. She wanted to fight alongside and support her fellow women and mothers however possible in the face of this injustice. It's a basic function of society to help others who are down on their luck, whether it’s because of circumstance or because they have been historically and consistently left behind. Our grandparents fought for the idea that every person should have equal rights, opportunities, and a helping hand when she's down. Yet we’re still facing attacks every day on these basic rights, and I think we all have a responsibility to protect them.

What networking groups or membership associations would you recommend other Athena alumnae and students look into if they are interested in public service?

The Athena Center itself is one of the best resources to find public service networking groups. Athena helped connect me with organizations in NYC and DC, such as the Public Leadership Education Network, that helped me develop my professional interests during college. If you’re in DC or interested in coming here, reach out to the Barnard in Washington Club on Facebook (I’m their Young Alumnae Coordinator) and feel free to contact me. There’s no end to networking groups in DC, but one of the best is the Women’s Information Network (WIN), where you can meet women from all different sectors of public service. Other good organizations are She Should Run, Women in Government Relations, “State Societies” with members from your home state, and congressional staff associations such as the Women’s Congressional Staff Association. I’ve been involved with all these organizations, as a member or in leadership, because it’s so rewarding at the end of the day to get together and share your passions.  

Annika with members of the Barnard in Washington Club

Please share a recent experience you've had that has reminded you of your involvement with the Athena program.

I recently participated in a program called WeLead, which is a yearlong leadership development fellowship for young women with careers in politics. It reminded me so much of Barnard and the Athena Center because it was a diverse group of women who want to change the world, and who actively seek out other women for expert advice, education, mentorship, and friendship. It’s wonderful to meet women who see themselves as leaders and want to hold themselves and others accountable to challenging the status quo. This is a particularly important time when all sorts of people are realizing their potential to create change and starting to really own their political power. I feel very lucky to be a member of communities like Barnard, WeLead, the Senate, and DC, where that type of thought and action is constantly happening. My friends in these communities surprise and inspire me every day. Even though we have so far to go, they truly give me hope that things can get better if we keep looking out for each other.

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Athena at Work: Marci Leveillee ‘10, Grants Manager at Philadelphia Youth Network

The career paths of Athena Alumnae Network members span many sectors across the country. Athena at Work is a series of posts that showcases the diversity of professional choices that Athena alumnae have taken on post Barnard.

Marci Leveillee shares her story -- how she chose Barnard and how her graduate studies in social work led her to where she currently is in Philadelphia. Marci is a proud Athena alum who says, “I credit my ability to serve in leadership roles, as well as my strong interest in career development, to Barnard College and the Athena leadership program.” 

Where are you from?

I grew up in Northboro, MA, a small town of about 14,000 residents and 45 minutes west of Boston. Fun Fact: My family has a long history in MA, tracing our ancestry back to the Mayflower.

Tell us about your path from Northboro to Barnard and the Athena Scholars program.

I applied to Barnard early decision. I wanted to attend a small, liberal arts college in a large city not too far from home. Barnard was the perfect fit! I also felt a strong connection to the college during my first campus visit my junior year of high school. Once I enrolled at Barnard, I was drawn to the emphasis on women’s leadership. When the Athena Leadership Studies program was launched, I knew I had to be involved!

From Barnard graduation: Posing for a photo at the Columbia University Commencement Ceremony through the rain, May 2010, with Davina Etwaru.

What was your social action project?

For my social action project, I developed a digital map of Women’s History in Manhattan, based off a project Pam Elam created for the Manhattan Borough President's Office (Women’s Rights, Historic Sites: A Manhattan Map Of Milestones). I came up with the idea for the map before learning that a version had been created only two years prior, and was connected to the Manhattan Borough President’s office by a CUNY professor who knew of the project. To complete the project, I worked with the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of the Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer.  To make the map, I visited each site across Manhattan, categorized all the sites with basic themes (Professions, Arts, etc.), found pictures for some of the sites, and plotted nearly 130 sites on a Google Map.

I am proud to say that it has been linked in multiple places, long after completing the project, including in AM NY and on Wikipedia. Here’s the Google Map version. 

Unfortunately it is no longer posted on the Manhattan Borough president’s office website, as far as I can tell, likely since Scott Stringer left office in 2013. 

When you were a senior at Barnard, what were you thinking for your next steps after graduation?

I knew I wanted to obtain my Masters degree in social work, but was not ready to go to graduate school right after college. I looked for one-year fellowships, and landed an AmeriCorps VISTA position planning done-in-a-day volunteer projects at the United Way of Central Massachusetts. Since then I have earned my MSW from Columbia School of Social Work and pursued my dream career of institutional fundraising for a youth workforce development intermediary.

How did you know you wanted to pursue social work for graduate school? 

I have known I wanted to pursue social work since sophomore year of high school when I interned at a local social service agency for a summer. When I was at Barnard, I had the opportunity to intern for two years at the Columbia School of Social Work Office of Communications, and interacted with many faculty, students, and staff there. It is also one of the top social work programs in the country, and I was interested in returning to Morningside Heights.  

Now, what about Philly? What are you enjoying about Philly?

Philadelphia is a great city to be a young professional. In addition to good restaurants and bars, I have found great opportunities to get involved and support my passions, including AmeriCorps Alums of Greater Philadelphia and the Spruce Foundation. I have also found opportunities for personal and professional growth, including by founding a Young Professionals group of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Philadelphia chapter.

In addition, summers in Philadelphia are filled with lots of fun outdoor activities, including outdoor yoga and movies, and many beer gardens and pop up parks. I also really enjoy how walk-able the city is.  

Philly Magic Gardens: Enjoying an afternoon at Philadelphia's Magic Garden, an immersive outdoor art installation using nontraditional materials such as folk art statues, found objects, bicycle wheels, colorful glass bottles, hand-made tiles, and thousands of glittering mirrors.

How did you get to your current job? What previous jobs, internships, club activities etc helped you reach the opportunity you're pursuing? Any specific mentors who encouraged you?

Currently I work in fund development at Philadelphia Youth Network, a youth workforce development intermediary working to equip young people for academic achievement, economic opportunity and personal success. There are many experiences from high school through graduate school that led me to my career today.

My path to my current position began in high school. As I mentioned earlier, an internship at a social service agency in high school ignited my interest in social work.

After a series of direct service internships and jobs during college, I landed an internship working in a Development office at a small non-profit. My supervisor had a background in social work and encouraged me to pursue fundraising as a viable career with a social work degree. My senior year, I participated as a member of the Senior Fund committee, and continue to serve as an alumnae fundraiser today. In addition, the summer after I graduated Barnard, I participated as a Daniel and Florence Guggenheim Foundation Oscar S. Straus II Fellow in Criminal Justice by working in a youth workforce development program in East Harlem.

A few years later, in my second year of my MSW program, I selected my field placement at a youth workforce development intermediary, which served to improve and increase workforce opportunities for out-of-school, out-of-work young adults in NYC.

So, after putting all of these experiences together, I determined my dream position: working in institutional fundraising at an innovative youth workforce development organization. I am very grateful to say that this is exactly what I have the opportunity to do for my job every day.

Philabundance photo: Volunteering at Philabundance, a local Philadelphia hunger relief agency, with the Junior League (a women's voluntarism organization founded by Mary Harriman, Barnard Class of 1905)

Please share a recent experience you've had that has reminded you of your involvement with the Athena program.

Barnard College in general, and the Athena program in particular, have prepared me with the skills and confidence to get involved in leadership roles in the local community even though I have only lived in Philadelphia for 2 years. For example, late last year I noticed a gap in the Philadelphia fundraising community in supporting and retaining young professionals. Through my membership in Association for Fundraising Professionals in Philadelphia, I reached out to the chair of Membership, and six months later I helped to found a young professionals group that now meets monthly for educational and social events with the aim to strengthen the future of the fundraising profession in Philadelphia and create a strong community of young professionals in their 20s and 30s within AFP-GPC.

I also serve in a leadership role for the local chapter of AmeriCorps Alums as chair of the Professional Development & Networking committee. We plan quarterly events for local AmeriCorps alums, and we had our first event the first week of December.

From Barnard Reunion: Gathering at the Barnard Class of 2010 five-year reunion Dinner, June 2015, with Stephanie Tarras and Anna Steffens.

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Athena at Work: Zoë LePage ‘13 at Exhale to Inhale

The career paths of Athena Alumnae Network members span many sectors across the country. Athena at Work is a series of posts that provide insight into the diversity of professional choices that Athena alumnae have taken on post Barnard.

Zoë LePage is an entrepreneur on a mission to bring the healing practice of yoga to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Zoë was an Athena Scholar and a psychology major at Barnard. Immediately after graduation, she worked as a management consultant. Recently, she left her consulting job in April and is now focused full-time on Exhale to Inhale, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. She is thrilled about the opportunity and said, “It feels like a dream come true!” She is proud to share her story as someone who turned her Athena social action project from her senior year of college into a career! 

Tell us about Exhale to Inhale. 

Exhale to Inhale (ETI) began as my senior Athena Scholar social impact assignment. I saw the effect of domestic violence & sexual assault on the survivors in my life and I felt powerless. Yoga helped me feel safe in my body and I wanted to empower survivors to have this experience. I set out to recruit yoga teachers and partner with domestic violence agencies and after my first few meetings, I knew that my project would extend beyond the semester. Three years later, Exhale to Inhale continues to empower survivors of domestic violence & sexual assault to transform their lives through the healing practice of yoga. 

What does Exhale to Inhale do?

Exhale to Inhale’s work plays an integral part in survivors’ recovery that results in them being healthier, stronger, and better equipped to move forward with their lives. The yoga mat is a safe place where survivors can begin to reconnect with themselves, to practice making choices, express when something doesn’t feel right, and figure out what would work better. One survivor said, “I come to yoga classes because they make me feel better. We keep it in and yoga is a way to release and breathe.”

Exhale to Inhale team & volunteers at the 2016 Summer Solstice in Times Square

How did you decide to take on Exhale to Inhale full-time?

For most of my life I had pursued two passions—in high school I darted between the ballet studio and the basketball court. After college, I recreated this pattern, consultant during the week & founder of a non-profit on the weekends. This past winter, with a herniated disc & a bad case of bronchitis, I was forced to re-evaluate. Like the good yogi I am—I sat down to meditate—when thought of focusing full-time on Exhale to Inhale occurred to me, I breathed a sigh of relief. After that, there was no other choice to make. 

Now that you are running your own organization, what’s top of mind for you?

I have three main goals for the next year: strengthen our partnerships with domestic violence agencies, create a stronger community of support for our teachers, and raise funds to expand our team. I know that these goals may not sound exciting and at first glance, may not appear connected to survivors of domestic violence & sexual assault. But everything we do at ETI is with the survivor in mind. We want to strengthen our partnerships to ensure that we are meeting the unique needs of the organization and the survivors they serve. We want to further educate and support our teachers so they are empowered to show-up for survivors. We want to expand our staff because we know that our organization cannot continue to rely so heavily on volunteers. 

Photo from an Evening with Meredith Vieira, a fundraising event for Exhale to Inhale from October 2015. From left to right: Meredith Vieira (journalist & talk show host), Zoë LePage (ETI Founder), Amy Tobin (ETI Board President), & Tara Tonini (ETI Program Director).

Tell us more about the survivors who take part in your programs. How does yoga help them?

Our main goal at Exhale to Inhale is to empower survivors to transform their lives. We have also begun to build our reputation for our trauma-informed training, developed based on cutting-edge research and our experience in the shelters. Beyond that, we want to gather further evidence to show that our approach works. Among other things, we expect to see decreases in blood pressure, chronic pain, depression/anxiety and PTSD symptoms. On average a woman goes back to her abuser 7+ times before ultimately leaving him. We hope to confirm that our work can reduce this statistic, in addition to improving overall health outcomes. We hope to show that ETI offers a simple, cost-effective solution to a complex problem. 

An explainer video for Exhale to Inhale’s trauma-informed yoga classes. Learn more at: http://nationswell.com/exhale-to-inhale-yoga-domestic-violence-victims/

What advice do you have for Athena students and alumnae who are planning to pursue or are pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams? 

Do it. Take a risk on yourself. Build-up your team. Those men & women that you trust and admire, ask them to join you. You will be surprised how often people say yes.

Editor’s note: There are many ways to Exhale to Inhale’s mission. You can take or teach a class, donate, shop, or simply follow and share on social media. More details at http://exhaletoinhale.org/

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Athena in Graduate School: Julia Kennedy ‘13 at University of Southern California pursuing her Masters of Fine Arts in Film Production

Athena in Graduate School is a new series highlighting the diverse paths in graduate school that Athena alumnae have chosen after Barnard. The series will share how specific graduate programs are advancing the career paths, intellectual curiosities, and broad personal and professional networks of Athena alumnae.

Watch the trailer to learn about Beads, a 12 minute short film about a young African American girl's experience with racial discrimination. For the film, Julia and her team created their own new black and animated superhero, Wonder Lady, who is an inspiration to the main character. Beads is a film that deals with how children are corrupted by the influence of adults' racial attitudes. Julia and her team are currently raising funds via Kickstarter and would love the support of the Athena community!

The interview with Julia begins with a couple questions: Where are you based now? What are you enjoying about your current city?

I am currently living in Little Armenia, a small neighborhood in Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA. I've been attending USC as a graduate student in the film production program for a little over a year and I have been loving Los Angeles. USC is located in South LA, so commuting to and from campus has been a bit of a pain, but I like living away from campus as it gives me a better perspective on the city. Los Angeles is filled with hidden gems, and one thing I've come to love about my neighborhood is its proximity to UCB (Upright Citizens Brigade), as I have started taking Improv 101 classes and attending improv shows - a really cheap and fun way to spend an evening!

As Producer for Beads, Julia must be on call at all times and that requires the gentle art of using a walkie-talkie to communicate commands using fuzzy reception.

Tell us about your path to USC. 

I ended up at USC because it was the second film program to accept me, the first being Chapman...I was not admitted to my other schools of choice, two of which were in New York City and the other one was UCLA. I was attracted to the program mostly because it was an all around craft school - you get to learn everything about film production, from directing to sound editing - as well as the fact that it is a very well respected school located in Los Angeles, the center of the industry I want to enter.

Julia and her friend Cydney while looking out on Downtown LA -- as Julia is the producer to Cydney’s writer, the photo perfectly encapsulates their friendship and working relationship.

What are your goals in graduate school?

Two things I aim to get out of this experience are 1) a solid network of students and recent graduates who will be able to buoy me throughout my time in the film industry and 2) analytical skills and tools as a filmmaker that are implementable into any type of filmmaking that I go into.

What are you excited about in your industry? 

I am excited about learning a lot more about how the industry works on the commercial level - how people move from jobs to jobs, how people manage their schedules, and how to be a freelance filmmaker in this industry.

Julia and her friend Emily on their last day of set for Beads in Diamond Bar, California -- Emily was the first Assistant Camera and did an awesome job!

What's one piece of advice you have for anyone considering a career in your industry?

My advice would be to keep a clear head at all times and be willing to not know what you want! It will make you more open to experience and discover something you didn't know you might love - like doing coverage for scripts or picture editing.

Please share a recent experience you've had that has reminded you of your involvement with the Athena program.

I recently attended a conference hosted at the USC Annenberg School that was entitled - "Transforming Hollywood" - and it was a day featuring panelists from the industry (writers, producers, and critics) discussing topics such as crafting characters that break cultural stereotypes. It reminded me of all the hard work done at Athena spent questioning everything in the cultural sphere - and my former boss and Artistic Director of the Athena Film Festival, Melissa Silverstein, was a panelist that day, so we had a nice little reunion!

Last question - what about summer vacation during graduate school? Any recent travels? 

This past summer, my boyfriend and I did an epic road trip across America, racking up 5,000 miles over a month on his trusty Toyota Corolla. Our last stop was at the Grand Canyon, and it was incredible!

Editor’s note: Julia’s Kickstarter for Beads ends on December 1, 2016 at 12:00AM EST. Pledge your support today: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/beads/beads-a-short-film

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Summer and Fall 2016 Gatherings

The Athena Alumnae Network helps Athena alumnae get to know each other, and helps alumnae stay updated on the Athena Center’s developments, and connects alumnae with current Athena students. 

A few times a year in New York City, alumnae gather to meet, greet, and share stories. The Fall 2016 dinner was the best turnout yet -- 14 alumnae and 2 current Scholars! 

The Athena Alumnae Network thanks the Athena Center for supporting the group. 

Summer 2016 happy hour! From left to right: Liscare Castro, Lydia Miller, Jessica Desjardins (Stevenson), Adiya Taylor, Sarah Batchu, Amy Chen

Fall 2016 dinner! From left to right: Gloria Noel, Anna Dydzuhn, Abigail Pope-Brooks, Rathna Ramanathan.

Fall 2016 dinner! From left to right: Emily Goldstein, Kara Krakower, Elizabeth Satarov, Amy Chen.

Fall 2016 dinner! From left to right: Gabrielle Ferrarra, Adiya Taylor, Sarah Batchu, Lauren Gorab, Melina Dunham, Dylan Kapit.

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Athena at Work: Shira Albagli ‘13 at The Representation Project

The career paths of Athena Alumnae Network members span many sectors across the country. Athena at Work is a series of posts that provide insight into the diversity of professional choices that Athena alumnae have taken on post Barnard.

Shira Albagli is a policy wonk with a knack for creating viral campaigns that empower individuals to drive local and global change. She has brought her expertise and enthusiasm to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the United Nations, Senator Barbara A. Mikulski’s Press Office, and most recently the Second Lady of California, Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s nonprofit, The Representation Project. In her spare time, she serves as the youngest elected alumna member of the AABC’s Nominating Committee and runs a Bay Area women’s mastermind group she co-founded with a fellow Barnard bear.

How did you get to your current job? 

While attending Barnard College, I watched the documentary, Miss Representation. Little did I know then that the film would not only inspire me to petition the college to create my own major (Politics and Theatre, i.e. the study of diplomacy), but that someday I would develop and manage the PR and digital strategy for the film and its overarching nonprofit, The Representation Project. Looking back now, it seems like a linear and somewhat obvious career move. The truth is that it wasn’t. In my experience in Senator Mikulski’s Press Office, the UN’s Department of Field Support, and the Gates Foundation’s Global Policy and Advocacy Division, I stayed hungry, sought out mentors, and endeavored to keep exploring new models of public service.

What motivates you at your organization? 

We’re a collaborative, creative, and entrepreneurial bunch. One example of the communications team in action is the #AskHerMore campaign, which advocates for red carpet reporters to ask women about more than their dresses. Since its launch in 2012, the campaign has trended on Facebook and Twitter, engaged A-listers like Shonda Rhimes and Reese Witherspoon, and been spotlighted by major media outlets like The New York Times and Entertainment Tonight as challenging sexist reporting in Hollywood and beyond. While advocacy work can feel daunting to some, I feel extraordinarily lucky to be on a team that believes change is possible, measurable, and deliverable.

Throwback to graduation at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Shira and her friends pose as dancing Barnard bears! From left to right: Vered Weisz, Gabriella Romanos, Natalie Nicole Lau, Shira Albagli.

Please share a recent experience you've had that has reminded you of your involvement with the Athena program.

What first drew me to the Athena program was the people. From students to speakers, each one was more inspiring than the next. When I graduated, I wanted to continue to to be a part of such a community. That’s why I co-founded a Bay Area mastermind program with fellow Barnard alumna, Elizabeth de Luna. Each group is comprised of six to eight women professionals, from C-suite executives to recent graduates at companies like Facebook, Uber, and Google, who meet once a month for six months to workshop their various endeavors. Our discussions include topics like when to close your company, where to volunteer, and or how to pitch investors. These discussions have reminded me so much of my Athena experience and reaffirmed my commitment to bringing together badass women to create a network of mutual mentorship.

Below, Shira shares a couple snapshots from San Francisco. 

Gardening with fellow alumnae at a Barnard volunteer event. From left to right: Lisa Lin, Shira Albagli, Erica Wintermuth. 

A Columbia & Barnard alumni event for Columbia University Giving Day 2015. Shira organized the event with fellow Athena alumna Keren Baruch ‘13.

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Athena in Graduate School: Kate Bergin ‘13 at Teachers College, Columbia University pursuing her Masters in Social-Organizational Psychology

Athena in Graduate School is a new series highlighting the diverse paths in graduate school that Athena alumnae have chosen after Barnard. The series will share how specific graduate programs are advancing the career paths, intellectual curiosities, and broad personal and professional networks of Athena alumnae.

Pictured above, Kate at the United Nations, where she interned in HR at UN Women in her first year of graduate school. 

Where are you in your graduate studies right now? 

I am in the second year of a Master’s program in Social-Organizational Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University. I was inspired to get my Master’s by one of my former Barnard Professors, Mateo Cruz, who taught Organizational Psychology at Barnard. He is an incredible teacher and mentor. I chose this degree because I want to be a future leader in HR and discovered this interest while advising Barnard students as an undergrad Peer Career Advisor in Barnard’s Career Development office.

Pictured above, Kate’s photo of Peer Career Advisors at Barnard.

Back row: Alexa Hammel ('13), Kate Bergin ('13), President Debora Spar, Johanna Cohen ('15), Geraldine Cheung ('14)

Front row: Priscilla Flores ('14), Elissa Mendez-Renk ('13), Deisy Flores ('15)

Since Teachers College, Columbia University is so close to Barnard’s campus, do you ever visit Barnard?

I still find myself in grad school studying in Barnard’s Diana Center. It feels like home!

Did you work for a couple years between graduating from Barnard and enrolling in your Master’s program?

Yes, I am so glad that I worked for a couple of years before starting grad school because it gave me perspective on the working world and the triumphs and challenges that every organization faces. I also had the time to reflect on my interests, learn more about the grad programs available, and be sure that Organizational Psychology was the area I wanted to study further. Before starting grad school, I worked at West Elm, a home-furnishings retail company, in their HR department to support their corporate team. This was an incredible experience that exposed me to many facets of HR, giving me a great working knowledge and foundation of the HR function. Now when I’m in the classroom, I can draw from personal experiences and encounters in the workplace to which I can practically apply the theories I am learning. This makes the learning more relevant and meaningful. I would really recommend to anyone considering grad school to think about working for a few years after undergrad, before going back to school.

What field of work do you intend to pursue after you complete your graduate studies?

After I graduate from my Master’s program, I will be joining Bank of America in a two-year HR development rotational program. I am thrilled about this opportunity because I see so many possibilities. Since Bank of America is such a large organization, there are a wide variety of roles, experiences, and businesses that need HR support. In the future, I aspire to lead HR at an organization to improve the working lives of the employees and make a large contribution to an organization that has a positive global impact. 

Outside of work and school, in her free time, Kate enjoys running. She is running the NYC marathon this November 2016 for the 4th time! 

Pictured above, Kate runs in the March 2016 NYC Half Marathon.  

What are you excited about in your field of work? 

I am excited about the field of Human Resources because of the wide variety of opportunities, whether it be in the different areas within HR or the many industries that you can work in. If you’re at the right organization, HR is a transformative practice that has a major influence on the type of talent within the organization, their engagement, and their day-to-day wellbeing. I am passionate about this because I truly believe in the value that innovative and supportive HR partners bring to an organization. Although HR does not generate revenue, I believe that people are the greatest asset of any organization and therefore HR plays a huge role in any organization’s success. I am also eager to continue to improve Diversity and Inclusion initiatives at whatever organization I am at as this is an area I am particularly interested in, value, and still where I see significant room for improvement. 

Please share a recent experience you've had that has reminded you of your involvement with the Athena program. 

I am constantly in awe of fellow Barnard alumnae and current students. To be a part of this community is so special, motivating, and inspiring. 

Recently, I met with a current Barnard student who blew me away with her accomplishments and drive, and also by a particular comment. She said: “I want to try my best at everything I do because how else will I discover my full potential?” I walked away from that conversation with an extra bounce in my step and feeling even more driven to go after my goals and support the others around me reach theirs.

One of Kate’s favorite memories from Barnard. May 2013, just before graduating, Kate and her friends gather at the Senior Toast rooftop reception event. From left to right) Keren Baruch ('13), Kate Bergin ('13), Mercedes Pritchett ('13), and Melodie Zhu ('13).

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Athena in Graduate School: Mary Glenn ‘13 at UC Berkeley, pursuing her Master of Development Practice

Athena in Graduate School is a new series highlighting the diverse paths in graduate school that Athena alumnae have chosen after Barnard. The series will share how specific graduate programs are advancing the career paths, intellectual curiosities, and broad personal and professional networks of Athena alumnae.

Pictured above, in September 2016, Mary presents her summer sustainable agriculture work from San Juan Colorado, Mexico at the International Conference on Sustainable Development in NYC.

Where are you in your graduate studies right now?

I’m currently in my second (and final!) year of graduate studies in the Master of Development Practice (MDP) program at the University of California, Berkeley. The MDP is a degree designed for future practitioners in the field of international development, and is broadly centered on issues of sustainable development and poverty alleviation.

Where did you work immediately after Barnard, and how did your work experience affect what you are getting out of your program now?

Between graduating from Barnard in 2013 and starting at Berkeley in 2015, I worked as a case manager with individuals with HIV/AIDS, mental health issues, and substance use issues within the Medicaid system in NYC. The job was largely field-based and extremely intense – I had about 60 clients, each with unique assets and challenges – and gave me significant hands-on experience in terms of direct work around poverty alleviation in a domestic, urban context. More than anything, my work experience gave me some real perspective. It’s one thing to study something; it’s completely another to work in partnership with people to really tackle that something on the ground and in real time, where everything is inherently more messy and complicated. I also think it was really important for me to have some time to develop some life skills that are more difficult to get into while an undergraduate: budgeting, cooking, building a work-life balance, and so on. Now that I’m back in school, I can better ground myself in reality, experience, and balance.

Pictured above, Mary conducts a group interview with a group of small-scale farmers in San Juan Colorado, Mexico in summer 2016.

What field of work do you intend to pursue after you complete your graduate studies? What are you excited about in your field of work?

After I graduate in May 2017, I plan to work in the field of international development. Within the development field, I focus on a) grassroots empowerment, mobilization, and leadership at the local level and b) sustainable agriculture. I’m particularly interested in how people can become empowered agents of change through sustainable agriculture practices, working towards food sovereignty and food justice. (A lot of that interest, I should add, stems from my time at Barnard and as an Athena Scholar, where I learned firsthand the strength of empowerment and leadership in realizing my own strengths and capacities as an agent of change.)

While I have spent a lot of time in Latin America – I’ve lived in both Peru and Mexico – I am also interested in returning to my professional roots, working within NYC on domestic and urban issues that are equally important. Thus, this past semester I’ve begun exploring sustainable agriculture in an urban context, looking at how participatory methods can really engage people – particularly youth – around issues of food justice and food sovereignty for positive change. I know that I want to return to NYC once I graduate, and I’m excited to see where I land in terms of what type of organization (international vs. local) I’ll work for!

Pictured above, Mary and her MDP cohort on the first day of their first year, back in August 2015

What do you enjoy most about your program? 

What makes my program special is, without a doubt, the people in it. It’s a very small program: there are only 24 of us in my cohort, 12 of whom are from other countries all over the world. In addition, people come from a wide variety of backgrounds: while I have more public health experience, for example, there are also policy people, law people, energy people, engineering people, entrepreneurship people, and even consulting and for-profit people. It makes for a special environment where we each bring something different to the table and can really critically engage with one another from our different perspectives. It’s a mutually supportive, rather than overly competitive, environment, and we are all extraordinarily close friends. We try to do a lot of social events where we eat food and listen to music from all our different cultures. From what I’ve heard from other graduate students, this type of closeness and the sort of environment it fosters is quite unique. I’m very lucky and can’t imagine having it any other way.

Pictured above, Mary and her classmates following a final presentation on a consulting case they worked on with Gilead

What advice do you have for anyone considering your type of graduate program? Any tips on studying for the GRE?

My advice when considering any graduate program is to really make sure that you know it’s what you want to study and go into professionally in the long term. You’ll likely spend (at least!) a few years diving deep, and graduate school entails very intense, nonstop engagement with your area of study… so expect a lot of late nights and not nearly as much extracurricular activity and free food as you had in undergraduate!  

Regarding studying for the GRE, I made flashcards of all the most common vocabulary words – I think there were about 200 recommended in my review book – and studied them on my daily work commute in the months leading up to the exam. I found that really helped me. On that note, buy a review book, and really use it!

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Athena at Work: Reni Calister ‘11 at Good Morning America

The career paths of Athena Alumnae Network members span many sectors across the country. Athena at Work is a series of posts that provide insight into the diversity of professional choices that Athena alumnae have taken on post Barnard.

Reni Calister ‘11 shares how the Barnard / Athena network has influenced her career path to where she currently is at Good Morning America. 

I wanted to get back into "live" television after spending nearly three years at HBO Documentary Films, working under THE Sheila Nevins, a dynamo and Barnard alumna.

At Good Morning America, where I currently work, I am so pleased to report that I do work with another Barnard graduate; and for the record, she's a brilliant Producer.

I got my current job, like almost all of my other jobs, through a Barnard contact. This peer network is astounding - Barnard women are everywhere, and they have great reputations in the workplace, which certainly helps when they recommend you for a position.

I live and work in NYC because of the access it offers. It's a networker's dream- the sheer number of people who also live and work here creates an opportunity to connect with people of all industries and experiences. I certainly wanted to stay here after Barnard and Athena because I spent four years cultivating relationships with people and companies during my time as a student. Those relationships proved to be invaluable as I made my way through this city as a graduate.

Media, arts, and entertainment is an ever expanding and changing industry - we wake up every day and are forced to be innovative. Advice for my wild and wonderful industry: pay attention. People who know who's who, what's what, and where to be are the most successful. When you are first starting out, listen and learn from the best. Be gracious and grateful.

I've been lucky enough to meet heads of state, leaders of industry, movie stars, and even travel the world. Most recently, we traveled to China for the opening of Disney Shanghai - we visited Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. I ate everything and worked very hard with the most talented team I could hope for.

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Athena at Work: Keren Baruch ‘13,  Product Manager, Growth at Yahoo

The career paths of Athena Alumnae Network members span many sectors across the country. Athena at Work is a series of posts that provide insight into the diversity of professional choices that Athena alumnae have taken on post Barnard.

Keren Baruch is a marketer turned growth product manager working on Yahoo Mail, web and mobile. Her experience is in building and leading growth teams towards rapid experimentation and figuring out how to evangelize growth within large organizations. Previously, she spent time at Grovo, a B2B learning platform, and graduated with a degree in Economics & Social History from Barnard College, Columbia University in 2013. She was an avid participant in everything Athena, from the Scholars program, Summer Fellows, to the Student Advisory Board. 

Pictured above, Keren (right) prepares to present at Yahoo’s Hackday with her team. 

Where are you based now and what are you enjoying about your current city?

Even though I moved to San Francisco two weeks after graduation, this was absolutely not my plan. Like many Barnard women, I built a career network and set of expectations that was very New York focused. When I applied to the job at Yahoo, at first I just assumed that it was in New York! Luckily, I figured out it was 3000 miles away before getting too far down the interview road. Through living here I can say that there are so many things that I love about San Francisco. For someone like me who loves to strike up a conversation with strangers, San Francisco is full of people who are totally open to sharing their experiences.  The range of stories you hear from people reflects the diversity of the San Francisco experience. One day you’re talking to a coworker who is an engineer by day and jazz musician by night, a college kid who makes a side living by creating trading algorithms, a friend who is founding a startup to organize compassionate response for the homeless, or an SF native medical professional who has to move out of the city due to gentrification. 

Pictured above, Keren (left) with Melodie Zhu '13 (center) and Kate Bergin '13 who was visiting Keren and Melodie from New York.

How did you get to Yahoo? What motivates you at your company?

After working at a tech startup the summer before graduation, I knew that I had caught the tech bug and focused my career search solely on this industry. Yahoo was just starting up a marketing associate rotational program and it sounded interesting to be a part of this pilot, a class of 6 new graduates from east coast schools. Throughout my last 3.5 years at Yahoo, I have had the opportunity to try a bunch of new things that I don’t think would have been possible at any other company. I’ve touched 12 different Yahoo properties, worked in London for six months, taught 72 employees the basics of a database coding language called Hive, moved to a Product Management role and now am leading a growth team of engineers, design, and analytics to solve one of Yahoo’s most important problems. At every turn, Yahoo has not hesitated to give me ever bigger opportunities with the autonomy to think creatively and figure it out.

What are you excited about in your industry? What's one piece of advice you have for anyone considering a career in your industry?

Please excuse my predictable Barnard answer, but I am excited to be a part of pulling more diversity into tech. Product Management is a historically very white and male-dominated role and there are some simple qualification changes that could make it much easier for women and people of color to enter this field. Product Managers are expected to be a voice for users and without a Product organization that reflects the diversity of users of tech products in this country, there is no way we can build great product. For people who are considering a career in this industry, I’d say go for it and don’t exclude yourself because you may feel unqualified. This is an age of increasingly democratized education - there are so many resources online to teach you skills that you need to understand more about software development, product management, and marketing so take advantage!

Please share a recent experience you've had that has reminded you of your involvement with the Athena program.

One of my favorite things in San Francisco is my Barnard book club - a group of super intelligent, awesome, and kind women who meet every couple of months to discuss a wide range of books. This past month we read Rebecca Traister’s All the Single Ladies. We had a very heated, loud, discussion in a restaurant about how for so long marriage had been a trap for women to keep them from self-actualization. Needless to say, we educated all of the people around us whether they wanted it or not.

Pictured above, Keren (left) with Melodie Zhu '13 (center) and Kate Bergin '13 at graduation day in 2013.

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On June 30, 2015, a group of Athena Scholars and Fellow alumnae gathered for an evening happy hour downtown at Sotto 13, a wine bar and restaurant downtown. There were alumnae from the classes of 2015, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010 at the event. Several alumnae will be starting graduate school in the Fall and a couple others are learning from transitions they've made across sectors (ex: educational nonprofit to financial services HR and business consulting to growth marketing at a startup). It was a midsummer night among great company! 

This event also marked the second anniversary of the founding of the Athena Alumnae Network. 

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Eight of the dozen Barnard students selected for the 2015 Barnard Global Symposium Student Fellows are affiliated with the Athena Center for Leadership Studies. Congratulations to these amazing students! They are embarking on global social impact initiatives for young women in Mumbai, Rio de Janeiro, and Paris this semester, following the 7th Annual Global Symposium, titled Women Changing the World, taking place at Barnard in March. 

Check out the amazing profiles of the students selected for the fellowship. 

Image credit: Barnard Communications

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The 5th Annual Athena Film Festival took place earlier this month. The four-day festival included screenings, workshops and special events that honored extraordinary leading women in the film industry. As described in the inspiring video above, the festival gave women a chance to shine (and cheer, and celebrate)! 

Read a recap of the festival and awardees. 

Browse the fabulous photo album. 

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To kick off 2015, a group of Athena alumnae met for dinner in downtown Manhattan. Friends from the classes of 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014 gathered after work to meet, some for the first time, others for a reunion. Some of the conversations included discussing new years resolutions and general goals that weren't specifically set for the calendar year. 

A window into the bold ideas of some of the alumnae:

To sing and play the guitar in public (yes, she knows how to do both!)

To work on her developing her food startup venture every day, whether the task is as small as sending an email or making a call 

To earn a promotion at work by April

To experiment with a different spice in home cooking each month

If you have a goal you'd like to add, feel free to email athenaalumnae@gmail.com to share. 

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This holiday season, we share thanks and appreciation for the diverse, talented, generous, and inspiring community that Athena convenes, supports, and empowers. 

This photo was taken on Founders Day 2014 at Barnard and includes a mix of alumnae and current Scholars, as well as Abigail Lewis, Associate Director of the Athena Center. 

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Earlier this Fall, on October 6, New York City's Empire State Building glowed Barnard blue to celebrate Barnard's 125th anniversary. 

Watch Barnard's official video about this special occasion. Many smiling faces and viewpoints from around the City included!

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Unveiled at Founders Day 2014...Barnard Way! 

Enjoy the photo essay of Founders Day, 125th birthday edition.