As the co-lead of the Women at commercetools and Allies ERG, Lisa Lapp shares an open letter on change, resilience — and moving forward together.
If there’s one thing the 2020s have made clear, it’s that change isn’t slowing down. It has come fast, hit hard, and reshaped our lives in ways we never saw coming. Some of it has been exciting, some of it exhausting, and much of it completely out of our control.
And yet, through it all, women have continued to show up. At work, at home, in our communities — often without missing a beat. No matter how much the ground beneath us shifts, there’s this unspoken expectation that we’ll keep going, keep adapting, keep carrying the weight.
But here’s the thing: it’s okay to pause. It’s okay to feel the impact of everything that’s happened and not have it all figured out. Moving forward doesn’t have to mean sprinting ahead without looking back. It can mean taking a breath, recalibrating, and choosing what’s next — because how we move forward is a choice. And if there’s one thing I believe, it’s that moving forward together is always better than moving forward alone.
There’s real strength in knowing you don’t have to carry everything on your own. Being part of a community — one where you can be honest, where you can both give and receive support — makes the hard days easier and the victories even sweeter. That’s why spaces like Women at commercetools and Allies exist. It’s not just another ERG; it’s a place to share experiences, lift each other up, and make sure representation and opportunity aren’t just talked about but acted on.
Moving forward looks different for everyone, but it doesn’t have to be isolating. A quick message, a check-in, or just saying, “I see you” can mean more than you think. Creating space for honest conversations — whether over coffee or in a meeting — builds trust. Sharing what you know, celebrating wins, and advocating for each other helps all of us grow. And sometimes, just leading with humanity — listening, showing up, being kind — is enough.
Change will keep coming — that’s a given. But we get to decide how we move through it. My hope is that we do it together. That we continue to create a culture where it’s okay to pause, to be human, and to find strength in each other. Because we’re always stronger together.
Lisa Lapp is a Senior Product Manager at commercetools focused on B2B & B2C frontend user and developer experiences. With over a decade of experience, she is a commerce expert and has previously worked for Shopify. Throughout her career, she has worked for numerous B2C retailers and consulted with hundreds of brands to drive value and growth. In her spare time, she is an avid reader, traveller and loves art & culture.