Impact Portfolio: We Are MLT
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Impact Portfolio ❯❯ Alicia LeBeouf

Alicia LeBeouf


ORGANIZATION

Compass Group USA

EDUCATION

Undergraduate: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

MLT PROGRAM

Career Advancement Program 2009

Complete this sentence, "If not for MLT..."
If not for MLT, I would have never gained the confidence I needed to advocate for myself and go after several leadership roles during my career. MLT helped me recognize my potential and create a clear picture and roadmap for obtaining my professional goals.

Please describe the impact MLT had immediately upon completing your program.
After completing the CAP program in 2010, I was promoted to another division with increased responsibility and more direct reports. I leveraged my CAP coach to build a 90-day plan to transition into this new role and, ultimately, this plan helped me have some quick wins.

How has MLT changed the financial/economic trajectory for you and your family?
Before participating in the MLT CAP program, I was playing it "safe,” always going after roles that made sense but were not considered "critical" to the business. After participating in the program, I quickly built a roadmap to be more intentional about my career and pursued roles with P&L responsibility. Fast forward, every role I have taken has improved my financial trajectory.

Has MLT elevated your personal and professional aspirations? If so, please provide an example.
Beyond the confidence boost you receive by participating in the program, being in a room of like-minded peers from different companies helped me to "dream bigger." I left every session challenging my previous aspirations and pushing myself to think "Why not me?" and "Why not more?"

How has MLT's community helped advance your personal and/or professional happiness?
I still connect with my MLT community for professional advice or just for social networking. I have lived in three cities in the past five years, and MLT has made it easy for me to feel like I already have a pre-established network.

Speak to a challenge MLT helped you overcome and how did that help your trajectory (i.e. confidence that you belong, growth mindset, vulnerability).
Having "confidence" used to be my big derailer. Having the confidence to know that I deserve and can handle a "seat at the table" was difficult for me to manage. In the past, I would overthink my limitations and lack of experience compared to my counterparts and this prevented me from going after big assignments and bigger jobs. Through the support of the MLT CAP program and my coach, I have learned to be more confident and turn my past experience into an advantage by mentoring young diverse leaders in my organization who might struggle with the same thing.

Have you helped advance vulnerable people on their path to economic mobility? If so, how?
Yes. I have mentored a few young leaders who are first generation college graduates and carry the burden of "hope" for the entire family, and financially providing for them. Throughout my career, I have always found opportunities to promote leaders from hourly roles to salaried roles and helped them think broader about economic stability. While this may impact them financially, I get more benefit out of seeing them grow and believing that my small investment in them has changed the course of their lives.

Share 2-3 ways you've been able to accelerate your organization's journey toward greater diversity and inclusion.
Since joining my new company a year ago, I have been intentional about making D&I part of my conversations with the executive team. My company is based in the UK, and while they have some great initiatives geared towards inclusion, I have focused my efforts on having deeper conversations about our executive make-up and board mix. A few specific ways I have helped: 1) Supported the presentation for a D&I strategy to the global board; and 2) Suggested partnerships with organizations leading in D&I (like MLT).

Share your favorite song, movie, or book, and why it appeals to you.
I am getting a ton of inspiration from Michelle Obama's autobiography, Becoming. Hearing the intimate details of her life and balance of career/family ambitions is comforting. Also, lately I have been grooving to Cardi B's "Money" song. Beyond a good jingle, her story of always believing in herself and building a brand is inspiring.

What is your superpower?
Curiosity and the ability to read people. I question everything and always wonder if there is a better way to get to the end result. I am also pretty intuitive, reading people and assessing how they feel.

What gives you hope?
The next generation. When I have a bad day, hanging out with my nieces and nephews gives me encouragement and a glimpse into how young people see the world. They give me hope that tomorrow can be better than today.

This content has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Published in 2019

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