Northwestern Intersections

Arana is a prize-winning author, literary critic, and inaugural literary director of the Library of Congress. She has been an executive at publishing houses Simon & Schuster and Harcourt Brace, a judge for the National Book Awards and Pulitzer Prizes, a Latin America columnist for the New York Times editorial page, a media commentator for numerous news outlets, and editor in chief of Book World at the Washington Post. Join us as we explore her incredible literary contributions and discuss her upcoming projects.

Alomá is a CEO, lecturer, and author based in Chicago. He went from working in communications and consulting to lecturing at Northwestern to founding his own marketing company, Threadline. Alomá applies his knowledge of narrative psychology to the practice of marketing and branding, serving as a self-described “couples therapist” for clients and their customers. Join us as Alomá talks about his journey toward founding his dream company and finding time to write a bestselling book, Start with the Story: Brand-Building in a Narrative Economy.

Ginni Rometty came to Northwestern after a challenging childhood and left with a computer science degree that would help her change the world of technology. In 1981, she joined IBM as a systems engineer and worked her way to becoming chairman, president and CEO of the company. Ms. Rometty helped revolutionize the global tech giant in the 2010s and became one of the country's most influential business leaders. In this special episode, we share a fireside chat between Rometty and Northwestern President Michael Schill from an event last spring. The pair discusses changemaking leadership, the future of technology, and her new bestselling book, “Good Power: Leading Positive Change in Our Lives, Work, and World.” Don't miss important lessons and advice from one of Northwestern's most influential alums.

Ayun Halliday is a writer, illustrator, and actor based out of New York City. She is a creative jack-of-all-trades, serving as the architect for plays, books, and her own zine, the award-winning East Village Inky. Halliday's unique comedic style has won her acclaim for her creative projects, and she's taken the road less traveled to her current work. Join us as she discusses her new book, creative background, and wide-reaching (and usually hilarious) job history.

Mary Jo Bang is an award-winning poet and professor of English at Washington University in St. Louis. After finishing her sociology degree at Northwestern, she took a winding road to becoming a poet, working in medicine and photography before her first teaching job. Her path to poetry paid off: she's now published eight books of poetry, earned fellowships from Princeton University and the Guggenheim Foundation, and featured in The New Yorker and other publications. Join us as Professor Bang discusses her unique career trajectory and how she produced one of her most recognizable works, a pop-culture laden translation of Dante's Inferno.

Award-winning author, blogger, podcaster, and proud Northwestern alumnus, Phil Yu '00 first came to prominence as the author of the popular entertainment website Angry Asian Man. In this special episode, Phil is interviewed by author and Northwestern Asian and Asian American Alumni Association (NU-A5) member Kathy Khang '92. Phil shares how his experiences at Northwestern and beyond helped to develop his own personal identity as an Asian American man and influenced his career as a blogger and author of recent release, Rise: A Pop History of Asian America from the Nineties to Now

It started with the first Women in Medicine Tea hosted at The Drake Hotel in Chicago in 2017. It was a chance for Feinberg School of Medicine alumnae across generations to come together in one place to freely share their stories, their challenges, and their victories. Ghoshal recalls asking, “How do we bottle this moment?” The mission of the Women in Medicine (WIM) subcommittee of the Medical Alumni Association Board is to elevate and amplify the voices of fellow women in medicine. In part 2 of this episode, Flais, Gandhi, and Ghoshal share their thoughts on work-life balance for women in medicine, how allies can help move the needle forward, and the importance of showing up with intention. Show notes:Women in Medicine Facebook Group Women in Medicine Instagram More about Northwestern Medicine and Women in Medicine (pg 42) About the Mary Ann Frable, MD Women in Medicine Dean's Scholarship Ways to give to the Mary Ann Frable, MD Women in Medicine Dean's Scholarship, and other funds

It started with the first Women in Medicine Tea hosted at The Drake Hotel in Chicago in 2017. It was a chance for Feinberg School of Medicine alumnae across generations to come together in one place to freely share their stories, their challenges, and their victories. Ghoshal recalls asking, “How do we bottle this moment?” The mission of the Women in Medicine (WIM) subcommittee of the Medical Alumni Association Board is to elevate and amplify the voices of fellow women in medicine. In part 1 of this episode, Flais, Gandhi, and Ghoshal share how they all came to be involved with WIM and highlight the subcommittee's mentorship and philanthropic initiatives. They'll also explain how the most important instigator of progress is showing up and being intentional about change. Show notes: Women in Medicine Facebook Group Women in Medicine Instagram More about Northwestern Medicine and Women in Medicine (pg 42) About the Mary Ann Frable, MD Women in Medicine Dean's Scholarship Ways to give to the Mary Ann Frable, MD Women in Medicine Dean's Scholarship, and other funds  

Northwestern Intersections records for the first time from Northwestern San Francisco! Learn from a panel of recent alumnae in a range of tech specialties as they share how they navigated early career decisions. Panelists Moy, Turner, and Wu will offer insights on pursuing advanced degrees, changing industries, recognizing your transferrable skills, and how they're navigating a rapidly evolving field. They will also share how they answered (and are still answering) what's next in their career.

Iga Kozlowska '14, '17 PhD graduated from Northwestern with a doctorate in sociology and now is the program manager of Responsible AI at Meta. How did she make the transition? And how is sociology relevant to technology? Kozlowska joins the podcast to highlight the transferrable skills she learned as a student and share the process behind her transition into tech with zero previous experience. She also reinforces how imperative it is for people with humanities backgrounds to be involved in the development of artificial intelligence and other advancements as technology becomes more deeply intertwined in our lives. Show notes: Northwestern Intersections Podcast: What's Next Live from San Francisco!

Terry Franklin—an attorney, writer, and storyteller—shares how finding the will of his fourth great-grandfather, John Sutton, revealed the emancipation story of his fourth great-grandmother, Lucy Sutton, and their children, which included a legal battle over John's intentions in freeing his family. Franklin describes the deeply personal journey of discovering his family's history and how he is using creative pursuits to amplify his ancestors' story, demonstrating that we all have a role to play in shaping the arc of history. This episode also includes a preview of Franklin's most recent endeavor: The Lucy Sutton Suite: A Truth-Telling in Four Parts. Show Notes: For more on Lucy Sutton: Bending the Arc of History TedX Talk Webite: LucySutton.com Podcast: The Last Will of Lucy Sutton For more on Terry Franklin: Trust Litigation Storytelling with NUEA West: The Letter Scare and Resistance & the Will American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) podcast: Planning for a Diverse and Equitable Future. The Latest on Terry Franklin References: The Lucy Sutton Suite: A Truth-Telling in Four Parts. By Terrence M. Franklin, Jeffrey George Moline, Ringo Maestro. Commissioned by Oakland Symphony Chorus. Dedicated to the Memory of Maestro Michael Morgan

Kevin Yu '19 MA joins Northwestern Intersections to share the personal story of how he pivoted from a career in finance to a licensed marriage and family counselor and founder of Soulstice Therapy, and how an increased understanding of his relationships led to this unique transition. Additionally, Yu explains how social media and content creation are changing the ways we discuss and perceive mental health. And why he encourages Soulstice practioners to create mental wellness content. Finally, he offers his perspective on how mental health companies and the demand for access to mental health professionals are impacting private practice.  Shownotes: Soulstice Therapy

Dr. Inger Burnett-Zeigler shares how she is working to provide mental health resources—including accurate information, access to identity-based providers and treatments, and psychotherapy in community-based settings—to underserved populations in Chicago. Author of Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen: The Emotional Lives of Black Women, Burnett-Zeigler also reveals the inspiration behind her book, its intersections with her research as a scholar and clinician, and how she hopes it will help readers identify their own struggles and paths toward healing.  Shownotes: Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen: The Emotional Lives of Black Women

The Northwestern Alumni Medal celebrates alumni who have had a transformative impact on their field, who have performed exemplary volunteer service to society, or who have demonstrated an outstanding record of service and support to the University.  Cindy Chupack '87 is a prolific storyteller whose work across television, film, and other media has been recognized with several accolades, including Emmy Awards and Golden Globes. Her credits include Sex and the City, Everybody Loves Raymond, Modern Family, Better Things, Divorce, and Fleishman Is in Trouble. She was inducted in the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications' Hall of Achievement in 2020 and is an active member of Northwestern's Council of One Hundred.  Shownotes: If you know a Northwestern alum whose life, work, and service truly exemplify the University's ideals and deserve recognition for their accomplishments, please visit alumni.northwestern.edu/medal for information about how to nominate someone for an Alumni Medal. President's Alumni Panel: My Northwestern Direction  

The Northwestern Alumni Medal celebrates alumni who have had a transformative impact on their field, who have performed exemplary volunteer service to society, or who have demonstrated an outstanding record of service and support to the University.  Until his recent retirement, David Louie '72 was the business editor and technology reporter for ABC Disney's KGO-TV San Francisco, for which he become the first Asian American reporter in 1972. A trailblazing reporter and editor, he worked in television for more than 50 years and has held leadership roles in several prominent news organizations. He is a former member of the Medill Board of Advisers and was an inaugural inductee to the school's Hall of Achievement in 1997.  Shownotes: If you know a Northwestern alum whose life, work, and service truly exemplify the University's ideals and deserve recognition for their accomplishments, please visit alumni.northwestern.edu/medal for information about how to nominate someone for an Alumni Medal. President's Alumni Panel: My Northwestern Direction

The Northwestern Alumni Medal celebrates alumni who have had a transformative impact on their field, who have performed exemplary volunteer service to society, or who have demonstrated an outstanding record of service and support to the University. Jeff Ubben '87 MBA ('20 P) is founder, managing partner, and portfolio manager of Inclusive Capital Partners, a San Francisco–based investment management firm. He has championed environmental and social responsibility in business and advanced global sustainability and college access at Northwestern and beyond. Ubben has served on the Kellogg Alumni Council and was a member of the steering committee for We Will. The Campaign for Northwestern. Shownotes: If you know a Northwestern alum whose life, work, and service truly exemplify the University's ideals and deserve recognition for their accomplishments, please visit alumni.northwestern.edu/medal for information about how to nominate someone for an Alumni Medal. President's Alumni Panel: My Northwestern Direction

Melissa Dawn Simkins '01 MS shares how her experiences in the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications' IMC master's program gave her an edge when the field of marketing was starting to shift. Her multidisciplinary approach led her to pioneer celebrity and influencer branding, which in turn helped transform the field of marketing and branding into what we know today. She also imparts the personal story that inspired her to launch Velvet Suite and the She-Suite to support women in the workplace and help them lead with purpose in work and well-being. Shownotes: Velvet Suite The She-Suite

What's Next Live from Chicago is back! In this episode of Northwestern Intersections recorded live from Medill Chicago, learn from a panel of recent alumni about their postgraduate journeys. Alumni from the fields of user experience research, conflict resolution, and biomedical engineering share how they navigated early career decisions. Panelists Jennifer Siedjak, Jim Alrutz, and Ameen Kishta offer insights including how they entered fields different from their areas of study, their choice to pursue an advanced degree (or not), and resources they would recommend to alumni in their shoes. Panelists share how they answered (or are still answering) what's next in their career.

In this episode of Northwestern Intersections, Suchi Sethi Tuli—head of recruiting for Google Cloud in the Japan and Asia-Pacific region and a member of NU-Kellogg Club of Singapore and the Alumni Admissions Council—shares how she first stumbled into recruiting as a student at the Kellogg School of Management. She offers her insights on the lessons she's learned about leadership and how the connections she made with classmates helped her build a personal board of directors. Tuli also shares tips for seeking a great mentor and what it means to be an authentic role model. Interviewing Tuli is Yunita Santoso Ong '16, product and distribution lead for the Asia-Pacific region and senior news editor at LinkedIn News.

What do public affairs specialists and mental health practitioners have in common? The ability to listen and the desire to help someone tell their story. In this episode of Northwestern Intersections, Ranade shares the deeply personal story that inspired her career pivot into mental health and wellness with a focus in helping women navigate grief, anxiety, and depression. She also highlights the transferrable skills she developed while working in corporate PR at GE Healthcare. Ranade is now in her second year in the master's in clinical health counseling program at The Family Institute at Northwestern. Learn from Ranade why it's never too late to pursue your passions.

In this special bonus episode of Northwestern Intersections, join us for an account from Barack Obama's chief speechwriter, Cody Keenan '02, of the 10 most dramatic days of the presidency, when a hate-fueled massacre and looming Supreme Court decisions put the character of the US on the line and a president's words could bring the nation together or tear it apart. Authored by Keenan, GRACE is an intimate writing on the rhetorical tightrope America's first Black president had to walk, culminating with an unforgettable high point: Obama stunning everybody by taking a deep breath and leading the country in a chorus of “Amazing Grace.”

Ameet Mallik, the new CEO of ADC Therapeutics—a commercial-stage biotechnology company improving the lives of those affected by cancer—joins the podcast to reflect on what leadership means to him. He speaks about the foundational moments during his Northwestern and post-graduate experiences that shaped his career trajectory. He also offers his insights on building diverse teams of experts and creating positive impact, and the importance of feeling shared sense of purpose within your organization.

The Northwestern Intersections podcast joins the Northwestern Law Alumni Fireside Chat Event Series for a live interview with Phillips, one of the most experienced Supreme Court and appellate lawyers in the country, co-director of the Northwestern University Supreme Court Clinic and an adjunct professor at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law as well as a partner at Sidley Austin LLP. Phillips will share how his career trajectory started with ambitious clerkships, his most memorable cases, and his thoughts about how practicing in the Supreme Court has changed over the course of his tenure. Show notes: Northwestern Law Mentorship Program Northwestern Network Mentorship Program Affinity Learners and Leaders Mentorship Program

In 2018 Yari Gallegos joined the Northwestern Alumni Association (NAA) as a young alumni/Homecoming intern. Now she's returned to the NAA as assistant director of alumni engagement for student to alumni transitions. In her new role she's helping to organize programs like New Chapter. NU Neighbors and staple events for Homecoming. In this episode of Northwestern Intersections, Gallegos shares how her experiences as an undergraduate student inspired her to pursue a career in higher education. As a graduate student Gallegos' research—reflecting on her own college experience—focused on perceived institutional support and ethnic identity salience for Latinx undergraduate students at a predominately white institution. She highlights how through interviews she found that many Latinx undergraduate students discover university resources too late, and that many define their sense of belonging through their community and not with their school. Gallegos shares her thoughts on the importance of connecting with and creating community—especially for first-generation and Latinx students—and how these institutions can support their success. And finally, how through her role new she hopes to contribute to building spaces of belonging for students making the alumni transition. Show Notes: New Chapter. NU Neighbors Homecoming Week Up Next on Northwestern Intersections Northwestern Law Fireside Chat Event Series

Since she was a student at Northwestern, University Trustee Jane S. Hoffman '86 ('21 P) has been interested in how messages and media are constructed and consumed. And found she could help others understand complex subjects through storytelling and accessible language, and through public service. As Commissioner of Consumer Affairs in New York City, Hoffman found herself never tiring of hearing people's problems and finding solutions. During her run for Lieutenant Governor of New York she describes how she had the opportunity to tour the entire state and listen to her potential constituents and understand the issues impacting them and their communities. Hoffman tell us how she later founded the Presidential Forum on Renewable Energy to help force politicians and their policy makers to talk about the existential threat of climate change in a public forum. And subsequently introduce language around climate change into common discourse. Helping others understand complex subjects such as data, privacy, money, and sustainability through accessible language is a through line in her career path. In this episode of Northwestern Intersections Hoffman joins us for a conversation that highlights her recent book, Your Data, Their Billions: Unraveling and Simplifying Big Tech. Understanding the great benefits and genuine risks of navigating the internet and new technology is essential in our increasingly virtual world. She shares how her book offers an accessible explanation of how big tech collects and trades our data to make profits, and how her policy proposals would protect online users' privacy rights. And how you can take meaningful steps towards safeguarding your privacy while enjoying the positive features the internet has to offer. Northwestern Alumni Association is offering alumni in the United States a chance to win one of 10 signed copies of the book Your Data, Their Billions: Unraveling and Simplifying Big Tech.  To participate, complete the form: alumni.northwestern.edu/IntersectionsGiveaway or request to be entered by emailing intersections@northwestern.edu by 11:59 p.m. CDT on August 18, 2022. No payment or donation is required, nor will it improve one's chances of winning. The giveaway is limited to one book, per household (a $28 retail value) and limited to Northwestern alumni who are United States residents and at least 18 years of age. Shipping and handling of the book will be covered by the Northwestern Alumni Association.  

It's empowering to tell your story, but even more so to empower others to share their own. As a student in Performance Studies at Northwestern and throughout her time at Piven Theatre Workshop, Rebecca Kling '07 gathered the tools of performance: movement, storytelling, adaption, audience, lighting. After graduation while in Tim Miller's paradigm shifting workshop at Link's Hall, "Charged Bodies", Kling understood how those tools could be applied internally: sharing her own personal narrative of transition and how she navigates the world as a trans-woman. She describes how at the time, she was the only trans-performer she knew of publicly speaking about her experiences; trans-folks were simply not visible the same way they are today with rise of social media and online communities. Through orchestrating talk-backs with the audience—opportunities for members to ask questions about trans-folks and their experiences—Kling realized the potential of performance to also serve as a tool to educate and advocate.  Kling also shares how there were very little resources for trans students during her time at Northwestern in the early 2000s. She was often sent off-campus to seek resources and did not have access to other members of the trans community. A lot has changed since she graduated in 2007. However, the baseline changes such as all-gender bathrooms, access to HRT, name changes and preferred pronouns, are just the beginning. Kling calls on allies to join the fight in advocating for meaningful and material changes that will allow trans- and gender non-conforming folks to feel validated and safe. Whether it's at your school, your job, or in your social circle. This call to action is especially crucial during a time when trans rights and bodily autonomy at large are being threatened. In this episode of Northwestern Intersections, Rebecca Kling shares how through performance studies she realized the radical power of telling your own story, and how she made the transition from performer to educator and activist. Cofounder of Better World Collaborative—a trans-, woman-, and Latinx-owned consultancy firm—she continues to use storytelling to help businesses, nonprofits, and the creative industry take authentic steps to linking their missions in equity and inclusion.   Links to Northwestern resources for trans-students and allies: · Northwestern Medicine Gender Pathways Program | Northwestern Medicine.  · All Gender Housing: Residential Services - Northwestern University · Queer @ NU: Multicultural Student Affairs - Northwestern University · Undergraduate Courses (2022-23): Gender & Sexuality Studies Program - Northwestern University · Center for Applied Transgender Studies · Out Network Evanston · Reimagining the GSRC: Campus Inclusion & Community - Northwestern University

Who are the alumni behind Northwestern University Pride Alumni Club's podcast Who NU?? And what is Who NU? all about? Host Len Iaquinta '66 and producer Marc Staros '09, share stories about their respective Northwestern experiences and their career paths after graduation. Iaquinta details how he pursued a career in broadcast radio and eventually philanthropy that led to a seven year position at Northwestern. While Staros pursued a successful career in consulting and eventually became an independent consultant and advisor. We also learn how life on campus was very different for each of them due to society's changing perspectives on LGBTQIA+ identifying folks. Iaquinta and Staros share how they first became involved in NUPAC and how listening to an episode of Northwestern Intersections while stuck on the Kennedy Expressway sparked the inspiration for Who NU?. On this episode of Northwestern Intersections, learn from Iaquinta and Staros more about the founding and evolution of NUPAC. Including how the alumni group is creating resources for LGBTQIA+ students, like the NUPAC Scholarship Fund: a permanently endowed fund that was created to provide undergraduate financial aid for students demonstrating contributions to the LGBTQIA+ community through leadership, service, volunteering, or research. And how NUPAC creates space for LGBTQIA+ alumni and allies to build community together. Iaquinta and Staros also share more about the mission of Who NU?, notable past guests, and what's next for the podcast. Alumni listeners can also discover how they can get involved and/or support NUPAC.

In this special episode of Northwestern Intersections, learn from a panel of recent alumni about their postgraduate journeys. Alumni from the fields of international development, STEM, entrepreneurship, and consulting will share how they navigated job and career changes, and decisions around pursuing advanced degrees. As well as their advice for current Northwestern students who are thinking about the post-graduation job search and how to take advantage of on-campus resources. Moderated by 4th year student, Shreya Sriram '22. We'll hear from Baindu Kallon '14 who works at the intersection of migration, development and communications, with a specific focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. After graduating, Kallon spent time at various non-profits and media organizations before moving to the United Kingdom to complete her Master's degree at SOAS, University of London. She is currently based in London working at the MIDEQ Hub, the world's largest migration research project focused on the relationships between migration, inequality and development in the context of the Global South. David Chase '13 the CEO and Founder of Possible, an education start-up that is on a mission to help people to try on careers, like we try on shoes. David has worked and consulted for all different types of tech companies from early-stage startups to Fortune 500 enterprises. Prior to Possible, Chase was Head of Marketing at CodeCombat (Series A, YC 14), did growth at eSpark Learning, and worked at Microsoft leading content strategy for Xbox Live. Through his own career transitions and navigations, he has found he is most passionate when supporting the career decisions of others. And Nancy Le '20, who works at the intersection of healthcare and business, where she is primarily interested in how the private sector can play a role in public health. After graduation, Le worked in the COVID-19 response at Harris County Public Health, breaking chains of transmission at workplaces by advising businesses on infection control practices and conducting case investigation. She now works as a life sciences management consultant at Capgemini Invent, advising pharmaceutical and med tech companies on business strategy. Le hopes to continue work in healthcare and improve equity in healthcare access and outcomes, either in the private or public sector. And is taking the next step towards achieving that goal as she heads to Columbia University in the fall to earn her Masters in Public Health.

Anoop Jain '09, founding director of Sanitation and Health Rights in India (SHRI), has always had a deep sense of social justice. As a Northwestern student he observed how the most vulnerable of New Orleans' population was disproportionality impacted by Hurricane Katrina. And later on a trip to Guatemala as part of Alternative Student Breaks, he found himself deeply impacted by working in fellowship and breaking bread with communities there. Later, after graduating Northwestern, he fundraised for the creation of a soup kitchen in the Himalayas. The culmination of these experiences resulted in Jain quitting his job, and traveling to India to work with organizers and community activists to provide direct support to underserved communities in India. During this time he realized that he was working at the intersection of social justice and public health, and that the issue of sanitation in the rural parts of India were not individual problems, but systems failures. The reframing of sanitation as a result of inadequate systems and not individual behavior was a paradigm shift that led Jain to earn his MPH and DPH so he could help implement those upstream changes. On this episode of Northwestern Intersections, Jain shares how he founded Sanitation and Health Rights in India, and how he is committed to the service of underserved communities in India. Jain tells us how the mission of SHRI, in addition to building sanitation facilities, is evolving to focus on strengthening systems and provisions to be as robust as possible in order to provide the highest quality sanitation services. He underscores the importance of marrying academic rigor and understanding of issues with the component of practice. As well as elevating the voices of the communities you serve so they can shape the questions and the research that will create the policy that impacts their quality of life.

Irene Kang '11 has lived multiple lives. In her first she worked in the field of environmentalism and sustainability. In her second, she's the founder of Spark Collection—bilingual books for families to learn language in a fun and meaningful way. Throughout the course of these lives, the most important decisions she made were by trusting her intuition when something felt right: choosing Northwestern, pursuing environmentalism, and meeting her husband (and fellow alumni) Chris, and creating Spark Collection. Kang shares how she realized during the pandemic that there were very few accessible resources for teaching Asian languages to children. And that this was issue many Asian and multicultural families struggled with themselves. Kang decided to create Spark Collection, and published her first book with the incredible community support of Kickstarter: My Favorite Gift. Available in Mandarin, Hindi, and recently, Korean. She previews the second book in the collection, My Beautiful Earth coming out in September of 2022, and her third book Pay It Forward, which we will see in 2023. Kang tells how the books in Spark Collection reflect the values that she wants to share with her child: the importance of family, environmentalism, kindness, and resilience.  On this episode of Northwestern Intersections, Kang talks about the inspiration behind Spark Collection and the incredible impact of the first book, My Favorite Gift through feedback she's received from families. And how Spark Collection is contributing to increased Asian representation and access to Asian languages in children's literature. And finally, Kang shares her insights on making significant career transitions and asks us: what would we try if we couldn't fail? For her, the answer was Spark Collection. Visit the website or follow them on Instagram to learn more and get the latest updates on Spark Collection!

Justin Barbin's '11 interest in photography originated out of a desire to preserve memories. Documenting family and friends, events and milestones, even arbitrary moments allowed him to recall feelings and experiences with clarity. Photography also allowed him to connect with Northwestern community as a student. The impact his photographs had is best exemplified when the Northwestern community came together to fundraise for Barbin after his camera was stolen junior year. Whether he's documenting the Hamilton cast at the Tony Awards, photographing Dillo Day, or traveling the globe to see his 50th country; community and connection are through lines in Barbin's career path, his photos, and in the way he interacts with others. On this episode of Northwestern Intersections, Barbin shares how he first became interested in photography as child and successfully pursued it as a full-time career as an adult. Barbin also reveals how the trauma he experienced at the end of college reinforced the power of photography as a way of preserving the memories of people we've lost and creating connections with the community around us. And how although Barbin is often perceived as someone incredibly joyous, it's balanced with grief he's learned to grow around.

Dr. Brian Aguado '13 MS, '15 PhD has always valued commitments to research, diversity, and being part of a supportive community. Those qualities are some of the main reasons why he chose Northwestern and are qualities that are clearly evidenced in his career journey. An Assistant Professor at UC San Diego, Dr. Aguado runs the Aguado iBiomaterials Research Group which focuses on the study of sex differences in cardiovascular disease using biomaterial technologies. He dedicates time to cultivating a positive and supportive lab environment for his students with the hopes they'll take those practices with them as they progress in their careers. Most recently, Dr. Aguado co-founded LatinXinBME, a social media initiative dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive community of Latinx biomedical engineers and scientists to support each other personally and professionally through their careers. On this episode of Northwestern Intersections, Dr. Aguado shares how he first became interested in sex as a biological variable, how the studies done in his lab suggests that sex chromosomes influence the way cardiovascular disease presents in men and women and underscores the importance of using precision biomaterials. He tells how an equity-based approach to biomedical engineering allows us to more effectively treat women and other populations who have been historically excluded in research. He will also share how he is building an inclusive and supportive environment in his lab, and in the field through online communities like LatinXinBME.

Liza Katzer '08 describes herself as a late bloomer. She applied to 21 different colleges before deciding on Northwestern; didn't quite know what she wanted to do after graduating (but thought "producer" sounded right); got laid off while working at Disney; and silently struggled with mental health and insecurity well into her 20s. An Emmy-winning producer for her work on the acclaimed comedy-drama series Ted Lasso, and recently named one of the Hollywood Reporter's 35 Under 35 Upcoming Entertainment Executives to Watch, these things about might surprise you. But that's the whole point of Ted Lasso: that regardless of your first impressions, everyone is deeply complex, layered, and capable of growth. Katzer has always wanted to be part of positive change in media and help tell more authentic stories that anyone watching can see themselves in. Sometimes art imitates life and sometimes TV shows—like Ted Lasso—reveal to us the possibilities for a kinder world. On this episode of Northwestern Intersections, Katzer shares personal stories of growth and uncertainty, her insights into the impact of media on women's well-being, and how she positively contributes to a positive and uplifting work environment at Doozer Productions. Finally, she talks about how Ted Lasso is contributing to the way we think about mental health, vulnerability, depictions of women and their relationships. Northwestern Intersections will be featuring all-female guests during the month of March in recognition of Women's History Month, so we may uplift and celebrate the alumnae who are shaping their respective fields.

Ilana Peña always wanted to write her own coming of age show featuring a tween/teenage Latina protagonist that audiences of all ages could enjoy. However, many of the shows she loved as a child celebrated boyhood, and the shows that did feature female leads were geared exclusively to young audiences. Peña is the creator, showrunner, executive producer, and director of the critically acclaimed Diary of a Future President, which tells the story of a young Latina girl whose experiences as a tween are foundational to becoming the leader of the country. On this episode of Northwestern Intersections, Peña shares her experiences being a writer on the supportive, women-led set of the renowned, musical comedy-drama Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and how she fostered that same uplifting, women-led space on her own show for cast and crew to thrive. She also underscores the importance of telling positive and joyous stories that show Latinx and LGBTQ folks as multifaceted, cultivating your community, and being loud about what you want.   Northwestern Intersections will be featuring all-female guests during the month of March in recognition of Women's History Month, so we may uplift and celebrate the alumnae who are shaping their respective fields.

Tananarive Due '87, film historian, educator, producer, writer, and leading voice in Black speculative fiction, joins Northwestern Intersections in a special two-part episode. In part 2 she shares how she developed her famous course at UCLA, "The Sunken Place: Racism, Survival, and the Black Horror Aesthetic," after watching Jordan Peele's Get Out. Jordan Peele's impact is immeasurable: Get Out sparked the Black Horror Renaissance and the creation of the documentary Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror (Due is an executive producer); his production company has opened doors for marginalized horror creators, particularly women; and much more for years to come. Peele's impact has extended to Due as well--he invited her and husband and collaborator Steven Barnes to write an episode of The Twilight Zone, her first television credit. We learn how Due and Barnes met at a science fiction, fantasy, and horror conference in 1997, and became partners and collaborators writing screenplays and teleplays together. Due reveals her tips for successfully collaborating, offers thoughtful advice for developing writers, and shares how she and Barnes have started their own podcast, "Lifewriting: Write for Your Life!", an extension of their Life Writing program.

Tananarive Due '87, film historian, educator, producer, writer, and leading voice in Black speculative fiction, joins Northwestern Intersections in a special two-part episode. In part 2 she shares how she developed her famous course at UCLA, "The Sunken Place: Racism, Survival, and the Black Horror Aesthetic," after watching Jordan Peele's Get Out. Jordan Peele's impact is immeasurable: Get Out sparked the Black Horror Renaissance and the creation of the documentary Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror (Due is an executive producer); his production company has opened doors for marginalized horror creators, particularly women; and much more for years to come. Peele's impact has extended to Due as well--he invited her and husband and collaborator Steven Barnes to write an episode of the Twilight Zone, her first television credit. We learn how Due and Barnes met at a science fiction, fantasy, and horror conference in 1997, and became partners and collaborators writing screenplays and teleplays together. Due reveals her tips for successfully collaborating, offers thoughtful advice for developing writers, and shares how she and Barnes have started their own podcast, "Lifewriting: Write for Your Life!", an extension of their Lifewriting program.

Tananarive Due '87, film historian, educator, producer, writer, and leading voice in Black speculative fiction joins Northwestern Intersections in a special two part episode. Due was always writing stories, even before she got to Northwestern, but she wasn't writing about horror and the supernatural until well after graduation. In part 1 she shares how through encounters with legendary figures and influential books, she not only found the confidence to pursue writing in the genre of horror, but from the perspective of Black protagonists. Resulting in the publication of her first novel, The Between. Due shares her own reasons for being drawn to the genre, and guides us through how the renewed interest in horror is rooted in the horrific times we're living in and contemplating our own survival. Black Horror is also experiencing a renaissance in film and literature—sparked by Jordan Peele's Get Out—as more people turn to the horror genre as a means of escaping real monsters, processing trauma, expressing the intangible, illustrating genuine systemic dangers, and inspiring the fight to survive in the face of it all.

On the occasion of National Mentoring Month, join us for a discussion with industry leaders in medicine and entertainment from the Northwestern Network Mentoring Program—Michelle Lin '05,'09 MD, and Rebecca Windsor '98. Through stories about zigzagging career paths, burnout, and impactful colleagues and professors; discover how mentorship advice is mostly universal even across two different fields. And in-between pieces of shared wisdom, Lin and Windsor offer some industry specific advice for those who are entering or currently navigating the fields of medicine and entertainment respectively.

In recognition of National Mentoring Month and to celebrate a year since the launch of the Northwestern Alumni Association's Affinity Leaders and Learners (ALL) Mentorship Program, we invited a mentoring pair—mentor Alexis Jeffries '08 and mentee Janea Wilson '22—to share their insights for creating impactful, personal connections and the benefit of a tailored experience for students seeking identity-based mentorship. To learn more about the ALL Mentorship Program and how you can participate please visit mentor.northwestern.edu/programs/affinity

Since 1932, the Northwestern Alumni Medal has celebrated alumni who have had a transformative impact on their fields, who have performed exemplary volunteer service to society, or who have demonstrated an outstanding record of service and support to the University. In this special episode of Northwestern Intersections, we will hear insights from this year's recipients of the Northwestern Alumni Association's highest honor: Judy Belk '75, Andrew C. Chan '80, '80 MS, Christopher B. Combe '70 ('99, '09 P), and Gordon Segal '60 ('93 P). In episode 106a we will hear from Judy Belk, President and CEO of the California Wellness Foundation, one of California's largest public health philanthropic institutions.  If you missed the President's Alumni Panel, we've included a link to the recording here in the show notes. President Morton Schapiro leads a discussion with the Alumni Medalists about how the University shaped their lives and careers. To our alumni listeners, if you know an alum whose life, work, and service truly exemplify the ideals of Northwestern University and deserve recognition for their accomplishments please visit alumni.northwestern.edu/medal to learn more or go directly to the nomination form.

Since 1932, the Northwestern Alumni Medal has celebrated alumni who have had a transformative impact on their fields, who have performed exemplary volunteer service to society, or who have demonstrated an outstanding record of service and support to the University. In this special episode of Northwestern Intersections, we will hear insights from this year's recipients of the Northwestern Alumni Association's highest honor: Judy Belk '75, Andrew C. Chan '80, '80 MS, Christopher B. Combe '70 ('99, '09 P), and Gordon Segal '60 ('93 P). In episode 106b we will hear from Andrew C. Chan, senior vice president of research–biology at Genentech, a biotechnology company that works to develop medicines for people with serious and life-threatening diseases. If you missed the President's Alumni Panel, we've included a link to the recording here in the show notes. President Morton Schapiro leads a discussion with the Alumni Medalists about how the University shaped their lives and careers. To our alumni listeners, if you know an alum whose life, work, and service truly exemplify the ideals of Northwestern University and deserve recognition for their accomplishments please visit alumni.northwestern.edu/medal to access the form to nominate them or go directly to the nomination form.

Since 1932, the Northwestern Alumni Medal has celebrated alumni who have had a transformative impact on their fields, who have performed exemplary volunteer service to society, or who have demonstrated an outstanding record of service and support to the University. In this special episode of Northwestern Intersections, we will hear insights from this year's recipients of the Northwestern Alumni Association's highest honor: Judy Belk '75, Andrew C. Chan '80, '80 MS, Christopher B. Combe '70 ('99, '09 P), and Gordon Segal '60 ('93 P). In episode 106c we will hear from Christopher B. Combe, former chairman and CEO of Combe Incorporated—a private, family-held company that manufactures and markets health and personal care products globally and is known for such brands as Just for Men, Vagisil and Seabond. If you missed the President's Alumni Panel, we've included a link to the recording here in the show notes. President Morton Schapiro leads a discussion with the Alumni Medalists about how the University shaped their lives and careers. To our alumni listeners, if you know an alum whose life, work, and service truly exemplify the ideals of Northwestern University and deserve recognition for their accomplishments please visit alumni.northwestern.edu/medal to access the form to nominate them or go directly to the nomination form.

Since 1932, the Northwestern Alumni Medal has celebrated alumni who have had a transformative impact on their fields, who have performed exemplary volunteer service to society, or who have demonstrated an outstanding record of service and support to the University. In this special episode of Northwestern Intersections, we will hear insights from this year's recipients of the Northwestern Alumni Association's highest honor: Judy Belk '75, Andrew C. Chan '80, '80 MS, Christopher B. Combe '70 ('99, '09 P), and Gordon Segal '60 ('93 P). In episode 106d we will hear from Gordon Segal, co-founder of Crate & Barrel, and design visionary and retail industry pioneer, who also helped transform the appearance of the University's Evanston and Chicago campuses in his role on the Board of Trustees. If you missed the President's Alumni Panel, we've included a link to the recording here in the show notes. President Morton Schapiro leads a discussion with the Alumni Medalists about how the University shaped their lives and careers. To our alumni listeners, if you know an alum whose life, work, and service truly exemplify the ideals of Northwestern University and deserve recognition for their accomplishments please visit alumni.northwestern.edu/medal to access the form to nominate them or go directly to the nomination form.

After nearly eight years at Northwestern as both a student and staff member, please join us in wishing Helen Kim '16 the best of luck as she starts a new role as a customer onboarding manager for a customer engagement software company in Chicago.  In this bittersweet finale to Helen's time with Northwestern Intersections, Helen reflects on the lessons she learned at Northwestern, talks about her most memorable episode of this podcast, and shares her advice for the Northwestern Network.

Kangmin Justin Kim '11 is one of the most sought-after countertenors of his generation in the opera world. He has earned accolades in roles of the Baroque repertoire, contemporary music and in Mozart's trouser parts at the most prestigious opera theatres and festivals in Europe. Justin's accomplished career is built upon years of study and perfecting his technique; however the people is his life have been just as important to his success.  In this episode Justin stresses the importance of finding your network, trusting your gut even when it's not easy, and being ready to jump in when luck happens to find you.

What does one do when they have a variety of interests and passions, but aren’t sure of a career path? According to Lio Mehiel ’15, it’s important to remember that you’re building yourself and not just a career. Lio is an actor, filmmaker, conceptual artist and activist. They are a co-founder of Voyeur Productions with fellow Northwestern alumni Dulcinee DeGuere ’15 and Russell Kahn ’16. In May, Lio led a program for the NAA called Moving Beyond Allyship in the Fight Against White Supremacy. Join us as Lio shares about their experiences in the arts industry, how those experiences helped them embraced their gender identity as a gender-queer, transmasculine person, and how activism is at the forefront of everything they do.

Donna Wang Su ’14 MA is human embodiment of the old adage “Actions speak louder than words.” The associate director at the Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation with two decades of experience in finance, strategic planning and higher education administration, Donna has spent nearly 15 years at Northwestern. She has worked in a variety of schools and units improving systems, creating new connections for others, and making every role her own. In this episode, Donna walks us through her non-linear career path, how her identity and experiences as an Asian-American woman plays a significant role in her approaches to work, and her latest adventure: campaigning and being elected to Evanston’s District 65 school board.

Lori Hall and Jessica Lane were tired of not seeing enough strong multicultural marketing agencies that genuinely captured the cultural nuances for the right audiences. They came across way too many tone-deaf campaigns that failed miserably. That’s when they decided it was time for them to start an agency of their own. Pop’N Creative is a successful Black-owned, women-led multicultural marketing agency, born out of a deep desire to see brands win in marketing to a multicultural world. These two changemakers share how they started a growing business at the beginning of the pandemic, some of the most common mistakes marketers make, and how one can find their voice as an activist to dismantle racism within various industries. In celebration of Women’s History Month, Northwestern Intersections is featuring 4 female Northwestern trailblazers to honor those who have shaped and inspired the future of our community.

Patti Solis Doyle’s career began when she joined Richard Daley’s campaign for the Mayor of Chicago that led to a stable job at the Chicago City Hall. Then, in 1991, she took a big leap of faith to quit her job at the City Hall to join a presidential campaign for then Arkansas governor, Bill Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States. She served as a senior advisor to Hillary Clinton throughout that campaign and two terms in the White House, becoming the first Latina to manage a presidential campaign. Her career as a campaign advisor did not end there. She went on to serve as the chief of staff for then Vice Presidential nominee Joe Biden and served as an advisor to the Obama-Biden campaign during the 2012 presidential election. As a proud daughter of immigrant parents from Mexico, Patti shares her personal story growing up on Chicago’s south side at many speaking events, particularly for women of color in politics. Patti also serves as the Director at Large for the NAA Board as of 2020.  To celebrate Women’s History Month, Northwestern Intersections is featuring four female Northwestern trailblazers to honor those who have shaped and inspired the future of our community.

In 2011, Elise Wetzel and her husband Rick Wetzel, a co-founder of Wetzel’s Pretzel’s, were in line at Chipotle during rush hour to grab a quick lunch when they were actually hoping to grab pizza instead. That’s when a light bulb went off in her head with the idea that a pizza restaurant with an assembly line could work. She grabbed a napkin and sketched out her ideas with Rick, which led to the beginning of one of the fastest-growing franchise pizza restaurants in the world, Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza. Elise sheds light on her experience as a successful entrepreneur and brand marketer, having learned her skills in consumer behavior during her time at Northwestern. She shares the importance of establishing team inclusivity, adaptability, and brand awareness. In light of celebrating Women’s History Month, Northwestern Intersections is featuring 4 female Northwestern trailblazers to honor those who have shaped and inspired the future of our community.