How did you fit your education into your life?
I completed my degree while working full-time in product leadership and raising a family. Rather than finding large blocks of study time, I learned to make the most of “found time” wherever I could.
A surprising amount of my reading and writing was done rinkside during my son Dylan’s hockey practices. Coursework also happened early in the morning before the house woke up, late on Sunday evenings, or after everyone had gone to bed on Saturday nights.
Harvard Extension School’s flexibility made it possible to pursue a rigorous education without putting my career or family on hold. In many ways, earning this degree wasn’t something that happened alongside life, but instead right in the middle of it.
How has your Harvard Extension School experience helped you throughout your career journey?
I entered Harvard Extension School with more than 20 years of professional and leadership experience. In many cases, I had lived the situations we discussed in class, but I also discovered there were important gaps in my knowledge. Areas like finance and accounting had always been adjacent to my work, yet I often lacked the formal foundation and confidence to fully engage at the level I wanted. The program helped close those gaps and gave me a much stronger understanding of the business disciplines that sit alongside product leadership.
It also pushed me into subjects that initially felt intimidating. Negotiation, in particular, became one of my favorite areas of study. What started as a challenge became an area of genuine interest and growth.
As I look ahead, the degree has broadened both my perspective and my confidence. It has made me a more well-rounded business leader and better prepared me for future executive and general management opportunities.
What does earning a Harvard degree mean to you?
Earning a Harvard degree means a great deal to me because it’s something I never thought I would have the opportunity to do. When I started the program in my mid-40s, I genuinely questioned whether I could handle that level of academic rigor while balancing a demanding career, family responsibilities, and everything else that comes with life. But by simply putting one foot in front of the other, course by course, it eventually became a reality.
More than a credential, I see this degree as the beginning of the second half of my career. It has reignited my love of learning, exposed me to subjects I might never have explored otherwise, and given me new confidence to pursue opportunities that once felt out of reach. Rather than closing a chapter, earning this degree feels like the start of an exciting new one.
Describe your Extension experience in one word.
Inspiring.
