What I Wish I Knew as a New Mobility Professional: Lessons from Industry Leader Eileen MacDonald
The global mobility industry is built on constant change, personal transitions, and the professionals who guide others through those pivotal moments. Whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned expert, there’s always something to learn—and no one knows that better than Eileen MacDonald, a respected senior leader in global mobility.
With over two decades of experience across global mobility, HR operations, and vendor management, Eileen brings a thoughtful, people-first approach to an industry often defined by logistics. Her career has spanned Fortune 500 companies where she’s built mobility programs from the ground up, driven policy transformation, and led with both strategy and empathy.
Eileen recently shared her reflections with us and her insights resonate deeply with our own philosophy at Ace Relocation Systems.
“What I Would Tell My Brand-New Mobility Professional Self by Eileen MacDonald
1. Learn what you can from whomever you can, even if it’s unconventional.
When I first found out I was taking over the Mobility function, my manager gave me a box of active files for a handful of transferees and assignees, and another box of van line and temporary housing contracts. With lack of formal training, I sat down and read every contract from top to bottom. My list of questions ended up being almost longer than the contracts themselves—but I tracked down the experts and made sure I got every one of them answered.
I even went to packing school so I could gain a better understanding about how the move process worked from a transferee’s perspective. Packing school was part of a pre-summer busy season training for crews, and they had a full “training house” set up in the warehouse. I learned how to do a pre-move survey—cube sheet and all—how to pack a box properly (a skill I still remember), and how those boxes should be loaded onto the truck. Walking through the process, room by room, gave me a whole new appreciation for what our transferees go through during a move.
2. Take the opportunities presented to you… and the ones that aren’t.
New things, like technology, can be scary. Sometimes you must get over your fears and take the opportunities that appear. You won’t always be good at it—especially right away—but learning something new will be helpful in your current and future roles.
Some opportunities won’t be handed to you, and instead are the kind you must create for yourself. One of my favorite jobs came about when I approached my Senior Vice President asking to take on some additional responsibilities that fell outside the typical HR scope. We agreed I’d try it out for 60 days, and if it didn’t work, I’d simply return to my original role. I ended up doing that job for four years. Never worked harder but enjoyed every minute of it.
3. Explore beyond your bubble.
Check out what’s happening in other companies, countries, and regions, because they all experience a variety of factors that influence the way they do things. If you can attend regionals in other areas and make contacts while doing so, I highly recommend it.
While keeping track of what competitors are doing is always a good idea, moving beyond your competition and learning about the policies of other companies and industries can be equally enlightening.
4. Build a robust network early on.
You don’t need to be an expert on everything. Find the experts you need to round out your knowledge base—and be an expert to others.
Start your own “support” group…or join one. I have a group of corporate friends I do calls with on occasion when one of us has a hot topic to review.
5. Most importantly at the end of the day, there is a real live person being affected by your decisions.
Don’t forget about them.
