Redirecting.work

She loved her time at TIAA. But in that final year, as AI was emerging, the system left little room to explore. “It felt like my hands were tied,” she said. “There was so much I wanted to do, but I often heard ‘not yet’ or ‘go through governance.’ I fully understood the reasoning, but it was still tough to feel ready to move when the system wasn’t.”

 

At the same time, a series of difficult personal experiences unfolded—and that’s when she realized she was losing something bigger than just interest in her work. She was losing herself.

 

So, she took short-term leave to finally prioritize her mental health. What followed was what she now calls her ‘existential redesign’. For the first time in her career, she wasn’t planning for what’s next. She was searching for herself. “Before, I lived in my head. I intellectualized everything, made decisions based on what success should look like, and meticulously planned to get a sense of control. But this was no longer working for me. I had to surrender, go inward and begin the process of letting go.”

 

The Transition Process

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Unlike her earlier career moves, this pivot wasn’t strategic or planned. It was a cocooning period—a break from chasing goals and external validation to rediscover who she was and what she valued.

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She turned to LinkedIn, not to job hunt, but to connect—especially with other Latinas. “I needed people who shared my values, who got me. I needed a sense of community and belonging. That’s where I started.”

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One of those connections led to an unexpected opportunity. A recruiter she’d met through a Latina network reached out months later with a role at McKinley, a privately held company focused on multi-family housing. Mercedes wasn’t looking for a job—and she almost said no. But the more she learned, the more it resonated. The CEO was Latino. The workforce was diverse and hands-on, and the opportunity to build HR from the ground up in a values-driven environment was rare. She took the leap.

 

Her Current Direction

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Mercedes joined McKinley as VP of People Transformation. Within six months, she was promoted to Executive Vice President of People, Culture, and Communication—the top HR role.

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McKinley’s workforce includes maintenance technicians, community directors and managers, and office staff, many of whom don’t speak English. Beyond traditional people issues, immigration concerns and cultural complexity shape the day-to-day work of HR in meaningful ways. “The human part of humaning is big here,” she said with a smile. It feels personal.

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Mercedes credits her success to her human-centered leadership, grounded in strong governance and program delivery discipline. She’s used that approach to deliver quick wins, build trust, and structure HR’s value proposition. She’s spoken with nearly 190 employees to understand their world. “Business first, HR second,” she insists. She’s deeply curious about the operational model—how properties are bought, financed, and managed—and compares the experience to earning an MBA on the job.

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She is thriving. “This is the most content and present I’ve been in decades. Not just because of the job, but because of the inner work I’ve done. I no longer depend on the outside world for my peace.”

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Her Advice to Others

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Mercedes offers grounded wisdom to those considering a pivot, especially from a large organization to a smaller one:

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Start with self-awareness
“Understand your why. Don’t just ask what job you want to do—ask how you want your days to feel.”

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Take time to cocoon
“Cocooning isn't a weakness. It’s transformation. If you’re privileged enough to pause, use that time to discover what truly matters.”

 

Learn to surrender
“If you are trying so hard to prove your value or worth, you are not in the right place. Be clear on who you are and what you offer, and watch like-minded people and opportunities make their way to you. Trust your gut.”

 

Small companies offer agility and ownership
“If you want to move fast and be hands-on, small private companies offer agility and ownership.”

 

Find a reason to laugh
“Every day. It keeps you human. And grateful”

 

And What’s Next?

 

Mercedes hopes to stay at McKinley for the long haul. “I want to retire from here,” she said. But her vision stretches further: returning to Mexico one day to work on affordable housing.

 

She wants to live fully, explore the world, and be an example. “Especially for Latinas, I want to show what it looks like to live by your own rules and evolve your culture into something that fits who you are now.”

 

Today, Mercedes is focused on fixing retention, creating more human-centered jobs, and staying true to herself. “This pivot wasn’t about the next rung on the ladder. It was about alignment—with my values, my purpose, and my joy.”