When I look back at my career path, it wasn’t always a straight line. Like many people, I navigated through different industries and versions of my role before finding the place where I truly thrive. My journey to Dataminr started not with a grand strategic plan, but with a growing desire for something different—something smaller, faster, and more personal.
Today, as I celebrate and reflect on my 10 years working here, I realize that taking a leap of faith into the tech startup world was the best decision I could have made for my professional growth. Here is the story of how I went from navigating massive corporate structures to building culture from the ground up at Dataminr.
Life Before the Startup World
Before I found my way to Dataminr, I spent my days in the structured environments of large, multinational organizations. At a large insurance firm, I learned the foundational ropes of corporate life, learning and development, employee engagement, and organizational effectiveness. After that, I spent a few years at a global advertising giant, which I often describe as earning a “master’s degree in organizational development.” It was an incredible experience that took me around the world. While the exposure was invaluable, I wanted to work more closely with the people I was supporting and create more immediate impact.
Joining Dataminr: A Leap of Faith
When I joined Dataminr ten years ago, the company was still young and didn’t yet have a big brand recognition. Despite the uncertainty, I saw potential. The company had solid funding, super smart people and a cutting-edge product, which gave me the confidence to take the risk. I was craving a fast-paced environment where I could make a tangible impact, and Dataminr offered exactly that.
Building Culture from Scratch
I joined as the Manager of Talent and Organizational Development, becoming the first person at the company dedicated solely to employee development and organizational effectiveness.
My early days were filled with foundational projects that would help shape the company’s culture. One of my very first tasks was helping to define our core values. We established our Behaviors that Drive Success: “Own it,” “Bring others along,” “Find a better way,” and “Drive results.” These weren’t just words on a wall; they became building blocks of our unique culture and were woven into the core people programs and processes that followed.
Read More: Creating a Culture of Care: Dataminr’s Commitment to Employee Wellness
In terms of other foundational initiatives, I also had the opportunity to build the new hire onboarding program from the ground up. It was incredibly rewarding to create the first touchpoints for new hires, setting the tone for their journey at the company (I used to hand write a post card to every single new hire to welcome them!). Dataminr’s mentorship program, our first management and leadership programs, our performance review process, and the employee survey process were also core programs I was able to introduce. I even founded the DataminrLoop Slack channel!
As time went on, my role evolved. I remember a pivotal moment when I was asked to lead HR operations. I had reservations—I had never done it before. But with incredible support from my manager and peers who believed in me, I said yes. That decision opened the door to eventually becoming an HR business partner and leading that team, allowing me to work intimately with leaders and employees to solve real-time problems.
Dataminr’s commitment to internal mobility has been central to my professional growth. Research indicates that organizations prioritizing internal advancement opportunities see a 41% increase in employee retention. Furthermore, a LinkedIn study highlighted that employees who transitioned to new internal roles had a retention rate of 73% after three years, significantly higher than the 56% rate for those who remained in their original position.
A Culture of Constant Change
One thing I learned quickly is that Dataminr is a place of constant change. For some, that can be daunting, but I learned to see it as an exciting opportunity. The environment here requires flexibility and adaptability, which works really well with my personality. I believe in being willing to meet whatever moment the company is at and trusting the process.
I’ve been fortunate to have tremendous support along the way. Our leaders encouraged me to stretch beyond my comfort zone, and my colleagues became more than just coworkers. I have many memories of working long days together to solve complex problems or execute high stakes projects. Those shared experiences “in the trenches” forged relationships that have lasted—and will last—for years.
The company also invested in my personal growth, supporting me in getting several professional certifications. I’m also still learning new things every single day as Dataminr navigates new chapters, which keeps the work fresh and engaging.
By enabling employees to upskill through professional development programs, organizations—Dataminr included—can increase employee confidence, create leadership opportunities, and facilitate a more effective, well-rounded workforce. According to research, companies experience a 17 percent increase in productivity and a 21 percent boost in profitability when employees receive development opportunities.
Read More: Dataminr Provides Competitive Benefits to Support Employee Wellness and Well-Being
The Power of Saying “Yes”
If I could distill my advice down to one sentence, it would be this: Say yes, even when you’re a little scared.
Early in my career, I dealt with imposter syndrome. I worried I wasn’t qualified or ready for the challenges in front of me. But my journey at Dataminr has been defined by saying yes in the face of uncertainty. Whether it was taking on HR operations in addition to my organizational development role, or stepping into a lead business partner position, every “yes” led to growth.
I encourage everyone—especially women—to trust your strengths and not let doubt hold you back. It’s easy to feel like you need to check every box or be “fully ready” before taking on something new, but some of the best growth comes when you push past your comfort zone and realize that almost everyone is figuring it out as they go. Lean on your support systems and don’t be afraid to ask for help or mentorship. Sometimes, all you need is one person to believe in you and give you that nudge forward.
Success here—and anywhere—comes from flexibility, positivity, and an openness to change. Being committed to doing great work and being great to work with has been one of my guiding principles for success, too. You also don’t have to know everything on day one—I have gained my confidence through experience and the support of the people around me.
Looking Forward
My time at Dataminr has been about more than just career progression. It has been about building core elements of a function from scratch, embodying values like adaptability, and serving as a constant support to our people throughout the company’s evolution. I wanted to work closely with people and make an immediate impact—I found all of that here. From a hopeful applicant on LinkedIn to a strategic HR leader, my journey proves that sometimes the biggest risks yield the greatest rewards.
Interested in exploring opportunities at Dataminr? Visit our careers page to see open positions and join our Talent Community to learn how you can be part of our mission to turn information into action.
