M6 Leadership Spotlight: Ligaya Bennett
This week, we are spotlighting Ligaya Bennett, Vice President of People & Culture at M6. Inspired by the Warrior First mentality of Morgan 6, Ligaya joined the team as an early employee eager to help build the foundation of the company. Coming from a family with a long service history, Ligaya understands what service to our country means and is honored to be a part of a company that supports our veterans, past, present, and future.
Tell us about your background and your role at M6.
I joined M6 back in December of 2020 when I first moved to Charleston, SC. At that time, the company included Gavin and two others, and they knew they needed someone with an HR background to help carry the organization forward, develop it and further strengthen it, and then execute on all of those new changes that they were experiencing because of their growth at that time. So, they hired me to help build the function. Employee # 4, that’s how I first started with Morgan 6, and my role continues to evolve over the years.
As the Vice President of People & Culture, my role is to cultivate a dynamic culture that empowers our teams to thrive. I am deeply committed to driving performance by fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, motivated, and aligned with our company’s mission. My focus is not only on enhancing employee engagement but also on ensuring that Morgan 6 remains a competitive and sought-after destination for top talent.
Why did you join M6?
I’ve had great opportunities to work in various industries that were both domestic and international. I wanted to work for a company that offers work / life balance and where I could make a difference, apply my skills and experiences to help move the company forward, and help grow the business. What I liked about Morgan 6 was the warrior spirit and their focus on helping veterans past, present, and future. This is really important. My husband is a veteran, and I have a multitude of family members who have served and are still active. It’s definitely an honor to be a part of this organization.
What has been your most rewarding experience at M6 so far?
The one that sticks out with me is when we won the IWC contract and my recruiter was actually out on leave. Our recruiter was on leave and I led the recruiting effort, all hands were on deck. It was exciting to build the team, searching and identifying the different skill sets needed for this effort. It was really challenging. The project is still going, there were great finds, with skills and talent intact! I feel really good about the people that I was able to bring in in a short amount of time. I learned and it was rewarding.
What have you worked on lately that you want to tell people about?
The leadership team collaborated to develop our Warrior Engagement Program. This program represents our culture, defines the warrior spirit, engages employees and recognizes them for their contribution to our growth and success. We believe in it and are in the early stages of launching the program. It’s certainly exciting, will be a fun time, and will raise us to the next level.
The program also includes a Corporate Giving Plan. It will be an external complement to what we’re promoting internally and embody our values and spirit. We may be a small company, but we have big dreams.
How do you personally resonate with M6’s core values?
HEROIC is the acronym for our core values, and that means something to all of us. I have a natural drive to stand on my own two feet. I have perseverance, grit, and the attitude to really take on challenges and want to overcome them. I may be small, but I’m a mighty hero in some respects, whether it’s to my family, my kids, or my colleagues. They all understand that whatever is needed is going to be done. You know, the values are there. We’re going to treat each other with respect, we honor one another and have the tenacity to get the job done. We are Warriors.
Is there an M6 value that clearly shines through in your work?
I believe it’s the value of excellence. People sometimes confuse striving for excellence with striving to be perfect. That would be exhausting. I’m not trying to be perfect. I’m just trying to give my all to deliver exceptional work in everything that I do and include others in the process too. I’ve learned throughout my career that it’s always best to include others, and the result will be even better.
How do M6’s values set it apart from other organizations?
Our values are personal. Knowing the group of people that we have on the executive team and knowing our history, where we come from, our values…each of us resonates with those values.
What aspects of M6’s mission and operations keep you engaged?
Helping veterans of the past, present, and future keeps us all focused, but it’s really our future growth that’s interesting to me. I know everything that we’re capable of and where we can go. Gavin is such a visionary with an amazing amount of energy, it’s contagious. I know our future will be impactful, and that we’ll have fun along the way. So, I’m looking forward to that.
Any final thoughts to share about M6?
We are positioning ourselves for growth. We have a great group of leaders that’s working for us right now, and we’re preparing to take our business to the next level.
Rapid Fire Questions
What’s the best title you’ve ever had – personal or professional?
It’s difficult to identify the “best” as I’ve held great titles with prior employers, including Morgan 6. My current title is VP People and Culture, this signifies a shift towards a more strategic role focused on shaping our organizational culture and employee experience.
What can we find you doing in your free time?
Social activities, going to wineries, or simply enjoying the clarity break. I recently relocated to the North Virginia area, so we’re exploring the area.
What’s your go-to news source?
The BBC.
Are there any books or movies that you’ve watched or read lately that you think are amazing that you wanna tell people about?
I recently watched the movie Dark Waters on Netflix. The movie aligns with the heroic values reflected in Morgan 6’s culture, especially when you consider the emphasis on the warrior spirit, teamwork, and a passion to commit to a cause. Its themes of justice, resilience, and moral integrity make it a fitting cultural reflection of M6’s ethos.
Who would you most like to have dinner with or be stuck on a desert island with?
My husband.