Rachel Rogers is the Managing Director, Salesforce Center of Excellence - Innovation for Anthem. Here, Rachel is focused on delivering innovation to Anthem’s Members, Anthem Associates, and Anthem Salesforce Center of Excellence. Rachel comes from a background of over 15 years in the Salesforce Community and has a passion for helping organizations leverage technology, training and compensation design to enhance their business processes. We were lucky enough to connect with Rachel briefly over her time in the Salesforce Community, and as a female leader:
Can you tell me a bit about what you do in the Salesforce Community and what your role is?
○ I started my journey with the Salesforce community over 15 years ago. Throughout that time I have led user groups, hosted community charity programs, worked on local salary studies, mentored, taught classes and led Dreamin' Events. In 2019 I had the honor of being inducted into the Salesforce MVP Hall of Fame. My role has shifted more into an advisor capacity by helping those who need career jump starts, product advice, or introductions to others in the local community.
As a female leader, what has been the most significant barrier in your career?
○ In the beginning I struggled with "being heard". It was not because I didn't have anything to say or that my content wasn't valuable. My workplace was a male dominated company and they wanted to speak to the other more "experienced" males at the table. I spent a lot of time investing in myself with presentation skill classes. Learning how to speak up, how impact statements can be leveraged, and how to speak in a different tone. You will even hear my team today say that I have a "presentation voice" in certain group settings. That time and investment in myself is the biggest contributing factor to my movement upward. You have to be able to speak to people where they are, get their buy in, and then you can move forward.
Who inspires/inspired you and why?
○ Inspiration comes in many forms and for me it comes down to my mom and my daughter. They are very much the opposites of each other. My mom is a second grade teacher who has spent her life working on elementary education and helping in those foundational years. My daughter is a driving force with her own unique style. She believes that she can take on the world at the age of 9. Like my mom, I will continue educating and lifting others, so that this Salesforce community becomes a place where with a little hard work you can truly make your passion a career. Then I want to be fearless like my 9 year old. Looking at the glass ceilings and breaking them down one by one, so that every woman has the opportunity to take her career however high she chooses.
What are some of the characteristics of a good leader?
○ Recognizing that we are all human is where things start for me. There will always be figures, statistics and reasons why we can/can't do something, but we have to remember that everyone has a different perspective. That in order to represent everyone we service, we have to be open and compassionate. If you need help, it should be offered and you shouldn't feel guilty for asking for it. If we partner together, we can make a much larger difference than if a single person tries to drive the ship alone.
What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
○ The workplace has plenty of pressures in it, so try not to add more to yourself. There will be times when you have to prioritize yourself or your family and that is ok. I remember when I was on maternity leave with my daughter. The manager position I had been working so hard on became available and was filled before I got back from maternity leave. I wasn't even given the option to apply. I remember thinking that I was being punished and that I shouldn't have taken so much time with my newborn. I channeled that energy into finding a new job. The new job was way more than what I would have gotten with that other manager role and it set myself on a new career trajectory. I don't regret the decision to take the time with my daughter and my career path is exactly where it needs to be as a result.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
○ Professionally being put into the Salesforce MVP Hall of Fame. I had spent years working on my knowledge and helping shape products. It was great to be put with so many other respective community pillars into that lifetime accomplishment. It also pushed me to think bigger. How can we make larger impacts in our respective roles in our organization and in the community at large.
Where will we find you on a Saturday morning at 10 a.m.?
○ At home with my family. We love refinishing furniture and cooking out. My daughter gets hands on with the power tools so that she can continue in her fearless independent nature.