At Momentive, we know that leadership is more than job titles and quarterly results. It’s about purpose, empathy, and impact — the kind that starts from within and extends out into the communities we live in and serve. That’s why we’re proud to introduce Moments of Impact: Inspiring Leaders, a new blog series spotlighting our leadership team’s personal journeys of service, advocacy, and giving back.
To launch the series, we sat down with Tirrah Switzer, Vice President of Product Marketing, who has been with Momentive for over seven years. From her home base in Oregon, Tirrah shared what fuels her commitment to service and how a lifetime of volunteering has shaped her into the leader she is today.
A League of Her Own
For Tirrah, one organization has especially anchored her journey: the Junior League. With over 20 years of involvement across four different local leagues, Tirrah describes the experience as “near and dear to her heart”.
“Junior League is about advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact,” she explains. “It’s not just a place to volunteer — they provide leadership training, mentorship, and professional development skills to apply in the real world.”
Over the years, she’s held multiple leadership roles within the organization and points to Junior League as foundational to her personal and professional development. “A lot of what I learned from the Junior League has helped to shape my career,” she says.
Mentorship That Lasts a Lifetime
Another profound chapter in Tirrah’s story comes from her long-standing involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters. She was matched with her “Little” in 2011 and more than a decade later, they’re still close friends. Her mentee, now a first-generation college graduate working in public service, recently had her first child. Tirrah beams, “She’s part of our family.”
It’s relationships like these that deepen Tirrah’s belief in the ripple effect of service. “You go in thinking you’re going to make an impact on someone else,” she says, “but the impact they have on you is just as strong.”
Building Homes—and Hope—Across the Globe
When asked what she’d do with a full day to volunteer anywhere in the world, Tirrah doesn’t hesitate: she’d go back to Africa. She’s previously volunteered in Ghana, Malawi, and Cambodia, working with Habitat for Humanity and Cross-Cultural Solutions to build homes and hope.
One of her fondest memories of serving in Africa was assisting at an HIV/AIDS clinic in Ghana. “I had no medical background, but they welcomed me because of my fundraising skills,” she says. “My favorite day was holding babies while their parents got their vitals taken. It was a simple job, but it allowed me to interact with the local community and that was so meaningful.”
Lessons That Lead
Tirrah’s leadership approach is shaped by years of nonprofit involvement and grounded in values like empathy, adaptability, and a willingness to keep learning. She believes leadership is as much about listening and growing as it is about guiding others.
“It’s not just about mentoring your direct reports,” she explains. “It’s also about supporting your peers and being open to learning from them in return.” For Tirrah, mentoring is one way she pays forward the guidance she’s received throughout her career — an everyday way to give back in a professional setting. “I’ve benefited from great mentors and coaches, so I try to create those same opportunities for others, when and where I can.”
She also values how community service offers a broader perspective. “Getting involved in local organizations introduces you to challenges you might not encounter in your own day-to-day,” she says. “It also connects you with people from different industries and backgrounds, which helps sharpen your people skills and expand your outlook.”
Leading with Purpose at Momentive
It’s no surprise that Tirrah found her professional home at Momentive. “What attracted me here, and what keeps me here, is our mission to serve nonprofits. Our customers are doing incredible, life-changing work,” she says. “We’re not just building software. If something goes wrong, that could be a missed donation or a canceled program. That’s the level of responsibility we carry, and we take it seriously.”
For Tirrah, being part of a purpose-driven company is deeply meaningful. “Every time I speak with a customer, I’m reminded of the incredible work they’re doing in their communities and it reinforces just how important our mission at Momentive really is.”
Advice for Aspiring Changemakers
Tirrah encourages anyone looking to give back to start small, but most importantly, to start.
“Choose a mission that resonates with you,” she says. “It doesn’t have to be a long-term commitment. Maybe it’s a one-time volunteer event, a modest donation, or simply showing up to learn more. The key is finding a way to contribute that fits your season of life, because that’s when it becomes sustainable.”
Tirrah’s journey is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t confined to the office — it’s reflected in how we show up for others. And often, the first step toward making a difference is simply deciding to begin.