Linda
Manager, Philadelphia Office
Education
RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
B.S. in Industrial and Management Engineering, 1998
Activities at RPI: Alpha Gamma Delta, Ultimate Frisbee, Track & Field, Institute of Industrial Engineers
Memories of RPI: I was a work-study in the Career Development Center (CDC) for my last three years at RPI. It's really great because when I go back for on-campus interviews, I get to check in with my friends at the CDC!
Hometown
Rochester, NY
ZS Career Path
Operations Research Analyst, 1999
Consultant, 2001
Manager, 2004
- Moved to the Philadelphia office, 2007
On the work
"Our mid-size pharma client is planning to launch a new drug in July and we are currently helping them to gear up for that launch. Not only do they need to support their new brand, but they need to ensure continued success of their existing brands. We are currently helping them with expansion support, including assistance in determining how many sales representatives to hire, where to place them and how to compensate them, so that each of their three brands receives the focus and support that it needs. I manage the project on a day-to-day basis, meeting with the team at ZS and making sure that we are on track to meet our client deliverables. I have ultimate responsibility for the success of this project and I meet to consult with the project principal as needed. I really like working with a team of associates and consultants, coaching them and helping them to grow in their roles.
"I was the Operations Research Track Manager for the Princeton office. In this role, I was involved in recruiting, training, mentoring, and track events. I found this role extremely rewarding, especially since I started as an OR Analyst in the Princeton office. I really enjoyed interacting with the associates and making sure that ZS was providing them with growth opportunities, both internally and externally. It was also great to interact with my counterparts in other ZS offices to leverage activities and initiatives that have worked well in their offices.
On ZS values
Treat People Right: "When I took a leave of absence from ZS for health reasons, I was amazed at the support that I received—not only from my co-workers, but from my clients! Imagine my surprise when I received a bouquet of flowers and 'get well soon' wishes from my client! Several of my closest post-college friends have been people that I worked with at ZS. It really makes work more enjoyable when you are doing it with people that you like and respect."
On life outside work
"Outside of work, I am very active. I am President of the Mercer County Ultimate Disc League (an ultimate Frisbee summer league with over 300 participants). I play on a women's ultimate Frisbee team that is competitive at the national level, so I practice and travel to tournaments on weekends (although sometimes I do have to bring my laptop along!). I also have a 3-year-old black lab named Otis, who immediately helps me unwind when I get home from work (how could I help but smile when I walk in the door as he greets me, tail wagging and carrying his favorite toy in his mouth?)"