#TeamAlegeus wants to learn more about you. Tell us a bit about yourself and your role here at Alegeus.
My name is Sheldon Murphy, and I’ve been with Alegeus for nine years. As a Platform Product Manager, I’m responsible for overseeing the Banking, Settlement, Funding, and Payment capabilities within the WealthCare Admin platform.
Humble brags welcome. How have you made a meaningful impact in your role as Product Manager?
Over the past nine years, I have had the privilege of contributing to some significant initiatives within the organization. I was initially brought on to manage Alegeus’ WealthCare Support Services. During the onboarding of two highly strategic partners, I played a key role in developing custom processes, including what has now become our Employer Funding Invoicing solution. As the Product Manager, I oversee the entire employer funding system capability, and we have continued to refine the process, culminating in the creation of a self-service Funding Invoice Manager page in WCA. This enhancement has eliminated the need for bots and external custom reporting for partners. Most recently, I led the conversion of all our bank custodians to the new Integrated Payment solution, which not only offers new digital payment options to our partners but also generates additional revenue for Alegeus.
As the co-lead of our P.R.I.D.E. employee resource group (ERG) and a long-standing member of Team Alegeus, you’ve had a significant impact on fostering inclusivity and diversity within our organization. As our DE&I journey continues to evolve, which P.R.I.D.E. ERG accomplishments are you most proud of?
Our P.R.I.D.E. ERG team was only recently established, but we’ve already made significant strides in defining our mission and values. I am proud to be a co-lead for this group, alongside Lauren Lovelady. We’ve aligned with the ELT to pursue a singular goal: to make Alegeus a safe space where all employees can live authentically, free from fear of shame, discrimination, harassment, or threats.
For PRIDE month, we were excited to host several events to raise awareness and highlight the importance of openness and support within our community. Specifically, we organized some fun team activities and two company-wide events. One of these was a session sponsored by our Executive Sponsor, Dan Brames, where he and the pillar leads presented on “Allyship in Action.” This session was an insightful look into what it means to be an ally and how each of us can support the LGBTQIA+ community. We also had a book review session with CEO Leif O’Leary, which was fantastic!
Our team-specific events included an LGBTQIA+ History Trivia Night, where we came together to play an online trivia game focused on LGBTQIA+ history. We wrapped up the month by highlighting important historical figures from the LGBTQIA+ community and their significant contributions. As co-leads, Lauren Lovelady and I help organize the team’s vision and values, working with everyone to plan and execute activities that align with our mission. Together, we aim to foster a supportive and inclusive environment for all.
How has your career evolved since you first joined Alegeus and what key experiences or opportunities have been instrumental in your professional growth?
As mentioned earlier, I initially joined Alegeus on the operations side, managing our WealthCare Support Services (WCSS). Later, I had the opportunity to transition into a consultant role, which allowed me to travel across the country and work directly with our partners to solve their unique challenges. During this time, I was approached by a former COO to help establish the Financial Operations team, which didn’t exist prior to 2019. When the pandemic hit, a position opened up in Product, and I applied, moving into my current role in 2021. From the beginning, my goal was to work in Product, and although my journey may have taken a zig-zag path, I never lost sight of that goal. I made sure to prepare myself and learn as much as possible so that I could seize the opportunity when it finally presented itself.
Let’s switch things up. We’d love to learn more about you outside of work. Tell us about a hobby you enjoy in your free time.
I have a passion for gardening, landscaping, and botanical photography. During the pandemic, I discovered my green thumb and became dedicated to cultivating a variety of plants. It’s become more than just a hobby; it’s a creative outlet where I can experiment with different plants and designs. I’ve spent countless hours transforming outdoor spaces and capturing the beauty of my garden through photography.
What’s your favorite book or movie and what makes it so special to you?
The movie “Cloud Atlas” had a profound impact on me. After watching it with my husband, I found myself sitting in the car, overwhelmed with emotion, and I cried for about 15 minutes. The film’s message about the deep connections we share in this life and beyond resonated with beliefs I’ve held for a long time. I haven’t been this emotionally moved by a film since the first time I watched ET.