Moving Forward with Gratitude

After six and half years at Red Pill Analytics, I'm making a move that feels both thrilling and a little surreal. I'll be joining the PMO team at phData as a Program Manager, stepping into a role that's perfectly aligned with everything I've been building toward.

But before I dive headfirst into this new chapter, I need to take a moment to reflect on the journey that got me here. Because honestly, none of this would be possible without the incredible foundation these past six years have given me. The growth, the challenges, the moments where everything clicked into place, and yes, even the times when I questioned if I was cut out for this whole PM thing.

I simply wanted to give thanks to the experiences, people, and opportunities that shaped me as a team leader and project manager. My time at RPA, lessons from my college basketball days, all of it. Because while I'm excited about what's ahead, I'm equally grateful for what's behind me.

A Quick Note on Timing and Intention

This is a bit of a tangent, but I have to share something that feels too perfectly timed to be coincidence.

Three months ago, I scheduled a reiki session and set my intention on finding a new job. Something that would help me grow both personally and professionally as well as better provide for my family. As my practitioner was sharing what she felt and saw throughout our session, she simply said she saw me finding a new job in three months.

Almost exactly three months later, I accepted my offer from phData. Crazy right?! But I firmly believe the Universe always provides what you're ready for, and that good energy returns to you when you put it out into the world.

The reason I share this story is because opportunities show up when you've been consistently putting in the work, building the skills, and staying open to possibilities you didn't even know existed. So keep pushing yourself, keep learning, and keep building the relationships that matter. Whether you call it manifesting, preparation meeting opportunity, or just plain old persistence, the point is the same. When that next door opens, you want to be ready to walk through it with confidence.

What the Last Six Years Taught Me

Although I had consulting experience before coming to Red Pill Analytics, RPA is where I had the opportunity to develop my project management skillset. Quite possibly the biggest lesson I've learned is that project management isn't solely about managing projects. It's about managing people, relationships, and the human side of getting things done. You can have the most beautiful project plan in the world, but if you can't navigate personalities, stakeholder expectations, and the inevitable curveballs that come with any initiative, that plan isn't worth much.

But my real superpower is relationship building. Being able to connect with people, build trust, and create genuine working relationships that transcends any methodology. Whether I'm working in Scrum, waterfall, or some hybrid approach, the core principle is always the same. People need to feel heard and valued. But more importantly, they need to feel psychologically safe enough to bring up concerns and ask for help without fear of judgment. When team members feel comfortable speaking up about what's actually slowing them down, that's where the magic happens.

This role taught me that being comfortable with uncertainty isn't just helpful, it's essential. Plans change. Priorities shift. Budgets get cut. Timelines get compressed. The teams that succeed aren't the ones that avoid these challenges, they're the ones who can roll with the punches and remain positive when the going gets tough.

But maybe the most valuable thing I learned is that good project management is really about creating space for other people to do their best work. It's about removing obstacles, facilitating conversations, and sometimes just being the person who remembers to celebrate the wins along the way. At the end of the day, I'm there to serve my team and help them succeed.

The People Who Made It Possible

None of this growth happened in a vacuum. I've been incredibly lucky to work with leaders who saw potential I didn't even know I had, mentors who invested time in my development, and team members who challenged me to think differently. The manager who gently nudged me into project management in the first place, the colleagues who took the time to explain that super technical concept in a way I could understand (thank you André), and the teams who trusted me to figure things out alongside them. They're the reason I'm ready for this next step.

How This Experience Sets Me Up for What's Next

Everything I've learned over my career, but in particular the past six years, has been building toward this moment. The analytics background gives me a deep understanding of data driven decision making as well as context on what developers go through on a daily basis. The project management evolution taught me how to navigate complexity and ambiguity. The relationship building skills will be essential as I step into program management, where success depends on coordinating across multiple teams and initiatives.

At phData, I'll be working at a larger scale, but the fundamentals remain the same. Create psychological safety, build trust, remove obstacles, and help talented people do their best work. The tools and scope might be different, but the human elements that make or break any initiative are exactly what I've been honing.

Looking Ahead with Gratitude

This transition feels less like leaving something behind and more like taking everything I've learned and applying it in a bigger sandbox. I'm still going to be doing what I love. Collaborating, solving problems, building connections and helping teams deliver great work.

My foundation is solid, the relationships I've built will continue, and I'm excited to foster new connections while taking on fresh challenges and opportunities. Thanks to everyone who made this journey possible. The best chapters often build on the ones that came before, and this one's going to be incredible.