At the Annual Conference in November, I had the (slightly terrifying) privilege of delivering my Incoming President Address. It was something I worked on for months, with professional guidance, not because public speaking makes me nervous, but because I needed help articulating something harder: my perspective on leadership and my vision for the year ahead at NSGC.
That turned out to be easier said than done. Over time, clarity emerged, and I landed on three ingredients that guide how I think about leadership, especially in complex, evolving environments like ours:
- Conviction in the face of uncertainty
- A pragmatic lens
- Iterative perseverance
Leadership is one of those things that is easy to recognize when you see it, but often hard to define explicitly. To quote a former Supreme Court Justice, “I know it when I see it.” And friends, within NSGC, I see it. Let’s go!!
As I write this, I am preparing for our first Board of Directors meeting of the year, along with our annual Leadership Summit in Chicago at the SmithBucklin offices. This event brings together our Board of Directors, Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs, and NSGC Executive Staff for in-person connection and collaboration. This is our third year holding the summit in person, and each year it gets better.
The time together allows for leadership development, professional growth, and deep collaboration across committees and with the Board. Each committee is supported by a Board liaison and a dedicated Executive Office staff member, forming a strong leadership team alongside the Committee Chair and Vice-Chair. Meeting face to face enables clear planning, strong alignment, cross-committee coordination, and clear communication early in the year, setting the stage for an efficient and productive year guided by our strategic plan and committee charges.
I am deeply grateful to this dedicated group of volunteer leaders who pack their coats, head to Chicago in January, and dedicate dozens of hours each month to advancing NSGC and our profession. In return, we gain leadership skill refinement, experience that translates directly to our professional roles, and an expanded network of fellow leaders across genomics, both within NSGC and beyond in our “day jobs.”
I cannot stress this enough: there are many ways to develop leadership skills within NSGC. While committee and Board leadership are important paths, they are not the only ones.
After my Incoming President Address, one of the most common comments I received was appreciation for my honesty about my volunteer history with NSGC not being constant or linear. Over the years, my engagement with NSGC involved dipping in and out depending on my life and other needs. Some seasons included demanding jobs, infants, toddlers, or all of the above, and volunteering simply was not feasible. During those times, my leadership development did not stop. It simply took different forms.
Mentorship
NSGConnect is free to join as both a mentor and a mentee, and I use “and” deliberately. Many of us benefit from both roles. Like most meaningful experiences, you get out of it what you put in. Seek out people you want to learn from, offer your own expertise, and engage.
Education
Through collaboration between the Membership and Education Committees, NSGC offers leadership-focused resources, including the Leadership and Career Development Course (3.5 CEUs). Annual Conference sessions also regularly address professional development and leadership. Leadership is not just a vibe – It is a skill set built through learning, practice, and reflection.
Networking
Our Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are wide-ranging, free to join, and a fantastic way to connect with others who share your specialty, interests, or career stage. We even have a Leadership and Management SIG.
Membership Engagement
Being an engaged NSGC member takes just a few minutes a month and costs pennies per day. Reading updates like this one in The Advocate, responding to calls to action through the Advocacy Action Center, contributing to Communities discussions, or answering surveys all meaningfully advance our organization and profession. Leaders stay informed and contribute. Feedback is always welcome at memberfeedback@nsgc.org.
Volunteering
Yes, volunteering is still an option! SIGs offer projects with varying time commitments, and our annual Call for Volunteers each September supports committee work. The Board of Directors’ call for nominations is open now, and you can self-nominate or nominate others. The number of nominations does not matter - everyone nominated is evaluated through the same process. It is not a campaign or popularity contest. It is simply about raising your hand, making the case, and stepping forward when called.
Leadership may be hard to define, but we recognize it when we see it. And leadership development is never truly finished. As I shared in my Incoming President Address, the biggest room in the world is the room for improvement. I know I still have much to learn, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from exceptional leaders within NSGC.
Big and small leadership opportunities abound in this organization and our community. I look forward to seeing the growth, development, and impact NSGC members will demonstrate in 2026 and beyond.
Let’s go!!
It's not about what you've done
It's about what you doing
It's all about where you going
No matter where you've been, let's go!
Calvin Harris & Ne-Yo, 2012
Author: Carrie Haverty, MS, CGC