Kelly
Mauch
I care deeply about each member of the VMG Team and about our culture as a whole.
Kelly’s love for wearing turtlenecks belies her warm spirit and determination to make HR feel approachable and personable.
A FOUR-LETTER WORD
My dad taught me that there are few scenarios that warrant true “hate” and that you can always see the good. This really resonates with me, and I like to believe I see and focus on the good in others.
A BIRD’S EYE VIEW
I earned the nickname “Hummingbird” from my preschool teacher from bopping around the playground humming to myself and daydreaming. Not to be corny, but my dream is to be a part of an organization that hums — where each member of a team feels appreciated and motivated by the impact they are creating.
Let’s start with your childhood. What advice from your parents stands out?
My dad always said, “Hate’s a strong word.” It’s a powerful expression that excludes the possibility of understanding and finding common ground.
That’s cool. You never say “hate.”
Oh no, I do! But he made me aware of how frivolously the word is thrown around, so I try not to. I notice the times I’m quick to say, “I hate olives,” “I hate waking up early,” or “I hate cooking,” when “dislike” is probably a better suited word.
So cooking with olives would be your idea of hell?
Ha, something like that. I really do struggle in the kitchen.
How about your mom? Was she influential?
Oh, yes! Her work ethic and courage (she started a woman-owned law firm) is something that found its way into my DNA, I think. I’m certainly not as badass as my mother, but I like to believe that working hard and leaning into new experiences rings true for me, too. Two of my core values are novelty and courage.
Is there a past work experience that informs your work at VMG?
“Make others shine” is a motto I picked up during my time on Bain’s Nordic team. To me it means accentuating and recognizing others’ strengths and accomplishments, going the extra mile for the team, and pushing myself to quiet the human instinct to take individual credit. The phrase is similar to one of VMG’s operational value statements ‘we over me.’
Now that we’re in present tense, what books are on your nightstand?
I’m reading Radical Ritual — How Burning Man Changed the World by Neil Shister.
What’s the book about?
The book explains how Burning Man is so much deeper than art installations, fluorescent costumes, and parties. It’s a community of shared values like radical inclusion and participation. Diversity of thought and a sense of collective ownership is celebrated. Very similar to the values of my ideal workplace.
Say more about that.
Since I was a kid, I’ve loved to sing. I earned the nickname “hummingbird” from bopping around the pre-school playground humming to myself and daydreaming. I’ve always been a dreamer. Not to be corny, but my dream is to be a part of an organization that hums — where each member of a team feels appreciated and motivated by the impact they are creating.
As long as nobody expects you to bring a dish to the company potluck, right?
Count me in for paper plates and beverages.
