The Home Depot's Senior Director of Workforce Programs Erin Izen will be celebrated at the NRF Foundation Honors as one of the dynamic leaders on The List of People Shaping Retail's Future 2023. She reflects on leaping headfirst into opportunity, earning your chances and getting creative to make an impact.
Here are a few questions, along with Izen’s abbreviated answers (watch the video above for all "20 Questions"):
How did you get to the role you are currently in?
My current job is my dream role.
I believe there is an intersection where business and philanthropy meet, where big companies can use their resources and influence for the greater good, helping both their profits and the communities around them.
When we decided to fund a team focused on our business-side investments in philanthropy, I didn’t just jump, I leapt headfirst, straight at the hiring leader and our CHRO to convince them I was the only person for this job.
What do you do to stand out?
Whatever my level and role, I have always owned the box I’m given and strived to be the best at whatever I am handed, even if it’s not my favorite job.
I believe that if you do well in one area, you’ll earn your chance to try another one.
What innovations are you most proud of?
With the growing skilled labor gap in the U.S., my team designed a social media platform to connect prospects wanting to work in the trades with our Pro customers looking to hire.
Our idea was that we could help people in underprivileged communities find wealth-creating opportunities with our own professional customers.
We built the Path to Pro Network from scratch, and it rolled out nationally in October.
Finding ways for the massive brand that is The Home Depot to leverage its influence and size in creative ways to help the community is what I'm most passionate about.
How does your company – and the retail industry overall – impact people in every community every day?
At The Home Depot, we have thousands of stores all over the continent, and, by taking care of our associates and providing them with great careers, we are helping narrow the wealth gap.
We also make strategic investments in our communities, both in our business and through our Foundation, with focuses like DEI, workforce development and the military.
I encourage retailers and brands both big and small to find your niche and where you can make an impact, and then get creative in doing it.
The NRF Foundation connects people to an industry that’s a great place to start and a great place to grow. Since 2015, the NRF Foundation Honors has raised the funds to continue to provide programs and resources to help people build better lives and stronger communities. Join us in New York City and be a part of the story of how retail builds extraordinary careers.