How has ASDA helped you build your leadership skills?
I started my journey with ASDA as a Predental Committee Member on the District 1 Cabinet the year before I started dental school. Through this opportunity, I met so many passionate dental students who were extremely motivated to make a change in the field of dentistry and at their dental schools. I was inspired to be a part of this community, but anxious about whether I could serve in the role of an ASDA leader while in dental school.

However, the passion I saw amongst these students stayed with me when I started dental school and ASDA inspired me to take the leap into leadership through the many opportunities available on a school-wide, district and national level. During my second year, I applied and was accepted as Co-Chair of the Newsletter and Blog Committee for the University of New England’s ASDA Chapter. Serving in this role, quickly increased my ASDA Fever and opened doors to opportunities that I never saw for myself. Since then, I’ve served in various leadership positions at UNE and on the District level, including President Elect for UNE’s ASDA Chapter and Assistant Editor on the Communications Team for District 1 last year.

Although I'm a fourth year now, my ASDA Fever still runs strong and I am so excited to serve as President of UNE’s ASDA Chapter this year and also as one of the Contributing Editors on the Editorial Board for ASDA’s Contour Magazine. Without ASDA, I would not have taken the leap into leadership in dental school and challenged myself. I am forever grateful to be a member of this organization!

What do you think is the most vital quality in a leader?
I think communication combined with humility is the most vital quality in a leader. Leaders should be able to communicate thoughts, ideas and tasks well to their team, but also be able to take a step back and know when to ask for help. I think leaders should be humble, but confident.

Why should members get involved with ASDA leadership positions?
I think members should get involved with ASDA leadership positions because it gives them a chance to challenge themselves, make a change at their schools, get to know their classmates across all four years, and best of all, build a network of people they can connect and grow with during and after dental school. I recommend that everyone join ASDA and get involved with leadership starting their first year!

What future leadership roles in organized dentistry interest you and why?
In the future, I am interested in serving in a leadership role with my home state dental society, the Massachusetts Dental Society, and eventually pursuing leadership with the American Dental Association. I want to build connections with local and state leaders in the dental field and effect change on a small and large scale. The ability to make change with ASDA, as a dental student, for the field of dentistry excites me to discover how I can further serve to create change, to build, and to better, the field of organized dentistry.