Celebrating Women’s History Month: Steph Sorensen, Employee Spotlight Series

With a workforce of 50% women and 50% men, Perform^[cb] is continuously making strides towards creating a diverse environment for all of our team members. Besides being a welcoming culture, according to a recent survey, a company with a balanced workforce (50/50 men/women), can generate 41% more revenue.  As we continue celebrating Women’s History Month, our third spotlight goes to Steph Sorensen, Partner Executive. Learn more about her role models, adventurous spirit, and advice she has for women entering the workforce.

Q: Which female historical figure has been an inspiration to you?

While not technically a historical figure, I really look up to woman entrepreneurs and business owners who have built their brands from the ground up. Personally, I love the CEO of Bumble, Whitney Wolfe Heard, who became the youngest self-made billionaire after taking the company public. I actually met my fiance, Austen, while using the Bumble app, so I am very thankful for Whitney and the bada$$ woman she has become.

Q: If you have a female figure of inspiration within Perform[cb], please provide some details around who they are and how they inspire or drive you?

Someone who I have always looked up to is Abby Campbell, our VP of Agency. Abby was the reason I was so drawn to the partner team from the beginning. It was extremely apparent how much she cared about her team’s growth and success, and she has been an amazing mentor to me along the entire way. She’s not afraid to push me out of my comfort zone, which has helped me grow both personally and professionally throughout these last few years.

Q: If you could give your teenage or childhood self a piece of advice, what would it be? 

Never underestimate the power of self-confidence and knowing your true self-worth. I spent many years trying to figure out what I wanted to do and unsure of what I wanted to become of myself. I’ve learned that believing in yourself and honing in on your natural skills will translate into any job or career you want to pursue. Once I understood that it was okay to not have every skill set out there and realized that I had many qualities I could bring to the table, it really helped to shift my mindset from self-doubt to “I can do this.” You always have to be your biggest advocate through life, and if you believe in yourself and your self-worth, others will too. 

Q: Who is your role model?

My mom is hands down the most inspirational person in my life and the reason I am who I am today. I grew up watching her work as a successful attorney, while also being an amazing role model for my brother and me to look up to. She’s always been my biggest cheerleader through every phase of my life. I’m so thankful to have such a close relationship with her. She used to always tell me that “the only person that can fight for you is yourself,” instilling in me a strong work ethic and self-worth for myself in every situation, both personal and professional. I can only hope to be the same role model to my future daughter as I’ve learned from the best. 

Q: How has Perform^[cb] helped nurture your career development?

As I’m approaching my third year with Perform^[cb], I’m eternally grateful to be part of such an amazing, supportive culture. Seeing how successful and driven my colleagues are every day is something that will always push me to be the best. This company has pushed me to grow and develop into the best version of myself that I can be.

Q: What do you enjoy most about Perform^[cb]’s company culture?

The “work hard, play hard” mentality really shines through at Perform^[cb]. It’s amazing to work side-by-side with some of the most motivated people I’ve been around. Not many people get to say that some of their closest friends have been made at work, but it’s something that is so special to me. All of the efforts that go into planning team outings and events are so appreciated, and definitely a major contributor to why many employees have been at this company for several years. 

Q: What would be your advice to other women entering this industry?

Because this industry is ever-changing and we’re constantly learning new tools and best practices, I think it’s important to never hesitate to ask questions. If you’re confused or second-guessing anything, the best advice I can give is to be open and ask what’s on your mind. I’ve learned that when you work for such a supportive culture, questions are encouraged and the key to your development and growth within the company. 

Q: What’s a fun fact about yourself?

I was diagnosed with Scoliosis when I was in kindergarten and wore a back brace up until I was 13 when I then got a double spinal fusion. My doctor gave me a list of things that I should avoid in the future, with bungee jumping being one of them. To prove to them I could do it, I decided to bungee jump off of the largest waterfall in the world – Victoria Falls in Zambia. I still live to tell the story!

Join our Team!

At Perform^[cb], we take immense pride in being a woman-led company. We strive to foster a culture that inspires the next generation of female leaders in performance marketing and beyond. Do you think bigger? Check out our current openings and join us if you think Perform^[cb] would be a good fit for you!