Briana Phelps, PMP

I attribute much of my success to the life lessons I gained growing up in the equestrian world. From an early age, I learned that achievement is earned through discipline, responsibility, and consistent hard work. Opportunities came from long hours at the barn, early mornings at horse shows, and a commitment to showing up even when it wasn’t easy. The equestrian community also taught me how to communicate professionally with adults, trainers, and mentors at a young age, helping me develop confidence, maturity, and strong interpersonal skills. Those lessons in work ethic, accountability, perseverance, and communication have remained with me throughout my career and continue to influence how I lead, stay organized, and approach challenges today.

The most meaningful career advice I’ve received came not from a single statement, but from the example set by the strong women in my life. Watching my mother and other close family members face serious health challenges, including breast cancer, with resilience, courage, and positivity taught me the importance of maintaining strength and grace during difficult times. Their example shaped how I approach challenges in my own career: remaining focused, solution-oriented, and steady under pressure. It also reinforced the value of surrounding yourself with people who uplift, support, and encourage one another. That belief in the power of a strong support system continues to influence how I lead, collaborate, and show up both professionally and personally.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to stay open, curious, and willing to explore before feeling pressured to define your entire career path. When I graduated college, I had no clear idea where I would ultimately end up, and I don’t think it’s realistic to expect anyone at 18 to have everything figured out.

Take advantage of opportunities to learn, ask questions, and gain exposure to different areas of a business. Some of the most valuable lessons come from experiences you never expected to have, and those experiences often help clarify what truly interests and motivates you.

Equally important is building meaningful relationships and networking intentionally. Much of my own career growth has been shaped by connections, conversations, and mentors who opened doors I never knew existed. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to say yes to opportunities that feel intimidating or outside your comfort zone. Growth rarely happens when we play it safe, and some of the most rewarding experiences can come from taking a chance on something unexpected.

The biggest challenges in my field right now include navigating constant change across industries, working in a male-dominated space, and managing the complexity that comes with large-scale digital product and transformation work. Transitioning across marketing, healthcare administration, and material handling required me to adapt quickly, rebuild confidence in new environments, and continuously learn new systems without a set roadmap. In my current role, balancing multiple priorities across product management, stakeholder alignment, data, and digital development also demands strong organization and accountability. At the same time, these challenges have created significant opportunities for growth, allowing me to build a versatile skill set, contribute to large-scale digital transformation initiatives like customer portals and e-commerce development, and strengthen my leadership through agile and product ownership practices. Working in a global organization has also given me access to cross-functional teams, mentorship, and broader career pathways, all of which continue to shape my development and future direction.

The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are compassion, resilience, and connection. In my personal life, I value staying grounded through time spent with animals and the outdoors, whether I’m walking my Golden Retriever or riding and competing with my horse, which keeps me balanced and focused. I am also deeply committed to philanthropy, particularly supporting childhood cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a cause that is personally meaningful to me due to experiences within my close circle. Equally important to me are the strong women in my life, both family and friends, whose strength and positivity through adversity have shaped my own outlook and reinforced the importance of maintaining close, supportive relationships.