Why I choose to BE BOLD at work

When I joined Vanguard almost 9 years ago, I knew having a sense of community would be an important factor in keeping me engaged and fulfilled at work. I was not always going to “want” to get out of bed in the morning and commute to the office, so I needed to find a place where I felt connected on a stronger level. In 2014, I joined the Vanguard Black Professional Network (VBPN). I was initially only looking for professional development opportunities, but I gained so much more, a family. I found a place that feels like home, a place where you don’t always have to code switch and where imposter syndrome subsides a little. At that time, I still didn’t’ realize the invaluable impact that the VBPN would have on my professional career.

In early 2021, Harvard Business Review published an article called “How a Lack of Sponsorship Keeps Black Women Out of the C-Suite.” It highlighted the unique challenges Black Women face when trying to reach the C-suite level in corporate America. I’ve read it 5 times. It put into words so eloquently a challenge I felt I was experiencing as I approached my 7th year at Vanguard. I had always been a consistent solid performer, but I was now aspiring to find more senior level roles. I had been assigned and manifested several mentors over my tenure, but I felt like something was still missing to get to that next level. That’s when I realized I had been underutilizing a resource I had all along. It was through VBPN that I found my first sponsors. Leaders like Latoya Hubbard and Tonya Richardson who watched me during my early years and nurtured my development so they could stand in the gap to showcase who I was to their peers. Or in recent years, those like Jasmine Sims, Janelle McDonald and Marisa Tilghman who have associated my name with words like excellence, impactful and dedicated. They all used their influence to be connectors, amplified my work and mentioned my name in rooms I was not present. This gave me the boost of confidence to go for a promotional opportunity for the first time.

In 2022, VBPN changed its name to BOLD (Black Organization for Leadership and Dialogue) and I took that personally. I was proud to be part of a group that did not shy away from talking about the things that were hard. Over these “post pandemic” years, I watched Vanguard leaders listen to the few Black voices at the table, and like many, it opened my eyes to see how far we’ve come while still knowing there was more work to do. So I told myself I was going to be BOLD-ER. I would speak up in the spaces when it was uncomfortable. I wouldn’t rob my teams from hearing my opinions or viewpoints because I was scared. I would show grace where needed and stand firm on what I know. But ultimately, I knew I wanted to give back to the community that has given so much to me and so I joined the BOLD leadership team.

I’ve since had the opportunity to represent the BOLD community at various recruiting events, both here on Vanguard’s campus and at partner schools. I was able to support the planning of our 10-Year Celebration, which for many was the first time meeting in person since shifting to our hybrid work model. And this year, I served as co-lead for BOLD’s Black History Month programming. Community is so important to our success, and maintaining that community is something I am personally passionate about. I’m so grateful to my BOLD family because in many ways they are responsible for why I’m here and I hope to continue to pay it forward to those who come after me.

-Alexis W.