Inside Illumio: Andree Winter
Inside Illumio is a monthly series that highlights the exceptional individuals behind Illumio’s world-class product. Each post will take a peek behind the scenes to spotlight a member of our team. Come get to know us a little better and learn more about what makes Illumio’s culture so unique.
This month, meet Andree Winter, Sr. Program Manager. Hear about her experience as an Illumio employee and what fuels her creativity.
Tell us about yourself. What do you do at Illumio?
I joined Illumio about three and a half years ago and serve as a Senior Program Manager, working with different engineering teams. In this role, I help teams collaborate efficiently and focus on top priorities by ensuring that scope and schedule are understood and by breaking down barriers to delivery. I also work with our engineering teams to identify opportunities for continual improvements.
What does a day in the life of Andree look like? What are you working on that excites you?
I am a people person and enjoy facilitating meetings of very different sizes on a variety of programs. I create and support processes that can adapt as Illumio grows by bringing the right people into the conversation, ensuring that the tough questions get asked, and by communicating results. At Illumio, efficient communication is important throughout Engineering so we can deliver great solutions to our customers more quickly.
Outside of the job I was hired for, I enjoy participating in and facilitating culture-building programs at Illumio. In particular, I am excited about the emergency preparedness training for employees. As we continue to grow as a business, we need people who are trained for a variety of emergency situations and I am glad to be one of them.
How do you stay illuminated during the work day?
I feel quite fortunate that my role requires me to wear many hats throughout the day. It’s not just that every DAY is different. In my world, every MEETING is different. Aside from that, the people at Illumio serve as the greatest motivation throughout the workday. I engage with a diverse set of individuals who each bring their whole self with them to work every day. It is that drive, that passion, that dedication that truly keeps me illuminated.
What was the last concert you went to?
On a whim, I recently went to a KRTY-sponsored country western concert with some friends! I enjoy country music and loved the opportunity to hear up-and-coming artists.
What are you passionate about outside of your career?
Being outdoors is very important to me. I love hiking, canoeing, and anything that involves being outside and in nature. I also love skiing and snowboarding with my family—Dodge Ridge is our go-to resort. You’d be hard-pressed to find a winter weekend where we’re not heading out to hit the slopes!
Which Illumio core value resonates most with you and why?
Onwards Together! As a member of the PMO, I am fortunate to work with a team that embodies this core value to a T. We each have found ways to contribute to the organization outside of the job we were hired to do. By bringing people together (be it through making waffles for the entire company, smoking meat and vegetables, celebrating Diwali and Oktoberfest, throwing Happy Hours, and more), we are building a cohesive team with potential that is unbound.
What do you want people to know about working at Illumio?
Something that sets Illumio apart from other companies I have worked for is the culture of openness and transparency here. Our founders, Andrew and PJ, are genuinely invested in the individual success of all employees. Since joining in May of 2016, I have watched this organization grow and mature, but our executive staff continues to sit down with people, and I find that incredibly rare.
Join Andree and #TeamIllumio! Check out our current job openings.