We chatted with Gwyn Krueger about his role as VP of CX and Operations at Meetup, a company striving to make the world a more connected place.
Heather: Hi Gwyn! Tell me about Meetup and your role on your team.
Gwyn: Meetup is a platform that empowers people to come together and build real-world connections through the creation and organization of groups and events based on shared interests. Our goal is to build community among our users to foster both in-person and virtual interactions. During these challenging times of COVID-19, we have adapted to also offer more virtual events as an alternative to in-person gatherings, but our mission to help people build connections and combat loneliness remains unchanged. As the VP of Customer Experience and Operations, I have the privilege to work with a talented and passionate team who is just as dedicated as I am in creating community and empowering people to come together to live, learn and lift each other up.
Heather: How did you get into this field and into a position with this company?
Gwyn: I got into my profession as a customer service and experience expert through my background in retail management. I began my career as a store manager at Starbucks, where I developed a passion for helping people and building human connections. I then progressed to work at Apple for many years as a Genius Bar Manager, where I honed my skills in handling challenging and emotionally charged customer interactions and technical support. I gained a deep understanding of how to navigate high-stakes situations and how to help others find their passion for customer service. In 2017, I was brought on to Meetup by the Director of the Customer Support team whom I worked with previously at Apple. I saw it as an opportunity to further my career by amplifying the voice of the customer throughout the organization, and I've been working with the incredible teams at Meetup to ensure the voice of the customer is heard loud and clear.
Heather: What advice do you have for aspiring leaders?
Gwyn: To be an authentic leader, it is important to stay connected and be true to your inner self. It is normal to feel uncertain about your abilities and to experience imposter syndrome. Recognizing and embracing your authenticity can help you create deeper connections with others and lead more effectively. Instead of feeling like you have to have all the answers, it is important to stay humble and learn, to be open to help and collaborate with your team in order to achieve success together. This will help you build a sense of trust and cooperation among your team members, leading to a more effective and united team.
Heather: If you’re successful in your mission, how will the world look different?
Gwyn: With Meetup's mission to connect people and build communities, the world can be shaped into a place where people can experience true connection and belonging on a grand scale. Imagine a world where people from all walks of life can come together and find a group of people that make them feel like the best version of themselves, regardless of their location or background. Through Meetup's platform, individuals can discover like-minded individuals and join communities that align with their passions, interests and purpose. The power of Meetup is to bring people together at scale, making it possible to find connection and support everywhere and anywhere they go. In this world, loneliness and isolation will be a thing of the past. We're empowering people to find each other, and in turn, make a profound impact in the world. Meetup is creating a world where people can thrive together.
