Tracy L.’s 30-year career journey at Vanguard

When Tracy L. joined Vanguard in 1996, little did she know she would begin a 30-year career journey—one that evolved alongside her personal life, professional growth, and Vanguard itself.

From entrepreneur to crew

Before Vanguard, I ran a successful graphic design business but lacked a formal retirement savings plan. A longtime friend and former neighbor, Kristen J., encouraged me to apply for a production coordinator role in Participant Education, seeing a natural fit for my creative background.

I spent 17 years in Participant Education, progressing through roles such as Program Manager in R&D (Research and Development), Media Services Production Manager, Creative Team Manager, and RES (Retirement Education Specialist) Team Manager in Arizona, building skills and leadership experience.

In 2013, I moved into Financial Advisor Services as a Marketing Consultant, and in 2022 transitioned to Corporate Communications as a Regulatory Compliance Project Manager.

A moment defining Vanguard’s culture

I have so many standout memories from my time at Vanguard, largely because of the people I’ve been fortunate to work with. We worked hard, often putting in late hours, but we also shared moments of genuine joy—laughing together until tears streamed down our faces.

However, the moment that stayed with me was something I experienced my first week as crew.

During orientation, I was having lunch in the Morgan Galley in Pennsylvania, when suddenly, everyone stood up and began applauding. At first, I didn’t understand what was happening—until I learned that Mr. Bogle had returned to campus after major heart surgery. The respect and admiration shown by the crew that day made me incredibly proud of my decision to join Vanguard.

In the years that followed, Mr. Bogle would often stop to chat with me while I waited for lunch. Having the opportunity to casually speak with a financial genius and true legend are memories I’ll always treasure.

Learning, leading, and paying it forward

For about half of my tenure, I served as a people leader in both Pennsylvania and Arizona. Leadership opened the door to tremendous growth, and I was fortunate to have managers who served as exceptional mentors. Their guidance shaped my own leadership approach and influenced the advice I passed along to my direct reports.

Later in my career, with my background in marketing, the Arizona Leadership Team regularly asked me to mentor crew members who were pursuing roles in that field. Being able to support others as they navigated their own career paths was one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.

Why I stayed—and grew—at Vanguard

While my first role was as a graphic designer within a financial firm, I quickly realized Vanguard was a place where a meaningful, long-term career was possible. The company’s stability through market fluctuations, unwavering commitment to investor success, and strong sense of community all played a role in my decision to stay and grow here.

My time at Vanguard also aligned with major milestones in my personal life, including meeting my husband Brian in 1997, getting married in 1998, and welcoming our twins, Katie and Austin, in 2006. Vanguard wasn’t just where I worked; it was part of the backdrop of my life.

Support at every stage

Throughout my career, my leaders consistently supported my goals, whether that meant training, skill-building, or exploring new roles. As a crew member, I earned an MBA from Penn State, obtained four FINRA licenses including the Series 7, relocated to Arizona twice, and most recently completed a 10 week Project Management certificate through the University of Arizona.

My advice to anyone considering Vanguard is simple: share your ideas and ambitions confidently. This is a place that truly supports and helps shape the career you want most.

Looking ahead

As I step into retirement, I’m excited to return to my graphic design roots. After brushing up on my Adobe skills, I hope to build an Etsy store and create again in new ways. I also plan to travel with my husband to watch our daughter play Division I beach volleyball at the University of Arizona (go #44!), visit both kids while they’re in college in Tucson, and spend more time back in Pennsylvania with my parents and sisters.

I’m deeply grateful for the opportunities, people, and support that defined my 30 years at Vanguard, and proud of what this career made possible.

—Tracy L.
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