Chelsea McHale

I attribute my success to a strong blend of intellectual curiosity and strategic relationship building. My dedication to continuous professional development ensures my skills remain relevant, while actively networking with professionals across various roles allows me to gain valuable insights and identify growth pathways that directly contribute to my ongoing achievements.

The best career advice I ever received was simple but powerful: Always network to validate a potential career change. When I was considering leaving education, I was advised by my husband (who already was in the technology space) to connect with those who had already made the leap to ensure my personal and professional goals were aligned. This single action directly led me to a former teacher who hired me for a product training role. I now consistently prioritize proactive relationship building because I've learned it's the most reliable way to gain perspective and open up transformative career opportunities.

My advice centers on developing a proactive and growth-oriented mindset. I encourage young women to cultivate curiosity: consistently seek to identify challenges, formulate innovative solutions, and remain adaptable to change. Additionally, you must also be your own best advocate. This means assertively championing your work while simultaneously engaging in continuous self-development through mentorship and peer coaching. Remember the importance of broad professional visibility; deliberately expand your network beyond your immediate team, as these connections are essential conduits to future growth and unexpected career opportunities.

The biggest challenge and opportunity is a common focus every company has been leaning into for the past two years, AI. While AI offers immense potential to enhance overall business performance, the core task is determining how to effectively build upon its capabilities to empower our field and our cross-functional partners. My team is currently focused on operationalizing AI to drive tangible business improvements, but we are also using this time to strengthen the core skills of our Solution Consultants (SCs).

Also, while Solution Consultants—also commonly titled Sales Engineers—are known as technical experts, our value extends far beyond that. We believe the true differentiation lies in growing business opportunities by providing strategic insights, industry trends, and best practices to both our internal teams and our customers. To reinforce this value, we are actively upleveling our team through hands-on learning and targeted coaching. This focus ensures that our Solution Consultants can continue driving innovation while remaining a strong, consultative pillar for our business and our customers.

In both my personal and professional spheres, I prioritize three core values: Supportive Culture, Intellectual Growth, and Respectful Boundaries.

1. A supportive culture is essential—one where leaders and peers actively contribute to a feeling of safety and trust. This allows me to confidently lean into my passion for innovation while continuously looking for growth opportunities.

2. I highly value collaboration, viewing it as the most effective mechanism for bouncing ideas while driving quality outcomes through shared effort.

3. Finally, I value respectful boundaries to maintain a strong work-life balance. This means balancing the demands of my role with dedicated family time and ensuring time zone differences are managed mindfully for the long-term well-being of the team. A leader sets the bar for their team; setting the example will shape how the team acts on their own personal and professional boundaries.