Everyone Brings Value in Their Own Way
Name: Sonya
Title: PULSE Agile PMO, Portfolio Manager
Location: Houston, TX
Pronouns: she/her
My personal brand
I am instinctively loyal to the cause. The cause is anything pertaining to work, personal, and community.
I am passionate about my village, giving back, and being a voice for those who are not able to advocate for themselves. Simply: being a voice for the voiceless.
Barriers and learning moments
Even though I have a financial payments background, my initial barrier in my role was wanting to know it all—from debit products to gateways—all in the first month. This wasn’t feasible or realistic, so to overcome this barrier, I got involved in various initiatives, attended training and product meetings, and asked questions. All of this greatly enhanced my debit product knowledge.
I’ve learned over time that it’s okay to make mistakes, ask questions, AND it’s okay to have a voice. You grow and learn by making mistakes. Everyone brings value in their own way. If I could speak to my younger self, I’d say, “Give yourself grace. You got this!” Earlier in my career, I was laid off for the first time. I had been with the company for 14 years, and it was my first job out of college. I panicked. I had not interviewed for a job in 14 years. In less than four months, I was fortunate enough to obtain new employment and continued to receive severance from my previous employment. Always remember to relax, and stay present in the moment because it always works out!
Impact and evolution
Someone who looks like me once asked why I chose to attend a HBCU for college. I was told I wouldn’t be successful because of my choice. I can still remember the conversation as if it happened yesterday—and it still continues to drive my ambition to be successful and prove that it was the right choice for me. So far, I’ve done just that, and will continue to be successful and advocate for HBCUs.
I’m working on evolving my ability to trust myself and listen to my inner voice. Life is precious and tomorrow is not promised. I do my best to not focus or stress over things I have no control over.
I refuse to be silenced in any situation of racial injustice or disrespect. I can recall times in my career where I was spoken to in a disrespectful manner, after which I immediately stopped the conversation and stated: unless I’m spoken to in a respectful manner, as I’m speaking to them, this conversation will end.
For me, BOLD means showing up as your authentic self, but always displaying grace and consciousness for others. Navigating a corporate environment with my unique background not only includes being who I truly am, but also providing my honest viewpoint and perspective.