Director, IT Service Management

Picture it: Apple introduced the first generation iPhone, Google launched the Android operating system, and I had just graduated Clarkson University and was ready to dive into the “real world”. I had spent my entire life in upstate New York but was ready to move to Charlotte to start my career (and enjoy some of that glorious Carolina sunshine). After several years assiduously working for IBM undertaking SAP implementations, I realized I needed a change. My search started and quickly ended with Compass Group where I have remained gainfully employed for over a decade.

I started with Compass Group Technology as a Data Analyst to onboard GDSN product information. I quickly segued into Data & Analytics where I wore many hats. My career blossomed from Analyst to Team Lead handling various aspects such as project management, business requirements, development scrum processes, analysis, user support & training, and more. Today, I am the Director of ITSM working to bring gold standard IT Service Management principles to all Compass Technology teams.

What I love about Compass Group is the plethora of amazing and talented people I get to work with. Everyone is supportive and willing to help troubleshoot an issue or impart knowledge. I also truly appreciate the focus and encouragement of diversity throughout the organization. The flexibility and understanding of work/life balance has made it possible for me to be successful in both of my roles that I care deeply about: A mother of 2 young children, and career-focused IT professional. I’m excited for my future to continue learning and growing with Compass Group!

Director, Architecture & Information Systems

I have been with Compass/Foodbuy for more than six years. When I was interviewing for the Tech Lead position, I met with leaders who were truly passionate about the company and the people/teams. I realized it is a great place to be working where you have a culture of trust and support.

When I joined Compass/Foodbuy in 2016 as Technical Lead for a major transformation for a key Menu Engineering platform, the role was a blend of providing technical direction to the team with project management flavor to make sure we deliver quality product on time. Though I had experience with similar role from my past experience, the challenges were new and I received all the support from the leaders in the organization and partners to be successful in the role. There was a lot of work ahead of us with a 5+ year transformation plan, but with clear vision and collaboration we kept delivering successfully.

One of the key things that I noticed early on was the culture of trust, practiced and instilled from the top. This was not just words but leaders truly implemented and led by example. There was true collaboration within, across and upwards.

During COVID, compass quickly pivoted to remote working cadence. Managers and leaders provided flexibility to structure the time and be successful in continuing the work and delivering the projects while respecting personal situations like childcare, kids studying from home, safety concerns etc that was impacted due to COVID. I am very grateful for the support the company provided during the unprecedented times of our lives. 

We have a saying "never a dull moment" within our team. It refers to the fact that there is always some challenge, some new project, some new technology, some new problem to solve to provide a better solution to our customers.

I have also seen leaders embrace innovative ways to improve work culture to be able to grow and also make a better work life balance for all the team members. Leaders truly understand the day to day challenges and are committed to providing support to help overcome any challenges. The culture at compass is diverse and supports providing growth opportunities. Through my 6+ years at compass I have had multiple opportunities to learn and grow my career from being a manager for delivery to now Director of Architecture in Foodbuy.

I see many team members/employees here at compass who have been with the organization for a very long time and that still attests my thinking 6+ years from when I interviewed "it is a great place to work".

Director, Product Technology Solutions

Any company can be considered a field of opportunity, but, what sets my experience with Compass apart from other big brand organizations I have worked at, is that it is an impressive blend between a professional setting and a connected community. In fact, Compass may be one of the last few corporations that consciously keep the culture of being nice to each other, as a key people-related objective.

A few short years ago, I joined Levy Restaurants (a Compass subsidiary) as a contract Product Manager to help deliver on a large IT integration project. I became a fulltime employee a few months later – the role predominantly focused on building software product in-house, while growing out that vertical as well. Having worked at large organizations before Compass, I was able to understand quickly the infant state the technology group was in, and hence, the growth opportunities – both for the organization and me personally. There were challenges from the pandemic and challenges of building a tech vertical in an organization – nothing we could not overcome with the right drive, vision and planning. Compass leadership blessed the opportunity to grow and oh, has it been a fun ride!

Today I am involved with enterprise level strategic initiatives that require Leadership, Agility and Forward Thinking. Compass identified these abilities in me early on and nurtured them despite the severe hit from the pandemic over the last 2 years. My official bosses and unofficial mentors have been nothing but supportive and compassionate through tough times and I am certain it has shaped my ideas and interactions with all the teams I work with – be it internal employees or external vendors, level no bar.

As a Woman in Tech, I have experienced that the barriers to being a leader at Compass are relatively non-existent compared to my previous experiences. I continue to look forward to days filled with excitement and days filled challenges equally. Regardless of the highs and lows, the Compass people have always proved an uplifting factor.

Manager, IT Support Desk

“I don’t think I will be able to help you,” I replied to the IT manager who was interviewing me.  Compass Canada had a need for a bilingual support technician. I was looking to get back into IT, since I had been out of it for almost 5 years, but I was not fully fluent in French.  I left the interview already planning to continue the pursuit of employment opportunities elsewhere.  Much to my surprise, Compass called me later that day to offer me the position.   Even though my French was rusty, my technical expertise, education, and previous work experience was enough of a fit.  I joined Compass Group Canada in 2007 on a three-month contract through an agency.  Support in French was challenging but our associates were extremely patient and helped me get through my language deficiencies in exchange for the support I provided.  Before my contract ended, my manager walked by and said, “you are not going anywhere”, letting me know I would be hired fulltime permanent.

About a year later, Compass was looking to computerize several hundred computers across the country.  I was given the opportunity to carry out that project.  I welcomed the challenge, and successfully completed the project on budget and ahead of schedule.  My hard work paid off and a couple of years later, I was promoted to Supervisor of the service desk. 

A new project arose in 2011, requiring the need to rebuild our surveillance footprint across Canada.  Given my track record on the last project, management chose me to assist with this new endeavor.  I tackled it with the same determination and motivation as in the past, and successfully worked with the new supplier in deploying the systems and creating statements of work and operating procedures for the new units that required surveillance.  After the completion of this project, I returned to the service desk and shortly after I was promoted to Service Desk Manager.

In 2018, in a move to make integrate our IT services across North America, Compass USA and Compass Canada decided to merge both service desks.  I was presented with the opportunity to head this integration and manage the Service Desk, and in November of 2018, I relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Throughout my time here, there have been many needs that I have made my challenges and have been a privilege to take on. I have had great leadership to support me, along with a talented team, and coworkers that I am also proud to call my friends.  From front line to leadership, I have had the honor of working at all levels of the company, which has helped me gain a true understanding of both the needs and challenges of the business.  I am grateful every day for the opportunities Compass have given me, and I look forward to whatever challenges may be presented to me in the future!