What's It Like to Work at Cleo?

Describe how Cleo gives back to its communities. What impact do these efforts have on both those in need and employees themselves?

Cleo Cares, the philanthropic arm of Cleo, strives to stay engaged and give back to the community in multiple ways. You can find us on a quarterly basis doing volunteer work at a local food pantry, participating in clothing drives, raising money for a charitable 5K and so much more. With Chicago being such a large city, the idea that you can truly make a difference can seem unrealistic and daunting at times. Cleo Cares shows employees up close that they can make a positive impact within the community and in all the different ways possible. 

How do these community outreach efforts bolster Cleo’s mission and/or culture?

Cleo’s number one goal is to never stop appreciating our customers while making their businesses successful. Our appreciation also lends itself to the city of Chicago and its people. It’s so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day where you are only thinking about yourself and personal expectations — the need for your bus to be on time, the need for lunch at the local food hall to be made quickly, the need for sidewalks to be plowed and salted, etc. Cleo Cares aims to shift the mindset of constant consumption to contribution. Through regular service activities, we can make the community a better place for our neighbors and, ultimately, a better city. 

What advice would you offer to leaders at other organizations interested in implementing more volunteer opportunities? Which efforts have had the biggest impact at Cleo?

My first piece of advice is simple — start right now! Don’t get lost in the different volunteer options or nonprofits to partner with. Pick one and go; I promise the internal excitement from the rest of your organization will follow once they can see the potential impact up close. From there, stay regimented in your opportunities. Cleo Cares pushes itself to offer a certain amount of volunteer opportunities per quarter, and we hold people accountable to ensure we execute. Cleo Cares has gotten to the point where it’s never a shortage of volunteers but rather the opposite where we don’t have enough openings per volunteer activity.

What defines a great employee experience at Cleo?

At Cleo, a great employee experience is built on three things: meaningful work, continuous growth and genuine flexibility. We believe people do their best work when they understand how their contributions connect to the company’s mission, have opportunities to learn and evolve, and are trusted to manage their work in a way that fits their lives.

As a company transforming supply chain orchestration through AI, we challenge employees to solve complex problems that have real impact for our customers. At the same time, we invest heavily in development through ongoing feedback, leadership growth opportunities and exposure to new technologies and ways of working. We encourage curiosity, experimentation and a mindset of continuous learning.

What makes our culture unique is the balance between high performance and human connection. We celebrate wins together, recognize people who embody our values, and create space for employees to bring their authentic selves to work. Whether someone is early in their career or a seasoned leader, we want them to feel valued, supported and empowered to make a difference.

How do you measure and act on employee feedback?

We treat feedback as a metric, not a mood. Our employee net promoter score is tracked quarterly through employee surveys, and our scores have trended very positive. We share the results at every all-hands because transparency is the point, not just the good quarters. From there, we implement initiatives as a team, and we run on a simple motto: progress over perfection. We’re not waiting for the perfect program; we’re acting on what the data tells us and iterating from there. Survey data is only half the picture, though. We back it up with weekly one-on-ones and quarterly check-ins where open dialogue is genuinely encouraged and it’s not just a box to check. That combination matters: a quarterly score tells you what people are feeling, but it’s the ongoing conversations that tell you why, and that’s where the real action items come from.

What cultural values or rituals make your workplace unique?

What makes Cleo’s culture unique is the balance between ambition and adaptability. We’re a company that sets high expectations and moves quickly, but we’re equally committed to learning, evolving and challenging ourselves to find better ways to work. Several traditions help reinforce that mindset. Recognition programs like Cleo Crushers celebrate employees who make an extraordinary impact and embody our values. Weekly and quarterly talent and development conversations encourage continuous growth rather than limiting career discussions to once-a-year reviews. 

We also place a strong emphasis on transparency through companywide updates and open dialogue between leaders and employees. More recently, our focus on becoming an AI-native organization has become an important part of our culture. We’re encouraging employees at every level to rethink processes, experiment with new technologies and continuously increase the value they bring to customers and each other. Cleo’s culture is built on empowering people to take ownership, innovate boldly and support one another while delivering meaningful results. That’s what makes Cleo a place where people can do some of their best work.