Tell us about your professional journey since graduating and a little about your current position.
I began my career at BlueCross and BlueShield of Minnesota, and after a few years, I pivoted to work at Planned Parenthood (where I clerked during my time in the Health Law Institute). I was fortunate to have been mentored in meaningful ways and my responsibility levels increased over time – from Compliance Director to Associate General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, and then ultimately, I served as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer before I moved on to my current role at Bright Health.
I have been at Bright Health for about 15 months and serve as Associate Vice President of Legal for their health plan products. At its core, Bright Health believes in consumer choice, partnership with local providers, secure technology, and affordability – a powerful and important mission that drives my daily work. I also teach Privacy Law through the HLI and serve as a board member for Community University Health Care Center (CUHCC).
When did you realize you wanted a career in law?
My dad was a 1980 Hamline Law alumnus and practiced law with other Hamline lawyers for a long time. He passed away unexpectedly when I was 13 and I was left without a clear track in terms of a career, but I saw what a law degree from Hamline did for our family and trusted his decision-making. Ultimately the path I chose helped shape my values and how I live my life today.
How did the Health Law Institute help prepare you for the work you do now?
I was mentored by remarkable professionals who have been associated with the HLI – Susan Casey (my mentor through the HLI clerkship program) and Mary Foarde are some of the most important teachers I’ve had. They both make me laugh and think critically about the work in front of me, and they also taught me how to develop a strategic point of view. I was also fortunate to take courses from Lucinda Jesson and Barb Colombo and heard from many other professionals during guest lectures. Hearing from real people who were making an impact on our healthcare system was very powerful to me as a student.
What inspires you?
The hope that with enough innovation and effort, we can change our healthcare system. It’s too complex, difficult to access, expensive, and impersonal. I hope that by diversifying my own experience to counsel non-profits, for-profits, technology-forward companies, health plans, and providers, I can be part of the solution.