Member Spotlight, Taylor Ecklund
Taylor Ecklund
Change Coordinator, Grant County PUD
Background
I grew up on the Puget Sound in Port Orchard, Washington, before eventually making the move east to the dry side of the state.
I originally went to school for dental assisting and had the opportunity to work in some really fun environments, including the University of Washington, where I assisted resident doctors and helped with hands-on procedures.
Eventually, I made the move to Eastern Washington and joined Grant PUD as a Customer Service Representative (CSR). Little did I know that my dental background would come in handy! The patient care experience and chairside manner I developed translated surprisingly well to helping customers navigate questions, concerns, and changes over the phone and at the counter. Turns out, helping someone through an unfamiliar process is pretty similar whether they're in a dental chair or trying to figure out their utility bill!
Path to Change Management
After about eight months as a CSR, I was fortunate enough to see an opening for an OCM Change Coordinator. When I was introduced to the ADKAR model, things just clicked. It made sense to me that successful change isn't just about implementing something new; it's about making sure people understand it, are prepared for it, and have the support they need to succeed.
I've now been in Change Management for three years, supporting projects across Grant PUD. I've seen projects where change management was embraced and made a real difference, as well as a few that could have used a little more OCM love!
My area of expertise includes stakeholder engagement, change readiness, communications, change impact assessments, and helping teams prepare employees for new systems and processes. I especially enjoy advocating for the people impacted by change and helping project teams see things from the end user's perspective.
Biggest Obstacle Getting Established in Change Management
One of the biggest challenges is bringing new employees, contractors, and project teams on board when they haven't worked with OCM before. Sometimes, I get to introduce people to Change Management for the very first time, which means explaining not just what we do, but why it matters.
The biggest part of that challenge is showing our value before people realize they need us! I work to build relationships, ask questions, understand project goals, and identify opportunities where we can make a difference. My goal is to help teams see that OCM isn't just another box to check on a project plan. We're here to help make sure the change actually works for the people who have to live with it.
Biggest Reward from this Career
One of the biggest rewards is the incredible variety of knowledge I gain about the utility. Working on projects that touch so many different areas of Grant PUD gives me a behind-the-scenes look at how much goes into keeping everything running.
I'm constantly learning about different departments, processes, systems, and the people who make it all happen. I love that no two projects are exactly alike, and there's always something new to learn. I also enjoy being able to connect the dots between teams and help people feel more prepared for what's ahead.
Bucket List Yet to Accomplish
Personally: A trip to Italy is high on my bucket list. I'd love to explore the country, enjoy the food, take in the scenery, and experience the culture. Preferably with a little less scheduling than my typical soccer season!
Professionally: My bucket list is to outlast this ERP program and help manage a successful change from beginning to end! After all the planning, coordination, stakeholder engagement, and training conversations, I'd love to see the finish line and know we helped people successfully navigate the change. At this point, a successful go-live might deserve its own celebration trip to Italy!
Fun Fact
Outside of work, I'm a mom to two daughters who play just about every sport imaginable! I also coach girls' soccer, usually more than one team at a time, because apparently having a full schedule is my idea of relaxing. Between work projects, soccer practices, and softball games, I stay pretty busy—but I wouldn't have it any other way!
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