My Journey at LeadersUp: A Five-Year Reflection

When I first joined LeadersUp as a contractor in 2020, I had no idea how profoundly this organization would shape both my career and my perspective on workplace culture. Five years later, as the Manager of Marketing and Communications, I'm taking a moment to reflect on this incredible journey with an organization truly committed to Changing How America Works through the lens of safety, opportunity and power.

Embracing Change: Navigating New Opportunities During the Pandemic

I started at LeadersUp during a challenging time—the pandemic was reshaping our understanding of work, and organizations everywhere were adapting to new realities of working remotely and offering services online. Despite the uncertainty, I was eager to contribute my newly acquired design skills to an organization with a meaningful mission to close the ever widening wealth gap in America. Not too long after I was hired full-time and joined the Insights and Experience team, where I needed to understand the user’s experience from the beginning to end using the insights we collected from young adult surveys.

This horizontal move marked a pivotal moment in my journey, as it wasn't just a change in responsibilities—it was a testament to how LeadersUp views talent development. This approach to professional development embodies LeadersUp's commitment to opportunity, allowing team members to grow in directions that might not be obvious on a traditional career ladder. They see talent as fluid rather than fixed and create opportunities based on capabilities and one’s potential.

LeadersUp team celebrating at the Equity Unleashed event, showcasing unity and collaboration.

Cultivating a Culture of Safety and Authenticity

Experiencing safety at LeadersUp isn’t just some corporate buzzword, but it’s practiced in our interactions across teams. I remember one particular team meeting where we got to process the disadvantages we experienced in our communities and workplaces for being people of color. It was an eye-opening experience to witness team members at all levels—from recent additions to senior leadership—share personal stories and vulnerable experiences, which not only humanized our workplace interactions but fostered a deeply empathetic culture where authentic connections could thrive. From candid discussions about challenges in our work to honest conversations about our personal lives, these safe spaces have allowed me to bring my authentic self to work every day and helped me to leave behind the workplace systems that no longer served me.

Marykim and Andrew enjoying a LeadersUp event, capturing a moment of camaraderie and celebration.

Empowerment and Growth: The Transformative Power of Shared Leadership

Perhaps most transformative has been experiencing the value of power in action. As I grew from contractor to manager, I wasn't just given more responsibility—I was entrusted with genuine decision-making authority. Leadership at LeadersUp doesn't hoard power but shares it generously, understanding that empowered team members create better outcomes. This trust has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding, pushing me to grow in ways I couldn't have anticipated five years ago.

As I look back at these five years, I'm filled with gratitude for an organization that doesn't just talk about changing workplace culture but actively models it and works to create better models through regular team feedback and implementation. Although it’s bittersweet to say goodbye, I'm also incredibly grateful to have experienced an organization that truly lives its values of safety, opportunity, and power—not just for the communities we serve, but for each person who calls LeadersUp home.