At Houzz, we’re always looking for ways to invest in our people, both in the work they do today and the roles they’ll grow into next. That’s the thinking behind RISE, a seven-month program designed to help individual contributors build the influence, confidence and leadership skills needed to take the next step in their careers.

Open to Houzzers across teams and regions, the program combines hands-on projects, mentorship and structured learning, all while participants continue in their day-to-day roles. Tackling real business challenges through capstone projects and collaborating with peers across the company, RISE is designed to stretch participants in new and meaningful ways.

We spoke to a group of this year’s RISE participants about what motivated them to apply, what they learned along the way and how the program has shaped their thinking.

1. What motivated you to apply for the RISE program, and what were you hoping to get out of it?

Allison Wendell, Community Support Legal Specialist, California, U.S.

“I’d heard about RISE from my director and manager for several years. After expressing interest in growing my career further at Houzz and honing my skills, it felt like a natural next step to apply.

It was even better than I expected. RISE helped me connect with fellow Houzzers and our core mission in a deeper way, allowing us to tackle complex challenges in our capstone project and hear directly from leaders across the company through seminars and Q&As. It opened doors, strengthened relationships and sparked a new sense of collaboration and innovation for me.”

2. What’s one of the most valuable things you learned during the program, and how have you applied it in your role since?

Aashish Subedi, QA Engineer, Nepal

“Before joining RISE, my focus as a QA engineer was primarily technical, and much of the terminology around strategic business planning was unfamiliar to me. One of the most valuable things I learned was the Situational Leadership model, especially how to shift between coaching and supporting, to empower others rather than simply directing tasks. I’ve already started applying that in my role by changing how I mentor junior team members, focusing more on their individual development and growth. 

Working on our capstone project was also a highlight. It pushed me to strengthen my presentation skills and showed me how powerful collaboration and data-driven problem-solving can be. The experience helped me grow from being a technical contributor into a more confident and strategic leader.”

3. In what ways did the program challenge you most and what did you take away from that experience?

Shana Hurley, Director, Trade Shows & Events, California, U.S.

“One of the most valuable parts of the RISE program was the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues I would not typically work with in my day-to-day role. Hearing perspectives from people across different teams and functions gave me a much broader understanding of the business and how each group contributes to our overall success.

The program challenged me to think beyond my usual scope and exposed me to areas of the business I might not otherwise have had the opportunity to learn about. I walked away with a deeper appreciation for cross-functional collaboration, new professional relationships and insights that will continue to help me grow in my role.”

4. Can you tell us about your capstone project? How did you approach it and what are you most proud of?

Julia Jackson, Client Account Manager, Texas, U.S.

“Our capstone project explored ways to create a more impactful onboarding experience for custom professionals by helping make the connection between Houzz Pro and their day-to-day workflows even stronger. My partner and I approached the project by mapping the customer journey, speaking with professionals and collaborating with teams across Houzz, including onboarding, revenue operations and engineering, to better understand where we could create the most value.

From there, we developed a new approach centered around bringing real business information into the platform before onboarding begins, allowing training to feel more practical, personalized and relevant from day one.

I am incredibly proud that our team identified a critical, high-impact business lever, but also how collaborative the process became. The project brought together perspectives from across the company and led to thoughtful discussions with leadership around future opportunities and scalability. It was incredibly rewarding to see an idea that started as a capstone project spark broader conversations about innovation and customer experience.”

5. How did collaborating with other RISE participants across teams or regions shape your experience?

Bruce Lin, Senior Software Engineer, Taiwan

“Working with people from different teams was one of the best parts of my RISE experience. One experience that stood out was collaborating with colleagues from the sales team. As a data infrastructure engineer, I spend most of my time focused on internal systems and platform stability. Working closely with sales gave me a completely different perspective, giving me valuable insight into how customers actually use the products we build.

That broader understanding was one of the biggest takeaways from the program. It helped me see projects not only through the lens of engineering, but through the perspectives of different teams, regions and roles across Houzz.”

6. What impact has the RISE program had on how you think about your career or future at Houzz?

Flora Lallemant, Product Support Specialist, United Kingdom

“Working on presentations with my team, building a relationship with my mentor and taking part in the different courses encouraged me to reflect more deeply on my career goals and what I want from the future.

The program also helped me build the confidence to navigate new environments and challenges. Overall, it was a great learning experience and it’s had a meaningful impact on how I think about my growth at Houzz.”

7. What advice would you give to someone considering applying for RISE?

Brian Faust, Senior Product Manager, Connecticut, U.S.

“Don’t think twice, apply. RISE was an incredibly rewarding experience that combined career development, professional growth and meaningful team building.

Beyond the skills and training, I also learned a lot about myself and came away with greater confidence, perspective and connections across the company.”

As this year’s program comes to a close, one thing is clear: RISE is about more than professional development. It’s about giving Houzzers the opportunity to challenge themselves, build meaningful connections and gain the confidence to grow in new ways. We’re excited to see how this group continues to shape the future of Houzz.

Congratulations to the Houzzers graduating from RISE this year!