In my current role at Hometap, our company mission is to help homeowners get more out of their home so that they can get more out of life. Building a best-in-class design team is not unlike building the perfect home. Hear me out…

It starts with a strong foundation:
Just as a house needs a strong foundation to stand tall and weather storms, a design team needs a solid base of trust, communication, and shared goals. I focus on building this foundation in order to support the team’s growth and stability. Our design team’s culture centers around shared values, business goal alignment, and customer centricity. It’s also important to me that we all feel a strong sense of ownership, pride in a job well done, and admiration for one another’s unique personalities and skillsets. I strive to foster a culture of psychological safety and mutual respect.

Room for everyone:

The best houses have diverse features that make them unique and interesting. So does our design team. We celebrate and embrace the diversity of skills, perspectives, and personalities within our function. I work to cultivate an environment where people are given the tools and space to do their best, develop deep subject matter expertise, and grow their leadership skills (if that’s where they want to go!) I provide professional development guidance and career pathing in a way that considers both the business needs and unique skillset and goals of the individual designer — there is always room for both.

Maintenance and Repairs:
Just like a house needs regular maintenance, our team needs check-ins, feedback sessions, retros and regular opportunities for growth. I address issues promptly, keeping our house in good shape and ensuring everyone has the resources they need to succeed. I believe in frequent feedback as the most effective tool for growth — no one should ever find out they are doing well (or not) in an annual performance review. I interface with my team regularly, managing their development through regular 1:1’s, review sessions, KPI/OKR development, and career pathing. I champion a culture of growth and development. I nurture talent, providing the necessary resources and mentorship to hone skills and foster creativity. I empower our team to take risks, and to push the boundaries of conventional thinking in the pursuit of design excellence.