What do the career path and the day-in-the-life look like for a Global Director DE&I, Engagement & Culture at Duck Creek Technologies?
We connected with Amy Bayer to find out!
Interested in learning more about Duck Creek Technologies and their job openings? Make sure to check out their company page on VentureFizz!
Where did you grow up? What did your parents do for work?
I grew up in Northern Illinois, about 90 minutes from Chicago. My mom was a nurse and then moved into management roles within the healthcare industry. She initially got her nursing degree, which was typical at the time, and then she went back to school 30 years later to complete her Bachelor of Science degree. I have always been so proud of my mom - she is an excellent role model of professionalism, determination, and resilience.
Where did you go to college? What did you study and what were some of your initial jobs out of school?
I went to a small liberal arts college in the suburbs of Chicago - Lewis University. I double majored in Human Resources Management and Psychology. I began my freshman year knowing I wanted to work in the Human Resources (HR) field. I have enjoyed my career so far, which has been entirely in HR. Not many people can say they experienced their entire career within the same field they also studied at college. Human Resources has evolved so much over the years. My initial jobs were all in the manufacturing industry. I was a true HR generalist and did everything from recruiting to employee relations, and from benefits to the safety committees. I still remember many of my early learning lessons of do’s and don’ts in HR after all of these years.
What advice can you share that has contributed to your success thus far and has helped propel you to the position you have now?
I once heard this quote, and it has always stuck with me: “there are no elevators to the top; you have to take the stairs every time.” Throughout my career, I have found this to be entirely true. It is so critical to take every step so you can learn as you go, and there are no fast passes for life experiences and wisdom. I can be very impatient, and I have had to learn this lesson repeatedly. It is important to have patience and appreciation for where you are in your career journey -success will not always be linear. Every role throughout my career has had key learnings and takeaways that have helped me get to where I am today.
Can you share the high-level responsibilities of your current position as Global Director, DE&I, Engagement, and Culture at Duck Creek Technologies?
I am responsible for developing, leading, and executing the DE&I (diversity, equity and inclusion), engagement, and culture strategy. I create enriching and engaging programs for all employees across the global organization. I strive to help drive the employee experience, shape the workplace culture, and build the corporate strategy of fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture that instills a sense of belonging.
Any tips for someone considering a career in your field?
Some of the greatest success I have had in my career is never being afraid to reinvent myself and jumping into situations feet first. Be open to learning from different experiences, people, and places. Get wrapped up in learning from a podcast or a book, or even go back to school and take a class or get a certificate or degree. At work, raise your hand for projects and propose new ideas or roles within your team. Lean into putting yourself out there, being vulnerable, and feeling uncomfortable. Dream big. The payoff will be well worth it.
Day in the Life
Coffee, tea, or nothing?
Coffee. I start my day by working out and then grabbing a coffee from Starbucks. I either take some time to reflect on my day or week ahead, or I take the coffee with me on a walk while listening to a podcast.
What time do you start working?
I typically start anywhere between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. or earlier; it will just depend on the day and my meetings. We are a global company and I need to be flexible in meeting and collaborating with our teams in different time zones. Morning hours are ideal for meetings, planning, and collaboration with our colleagues in Europe, Asia, and Australia.
What are three things that motivate you in your role?
So many things motivate me! I genuinely love what I do and I love working at Duck Creek. If I had to narrow it down to just three things that motivate me, I would say: I am given the independence to make decisions and build the DE&I, Engagement and Culture strategy and department, I have a leader who trusts me and I trust her, and I get to dream big and try new ideas. Courtney Townsend, Duck Creek’s Chief People Officer, has been incredibly supportive of me yet challenges me in positive ways. She is the perfect leader for me.
Every day is different, but can you outline what a typical day looks like for you?
A typical day involves a lot of planning and collaborative meetings on new initiatives and DE&I programming. Another portion of my day consists of listening, observing, and keeping my ear to the ground. I need to have a good handle on what employees are feeling and experiencing. I have a no-door policy - I want to gather feedback and make myself accessible and learn as much as possible the organization and people.
What time do you typically wrap up the workday?
I struggle with the “wrap-up” part of the workday. Over this past year, I have spent so much time building this department and creating programs and employee councils, etc. Everything we now have in place has been created by our dedicated team. The work I get to experience and undertake is so fulfilling and I enjoy investing my time in it because, in the long run, I know my efforts will all pay off.
Do you log back in at night or do you shut it down completely? 
Typically, my husband and I cook dinner together and we eat as a family. Then, I usually go back and either finish some work for a couple of hours to set myself up for success for the next day, or I have schoolwork to do. I am also currently pursuing a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership.
Any productivity hacks?
Understanding your energy levels and knowing when to accomplish specific tasks is very helpful. My energy is the highest in the morning and I typically schedule the most complex or most detailed task then. I also think it is important to understand what tasks are draining to you or not energizing. Of course, there are some parts of our jobs we cannot completely avoid. The key is to be mindful of those draining tasks and figure out how to work best to accomplish them. Sage Milton, Duck Creek’s Social Impact lead, and I schedule a live Teams call to work on some of our more detailed duties. We work independently on the call, which helps us stay motivated and accountable for finishing the tasks we have been avoiding.
What are the three apps that you can’t live without?
I do not think I can narrow it down to three, so I listed four apps that I can’t live without: the Mindbody app (since I am a planner I love to schedule my exercise classes), the Calendar app (yes, I love to plan and prepare), the Amazon Kindle app (I am a confessed book nerd), and lastly the Spotify app (so I can listen to more podcasts).
What professional accomplishment are you proudest of?
I am most proud that I have been able to return to the workforce 3½ years ago after taking a break to be a full-time parent for ten years. I felt like I had started all over and lacked confidence in myself. I had wrapped up my identity in my kids and husband. As my kids grew older and needed me less, I did not know who I was anymore, what I was passionate about, and what gave me joy. Coming back to the workforce was an incredibly humbling experience. I have stretched myself over the last year, achieved some of my career goals, and returned to school.
Who do you admire or call upon for professional advice?
I have a couple of colleagues that I have worked with professionally in the last few years who I admire and call upon for professional advice: Katelyn David and Martine Williams to name a couple. I admire both for so many reasons. I have learned from them, and they have inspired me to do better. They have given me excellent advice and gentle nudging when I needed it most. They have always been encouraging and supportive. Everyone needs a Katelyn or Martine in their life.
