Connector Spotlight: Lydia Powell

Lydia Powell, a hot-sauce enthusiast and bookworm that has a 60-lb dog that is scared of her 10-lb cat (no one messes with Fluffykins!) As our Managing Director of Client and People Operations, she leads strategizing and optimizing our company-wide systems and processes to help our teams effectively and efficiently scale and grow.

Tell us a bit about the projects you’re working on.

Last October, we opened up the office for Connectors to have the option to book a desk and work in a different environment than they have been in for the past 18 months. It has been great to see Connectors in the office during times when it’s safe to do so and have the opportunity to meet face-to-face (or as they say, IRL). 

We also launched our Work Anywhere from Canada and Work Abroad Policies. We are a high performance team that is focused on our mission of building better products. We believe in a new type of remote work that provides Connectors with flexibility. We work hard, but also believe that providing team members with flexibility, trust, and autonomy is key to our success.

Another initiative I am collaborating with fellow Connectors on is optimizing our company-wide systems and processes in order to enable increased efficiency, visibility, and reporting capabilities for our teams and clients.

What’s the most interesting challenge about the project?

I love having the opportunity to cross collaborate with the different departments with Connected, from Talent to Engineering to Finance to Design to Product to Client Experience and more. I get inspired and learn from talented Connectors every single day. 

Where did you work prior to Connected?

Prior to Connected, I was at Rangle, providing strategic direction and leadership on their operations. Beyond that, I’ve spent the last 15+ years managing global brands and teams and mitigating risks through proactive workflow improvements and efficiencies at organizations like Klick, Sapient, and Critical Mass. 

Do you have a mantra you live by?

Default to kindness.

What do you love to do outside of work?

Right now I am into making hot sauce. Each batch is different as I start to experiment with various ingredients in the kitchen like peppers, tomatoes, carrots, honey, cajun spices to try new flavour combinations. My secret ingredient to make the hot sauce have depth of flavour is golden beets.

If you were stuck on a deserted island, what album, movie, and book would you take with you?

I love reading and especially with a paperback or hardcover book. One of my favourite books is My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk so I would need to bring that for sure. Can I trade in the album and movie for more books?

Describe yourself in three words.

Cheerful, cheap, and chill.

And finally, what is your favourite product and why?

I love how Zoom has allowed me to stay in touch with family and friends near and far these past two years. Zoom has allowed me to play Jackbox games with my nephews in Vancouver, to checking-in on friends, and even attend virtual weddings and birthdays.