Member Spotlight: Stefanie Mockler

Name
Stefanie Mockler

Position/Employer
President & Co-Founder, The Violet Group

How long have you been a SIOP member?
I joined as a new graduate student in 2012, and I've been a member ever since!

What roles have you had within SIOP?
I co-chaired the Ambassador Program Committee for two years along with my colleague, Catherine Savage. We navigated running a hybrid program after the pandemic and built in a few ways to engage as Ambassadors and SIOP Newcomers. It was a challenging and enriching experience!

Interest area(s)
Leadership Development, Coaching, Entrepreneurship, Women in Leadership, Work-Family Integration, Creating Inclusive Cultures

What sparked your interest in I-O psychology?
I've always had a passion for both deeply understanding and helping people. I was fortunate to learn about I-O psychology from a business school professor while I was in undergrad. I dove into the space, learned about the various ways I could positively influence people's workplace experiences, and the rest was history! We spend such a large percentage of our lives at work, why not make it the most impactful, enriching experience possible?

What role do you see I-O psychology playing in the future of work?
What role will I-O NOT play in the future of work? That's the question from my perspective. I-O is not only a fast-growing field, but the impact I-Os can have is becoming more and more understood and recognized. I suspect (and hope) that this combination will have us seeing I-Os at the forefront of our future workplaces - using research and practice to shape culture, policy, and organizational practices in ways that will help humans thrive in their work lives.

What work trends are you seeing and hearing about and how can I-O psychology practitioners, educators, and students impact these trends?
The rise of hybrid work, rapid evolution and constant change across industries, increasing use of AI, and globalization will continue to impact the world of I-O, and will require increasing study and practice to ensure I-O understands how to shape and support the individuals, leaders, and teams of the future.

What advice would you give to students or those early in their career?
Don't be afraid to ASK FOR IT! Ask for support, ask for mentorship, ask for the resources that will help you thrive and succeed in your schooling and early career. All too often, I've observed students or early careers suffer in silence, or spend too much time spinning their wheels to independently address issues and challenges - sometimes, the solution you're looking for is simply a question away.

What is one of your favorite SIOP Annual Conference memories/highlights?
The Ambassador Program coffee and chat in Seattle, Washington, in 2022. After 2 years of virtual meetups and a pandemic, it was so fulfilling to see old friends and meet new connections at that year's conference. I'll also never forget my very first SIOP Annual Conference experience in Houston where I roomed up with four fellow DePaul students - talk about memories!

Please share one non-I-O-related bit of information about yourself.
I love all things health and wellness and am pretty obsessed with finding new, interesting ways to take care of myself - from infrared sauna and cold plunge to new supplements - I'm interested in learning about and testing it all! I also initially wanted to study health and wellness programs in organizations when I applied for grad school. I went a different route but still have a passion for helping myself and other people live healthy, happy lives.

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