Cimplifi Conversations | Featuring Catherine Howard

We know the importance of building a company and culture that empowers people to thrive. We offer an environment where you can make an impact and grow and be recognized for the value you deliver.

Welcome to our series, Cimplifi Conversations, where we recognize a team member honoring our company values – courageous, reliable, inventive, and adaptable. At Cimplifi, we believe in empowering our people and providing opportunities for professional and personal growth.  

Recently, Ari Perlstein, CTO of Cimplifi, sat down to chat with Catherine (Cayte) Howard to discuss her role at Cimplifi as a recruiting and staffing manager. Cayte  just had her one-year anniversary with Cimplifi and she and Ari discuss her experience and priorities. We hope you enjoy learning more about Cayte and seeing what makes the employee experience at Cimplifi special to her.

Ari: Hi Cayte!  Happy one-year work anniversary! Tell what your first year at Cimplifi has been like?

Cayte: There is no such thing as a typical day 😊 I love that about my job. It’s never dull responding to client needs and requests and organizing our document review attorneys. The pool of talent is extremely fluid, and we are always ‘building our bench’ and working to ensure an accurate record of who is currently available for projects. We work closely with our support team, managed review services, and sales daily to navigate the logistics of current and incoming reviews. No two projects are ever the same, and we are constantly striving to become more organized and efficient.

A: How did you end up joining our recruiting team at Cimplifi?

C: I was looking for something better. I had a colleague that was leaving my previous company to come to Cimplifi, and it sounded pretty good to me!  I had a great working relationship with her, and this was an amazing opportunity. You never know which working relationships are going to change your life. Thanks for changing mine, Ms. Hana Kim! 😊

A: I had a similar experience over 17 years ago.  I had a friend working here and the rest is history! Where are you from and where are you based now?

C: Cincinnati & Cincinnati! I lived in Chicago for about seven years after attending law school in the city and then I moved back home in 2009.

A: I think everyone knows the chili in Cincinnati is a unique and popular dish. What’s the “chili of Cimplifi” like?  What’s unique here?

C: Oh yes, it’s a staple! At Cimplifi, we are empowered to develop our department freely. We have been given the resources and support we need to grow and build. I may have to explain my thinking, but our leadership team always has my team’s best interests at heart. Having come from a company where I did not have that experience, Cimplifi is so refreshing. I know I can count on my colleagues to have my back, regardless of the circumstances. It’s a great feeling.

A: Speaking of the team, what’s yours like?

C: We are a blast. We work hard and we have so much fun while doing it. I’m incredibly proud of the work we have done and the teamwork we have used to accomplish it. We support and challenge one another in equal measure. As my friend and teammate Juliet Wight would say, “We are a family. When one of us gets a win, it’s a moment for everyone to celebrate as we are all a part of the success.” Learning opportunities are shared similarly. Everyone makes mistakes. When someone on our team is struggling, everyone jumps in. I am so lucky to be part of this team, I feel spoiled!

A: I appreciate that story and feel the same way about my team in IT and dev ops.  Have you taken advances of any resources at Cimplifi in the last year?

C: The premium dental plan is fantastic! My 11-year-old has a mouth full of appliances and braces, and my husband and I are both on our way to taking care of tooth issues that we should have dealt with years ago. Thank you, Cimplifi!

A: That’s awesome!  I probably have some of that in my kid’s future too.  So, the insurance is good, got it!  What about professional growth?

C: I am not the same person who started with the company in September of 2021. Special thanks to the team for believing in me. The last year has been a collective exercise in taking on new challenges. Thankfully, I’m constantly supported by a fantastic group of people who truly want to see me succeed.

A: That’s great to hear, Cayte.  You sound very inspired.  What’s one of the toughest challenges you’ve had at work and how did you overcome it?

C: If you know this business, staffing projects and document reviews can be urgent and can lead to emotional situations where you feel pressed to deliver.  It’s important to our team to be able to respond quickly, with the right candidate, to staff a project and to impress the client. I’ve learned how to better react and respond instead of responding impulsively or emotionally.  There is a person on my team that inspires me to be Zen.  He lets me vent and, I think we all need that and need someone who can ground us when we are spiraling. Thank you, Cody Holifield!  I challenge myself to make that call sooner rather than later, prior to acting out of frustration, and to listen with an open mind. I try to emulate that and be the calm in the storm.

A: I do understand the feeling of wanting to exceed the client’s expectation. When things get crazy, what motivates you and how do you balance your career and personal life?

C: Coffee and my team’s very strong GIF game keeps me motivated! As for balance, I compartmentalize. I try to be “present” for both, and to keep them separate, rather than multi-tasking 24/7. Thanks to our AMAZING support ops team, we have coverage for administrative tasks after 6 pm and on weekends! There will always be moments when we must rally and jump in during off-hours, but this coverage has given my team the ability to unplug at the end of the day. It’s a game-changer and prevents burn out. THANK YOU, Sonia Hilton & Laurie Kocour!

A: I love a good GIF too!

We are always looking for knowledgeable and passionate people to join our team. Explore our job board to learn more.  Attorneys, data experts, project managers, sales pros, and IT whizzes: this is your opportunity to thrive!

Until then, we look forward to introducing you to more of our talented team members that shine and bring dedication and creativity to their role at Cimplifi.