two skill sets, in psychology and theatrical performance, are finally interwoven. Did you always know that you wanted to be a clinical psychologist? What led you to this career choice? When I was 15 years old, I had the privilege of seeing a psychologist for therapy. She completely changed my life and I became interested in becoming a clinical psychologist. But I also had a dream to perform, and when I graduated college, I wanted to scratch that itch while I was young. I’m so glad I did. I had amazing experiences and got to see so many places and meet extraordinary people. But I always wanted to be a psychologist, so I began to lay the groundwork for getting into grad school while I was still performing in Chicago - studying for the GREs and working with a researcher in couples therapy at Northwestern University. Admission into these PhD programs is extremely competitive, and it took me two years of applying to finally land offers. I was mentored by Douglas Snyder, PhD, who is a world renowned couples researcher and therapist. At the time, I wasn’t thrilled to have to move Texas, but I would have gone just about anywhere for the opportunity to work with him. I had an amazing experience at Texas A&M University and I met my husband there, so I think it was all meant to be. How did Park prepare you for college and a career? Park was a place where I learned and grew as a whole person, not just scholastically. I had incredible experiences performing in the theatre that built my confidence and skill set. I took an immersion trip to France and excelled in AP French (which would come in very handy in my 20s living in Paris). But I also was given a chance to fail miserably at soccer and skiing, to act silly doing cartwheels at the pond, and to plant a garden during English class to illustrate the concept of self-reliance presented in Thoreau’s Walden. I learned calculus and I read the classics, but Park was about a lot more than just math and reading, and as it turns out…so is life. What advice would you give to current Park Upper School students? Do not underestimate the power and potential of the relationships you are making at Park with students and faculty right now. It’s been 27 years since I graduated, and I still have the privilege of knowing, loving, supporting, and leaning on my loved ones from my Park years. What are some hard and soft skills you think are important for students to have today in order to be successful in college and a career? I think it’s really important to develop skills that allow you to be self-reliant and entrepreneurial. I am so privileged to work for myself and to be my own boss, and it’s hard to imagine going back to a different way of life. I like having the capacity to chart my own course. Tell us about your hobbies and interests. I have a 5 year old son, an 8 week old daughter, and a husband I absolutely adore - so my favorite hobbies are the ones that do include my family. I still love to sing, and luckily my husband does too. We enjoy traveling, jogging around the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, and getting to the beach whenever we can. The next two bucket list items I’m checking off are buying a Vespa and learning Italian! Pictured left: Molly (far left) as Anne Frank in Park's production of The Diary of Anne Frank in 1992. Pictured above: Molly in the role of Maria in Park's production of The Sound of Music in 1993. Pictured left: Molly and classmates Mary, Preeti, Leah, Helle, and Paulina at Country Fair in 1995. Pictured right: The Park School Class of 1996. "I learned calculus and I read the classics, but Park was about a lot more than just math and reading, and as it turns out…so is life." 24
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