IWD 2023 – Meet Penny’s Inspirational Women in Tech
To celebrate International Women's Day 2023 we asked some of the incredible women at Penny to answer three questions. We wanted to share their incredible wisdom, get to know more about their life outside Penny and inspire other women who might be thinking about pursuing a career in their specialty.
Explore their answers below:
- Melissa Trottier - Sr Manager Of Customer Support
- Devika Rani HJ - UX Copy and Content Lead
- AdeOgundare - Team Facilitator
- Stella Alarcon - Associate Product Owner
- VictoriaChoi - Account Manager
- JanessaOriol - Director, Field Enablement & Community
- Jessica Fan - Lifecycle Marketing Specialist
- Jasleen Kaur - Sr. Backend Engineer
- Meghna Holla - Int. Backend Engineer
- Lis Berg - Project Manager
- Kelly Shee - Customer Support Supervisor
Melissa Trottier – Sr Manager Of Customer Support
Career advice for other women
Knowing that there are so many diverse approaches and personalities, and that there’s no single best way to do anything, my best advice is to have a humble attitude and focus on the present. Trust that the time and energy you invest today will set you up for career success tomorrow.
Remember that if you follow your heart, chances are that you’ll land on something that makes you feel good.
Fact someone would never guess about you
If you look at any of my bio pages, you’ll notice that I studied commercial photography and have a passion for visual art, but what it doesn’t tell you is that I’m obsessed with plants! I have over 100 green babies in my home and experiment with various fruits and veggies out in the garden during the warmer months!
What’s it like building a team from scratch and making it a cornerstone of Penny’s USP?
It’s wonderful and fulfilling!
A lot of excitement and pain came with growing from a handful of founders to a hundred+ employees. You have to be adaptable and put in a lot of hard work. You have to be an individual contributor, a champion of the product, an effective collaborator, a leader, an activator, and you need to inspire others while balancing priorities and navigating the frenzy of constant change. It’s wild! But the truth is, I am a stronger and more successful leader because of the people that I am surrounded by and I am nothing without my team- they’re amazing! They inspire me to keep going and continue to drive more growth. ~ I love it!
Devika Rani HJ – UX Copy and Content Lead
Career advice for other women
I find it hard to give advice because what worked for me need not work for you, as each of us have a unique flame where no two journeys will be the same! What I can do though is direct you towards building resilience, investing in your strengths and heeding to the call of your heart to truly set yourself apart.
Fact someone would never guess about you
My paternal grandfather was a freedom fighter who fought for India’s freedom. The legacy that he left behind infused in me a deep appreciation for the value of my freedom as well as others and I believe this is crucial in building a just and an equitable environment, no matter where we are.
What’s like entering a brand new role at Penny?
I have always found myself in newly created roles due to the nature of the opportunities I actively sought. But I would like to quote an instance that shows Penny has been an outlier—during my first few days here, one of my teammates called me saying -“We can discuss the task later, tell me how are you?” This was the beginning of my association with what feels like the most human company I’ve ever worked at! I particularly appreciate how there is guidance when required whilst also nurturing an atmosphere of autonomy and trust.
AdeOgundare – Team Facilitator
Career advice for other women
You have lots of potential, talent and value to fulfill your purpose. So go out there and believe in yourself and pursue your goals. There is no limit to what you can achieve as a woman.
Fact someone would never guess about you
I am Team Tea. My Favorite Tea quote is one by Eleanor Roosevelt: A woman is like a tea bag – you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.
How has Penny differed to other companies you’ve worked at?
Working at Penny has brought fresh perspective to me about work – life balance. The leadership team at Penny is deliberate about building a cohesive team that looks out for each other. My team members are dependable and independent at the same time. I have found working in Penny to be truly refreshing and the paths for growth are inspiring.
Finally, the remote first nature of working in Penny makes the company have an open door policy which I particularly love because it helps to get perspective and context. Working in Penny has been my best career decision!
Stella Alarcon – Associate Product Owner
Career advice for other women
When an opportunity to learn something new presents itself, say yes! Embrace the discomfort of change and stepping out of your comfort zone.
Fact someone would never guess about you
In another life, I was a concierge at a 5 star hotel. After many months of preparation, I received my golden keys, a prestigious award granting me membership into the Les Clefs d’ Or Canada, an elite fraternity of hotel concierges worldwide.
How has Penny helped you progress your career?
I have great people leaders who trust me and give me the space to challenge myself and help me focus on my career growth. Penny has recruited great talent and fostered an environment where I’m able to learn and be supported no matter the task at hand. Penny’s culture truly provides a safe space for women to speak their minds as equals.
VictoriaChoi – Account Manager
Career advice for other women
Acknowledge and take accountability for your mistakes so that you can learn and grow from them. Be kind to yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Fact someone would never guess about you
Culinary school taught me how to break down a whole chicken in less than 8 minutes. I grew up competitively dancing at the age of 5-18, attending a Russian dance studio that never let you miss a day. Everyday was a challenge but it instilled the most amazing work ethic and love for the pursuit when you push yourself past your limits.
How has Penny helped you progress your career?
Penny has connected me with amazing people and provided me with the right environment that’s helped nourish my management skills and previous sales experience and apply that into the tech industry. The experience Penny’s provided me has opened up my eyes to the endless possibilities for women in the workplace. Penny has made it feel like anything is possible as long as you work hard, have the right attitude, have supportive teammates, and have fun along the way!
JanessaOriol – Director, Field Enablement & Community
Career advice for other women
My best advice: be prepared for your career, like your life, to ebb and flow, or have ups and downs.
When life gets ‘lifey’, allow your career to take a backseat without guilt. This is easier said than done, but there will be plenty of time to focus on next steps once you embrace and tackle what’s in front of you.
Life is short, maximize your life alongside your career.
Fact someone would never guess about you
I love knitting. I will often be found on the sidelines of my kids’ sports, with yarn and needles to pass the time. It keeps my phone out of my hands, and I end up with some pretty warm gear. I’ve been knitting for over 20 years now.
What’s it like seeing the other side of social selling?
It feels a bit like the matrix. There are common themes across almost all companies, and each has this unifying fact: income is dependent on actions. The creative avoidance tasks (think: creating pretty graphics, taking photos of products, spending time with your schedule) will not actually make you money. Reaching out to your past customers and hosts, demonstrating your products for prospective customers, and generally building relationships with people, will get you paid. It’s scary for almost everyone at first, but this skill is something that can be developed with practice… so, practice 🙂
Jessica Fan – Lifecycle Marketing Specialist
Career advice for other women
Embrace new experiences with an open mind and willingness to learn. Stay curious – don’t be afraid to take risks and try new things.
Fact someone would never guess about you
I once spent six weeks at a startup in Italy, where I got to stay with an amazing host family, learn a different side of business, and explore the country!
What’s it like having your first job at Penny?
Joining Penny has introduced me to an incredible team with inspiring leaders and supportive colleages where I can easily share my ideas and put them to action! With endless possibilities to build new skills, I appreciate the opportunities for growth in this role.
Jasleen Kaur – Sr. Backend Engineer
Career advice for other women
Never underestimate yourself and don’t be afraid to take up new challenges.
Fact someone would never guess about you
I love learning languages. Right now, I am trying to learn Español.
How has Penny differed to other companies you’ve worked at?
Penny is different because it doesn’t impose anything on you, trusts in your abilities and leaves no space for micromanagement. There is flexibility, empathy and a lot of fun.
Meghna Holla – Int. Backend Engineer
Career advice for other women
Something that I have found really helpful when things get overwhelming at work and life, in general, is making lists! Just jotting down what needs to be done calms my mind. It helps me focus on one task at a time since they’re all on paper and not lingering in the back of my head. And of course, ticking those to-do boxes is a definite dopamine kick.
How has Penny differed to other companies you’ve worked at?
Penny allows me to be vocal about the work I’d like to do and recognizes the importance of aligning personal interests and skills with the work. I love that here at Penny work-life balance comes in effortlessly!
Lis Berg – Project Manager
Career advice for other women
Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something that you want to do. So long as you’re willing to put in the work you can do anything you set out to achieve. Also, have fun while you’re working towards your goals!
Fact someone would never guess about you
At one point in my work history I was a certified Mac Technician. It’s a very male dominated field and I was the only woman in the role at the companies I worked for. Taking apart machines and solving the puzzles of their issues was very interesting work.
Fact someone would never guess about you
The open and transparent way in which Penny handles change is unique. Change is a natural part of life and any workplace, but the way in which the team here comes together to tackle any challenges makes for a rewarding work environment. My voice feels very heard here and I feel like I can have an impact on making Penny better.
Kelly Shee – Customer Support Supervisor
Career advice for other women
Care about what you do, but don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Ask questions, take up space, and be open to new opportunities.
Fact someone would never guess about you
I’ve mentioned I love photography, but I have a number of hobbies. I used to do a lot of quilting back in the day, and now my newest hobby is miniatures. I’m currently working on a mini cafe kit, and I love it!
Fact someone would never guess about you
This is the first company I’ve really felt I could grow with. I’ve learned more here than any other place I’ve ever been. I feel included and heard at Penny. The culture here is thoughtful and considered. Everybody is given a seat at the table and that’s huge to me. I feel invested here.
Learn more about the amazing people who work at Penny. ABOUT PENNY.
Looking for your next role? Learn more about Penny and explore our open positions. CAREERS.
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