Embrace Change and Who You Were Meant to Be

Change is a fickle thing, isn't it? It can encompass so many different emotions - excitement, fear, anxiety, anticipation, stress. You can be elated one moment, and panicked the next. As a natural empath, keen observer of human nature, and trained Change & Comms practitioner, I've learned to embrace change and accept it is as an important part of growth. So when I made the decision three weeks ago to end my time with Prometheus Federal Services (PFS), I put my Change Management hat on and scoured my psyche for a seamless way through.

Change can be Straight Up Messy.

In this line of work, I find balance amidst the chaos that accompanies managing multiple projects. I attempt to serve as the calm amidst the storm, empowering my teams to do what they are good at and ignore the noise. I make lists and allocate assignments to ensure the workflow doesn't experience any gaps or delays. But with this particular transition I was struggling. This change was different.

This change was more than just creating a plan and leaving a job. This change meant letting go of a big part of my life that had been ignited through this work and these people. I would have to come to terms with myself and acknowledge that the only way through would involve a messy, tear-filled exit, allowing me to let go.

Creating a Space for Employees and Veterans to Be Themselves

When I began this job, I knew little about our Veterans (always capitalize the V, by the way - they deserve it) or the intricacies of the Department that serves them. This group of individuals at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) who are tediously grinding behind closed doors, spend countless hours advocating for the Service Members who fight for us every day. They are standing up against adversity and demanding that equity, equality, and safety are at the forefront of all that they do. Their work demands that Veterans and their families have the access, understanding, and open doors required to receive the benefits and care they so rightly deserve.

Too often DEIA-related work is put on the sidelines and misunderstood. DEIA isn't a fad, or something to try because it's trendy. DEIA is enabling our workforce to live up to their potential, it is inviting in talent, providing opportunities, increasing safety, enhancing productivity, improving company culture, and driving forward the potential of tomorrow. Organizations that don't embrace diversity and foster inclusive environments are destined to experience perpetual turnover and fall behind.

After all, why wouldn't you want to offer a space for employees to feel seen, welcome, and excited to bring in new ideas, while also placing their families and well-being first? It's just smart business. People aren't robots. Collaborations amongst diverse groups of individuals have concrete proven results! I've seen it in action and it's damn impressive.

It has been my honor to be just one part of building this incredible program and contributing to a space where people can be themselves. Together we served alongside the dedicated professionals at VA (no the, by the way, just VA) to help bring our Veterans, their family members, and caregivers a safe, inclusive, welcoming space to receive the care, benefits, and support they need and deserve.

The Power of an Inclusive, Welcoming Workplace

Throughout this journey, the team at VA, as well as the Titan Alpha team - a collaborative of PFS and CVP (Customer Value Partners), guided me along. From the leadership, coaching, and friendship of the fearless and ever-steady Kamran Sartaj, to the incredible talents and mentorship of my right wing woman Rebecca Jane Hart. None of the accomplishments I was a part of could have happened without you two.

Beyond accomplishments, Kamran and Rebecca, you always managed to make me feel like you picked me first in gym class. I felt valued, liked, and trusted. You chose me to protect the brand, to foster the relationships, and to just be Erin. Those words serve as a powerful reminder to me every day, not just in my professional life, but in my role as a mom, a friend, a sister, a wife, and a daughter. I value myself and what I bring to the table more because of you. You've both been incredible coaches and mentors over the last two years.

Kamran, you are the King of Cultural Health - and don't you forget it. Everyone won't agree with your approach, but that's ok. You're making positive change happen and leading by example, and that's what matters. And Rebecca, if your work is not on a digital screen projecting brightly over Times Square one day, consider me disappointed. And also - call me when it does happen so I can share in your glory.

To those who have allowed me the privilege of working alongside them (in no particular order), Danielle George, MPH, PMP Marissa Smith, Rhys Cook, Lisa Ellington, Bernadette Murphy, Megan Higdon , Charlia Acree, MS, PMP, CSM-CSPO , Kara Gans, MPH, Joseph Marshall, PhD, PMP, Brittney Moore, Anjanette Flemming, Jasmine Lataillade, Kimberly Lopez, Veronica Miller, PMP, Kendall H. Delgado, MHSA, Jován Jacobs, and so many others - you deserve ackolades beyond measure for your passion, resillience, tolerance, expertise, and dedication.

This group embodies some of the best writers, strategic thinkers, change practitioners, tech specialists, healthcare advocates, creative designers, project managers, and masters of multi-tasking - to infinity and beyond. Working in this space takes endurance, straight up guts and incredible talent, and this team has it. Greg Smallwood, MHSA , Stefanie Lehmann, Joy Choi you have built something truly amazing. Thank you.

So How Do You Move on From a Place like This?

Therein lies the challenge, doesn't it? You have to close one door, to wholeheartedly walk through another. You have to open yourself to change, accept the messy parts, and embrace what the next chapter has in store for you.

It's Not Goodbye. It's See You Later.

So today, as I sign out of my PFS accounts, make arrangements to turn in equipment, and close out my last day with the team and clients I have grown to appreciate and adore over the last two years, I acknowledge that I am leaving a family. When you work for a company like PFS, and you partner with individuals like Jennifer Moffit, LP.D, Christie Dawson, Harvey Johnson (He/Him), and many others, you build relationships that stay with you throughout the duration of your career. So this departure isn't goodbye - It's see you later, because what we have extends beyond the confines of a Teams channel.

A quote from a favored icon encompasses my state of mind perfectly as I now, officially, leave my post with PFS and VA:

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.

-Winnie the Pooh

I am grateful, humbled, and inspired by the faith and trust that you have offered me. Thank you for everything. I take parts of all of you with me as I go and I will carry on this work through practice (and probably a little bit of preaching - you know I'm not the quiet type).

But please, don't hesitate to call or text me if you never need a friendly ear to listen and hear ideas. Love is an open door, after all.

As For the Rest of You Who Come Across this Post...

For those of you stuck in the grind, pushed down by your job, losing motivation, feeling unappreciated - there are people, companies, and opportunities out there just waiting for you. Find your community and take it with you throughout your journey. Change is constant, but how you handle it doesn't have to be. Open yourself to opportunity and chance, and great things can happen. Be vulnerable. Grow. Learn. Be Your Self!

I am where I am today because of the guidance and patience of these individuals and our common pursuit to make a positive difference, together.