Why This Head of Product Resigned Without a Plan (And Found Clarity on What Really Mattered)
Erika Warren's framework for navigating change and making tough career decisions
Hey 👋 I’m Andrew Capland and welcome to Delivering Value - the newsletter and podcast where I have candid conversation with senior SaaS Leaders about the toughest moments that almost derailed their careers - and instead became part of their success story. You get to learn from their journey, without the pain.
“I came to change things and turn the company around. And I quit because I couldn’t do it. I just felt like I’d failed. Like, what’s wrong with me?
This moment came after Erika Warren spent a year leading a turnaround at Change.org, only to have the leadership team completely replaced and her efforts were turned upside down. As the primary earner for her family, walking away wasn’t just risky, it felt like admitting defeat.
But Erika didn’t let this moment define her. Instead, she used it to reframe her career, rebuild her confidence, and (eventually) rediscover her purpose.
We’ll explore how Erika navigated the low point, pushed through a crisis of confidence, and highlight the lessons she learned about separating her personal identity from work success or failure.
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Meet Erika Warren
Erika’s background includes leading product and growth at Change.org and being a founding team member at Grubhub and Wyzant.
Today, she’s the Co-Founder and CEO of Inciteful Med, a healthcare startup helping patients and providers make better clinical decisions through personalized technology - and she teaches Reforge’s Growth Series (where I was a co-lecturer in 2024).
What sets Erika apart is her willingness to take risks most wouldn’t. Growing up in small-town Michigan, she didn’t follow a traditional path. She walked away from a secure leadership role at Change.org without another job lined up, because it no longer aligned with her values.
Hired to Lead a Turnaround
Erika joined Change.org as Head of Growth at a pivotal moment.
The company, known for raising awareness and influencing decision-makers on social issues, was at a crossroads. Growth had stagnated, and the organization needed someone to inject startup-like rigor and accountability into its culture.
Erika was hired as part of that shift, to lead growth and reshape the company’s operational DNA to unlock its full potential.
And for a year, she was heads-down making progress on that mission.
Change was slow, but Erika built trust, planted the seeds for change, and saw early wins. The company was inching toward a more modern, data-driven approach to growth.
The Big Shift
But then, everything changed. Suddenly, the people who championed the cultural change were gone.
The CEO (who hired her) left, the C-suite was gutted, and the founder returned as interim CEO with a totally new vision. One that didn’t align with the work Erika had spent a year building.
Her role became less about leading growth - and more about navigating uncertainty in a culture still resistant to change.
The worst part? Erika’s personal life was deeply intertwined with her professional identity. And she felt a huge financial responsibility as her family’s primary earner.
Walking Away
Faced with a leadership team that no longer aligned with her vision, Erika made the difficult decision to resign - without another job lined up. It was a scary choice, but staying meant compromising her values and mental well-being.
After resigning, Erika felt both relief and fear.
She leaned on her support system to navigate the uncertainty. Slowly, she rebuilt her confidence and found clarity about what she wanted next.
The Data Is Compelling
Feeling lost, unhappy, and unfulfilled at work is extremely common.
(And to be clear - these are my words, not Erikas.)
But the data is hard to ignore: A Gartner study revealed that nearly half (46%) of U.S. employees are unhappy in their roles. And a global poll conducted by Gallup, found that 85% of workers feel disengaged!
The Tactics Erika Used to Navigate Change
If you’re feeling stuck, unfulfilled, or unsure what to do next in your role, try applying these lessons from Erika’s story.
Set a Deadline (for a Decision)
Erika avoided the mental drain of indecision by committing to a specific timeframe: either fully recommit to the role or plan her next move.
Actionable Tip: Choose a specific date to reevaluate your role. Until then, give it your best effort and make a list about what’s working and what’s not.
Detach Your Self-Worth From Your Job
When setbacks hit, Erika reminded herself they were a reflection of the situation, not her capabilities. This shift allowed her to stay confident and focus on solutions.
Actionable Tip: Start a journal where you document challenges and your responses. Look for patterns: are these issues tied to the role or something you can change?Lean on Your Personal Advisors
Erika leaned on her family and mentors for perspective. They helped her process emotions and see options more clearly.
Actionable Tip: Identify two people you trust to give you honest, objective advice. Schedule a coffee chat or call to discuss your situation and get their perspective.Align with Your Values
Instead of chasing a “perfect” job, Erika made a list of her core values and mid-term goals - then looked for opportunities that fit her definition of success. This alignment motivated her and made the day-to-day challenges more manageable.
Actionable Tip: Write down your top 3 values and mid-term goals. Use these as a filter when evaluating career options or deciding whether to stay.
Want to Hear More About Erika’s Toughest Career Moments - And What She Learned Along the Way?
Watch our full conversation on YouTube 📺
or listen on Spotify 🎧.
What’s the toughest decision you’ve had to make in your career? How did you navigate it? Share your story in the comments or reach out, I’d love to hear about your experience.
And if you want more stories like Erika’s, subscribe to my newsletter for weekly insights on leadership, growth, and overcoming challenges.