Author: The Cred Podcast

In this episode of the Cred Podcast, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Erica Irvin, Group Vice President and Chief Counsel of Digital Technology and Innovation at Albertsons Companies. With a career spanning over 25 years, Erica shared insights into her journey, decision-making processes, and what’s next for her. Join us as we delve into her fascinating career and gain valuable perspectives on making pivotal decisions.

The Beginnings

Erica Irvin’s career journey is a testament to the power of relationships and seizing opportunities when they arise. While many in the legal profession start in law firms, court or government roles; Erica was in-house from the beginning, focusing on technology, contracts, intellectual property, and privacy. She recalled a pivotal moment when she decided to take a job working with a remarkable individual named Gena Ashe. Despite facing a significant pay cut, Erica was drawn to Gena’s leadership and took the leap, which turned out to be a defining move in her career.

She has remained industry-agnostic, leading legal teams and functions across companies in telecom, payments and now at Albertsons, a Fortune 60 company.

At Albertsons Companies, Erica’s legal team is responsible for digital transformation, privacy, intellectual property, marketing, contracts, retail media, and more. She highlighted the challenges of starting with a small team and growing it to over 25 members. Her team’s role is not limited to the core legal function but extends to facilitating business growth, which requires quick, confident decision-making.

Navigating Career Decisions

Erica emphasized the importance of understanding the “why” behind decisions, whether in her career or personal life. She stressed the need to align decisions with the organization’s goals and to determine the most efficient path to achieve them. In her role, speed and efficiency are essential due to the rapidly changing landscape of technology and privacy.

Decision-Making and Leadership

As a leader, Erica actively coaches her team members in their decision-making processes. She believes that her role is not only to make decisions but also to equip her team to make better decisions. Transparency, empathy, and quick, confident decisions are key factors in her leadership style.

Learning from Outcomes

Erica candidly discussed how some decisions she made, particularly regarding people-related matters, didn’t have the outcomes she had hoped for. She shared that hesitating to address people’s issues promptly can lead to secondary outcomes that impact relationships within the team. However, she also noted that she has become more confident in making decisions faster and with empathy, transparency, and kindness.

Quickfire Round

In a rapid-fire round, Erica shared her preferences and perspectives on various topics. She emphasized that personal and professional decisions differ, with personal choices often prioritizing family’s well-being. Her hobbies include reading, and she reads trade magazines and legal updates to stay informed. Erica also highlighted the importance of fairness in decision-making.

What’s Next

As Erica’s children grow and become more independent, she looks forward to continuing her role in digital technology and innovation. She expressed a desire to become more active in diversity and inclusion efforts and to potentially serve on boards. Erica’s commitment to organizations that align with her values, such as diversity and corporate responsibility, is a driving force in her career choices.

Erica Irvin’s career journey and insights into decision-making provide valuable lessons for professionals in various fields. Her emphasis on understanding the “why,” making quick yet informed decisions, and prioritizing empathy and transparency in leadership are principles that can guide anyone in their career and life. We look forward to hearing more from Erica as she continues to make an impact in the legal and business world.

Listen to Erica’s full episode here.

SEASON 2
On every episode, our Season 2 Host, Mack McKelvey, Founder/CEO, The Credentialed,  will interview authorities across different industries who have deep industry knowledge and vast experience in their field.  On this season of The Cred podcast, we will seek to understand the art and science of decision making.  

Why?

All the research, inputs, gut-feel, and opinions of others doesn’t matter, because when you are a leader, the decision is up to you and you have to deal with the outcome

And every decision has an outcome. Becoming a confident decision-maker is one of the most challenging, risk-taking, and industry-transforming skills a leader can develop. The Cred Podcast seeks to unearth best practices for executives who are continuously confronted with a wide range of decisions, from seemingly small to massively pivotal. These industry catalysts share their practical experience in their approaches and how they navigate the outcomes. They’ll also share some of the pivotal decisions that made them who they are and how they lead.

Audience
Listeners are founders, VCs and senior executives  decision makers: industry agnostic.

When
A new episode will drop every Wednesday at noon ET, starting on October 11th, 2023 (the trailer drops on October 4th).

Where
You can find us on nearly every major podcast streaming platform: Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, etc. Here’s a link to Libsyn if you want to listen on your desktop.

SEASON 1
We also recommend listening to Season 1, Catalysts and Allies.

Launched in October 2017 and hosted by veteran digital media and technology journalist Kate Kaye, Catalysts and Allies introduced listeners to the people who were leading the transformation of tech culture toward becoming one of inclusion and relevance for all. Interviews were approached from a journalist’s lens for an audience of people interested in technology and business as it affects society, culture and the people working in it.

Unlike diversity or inclusion-themed media, Catalysts and Allies aimed to advance beyond discussions focused on gender, race or persuasion to highlight the work, backgrounds and issues that drive the show’s wide spectrum of guests in the tech industry. And unlike other tech podcasts, conversations dove into the broader context of the technology subject matter and its relationship with the world, rather than narrow business media-centric angles such as tech products, competitive landscapes, financials or the next IPO.

Catalysts and Allies put a spotlight on innovators and their ideas, their backgrounds and the issues that drive them. Interviewees represented a variety of technology fields such as blockchain, IoT and facial recognition, as well as overarching fields including data, digital and social media and privacy.

In a world where stereotypes often shape our perceptions, Kimberly Mock defied expectations and pursued a remarkable career in the tech industry. Her story, from receiving a clarinet scholarship to working as a senior software engineer at Microsoft Research, Next, is a testament to her determination and passion for technology. In this blog post, we’ll explore Kimberly’s journey, her experiences in the defense and tech sectors, and her thoughts on the evolving tech landscape in Seattle.

The Early Years: A Small Town with Big Ambitions

Kimberly grew up in a quaint, one-stoplight town in Washington State. Unlike conventional gender stereotypes, her early experiences in school were quite unusual. In her middle and high school years, Kimberly found herself in classrooms where girls excelled and outnumbered boys across all subjects. This unique environment instilled confidence in her, allowing her to explore diverse subjects, including math, science, and music.

From Clarinet Scholar to Physics Enthusiast

While Kimberly initially pursued music with a clarinet scholarship, her curiosity led her down a different path. Her fascination with astronomy ignited a passion for physics, ultimately shaping her academic journey. Kimberly’s transition from music to science reflects her willingness to explore new horizons and the pivotal role early education can play in breaking gender stereotypes.

Navigating the Defense Sector: Algorithms for Ballistic Missile Defense

After completing her education, Kimberly embarked on a career in the defense industry, where she worked on cutting-edge projects, including algorithms for ballistic missile defense. Her role involved developing and implementing algorithms for crewless vehicles, pushing the boundaries of technology in a highly regulated and complex sector.

Embracing the Tech Boom in Seattle

Seattle’s tech landscape has significantly transformed, thanks to the emergence of tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft. Kimberly discusses how Seattle has evolved into a tech hub, attracting established companies, startups, and innovative projects. She highlights the increasing trend of collaboration between tech giants, emphasizing that competition must coexist with cooperation.

Microsoft Research: Where Innovation Thrives

Kimberly provides insights into her current role as a senior software engineer at Microsoft Research, Next. She describes her experiences working in an environment brimming with cutting-edge technology and brilliant minds. The blog post explores the unique aspects of Microsoft’s research division, where academic research evolves into real-world products.

Advocating for Women in Tech

Kimberly’s dedication to supporting women in tech shines through her involvement with organizations like “Women Who Code.” She shares her positive experience participating in a hackathon and its impact on her career. The blog post underscores the importance of these organizations in creating a supportive and inclusive tech community.

Ichiro’s Return: A Seattle Mariners Fan’s Perspective

Beyond her tech career, Kimberly reveals her passion for sports, particularly her excitement about Ichiro Suzuki’s return to the Seattle Mariners. As a devoted Mariners fan, she discusses the significance of Ichiro’s presence and the anticipation surrounding his comeback.

Breaking Stereotypes and Inspiring Change

Kimberly Mock’s journey from a small town to the tech epicenter of Seattle is a testament to her resilience and passion for innovation. Her story challenges stereotypes and serves as an inspiration to aspiring technologists, especially women in tech. By sharing her experiences, Kimberly encourages us to embrace change, explore diverse fields, and collaborate to shape the future of technology.