Betsy Hauenstein

Cohort: 12
Fred Hutch, Asst. Director, Direct Response, Philanthropy

To start, if I approached you at a picnic and asked what you were up and enjoying these days, how would you answer?

From April to October, I try to get to the sea as much as possible. Our kiddos are both improving their swimming, and love to get beach time whenever possible. I’ve also gotten way back into reading real live books and completed my first Seattle Public Library summer bingo. I alternate between dystopic post-apocalyptic adult fiction and YA series. Beyond that, I’m very focused on raising anti-racist kiddos, so we’ve been doing a lot of family learning and most recently our focus is on Palestine.

The theme of this newsletter is career pivots, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on moving between companies and roles, as you’ve moved from higher ed, to big tech, to health care (and now doula to boot!). What advice would you give younger Comm Lead alumni about how to approach a career change and what you’ve learned over the years on how to see pivots as opportunities, not liabilities?

My biggest learning, especially when I made the move from higher ed to tech, was that imposter syndrome affects everyone when making big pivots. I definitely encountered it but quickly learned that I was not the only one working through it and so leaned on my strengths that got me the position while I learned more about the new field and company. 

Now let’s chat about your latest career pivot to Fred Hutch and pursuing doula work. What inspired this shift and what have you learned this far? Anything surprising?

I started my post-partum doula training while I was at AWS and reflecting on my own experience as a new parent. I had been looking for a way to connect more deeply with my community and after reading an article about maternal mortality and doulas as a way to reduce it, I signed up for training the next day. A year and a half into my training, I was laid off from AWS and took part in the SEAP program through Washington State employment services and was able to spend some time building out my business. I knew I would need to supplement my doula work with another job and wanted to stay connected to community and healthcare if possible. I was looking at only a few companies and organizations and a position opened up a Fred Hutch that aligned well. And luckily it was a fit and I joined the team in January. 

What’s one of the best pieces of career advice you have received?

To prioritize connection and relationship building. I learned this early on, and it’s been crucial to every single role I’ve had.

Finally, what’s a favorite piece of content—anything goes!—you’ve been hooked on lately you think Comm Lead alumni might enjoy? 

All of Ross Gay’s poetry and essays. If you haven’t read his work before, the Book of Delights is a great place to start.