We’re excited to introduce Caren Young, our new Director of Product & Client Services! Learn more about her background, her passions, and the best piece of advice she’s ever received in this interview.

Caren, congrats on the new role! As our newest Director of Product & Client Services, can you provide us with the inside scoop at what exactly it is you do?

I do a number of things here at Holistic. My main goal is to streamline our Product offerings and processes, help create new ways of sharing data and to help our clients better understand how their data can translate into actionable insights.

We’re interested in learning more about your background. Can you tell us more about your career journey?

My journey has been full of twists and turns. I started in tech in 2006 working for an Outdoor Advertising company in Seattle. I then worked for digital advertising agencies for a few years, working for clients such as Microsoft and Group Health. Wanting to work for an old school, top line agency I moved to Chicago in 2012 where I worked for some really cool brands. I then made the transition to Product and Software Development where my teams built everything from games to apps to dashboards. After years of realizing I was the only face that looked like mine in the room and getting tired of it, I transitioned to working in the DEI space in 2018 and opened my own consultancy in 2020.

Let’s switch gears. What excites you about life? What gives you hope? What keeps you up at night?

Whooo - this is a tough one! I'm excited about all of the things we don't know and all of the people who have great ideas that just need to get out there. Seeing DEI change from the ground up and that folks in the C Suite are starting to listen and make real change (not enough of them, mind you. There is SO MUCH work to be done.) gives me hope. What keeps me up at night? That people will forget that change doesn't happen overnight and they give up when things get hard.

What does success look like with a client?

Success looks like two things - when a client "gets it" and starts to make the connection between where they are, where they want to be, and exactly how to get there. Success is also when they can start to move the needle on their own. We give clients the tools to keep things up and when they can without us, it's a success. However, it doesn't hurt when they recommend Holistic to fellow companies!

What's the most helpful piece of advice or feedback you've ever received, and why?

My dad used to tell me "Closed mouths don't get fed" and I think it may be the most powerful piece of advice I've ever received. Especially as a person from multiple marginalized communities, I'm not expected to ask for what is best for me or my communities and expect to get it. In fact, it can sometimes be seen as being "too assertive" or even "cocky". But is it? Or is it just asking for your seat at the table? So, I welcome everyone - especially those from underrepresented communities - to speak up and get fed.

Lastly, what do you do for fun?

I love to cook and can make a mean cocktail. I also love to travel and can't wait to get back out on the road.

Thank you for all that you do, Caren!