Q: Where are you from?
A: Essex, CT
Q: How did you choose this career path?
A: I worked in Special Education, which I did not go to school for, and I felt it was time to start my career elsewhere. I fell into People Ops because of how my personality and skills working in education could transfer into this career field. Since I started almost three years ago, I haven’t looked back.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I like being able to create an environment where employees feel comfortable, valued, and supported in the best way possible. I like to be reliable for others and to support an organization in order for employees to feel and do their best.
Q: What is your favorite quote?
A: “What, like it’s hard?” - Elle Woods My dad had me watch this movie and A League of Their Own when I was younger just to show me that women can do anything men can do.
Q: Do you have any pets?
A: Yes! Elsa. She’s the coolest.
Q: Name one thing on your bucket list.
A: Driving cross country in an RV stopping at the most random places.
Q: What's your favorite food? Least favorite food?
A: Like: Sushi, raw tuna, chicken tenders, rare steak, and anything buffalo or spicy Dislike: Beets.
Q: Pick three words to describe yourself.
A: Talkative, Loud, and Loyal.
Q: Favorite musician?
A: Hard to pick one because I do love different types of music. I love the 80s, 90s, early 2000s, indie/alternative rock, and some country. Noah Kahan has been a constant on my playlist lately.
Q: If you could hang out with anyone for a day, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
A: My dad.
People & Operations Manager
Sadie Deens
Sadie Deens grew up in Essex, Connecticut, and graduated from Central Connecticut State University in 2017 with a Bachelor’s in Communication, focusing on Media Studies and a minor in Journalism. While she first thought she might go into broadcasting, she quickly found her true passion was helping people feel supported in their work. She began her career in Special Education and later moved into Tech, where she spent 2.5 years in People & Operations. During this time, she worked with teammates worldwide, learning about different cultures, labor laws, and building connections with all different departments and team members.
Sadie loves working in People & Operations because it lets her focus on what she values most: creating a supportive and positive experience for each person who joins the team. She’s passionate about making the workplace positive and helping employees feel welcome from day one. When she’s not working, Sadie enjoys being by the water, trying out new breweries, staying active, and spending time with her nephew, friends’ children, and her big group of cousins.
After meeting so many of the ZGM teams at the recent Department Summits, Sadie is excited to continue this new chapter at ZGM and grow alongside such a great group of people.