Workhuman Career Growth & Development

What new skill or role did you want to learn? Explain why this was important to you.
Since joining Workhuman, the L&D team has played a key role in my personal and professional growth. One standout opportunity was the Big Rocks, Big Results course, which helped me improve my time management, identify and focus on key priorities, navigate challenging conversations with more confidence and embrace a growth mindset to reach my goals.

Through that experience, I gained clarity on the next step in my design career: deepening my skills in Figma. I realized that more advanced Figma training would not only help me create demos, prototypes and design assets more efficiently but also equip me with new tools to level up my overall design capabilities.

How did your employer help support this time of learning and/or professional development? Be specific.
Workhuman has been incredibly supportive of my learning and professional development. I initially took advantage of LinkedIn Learning, which offers a wide range of video courses covering business, technology and creative skills. It was a great starting point for exploring areas I wanted to grow in.

As I gained clarity on my goals, especially after completing the Big Rocks, Big Results course, I realized I wanted to dive deeper into Figma to strengthen my design capabilities. When I identified an advanced Figma course that aligned with my career development, Workhuman approved my professional development request. That support allowed me to sharpen my skills in prototyping, building faster demos and creating more refined design assets, all of which directly benefit my current role.

What was the outcome of this experience? How did it impact your future growth in your profession?
The advanced Figma course was incredibly thorough and practical. I’ve found myself regularly referencing what I learned, and it has noticeably improved the way I work, allowing me to design smarter and faster. The skills I gained have helped me build stronger foundations for my projects, which makes getting started less intimidating and accelerates my overall workflow.

In terms of future growth, the experience has empowered me to bring ideas to life more quickly and with greater confidence. It has given me a solid platform to continue developing as a designer and take on more complex and creative challenges.

Describe your career journey so far. What skills and experiences have you acquired along the way that have helped you get to where you are now?
I’ve always been fascinated by what drives people and how organizations build lasting relationships with their clients. That curiosity led me to software-as-a-service and service-based businesses over 20 years ago, where I discovered my passion for helping companies deliver exceptional client experiences through strong strategic partnerships. Over time, I’ve learned that grit, curiosity and collaboration are the skills that make the biggest difference. Grit keeps me focused through challenges; curiosity pushes me to explore new ideas and uncover opportunities others might miss; and collaboration ensures we build something stronger together.

I’ve also learned the importance of balancing drive with groundedness. I lead with urgency and high expectations, but also with trust, kindness and transparency. Over time, I’ve learned that extending trust early creates the foundation for others to lead with confidence. Especially in fast-changing, high-stakes environments, I’ve found success in leading with authenticity and care. Leadership, to me, is equal parts grit and grace — the determination to deliver and the humanity to bring others along.

What support did you receive from individuals and/or resources that helped you step into a leadership role?
I’ve been fortunate to work with many great leaders throughout my career, including some truly inspiring women. At every stage and still today, I make it a priority to seek out leaders I admire at all levels of the organization. I ask about their thought process, how they approach challenges and what advice they’d give in tough moments. Those conversations have been invaluable, offering perspective, confidence and new ways of thinking that have shaped how I lead.

I’ve also learned by observing how others handle difficult situations, celebrate wins and make people feel seen. I carry those lessons forward and adapt them to my own leadership style. Leadership will always bring unexpected moments, but drawing on your experiences and the guidance of others helps you make the best decisions in the moment. And when things don’t go as planned, trust yourself to adapt, learn and keep moving forward.

How do you encourage other women on your team to become leaders themselves? Are there any stories you can share that showcase how you’ve done this?
I encourage women on my team to step into leadership by creating space for them to stretch, take risks and own their ideas. I have honest conversations about career goals, share my own experiences including the challenges and advocate for them when opportunities arise.

One example is a high-potential team member who hesitated to lead a cross-functional initiative outside her comfort zone. We broke the project into manageable pieces; I coached her through stakeholder conversations and gave her autonomy to make key decisions. She delivered an outstanding outcome and gained the confidence to pursue bigger opportunities. Watching someone grow into their full potential is incredibly rewarding.

For me, true leadership is rooted in relationships — with clients, colleagues and teams. It’s about fostering a culture of trust, curiosity and shared success. Challenges are inevitable, but they create space to learn, adapt and grow. My hope is that by modeling curiosity, grit and empowerment, I can inspire the next generation of women leaders to step confidently into their potential, knowing they have the support and resilience to thrive.