Pros
Berkley One is a high-performing environment with really strong talent across the organization. A lot of people come here because of the opportunity. If you want to make an impact, you can. You are not a cog in the wheel. In my experience, you almost have to trip over yourself not to get opportunity here. There is a real entrepreneurial mindset, and people’s opinions genuinely matter, regardless of level. That shows up in how teams work together and how decisions get made. One thing that stands out to me is the culture. There is not a sense of cliques, managing up, or a boy's club. People are recognized for what they contribute and how they show up, not for playing politics, which matters. From a leadership perspective, my experience has been very different than what is sometimes described. Expectations are high, but they are clear, and there is accountability across the board. There is a genuine focus on building a strong, sustainable business and doing things the right way. One of the biggest reasons I joined and continue to stay is our President. It is rare in this industry to have a female leader at that level who is both incredibly strong from a business perspective and genuinely cares about people. She knows her team, not just what you do, but your family, your life, what matters to you. That is not common in larger organizations, and it creates a culture where people actually feel seen and valued. When you find leadership like that, you do not leave it. We are also unapologetically an in-person company (with 1 flex day at home each week), and I believe that is a big part of why the culture is as strong as it is. There is a level of collaboration that comes from being side by side that is hard to replicate. Flexibility and how we work best is still an ongoing conversation, but in practice I have seen a lot of teams find ways to balance performance and what people need, with a strong focus on being accountable to each other. There continues to be a real investment in talent. The company is willing to hire experienced people and train new, pay competitively, and continue building out the organization in a thoughtful way.
Cons
As Berkley One continues to grow at a rapid pace, there are times where attracting and onboarding the right talent struggles to keep up with that growth, which can create pressure on teams. The culture is very relationship-driven, which is a strength, but it can also feel almost too familial at times. People care deeply about the business and each other, and that level of investment can sometimes blur lines or make it harder to step back and recharge.