“Transparent.” That’s the word Product Manager Abby Morss chose to describe firsthand’s culture. “No question or piece of information is seen as off-limits,” she said. This openness makes it easy for Morss and her peers to tackle projects and, most importantly, take time to unwind as friends. “Oftentimes, laughing about our quirks makes for the best conversations,” she said. Camaraderie, coupled with collaboration, forms the backbone of firsthand, encouraging employees to support each other as they pursue their passion for helping others. And with this empowerment comes endless opportunities to grow. “Our vision is to serve our employees with a world-class culture they won’t find anywhere else,” said Chief People Officer Amy Forrester.
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At a glance
01
ROOTED IN VALUES
An approach to work that’s rooted in firsthand’s core values: “individuals at the center,” “seek understanding and remain teachable,” “serious fun,” “bias toward action,” “candor and kindness” and “deliver value.”
02
GEOGRAPHIC FLEXIBILITY
Members of the Support team can work from the company’s NYC office or anywhere else in the country.
03
PRIORITIZE PARENTHOOD
All parents receive 16 weeks of paid parental leave.
04
PAY EQUITY
The company conducts an annual pay equity review to maintain equitable compensation structures.
Featured employees
SUPPORT ALL AROUND
In empowering others, find support yourself
There’s a reason why Amy Forrester considers firsthand’s culture supportive. Many team members have personally suffered from mental health and substance abuse disorders, and they deeply understand the struggles of the individuals they serve. According to Forrester, as employees uplift others, they receive support themselves through mentorship, equitable progress paths and an annual continuing education stipend — all of which bolsters their unique strengths. “The best part of my work is seeing our teammates’ talents shine in serving the deserving individuals in their communities,” she said.
Amy Forrester
Chief People Officer
I can’t wait to see our team continue improving the lives of individuals we already work with and others we haven’t had the chance to meet yet.
TEAMWORK FUELS INFLUENCE
Build products that drive widespread impact
Abby Morss
Product Manager
Abby Morss believes that firsthand team members feel empowered to show up as they are, enabling them to handle meaningful work. Since joining the company a year and a half ago, her team has scaled significantly, while building products that support the company’s community teams. To achieve this, Morss works closely with an operations partner on her team to troubleshoot major blockers and find solutions to issues. But regardless of how work is accomplished, the goal is the same: to make an impact. “Everything we do is to make sure our community guides can go out and be successful,” she said.
The more successful our community teams are, the more lives we’re able to impact.
A CURIOUS COLLECTIVE
Pursue new possibilities in tech
Will Germany sees hope in the way his teammates move quickly to improve people’s lives. Fueled by this ambition, he and his peers are currently building tools that will support community guides and their daily work. “We’re finding ample opportunities to drastically improve the current processes for documentation and workflows using our electronic health record system,” Germany said. For him, the success of this work is driven by the curiosity of his peers and their desire to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Will Germany
Full-Stack Software Engineer
Our team definitely has a bias towards action — and we have serious fun.
Healthtech • Information Technology • Social Impact • Software • App development
Peer Recovery Specialists support individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) by using lived experience to build trust and assist in accessing socio-economic support and healthcare services. They conduct outreach, advocate for clients, and facilitate connections with resources while participating in ongoing training and professional development.
Healthtech • Information Technology • Social Impact • Software • App development
The Peer Recovery Supporter (firsthand Guide) role provides support for individuals living with serious mental illnesses (SMI) and/or substance use disorders (SUD). They conduct outreach, build relationships, aid in care coordination, and address social determinants of health while empowering individuals in their wellness journeys. The role requires lived experience and involves collaboration with a multidisciplinary care team.
Healthtech • Information Technology • Social Impact • Software • App development
The Director, Actuary will develop frameworks and data models to assess risks and manage financial projections related to value-based care for individuals with serious mental illness. The role involves analyzing healthcare data, collaborating with operational leaders, and shaping actuarial practices within the organization.
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