In the second episode of season four, we welcome Christine Ocean, Senior Director of Client Services for ADP's National Accounts Talent Solutions. Christine shares her journey from the dynamic world of startups to the stability and growth opportunities at ADP. She shares her career development, the resources ADP provides for career planning, and the invaluable mentorship experiences that have shaped her path. Christine also delves into her ADP's International Women's Inclusion Network (IWIN) leadership role, sharing about the business resource group’s (BRG) commitment to empowering, engaging, and equipping associates and communities.
Kate: [00:00:05] Hey, Ingrid, we have made it to season four, episode two of The Life at ADP, the podcast. How are you feeling today?
Ingrid: [00:00:15] Okay, I'm feeling great. I'm really, really excited for today's episode. And, uh, yeah, another episode, another amazing guest. So I'm feeling awesome.
Kate: [00:00:26] Well, that's a perfect segue. I would love for Christine Ocean to join us today. Uh, Christine is the senior director of client services, but specifically for our talent solutions for Adp's national accounts. Christine. Hey, welcome to life at ADP, the podcast.
Christine: [00:00:47] Hey, Kate, it's great to see you again, and Ingrid, it's an absolute pleasure to meet you. And I'm thrilled and honored to be here.
Kate: [00:00:53] Awesome. So, Christine, you know, typically what we love to do is learn about our guests, journey to ADP. So why did you, you know, come to the organization? When did you come to the organization? And and what keeps you here? I know, especially Ingrid, since you both haven't met before. Um, Ingrid always loves this part of our discussion, if you're a new guest. And I feel the same way when Ingrid brings a guest onto the pod. So do you mind just sharing your Came For, Stay For story?
Christine: [00:01:24] Absolutely Kate, I'm more than happy to share. I, recently, before coming to ADP, I worked at a couple of startup companies in the Atlanta area and loved the energy. Love the camaraderie. However, there were some challenges with the volatility and, you know, fast startup companies.
Christine: [00:01:46] So when I started, you know, applying and looking at and researching ADP, I uncovered that associates at ADP, their longevity and their careers just blew me away. I would dig into my network on LinkedIn and start, you know, analyzing their profile and see that folks are here for 10, 12, 15, 20, 25 years. And at that point in my career, I was looking for more stable environment and a company that I wanted to work and grow with. And that's absolutely the opportunity that ADP has for all their associates. And not only that, but they encourage Associates to move throughout the organization because it's such a big business and company, but enables us to do that. Different areas. I know people that have started implementation, that move into service, that are now in leadership, and they offer new multiple avenues for training in leadership, if you want to get into that route. I, I stay for that. So I recently just got promoted from the to a senior director from a director, um, and another business unit, and that just speaks to the volume of opportunities that are within ADP.
Ingrid: [00:03:04] Hey, Christine, thank you so much for sharing about, uh, what made you come to ADP and what do you stay for, and congratulations on that well-deserved promotion. Um, I totally understand, you know, where you're coming from. And, um, even hearing from your perspective, right, as you came from a startup organization into ADP, uh, because you were looking for that opportunity to learn, to grow and develop. Um, so if you don't mind, can you tell us a little bit more about your career development within ADP? Any opportunities for growth? Tell us what that journey has been for you.
Kate: [00:03:43] Yeah. No. Great. Great question Ingrid. The journey has been around a lot of self-discovery and ADP offers a lot of resources. We have a whole tool that's around a career driver that you can utilize to plan your career. Um, the leadership, your bosses, managers are always encouraging us to go outside of our typical day to day role, whether it's battling another team and another entirely different business unit. Whether it's getting mentored by a leader within the organization and another business unit. So that was another piece that we had a program here at ADP that aligned mentor and mentee. So I had the privilege of meeting with one. So we're very close, in one of our business units, and she was phenomenal in helping coach me through conversations. And even when I was applying for the senior director role, my leader was coaching me as well. She was offering advice, around any kind of negotiations, with questions, you know, that the interviewers may have, just based on her experience because she had been with ADP for 20 plus years, and so she was open and willing to help me grow in my career and ensure my success.
Kate: [00:05:11] That's I think that's the power of ADP. And you know, the support that you that that we continuously feel as internal associates with that people externally hear about.
Kate: [00:05:24] You know, and I've said this before on the podcast that the very first time that I stepped foot into ADP for my my interview, I felt like I belonged because people were so warm and friendly, but friendly, friendly doesn't just cut it right. You want to be in a room of people who are going to encourage your growth and, um, you know, speak highly of you when you're not in the room, too. And so, you know, I think it says a lot about your personal brand, Christine, as well as your work ethic, that you've been able to make those jumps within your career. And I also know, you know, how you and I met was through one of our business resource groups. iWIN, um, and I'll let you take the lead as far as what iWIN is and all of that. But you recently just moved positions within iWIN. So you're doing this in your professional career, but then also in your, business resource group brand, for, for yourself. So why don't you share a little bit with iWIN to our listeners?
Christine: [00:06:26] Kate you had a great call out when you used the word brand, because that's one thing that ODP absolutely supports their associates with is building their brand within the organization.
Christine: [00:06:38] And our business resource group are an amazing avenue to do just that. So about four years ago, I joined the iWIN, it's International Women's Inclusion Network as an event coordinator. And then the past two years by functioned as the president of the Business Resource group. And just in December, I was tapped on the shoulder, which was amazing. Um, because of the brand I had built in the business resource group. Um, they there was an opportunity for a regional director position within the iWIN holistically for ADP. So I'm moving into moved into a role where now I support six chapters within the umbrella of the entire business resource group for ADP. So there's six presidents that I support. Um, and it's just been an amazing opportunity. So we focus on engaging, empowering and equipping our associates. But not just women, but also our male allies and folks of non-binary that we are focused on equality and inclusion, and we inspire folks to move themselves and encourage others to help them in their careers and build their brand and extend their network. So whatever they want to accomplish in their career and or their life, um, this business resource group is there to support them.
Ingrid: [00:08:04] Christine. That's that's just amazing. You know, um, it's another incredible journey, you know, um, not only in your personal career, but also being part of our business resource groups. Um, I'm curious to know a little bit more what are those ways or events or projects that, um, this business resource group creates events to empower and to give back to our associates. If you could tell us a little bit more about that, that would be super great.
Christine: [00:08:32] Ingrid, I'm so glad you asked, because that's definitely coming from an event coordinator to the president. Now, the regional director role, that's one of the main passions I have with being part of this business resource group is bringing those opportunities to our associates and through various events. So one example that we held about a year ago, we did a food networking event where we brought in various leaders throughout the organization and the office and to the atrium. And then associates came into the room where we had like it was a bingo car for like icebreaker conversation. And it was time and about every ten minutes, we'd ask the associates to rotate around the room and speak to the various leaders. So that got them, gave them the opportunity to meet not only with leadership, people that they've never met with before. Learn more about different organizations and teams and business units within ADP. But and that idea and concept was actually taken to our national Meeting of the Minds event that just took place in San Diego. We utilized that that networking event in Atlanta last year, and I believe they just did it again in San Diego. So that was super exciting that they took that concept and just carried it forward into a bigger platform. Another way that we bring events to our associates, we have leaders, we do fireside chats. Um, so we had one last summer and she is a general manager within ADP and he sat down, we probably had about 25 attendees of associates that came and she talked through her career and her challenges.
Christine: [00:10:23] So one of the challenges that women have personally, professionally, however you want to think about it, we have to be 125% ready before we take on a new project task role, because we want to make sure that we're going to be successful. So Melanie was able to share with them, like, you have to get out of our comfort zone and it's okay to take risks. And that's why I love the International Women's Inclusion Network, is because you learn that people as women were there to support each other, and that hasn't always been that way in my career. Um, so it's it's women empowering women and supporting women, which I think has just been a huge eye opener for me because I now see that and now I want to offer that to other associates, male or female, whoever needs the help, non-binary, anyone that needs the help and the support and what they want to do in their career and grow. Let's let's figure it out. How do we get to there? And that that gets me so fired up that it's exciting. And, um, yeah, I absolutely love that that aspect of the BRG.
Ingrid: [00:11:33] Christine, thank you so much for, you know, putting so much thought into, um, not only creating this event, but, you know, making them fun and accessible to anyone who wants to participate. I know for a fact that I actually, um, one of my mentors, I, you know, got to be her mentee through a program that iWIN, um, created, I think like a year or two years ago. So, um, it was something really good, because if it wasn't for this program, that, again, iWIN created it. And I was able to, you know, participate. I wouldn't have the opportunity to meet my mentor who was outside of, I guess, you know, the circle of coworkers at ADP, so that was really good. Um, and again, I just wanted to say thank you for all the work that you put into, you know, creating this amazing, amazing event for iWIN.
Christine: [00:12:28] Well, thank you, Ingrid, that just warmed my heart, that that's why we do it. You just know that exactly why, um, we do what we do, and we just want to give back to others as much as we can.
Kate: [00:12:41] And I also think. And, Ingrid, you know, you probably picked up on this right away, Christine's passion behind the mission and purpose and genuinely helping others along their journey, I think, is what has also led to her her personal success, both professionally, but then also being able to transition out of a president role for our for our local chapter in Alpharetta to, you know, the regional director role that oversees six different iWIN um, regions. So it's it's really impressive, Christine. And, you know, I've had the real pleasure of being able to meet you through this experience, sitting on the board myself and I get to witness firsthand exactly the passion that you infuse within our Alpharetta chapter and now beyond, which makes me want to bring up I know there's a couple of things and events that we do within I win that you are extremely passionate about. Um, one in particular, that's an external event. So do you mind sharing a little bit about how we give back to the communities and support the community at large?
Christine: [00:13:47] Kate you just spoke right. I was humbled in the beginning. Now I'm just doubly humbled by what you just said. I appreciate that. Um, yes, I am, I am, um, one of and I the the BRG, Business Resource Group has afforded me to support one thing. There's one organization. Um, yes. That is near and dear to my heart. Um, that Kate was mentioning is the American Heart Association.
Kate: [00:14:16] So my mom passed away at the age of 50 with congestive heart failure. So the and we didn't know the signs. So I was young, she was 50. We didn't know the signs between male and female of heart disease. And it's different and in men and women. And so the past two years through the BRG, um, we've been able to host like a CPR, um, training session for our associates. And we do two sessions per day, and we have the American Heart Association come in. And in addition to that, um, I was a coach for the past two years and had a team. And so the biggest goal is fundraising. Um, but for me, it's also awareness. So people realize that there is a difference. Um, and heart disease is the number one killer in women, but most people don't know that. And, um, not knowing the signs because women were just, you know, we're we just. Oh, no, it's just my my my chest is hurting. It's nothing. I'm stressed or whatever. We kind of, um, ignore the signs, but you have to know the signs to to be aware. So it's been wonderful to be able to help, share that with our associates and, um, just kind of educate and, um, make them aware and people share their stories. I mean, you meet people with similar stories and right away it's a bond. You feel the camaraderie of, you know, their pain just as you went through loss with someone with heart disease. Um, yeah. It's just been an amazing opportunity to be able to share that with the associates.
Kate: [00:15:54] Thank you for sharing that, Christine. And also being so vulnerable and sharing such a touching, you know, part of your personal journey. And I remember when I first heard your story, it was during our CPR training where you had taught in the I think it was the American Heart Association, and you got in front of a large group of people who were there for CPR training and shared exactly why this was meaningful to you. And I remember looking around and there some people were kind of like wiping away their tears. It was extremely vulnerable and very heartfelt and so just just so brave in many ways. I'm wondering, do you want to talk about what some of the signs are? Because I'm sure there's a lot of listeners right now that are like, oh, you know, what would those signs be? What should I be thinking about?
Christine: [00:16:44] Absolutely, Kate, I appreciate the question because it is about education and awareness. Um, so you typically, you know, the man that you see in the movies, but in the movies where they grab, they grab their left arm and, you know, they feel the tightness in their chest. Um, well, it can. The signs can happen differently in women. Um, some of the symptoms might be a chest pain or discomfort. So it's not extreme, but you just feel this like ache in your chest. It could it could be in your upper back. Um, it could be in your neck. Um, you could have indigestion, a little bit of heartburn, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, shortness of breath. And these are normal signs if women if we're tired, if we've had a long day. Um, if we're exhausted from something. So it's really important that we pay attention even to the slightest, you know, feeling that we have extreme fatigue. Um, it's always important to just be aware of those because it sounds simple, but it can actually lead to a much bigger, much bigger concern.
Kate: [00:17:50] Thank you for sharing, Christine.
Ingrid: [00:17:51] Christine, thank you so much for that. Um, that was definitely super, super helpful. And, you know, some of the signs I really had no idea. So there you go. Another helpful insight from you. And so since we're speaking about, you know, being helpful, do you mind sharing a little bit more about, you know, what are those ways that we give back to the communities? Um, and even if you wouldn't mind, mention those organizations that we actually partner with.
Christine: [00:18:18] Absolutely, Ingrid, and thank you for the opportunity for me to talk through a couple of them. So through iWIN, we developed an ADP day for Dress for Success. And that organization helped support women who are wanting to either start their career or build their career or get into a professional kind of, um, position. So say they are working in a fast food restaurant or, you know, they're a cashier at a grocery store, but they want to start building a career for themselves and their family. So maybe they want to go work at a bank or work at ADP. So we have an ADP group where we go and help them with career readiness. So resume building, LinkedIn profile, we review that we do mock interviews and then Dress for Success is an amazing organization. Um, they also like will dress the women. So they have this beautiful dressing room and it's all through donations. Uh, people donate their professional clothing, jewelry, shoes, purses, whatever they need so that that that woman feels confident because she's got the skill set. And then she also has the professional look to go in there and land that next job. Um, we also ADP as a whole partners with Girls Inc. so in a similar fashion, we work with say middle school up to high school girls. And it's kind of a coaching opportunity, um, to help mentor them. I had an opportunity to show them they have a Six Flags day. So we went to Six Flags and spent the day with them. But then there was like myself and five other leaders, we went to one of their local schools and just kind of, you know, kind of a Q&A, um, session with them.
Christine: [00:20:11] And then we also did like a mock, like 30 second elevator pitch. So the girls had to bring themselves. We were sitting down and they had to come in and shake our hand, look up, look us in the eye and, um, give their like 30 second elevator pitch about their career, what they want to do, what their passions are. Um, so that was really neat. And the girls are just amazing. And I don't think I was that poised and sharp in middle school and high school, as a lot of these girls are. Um, and another opportunity through ADP is Women in Technology. So the WIT organization, ADP is a huge sponsor of that, and I had the privilege of attending their most recent gala, um, an amazing event. I mean, the categories are incredible, like women entrepreneurs, women in technology. Um, and then also just through the organization, I was a volunteer on one of their committees that connected mentors and mentees. So we had the mentees that were college students that were wanting to learn more about the professional world, a certain business. And then we identified professionals at these companies that wanted to mentor, and we connected those folks together. And it was a huge like a six week program where they connected on a weekly basis. And, um, it was just an amazing opportunity to see that those two sides come together just to help support those college, um, people who are, you know, about to graduate and getting ready to get into their careers.
Christine: [00:21:49] So just amazing. And that's another to your first question like stay for I mean, ADP offers so many opportunities. Not being at ADP, I would not have been able to do any of the things that we've talked about on this podcast. So it's just been amazing and it's just like heightened my passion. As Kate mentioned earlier, um, that I have because I didn't have this growing up. I didn't have a professional, you know, parent to teach me how to navigate, um, a company or what, the resume. How do I write a resume? You know, I didn't have that that, um, coaching and mentoring growing up. So I've had to kind of scratch and, you know, claw my way through my career a little bit. But luckily, I've had some good people that have helped me along the way. Um, so anytime I can give back and and share what I've learned, I mean, I had someone come into my office the other day and she was looking at, um, switching roles within ADP, and I was honored that she wanted to come talk to me, after, you know, asking my advice on what to do. So I, I sat and shared and we talked through it, and she was excited when she left. And, you know, I need to I need to follow up with her and see how she's doing. And it was just, again, honored that she thought of me, um, when she needed help.
Kate: [00:23:16] I have a feeling, Christine, that, um, people who work at ADP and are listening and aren't a part of iWIN are going to be joining iWIN. And I also have a feeling that you are going to be an internal and external celebrity once this episode airs. Um, just because I think everyone who's listening can feel just, just, ah, amazing energy. Ingrid and I are both really big on energy, and, um, it's it's tangible through through the speakers. So, um, thank you. And the last thing I kind of want to touch upon is allyship. So we've talked a whole lot about supporting women in the workplace. Um, and we would all agree outside of the workplace too, right. Um, but can you share just, you know, a PSA in regards to why male allies are so important for us. And I almost wish that Nick, who's on our board as well, was here because he he just nails it every time. You know, he's honored to be part of the iWIN board. But, Christine, what can you share with our listeners about male allyship?
Christine: [00:24:26] Kate, that is a wonderful topic to bring up and I'm so glad you did. We can't do this alone. I mean, what is it? Uh, Maria Black, our CEO, what is it, a 2% of CEOs are women. I mean, don't quote me on that stat, but it's pretty low. Um, so we've got some some room to make up, you know, some headway to catch up on. And the only way that we are going to do that as a as a whole is with our male allies supporting us. And we do. We have, um, Nick, he's our VP on the iWIN board, and he's been a huge advocate. He's a father. He's a husband. Um, he's got daughters. And he wants to ensure that his daughters have the same opportunities as their male peers. Um, there's no difference. And that's why iWIN we really focus on equality and, um, as long as we have male supporters and we support our male, um, allies as well. So, as you know, Kate, we also do Movember. For the past couple of years, we've done a movember campaign through Ireland to help promote awareness for men's health because it's around mental health, um, prostate cancer. And it's just not talked about for men. So men need help as well. So we all need to just help each other, help us all be successful. And through these allyship and, um, finding people with the same passion that just want to help others succeed, I think is the best route. I mean, that's what we're here to do, is just to share and that everybody's successful. Uh, everybody has a seat at the table, everybody has a voice, and we continue to support each other.
Kate: [00:26:16] Yeah. Thank you. Christine, I think that was so well said. And it's reminding me, actually, of something I saw on my personal social media yesterday. I guess there was some sporting organization that has a video game, and they are now allowing for female avatars to be created. And, um. My one friend is a girl dad and he coaches all of her sports and everything, and he happened to look on this organizations page, and there were people who were infuriated, saying, how dare they put women in this? Um, you know, this is a man's sport. And he just went off and he was like, for, for all of the women and girls in our lives, we need to do better. And, um, I had a moment of thinking about how we really endorse that and support that just in our own little ecosystem at ADP. And, you know, what you were hitting upon is not that we're all alike, but it's that we align with the same values, you know? And I think that's another reason why people genuinely love working at ADP is because in the example I just shared, those values align with the people who I socialize with outside of the office and inside of the office. You know, there's direct correlations. So, um, I just I just wanted to share that. Well, this has been an amazing conversation. Um, Ingrid, are you going to move to Alpharetta now to join iWIN with Christine and I or what?
Ingrid: [00:27:54] I'm going to think about it for sure. For sure. But, um, Christine, thank you again. I mean, I'm just, like, so impressed with, you know, not only your journey, but all the amazing work that you do for our associates and also outside of ADP. It definitely has touched my heart. Um, and, you know, one more time, I just wanted to say thank you for everything you do.
Christine: [00:28:17] I can't thank you both enough for this opportunity to to share. I mean, like I said in the beginning, it means a lot. Um, and, Kate, you just touched on something, and I think we have season four podcast three, diversity, because I have a story from one of our, um, iWIN board members that talked about working with a diverse group of people and the impact that it had on her. So just putting a plug in there for you.
Kate: [00:28:42] Hey, we love a teaser to another episode. You're doing the work for us Christine. We might be looking for a third host.
Christine: [00:28:51] Hey, I’m, count me in, I love it.
Kate: [00:28:54] That's awesome. Well, listen, thank you so much for your time today. Thank you everyone for listening. And make sure to share Life at ADP, the podcast with your friends.