CONFIDENTIAL: Follow-up On SLFCU Concerns 08-01-24

Good Morning Willis,

Thanks for taking the time to speak with me this week regarding the challenges I’ve experienced acclimating as a contractor at SLFCU, in what was initially expected to be a temp-to-perm IT Project Manager/Jira Portfolio Program
Manager role.

Since coming on board in May I have been unable to gain clarity on what my role is, and to find the “lane” that I typically occupy in technology environments. As an experienced PM/PgM, I am accustomed to the “churn” that comes with rapid organizational change and leadership movement. In 95% of my tech roles, I’ve also had direct reports, managed large teams, and coached new and/or junior-level resources. That said, my SLFCU experience has been different.

Professionally.

On most days, my position and accountability feel like moving targets that get redefined—verbally—at will by several Technology Leaders. Directives are often unclear and random; and even when documented, changes in direction, content, scope, and format are frequent. While it appears everyone in the Technology group is clear about their role and responsibilities, I’ve been unable to gain that clarity. Having conflicting, changing [leadership] directives in a new work environment where you are the only temp employee, the only member of the team not directly working with the team, and the only Black person/woman on the 55+ member team is challenging to navigate. Experienced Project Managers are hard-wired to be efficient, and understand the accountability that comes with our role. Being equipped to be successful in executing our work is important; and for me, with all of the factors listed, it’s critical. I am not managing technology projects, nor am I the Jira Portfolio Program Manager. Maintaining my Admin permissions in Jira has been a challenge. My work is more admin assistant and instructional design- centered. I am not driving the tasks I’m performing and I have found, for the most part, input and guidance I have attempted to offer from a PM, PgM, or Scrum Master perspective are not well received. My work and industry experience are not being leveraged to contribute as a member of the team, and that for me is not only a new experience, but a deeply troubling reality; it makes my presence at SLFCU vulnerable and expendable.

Personally.

After 25 years of navigating complex, demanding, technology environments, I know when my success, growth, and well-being are important to leadership. That has not happened here. I don’t believe the leaders here understand how important being successful at my job is to me or take into account the life changes I’ve made, as a single mom, to be at SLFCU: I commuted from Los Alamos until mid-June, relocated to ABQ, leased a home (that I move into today) 1 block away to reduce my local commute time and enrolled my daughter in the school 2 blocks away. My leader interacts with me on an almost elementary level, which is demeaning and diminishing. Her actions convey an absence of confidence and trust in my ability to perform my work. Unfortunately, how my leader views and supports me influences [be it directly or indirectly] how the broader team and leaders accept me and the skills I have to offer. Though her actions may be
unintentional, they feel condescending and biased. Concerns I’ve raised, in the hope of gaining understanding (and empathy), have been dismissed. Previous standing meetings with Technology Leadership have been canceled. I’m not included in discussions related to the tasks I am being asked to perform. I have found I am being asked to perform tasks that have not been asked of anyone on our team, and am expected to execute these tasks without reference points or clear requirements, on an expert level. Yesterday, in a broader Technology team meeting, my leader spoke on my behalf and then deferred to her BSA team reports to provide their input and status. This has been a constant.

SLFCU Technology team members make up a smart, savvy group. When I engage with the broader team and leaders, there is synergy; we speak the same language. My instincts were not wrong. I DO belong here. I had every expectation of being an experienced leader at SLFCU capable of contributing as part of its employee community. However, sitting isolated in a cubby away from the team, having my role conflicted/reduced, interactions (and voice) filtered and work products/professional input brutally critiqued feels cruel and unfair; intentional or not.

I am not resigning Willis. I’ve worked hard to get here. It is still my hope that things at SLFCU will settle and I will continue to move forward successfully.

With appreciation,

Luckie

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