At Macro, we believe our people are our greatest strength. Our People Spotlight Series shares the stories, passions, and career journeys of team members across the globe. From their unique backgrounds to the lessons they’ve learned along the way, these spotlights celebrate the individuals who make Macro’s culture vibrant, supportive, and inspiring.

This week we meet Anaelle Southerland, Workplace Host based in Geneva.

Tell me about yourself and your current role.

Originally from Lyon, France, I completed all my studies there before pursuing my Master's abroad, first in the United States, then in Spain. My passion for travel and cultural discovery has shaped me into a true ‘citizen of the world’, how I like to call it.

I recently relocated to Geneva with my husband and joined Macro working as a Workplace Host on a leading global beauty product leader client account in May 2025. Since then, I’ve truly enjoyed being part of the team. I'm a people-oriented person who thrives on being helpful and making a difference, qualities that align perfectly with my current role.

Describe a typical day in your work life.

No two days are the same, but I try to maintain a routine starting with settling in and walking through both floors to make sure everything is in order and identify anything that might need attention. It’s also a great opportunity to connect with colleagues, introduce myself when needed, and show that I’m available and approachable.

After that, I focus on daily responsibilities and upcoming events, and I always try to carve out some time to organise and optimise our storage areas.

How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations?

In high pressure situations I’ve learned to take a step back, breathe, and prioritise what needs to be done. Once I focus on the tasks at hand, I work through them methodically and stay solution oriented. Stressful moments can be challenging, but I’ve found that staying calm, organised, and asking for help when needed helps me handle them effectively. (it does not mean it works every time 😉)

Who have been your strongest influences in life?

This may sound like a cliché, it is my husband who always pushed me and encouraged me to try harder, or simply to try. There were so many times I applied for jobs without being sure if I was even qualified – although I was on paper, but in my head, it was another story.

What led you to your current career path?

A little backstory: the longest role I’ve held so far was as a French Content Reviewer at Taboola. Over time, I grew within both the role and the team. After some early challenges, I reached a point where colleagues looked to me for guidance, knowledge, and support with training.

Their encouragement led me to take charge of onboarding new joiners and assisting anyone who needed help. I created a new onboarding system, refreshed training materials, and introduced innovative ways of learning. It was a true team effort, but when the project was complete, I felt incredibly proud and accomplished.

At Macro, I hope to set new goals and achieve new milestones — particularly by creating clear procedures and contributing to the continuous improvement of our operations.

What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?

Patience — something I’ve learned over time. When I start a new role, I’m always eager to be fully onboarded and independent as quickly as possible so I can start contributing and showcase my strengths. Like many, I want to make a great first impression — and that often drives a sense of urgency.

In the past, I’ve sometimes been too impatient to master everything immediately. But with experience, I’ve come to understand that the job isn’t going anywhere, and if I’ve been chosen for the role, it’s because I’m trusted and needed.

This perspective has helped me start my journey at Macro with a more grounded and mature outlook — focused on learning steadily, asking the right questions, and building a solid foundation for long-term success.

If you had a chance, what would you do differently?

You know the sentence “we are our own enemy”? This is the story of my life. If I had a chance to do something differently, I would learn to trust the process earlier. In previous roles, especially when starting something new, I put a lot of pressure on myself to be perfect from day one. I wanted to prove my value quickly, which sometimes led to stress or rushing through important steps.

Looking back, I realise that growth takes time, and asking questions, making mistakes, and learning along the way are all part of the journey.

Now, I focus more on steady progress, building relationships, and understanding the bigger picture and that makes me stronger and more effective in my role.

What are the most important life lessons you’ve learned?

One of the most important life lessons I’ve learned is that resilience comes from taking small steps forward, even when things feel uncertain or overwhelming. Life rarely follows a straight path, personally or professionally and learning to adapt, stay calm, and keep going has helped me through major changes like moving to a new country, changing jobs, or starting from scratch.

Another key lesson: you don’t have to do everything alone. Asking for help or relying on your community doesn’t make you weaker, it often brings better results and deeper connections.

What do you like about Macro?

Being close to people is something I truly value. I’ll never forget my first interview for Macro and how excited I was about the opportunity to join the company.

Now, seeing how Macro genuinely prioritises its people and strives to support employees across all locations, from the UK to Dubai and now Geneva, is truly inspiring. It reinforces how proud I am to be part of such a people-focused organisation.

What motivates you every day?

Knowing that I’m helping people every day, even in small ways, is what keeps me going. Whether it’s something simple or more involved, receiving a smile or a thank you means a lot — it makes the work fulfilling.

What skills do you need to be good at your job?

A good smile and a creative mindset go a long way. I’m always looking for solutions, even when resources are limited — my friends often say I’m the female version of MacGyver! I enjoy figuring things out with whatever tools I have on hand. It doesn’t always work perfectly, but I never stop trying.

At the same time, I believe being a good listener is just as important - whether someone comes with a problem or an idea makes a real difference. Not every idea will be doable, and that’s okay, but I believe it’s worth taking the time to consider it before deciding - you never know what might come from it!