2020 was a year of change, challenge, and community. We came together as a global team to support our 89,000+ paying customers navigating the changes we all were facing. As teammates, we leaned into our emphasis on real talk, bringing our whole selves to work, and connecting through our employee resource group (ERG) communities. We launched new product features to help global teams collaborate, and unlock the ability of our customers to achieve their missions, faster. Asanaβs north star has always been the well-being of our employees and serving our customers. As global teams transitioned to distributed workforces and navigated through unprecedented change this year, our commitment to helping the worldβs teams thrive and leading consciously became more important than ever.
To celebrate the resilience and heartitude of our global team in 2020, weβre sharing some of their perspectives on how they supported each other to stay connected, grow, and serve our customers.
Supporting our diverse communities remotely
This year there were so many factors that affected how we showed up to work each day. At Asana we focused on creating an environment where every individual feels like they can bring their whole self to work, no matter what the day throws at them. When employees feel heard, respected, and valued, they can do their best work.
βI have never felt more βseenβ and supported in my career than at Asana. As a leader, parent and Latina in tech, Iβm encouraged to bring my collective experiences forward and be clear about my values and boundaries, so I can advocate for those who donβt have the same access. I have never had to compromise on my commitments to lifting up others while keeping a sense of humor and joy for what I do intact.β βSteph Hess, Corporate Marketing, San Francisco
βAt Asana weβre encouraged to bring our whole selves to work. To me, this means having the psychological safety net in place to feel comfortable sharing the non-work dimensions of my life. These moments of authenticity sprinkled throughout my day allow me to connect fearlessly with my teammates and practice heartitude (one of our core values) in my daily interactions.β βHanna Metaferia, Professional Services Consultant, San Francisco
Supportive teammates around the world
At Asana, we saw the shift to remote working as an opportunity to double down on building workplace relationships and remote community. This year we focused on keeping our global, distributed team connected from anywhere.
βThe people at Asana are incredible. Iβve felt so lucky to work with such a talented and diverse group of people here in EMEA. Weβre all enjoying the excitement of growing the company, but at the same time we always manage to take time to share in the wins and enjoy the ride together.β βAbbey Smith, Talent Acquisition, Dublin
βAt Asana, we care deeply about the well-being of our teams and provide them with space to feel all of their feelings about everything going on. This meant discouraging folks from booking back-to-back meetings all day, and reinforcing that itβs okay to prioritize a supportive phone call to a friend or parent who needs them.β βPrashant Pandey, Head of Engineering, San Francisco
βI was only in the Munich office for three days before the transition to remote work. Even in the short amount of time that I got real face-to-face connection, I have always felt like a true part of the team and still have been able to make strong relationships and friendships with the team. I canβt wait to get back to the office someday to feel the energy of my teammates!β βAnna Vossschulte, Enterprise Account Executive, Munich
A mission that connects and motivates our team
This year weβve been fueled by the opportunity to empower even more teams around the world to achieve their biggest goals.
βThe mission and the people I get to work with is what makes me want to show up every day. The partnerships and collaborative approach we have as a company makes my work so fulfilling. Asana is a place and a product that helps people thrive. I feel lucky to be a part of it.β βJamie Randolph, Administrative Business Partner, San Francisco
βThe work we do every day is allowing teams all over the world, regardless of industry or size, to manage all of their work and achieve complete clarity rather than getting caught up and wasting time doing the βwork about work.β Weβre given a chance to help build and shape the future of work. I canβt ask for a better opportunity to be a part of.β βJuan Ballinas Rangel, Sales Renewals Executive, San Francisco
Building an essential tool for teams to accomplish their goals
As teams everywhere navigated a new world of work and an uncertain climate, we leaned into the value of Asana more than ever.
βNow more than ever, we need to find creative solutions to help one another overcome the challenges of how teams work together. Tools like Asana make this possibleβitβs helped me continue to be effective at my job. Iβm so thankful that I get to build, and use a tool that encourages collaboration, empathy, and accountability.β βJinyoung Chang, Software Engineer, San Francisco
βI led my team to launch our Goals feature, which allows teams to see how goals cascade, and creates clarity on the purpose of everyoneβs work. To celebrate we shipped shirts, cookies, and a soccer ball (you know, for βGoalsβ) to every person who helped us toward our launch. We scheduled a video call with everyone who received it for a virtual celebration, packed with toasts, stories, and a live DJ!β βAnirudh Garg, Engineering Program Lead, New York
Supportive community through our ERGs
Over the last year, weβve continued to ensure that weβre building thriving internal communities. In these inclusive spaces, every single person feels that they can have and share their own unique perspective.
βI never had to βcome outβ at Asana. From day one, I could show up exactly as I am, with no assumptions. Little details, like seeing preferred pronouns next to everyoneβs name, constantly remind me what an open and inclusive place this is. My favorite part of the Team Rainbow community at Asana is seeing how many people outside of the queer community show up as allies, both at events and in conversation. That is really powerful and makes me feel so supported.β βLibby Robinson, Software Engineer, Vancouver
βAs an ERG lead, I am able to support the LGBTQIA+ community and be an outspoken mental health advocate at workβtwo things I never would have dreamed of doing before Asana. This year I had the unique opportunity to launch Asanaβs first-ever programming for Mental Health Awareness Month and it was amazing.β βAllie Rubenstein, Talent Acquisition, San Francisco
βThe Team Rainbow community has provided me with a safe space to learn about the many faces that make up my communityβfrom allies to community members that donβt share the same pronouns as me. Itβs all been a constant learning experience, which empowers me to care for and love my community better.β βSebastion Gibson, Customer Success, San Francisco
A team that inspires each other to grow and make an impact
βNever stop learning. Take every opportunity you can to participate in tech talks and conferences, and chat with people to expand your network. Donβt forget weβre all human beingsβbring your heritage and your smile, and have fun!β βMarinho Moreira, Product Engineer, Vancouver
βDonβt waste energy trying to justify your βatypicalβ experience. The diversity of backgrounds is part of what positions the next generation of tech leaders to be so successful. Focus on identifying your unique skill set and determine what you want to capitalize on next.β βJocey Karlan, Product Lead, San Francisco
βHave grit, be passionate, and donβt get discouraged. You canβt beat commitment and persistence.β βSteve Morin, Head of Mobile Engineering, San Francisco
Kick-start your New Year and join #teamasana
Join us to make an impact and discover a future filled with opportunities and growth. Weβre looking for collaborative, mission-driven people to be part of our journey building the future of work. Kick-start your year by exploring our open positions around the world!