We sat down with System's operations leader to learn more about the open-hearted, team-specific ritual that convinced her to come onboard — and what she'd share about her experience working here.

What were you doing before you joined System?

I was on the market looking for my next opportunity, after my initial taste of the startup life as the first hire for a tech company operating in stealth mode at the time.

What was the moment or reason that made you decide to join?

At System, the final step of the hiring process asks prospective candidates to give a systems thinking presentation on the topic of their choice to the entire team. I knew I wanted to join System the moment that the group discussion started after my own final presentation … on psilocybin. I'd been nervous about how the topic would land, but instead of judgment, everyone leaned in with genuine curiosity. The questions they asked and the points they raised showed me a level of openness and intellectual generosity I hadn't found anywhere else, and I remember thinking, “This is exactly the kind of team I want to be part of.”

Which of these mattered most in your decision?

The mission and problems we're solving, the people I met during the interview process, the growth and learning opportunities offered, and encouragement from a close friend.

What's one moment since joining that confirmed you made the right call?

What struck me most was a moment when people reached for System’s core values and mission to make a hard decision, when the easy answer and the right answer weren’t the same thing. That showed me that our values aren't just recited for show and then set aside. They’re the lens through which decisions actually get made. 

What would you tell a friend who asked you, "Should I work at System?"

If you want to build meaningful products and work with some of the most thoughtful and intelligent people you've ever met, join System.