Kimberly O’Connor, JD
Professor and Associate Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Purdue University Fort Wayne
Job Description: Faculty and administrator
Q: How did you choose what you wanted to do for a living?
A: I went to law school with the career goal of becoming a law professor.
Q: Walk us through your career path that led you where you are today.
A: After graduating from law school, I practiced law for a couple of years. Though it was a fine start to my career, I always intended to transition my career into academia, as education is my true passion. To accomplish this, I needed teaching experience. I began teaching law courses as adjunct faculty at several area universities, including Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW). In 2012, PFW offered me a full time position as a visiting faculty member; a one-year contract. The following year, I was offered a tenure-track position, which meant that I would be teaching and doing research in my chosen field of cyberlaw as an assistant professor for the next five years. In 2018 I received tenure, with a promotion to associate professor. I continued to teach, serve the PFW campus and community, and publish my research. In 2021, I became the chair of PFW’s organizational leadership department. After my 25th publication and a little over 10 years of teaching full-time, I applied for and received a promotion to full professor in 2023. I also became PFW’s associate vice chancellor for teaching and learning.
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
A: Sharing my passion for teaching and learning with others.
Q: What personality traits or qualities would you say are needed for someone in your position?
A: Thriving in the field of academia requires intellectual curiosity, dedication, focus, productivity and good time management. It also takes the ability to collaborate, accept feedback and communicate well.
Mark Nolot
President / Founder / Owner, Vision Scapes & Lawnganics
Job Description: I am the grease that keeps several small businesses operating
Q: How long was your education?
A: I am a lifetime student and an active learner. I feel my best when learning something new or encountering a new challenge.
Q: How did you choose what you wanted to do for a living?
A: I have always been prone to entrepreneurship and have always liked helping others. I am a caretaker. I speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all destitute. Speak up, judge fairly and defend the rights of the poor and needy. That has always been the motive behind who I am.
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
A: You have to be able to change and find things you like. My position has changed over the years. I have had to learn to find joy in different business activities. My role hasevolved from owner and operator to CEO. I had to grow to find happiness. I now love a good spreadsheet and can take pride in one. If you know me, you would know this wasn’t easy for me to learn to love.
I love seeing happy customers and take great pride in that. Watching employees grow with us is an excellent feeling, too. I enjoy seeing previous employees and hearing their stories of self-growth, triumphs and sometimes tragedy. I like to hear people’s over-comer stories. I enjoy watching happy people.
Q: What personality traits or qualities would you say are needed for someone in your position?
Q: If you were to give one piece of advice to someone just starting out in your field, what would it be?
A: Find a mentor already in the green industry and ask them questions. You can ask a question of anyone if your timing, tone and heart’s intent are in the right place. If I need help understanding something, I have rarely been afraid to ask questions.
Dr. Neil Sharma
President, Parkview Packnett Family Cancer Institute
Job Description: Physician leader overseeing PFCI’s unique patient-centered cancer care model
Q: How long was your schooling?
A: Sixteen years – eight years for undergrad and medical school, then eight years post-medical school of residency and two fellowships.
Q: How did you choose what you wanted to do for a living?
A: I was a history major with a minor in English and philosophy in college. I enjoy reading and writing, and have always enjoyed listening to people and their stories. Growing up, I had a lot of exposure to math and science because my father was an engineer and my mother was a radiologist. When I decided to be a physician, I had an interest in cancer, research and working with my hands. Interventional endoscopy and endoscopic oncology is the perfect blend of all three.
Q: Walk us through your career path that led you where you are today.
A: When I came to Parkview in 2013, I helped establish and build our interventional and endoscopic oncology programs. In 2014, I was asked to take on a role for medical director of GI oncology. I began to get involved with the tumor board and we started our first multidisciplinary clinic. I wasn’t looking for a leadership role, but I credit former Parkview Health CEO Mike Packnett, current CEO Rick Henvey and Dr. Ray Dusman, president of physician and clinical enterprise, for giving me opportunities and allowing me to spread my wings. In 2016, I became president of the Packnett Family Cancer Institute (PFCI), and our leaders gave me a lot of latitude to create a unique vision.
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
A: As a physician, I enjoy building relationships with my patients. I try to adopt and create innovative technologies and run clinical trials to forward the science so we can better serve them. As a leader, I enjoy recruiting talented physicians – opening doors and paying it forward. I also enjoy strategy and design.
Q: What personality traits or qualities would you say are needed for someone in your position?
A: It’s critical to continuously evolve. If I only did things the way I was first trained, I wouldn’t be able to use the latest and greatest technology and give patients the best care possible. Creativity and constant education are paramount. The same is true in the administrative capacity. You should have a vision, but incorporate the perspective of others. Listen, be curious, engage in conversations and bring people together around the “why.”
