Briana Peterson: A Decade of Excellence, Growth, and Team Support at Cardinal Group

At Cardinal, our culture embodies many different elements: it’s about improving as a team while having fun growing together both personally and professionally. Our team members are the heart and soul of our culture! We are so grateful for the efforts our team members put in daily to go the extra mile to help change the industry and challenge the status quo.

Today we’re celebrating Briana Peterson and her dedicated years of service to the growth of our team over the last 10 years.

Learn more about Briana’s journey below!

 

What is your role?

I’m the Manager of Systems Support here at Cardinal, which means I get to work with our amazing team on Systems and IT. We’re essentially the behind-the-scenes problem-solvers! If you ever find yourself needing user support or systems or tech assistance, our Helpdesk, powered by Solarwinds, is your go-to spot.

Describe your Cardinal Journey

My Cardinal journey began by applying for a Marketing Internship. Although my initial design skills were admittedly basic, my strong communication abilities, assertive attitude and attention to detail were quickly recognized. This led to a full-time role as a Marketing Associate, where I managed Basecamp, website design, and community events – a position I truly enjoyed. After about ten months, my growing understanding of Marketing Systems caught the attention of the Systems Manager. This pivotal moment resulted in a promotion to Marketing Systems Specialist, marking my transition to the Systems team. Since then, I’ve steadily expanded my expertise in systems, project management, and team leadership, progressing through Specialist I, II, and Senior roles before ultimately becoming the Manager of our Systems and IT team.

Who has been influential in your life, and how have they helped guide you? 

Throughout my professional journey at Cardinal, many individuals have significantly contributed to my growth. However, a constant and invaluable presence has been Isa Aguilar. She has been a true rock for me throughout the majority of my career here. I deeply admire her unwavering team mentality, her proactive go-getter attitude, her meticulous intellect that leaves no detail overlooked or forgotten, and her direct and authentic “say-it-like-you-mean-it” leadership style. Beyond these qualities, Isa is a genuine light and has consistently been my biggest cheerleader, both in my professional endeavors and personal life. Her team-first approach has reinforced the importance of collaboration in my own work, while her go-getter attitude has inspired me to take initiative and pursue challenges with enthusiasm. I’ve also learned the value of thoroughness and attention to detail by observing her work. Moreover, her direct communication has encouraged me to be more assertive and transparent in my own interactions. Knowing I have her support and encouragement has been a constant source of strength and motivation.

 

What is something about the culture at Cardinal that you value or enjoy? 

I highly value the inclusive nature of the culture at Cardinal. It’s inspiring to work in an environment where you are surrounded by individuals with such diverse backgrounds and life experiences. The friendships I’ve formed here with people from all walks of life have been incredibly enriching. This diversity of thought and perspective undoubtedly contributes to a more creative and innovative workplace.

Can you share a home office tip that has improved your work-from-home office experience? 

For me, a clean workspace is non-negotiable when it comes to concentration. I’ve learned that taking the time to eliminate distractions before starting my workday is a direct investment in my focus and productivity. Creating that clear physical space translates to a clearer mental space. Additionally, I’ve found that proactively scheduling breaks and setting firm end-of-day times are vital for protecting my work-life balance and mitigating the risk of burnout that can easily creep in when working from home.

If you could spend a day in any department at Cardinal, which one would it be and why? 

If I could spend a day in any department at Cardinal, my absolute first choice would be the Marketing Team… but only if they happened to be having a team-building day at Disney World!

Realistically though, the department I’d be most interested in spending a day with would be Talent Acquisition, specifically working alongside Jessica Phillips. I’ve always been so impressed by Jessica’s helpfulness and incredibly upbeat attitude – she brings such positive energy to everything she does. I’d genuinely love the opportunity to see the recruitment process firsthand, from screening candidates to interviewing potential future Cardinal team members. It would be fascinating to learn about how they identify individuals who not only have the right skills but also embody the Cardinal culture. Plus, contributing to bringing talented and enthusiastic people into the company, even for just a day, sounds incredibly rewarding.

What is a skill you have developed during your career that you didn’t know you had?

A skill I’ve developed during my career that I didn’t know I possessed was the ability to confidently rise to daunting challenges, even when they initially felt outside my comfort zone. Early on, I wasn’t very good at identifying my own strengths and often underestimated my capabilities, leading me to sometimes shy away from anything that felt intimidating.

However, there were pivotal moments where I was pushed to confront situations that scared me – whether it was a all-company presentation or a complex project. In those moments, I discovered an unexpected resilience and ability to learn under pressure. What surprised me most was realizing that I was capable of far more than I initially believed. Developing this “lean into the fear” mentality has been transformative. It has empowered me to embrace new opportunities, build confidence in tackling the unfamiliar, and ultimately accelerate my growth. I’ve learned that the things that scare me the most often lead to the greatest discoveries about my own capabilities. Now, instead of staying within my comfort zone, I’m more inclined to step forward and see what I can achieve.

What’s a memorable project or initiative you’ve been part of at Cardinal? 

Two particularly memorable initiatives I had the privilege of being part of at Cardinal were the establishment of our current 12-week paid parental leave policy and the creation of a dedicated pumping room at HQ.

The enhanced 12-week paid parental leave was particularly meaningful to me. As a first-time mom, I personally experienced a disconnect between our Core Values and the support I felt. I was lost and frustrated, feeling like I wasn’t being cared for in the same way I had been before having a baby. This experience fueled my desire to advocate for better support for other new parents. Being part of the focus group that shaped this policy, which now provides significant support to employees during such a crucial life stage, was incredibly rewarding.

Separately, I also advocated to establish a dedicated pumping room at our headquarters for nursing mothers. This project arose from the lack of a comfortable and dedicated space for new moms returning to work. This initiative involved giving one of our meeting rooms a facelift and installing a lock, providing the comfort, privacy, and security that nursing mothers deserve. Seeing this space actively used and knowing it makes a tangible difference in the well-being of our team members has been deeply fulfilling.

Both of these initiatives stand out because they directly contribute to a more supportive and inclusive work environment at Cardinal. They reflect a genuine commitment to our employees’ lives, both inside and outside of work, and I’m incredibly proud to have played a role in bringing them to fruition.