Shayna Kessel
About Shayna Kessel
I love building what doesn't yet exist and seizing the opportunity to make what we have even better. Solving the jigsaw puzzle of a complex endeavor is one of my specialities. It's frankly a thrill to understand every piece, how they fit together, and the overall goal, and then make it come to life. One of the pleasures of the work is bringing it all together through partnering with colleagues and area experts. Investing my energy for the greater good -- of my team, an organization, or society -- is a huge motivator for me. Former teammates have told me that they value the way I de-escalate challenging situations and help them calmly think about solutions and ways to move forward. I often find myself mentoring, and colleagues have told me that they appreciate my openness and see me as a trusted resource, thought partner, and advisor. If there's a process, practice, or policy within my control that makes life easier, better, more just, or more equitable, whether for my team or for folks out in the world, I'm on it. Service to others, whatever the form it takes, makes me feel good. A former supervisor nicknamed me "the lightning rod", and she was right: my previous roles have involved thorny problems and elicited great emotion from stakeholders. With an even hand, I consistently allay concerns and engage stakeholders in the resolution process. I can really work with anyone, and I genuinely like working with people and learning about why they care and what makes them tick. I know that we can all work together, and I approach people, and life, with a great deal of curiosity. This has been key in moments when I have led and managed change. My values drive the way I work. Integrity, transparency, and compassion are deeply important to me. The way we treat each other matters. I do the right thing and speak up, even when it's not popular. I cultivate a climate of respect, high energy, and joy that allows others to bring their authentic selves to the work. I am proud that wherever I go, I make a concerted effort to give voice to and create space for those who are least in a position of power, and I actively use my privilege and position to lift up others. Those opportunities are among some of the most rewarding in my professional life. I know that everyone has something to contribute, and I strive to bring out the best in others.