LPI Welcomes Meeting Coordinator Carly Olliff
October 28, 2022
The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) recently welcomed a new meeting coordinator, Carly Olliff. Before joining the LPI, Carly worked as an admission counselor at Lamar University, where she received Outstanding Employee Recognition and was a Staff Council Representative two years in a row. Carly has a Bachelor of Science in Communication and a Master of Business Administration from Lamar University.
Read LPI’s interview with Carly Olliff to learn more.
LPI: What are you most looking forward to in your new role?
CO: I’m brand new to the space science world, so I’ve enjoyed learning the ins and outs of what these meetings are centered around. I can already tell that planetary and space science will become a new interest of mine. Event planning is something I’ve wanted to venture into for a while now. I’m excited about this opportunity to strengthen my skillset. Plus, my coworkers have been so welcoming.
“I’m one of those people who show off their dog like others do their kids. Phoebe turned nine years old this past year, and I’ve had her since she was a puppy. We’ve grown into adulthood together. She’s been right by my side through some of my favorite adventures.”
LPI: What are you most looking forward to in your new role?
CO: I’m brand new to the space science world, so I’ve enjoyed learning the ins and outs of what these meetings are centered around. I can already tell that planetary and space science will become a new interest of mine. Event planning is something I’ve wanted to venture into for a while now. I’m excited about this opportunity to strengthen my skillset. Plus, my coworkers have been so welcoming.
“Since we’re entering Spooky Season, I figured it would be fitting to include this photo. Despite Halloween being one of my favorite holidays, last year was the first time I had ever carved a pumpkin. I didn’t enjoy the mess all that much, but I think it turned out all right!”
LPI: What are you looking forward to bringing to your role here from your past experiences?
CO: Working in higher education, I have a lot of experience with collaboration. That seems to be a big factor when it comes to planning meetings. While we follow the same general guidelines, each meeting I’ve worked on so far has its distinctive differences. I look forward to bringing my people skills into my role here at LPI.
LPI: Did you have a mentor or another person in your life who was influential to your career?
CO: I know it sounds cliche, but my grandmother has always been the biggest influence in my life. She taught me how to lead with strength, originality, and compassion from my early childhood years into adulthood. As an elementary school teacher for most of her life, she encouraged me never to stop seeking new learning opportunities and told me that everyone has a story worth hearing.
“Besides my parents, my grandparents have been the biggest influential figures in my life. I’m grateful to have had the type of guidance that I did from them. Also, a fun fact about me, I’m a girl who values her sleep. I dozed off several times on stage during this kindergarten graduation. Shout out to the kid who picked up my cap for me when it fell off mid-nap.”
“This photo is at the famous Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris several years ago. To this day, it’s one of my favorite photos I’ve ever taken. Did I somehow capture a rare moment of irony? Was the cat a paid actor? I’ll never know.”
LPI: Which USRA value do you most identify with and why? (Passion, Partnerships, and Professionalism)
CO: While I can identify with all three values, “Passion” sticks out most. One of my biggest life mottos is to “follow the passion because that’s what fuels you.” I think a person’s passion is what makes them individually unique. I spent a lot of my teenage years and early twenties trying to figure out my passions, thinking I had to define them indefinitely at such a young age. Once I realized they grow and evolve as we do, the possibilities were endless.
“Experiencing a Texas sunset is something I’ll never take for granted. It’s one of those things that reminds me to take a breath and just enjoy the peace in the moment.”
LPI: What kind of hobbies or interests do you have outside of work?
CO: I love the arts and learning about history; galleries, museums, theatre, and concerts are all my jam. Lately, I’ve been teaching myself how to play the electric guitar (how successful it is is up for debate). I also enjoy outdoor adventures and walks with my dog, Phoebe. I just moved to the Houston area a little over a month ago, so I’ve spent most of my free time just going out and exploring. This past year, I put together a little jar with slips of paper in it, and every time I travel somewhere new or have a new experience, I write it on a slip of paper. I call it my “firsts” jar.
