#PGProfiles: Honoring Heritage, Shaping Tomorrow

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

I am a mother of four, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend and a colleague. Born in the vividly colorful and historically rich town of Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico, my life took a significant turn when I was just three years old. My parents left everything behind in Mexico—their home, sus familias, their language, their roots—all for the hope of something better. Not just for themselves, but for the generations to come. And that sacrifice is one I will never forget. In my darkest moments, when I felt like giving up or when I was too tired to keep going, I thought of them—their strength, their courage, and their love. 
Navigating life in the U.S. wasn't without its share of challenges. I was a DACA recipient, and that made every phase of my education a steep climb. Through years of hard work, from elementary school all the way to graduate school, I eventually earned not one, but two master's degrees!

My US Marine husband and I have four lovely children—Kaylani, Dominic, Draco and Kianna. As a family, we love to explore the outdoors, create new dishes, and we're a huge sports family! My two boys keep me busy with football and soccer, while my daughter Kaylani keeps us busy with Competition cheer. 

How did you come to work at PG and what has kept you here?

This coming January, I will have worked at Populus Group for seven years. Populus Group has provided the resources and opportunities to discover and challenge myself. I truly believe in our mission and our culture. 

Tell us about your PG career journey so far.  

I started my career here at PG as Payroll Service Specialist (PSS), and I was very hesitant — I don't like working with numbers! Math is not my strongest skill. With two master’s degrees in healthcare, I decided to go off the beaten path and say “Why not?”.

While working as a PSS, I had a great leader (who is no longer here at PG) who left an imprint in my journey. She encouraged me to open up and challenge any process that didn’t see fit. Because of my detail-oriented skills, I transitioned over to the Foreign National Team as a PSS, where I discovered many gaps and trends. That's when the light switch came on, and I knew I wanted to pursue my passion for training.

Two years ago, I transitioned over to the Payroll Training Specialist role. My goal is to continue sharing my gifts and help our Delivery and Foreign National Talent Management (FNTM) departments build processes and training resources for future Climbers.

How do you stay connected with your team in a remote/hybrid work environment?

Working in a remote/hybrid environment has made it challenging to feel engaged, especially when my team is split between Troy and Lombard.
Our team has created opportunities by:

• Weekly "Red zones"
• "Training Queens" connects on Fridays
• Quarterly DATPS (three virtual and one in-person)
• Stephanie and I like to go into the office at least once a month or when there is an event happening in the office

How do you like to unwind after a busy day?

Unwind after a busy day? As I mentioned before, as a mom of four, my work doesn’t end after my 9–5 job. It continues with making dinner, being an Uber driver as I take my kids from one sport to another, helping with homework, and bedtime routines.

One day, I’ll be able to unwind after a busy day, but until then, I’m embracing the craziness of our lives!

What was the job where you earned your first paycheck?

Safari Land Amusement Park was my first job, where I earned my first paycheck as a ride attendant. This was my first step into the professional world — gaining real-world experience, building foundational skills, and learning about my strengths and weaknesses. All the money I earned went toward college.

What's the best advice you'd give someone who just started their career?

For anyone starting their career, there are three things you should focus on: maintaining a healthy work-life balance, asking questions, and building a strong professional network.

While it’s important to show commitment and take on new projects to make a great first impression, it’s just as crucial to maintain balance and avoid burnout. Quality over quantity.

Secondly, ask questions — and then ask more questions. Absorb as much information as possible and understand the “why” behind the process. This will help you become a stronger SME in your role.

Lastly, build strong working relationships by venturing out of your comfort zone. Connect with other departments (Snack Chats!) to learn about their roles and how they intersect with yours. Build a network with other professionals to strengthen your career and your skills.

If you could share one piece of advice with other working parents, what would it be?

The biggest advice I can share with other working parents is to set boundaries. It’s hard to separate work and life in a remote/hybrid environment, but it’s necessary.

What do I mean by setting boundaries? Turn off your Teams notifications. Put your devices away during family time or weekend outings. By being intentional about separating work from home, you’re letting your family know they come first.

If you were a sauce, which would you be and why?

To figure out what type of sauce I would be I decided to take a quiz. Based on my quiz, I am a fiery hot sauce. It says that I bring heat and intensity to everything that I do. My adventurous nature adds spice to life’s experiences, leaving a lasting impression wherever I go. 

List anything else you want us to know!  (fun facts, favorite memories, other aspects of your story, etc)

I’ve been a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer for the past three years in Kendall County, IL. As an advocate, I speak up for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. I am their voice, and I can change their story.

Lastly, I recently became a U.S. citizen — a milestone that brings great relief and pride, especially given the events happening in our nation.

We're so happy to have Joanna on our team! Leave a comment below to celebrate her and thank her for sharing!