Hundo P

Melissa Obleada has been my teammate on People Operations for five years. As of August 3rd, she will no longer be my direct teammate, as she’s joining HubSpot’s Associate UX Rotational Program. I wanted to share a few reasons why I’m celebrating, in spite of a few tears along the way. 

On the surface, Melissa and I don’t look like we have a lot in common. She is an introvert. I’m an extrovert. She’s Filipino, queer, and full of witty, self-deprecating jokes that make people laugh when she presents. I’m Irish, straight, and not very funny. She wears Hawaiian shirts with flair and flat-brimmed hats. Hats don’t suit my extremely large head and only wear Hawaiian shirts for theme parties. She loves poke bowls and quiet time at work, while I love pizza and to be right in the middle of all the action. On paper, we don’t look like we would match up, but the truth is my heart is going to feel like a little tiny piece of it is missing when she’s no longer on our team every day, and here’s why.

Melissa was the first ever Culture Team hire at HubSpot. She literally helped build our culture into what it is now. She made our team better. Melissa observes things that other people miss and is an empath through and through. She is the definition of someone who speaks up on behalf of others and cares so deeply about others that sometimes I can see her thinking someone else’s hurt or sadness for hours. That’s the kind of person she is--her heart, unlike the Grinch, is 10x the size of a regular person’s, and it shows in her work. 

Melissa got recognized last week with a company-wide award (alongside her teammate Ashley Ladd) for her work on diversity, inclusion, and belonging. It was so incredibly well-deserved, and a testament to both her leadership and the profound impact she has had on our company over the past five years. 

But as she moves along from our team, I’m not just grateful for her contributions to our team and our company. I’m grateful for her as a human being, too. Melissa is a loyal teammate and friend. Her peers don’t just rely on her, they admire her, and she makes them better. She shows up for people. She speaks up for people, and she acts on behalf of other people to make the world a better place, so much so that she was once a teen vlogger trying to make the world a better and more welcoming place for LGBTQ teens (but she hates when I brag about that so let’s pretend I didn’t share this part). 

At one point over the past few months, Melissa responded to a question about whether or not we could do something with a reassuring and confident “hundo P” (one hundred percent, we can do this, we’ve got this, for those who like me took a minute to get it…). In many ways, the expression embodies both her cool informal style and the confidence she inspires in our team always with her leadership.

Someone asked me the other day how I’m doing with Melissa leaving our team. The truth is, I could not be prouder of her. But I would be lying if I said I won’t miss her dearly, both personally and professionally. Because when you hire someone that kind, that caring, and that thoughtful, your team gets better for sure, but your heart can’t help but expand as a result of their empathy. She’s helped me realize my own blind spots, pushed me on things I need to do better, and often highlighted people, things, or issues I’ve missed.

I’ll never be able to thank Melissa properly for what she’s done for our team and for HubSpot. She’s worked SO hard to become the incredible UX designer I know she will be, and to be a leader in the DI&B space, which she carries with her into her new role. But her leaving the team for me also reminds me to always bet on people with big hearts, big spaces to care for others, and the ability to create big changes because of their empathy. 

Would I hire Melissa again? Hundo P.

Am I proud to work with her? Hundo P.

Will I cry that Monday? Hundo P. 

Would I 10/10 recommend working with her to a friend? Hundo P. 

Will I cheer for her in her new role? Hundo P.

Melissa, you are a gift to our team and the company, and I hope you know I will be in your corner forever and ever, Hundo P.