Nicole Woodruff leads with kindness and a can-do attitude

Nicole Woodruff provides executive support to Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO) senior leaders. Born in Schenectady, New York, she has lived in Alaska, California and Virginia. A motivated mother, she takes Orangetheory classes to stay in shape and is pursuing a college degree in business management. If you see her in the hallway, she will probably give you a friendly wave. Woodruff, today’s #PEOEISTeammateTuesday, answered 10 questions about her career and life.

What did you do before joining PEO EIS?
I worked for PF Chang’s, an Asian restaurant. I started as a server and worked my way up to a catering sales manager role responsible for Northern Virginia and Maryland restaurants. I loved my job, but the hours were long. While I was working at PF Chang’s, I met the owner of a government-contracting company. He liked my positive attitude and hired me for an executive assistant role supporting the Integrated Personnel and Pay System — Army (IPPS-A).

What do you attribute to your career success?
I never say “no” to anyone. I think that approach comes from working in the restaurant industry where the customer is always right. At work, no matter what is asked for or how challenging it might be to deliver, I figure out how to get it done.

Having a positive attitude is important because you spend 40+ hours a week with the same people. If you keep a positive attitude and are excited about going to work every day, it helps the people around you be nicer.

What is the best advice you received?
Col. McNulty has given me a lot of great advice. One piece of advice really stuck out. He told me that every decision he made in his life that went well needed three things to align: his heart, mind and gut. When one of those was off, things went south. When I have a significant decision to make, I follow that guidance.

How does PEO EIS support an inclusive workforce?
Our PEO, Mr. Guckert, is willing to having really hard conversations with employees. A lot of people would sweep these issues under the rug, but we don’t do that. COL Harris hosted a town hall in June to discuss where the Army and DCO stand on racial discrimination. DCO also hosted listening sessions for smaller groups.

Describe the PEO EIS culture.
PEO EIS is a great place to work because we have great leaders. Pat Ocasio, the Deputy PM of DCO, really cares about her people. She doesn’t just care about your career, she cares about your life. Yesterday, she texted me to ask how my kids are doing. Col. Harris takes time to explain things. When he says he has an open-door policy, he really means it. Even when he is very busy, anyone on his team can walk in his office and he will take time to listen to them.

When I worked for Col. McNulty at IPPS-A, I noticed that even when he was working in highly stressful situations, he never acted stressed out. He remained calm because it kept the rest of his team calm.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
Every Friday night is movie night. One of my kids picks a movie. We get popcorn and make hot cocoa or hot tea and watch a movie. To me, that is the best night ever.

I sing all the time in the house. I find it very calming. I sing Christmas and Disney songs. It’s so funny. I have no training and probably sound terrible, but I love to sing.

When are you happiest?
I am happiest when I am with my children, my fiancé, our dog and the rest of my family. We always have a great time, whether we are eating a meal, watching a movie or playing a game.  

My parents and sisters live within a mile-and-a-half radius of each other. On any given day, we will be together walking at a nearby park, trying new restaurants, playing games or traveling.

What do you consider the most valuable virtue?
Kindness is the most valuable virtue. The dictionary defines kindness as “the virtue of showing love and the qualities of having a sympathetic, affectionate, warmhearted and considerate nature.” I try to instill that in my children and myself every day. Life is about being kind to people. You never know what battles people are facing, so it’s important to be kind to every person you meet.

Who inspires you?
My parents were born in third-world countries: Colombia and Vietnam. They came to the United States for a better life. Their survival stories are incredible. I am so proud that I am their daughter. My dad worked his way through college and became a contractor for the Department of Defense. My mom worked as a contractor for a civilian agency before she stopped working to help my sister and me raise our children. She is a saint.

My mom overcame a lot of challenges. Raised in Vietnam, she came to the United States when she was 16 years old. She had to learn how to speak and drive a car. When I was eight years old, she went through a divorce and raised three daughters, including my sister who was born with Down Syndrome, on her own for several years before she married the man I am blessed to call my father. My mom is an incredible role model. She is a strong woman, and I strive to be like her.

What is your most embarrassing moment?
I started wearing glasses after my children were born and my vision got bad. I know I should wear my glasses all the time, but I don't. And I really can’t see too far away. When I am walking in the hallways in the office without my glasses, I will think that I know people and I will wave at them. This happens all the time. I will wave and say “hi” to people who don’t know me. It’s so embarrassing.