NewsLearning & Development - Hadie Dobson

When employee owners think about what it means to “Create Your Future,” they often assume it means pursuing a new role with new responsibilities. However, Creating Your Future at VGM Group can take multiple forms. For many, it’s simply about taking that next big step in developing professionally. 

Hadie Dobson, Project Manager for VGM & Associates and employee owner since 2021, had a stretch project to develop herself as more of a leader. According to Hadie, at her previous job, there wasn’t a lot of opportunity for growth. She had always wanted to work at VGM because she knew the potential for personal and professional development that was available. When she finally got hired at VGM, she was ready to hit the ground running. 

She initially started in HOMELINK, and it was during her training period that she explored VGM’s Intranet to learn all she could about the company and what was offered for employee resource groups (ERGs). She came across the VGM Young Professionals (YP) page, an ERG that is specifically for VGM employee owners aged 39 and below. She watched all the archived videos and presentations. And that was enough to motivate her to attend a YP event. 

It was at this event that Hadie talked with Molly Chicchelly, Director of Customer Experience & Employee Development at VGM Insurance and employee owner since 2017. Molly was the YP Committee Chair at the time, and it was this chat that Hadie said inspired her to get more involved and join the YP Committee, initially as the membership engagement chair. 

“I honestly didn’t know what I was getting myself into,” said Hadie. “But it was an opportunity to challenge myself, broaden my horizons, and learn more about the other business units at VGM.”  

And Hadie made quite the impression on others—within a year, the Committee Chair position on the YP Committee opened, and Hadie was approached asking if she would take it. 

“At first I was hesitant,” said Hadie. “I kept asking them, ‘Are you sure no one else wanted this position?’ I still wasn’t sure about my leadership skills. But then one day, Chief People Officer Sara Laures told me, ‘You’ve got this.’ In hindsight, everyone saw my potential before I saw it myself.”  

The YP Committee Chair is a three-year term with various responsibilities including overseeing the entire committee, hosting monthly meetings, communicating volunteer opportunities in the area, and being a mentor for the other committee members, as well as all employee owners who are part of YP.  

“I’ve gained so much knowledge regarding the best ways to work with others, as well as figuring out how to best showcase employee owners’ strengths,” said Hadie. “Honestly just meeting new people from other business units and making those connections has given me that sense of employee ownership and belonging.” 

As the end of her three-year term comes to an end, Hadie has been doing a lot of succession planning for the incoming chair, though she anticipates providing as much support as possible for them for at least the next 6-12 months.  

But what else does Hadie’s future hold? 

“I’m a little worried that I’ll be bored,” joked Hadie. “But in all seriousness, I’ve stepped into a new role with VGM & Associates and that brings its own challenges and opportunities for me to grow professionally. My time on the YP Committee was invaluable…but I am excited to finally just be able to show up to YP events as an employee owner rather than a committee member.” 

Reflecting over her time on the committee and at VGM, Hadie provided some advice to employee owners looking to start their own stretch projects or get involved. 

“Do something that excites you,” said Hadie. “These opportunities to grow professionally are unique to VGM. Don’t worry about perfection. When I took over the Committee Chair position, I was consistently comparing myself to the previous person. And by doing that I was setting myself up for disappointment. Stretch projects are for growth…be sure to give yourself some grace. And ask for support! It’s OK to ask for help when you need it.” 

Thank you for sharing your story, Hadie! 

VGM has many opportunities to Create Your Future like Hadie. Check out our Careers page to check for current openings.