Today, we shine a spotlight on Debby Ferber, who has been recognized for “Progress Collaboratively,” one of the ProgressPROUD core values we strive to embody every day.
For Debby Ferber, collaboration in the workplace is a must. Since joining the facilities team (now Workplace Operations) at Progress ten years ago, she’s worked alongside her team to ensure they complete employees’ requests every day. It would be an insurmountable task for just one person, but together, Debby and her team get it all done.
Learn more about Debby, her career and her love of cooking and baking in the interview below.
What brought you to where you are today?
I joined Progress through a recruitment agency in 2008. I started in a support role for one of the sales teams. After a year, my role was made redundant, so I became an executive assistant to European management/sales directors. I really liked the company and my colleagues, and this new role as an executive assistant was something that interested me, so I thought I’d give it a chance. Overall, it was a good move.
After I’d been an executive assistant for several years, I decided it was time for a change. In 2014, I made the switch to the Workplace Operations team where I still am today.
How do collaboration and teamwork factor into your day-to-day work?
Collaboration and teamwork are required in order to follow up on the requests my team gets from employees on a regular basis. All team members need to be reliable. I usually kick off projects and set the foundation before handing things over to the team, who then incorporate the projects into their day-to-day work.
For example, we recently installed a new access control system. With that installation, I took care of the purchase/liaison with the suppliers, and then led the training on the new system with the team. Before I handed it over to them, I wanted to make sure they were informed on the new procedures and operations within the new system.
What is your favorite part of your job right now?
The changes in all the different countries within Europe make me learn each day and keep the role very vibrant.
It’s also always fun to go to another office location. Before the pandemic, traveling to the different offices in Europe happened more often than it does nowadays. We would go to different locations to connect with property management, make changes to existing office layouts, do some re-branding work, install new systems, etc.
What do you think makes Progress a great company?
The flexibility and independence. My manager trusts me and the team to complete the work we have to do. There’s a lot of flexibility and an emphasis on work-life balance, which is very valuable to me and enables me to manage my own planning.
When you’re not working, what do you like to do?
I love to cook and bake. I love to make Italian food; homemade fresh pasta is my favorite. I also bake cakes of all kinds.
I also like to be out in nature. Quite often, I go either to the forest or beach for a nice walk. I also enjoy spending time with my friends and loved ones, including my 13-year-old daughter.
If you weren’t doing the job you have now, what do you think you’d be doing?
I’d be organizing big events where everything from A to Z needs to be taken care of. I’d also do some volunteer work where I could help others.
What are you most excited about for the future of Progress?
Progress’ total growth strategy, which aims to grow the company through M&A. This always expands our day-to-day work. We acquire new locations that we can build up to the Progress standard, as well as new teams and colleagues who need to be onboarded.
To get to know other Progressers like Debby, read more of our employee interviews here.
Jessica Kent
Jessica Kent is a writer and editor based in Boston. As a content specialist, she has the opportunity to write about the exciting things happening at Progress, as well as the amazing people behind it all. When she’s not working, you can find her reading, going for a run or attempting to learn the guitar.