Laura Silva
EDITOR’S NOTE: A church community is created when people gather together for the love of God. At the same time, Saint Philip’s is comprised of many people who represent different ages, life experiences, and world views.
The “In conversation…” series is one attempt to create possibilities for connection between the different people in our community. As varied as we all are, there are also similarities and mutual interests waiting to be discovered. And there is one thing we all share: a desire to know God and be in relationship with him.
This week’s conversation is with parishioner, Laura Silva.
How long have you worshiped at Saint Philip’s?
Since 2018.
Which service do you typically attend?
Usually the 11:15am liturgy.
What about that service speaks to you?
Its timing! I’m a triathlete and like to complete my workouts in the morning. Even starting early, a four or five-hour bike ride still takes awhile.
How did you get involved with triathlons?
Unexpectedly. I was a scrawny, little kid, totally non-athletic, with out-of-control asthma. I was diagnosed with celiac disease when I turned 50. Looking back I think I was undernourished all my life.
In my late 40s I won a prize for a free personal training session. I’m such a cheapskate that I had to take advantage of the offer.
The trainer was an ex-Marine named Jared. He was very stern but a master at psychological manipulation—so I kept returning. One day Jared put me on a treadmill. I told him I wasn’t a runner but he set it for a slow speed and had me run 1/4 of a mile. I thought I was going to die! I sucked air and wanted nothing more than to push the stop button. But I didn’t. When I returned the following week I went 0.05 mile farther.
The day I ran a full mile changed everything. I couldn’t believe it! I signed up for a local 5K and finished the race. I crossed the finish line with my lungs screaming for air but I was also amazed at what I’d accomplished.
After that first race I found help with training. My coach has helped me and completely changed my life. My asthma is under control and I’ve adopted healthier habits.
What’s something you’ve learned about yourself in this process?
I’m stronger than I thought I was—mentally and physically.
Triathlons are long events; things happen throughout the day and problem solving has to happen when tired. I discovered I have a lot of stick-to-it-ive-ness.
What’s something about Saint Philip’s that appeals to you?
I was raised in the Lutheran church but was an organist-choirmaster in an Episcopal church for years. I very much appreciate that Saint Philip’s liturgies value the complexity of beautiful music. There’s nothing trite or boring about our worship. I am also grateful for the beautiful community of people here.
How are you involved at Saint Philip’s?
I’m very involved in the Women’s Bible Study that meets at 6:30pm in The Lounge every Thursday.
The women are all ages and come from many different backgrounds. Some were raised non-church, others were formed as Evangelicals, a few come from Protestant traditions, as well as the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches. As we study the bible together or read books about the bible, the points of view are wide-ranging and we have great discussions.
For any women who want to learn about the bible and how to live faithfully, you will learn from this wonderful group.
You retired recently. What did you do professionally?
I was educated as a chemical engineer, and had a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) career for more than 38 years.
Early on I worked as a laboratory development engineer. It was great fun to create inventions but the company needed a better way to protect and commercialize ideas. My boss invited me to create that process so that began a whole new career path as a Commercialization Manager.
What about that appealed to you?
A lot of technology exists that can solve many problems but if it’s not protected or protectable (which can facilitate investment dollars) then the technology doesn’t get developed and taken to the market—which can then benefit many more people.
You started your own company. What was its mission?
Without sharing the long backstory, part of what we did—in the early years especially—was figure out which chemical processes could be executed for less money and with more efficiency with a pioneering technology we licensed in. We had deals with major energy and chemical companies all over the world to demonstrate the technology and its benefits.
It was a long haul because the venture was very capital intensive. It took 20 years and around $300million by the time we successfully completed the scale-up and field demonstrations, and our first commercial plant was operating. I then was working on the next three plants (for producing renewable fuels) when I realized I was no longer doing what I find most fun: trying out new ideas and finding money to support their implementation. It was time to pass the baton.
What was your most recent position?
The last six years I worked as a Licensing Manager for the College of Science at the University of Arizona. I met with inventors across different departments—Astronomy to Psychology. I helped them file patents, market their inventions, and negotiate licenses.
Do you have a favorite invention from your many years of work?
The one I worked on just before retiring was especially important to me. It’s a technology that makes hydrogen with a chemical reaction that is completely different than what is available now.
What’s special about that?
It will cost less and enable zero carbon fuels.
How are you spending time in your retirement?
I’ve been a musician longer than I was a STEM person so now I’m doing what my master teacher told me when I was a teenager. He said that I need to practice two hours a day no matter what. So I practice the organ for an hour and the piano for an hour. That takes a lot of mental energy.
What do you do to relax and have fun?
I’m very happy to have more time to train and enjoy my friends. I have wonderful friends from my different interests: training, Bible study, music.
What’s something you’re proud of?
My kids. They’re my best project ever. I tell my husband Greg that I’m glad I married such a smart and handsome man so I could have such nice kids.
What’s one of your guiding principles?
My mother taught me to listen to myself and ask, “What do I want to do?” instead of heeding what others tell me I should do.
Teachers in school would tell me I shouldn’t take so many hard courses—despite my being interested and motivated to work hard. My mother encouraged me to listen to myself instead of the teachers. I found out that I can do hard things if I’m interested in them.
What’s something you’re grateful for?
My family and all the opportunities I’ve had.
What’s one of your super powers?
I’m coachable. I listen to advice and alternative perspectives.
If you couldn’t fail, what’s something you’d like to do?
If my personal safety were guaranteed, then I would love to go to countries that are considered dangerous. Iran, Syria, Pakistan, Egypt. It would be great to visit ancient civilizations and absorb so many different things.
What’s the most recent new thing you’ve tried?
I’ve started using Chat GPT. It’s from a company that has a free chat bot (which is an artificial intelligence tool).
I ask it questions and it instantly provides a pretty extensive written answer. You can’t always trust it to present facts. In fact, it will make those up because the programmers haven’t figured out (yet) how to prevent that.
But the value in having the conversation is that it gives me ideas.
For example, I’m going to Norway to visit a cousin this summer. I asked the chat bot to give me an itinerary for our trip to Norway to expand on some initial ideas. It came up with a host of suggestions that I hadn’t thought of. I shared the list with my fellow travelers and Norwegian relative who we’ll visit, and we’re able to plan our time together from a much larger list of options than I would have considered on my own.
What have I not asked that you would like people to know?
I would like to encourage young people—and really anyone—to expand their idea of what a “helping” profession is. Careers in the business of deploying science and technology can help our planet’s health.
And lots of different professions are part of those pursuits; there are people involved in manufacturing, operations, engineering, business, finance, legal, IT, HR, educators of the work force, etc. who make a difference.
Missed an interview? All previous interviews can be found on Saint Philip’s website under the “About Us” tab. Click here to visit that page.