When I was putting together the roster for this season of On Becoming (which as you know, is devoted to fierce female leaders) one name was an obvious shoe-in: Colleen Curtis, my former boss at Yelp.
The ironic thing is that she’s also the woman who fired me!
You’d think I’d have a voodoo doll in her likeness, and be cursing her name every chance I get. Instead, I’ve grown to respect and admire her more as a leader, confidant and mentor since she laid me off.
I was already a Colleen fan during the four years that she managed me at Yelp. Our regular check-ins were equal parts fun, uplifting and challenging. She was always championing me and encouraging me to do whatever floated my boat creatively. She respected my time off and never, ever contacted me on PTO. Which is why, on a cold November day in 2016 as I was just getting back from a trip from NYC to visit with family, I sensed something strange when she texted asking if we could “hop on a quick call?”
My immediate thought was: “Holy shit, Colleen is going to ask me to take over her job, and become the VP of International Marketing!” I was equally terrified and excited. But the conversation didn’t exactly go as I imagined.
You see, Colleen had to deliver the heart-wrenching news that my time at Yelp was coming to a brutal, shocking end amidst a company-wide layoff that affected over 200 colleagues. Essentially, she had to lay off her entire team before bowing out herself after ten years at the company.
Me and Colleen celebrated 10 years of Yelp on a party boat in San Francisco in 2014.
That day, I learned a lot about Colleen. Even under immense pressure, she showed an unwavering commitment to grace, respect, and humanity. It was a masterclass in how to lead with heart when you’re absolutely shattered inside.
Just last week, I had coffee with a woman whose boss fired her under false pretenses—accusing her of threatening him with a kitchen knife—to avoid paying French severance fees. She was escorted off the premises and, nearly a year later, is still reeling from the betrayal.
The pain of leadership done poorly leaves lasting scars. But Colleen’s approach to leadership is a testament to the opposite: leadership done well can leave a legacy of respect, trust, and even admiration.
Who Is Colleen Curtis?
Colleen Curtis is a force of nature in the world of community-building, with nearly two decades of experience in roles that blend creativity, connection, and strategy. Her career began as an elite Yelp reviewer, which led her to spearhead Chicago’s community program. From there, her rise was meteoric: she became Yelp’s East Coast Regional Director, then Head of Europe, and ultimately Vice President of International Community.
After leaving Yelp, she brought her expertise to other leadership roles:
• Chief Community Officer at The Mom Project, where she built and scaled programs to connect working moms with job opportunities.
• Head of Community at Miro, where she established a global strategy during a period of hyper-growth.
Today, as Head of Community Marketing at Reddit, she leads a global team of 20, crafting spaces where millions of Redditors find connection, belonging, and growth.
Beyond her impressive titles, Colleen is a connector, a champion, and a relentless advocate for others. On LinkedIn, she runs “Sprint Hiring Parties,” encouraging her network to write testimonials, make introductions, and help others land jobs. Her approach to community-building—whether at work or in life—is rooted in a deeper purpose: helping people move toward self-realization and find meaning in their connections.
In This Episode
Colleen and I dive into the raw, real, and often messy evolution of leadership. Together, we explore:
1. What it takes to lead with humanity when faced with unthinkable challenges—like laying off an entire team—and why it matters for both the people and the leader.
2. The messy middle of career pivots—stepping out of a long-held role, falling flat, and finding the strength to rebuild and redefine yourself.
3. How women’s natural inclination for care, connection, and empathy fuels transformative leadership—and how to harness those strengths unapologetically.
4. What separates a community from an audience, and why creating spaces of belonging matters in both life and business.
5. How saying no can lead to life-changing yeses—and why intentional decision-making is vital for personal and professional growth.
Why This Conversation Matters
This episode will make you rethink leadership—not as a role you play, but as a way you show up in the world. It’s about finding the courage to embrace empathy and decisiveness, even when the choices are heartbreaking. It’s about leading with intention, fostering connection, and navigating life’s toughest transitions with grace.
Colleen’s story is an invitation to reflect on your own journey. How do you show up when everything feels impossible? How do you build spaces of belonging—for yourself and for others? And how do you lead with integrity, even when your heart is breaking?
If you’ve ever wondered how to move through change with clarity, compassion, and courage, this episode is for you. Enjoy!
xxx
Zeva
PS. You can find the episode above or on Apple, Spotify, Deezer or on your favorite podcast player.
PPS. Don’t forget to comment—what resonates most for you about Colleen’s story? And if you’re loving the podcast, share it with a friend or leave a 5-star review. 💌
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