I have always been an individual who thrived on making connections. I have the need to make connections with my family, community, work, and college (Go Penn State!) to feel like I’m spending my days with a purpose much bigger than myself. When I found a career at Vanguard 13 years ago, my need for a connection was no different. I found a company with a purpose that aligned to my values and it all started with our founder, Mr. John Bogle..

If you know anything about Vanguard’s history, you know that Admiral Horatio Nelson held a special significance to Mr. Bogle. An enthusiast of naval history, Mr. Bogle named the company after Admiral Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of the Nile in 1798 and believed that the name “Vanguard” resonated with the themes of leadership and progress. To this day, the nautical theme is embedded in our culture both domestically and internationally.

I’ve had an amazing career at Vanguard rotating through a number of interesting roles in Finance and Human Resources. I’ve met incredible people and worked on fulfilling projects, but my time here is about more than the work I do each day. For me, a successful career is about feeling connected to the people I interact with daily and having a deep understanding of a company’s history, mission, and values. That deep understanding of a company’s shared history and the feeling of connection to a broader purpose make my work rewarding and much bigger than myself. When I joined Vanguard, I immediately felt welcomed and had a sense of belonging. The strong sense of culture is everywhere and the ideas of leadership and progress are evident in Vanguard’s commitment to not only its crew, but also to its shareholders. Mr. Bogle’s vision and passion, which are still felt 45 years after the company was founded, have continued to influence and guide not only my work, but the work of all crew. Before Mr. Bogle’s passing in 2019, he would often visit the Galley only to be greeted as if he were a celebrity. According to many long-tenured crew members and fans, he was a celebrity.

Representing Vanguard during a hike
to Nevis Peak.

This past winter, my family and I took a vacation to Nevis, a former British colony in the Caribbean, and learned that Admiral Nelson called Nevis his vacation island. Given his connection to Mr. Bogle and Vanguard, I immediately wanted to learn more about Nelson.

Admiral Nelson visited the island of Nevis in March 1785 and met a widow named Frances “Fanny” Nisbet and her five-year-old son, Josiah. Nelson conducted his courtship with formality and charm, and two years later the couple married in Nevis. Nelson would often visit the island and spend his free time looking for approaching enemy ships at what is now called Nelson’s Lookout atop Saddle Hill. After my vacation, I’m not at all surprised he fell in love with the island; it is naturally rich in history, foliage, and animals.

The history of Vanguard and the mission Mr. Bogle created for Vanguard is deeply rooted in the company’s work and its crew members. I’m grateful to work for a company that continuously strives to exemplify our founder’s mission and contribute to the leadership and progress made for our shareholders. So here’s to you, Mr. Bogle.

Feeling that connection to Vanguard’s history makes me love my #LifeAtVanguard.

– Erica E.