Richard Wood, General Manager/Executive Producer, GMU-TV

While it might be a cliché in other workplaces, at GMU-TV, we really are a family, and Richard plays a key role in cultivating that environment. He is always ready for work, ready to accomplish whatever is put in front of him, and treats every production like a Super Bowl. His honest and respectful communication builds trust, and his upbeat attitude lifts the team's spirit. Richard will deflect attention from his leadership skills as simply a reflection of his team. What he fails to realize is that he’s got it backwards. His team is a reflection of him. We are all better off because of that.

Yuko Kuo, Manager, Cloud, Compute & Storage Engineering

Yuko encourages and empowers everyone in ITS. This is 10000% true for her team, but also every other department and individual team member. She creates enthusiasm and a feeling of investment by listening first, thinking critically and thoughtfully, and brings these practices together to foster a greater sense of teamwork and collaboration. Yuko absolutely has a high expectation to deliver and exceed at every turn, but she approaches it by supporting, motivating, and making everyone better so they can be their best self in their work. All projects, teams, services and operations run better and more effectively when Yuko or her team are involved.

Elizabeth Redwine, Banner/Patriot Web Support Specialist, ITS Support Center

Elizabeth is a fountain of knowledge and customer service is in her DNA. She has such a calm and patient demeanor allowing her to help people step by step through any problem. Liz thinks of everything! Even for some of the most obscure issues, she usually knows what or who is responsible, and that creates a learning experience for all of us! By assisting colleagues and customers to learn, instead of just dictating information to them, Elizabeth empowers people by giving them the tools to make positive changes. Her desire to have ITS excel and look good are demonstrated by her ability to see both the ITS and customer side and to encourage the needs of both.

Whitney Sublett, Strategic Operations Coordinator, Office of the CIO

Whitney has provided much needed continuity in times of leadership transition both within and outside of ITS. Without Whitney, many of our ITS activities would not take place. She sees the mission of ITS and of Mason and keeps us focused on just that. She motivates us all to do our part for the team and leads us and supports us to get things done without us even noticing she’s leading. I don’t think there is anything she’d ask us to do that she wouldn’t do herself, and I appreciate everything she brings to any discussion.

Whitney can be trusted to always show up, always work hard, be creative in her thinking, collaborative in her approach, empathetic to each individual and make all of us believe in the why we are here and how we can always strive to do better.