Get to know SEFS staff! This series provides an opportunity to find out more about SEFS staff members — what they do in their daily job and how they spend their time outside the office.

Anything exciting about your role that you weren’t expecting? Any revelations since you’ve been here?

There is not a dull moment, every day brings a new challenge to get the orders completed and documented, the questions answered and the new projects supported. I like to be the person behind the scenes — the cog in the machine that keeps the work flowing. I have helped purchase things that I didn’t even know existed, but will help support the research on birds or sharks, maple syrup or fire prevention to name a few. My education was in numbers, finance, and how to keep a business going. It is so cool to put that knowledge to work helping people learn new things.

What led you down the road to a career in finance? 

Numbers! Math has always come easy for me. When I took my first accounting courses they were done by hand, the paper and pencil, no computer assistance. I love this work. Now the Evolution of Accounting is as long as your data is entered correctly you will have valuable financial information.

What is a goal that you’ve set for yourself in this new role? 

To make this desk more efficient. We have so much coming through this desk, including travel reimbursements, orders for the labs or field work, invoices for publishing research, and it all needs to keep within state and college regulations. 

Tell us a bit about the UW finance team? 

Team is the critical word here and it’s what makes this job amazing. There isn’t pressure to perform better than your neighbor, which is what you often find in corporate America. Rather, we work in unison to get the job done. The finance team is made up of diverse people, with varying experiences, that come together to work for the University of Washington. 

How did you end up in Washington or are you a PNWer through and through?

PNWer through and through, born in Seattle, raised in Bothell. My father worked as a glazer here at the UW. My husband has worked in the grounds shop at UW his whole career, so you can say I have a little purple and gold in my blood. I’ve supported the Huskies and been a fan since my husband taught me about football.

What’s something unexpected that people don’t know about working in finance?

Most finance people have a sense of humor, or they try really hard to have one. Maybe a bit dry … but it is there. Finance is so straightforward, you can only add 1+1=2 one way, so you have to balance it with a lot of fun.

What’s your favorite thing about being here at UW?

Spending time with the amazing people of the UW community and seeing their excitement to learn and research. I enjoy reading about what the next new thing will be or how animals and forests live, what the effect on our lives will be from global warming or forest fires. Reading about the conferences, summits and projects, as I pay for students, faculty and staff to attend, opens up new and interesting things to get excited about. 

What is the most exciting or satisfying aspect of your role as the SEFS Purchasing Coordinator?

When a much needed item lands in the hands of a student, staff or faculty member. The process is logistical and often involves jumping through hoops. At the end of the day that is what we are here to do and it’s the most satisfying part of the job.