Even though Leah Pozen and Pier Tansey have different employers, if you ask them what makes their workplaces worth applying to, they say the same thing: It’s the people.
Pozen is the HR coordinator at SRAM, a bicycle manufacturer, and Tansey is the director of clinical operations at Prolaio, a healthtech company.
At SRAM, the company culture revolves around putting people first.
“[People-first culture] is not just a phrase, it’s something you feel in how the company actually operates,” Pozen said. “There’s a real understanding that employees have full lives outside of work and that shows up in meaningful ways.”
For Tansey, what unites the people at Prolaio is the mission and the support that teammates feel in bringing that mission to life.
“Day-to-day satisfaction on our team comes from working alongside colleagues who are collaborative, responsive and committed to a shared mission,” Tansey said. “That combination of teamwork, purpose and momentum creates an environment where people feel supported, engaged and motivated to do their best work each day.”
Built In spoke with Pozen and Tansey about what makes their workplaces worth applying to.
Prolaio unites patients, care teams and researchers on a secure, technology-enabled platform that drives clinical innovation and better patient outcomes.
In one memorable line, how would you describe day-to-day satisfaction on your team?
Day-to-day satisfaction on our team comes from working alongside colleagues who are collaborative, responsive and committed to a shared mission. My colleagues at Prolaio consistently make time to answer questions, offer thoughtful and honest perspectives and step in to support one another when priorities shift. There is a strong sense of trust and alignment across functional areas, which makes it easier to solve problems quickly and move important work forward. It’s especially rewarding to see how individual contributions improve outcomes for our customers and advance meaningful clinical and operational goals. That combination of teamwork, purpose and momentum creates an environment where people feel supported, engaged and motivated to do their best work each day.
Would you recommend working here — and what proof backs that up?
Yes, I would absolutely recommend working at Prolaio. The day-to-day experience is shaped by a team that is collaborative, thoughtful and aligned around a shared mission. Colleagues are approachable, feedback is constructive and there is a strong willingness to share knowledge and support one another across the organization.
Prolaio’s Employee Engagement Survey Results
- 94 percent of employees said they are proud to work here
- 91 percent said they feel accepted by their immediate coworkers
- 90 percent said they feel inspired by the work we do
“These numbers reflect what it actually feels like to work here day to day,” Tansey said. “There is also a strong connection between the work we do and its impact on customers and organizational priorities; creating an environment where people can grow, contribute meaningfully and do their best work.”
How are you perceived externally right now and what signals support that?
Externally, I think Prolaio is seen as a company that cares about solving meaningful problems and doing the work the right way. A lot of that comes through in how customers and partners interact with the team. People are responsive, thoughtful and willing to collaborate instead of just pushing a standard solution. We focus on building trust and delivering something that actually improves outcomes.
Another strong signal is the kind of people the company attracts. Candidates, partners and peers often comment on how impressive, approachable and mission-driven the team is. In our external conversations, Prolaio consistently comes across as a team that is building with intention, moving quickly, but always grounded in its purpose. Overall, the reputation feels positive, credible and centered on both impact and people.
SRAM is a leading manufacturer of high-performance bicycle components and accessories, designed for cyclists of all levels.
In one memorable line, how would you describe day-to-day satisfaction on your team?
It’s the kind of team where showing up feels less like work and more like where you want to be.
Would you recommend working here — and what proof backs that up?
I highly recommend working at SRAM. It’s the kind of opportunity that’s hard to pass up — a company driven by passion, where the products you work on actually mean something to the people using them. I joined in 2023 as a summer intern and the experience was genuinely so positive that returning full-time after graduation felt like an easy decision.
What makes SRAM stand out is the people-first culture. It’s not just a phrase, it’s something you feel in how the company actually operates. There’s a real understanding that employees have full lives outside of work and that shows up in meaningful ways. From well-being benefits and wellness programs to bonus opportunities that reward the team’s collective wins, SRAM fosters an inclusive environment where everyone is encouraged to bring their authentic self to work. It’s no surprise that 76 percent of employees globally agree that SRAM supports their efforts to balance work and personal life, because that support is something I’ve experienced firsthand.
What is SRAM’s work-life balance like?
“From well-being benefits and wellness programs to bonus opportunities that reward the team’s collective wins, SRAM fosters an inclusive environment where everyone is encouraged to bring their authentic self to work. It’s no surprise that 76 percent of employees globally agree that SRAM supports their efforts to balance work and personal life, because that support is something I’ve experienced firsthand.”
— Leah Pozen, HR Coordinator
How are you perceived externally right now and what signals support that?
SRAM is perceived as a fun, energetic and people-first company and the external recognition is starting to reflect that. SRAM was featured in Built In’s 2026 Best Places to Work and ranked third in the large company category in Chicago, recognition that is well-earned. SRAM doesn’t chase external validation, which makes moments like this more meaningful.
The commitment to culture is also showing up internally in tangible ways. SRAM headquarters is moving into a new office space in Chicago in 2027 and the move isn’t just a relocation, it’s intentional. The new space is being designed to reflect our values, fostering the kind of collaboration and in-person energy that makes our culture special, while also serving as a physical expression of our mission to expand the potential of cycling. It’s the kind of investment that shows SRAM is building for the long term, not just the next quarter.
