What does a day in the life of an NNSA Program Analyst look like?
A typical day involves working with data from our internal system and preparing it for use on our Power BI dashboards. Each program has its own reporting priorities, so we pull the relevant data, clean it, and check for inconsistencies before uploading it into the dashboards we support. Once the data is updated, we partner with teams to understand emerging needs, refine visualizations, and make improvements that strengthen clarity and usability. It’s a steady rhythm of validating data and shaping it into clear, reliable visuals that support each program’s decision making.
Your career has included roles with private and public sector organizations. What are some differences between these two sectors that might be surprising to someone that has not had this same experience?
One difference that might surprise people is how differently the public and private sectors handle stability and team structure. When I worked as a consultant supporting the Department of Homeland Security, projects and teams shifted often, which made long-term working rhythms harder to build. In my contracting roles with the Department of Energy, the work is steadier, and you stay with the same division and many of the same colleagues over longer periods of time. That continuity makes it easier to develop shared processes, collaborate more deeply, and work toward long-term goals. Experiencing both environments has shown me how each sector operates and how to adapt so the work stays effective in either setting.
You graduated from the University of Michigan. What is something you took from your time there that is still valuable to you today?
One thing I took from my time at the University of Michigan that still matters today is the way professors treated students more like early professionals than passive learners. The dynamic often felt collaborative, like how a manager works with an analyst, where you were expected to think independently and contribute rather than just follow instructions. That environment helped me get comfortable working with people at different levels and sharing ideas. It’s a mindset that has carried into every role I’ve had since.
Where do you turn when you need some peace and calm?
When I need some peace and calm, I usually go back to a single‑player game I beat years ago on my Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3. Since I already know the game inside and out, I can just sit back, relax, and let my mind wander while I play. It’s familiar enough to be calm but still something I enjoy.
There’s quite a debate about what fixings should be put on a hot dog. Here’s your chance to enter the hot dog debate. What fixings and why? And if you don’t eat hot dogs, why did you make that pivotal life choice?
I think the traditional ketchup, mustard, or relish setup is outdated. Nine times out of ten, a hot dog is better as a chili dog, and the other ten percent of the time should be Chicago or Seattle style. If I’m going to eat a hot dog, it should have some personality.
