At AnaVation, we take pride in the incredible AnaVators who contribute to our company’s success and like to highlight their accomplishments, experiences, and career journey since joining our team. This month, we’re excited to spotlight Stephanie, a Proposal Analyst who has been with AnaVation for over three years!

Since joining AnaVation in 2021, Stephanie has embraced opportunities to develop her skills, particularly in organization and time management. Stephanie describes how her taskings often have many moving parts and requirements. “While I worked on contract, it was very important for me to adhere to deadlines. The only way to really do this was to become very organized and strategic in how I used my time,” she explains. Moving into her current role as a Proposal Analyst allowed her to enhance those skills even further, refining her ability to solve challenges efficiently.

One of Stephanie’s favorite aspects of her job is seeing how each team member contributes to a final product. “We all have a part to play in a large task and we have a great understanding of working as a team at AnaVation,” she notes. She attributes her commitment to AnaVation to the positive work environment, work-life balance, and growth opportunities. The remote work policies and welcoming office space have allowed her to maintain flexibility. “Feeling like I can have a personal life, and a work life is wonderful,” she says. “Recognition of individual and team efforts has helped build morale and reinforced a sense of belonging within the company.”

Stephanie describes AnaVation’s core values as focusing on the company’s commitment to innovation and transparency. “Our communication is open and transparent with regular check-ins and feedback opportunities. AnaVation has a culture of encouragement, where both supervisors and peers celebrate achievements, big and small, motivating everyone to strive for excellence,” she emphasized. Her supervisor and fellow team members provided frequent feedback that helped refine her skills and enhance project outcomes. “They share valuable tools, knowledge, and experiences, contributing to a collaborative knowledge base that benefits everyone.” Stephanie appreciates how AnaVation fosters an environment where employees feel valued and offers her growth opportunities to reach her career goals. “AnaVation has a one-of-a-kind culture and I’m always happy to be part of the team.”

Stephanie finds inspiration in singer Chappell Roan, a pop icon who grew up in a small town in Missouri and worked her way up to fame. Stephanie looks up to Chappell’s perseverance and dedication to following her dreams despite challenges. “From being dropped from her first label and being left to pick up the pieces, Chappell trusted her own gut and worked her way through the industry as an independent artist. I have learned through the years to never give up on your dreams and be who you want to be despite any hiccups that may come along the way. She is living proof that dreams do come true, but you might have to go through obstacles to get there first,” Stephanie relates.

Outside of work, Stephanie’s building skill extends to an impressive hobby—LEGO collecting. She particularly enjoys larger sets like modular buildings and vehicles. Since beginning this hobby in 2011, she has amassed 125 sets, totaling approximately 141,453 pieces! “LEGO has become more popular over the years, but I have always liked the relaxation vibe that building LEGOs gives,” she shares. Each year, she eagerly anticipates the release of a new modular building set, making it a tradition to add to her ever-growing collection.

A fun fact about Stephanie is that she can drive a manual transmission. “I learned when I was young and have loved it ever since. Most cars no longer come with a manual transmission. Once you learn how to drive manual, it is like riding a bike. You tend to keep that learned skill for the rest of your life.” When she’s not working or assembling intricate LEGO creations, Stephanie enjoys video gaming with her spouse, shopping, and reading. She’s also a proud dog mom to two Boston Terriers, Elvira and Loretta, who she describes as “very spoiled princesses” and one of the top best dogs to have in your household.

AnaVation focuses on fostering a positive work environment and supporting our employees as they grow in their careers. With a dedication to excellence, collaboration, and the ability to balance work and personal interests, Stephanie exemplifies what it means to be an AnaVator. We look forward to continue building workplace success—one “LEGO brick” at a time!