My name is Liz Moore, and I’m a Product Manager leading a Procurement Modernization project POD in Global Operations. I joined Dell in 1991, after college and a year of international volunteer work in the Philippines. I started in the Supply Chain organization but continue my career today Global Procurement because I love the people and the work. The opportunities are endless, and our values continue to align.

I’ve served in various roles across Global Ops procurement, planning and marketing, in both individual contributor and management roles. Dell’s culture and values encourages us to bring our best selves to work, invests in us and our communities and encourages us to do the same and give back.

What does the Impact Maker Award mean for you?

I’m very grateful and humbled by the “Global Impact Pioneer Award.” The name alone, encourages me to continue making an impact, although it seems like I barely make a dent in the opportunity. As we volunteer, we learn how much need there is, but also how very grateful the communities are with our help. For me, helping people and organizations with education, skills and resources are how I give back, but giving them hope and a chance to change their future is what fuels me.

I was privileged to partner with Convivencia for their “Brave Women” rescue and restore program in Bogotá, Colombia to help human trafficking victims. I prepared and led a 2-day workshop, teaching change management principles to equip victims with information and tools for a better future. The first day was aimed to inspire those still in dire situations to see hope and join Convivencia’s established 2-year program. The second day focused on recent graduates, equipping them with tools to stay engaged in Convivencia’s development programs. I customized the agenda, games and purchased gifts and materials to celebrate both groups, rewarding them for their participation and teaching them self-development and business skills. Beyond impacting over 40 women directly, I left my tailored materials and resources for staff trainers and teachers to continue educating new participants. 

How do you find time to give back? What’s the most rewarding part of giving?  

Time is the most precious currency we have. I choose to use mine by investing in people both at Dell and outside of Dell. By mentoring people and equipping them with the tools to grow and thrive, I not only help them but also enrich my own life. The most rewarding part is the continuous learning. Serving others gives me deeper empathy and understanding, and it is an incredible privilege to witness lives being transformed.

Why is giving back so important to you and how does that fit into the Dell culture?  

I give back because others have given so much for me. Dell's commitment to global giving and driving human progress is on a much larger scale than I could ever achieve alone, but doing my job well, driving for results, lets me contribute with them in making a difference. Knowing that there are billions of people with desperate needs, I do what I can to give back, and I am proud to work at a company that invests even more.

What have you learned or developed at work that has helped you outside of work?

Throughout my 33-year career, I've developed numerous soft skills that have significantly benefited my life outside of work. Key among these are dealing with people, planning and communication.

One standout example is the "Answer First" training. This approach, which emphasizes providing concise and direct responses, has proven invaluable both professionally and personally. Everyone appreciates clear and to-the-point answers, making this technique universally beneficial.

Another impactful class was "Completed Staff Work." The principles from this training not only enhance career performance at Dell but also serve as excellent tools for volunteering and everyday tasks. The concept of fully vetting and proposing solutions, rather than just presenting problems, is a powerful approach that could truly make the world a better place.

Lastly, pursuing professional certifications such as the Project Management Professional (PMP®) and electives to fulfill the Professional Development Units (PDUs) to maintain all professional credentials equips us for our day jobs and broadens our service opportunities. Choosing wisely from our academies, educational and certification programs allowed me to gain skills that are applicable in various aspects of life. 

What did you want to be when you grew up when you were younger? 

When I was younger, my aspirations varied depending on my age. At a very young age, I wanted to be a veterinarian to save all the animals. Later on, I dreamed of becoming a nutritionist to help stop world hunger. Both of these dreams still resonate with me today, and I continue to support and contribute to both causes as part of my purpose.

What would you tell your younger self? 

If I could give advice to my younger self, I would say:

"Take Spanish instead of French in high school and college – it would have been so much more useful in Texas! Take more risks. Be courageous, and don’t hold back. Give away love and kindness wholeheartedly and without limits, because there is no shortage, and there’s always more than enough where that came from."

What’s your favorite tradition that you have?

My favorite tradition is traveling somewhere new to celebrate our wedding anniversary every year. Sometimes we drive to a nearby destination, but recently, we've enjoyed visiting different countries and imagining what it would be like to live and serve there. Most recently, we've explored Colombia, Peru, Honduras, Mexico, the Philippines and Costa Rica, but we still have many more destinations on our list to check out.