PHOENIX (STN) – For Meaghan Rodeck, purpose isn’t a buzzword. Rather, it’s a guiding principle that informs every decision she makes as vice president of strategy and people operations at UMOM New Day Centers.
Rodeck’s career journey began in nonprofit arts, detoured through for-profit marketing, and ultimately led her back to mission-driven work. After a layoff from a tech startup, she says she realized it was time for a reset.
“I was ready to do something more meaningful, something more beneficial to the community,” she remembered.
That turning point brought her to UMOM, where she now oversees strategy, operations, marketing, IT and more. But Rodeck’s impact goes far beyond departmental oversight. She serves as the glue between big-picture goals and the day-to-day work of staff.
“Change can be really hard if it’s not managed well,” she said. “What I love about my role is helping to align the strategic vision with systems that allow people to thrive.”
Meaghan Rodeck on making systems work at UMOM:
That systems-based mindset is rooted in her leadership philosophy: remove friction so others can shine.
“I love a good system,” Rodeck said. “Especially when it helps people spend less energy on redundant tasks and more energy using their creativity where it makes the biggest difference.”
Her upbringing also planted early seeds of purpose. Raised in a large Irish Catholic family in a small town in New York, Rodeck credits her mother’s work with the American Cancer Society for showing her how mission-based work can build community and spark joy.
“I didn’t realize it then, but that’s what I see now every day at UMOM,” she said. “In our courtyard, watching kids play on the playground, you feel the impact of providing safety and stability.”
For Rodeck, it’s that impact that makes all the difference.
“Most people spend their whole lives looking for purpose in their work,” she said. “I’ve found mine. I go home happier. I wake up more energized. I know that what we do matters—beyond the bottom line.”
