Meet Ryan-Mae McAvoy Pepin,

After years of navigating the breakneck pace of high-growth startups, Ryan-Mae had built a reputation as a strong operator and leader for most of her career. But beneath the surface, she struggled with the soft skills that separate good people leaders from great ones: listening deeply, leading strategically, and showing up with confidence.

“I think a lot of my struggles were myself and how I was showing up, asking for things, and worrying about being “too much”. For a lot of years, I have been proud of the work I do, and feel I have created some amazing impact, but would shy away from “leveling up” personally for a lot of reasons (Fear, imposter syndrome, future impact, etc). There were a lot of scenarios where I would advocate, champion, and support anyone in my org but not do it for myself.”

Snapshot Summary:

Before PLA: Senior Director, People Ops
After PLA: Promoted to VP, People Ops

Joining the People Leader Accelerator

Ryan-Mae had heard about the People Leader Accelerator for years, but put it off. She used to joke it gave a trust-circle, kumbaya vibe but it wasn’t until some tough love from her trusted HR circle, PLA alums themselves, that she took the leap. What she found instead was a community of people who are wildly supportive, loving, and holding each other accountable when we ourselves might be the problem. 

“What truly makes PLA special is the people. The lessons, data, and resources are second to none and stand alone make it worth the investment. But the magic is very much in the community, and the relationships that come from participating.

It is a community of some of the smartest, most successful folks in our profession, and instead of being a hierarchy or “Student <> Teacher” relationship there is a vulnerable sharing and support that allows me to see that even those I strive to have a similar career trajectory don’t have it all figured out.

The willingness to share, support, and just be honest that sometimes you have to mess up, not have the answer, and asking for help from these folks is really the affirmation and support that most people leaders need.”

The Turning Point

Before joining PLA, RyanMae had been offered the VP of People Ops role, but turned it down. The scope didn’t feel aligned with her long-term growth, and she wasn’t ready to take on a title that felt disconnected from her impact.

Throughout the program there was a consistent relevance to what she was navigating at that exact moment in her career. Her breakthrough came in a group discussion where she realized “the org you are today is not the org you will be in 6 months, and in a lot of ways that means you are doing it right.” 

In recent times she has always felt like she was 3 steps behind and this insight helped her realize her focus on a past initiative, need, or process was hindering her ability to grow and assist the org where they currently are.

With support from her cohort, she unpacked why she declined the VP role and redefined what growth actually meant to her.

The Outcome

By collaborating with a classmate, she mapped out how to re-approach the promotion conversation with clarity and confidence. Not only did she step into the VP role, but this time, it was on her terms, fully aligned with her values, and career vision.

With her renewed confidence and sharpened strategic lens, RyanMae is now able to clearly connect People initiatives to business impact. To summarize, she has immersed herself in “knowing the business”. Today, she’s calmer in her leadership, clearer in her communication, and no longer afraid to ask for help.

This wouldn’t have been possible if not for the faculty and community inside the People Leader Accelerator.

Her Advice to Future Attendees

“Making the investment in myself was more than a lesson plan, or learning program. It was a full rebuild of my perspective, emotions, and tool belt so that I can be a more effective, confident, and capable people leader. I am less isolated and confident in reaching to my community when I need a resource, assist, or place to just work through my thoughts.”