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From the Q-mmunity
Breaking the Bias – Brooke Leech is inspired to lead
As a part of our Women’s History Month celebration, we are elevating the voices of women at Qualtrics who have Broken the Bias by seeking nontraditional career paths. We sat down with Brooke and other women at Qualtrics to hear their stories and we'll be sharing them throughout the month. You can check out the rest of the series here.
After graduating from Clemson University with a BS in Marketing, I joined Qualtrics in June 2021. I am in the Sales Development Program and I am absolutely loving it so far. I have been surrounded by incredible leaders and teammates who have encouraged me and pushed me throughout my time here. During the 18-24 month sales program, we have the unique opportunity to join different product lines. I began on the employee experience sales team where I was able to truly understand the importance an employees' feedback has on the company. In January, I switched to our inbound sales team which has been an eye-opening experience. I have been able to learn about all product lines on this team and learn more about our business strategy.
How did you decide on your career path?
When I began my college career, I was a Nutrition major. After about a year of classes, I realized that I was more interested in why people ate the food they did than telling people what to eat. I switched my major to Marketing and was fascinated with the journey of consumer experiences. I learned that understanding a consumer's "why" behind why they are buying your product or why they are a loyal customer is the key to success. When it came time to pick a career, I was stuck between going down a market research path or starting a career in sales. I found the Qualtrics sales program to be a perfect mix between the two! I am so grateful I chose Qualtrics to start my career.
Tell us about the importance of leadership / mentorship in your career journey.
I would not be where I am today without the people who have guided and led me. Qualtrics hires incredible people who are not only hard workers but also know how to lead and mentor. My mentor, Danna Alishai, coached me through my first cold calls and helped me improve immensely. I have also been so grateful to have Mary Kynaston as my manager. She has shown me the importance of true leadership - she brings people together like no one else and always listens emphatically. Mary's mentorship and coaching have allowed me to improve quickly and has inspired me to want to lead someday!
What’s the best career advice you have ever received?
The best career advice that I have ever received is to be a servant leader. I love the quote, "Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone."
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Brooke Leech is an alumna of Clemson University and started her career as a Sales Development Representative at Qualtrics. She is an active member of Women's Leadership Development, a Q Group (employee resource group) with the charter of elevating and supporting all women at Qualtrics so they achieve personal & professional wellness and impact. |
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