Ingenuity Magazine Summer 2021

What do you think is our biggest strength as a company right now? I’d say our strength is in our versatility. Our ability to adapt to any situation, pivot to any client need – that versatility is unique in a firm of our size. We meet leaders from other firms who assume we are a firm of thousands based on all the services we offer and the impact we make. I always remind them that good things come in small packages! One of the first internal actions you took as CEO was to get rid of the officer-dedicated parking area. Why was this important to you? I am a big believer in servant leadership. A higher title means you have a greater responsibility to serve and help grow your team’s career goals and achieve their ideals. Reinforcing that extends beyond just parking spaces, of course, but removing that visual hierarchy was an important first step. With that in mind, what would you say are the attributes of a good leader? Servant leadership and extreme ownership are two qualities than stand out for me. Servant leadership is so important; you must be willing to serve and look out for the interests of others. Likewise, instilling the value of extreme ownership - taking responsibility for the work you do and the impact you have – is critical. While dynamically different, these two values drive good leadership. What was your career journey like and how did you get to where you are? Mine was a little unusual. Being a woman in a male-dominated field definitely created a unique perspective. I started out as a field engineer, doing what I loved—meeting clients and traveling. Then I had my first child and couldn’t be gone for six weeks at a time. My employer let me know that changing my role was not in the cards, so I had to make a decision. I chose to leave corporate America and start my own company. Pond Ingenuity | Summer 2021 13