What I Do: Career Stories

Tanna Thomas works in medical oncology and previously worked on a cancer unit at a hospital. She works at Texas Oncology Central Austin as their Senior RN for Clinical Research. Tanna went to school at UT Austin and graduated with her bachelor of science in nursing in 2008.

Emily Larson Kubiak is an energy efficiency enthusiast and Certified Energy Manager. She leads the Energy Efficiency and Renewables Program at Sustainable Connections in Bellingham, WA. Previously she educated residents around recycling and worked with low-income weatherization projects. 

Matt Henry serves in the Air Force as an officer and a JAG, where he’s currently stationed in Japan! He received his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School in 2014. He was a commercial litigator and intellectual property attorney and is currently the Chief of Military Justice for Yokota Air Base legal office in Tokyo. 

 Matt Schwartz is a foley artist, which means he is a sound re-recording mixer and sound designer. Based in LA, he runs a business designing sound for films, web-series, commercials, and documentaries. He’s worked as a freelancer for Netflix, DirecTV, and independent filmmakers and also teaches advanced post-production at the LA Recording School. 

Katherine Watier Ong is a self-professed digital media geek. She lives near DC and runs WO Strategies, focused on online marketing strategy and SEO. Previously she worked at Ketchum doing online marketing and analytics. 

Erin Gurak is the District Director for U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett. Erin’s office liaisons between Doggett’s constituents in Texas district 35 and the Democratic Congressman himself. Erin manages 35 people, and oversees all operations and outreach. 

Brett Haginas is a labor and birth doula, and also teaches yoga. She has a passion for healing and being of service, whether that’s on a yoga mat or in the delivery room! 

Tara Chapman is a beekeeper in Austin. She started Two Hives Honey four years ago (which now has over 200 hives!). Her first job after attending Duke was with the Central Intelligence Agency working in operations in Pakistan. 

Hannah Halliday works at NASA measuring air pollution and greenhouse gasses. She got her masters and PhD from Penn State in atmospheric science. She has worked at the NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton VA as a postdoc for the past three years. 

Josh Wilkinson has planned and executed over a thousand events in his career. He works events at the Austin Public Library’s downtown Central Library and got his bachelors from UT in Radio/TV/Film.