Diamonds in the Dirt: Christina Nathanson on Unearthing Insight from Life’s Hardest Moments

Editor’s Note: Christina (Tina) Nathanson, Director of Market Research & Analytics at Quest Diagnostics, is no stranger to transformation. With a career spanning both client and agency sides at companies like Mastercard, IPSOS, GE, and AIG, she brings a unique lens to leadership in the insights industry. Known for “turning dirt into diamonds,” Tina draws inspiration from her late uncle, artist Hank Virgona, who reminded her that “the things you see out of the corner of your eyes are the most important.” In this conversation, Tina reflects on personal and professional turning points that reshaped how she leads, anchored in empathy, perspective, and the power of seeing what others might miss.

Can you share key milestones or moments in your leadership journey that have shaped your approach to decision-making? 

One of the most transformative moments came during a two-year, unplanned career break. I was laid off in December 2018 and the changes didn’t stop. My husband was laid off just days after me, I lost my uncle (who was a known artist) and was tasked with managing his estate, and I sold my childhood home—all while navigating the uncertainty of COVID as our only child headed off to college.

While it was one of the hardest times in my life, it was also one of the most liberating. I let go of the version of myself I thought I had to be and made space for who I really was. That’s when my personal mantra was born: “turning dirt into diamonds.”  Instead of focusing on what was lost, I started looking for the possibilities hidden in every challenge. That mindset completely reshaped my leadership approach—from how I make decisions to how I coach my team through uncertainty.

What challenges have you faced as an executive, and how did you navigate through them?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is when decisions were made too quickly based on limited or narrowly focused perspective before the full picture comes into focus. The urge was to rush to respond, asking my team to pivot to validate or disprove that judgment. With experience, I learned that real leadership means resisting that urge to react and instead stepping back to look for underlying patterns that may not be visible. I’d rather spend my time asking, “What are we not seeing? What’s beneath the obvious?” That’s where my mindset of turning dirt into diamonds (or poop to unicorn) came into play. It isn’t just a catchy phrase; it’s how I’ve survived, thrived, and kept falling back in love with work. 

What skills or attributes do you believe are essential for future leaders in the research industry to cultivate? 

The research industry is evolving rapidly, but some fundamentals remain timeless:

• Curiosity: Stay endlessly curious. Ask the second and third questions, even when it feels uncomfortable.

• Strategic Listening: Don’t just hear what’s said—tune in to what’s unsaid. Understand motivations, fears, and hidden barriers.

• Courage: Be brave enough to challenge assumptions, even your own.

• Collaboration: The best insights come from collective thinking, not working in silos.

• And perhaps most importantly, learn to love the mess. Some of the greatest discoveries come from embracing ambiguity and digging through what seems like chaos.

Are there any mentors, colleagues, or public figures who have influenced your leadership style or empowered you along the way?

Two of my greatest influences were my father, Joe Virgona, and his brother, my uncle, Hank Virgona. Together, they shaped how I lead today—with a servant leadership mindset and a deep belief in leading by example.

My father was a constant presence in my community and church growing up, quietly showing me that leadership starts with service to others. He never led from above—he led alongside people, through action and humility. He was also a professional photographer, and through his lens (and the Sunday afternoons learning to develop 35mm film in our in-home dark room), I learned an important life lesson: perspective is everything. Sometimes you have to intentionally shift your viewpoint to see what’s really there, and more importantly, to understand what others are experiencing. That’s the foundation of how I lead—serving first, seeking to understand, and always looking for ways to support and empower those around me.

My uncle, Hank Virgona, was a celebrated New York City artist known for his thought-provoking still-lives and subway observations. One of his philosophies has stuck with me, “The things you see out of the corners of your eyes are the most important.” That’s become a guiding principle for me in both leadership and research. It’s often the quiet signals, the subtle moments, and the overlooked details that lead to the most powerful insights and meaningful breakthroughs.

Their combined influence taught me to lead with empathy, keep my perspective wide, and remain grounded in service to others. Whether it’s mentoring my team, making strategic decisions, or working through complex business challenges, I show up, stay curious, and lead not just through words—but through actions.