Farren Roper’s drive to champion inclusivity and transformative technology has earned him accolades as a TEDx speaker and author. Now he’s bringing that passion and experience to Audible as Senior Leader, Spectrum and Belonging, helping us maintain a workplace culture where employees can do their best work delivering for our customers. 

Can you share a bit about your career journey at Audible?  

I came to Audible from Amazon, relocating from Seattle to New York and was able to quickly adapt to my new location and role, thanks to Audible’s support. My manager and team were extremely accommodating to my circumstances, and the onboarding experience was easily the best I’ve had in my career. My journey from Amazon to Audible was a seamless one, and each experience has made me a better leader.  

What is life like at the hub you are aligned to?  

I work from our Newark, NJ, headquarters. I love the murals that greet you when you arrive, and the majesty of the Innovation Cathedral. Close to our Newark office, there's a park with artwork of Harriet Tubman, sponsored by Audible, that speaks volumes to our connection to Newark and its community.  

How does your job contribute to Audible's mission to surprise and delight listeners around the world? 

I work in service of our global employees in every region, which I see as being in service of both internal and external customers, because when you have people from diverse backgrounds working inclusively, they build better products for everyone. If we want to reach every listener in every language across the world, we need to understand their context. As a reader and a writer, I'm inspired to work for a company whose mission aligns with my own. We have an opportunity — and privilege — to use the power of storytelling to build cultural bridges. 

How do you exemplify our People Principles in your day-to-day work? How do you leverage them in your role?  

I'm a naturally curious person, so “Study and Draw Inspiration from the Culture and Technology” is how I live my life. There's an abundance of information out there, not all of it useful, so I'm intentional about curating learning experiences and going deep on my passions and curiosities. "Activate Caring," another one of our principles, is something I feel when I engage with people. As the saying goes, you never forget how people make you feel, and the people I work with inspire and uplift me daily. 

How are you involved with Audible’s employee-led Impact Groups? 

I think Impact Groups are important because employees are increasingly seeking community. Audible’s Black Employee Network (BEN) was a critical part of my onboarding experience and a constant source of community and support. 

Right now, I'm planning Black History Month as well as Women's History Month, working with our incredible Impact Groups to drive exceptional employee connection moments and incorporate our Audible Original titles. I value the moments when we get together to celebrate heritage and to learn from one another. Last year, two of our groups, BEN and UNIDOS, went to see the show Mexodus at Audible's Minetta Lane Theatre. And recently, I attended the launch of the Audible Original series, The Prophecy, hosted by our marketing team, where leaders of our Impact Groups were included, bringing together the customer and employee experience.  

Can you share about a project you moved quickly to make something real?  

We recently revamped and re-launched one of our learning and development programs ahead of schedule. The key was ensuring that stakeholders were meaningfully engaged, with each knowing what they contributed. I use a design-thinking approach to my work. When you treat work as a learning experience, you don't get tripped up by the trap of "perfection." With my background as a lawyer, I'm always cautious of risk, but I counterbalance caution with the opportunity for creation. Creation gives me the most satisfaction. 

What are some employee benefits at Audible that you find invaluable to your well-being?  

Our tuition reimbursement has been a game changer for financial inclusion. For instance, we make upfront payments for AI courses that help employees evolve their mindset, skill set and tool set for the future. Last year, I took advantage of the program to complete an AI course at MIT.   

What was your first Audible listen?  

Born a Crime, by Trevor Noah. I was inspired because of the similarities in our stories — growing up Black in post-Apartheid South Africa — and his gift of being able to shine a light on serious topics using humor. 

What’s a quality that people interested in a role like yours would need in order to be successful?  

A genuine passion for people. This work is incredibly rewarding, but it's also challenging; you're navigating complex topics, driving cultural change and advocating for what's right, even when it's uncomfortable. You need a deep commitment to the mission and a real love for helping people thrive. 

Lightning Round!  

Favorite genre? Biographies and memoirs, because I am inspired by lessons from lived experiences.  

Listening from a speaker or headphones? Headphones. 

Favorite activity while listening? Taking long walks to clear my head. 

Morning person or night owl? I am up at 5 a.m. daily. 

Favorite snack? M&Ms, hands down! No further questions, Your Honor. 

What are you currently listening to?  

Living Legend, an Audible Words + Music by John Legend. I'm an audiophile, and it's the perfect intersection of storytelling and music. 

See open People & Operations roles at Audible