Finding purpose through problem-solving: Meet Lea P.

For Lea P., making a difference has always been the goal. The path to getting there just turned out to be a little different than she expected.

Today, Lea serves as an Operations Manager on the Corporate Responsibility team at Cummins Inc., where she helps support the programs, systems and processes that enable employees and communities around the world to create positive change. From grantmaking and nonprofit partnerships to employee volunteering and emerging technology, her work sits at the intersection of impact, innovation and operational excellence.

But before building a career in Corporate Responsibility, Lea was headed in a very different direction. "I always knew I wanted to do something that made a difference in the world," she said. "For a long time, I thought that would involve animals in some way. Which is why I have a degree in Biology and a former career as a zookeeper."

That career path eventually led her to Cummins through Meritor, where she built expertise in operations and problem-solving. When she learned more about Cummins' Corporate Responsibility team and its global impact, she immediately felt a connection. "I remember thinking, 'this is it,'" Lea shared. "I had found my end-game team. This was where I was meant to be."

Turning Complex Challenges into Meaningful Impact

Lea has been with the company for more than eight years and currently works in Columbus, Indiana, (U.S.) with plans to return to Michigan later this year.

In her role, no two days look exactly the same. She manages operations that support Corporate Responsibility programs around the world, including grantmaking platforms, employee engagement tools, nonprofit vetting, reporting, governance and payment processes. Much of her day is spent identifying opportunities to improve systems, solving challenges and finding ways to make complicated processes easier for employees and nonprofit partners alike.

"I love that my job is a mix of problem-solving, strategy and helping people," Lea said. "Corporate Responsibility gives me an opportunity to work on things that have a real impact, whether that's helping our teams get grants to nonprofit partners, making it easier for employees to record volunteer hours, or improving the systems and processes behind all of that work."

A Culture That Encourages New Ideas

One of the things Lea values most about Cummins is the collaborative environment and the opportunity to contribute new ideas.

"I work with people across different teams, regions and functions, so there are always different perspectives at the table," she said. More importantly, she feels empowered to challenge the status quo. "If I see something that could work better, I'm encouraged to explore it rather than simply accepting that 'this is how we've always done it.” That mindset has helped Lea continue expanding her responsibilities and developing expertise in areas that interest her, from operational improvements to technology and leadership.

For Lea, career growth is about more than titles. "Advancement isn't only about moving from one title to another," she explained. "It's also being trusted with more complex work, becoming a subject-matter expert, having greater visibility and being given opportunities to lead."

Living Cummins Values Through Corporate Responsibility

Lea sees Cummins values reflected in her work every day, particularly in the balance between accountability and impact. "We're responsible for making sure our resources are used responsibly, but behind every grant or process is a community partner trying to do meaningful work," she said. "My job is often finding the balance between having strong processes and controls while still making it as easy as possible for our employees and nonprofit partners to accomplish what they're trying to do."

That combination of accountability, collaboration and community impact is at the heart of Corporate Responsibility and aligns closely with Cummins' commitment to powering a more prosperous world.

It's also one of the reasons Lea is especially passionate about the company’s community engagement efforts. "Our work is focused around areas where we believe we can make a meaningful difference, including education, the environment and equity," she said. "What I particularly like is that employees are part of that work. It isn't just the company writing a check. We have employees and leaders around the world building relationships with organizations and getting involved in their communities."

Growing as a Leader

Looking ahead, Lea is focused on continuing to grow as a leader and helping organizations navigate change. "I really enjoy operations because I like taking something complicated and figuring out how to make it work better," she said. "I've also developed a strong interest in technology and AI and how those tools can transform the way teams work." Her long-term goal is to continue leading change, improving how organizations operate and helping teams turn big ideas into action. 

Her story is a reminder that at Cummins, career growth and community impact go hand in hand. Whether developing new solutions, supporting nonprofit partners or helping employees engage in their communities, Lea's work reflects the company's commitment to innovation, responsibility and creating a lasting positive impact around the world.