Joelle Vail: How People and Mission Led Her to BrightPlan

Our Q&A series gives you a behind the curtain look at life at BrightPlan. Hear from our team members on why they love the work that they do.

Get to Know Joelle:

Joelle Vail is the Chief Revenue Officer at BrightPlan. In her role, she is responsible for scaling the business, opening up and maturing paths to revenue, and ensuring that our customers continue to see the value of our offering everyday. Joelle works from her home office in Austin, Texas.

Prior to BrightPlan, Joelle was Chief Operating Officer for Capital Factory, focused on helping startups find investors, employees, mentors and customers. She loved being at the heart of innovation and seeing entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life with the support and guidance of a like-minded and passionate community. One of the biggest lessons she learned while at Capital Factory is that you can have a great idea, but it will not be a brilliant idea until you bring in others’ perspectives and a talented team to help you execute it.

Previous to Capital Factory, Joelle held executive positions at Ascentis and Paychex and has a track record of successfully scaling organizations from startup to enterprise. Joelle is extremely passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion, supporting women in the workplace, and giving back. She has led ​​numerous women and tech panels and currently serves as a volunteer and mentor for a high school program that teaches students about entrepreneurship.

Fun fact: When Joelle is not helping to build great companies, you will find her at the lake with her friends and family.

Q: What made you decide to join BrightPlan?

A: The people and the mission. Everyone I met at BrightPlan has displayed strong business sense, grit and a desire to make something great. We all understand how important the mission is and, personally, I believe people need financial wellness programs now more than ever. The way I see it is, many of us aren’t taught financial literacy and as a result we set mental limits on our financial situation. We need to push past this threshold because we’re all capable of becoming financially strong with the right tools and education at our disposal.

Q: What does Total Financial Wellness mean to you?

A: Not being stressed or anxious about my financial position and having a healthy level of control over where I am going financially. Not just for me, but for my family. When I think of Total Financial Wellness, I immediately think about how I can create the most opportunity for my family. I don't want to say “no” to opportunities because of finances. I want to give my children and loved ones opportunities that were not available to me. As an example, my eldest son recently started college. We didn't have to decline any particular school due to financial constraints. It took years to reach that position and if I had not known to start saving early, that would not have been possible. This was extremely important as I know firsthand the value of education and the weight of student loan debt. My brother and I were the first generation in my family to go to college. My kids are the second. I am excited to share how BrightPlan can assist people in setting and reaching their goals.

Q: What does a typical “day-in-the-life” look like for you?

A: I’m up early every morning, starting my day by reading the bible. It’s where I gather my thoughts and cultivate peace. Then, I workout and go into “mom” mode, getting my kids ready for school.

When working, it’s typically non-stop. I take lots of notes (always with a pen and paper!); it’s how I stay focused. I’m not exactly sure what my days at BrightPlan will look like on a consistent basis just yet, but I plan to be with people all the time. I really enjoy being front-facing with colleagues and customers, and I know how valuable it is to reaching our goals.

At the end of the day, I always devote time and space to thinking about what I learned that day and what it means going forward. All experiences and encounters throughout the day provide me with information, and it’s important to sit with that. I have a principle that everyone I cross paths with was meant to teach me something. If I am not present I may miss the message. I always take the time to reflect on that.

Q: What do you love most about the work that you do?

A: I love the moment when I’m working with someone and they reach a level they didn't think they could get to. I truly love witnessing someone see their world get a little bigger. Once they experience something like that, they don't go backwards. Watching someone expand their mind, belief systems, and potential is so fulfilling.

Q: Any final thoughts?

A: Right now, in our current reality, employers have the responsibility to care for their employees at a whole different level. The intersection of work and home life is more mixed than ever before, which requires businesses to understand and connect with their employees at a much deeper level. They need to support their employees on multiple planes. Paramount to that is the ability for both employers and employees to understand that their job means financial security for themselves, their family, and their future.

Stay tuned for more employee spotlights in our Q&A series. If you’re interested in learning more about life at BrightPlan, visit our Careers page.