Inside Promega

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Promega wants to be your partner. On this page you can get to know us better!

Here, you will find interesting news about Promega, who joined and will support you in the future in your lab, and what Promega is doing as a company?

Is there anything in particular you want to know about us? Please feel free and ask!

Today, we’ll meet Sharon Sheridan, Director of the Genetic Identity team based in Madison, WI.

Tell us a little bit about what your role is at Promega.

I have the privilege of leading the Genetic Identity Strategic Business Unit at Promega. My most important role is to support an extremely talented team by working through opportunities and challenges and helping to knock down barriers to our success. I also spend time working with the other strategic teams to educate colleagues on the unique needs of our customers while looking outside our portfolio for products that will fulfill the unmet needs of our customers.

What have you been doing to keep sane during the COVID pandemic?

As an only child, I can honestly say that I’ve been training for this my whole life! I’ve been staying sane by doing a lot of purging things that I brought to Wisconsin 8 years ago and haven’t touched or missed in all that time. After that work is done, I read, knit, and serve at the pleasure of my two cats. I have a couple thousand books to read, so lockdown doesn’t phase me in the least. There are also many seasons of Forensic Files, which is fun, because I sometimes see people I know!

What motivates you to succeed?

I am most motivated when my efforts result in helping someone else to succeed. As a people leader, I’m successful when my team is successful and, in turn, when our customers are successful.

What does a typical day for you look like?

It’s changed during the pandemic. First priority is feeding my cats followed by getting a workout in to start the day. After my 30 second commute from the kitchen to the office, I scan my email to see what might have popped up overnight around the world. During a regular day I will have 4-5 meetings on a variety of topics – updates with my team members, project updates with R&D (Research and Development), updates with Promega branches, meetings with other businesses within Promega and more. Promega also has a strong Emotional and Social Intelligence focus and I make time each week to focus on preparing to train others.

Sharon with ISHI 25 Keynote Speaker, John Douglas

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

That is a hard choice. I love forensics and have since I was quite young. I am incredibly fortunate to work with very smart and dedicated people who I learn from every day. I also love spending time with our customers and hearing about the interesting cases they have worked on in the course of their careers. I have immense respect and gratitude for what they do every day.

What’s your favorite book and why?

I have many favorites but one that stands out is Sarum by Edward Rutherford. It tells the story of several families’ lives in and around Salisbury England from the first humans through the generations to the 1990s. It is like a mini course in world history.

Favorite TV show to binge watch?

I rarely am able to settle on one favorite in most categories. If I were going to indulge in some binge watching today it would be $chitt’s Creek. Downton Abbey is still a big favorite, though Bridgerton is poised to take the top spot.

Where do you want to travel to, but have never been?

Three on the top of the list are Egypt, St. Petersburg, (the one in Russia) and Australia/New Zealand. In the US, I would love to visit Alaska.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Superhuman strength would be handy. It sure would make it easier to get luggage into the overhead bin!

When you have an hour of free time, what do you like to do?

Listen to an audio book while knitting!

What is your favorite sport to watch?

Packer football of course but I also love to watch thoroughbred horse racing when I visit my kids in Kentucky.

Thanks Sharon for this little insight! If you have questions for Sharon or about Promega, please ask!