How Neil Shevlin Found His Calling by Uplifting Others
Empathy, as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of another.
Growing up in Ireland and working for his family’s funeral business, Neil Shevlin developed empathy as he assisted grieving families during their most difficult times. Little did he know it would be the anchor that would eventually root him in his purpose.
“I’d help with cleaning and polishing the hearses and limousines,” he said, “but I’d also work with families and customers, helping them with requests just to make their lives a little bit easier.”
A Tech Career With a Missing Piece
That early exposure to empathy shaped Neil’s point of view as he pursued a career in software engineering, graduating from DKIT College in 1999 during the tech boom of the late 90s to the early 00s. For over two decades, Neil worked in Australia and Ireland for major tech companies, including Microsoft. While he succeeded in software development and consulting roles, something never quite felt right.
“There was always something gnawing at me,” he said. “Why is it that when I work on a million-dollar software sale, I’m not happy that evening? I think it was because I hadn’t realized my calling yet.”
That calling began to take shape through a winding journey that involved love, risk, and transformation. In 2013, Neil made the bold decision to leave what he calls his “dream job” in Dublin to move closer to a partner who lived 160 miles away. The relationship didn’t last, but the decision led Neil to a new job that was eventually acquired by an American company — a serendipitous twist that would change his life.
“They asked if I’d like to move to the United States to help set up their loyalty operation in the U.S.,” Neil recalled. “They gave me a seven-year visa, and I said yes. I have always loved California, and my uncle had lived there for 40 years.”
Neil relocated to California, working with high-profile clients like Starbucks and Kellogg’s. He traveled frequently, built relationships with senior executives, and solutioned major tech projects. But despite professional success, he once again began to feel a disconnect.
“Near the end of my tech career, I started mentoring younger colleagues, helping them navigate their careers. That’s when I felt something shift,” Neil said.
Finding Purpose Through Mentorship
His growing interest in coaching and a desire to work with immigrants and refugees led Neil to earn a formal coaching certification. Still unsure of his niche, a chance conversation with Terry Lynn Cardona — a former hiring manager and advocate of Upwardly Global — helped connect the dots.
“Terry said, ‘You should get involved with Upwardly Global,’” Neil recalled. “I volunteered, and on my very first call, I coached a Ukrainian job seeker. I knew I had found my place.”
That moment marked the beginning of a new chapter. Neil volunteered for nearly three years before transitioning into a full-time role at Upwardly Global. With encouragement from champions like Kayla Stevenson, Upwardly Global’s National Volunteer Program Lead, he applied and eventually joined the team. “Kayla opened the door for me. Even though I was volunteering, she believed in me.”
Turning Passion Into Profession
Today, as an Employment Services Lead, Neil manages a team that supports job seekers with legal education and science backgrounds. He conducts one-on-one coaching sessions, facilitates group onboarding, delivers webinars, and represents Upwardly Global at community events.
“My favorite part of the job is the people. Not just the job seekers, but also my colleagues,” he said. “Everything we do is mission-driven. We don’t just implement processes for the sake of it; it’s always about improving the experience for job seekers.”
One of Neil’s most meaningful memories involves a Ukrainian job seeker named Oleksandr.
“We worked together for 12 weeks. When he got his job, suddenly, everything I’d been striving for over the past 20 years — my purpose, my desire to help — clicked into place,” he said.
Looking Ahead
Focused on the future, Neil hopes to see Upwardly Global rise from “25,000 feet to 40,000 feet,” a metaphor for reaching new heights of impact.
“What that means may change, but the goal is the same: to help more people. I want us to elevate even higher.”
From helping grieving families in Ireland to supporting immigrants and refugees in the U.S., Neil Shevlin’s journey is a testament to the transformative impact of finding one’s purpose. “You just need one opportunity. One person to believe in you. That can change everything.”