Anne C. Petersen, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President for Programs
WK Kellogg Foundation
Education: Ph.D., M.S., B.A. University of Chicago
Research Areas: Adolescent biopsychosocial development, statistics/measurement
Specialty: Developmental science
Fields: Psychology
Birthplace: Minnesota, U.S.A.
Publications:12 books and nearly 200 articles and chapters, primarily on adolescent development, gender issues, research methods and statistics.

What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

Research Associate/Asst. Professor, University of Chicago. The position involved statistical consultation but also introduced me to research on adolescents. The latter really fascinated me and became the focus of my subsequent work.

What inspired you to choose your current field or the position you currently hold?

I wanted to make a difference for people, especially youth. As Senior Vice President for Programs at the W K Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), I am responsible for all programming and support services for them. Although private foundations have fewer resources than federal agencies, we can focus our work so as to have significant impact. The mission of WKKF is to help people help themselves. Through our emphases on areas such as health and information systems and technology, I believe that we have a chance to design programs in partnership with communities that will help them become more effective on behalf of citizens.

Why would you encourage other women or young women and girls to choose careers in your field? What advice would you give someone who wanted to choose your career?

It's difficult to choose philanthropy because positions are limited and most foundations prefer some real world experience first. But I would definitely encourage a research career. I have always found research very rewarding. The discovery of new knowledge is intrinsically rewarding and can involve the education of the next generation at the same time.

What motivates or inspires you on a daily basis in your field or job?

My current job is fascinating! Every day I learn new things, meet new and interesting people. Seeing that people are enabled by our programs is exhilarating.

What do you see as the single most interesting element of your work?

People. While I began my career as a "numbers" person (as students in measurement and statistics were called), I have increasingly become fascinated with human dynamics. Working with groups for positive, constructive outcomes is highly challenging and rewarding.

Why is your field or industry important to society?

Our Foundation motto is "helping people help themselves" which is clearly helpful to society. We also work to help entire communities become agents of positive growth. Research also is important to help find answers to societal problems. Any programs should be based on a solid understanding of the underlying phenomena, to be most effective and to avoid "reinventing the wheel."

What is your vision for your industry's or field's future? What are some of the exciting things to watch for in your field or industry?

Philanthropically, there will be a $13 trillion transfer of assets from one generation to the next over the next couple decades. Lots of opportunity but it's very important to invest funds wisely, whether in people or widgets.

Research: always new discoveries. I believe that the current frontier unlocking mysteries of the brain will enable the golden era of understanding human behavior. We have many of the basic findings but have so much more to learn.

What values are the most important to you and what do you value in others? How do you prioritize these values in your daily life?

Integrity is most important. It guides everything I do. I also value curiosity and a good sense of humor. It is important to think "out of the box" in order to advance scientific frontiers and human situations. Humor is essential to get through the day. It's important to see the funny side of things, and not become overly serious.

What do you think are the most important character traits to develop in order to succeed professionally?

Integrity, industry, humility, humor. Integrity and a strong sense of right and wrong are essential to avoid being guided by greed or ambition. Hard work (industry) permits learning and demonstrates motivation. Humility and humor are valuable in keeping perspective.

Who is your hero, mentor or person you most admire and why? I have two mentors, both men, who have demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence combined with human understanding as approaches to life. Both value knowledge as a critical underpinning but also manifest highly effective leadership and interpersonal skills that motivate and inspire. I admire Hilary Clinton for her intelligence and grit.

What is your favorite book and why?

I don't know that I have a favorite. I enjoy reading fiction, especially novels about clever women -- like the Amanda Cross or V.I. Warshawski mysteries.

What book would you recommend to someone who knows nothing about your field or industry but would like to know more about it?

Someone interested in learning about developmental science would do well to read Emmy Werner's book "Vulnerable but Invincible" (McGraw-Hill, 1982) or her earlier book "The Children of Kauai" (University of Hawaii Press, 1971).

What technology has improved your life professionally or personally?

The Internet has made collegial communications infinitely easier -- mainly because I can do it whenever (e.g., in the middle of the night when I do my best work). I think the Web will most revolutionize education and exchange of information in ways that we can't even imagine now.

What are your future goals?

To make a difference for youth in this country and abroad. I believe that we must invest in our future and that's what they are. We, and especially my generation, have neglected young people resulting in their having more difficulties growing up and knowing where they're headed. We need to take responsibility for the massive morbidity we're now seeing among the young and help them reach productive, enjoyable adulthood.

What do you do to relax?

Relax! I don't do it enough but what I find relaxing is enjoying time with family and friends. I also like to read, but do that even less.