Topography Team Q & A: Abigail Shepardson
Abigail Shepardson, Director of People brings more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit and HR/talent acquisition leadership to her role at Topography Health. A former pastor, Abigail is driven by a deep passion for people and a commitment to helping others thrive. She is also a certified expert in both Diversity, Equity, and Belonging and Technical Hiring.
Abigail was kind enough to answer a few questions about her career journey, the hiring process at Topography, and what she thinks sets the company apart.
Abigail, you came from a large biotech company where you managed a team of 25 people, which was actually bigger than the entire team at Topography when you joined. What was that transition like for you?
Honestly, I had no idea what to expect. Coming from such a big organization, I expected things to be similar, but joining a startup was a whole different world. It turns out I really love it. The startup environment is so dynamic, and you can move quickly. If something isn’t working, it doesn’t matter who you are—you can Slack a Co-Founder and say, “Hey, this isn’t working. What if we tried this instead?” There’s no bureaucracy, just action.
The Co-Founders, Mac and Alexander, really made an impression. They’re two of the most humble, kind, and brilliant people I’ve ever worked with, and they’re so different in their strengths. They’re genuinely invested in the work we’re doing, and it’s personal for them. They’re not afraid to share their stories and be open about why this work matters to them, which is something you don’t often see in larger companies.
What advice would you give to others thinking about joining a startup, especially if they’re coming from a big company?
For anyone coming from a large organization, startups might seem intimidating, but they don’t have to be. At Topography, we’ve had people come from companies like Epic, and they’ve been very successful. My advice is to embrace the narrative that startups aren’t scary—they can actually be really exciting. When you’re looking to join a startup, think about the opportunity to make an impact and expand your skill set, and don’t be afraid to ask questions about the culture and what it’s like to work on a smaller team.
As the Director of People at Topography, what qualities do you prioritize when hiring team members?
The work we do at Topography is incredibly difficult, but at the same time, it's life-changing for the patients we serve. So the first quality I look for is patient empathy. We need people who truly understand the significance of the work they’re contributing to. What we do impacts not just one patient, but potentially an entire cohort. So, having a heart for the patients and being excited about the potential impact is crucial.
The second key quality is attention to detail. Clinical trials require an exceptional level of accuracy. Even the smallest mistake can have far-reaching consequences, not just for a single patient, but, again, for many. We need people who are meticulous and understand the gravity of the work they’re doing.
Another crucial trait is being a team player. In clinical trials, collaboration is non-negotiable. If you can’t rely on the people you work with, you’re not going to be successful—whether that’s in demonstrating empathy for patients or ensuring every detail is right. Teamwork underpins everything we do.
Can you tell us about Topography’s core values? How do you incorporate them into the hiring process?
Yes, our core values are a big part of the hiring process, and we screen for them consistently.
When I joined Topography, I created an interview guide, which is now part of our training for new hiring managers. It includes not just what our core values are, but also what to listen for during interviews—specific cues that show whether a candidate embodies those values.
For example, when we’re talking about empathy, we’ll ask candidates to share a time when they’ve worked with a patient or a situation where they had to put someone else’s needs first. We listen for genuine stories that demonstrate they not only understand patient care but also have a passion for it. For attention to detail, we might ask them to describe a time when precision was critical in their work and how they ensured success.
What roles is Topography Health hiring for now? How can I learn more?
All of our open positions are listed on our Careers page, which is updated frequently as we continue to scale.
If you’re interested in learning more about what it’s like to work at Topography, I recommend you follow our LinkedIn page to get a sense of what we’re working on. I’d also check out some of the team Q&A’s we’ve begun featuring, starting with Wendy Pinson, Executive Director, Clinical Operations and Cristy Patterson, Senior Director, Life Sciences Partnerships.
