WPFN Member Spotlight: Kelsey Earle

This month we’re highlighting WPFN Member Kelsey Earle, finance director for the City of Auburn, Maine. Kelsey was a mentee in last year’s WPFN Mentorship Program and is serving as a mentor in this year’s Program.

What Leadership style do you find to be most successful and why?

The style I have both found success with as a leader as well as an employee is “collaborative.” Staff feel more empowered and valued when their feedback is asked for, when suggestions become part of the solutions, and concerns are addressed and taken seriously. I have an open-door policy, and my team feels comfortable coming to me with anything, good news, or challenges; my door is only ever shut if I’m in a Zoom. We hold regular team meetings, and the openness has allowed for better communication and team relations overall. My main goal is employee satisfaction and teamwork because I believe when people feel good about their workplace and know that we want them to succeed and progress, they care more about a job well done.

What is a challenge that you had in your career and how did you overcome it?

A lengthy negative experience with a supervisor that sapped my confidence and at the time, hindered my learning. I decided that I was no longer going to allow that to affect me and on the search for solutions, found WPFN’s Mentorship Program. With my mentor’s guidance, I feel more confident in my abilities; no question is deemed unworthy of a thoughtful response; and I have now been elevated to the position of finance director within my organization. I still have questions, but I know that I have the ability to keep moving forward and have people that care about my success.

What are your favorite ways to relieve stress and/or decompress?

My favorite way is by spending time with my kiddos; I have two boys ages 17 and 10! We like to be outside walking, swimming, hiking, and skiing, or settling in with a good book when the weather is undesirable.