Lift Off: The Rocket Software Rocketeer Profile Series - Get to Know Rebecca Dilthey
December 15, 2023
We talk a lot about our values of Empathy, Humanity, Trust, and Love here at Rocket Software. Those values help us keep our customers at the leading edge of their digital transformation and modernization journeys. But that success is only possible because of the Rocketeers who are all-in on those core values, bringing their passion and industry-leading expertise to every challenge that comes their way.
Our next Rocketeer to step into the spotlight is Rebecca Dilthey, Product Marketing Director. In addition to leading the go-to-market strategy for Rocket Software’s IBM i solutions portfolio, Rebecca leads our customer retention marketing efforts.
Join us as we get to know Rebecca.
Fast Facts
One word to describe the Rocket culture?
Community
Coffee or tea?
Coffee
Proud Moment?
Launching the Disrupt without Disruption campaign at POWERUp 2023
Favorite Rocket Software value?
Humanity
Bucket List Destination?
Buenos Aires
What is your role at Rocket Software, and what does a typical day look like?
I run product marketing for the IBM i portfolio under the application modernization business unit, and I lead retention marketing for the whole organization.
Because I wear two hats, my day-to-day at Rocket Software can vary a lot. Sometimes, I’m working with my team to figure out the best way to engage our customers to ensure their relationship with us and our products meets or even exceeds their expectations. Other times, I brainstorm with the product management team about the best path forward for our product's go-to-market strategy. Typically, my day is full of meetings and brainstorming calls. I love opportunities where I can be collaborative, so those conversations are really fulfilling for me.
What interested you in Rocket Software?
Company culture was my top priority when looking for a new job several years ago, and Rocket Software fit the bill, offering everything I wanted—including a few things I didn’t realize were important to me. Obviously, I wanted a role that would fit my skill set and what I was looking for in my career, but a couple of the most important deciding factors were the people I’d be working with as well as the organization’s values. Rocket Software was exactly the place where I knew I could grow the roots of my career long-term.
How would you describe the team and work environment within your department/Rocket Software?
Rocket Software is a really fast-paced environment to work in, but even still, there's always time for everyone to provide value and for their voices to be heard and respected. It's something that has always resonated with me and comes up often when I'm talking to prospective employees in interviews.
What projects/aspects of your job bring you the most excitement?
Our retention marketing has been strong this year, and our customers have become very excited about our content as a result. Retention marketing is about engaging customers in a way that helps them better understand how to use and take advantage of the products they own. Sometimes, we do this through live webinars where customers can see our product experts test new features and give the product team any feedback about what’s not working or—my favorite part—what is. That’s what excites me: when our customers are happy, I know we are doing something right, and our work makes a difference.
What is one of your proudest moments during your time at Rocket Software?
At one of the events we sponsor called POWERUp, I really wanted to get creative with how we could intertwine our branding with the event. At Rocket Software, we say “modernization without disruption,” so we came up with this idea to bring circus performers to “disrupt” the event. We had a stilt walker, a juggler, and an acrobat walking around and showcasing their skills; everyone loved it. I had competitors coming up to me saying that they wished they had come up with this idea and potential clients in awe—it was amazing.
Do you think Rocket Software’s core values of Empathy, Humanity, Trust and Love are unique from other companies? And how do you live by these in your day-to-day role?
I think many companies have a positive culture, but I don’t think many of them have values that are defined as explicitly as Rocket Software’s. Our values are woven so deeply from the top down that they even influence how we engage with our customers and partners. That really sets us apart.
Personally, I try my hardest to bring that level of respect and self-awareness to every conversation I have. It’s important to ensure everyone feels like they belong at the table and are included in discussions.
Rocket Software inspires an environment where diversity is celebrated and respected, people are valued for their unique contributions, and where each Rocketeer feels a sense of belonging. The Rocket Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (RIDE) Program helps foster these beliefs. Tell us why you think DEI in the workplace is so important today. If you’ve participated in any RIDE initiatives previously, please share!
Our DEI initiatives and our RIDE program ensure we put our core values into practice. You have to see people as whole individuals, and sometimes, unfortunately, that's hard to do. To have a dedicated group actively working to improve diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging within the organization is incredibly important. That way, everyone can feel like they belong and that they bring something meaningful to the workplace.
Currently, I’m helping the RIDE program share with and educate the larger Rocket community on parts of our Rocketeers' cultures that might not be widely known. For example, we asked our Rocketeers who celebrate Diwali to record a fireside chat about the Hindu celebration so the larger community could learn more about the celebration. It was a fun video that shared some valuable knowledge on the holiday.
