Life at OPENLANE: Q&A with Alana Ice, Training Manager, PAR North America
To celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re learning more about Alana Ice’s OPENLANE journey. She talks about facing new challenges, MentalWellness@OPENLANE, and some self-care tips she’s implementing this month.
What has your journey at OPENLANE looked like?
In December 2015, I began my journey at PAR as a contingent worker on our Credit Union team. I was then hired full-time and spent over a year with the CU team before joining the Remarking team. In 2019, I became PAR’S Training Specialist and after four years, I was promoted to Training Manager, where I oversee new hire orientation, develop learning courses, and assist with the maintenance of standard operating procedure for all teams.
What are you most proud of during your time with OPENLANE?
During the transition to fully remote working in 2020, I spearheaded the development of PAR’S new hire training program. It was a fun challenge to teach myself the different platforms for creating an onboarding website, producing training videos, and designing learning courses. I’m proud that I created an entire program that helps set new team members up for success that hadn’t existed before.
What do you like the most about working at OPENLANE?
I really enjoy the people and the work-life balance. I’ve been lucky to have two very supportive managers the past several years, as well as a great team. Our employee resource groups are also a great way to connect and network with people.
Out of the four values and qualities that make up a Waybuilder, which do you think best describes you?
Relentless Curiosity. I am always seeking ways to improve the employee experience and enhance learning materials. I am very big on sending surveys and getting feedback to see how we can improve our training classes and resources for employees.
What does Mental Health Awareness Month mean to you?
Mental Health Awareness Month is a great time to reflect on well-being, see where improvements can be made, and take action. This month I am working on eating more nourishing foods, going outside and getting my body moving as well as being present in the moment. Mental health has sometimes been a struggle for me, so focusing on self-care has been a learning process and also greatly improved my overall mental health and well-being.
Tell us about the work MentalWellness@OPENLANE does?
I love the community MentalWellness@OPENLANE — one of our employee resource groups, or ERGs — provides. The group offers a monthly virtual touchpoint to check in and hear from fellow employees on their mental health wins and struggles. It’s been a great way to connect with others and share helpful resources. The group has also held challenges to encourage gratitude journaling and sunshine walks.
