For Chaille B., Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Cat Financial, balance isn’t about doing it all, it’s about knowing what matters most and making space for it. After 25 years with Caterpillar, Chaille shares her perspective on maintaining harmony between work and life.
Relationships are the Foundation, even in the Office
When asked what excited her about coming to the office, Chaille doesn’t hesitate: “The PEOPLE!” For her, Caterpillar’s culture is built on collaboration and friendships that often extend beyond work. “Projects are interesting, but nothing gets done without collaboration,” she says. Whether it’s colleagues stepping in during personal challenges or sharing milestones together, these relationships help Chaille navigate the demands of work and life.
Make Time for What Fuels You
Chaille believes balance starts with prioritizing what keeps you energized. For her, that means exercise and family time. “I get cranky if I don’t have both,” she admits. “When I can accomplish both together, like shooting hoops, playing catch, or going on a bike ride with my son, that is a win!”
Learn from the Unbalanced Moments
We all have had times when either a work or personal situation made us feel unbalanced. Chaille recalls a time when work and life collided when she was leading a global project while planning her wedding. “I felt like I was working both ends of the candle. Thankfully, I was younger and could handle less sleep back in those days!” she says. “Adversely, I’ve certainly had times where I felt like I had to ask more of my colleagues than I would have liked to as I tackled personal situations. That’s one of the best things about Caterpillar – when you ask for help, I feel like people bend over backwards to lend a hand.”
Unwind and Reset
When the day gets tough, Chaille turns to long walks, family dinners, yard work or curling up with a good book or TV series to take her mind off things. And when it comes to hobbies, travel tops the list. These moments help her reset and recharge so she can show up fully the next day.
At Caterpillar, we know the work we do matters—but so does your life outside of it. We offer flexibility, resources, and support to help you build a career and a life you love. Explore opportunities to join our team.
