What makes Personify stand out is the culture of encouragement and responsiveness; we foster a culture where we support each other’s ideas and welcome the innovation of individuals.

Can you describe your career progression at Personify over the last 13 years?

I was originally part of A2Z Events, and then, we were acquired by Personify. In that time, I’ve held roles as a business analyst, product manager and project manager. I’ve led teams and started business units. I was always on the lookout for something new, keeping up with changes and challenges and identifying potential benefits to the business. My focus area was to look into what I could do to make an impact on a broader organizational level; moving in and out of different areas and learning as I went. In addition, I was continuously building relationships and expanding my network to ensure I was connecting with senior leadership and colleagues outside of my team, which greatly benefited me in growing my reach and securing my future.

I bring a solution-oriented approach, a deeper understanding of business issues, the ability to create traction through data, and the determination to do whatever it takes to get things done. That ability to overcome obstacles and go above and beyond is critical to accelerating your career here or anywhere. What makes Personify stand out is the culture of encouragement and responsiveness; we foster a culture where we support each other’s ideas and welcome the innovation of individuals.

What’s your elevator pitch for why someone in sales should join your team?

It’s always fun to be in the forefront, see where the business is growing, and pinpoint how I can contribute to our broader success. One thing that excites us as a team is understanding the client, not just from one department’s view, but looking into the data and processes to gain an enterprise-level perspective of an organization. I enjoy working with different teams across the organization, from go-to-market to finance, to client success, customer success, professional services, and strategy. I see our role as a Sales team as one that leverages information and insights to make a difference for the people at an organization.

How would you describe yourself as a leader?

I like to focus on two aspects of team leadership: individual development and team impact. I work with team members on how they want to grow personally and professionally. I want to empower them with the skills and knowledge they require to go out in the world and not just be competent but to thrive. As a team, we contribute to the success of the company; so I want to nurture a culture of collaboration, where together we are better than we are as individuals. The three principles that tie to Personify values, which drive my approach to my own career and leadership, are curiosity, accountability and forgiveness. If you are motivated to figure things out, inspired to get things done, and open to learning from mistakes, you will find deep professional satisfaction here. 

What do you like to do for fun outside work?  

I listen to the podcast Hidden Brain about how our brain functions and how we perceive things. It’s one of the four podcasts I always try to listen to. 

For fun, this summer, we have been very active as a family. I have two boys, and this was the first time we tried camping. They enjoyed it, so we went on a few overnight trips this summer.

Are there any insights or words of advice you would like to share?

As a people manager, I want to know: how can I alleviate the problems you are facing? What barriers can I remove, relationships can I leverage, and deliverables can I take on for you to do your best work? As a leader, if I can free up their time, I will because I know it helps them perform better on deals they nurture. It may not always be possible, but I do what I can. 

As an individual performer, I want to encourage others to get in front their leaders and the people their managers report to. Increasing your visibility and demonstrating how you contribute is the most straightforward path to career advancement. At the same time, a profound understanding of the culture and values, with a focus on the team goals, is also essential.

People of Personify

The “People of Personify” is a multi-part series featuring profiles and interviews with leaders and talented team members at Personify who are driving innovation for professional associations and event management partners.

The post People of Personify: Get to Know Ashish Jain appeared first on Personify.

One of Personify’s eight company values is service. It’s hard to find a colleague who embodies service more than John Rosa, a Principal Business Analyst at Personify and a Staff Sergeant for the National Guard. In honor of Veterans Day 2022, we salute John for his service to our country and our clients.

Why did you choose Personify?

Eight years ago, I was seeking an organization where I could grow my career. I didn’t have a technology or business analyst background but as a family-focused individual, a former elementary school band teacher and coach, and as an active Reservist –  I’m a member of the US Army and have been for 14 years – I had a broad range of skills. Personify was able to see my potential and chose to bring me on, train and mentor me. It’s a very unglamorous story; but at the same time, also one of the reasons I think Personify is an incredible place to work. This is a company that saw my ability to work hard, solve problems, achieve goals and take calculated risks. 

What do you get to do in your role that is unique?

I’ve been working exclusively with the Alzheimer’s Association for six years as a dedicated Business Analyst. I’ve been helping them build out a piece of software, gathering requirements and interacting with the entire Alzheimer’s Association, from Marketing and Finance to Business and Technology. My role is to ensure that what we’re customizing is going to work across the entire board. It’s a huge project, and I spend more time with the Alzheimer’s Association than I do with other Personify colleagues. They’re a massive client of about 1,500 employees who all have a stake in what they’re doing as an organization – it’s inspiring to be a very small part of that. 

How is the impact of the project you’re working on at Personify motivating? 

Alzheimer’s is a terrible, debilitating disease. I love that I get to work with an association that is making such a profound impact. 

Two years ago, I lost my dad to cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). If you’re familiar with the disease, one of the leading thoughts is that these proteins called amyloids build up in the brain. While my father didn’t have full-blown dementia or Alzheimer’s when he passed, these proteins caused little micro tears. So, one day he was fine and then passed the next very unexpectedly. It’s a very real reminder to pause and remember that the work I’m doing is helping further the Alzheimer’s Project which is so much bigger than the little things that might throw off my day.

What’s something you or your team have accomplished this year that you’re proud of?

I really consider my team to be the Alzheimer’s Project team. We have a few offshore developers, two technical consultants, a project manager and two analysts, including myself. We’ve built this product out for Alzheimer’s over the last six years, and we are on the cusp of going live in February. Everyone is incredibly excited to have accomplished such an amazing feat, having put so much effort, energy and time into this for so long. It’s a little terrifying at the same time.

If you had to pick a book that related to your experience at Personify, what would it be?

Make Your Bed by four star Admiral William McRaven. He gave a speech at the University of Texas that went viral. The whole premise of Make Your Bed is to get up every morning and make your bed and know that you’ve accomplished your first task of the day. From there, you build on that small but significant accomplishment, getting things done. And, even if some of these tasks are unpleasant or go terribly wrong, you have the comfort of coming home and climbing into your bed that is made and ready for you. 

What I draw from this book is the importance of focusing on the fundamentals to work through this six-year long project that I’ve been a part of. It’s about one deliverable at a time and the impact each one can make.

People of Personify

The “People of Personify” is a multi-part series featuring profiles and interviews with leaders and talented team members at Personify who are driving innovation for professional associations and event management partners.

The post People of Personify: Get to Know John Rosa appeared first on Personify.

What was it like, transitioning from a small company to Personify? 

Small World Labs operated like a small bootstrap team, so we were all excited and cautiously optimistic about the potential more stability and money would bring. And when everything finally came together, the progress on the platform’s functionality and infrastructure was evident.  

What are projects or initiatives you get to work on that you find rewarding Personify?

I’ve had several different roles here; the opportunity to work on multiple aspects of the client experience and be involved in the evolution of the product from different angles is one of the reasons I stay.

When I first started, one of the areas that I enjoyed being a part of was the client success team on the CommUnity platform. The chance to work directly with clients and help them think strategically about how to leverage our tools was fun. I was able to draw on my background in nonprofit work when having conversations with Community Managers looking for innovative ways to support volunteers. 

In my new role, I’m the Manager of Product Marketing. It’s a fantastic opportunity to apply all of my direct and indirect knowledge from pre-sales market analysis, solutions consulting, and post-sales customer experience. It’s a very customer-centric role and, at the same time, product-centric; with the challenge of creating effective and meaningful messaging that helps people understand what our products can do for them in relatable, practical language. I’m really excited, because it’s allowing me to open up a better communication track between product and customers; create visibility into where we’re going in terms of new initiatives that can further their success – and ours.

What was it like being one of the first to work remotely at Personify? 

I had been in a consultative position for two and a half years, working closely with clients everywhere. There wasn’t an actual need for my having to go into the Austin office. So, I wrote a case demonstrating how my commitment and productivity wouldn’t be affected by transitioning to a remote role – and it was approved. Not only that, it didn’t hold me back from the next move here, which was as a team manager for an onsite group.

When we became a company of remote workers due to Covid, I had an advantage in several years of finding work balance, learning how to focus and turning off the screens. So, I leaned into onboarding people to the remote work world, encouraging them to maintain open communications, know their limits and be aware of their family’s needs and mental health during such a stressful, unknown time. Personify was a great company to be part of during this time, with a fantastic paid-time-off policy and newly implemented wellness days.

What are your passions in life, and do you get to bring any of your influences to your role?

I am deeply committed to helping people, particularly those in the nonprofit world, solve everyday problems or growth challenges. For example, I was in the Peace Corps in West Africa, building communities and relationships for further development and serving on the board of directors, as well as other leadership roles for several nonprofits. 

I want to have influence, to see the difference I’m making and Personify has allowed me to do so. We are absolutely a fast-moving technology company; but we are also a services company. I can draw on my consulting abilities, my love of connecting with people and channel my empathy and curiosity to innovate solutions. It’s a very rewarding position to be in, where I can learn about different initiatives, the challenges our clients are running into and be able to offer solutions that I’ve seen work in the past. Right now, I’m able to connect the dots between past use cases and new technical features, and carve these clear paths to success for not just one client at a time but whole sectors. 

If you had to pick a song, book, or movie title that represented your experience here, what would it be?

There’s a historical drama called, A Little Bit of Chaos. It’s about building the gardens at Versailles. To me, working here, while we have clear direction and strategy from our leadership, there’s always a little bit of excitement, a small dose of the unknown, that fosters our creativity. Not everything is always perfectly in place. The kind of people who thrive here are the ones that enjoy the opportunity to shift a little one way or the other, to come up with something fun or something structured depending on the need. We have the stability of this bigger company, but we’re still able to retain the best parts of being a responsive smaller product company. 

Why should someone join Personify?

It’s truly an exciting time right now, at Personify, with a new leadership team fostering an energetic, highly collaborative space. As people who work directly with our clients – with the communities, having your voice heard, and your opinions taken into consideration, that just furthers the level of professional satisfaction you feel here. Knowing that we continue to innovate new products and scale our services, creates a career path of opportunities for anyone who joins us – and I’m excited to see what we are going to do next, how we are going to help and empower our clients further.

People of Personify

The “People of Personify” is a multi-part series featuring profiles and interviews with leaders and talented team members at Personify who are driving innovation for professional associations and event management partners.

The post People of Personify: Get to Know Benjamin Morton appeared first on Personify.

A welcoming atmosphere 

When looking for an internship, I wanted to be someplace where I’d have the opportunity to contribute to a purpose and learn.At Personify, I gained so much exposure working across multiple products. And the team was so welcoming and open to questions. – Ashjah Abraham, Support Operations Intern

A view across the SDLC for real world products

I want to work as a software developer in the future, and my internship at Personify has brought me closer to this goal by giving me practical experience. I’ve gained exposure to every aspect of a software engineering team. I’ve seen how multiple pieces come together to create a complex product and the importance of automated testing. – Riley Hancox, Software Engineer Intern

Invaluable insights 

In just eight weeks at Personify, I gained insights into the backend of data science and why data hygiene is so important. I also had a chance to support sales by providing access to product demos and trials; as well as how to build a business case. This was new to me before starting this internship; it’s been a rewarding experience. – Jaden Alphonse, Marketing Data Science Intern

The other side of tech

This was not your typical internship. I appreciate working on real-life projects and problems as part of a software company. My future goal is to become a corporate attorney, and they allowed me to sit in on contract negotiations and policy writing. That was invaluable to me. – Kerry Singleton, Sales and Strategy Intern

Soft skills to help me every day

My internship was on the business development side of Personify, so my main objective was to qualify leads and conduct competitive analysis. I learned how to use Salesforce, an invaluable skill as it is a hugely popular tool, so my experience will help me in the future. In addition, they gave me the room to build on my soft skills and work with autonomy, which will benefit me in everything I do. – Joe Stewart III, Sales Development Representative Intern

With every experience as unique as the intern participating, our dedicated PersoniVersity buddies feel very proud of the progress their interns made and a little melancholy to see them go. 

“Ashjah helped update customer-facing documentation to make it more accessible. While her value as a hard-working team player will be missed, so will our Monday meetings, when I get updates on her work but also her pets and her D&D campaign.” – Joy Wingert, Education Manager

“Riley got rolling on the writing unit and cypress tests and absolutely rocked. We didn’t have to tell him why they were important; he was able to determine that on his own and fully committed to the tasks.” – Jason Chalfant, Senior Software Engineer

“Jaden helped research and compile data for our MC Trade Win-Back Campaign and picked up SalesForce like a champ. He asks amazing questions, and I have no doubt that he will be successful in whatever he does in the future.” – Jennifer Cote, Content Marketing Manager

“Joe always had a positive attitude and committed 100 percent to help the team! He was a great intern and made us laugh in the SDR huddles quite often.” – Kaleb Kinney, Sales Development Representative

As we wish our interns the best of luck in their continued studies, we hope we’ve inspired them in the same way their eagerness and dedication did for us. 

People of Personify

The “People of Personify” is a multi-part series featuring profiles and interviews with leaders and talented team members at Personify who are driving innovation for professional associations and event management partners.

The post People of Personify: Get to Know the 2022 Class of PersoniVersity Interns appeared first on Personify.

DEI Commitment Statement: As an organization, we will continue​​​​​​​ to speak out, as we live our intentions—and we will continue our commitment to be the change we want to see in our communities, both internally and within the markets we serve.

What does DEI mean to Personify?

It’s a continuous journey and a set of goals we are striving towards. It’s a collective and conscious movement towards making ourselves better as leaders, managers, colleagues and a global organization. In order to make a true impact, the effort has to come from the top down, and as a committee, we’re the bridge that connects the intention with the message and the message with the action. Our goal is to nurture a growth mindset to encourage everyone to adopt and engage with DEI thinking on every level. Our role is to provide the resources and the pathways for every employee to feel empowered.  – Ashly Stewart, Senior Marketing Manager, Crystal Faris, Director of People and Culture and Jill Nalepa, Business Solutions Team Lead

At Personify, one of our corporate values is accountability: we say what we’ll do, and we’ll do what we say. This is a guiding light for our work in diversity, equity and inclusion. We acknowledge that we have a lot to unlearn and learn; content is a method to share experiences and encourage conversation. When searching for content, we want to find engaging, authentic voices that share different perspectives, highlight the beauty or the struggles of a particular culture or group, and enlighten all of us somehow. We step up to controversial or uncomfortable topics and present them in a safe and meaningful way.  – Crystal Faris and Lakshmi Subramanian, Director of Technology Solutions

Do you think DEI awareness includes uncomfortable conversations and how do you manage those?

It does, resoundingly so. That’s the point. In the broader scope, issues of DEI have only been whispered about in order not to offend anyone or to protect themselves. One of the best things we can do as an organization is to encourage people to be loud. If we open the doors widely where they were previously closed and be transparent with both the downsides and the positive changes we are making, our teams will know that we support them actively, not passively. As an Asian American female, it’s only been in the past year or so that I have started to feel comfortable voicing my experiences and observations. Silence is systemic; and at Personify, we’re not putting the onus on the individual to speak up. – Ashly Stewart

We are trying to create a safe space for conversation in what might be thought of as uncomfortable situations. Whether it’s a book study or presentation from one of our Employee Resource Groups, it’s more than a party; it’s an event that calls for thoughtful reflection and people willing to grow as a result of being open to reflecting and learning. Without the hard conversations, it can become easy to treat it as another celebration instead of an authentic learning exercise. – Greg Millette, Business Solutions Consultant

What is your biggest piece of advice for getting started with DEI?

It’s vital to approach any DEI initiative, committee or strategy by first establishing a safe place to have transparent conversations. Then, the action can take place. Furthermore, it’s essential to engage speakers and thought leaders from the communities you want to include, but not to take on the responsibility of educating, for example, the white men at the top. The onus is on the majority to learn, and as a DEI SharePoint Committee, we provide the resources to do just that. For any DEI event or initiative, it’s critical to ensure the participants and speakers are comfortable with the format and their role. – Ashly Stewart

Other members of Personify’s DEI Committee include: Jen Duffett, Senior Manager of Accounting and Blake Dean, Technical Solutions Consultant. 

People of Personify

The “People of Personify” is a multi-part series featuring profiles and interviews with leaders and talented team members at Personify who are driving innovation for professional associations and event management partners.

As an organization, Personify is awarded and recognized as a best place to work. We want to ensure we are living up to the expectations of our teams. The formation of our DEI Committee and our Employee Resource Groups are a direct result of our evolving consciousness –  jump-started by national and global events – and ongoing feedback from our employees on how they want to see change. As a company that builds technology to facilitate community and communication, we recognize that we have a weighty responsibility to be open internally to the possibilities, overcome the setbacks and continue to make progress. At Personify, we believe diversity, equity and inclusion need to be more than words on a career page; they need to be the foundational guidelines for every action a company makes. While that may be a lofty goal, it is one that we reach for at every opportunity.

The post People of Personify: Get to Know the DEI Committee appeared first on Personify.

The opportunity to work for a company like Personify, one that has a bigger purpose, adds that extra layer of meaning. It’s the difference-maker for sure. 

Tell us a bit about your role and how you measure your success.

After four years as a sales rep with Personify, I had the opportunity to move into a leadership role… in March 2020. It was an interesting time to move into sales management at the beginning of a global pandemic that essentially decimated the events industry. But, due to the incredible strategy and work of the entire organization, we’ve been able to grow the business beyond pre-COVID numbers, so while there have been barriers, it’s definitely on an upswing here. 

I view my success as how well my teams are doing, how much influence I have over our customers, and how much collaboration I have with my colleagues. My viewpoint is that I am here to help people accomplish what they need to do. I play the role of a hub of communication and a decision-maker. I’m acquiring and absorbing details and disseminating information to my team, up a level or across to other groups. My goal is to ensure that our purpose – as a sales team and as an organization – shines through the day-to-day hustle and bustle. I steer us in the right direction, navigate the obstacles, and keep our targets in sight.

How has sales adapted to remote working? 

Our team camaraderie provides a valued support structure here, and we were all accustomed to working remotely. What we missed was seeing our clients, seeing each other for meetings and social events. We’ve compensated for that by implementing a weekly call for shout-outs, discussing what’s at the top of our minds, and having healthy conversations to reconnect. I think it’s vital to take a step back from the day-to-day business aspect and create more of a personal bond with the team. 

What’s your elevator pitch to convince someone in sales to join your team? 

I think that Personify, as an organization, does a great job in helping folks not only be successful in the role they’re hired for, but also pursue their ambitions and aspirations for career growth. It’s fantastic to see people come in and grow. Just this year – and it’s only June – we’ve promoted three people into Account Manager or Sales Executive roles. We understand that a lifelong sales career isn’t necessarily appealing to everyone, so we provide accelerated pathways into management, customer success or other areas. We are very much focused on providing soft and hard skills for career growth. The numbers are always the numbers, but the people make the team, allowing us to be more successful. So, they are the priority.

How would you describe yourself as a leader?

I try to speak from experience, from a level of humility; to acknowledge that I’ve faced many challenges in my life as well, with their own successes, failures and learnings. I think one of the hardest parts of sales is facing unique and almost constant perpetual obstacles, whether with deals, processes or the unknown. Whatever the case may be, stamina, velocity and openness will help you navigate those blocks. My whole goal is to minimize the number of obstacles you face and teach you how to overcome them.

Let’s talk about work-life balance focusing on your role as a dad. 

Personify is a place where there is a lot of empathy for individuals. I’ve always felt supported whenever I had to prioritize my role as a parent. I have two girls, 2 ½ and six months. Everything is still new, it’s blissful and exhausting, but I’m deeply appreciative for my wife, my daughters and our dog; all of whom have given me a reason for what I do. The opportunity to work for a company like Personify, one that has a bigger purpose, adds that extra layer of meaning. It’s the difference-maker for sure. 

The reality for me has been reconciling the pull towards being present for my children versus putting in those extra hours to make progress at work. I think many parents will have to put energy into engaging with what’s in front of them, to focus mentally on one or the other. 

What challenges did you face balancing parenthood with a new role and then the pandemic? 

The pandemic made it more complex as the daycares closed, and the lines between when parenting ended, and work started or vice versa became blurred. Of course, it did for people without children as well; but it’s very different when you can hear or see your children when you are supposed to be working. It was incredibly challenging, but I never felt alone or judged at Personify. 

We were fortunate to both continue to work despite the hurdles we faced. Many families weren’t as lucky, but we called in the grandparents a few months into COVID to help with the girls. Like many of my colleagues here, we got through it by going with the flow and keeping it lighthearted. There were a few guest appearances by toddlers visible or vocal on Zoom calls; but you just have to keep smiling. Of course, I’m sure I have a few more gray hairs.

What are some of the lessons you’ve learned as a parent that have influenced your perspective on work, work-life balance and life in general?

Two significant lessons I’ve learned as a parent are that you need to take the time to appreciate what’s happening in front of you, and you need patience with yourself. I believe that if you can do that, you’ll be a better collaborator and manager. 

As a manager, the similarity can be described as the need to be actively involved all the time through patience, providing support, listening, being empathetic, and wanting to be successful. My children are still very young, but parenting and managing a team have far more commonalities than you’d think. Ultimately, it’s about nurturing growth.

People of Personify

The “People of Personify” is a multi-part series featuring profiles and interviews with leaders and talented team members at Personify who are driving innovation for professional associations and event management partners.

It takes a certain disciplined and focused person to look forward to these challenges every day; someone who wants to reach for a target every day and to raise the bar every so often. If you can connect with people, solve problems, manage your priorities, and are driven by the need to succeed, you will do well in sales. Right now, we’re hiring for a number of different roles, you can learn more here.

The post People of Personify: Get to Know Chris Garner appeared first on Personify.

One of the things I love about Personify is the opportunity to make an impact on a range of nonprofits and associations doing fantastic work, such as Habitat for Humanity and Alzheimer’s Association. I get to help them achieve their goals through using our technology while also benefiting from being part of the private sector.

What has been your career journey and how did it lead you to Personify?

I worked for various organizations, including government, healthcare and nonprofit and also obtained my MBA. I was passionate about the work I was doing in marketing in the nonprofit world; however, once I completed my MBA, it was challenging to find a nonprofit role that met my compensation needs and desire for a robust marketing strategy and tech stack. One of the things I love about Personify is the opportunity to make an impact on a range of nonprofits and associations doing fantastic work, such as Habitat for Humanity and Alzheimer’s Association. I get to help them achieve their goals through using our technology while also benefiting from being part of the private sector. I still get to tell stories about organizations doing impactful things in a voice that resonates with their missions. Because I’ve worked for a nonprofit and many of my colleagues have as well, we can draw on our experience to share how technology can empower these organizations to make the most of their limited resources, including both staff and budget.

Joining Personify enabled me to return to the type of work that held meaning for me, and in my time here, we have grown quite a bit and my responsibilities have as well. I’ve moved from a Sr Marketing Manager focused on Brand and PR efforts to taking on Demand Generation, leading all of our Enterprise solutions, including ThreeSixty and CommUnity, and all of our client marketing, as the Director of Brand, Enterprise and Client Marketing.  

Can you talk about the acquisitions and culture?

I have been through three acquisitions, including WildApricot, A2Z Events and MemberClicks. Each acquisition has been a little different in terms of the personalities, experiences and working styles each team member brings. While there can be challenges integrating processes, each team has brought positive things to our culture and portfolio. From the quirky startup folks to the service-oriented Clickers, we greatly benefited from new ideas and approaches. 

How do you know you are making an impact here? 

One thing that excites me the most is when we can talk to clients about the amazing things they do with their members and on behalf of their organizations or industries. We empower these incredible organizations to grow their membership, increase their impact and to raise funds more effectively.

We host events and webinars that draw in thousands of people to learn more about our clients and our technology. In a recent webinar, one of our clients shared how she and her team created and promoted a new online community to their members and how the community serves as a safe space that enhances collaboration between their members. The work we do here directly enables our clients to move their mission forward – and that feels like a true win for me, both professionally and personally.

What do you get to do here that you might not be able to do elsewhere?

I often describe our marketing team as a bit scrappy. I don’t have a strictly defined swim lane where I only do a certain number of things each day. My days really vary from building our brand strategy to running demand gen programs, working a trade show booth and creating compelling digital webinars. Our marketing team structure provides flexibility so that I get to try new things each day and do things outside my comfort zone.

In addition, we stand behind our clients and their causes whenever we can. We’ve participated in our clients’ fundraising walks and events, and we provide paid volunteer days as an employee benefit. Our marketing team organized a volunteer day where everyone took time off to support a nonprofit of their choice. I chose to volunteer with the Multicultural Refugee Coalition, which is an Austin-based nonprofit that employs refugees. I was able to spend the day planting vegetables, pulling out weeds and literally getting my hands dirty with the MRC team. I had colleagues that volunteered with the animal shelter, collected books for underprivileged schools and more. I really appreciate the opportunity to be able to take a step back from our daily lives to see and be part of the human-centered work we help bring to light.

What advice would you offer someone considering a role at Personify?

Our leadership team has been really intentional about defining our core values and what we stand for. These are more than words on a webpage; they are embedded into our deliverables, daily conversations and organizational meetings. This is an environment where you have a voice – and a set of flags! We’re encouraged to actively listen and respond during sessions, holding up words like “Simplicity” or “Optimism” to remind everyone of our motivators. It’s a fun but powerful way to foster a culture focused on our bigger purpose.

What do you like to do for fun and free time?

I live in Austin, which is renowned for live music, so that is something I genuinely enjoy taking part in. Or, I did, before the pandemic and having a baby. I also like to hike and go on nature walks, and I’m excited to spend this coming August working in and exploring Colorado. It’s another benefit of being part of the Personify team – we were remote before we had to be, and now we are a remote-first culture, so you have the ability to work from other cities and states, which is amazing.

People of Personify

The “People of Personify” is a multi-part series featuring profiles and interviews with leaders and talented team members at Personify who are driving innovation for professional associations and event management partners.

 If our values align with what you want to do and where you want to work, you will love it here. We’re currently hiring for a number of different positions. You can read more about our open opportunities and apply here. 

The post People of Personify: Get to Know Erin Geoffroy Sullivan appeared first on Personify.

In celebration of International Women’s History month this past March, I had the opportunity to sit down with members of Personify’s mom group, PersoniMoms. PersoniMoms was created as a resource for new moms and has been such a good support network and community that it has grown and become a valuable group for all moms to share stories, offer support and encouragement, give recommendations and advice to one another and of course share cute pictures of their kiddos. This group is just one of the many awesome ways Personify continues to foster an inclusive, growth-minded and supportive culture, and it’s one of the multiple reasons women choose to start and further their career here. 

A few of the group’s members – Kristen (SMB Account Executive), Ashley (Customer Success Team Lead), Mary (Brand and Communications Manager) and Jasmine (Manager, People Operations) – took the time to share a little more about what this supportive bond through work means to them.

Why do you think someone would want a group like this at work? 

I came from an industry where there were a lot of men; there were few women and even less women with children, as many left prior to motherhood. When I joined Personify, my direct manager and a number of colleagues on my team were all in the same stage of life. When I was accepting the role, I told my boss that knowing there was a moms group was a big motivator for me: women with children have a level of empathy and support they can provide that others can’t. You don’t have to explain why you are tired, frustrated or having a hard day. They understand it’s because of sleep regression, a sick child, teething or just the insane amount of effort it takes to get a toddler dressed. – Mary, Brand and Communications Manager

Why did you choose Personify, and why do you stay?

My previous job was at a start-up that was acquired by a big corporation. Someone in my network was already working here and recommended I apply. Based on all of the amazing things she shared about the culture and my interview experience with the People Operations team, I knew this was the place for me. I was 12 weeks pregnant when I interviewed (15 weeks when I joined), and my future manager was extremely supportive, knowing I’d be going out on maternity leave just five months into joining. She went so far as to share information on maternity leave and benefits before interviewing, knowing that would be important to my decision. The upfront support of my manager, and knowing this group of moms existed, was incredibly welcoming. I’m now back from maternity leave, and I wake up looking forward to working with my team. With the flexibility and support of my team and this group, I feel engaged in my role and confident in the balance I have with my mom-life. After leaving a big corporation, it’s so nice to feel like I’ve found a work family in Personify. – Jasmine, Manager, People Operations

One of the great things about Personify is the culture we had pre-Covid has continued to flourish while we are all remote. Being part of the moms group was an added layer of connection to work and the world outside my home when we weren’t really seeing anyone. There was, and continues to be, a blend of work and personal conversations and celebrations. The friendships, personal life announcements and professional milestone celebrations have just moved online, but we are always there to cheer each other on. – Kristen, SMB Account Executive

Do you have any mentors or role models who are successful at work and as moms? 

My direct boss, Laura Sanders, and I have worked together for six years. I saw her transition into motherhood and working; her daughter is 15 mos older than my oldest. It’s beneficial for me to ask her questions and hear her insights. At the same time, she’s a Director on the leadership team, so I can see that it’s possible to balance everything and to play an impactful role at Personify. – Kristen

My manager, Kathy Marshall, is a mom of 12-year-old twins and an incredible HR business leader. Not only is she super focused on being an HR female executive and making Personify an even better place to work, but she also still finds the time to do fun activities with her kids. She always tells me that “kids come first.” It’s a great feeling to have that support and flexibility when I need it and to know you can accomplish great things in business while being a mom. – Jasmine

What advice have you received as someone building a career and balancing parenthood that’s made a difference?

“You are replaceable at work but not at home.” I’ve been at jobs where I was burnt out; but now, my priority is my family. The culture at Personify doesn’t make me feel guilty for that, and as a result, when I’m working, I’m all in. – Ashley, Customer Success Team Lead

“You can’t pour from an empty cup.” Whether going for a walk or taking a few moments to collect myself, I refill my cup before I start my day or turn back to my family in the evening. In my one-on-one meetings with my boss, there’s a scale to weigh in on how I feel. That’s vital for everyone during these trying times but even more so for moms as we are carrying so much. In addition, we have things like company-wide wellness days where we are asked to prioritize ourselves. It’s a huge commitment for a company like ours to offer that, and I know we all appreciate it. – Kristen

“Do what works best for you as a mom and always put your child first.” I’ve been more productive and happier at work following these mantras and this is always my advice to other mamas now. – Jasmine

Was there a turning point or “aha” moment in your career- if so- what was it? 

When I left my previous job, I knew I’d achieved everything I wanted to in that industry. But, the cost was working a lot of nights and weekends. That’s time you can’t get back. My daughter learned to walk at an arena during a basketball tournament that I was producing. When I was home when the pandemic started, I realized I would miss out on more milestones. So, I found a role and a company where I could make an impact, feel challenged and still be here for all the crucial moments. Working at Personify, I can be both the attentive mom I want to be and a contributing professional. I appreciate the support to do that. – Mary

Why would you encourage someone to join the group?

We are all part of other mom groups outside of work, on social media or in our neighborhoods. There is a lot of politics and judgment. But, we genuinely don’t see that here. It’s just a lot of celebrating and no holds barred support. There’s more diversity with an employee group with people located all over, bringing different backgrounds and opinions. There is obviously the shared experience of motherhood; there’s the common company culture that solidifies our bond. – Ashley

Personify deeply appreciates and promotes the contributions of the women on and leading their teams. It’s just one of the many ways we live our values and support our teams. If you are looking for an opportunity to transition your career or re-enter the workforce, we’re hiring for a number of remote and hybrid opportunities. You can explore them on our Career page here. Or, follow us on LinkedIn to stay in touch with what’s going on.

The post Empowering Moms at Personify appeared first on Personify.

Talent lives everywhere. As the Chief People Officer, I am incredibly appreciative that my fellow colleagues on the Personify leadership team understand the value added, the positive impact on employee experience and the competitive advantage of providing remote-first employment opportunities to talented individuals throughout the United States and parts of Canada.

The best employees for open jobs at Personify may not live within driving distance to our offices in Austin, Washington-Baltimore, Atlanta or Toronto. The day that we solidified our remote-first policy and no longer limited our incredible team to a handful of zip codes, we grew into an employer that listens to hear, understands and values employee work-life integration.

What I’m about to share was likely surprising just three short, but also very long years ago. As the Chief People Officer, I have only met 25 colleagues in-person. Some days it still surprises me too. However, our team, the PersoniFam, continues to find inventive ways to build connections with each other and to create a welcoming, transparent culture through the screen. We rarely meet at the Keurig in the break room to chat, but we do send a colleague their favorite Starbuck’s drink every so often or a gift card on their birthday, because we can’t all go out to lunch.

Remote-first isn’t always an easy decision and may not be the best fit for every organization. One of the most important challenges to creating a remote-first culture is getting your leadership team on board. When discussing permanently allowing members of the PersoniFam to work from home, the decision was easy. If we could make our employees’ days and work lives that much easier, because working through a pandemic is not easy, we wanted to provide that support. No more commutes. Don’t worry about coming into the office when your little one is exposed or perhaps a family member is ill.

If your leadership team is on the fence about adopting an official remote-first policy, here are some questions that we asked ourselves that may help guide a similar conversation for your organization:

Do we primarily serve our clients or partners in-person?

Personify is a SaaS technology company, and our employees establish relationships and serve our partners primarily through a digital space. While our team has missed being able to consult and connect with clients in-person over the past two years, we’ve focused on providing rich digital experiences that make up for that lack of face-to-face interaction and have been able to provide more of these opportunities without the need for travel.

Do our company values and guiding principles support a Remote-first consideration?

Not just one but four of our company values directly impacted our decision to adopt and promote a remote-first culture. Transparency is fundamental to trust, teamwork and understanding. Our commitment to equity means that we value fairness and strive for diversity and inclusion. Equity guided the decision to not ask specific groups to work in the office, while others could work from home. Simplicity means that we work harder to make things easier for our clients and our employees. Lastly, we practice accountability by saying what we do and doing what we say, both internally and externally. Transparency, equity, simplicity and accountability were the guiding principles that we referenced to formalize our commitment to a remote-first culture.

If our organization can’t truly adopt a remote-first culture, is remote-friendly an option? Wait, but what’s the difference?

A remote-first culture is one that supports employees working from home as often or as little as they choose. A remote-first company also provides the technological and cultural resources to allow all remote employees to feel included.

A remote-friendly culture is one that supports employees working from home on occasion to allow for more flexibility to one’s schedule, but business and meetings are primarily conducted in an office setting.

If your organization shut down its office at any point during the COVID-19 pandemic and asked personnel to conduct business from home, logistically, there should not be obstacles that prohibit at least a remote-friendly culture.

How do our employees feel?

Gather honest feedback in one-on-one settings, exit interviews or by conducting a company-wide attitudinal survey. Employees want to feel heard. If attempting to survey, be careful not to create an unrealistic expectation. If you know it’s not a real option, don’t present it as such.

During our monthly company-wide meetings, we allow our employees to submit anonymous questions to be answered by our CEO and leadership team. A common question throughout early 2021 was ‘will we be required to return to the office?’ We knew the topic was important and top of mind for many. Therefore, as a leadership team, we decided to address the question well before our planned return to office date arrived, a date that never came, as we determined a remote-first culture was the best fit for our employees and our values.

How can we create an authentic, relatable culture when everyone is working remotely?

By using technology to your advantage! Explore a company-wide communication and collaboration software like Slack or an online community where employees can chat about work, share resources but even more importantly, their interests. Our company-wide Slack team has over 300 diverse channels for sharing ideas, hobbies and laughs! There is a space for everyone’s interests with channels for parents, pets, plants, new moms, LGBTQIA, cooking and anime. It’s all employee-led and employee-created. Allow your employees to create and build an authentic communication platform that works for them!

If you worry that your organization won’t be able to provide the same face-to-face support your clients once had, explore an online community. When in-person interactions aren’t possible or happen less frequently, online communities can help clients and employees stay engaged. We use our Client Community to provide connection, resources and a collaboration space for clients to interact with each other, as well as with staff.

Promote camera-on meetings for more genuine discussion. More authenticity is created when speaking with someone’s face, even if it’s through a computer screen. As a leader, camera-on meetings are helpful for gauging employee sentiment, attitudes, understanding, frustrations and tone.

Establish a Culture Team. Create and promote a Culture Team with volunteers from across your organization to help with ideas, morale, insights and to be incredible champions for building a culture that spans departments, locations and time zones – all through a digital space.

A remote-first culture is just one of the many benefits that we provide to create an incredible employee experience at Personify including unlimited PTO, company-wide wellness days, paid parental leave and more! If you want to be part of a company that promotes a remote-first culture and understands the importance of a healthy work-life integration now more than ever, we’re hiring for a number of roles. You can learn more and express your interest on our Careers page.

The post Building a Remote-First Culture appeared first on Personify.

Lauren, a Market Response Manager, tells us how when she joined Personify in January 2021, one of the first questions she asked was, “How do you celebrate Black History Month?” And how being able to immediately join an enthusiastic Culture team was a wonderful welcome and a fantastic way to connect with colleagues.

Tell me about your role at Personify.

I come from an entrepreneurial background in an industry that shut down during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. I was looking for a company with flexibility, remote offices and a great group of people. Joining the Marketing team when I did, gave me a chance to define my role and craft a pathway to making an impact. At the one-year mark, I was promoted, and I’m now the first point of contact for prospects seeking additional information or demonstrations on our nine products. My role is to create interest in potential customers and connect them with the Sales team. 

Why else do you think working at Personify is a good fit for you – and others who may be seeking a new opportunity? 

You can carve your own path here and be recognized for your efforts. It’s a place that lives their values and wants to hear your feedback.

Working here on this team is very satisfying. I think the pivot to being part of a big company after running your own business can be daunting, but I’ve found a purpose and an opportunity to make an impact at Personify. I’m very vocal about anything that’s not working or not filling a need from the prospect position. I go out of my way to gather detailed feedback and channel that feedback into issues with potential solutions. What is impressive is that not only are my opinions heard, but I can see my ideas implemented. It’s very validating. 

Our executive leadership is deeply involved at every level. For example, both our CMO and our new CEO have open-door policies with access to their calendars for anyone that wants to sit down and share feedback or ask questions. It’s a positive and tangible way they live our company value of transparency. They go a step further by hosting monthly all-hands meetings where anonymous questions can be submitted. These can often be complex topics, but they don’t shy away from the discomfort. 

When the CMO or CEO knows your name, face and role, it creates pathways for you, including access to mentorship and a level of visibility to further your exposure and career. Our CMO meets with everyone on his team regularly. Despite being at a company of several hundred people, our CEO Scott strives to meet with everyone here annually. When I met with Scott, he asked me how I was adjusting to learning all of the products and expressed interest in the weekly Black History newsletter I’d created when I came on board.

What is the one thing you think every company should be aware of when celebrating Black History Month? 

If there’s one thing I’d like to see more companies do that Personify does, it is to celebrate the cultures of their people, not just their corporate culture. I’d encourage anyone who wants to be acknowledged and doesn’t feel they are, to speak to their leadership. If Black History Month is important to you and makes you feel seen, heard, and better understood, you shouldn’t be afraid to share it with your team. 

My advice to leaders is to show your teams you care about their different cultures and experiences in your organization. It’s vital that you put thought and action behind your words. I wrote a blog describing the activities that a company can implement to declare their commitment to the movement; ways to go beyond photos on a social media post. Personify is very much that place, and we’ve incorporated a celebration of Black history and Black accomplishments into our year. 

Why is being at a company with a thriving Culture team important to you?

As a Black woman, I want to share my experiences and knowledge with the people I work with; in my personal life, I share Black history and information with my friends and my community. I believe, if  we can all bring our different backgrounds to the table to communicate amongst each other, we will all benefit. We will learn to work better together – and to live better together. 

What else would you like people to know about you? 

I am a very adventurous, almost fearless person. I’ve gone bungee jumping, skydiving, and traveled in a hot air balloon over the Valley of the Kings and Queens when I was in Egypt. Travel is one of my passions, and while Cairo was a hands-down favorite, I’m looking forward to visiting two dream destinations, Capetown, South Africa and Thailand, in the near future.

If you want to be part of a company that will celebrate your diverse background and experience, while working with people like Lauren, we’re hiring for a number of roles. You can learn more and express your interest on our Careers page.

People of Personify

The “People of Personify” is a multi-part series featuring profiles and interviews with leaders and talented team members at Personify who are driving innovation for professional associations and event management partners.

The post People of Personify: Get to Know Lauren Lundy-Servance appeared first on Personify.