1) What qualities do you look for in the people you hang out with?
Great question! The qualities I look for depend upon the circumstances of the hang out. For example, I’m a tennis player and in my player-partners, I look for people who are passionate about the game, who are able to pretend that “it all matters so much” while we’re playing, and who are good-natured and good sports. In the people I hang out with for dinner I look for people who are good listeners, interested in the world around them, and who are fun. Creativity is a quality that spans many of the types of people with whom I hang out. I adore creative people who are always searching and, like me, are still seeking what they want to be when they grow up.
2) What do you do?
I am the VP of Digital Media at the << National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy >>. I have spent my career studying the intersection of technology, media, education, and how it can better people's lives. In my current role, I lead digital programs that make use of new media to change the reproductive health behaviors of young adults in the U.S. For ten years before that, I used technology as a tool to teach about the history of the Holocaust and to motivate people to act to end contemporary genocide. My most recent project is the << Innovation Next Awards >> set up to fund innovations using technology towards teen pregnancy prevention. We are accepting applications until January 31, 2016.
3) Why do you do what you do?
I do what I do because I am privileged to work for a cause I believe in and have purpose in my work. Most important, I can see the effects of my work.
4) Is this where you thought you would end up?
I haven’t “ended up” anywhere! Twenty years ago, I wouldn’t have thought, necessarily, that I would have been working in reproductive health but certainly I thought—hoped—that I’d be working in education and helping people in some capacity.
5) What values are you committed to?
The first value that comes to mind is “opportunity.” I think so much is possible when people are given an opportunity to make the most of themselves. Sadly, we have far to go to provide good opportunities for everyone.
6) How many hours do you work in a typical week?
Digital media makes long work weeks possible. That’s a double-edged sword. I work, play a bit, eat, and spend time with my family. Rinse and repeat. I’m a creature of habit and kind of like that, to be honest. To answer your question, I’d say that I work about 50 hours a week on average.
7) What skills are required in your position on a day-to-day basis?
I am lucky to count on both of my degrees from university (Syracuse University) in communications and education every day. My communications degree helps me form messages in textual and visual form for a variety of channels—and direct the work of others who do that too. My education degree instructional design helps me understand and look closely to see what behavioral barriers exist (what’s the performance gap) and design solutions with the right tools for specific audiences.
8) Are there any negatives to your job?
None.
9) What is the background of most senior-level executives in your SBCC circles?
Because I work in public health, I would say that most senior-level people have a Master’s of Public Health, Health, or Health Communications background. From a wider view, I think the filed has a healthy mix of people with a variety of backgrounds. I think diverse teams are needed to solve difficult problems.
10) What do you wish you knew at our stage? (IE: Entry-level SBCC practitioners)
I wish I knew the value of any sort of observation, assessment, or evaluation. It’s always easy to sit in your office but field work is so, so important and much easier than we think. To have the words and actions of the audiences you are trying to serve in close proximity is so, so valuable.
11) What is the best piece of professional advice you've ever received -- and used or implemented?
Following up on the last question, the best piece of advice I have received—and try to act on daily—is to meet your audience where they are. Empathize. Do it often. And speak your mind on behalf of the audience—even in the face if dissent—because you are their voice.
12) If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
Honestly, nothing. I have no regrets.
13) What should keep entry-level SBCC enthusiasts up at night?
Their audience. Have they spent enough time with them? Are their insights a result of good observations rather than group-think in focus group settings?
14) What professional organizations are you associated with, and in what ways?
I am associated with information technology groups because my work depends so much on tech. Other group topics include social marketing/behavior change, human-centered design, creative design, tech-for-good groups, including international development, marketing and advertising, and art/museums. I most attend meetings, but often make presentations.
15) What mistakes have you made?
Too many to list here! My mistakes have mostly been productive.
16) What one thing do you still struggle with?
I’m a big-picture person so I struggle with the details at times. I’m lucky to work with a lot of detail-oriented people! On a different note, when you are involved in a long-running program I sometimes struggle with the balance between the day-to-day activities and leading change according to a knowledge of the audience and intended outcomes. Sometimes, there can be “drift” as you work on a program. It is important to keep the outcomes in mind always and challenge yourself: is this activity contributing to behavior change? It’s okay for the answer to be, “I don’t know,” but you should at least have a strong hypothesis as to why you are doing that work—it should fit into the logic model somewhere.
17) What traits impress you the most in a working professional, irrespective of their area of expertise?
I’m impressed by kind, open, creative people. Soft skills go a long way and when you see the people you work with more than your family, that’s important!
18) What are the top 7 technical skills that entry-level SBCC enthusiasts should strive to horn?
- Know your audience well. Learn to observe. Learn to listen. Articulate your expected outcomes well (practice writing goals and objectives).
- Know the research and who came before you. Understand the barriers they faced and the successes they had.
- Learn a lot about the tools that are available—but don’t select them too soon.
- Practice writing. You need good writing for everything!
- Also practice telling stories with pictures. It is so important in the social media age, but also cuts across cultures and literacy levels.
- Learn how to assess your work. Any assessment, no matter how small, or when it occurs, is good. And as Peter Drucker said, “what’s measured, improves.”
- Be kind to those around you.
I really have to highlight soft skills. Be positive and kind. Don’t say “sorry” when you mean “thank you.” Say thank you a lot.
20) What's the best advice you can give to help plan a career rather than simply work to keep a job?
Do what you love. When you are not watching the clock—which is what happens when you do what you love—you can put in your “10,000 hours” and become an expert.
21) What has been your most rewarding accomplishment?
Building << Bedsider.org >> with an awesome team and participating in its evaluation which showed it works! In addition, my work at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum raising awareness to the Darfur genocide was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
(This is a link to the evaluation of Bedsider: << http://providers.bedsider.
22) What developments in the horizon could affect future career opportunities in this field?
New technology is changing everything. How will the “Internet of things” provide opportunities to eat better, provide opportunities, and help people live healthier lives?
23) Can you recommend a "must-read" book that will help us broaden our skills as working professionals or inspire us to reach our highest potential?
Oh, my, there are so many! For inspiration, I recommend reading anything Seth Godin has written. To challenge your assumptions about human behavior, check out Dan Ariely. To contemplate the world’s philosophical wisdom read Jonathan Haidt’s great book, The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom. On the topic of human-centered design and behavior change, I recommend Dilip Soman’s new book, The Last Mile, and Doug McKenzie-Mohr’s Fostering Sustainable Behavior: An Introduction to Community-Based Social Marketing—both great reads for people new to the field. Last, to catch up on the possibilities of the Internet of Things, check out Code Halos: How the Digital Lives of People, Things, and Organizations are Changing the Rules of Business, co-written by my good friend, Paul Roehrig. The ideas in the book can be applied easily to non-profits.
24) As a communicator, if you could write a book on a social issue; what would it be and why?
If I could write a book on a social issue right now, I would probably focus on what I know and focus on the importance of parents in the healthy sex lives of their children. That sentence scares a lot of people because parents don’t like to think of their (young) children and sexual beings. But they make much better decisions when conversation is free-flowing and parents are present in their sexual health lives. A second book might be about preserving culture—specifically, the culture of Greece (my second home) of the last thousand years.
25) Which other SBCC maven would you recommend for this interview?
I would like to nominate Michael Edson, Associate Director/Head of Digital at United Nations Live, Museum for Humanity. Michael’s work doesn’t fit neatly into traditional SBCC since people focus mainly on health outcomes but he is changing behavior through information and culture. I think he would have a lot to offer this community.
26) What's the most valuable question we should ask the next SBCC maven who is interviewed on this blog?
What inspires you?
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