Nan Holda

Born in Chicago and raised in Park Ridge, Illinois, Nan is a Renaissance Woman who has had diverse careers as a: Product Support Technician for the world’s largest distributor of radio-control & hobby products, Marketing Director for the Institute 4 Creativity, and Music Journalist & Copy Editor for various news outlets. After receiving a hobby degree in 1999 (B.S. Ornamental Horticulture), she was the Manager of Marketing Communications for an international computer science federation at UIUC.

Her first foray into Chemistry was in 2007 at UIUC, working for Prof. John Hartwig. When he moved to UC Berkeley in 2010, she jumped ship to vanderland, where she handles all non-scientific duties for the lab. In addition, she is the Staff Assistant to the SACNAS UIUC Chapter, a local branch of the national organization dedicated to advancing the careers of diverse leaders in STEM fields.

Expertise: Lab Mom, Networker, DEI Supporter, Cat Herder, and Whip Cracker.

Notes: Nights and weekends, Nan is an International Eco-Warrior who motivates people/teams to act on climate change, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and environmental justice. Her hobbies include: organic gardening, hiking with her dog, Mr. Porter Swagger, swimming in natural bodies of waters, bird watching, canoeing/kayaking, horse riding, ecstatic dancing, live music, singing, and practicing conscious living.