She specializes in the history of women in business and is the author of Capital Intentions: Female Proprietors in San Francisco, 1850-1920. In her second book project, she is examining the history of three women who founded manufacturing companies in the U.S. during the 1930s and recognized as leading executives by the 1960s and 70s when all of them became the first female board members of the corporations to which they sold their companies. A special interest of Dr. Sparks is nurturing women’s leadership. This grows out of both her scholarship and experience while Senior Associate Dean at Pacific for six years. She enjoys traveling, watching movies and laughing with her two young daughters and husband and entertaining friends. Walking, yoga and volunteer work help her keep things in perspective.