Our Lead(H)er series features impressive women leaders in the tech industry. In this Q&A, we are featuring Holly Knights, VP, Digital Marketing & Analytics at SmartBear. 

Where did you grow up and how would you describe yourself as a child? 

I was born and raised in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Growing up, I was very interested in space and jets and always thought I would be a pilot or astronaut. To this day, I still love going to airshows! I was always curious, an avid reader, and loved learning new things. My high school years were spent working hard both inside and outside of school. I was very active in school activities and sports, often taking leadership positions in clubs like drama, chorus, and yearbook.   

What did you study in college and what was your first job out of school? 

I studied Communications in college, focusing in on television production. I loved the coordination it took to put a show together, so many moving parts and the creativity of it all. My senior year, I interned with Hearst Media (parent company of WCVB), working at their Needham facility. While it was exciting being in the TV industry, I quickly learned that was not the career I wanted for myself. I ended up taking a job in the telecommunications sector right after graduation, in customer service. While there, learning the business, I moved up into project management, eventually coordinating large scale data networking projects nationally, keeping them on time and on budget. It was such a learning experience. I feel very lucky to have been able to understand the technical side of the business with IP addressing and the foundations of data networking, while also being able to build my business knowledge with understanding project costs and margin. I credit the people there, from my strong female boss to the engineers, with helping me round out those important skills. 

Can you share the details on your career path and what were the critical moments that got you to where you are today? 

A key moment in my career path came when the tech bubble burst in the early 2000’s. I was laid off from the telecommunications company I had been at for over five years. I ended up taking a job with a small startup called iProspect. It was a very small agency focused on a new concept at the time called search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM). That was a turning point for me. I was able to learn the inner workings of Google, which was in its early stages at that point, how to get websites ranked in the engine and how paid search worked. I managed a number of clients from B2C to B2B, and it was so exciting to see how much search marketing could do for a business. Looking back now, those years were the most impactful of my career and the start of my career in Digital Marketing. I’m still very close to those people I worked with then, and we’re scattered all over the world. What we didn’t know then is we were working in a part of marketing that would become one of the most important drivers for any business. 

After that, I worked in-house for a few companies doing Digital Marketing for both startups and enterprise companies alike. Each one afforded me the opportunity to keep my search engine marketing skills sharp while also taking on more responsibilities from Social Media Marketing to Analytics to Web Operations. I was also leading larger teams and having P&L responsibilities. My technical and business knowledge both came into play across all of those roles, helping to drive better business outcomes and reduce costs. 

What is your current role and responsibilities? 

Today, I am VP of Digital Marketing and Marketing Analytics at SmartBear. This was a net new team I was able to build from the ground up when I started over two years ago, and we continue to grow and evolve as the needs of the business change and mature. My team and I manage all of the digital marketing activities as well as the marketing reporting and tracking across all of the SmartBear product suites. That includes paid advertising, (our biggest channel being paid search), search engine optimization, conversion rate optimization, A/B and multivariate testing, and marketing analytics. We work cross functionally across the business, closely partnering with Growth Marketing, Product, Product Marketing, and Web Operations to ensure our sales team and ecommerce business are receiving the right amount of leads and trials, at the right cost, to achieve our business goals. 

Looking back, is this where you thought you’d be professionally?  Was it always your goal to be in this position? 

To be honest, I was always more opportunistic in my career path, versus deterministic. Saying yes to stretch my skills and learn new things as they came to me was a big factor in where I am today. As I said before, I am a very curious person by nature and love to acquire new skills, so that helped me move forward in every position I had. In a way, being rooted in search engine marketing helped me become an expert in any business I was in, because you have to put yourself in your customers’ shoes to understand their search behavior and intent. I credit that mindset to helping me get up to speed quickly and uncover new opportunities. 

For people who are looking to be in a similar position, what advice would you give to others in terms of helping them achieve their career goals? 

1. Start at a marketing agency. I have spoken with many grads and always encourage them to start there. Being at an agency gives you the opportunity to work across many different clients and industries in a short period of time. It helps you understand what you like and don’t like - trial by fire. You are also able to try different marketing activities and learn the ins and outs of them all. Then, you can move “in-house” and focus on one industry, business type or discipline. I would not be where I am today without my hands-on agency experience. 
2. Be versatile. Be open to going outside your comfort zone and try new things, and learn about those new things. It sounds cliché, but you need to be flexible and willing to get uncomfortable to stretch and grow. Say yes, and don’t ever pass up those opportunities because you’re comfortable in where you are. 
3. Be yourself, be authentic. I think people are at their best when they are fully themselves in their work. You’ll want to think you need to be more like other people, but then you aren’t being true to yourself and that eventually will set you back.  
4. Take a presentation skills course of some kind. I was lucky to take a Dale Carnegie course early in my career (thank you, iProspect), and I still use those skills today. It was hands down one of the best courses I have ever taken. We all need to learn how to explain our thoughts coherently and with enthusiasm. It becomes more important as you speak with leaders who have limited time. 

What are the most important skills that you need to do your job well? 

Empathy. To be a good leader you need to start by being a good human, and caring is at the heart of it. I need to understand what’s going on with my team not just in work, but outside of work as well. I care about each of them and what they’re dealing with personally and professionally in order to keep us moving ahead. 

Adaptability. Both marketing and analytics are constantly changing. You have to be able to move, pivot, and adapt. That skill is a hard one for me, but I have gotten better at it over time. Practice not getting upset or troubled by change. I learned to take a breath, dig into what’s happening, and move ahead. 

Have a north star. A vision. A good team doesn’t need to be told how to get somewhere; they need guidance on the end point. Knowing what you want to accomplish is key, and communicating that vision to your team, involving them in the development of that vision, making them part of that vision, helps the team all be invested in the outcome. 

What do you find most interesting/rewarding about your work?  What’s the most challenging? 

Seeing the fruits of our labor. Achieving, or better yet, surpassing the goals we had set and knowing what we did to influence those achievements. I also love challenges, knowing we have an issue that needs to be solved and trying to solve it. I like to get my hands dirty and dig into the data to see what’s happening. 

On the flip side, the most challenging thing is lack of time. My team has so many things coming at them and things they want to work on that we’re always trying to prioritize and then reprioritize. They do a great job, it’s just a constant challenge of trying to be efficient. 

Q&A 

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? 

My husband and I have two small children, 7 and 5, and we love to spend time with them. Whether it’s playing outside, jumping on the trampoline, going to the park, riding bikes, or our annual beach trip to the Cape, we try to be present when we’re with them. 

How do you manage stress? 

Sounds funny, but I actually work better under stress. I tend to get hyper-focused and can block out the noise that way. 

How many cups of coffee do you have in a day? 

I usually have one large one every morning. 

Any book or podcast recommendations?

I don’t have a ton of time so I like The Pivot podcast. I also just started Lost and Founder by Rand Fishkin. 

What advice do you have for recent college graduates? 

Don’t be too picky about finding a job. When you get one, use it as a learning experience and get as much as you can out of it. Learn the business, and always ask questions. If you start at a marketing agency, try and understand your clients’ businesses. It’s a unique opportunity to have a broad perspective across industries to see what works and why. 

And don’t forget to take a presentation skills course of some kind. You’ll learn skills that you’ll need throughout your career.  

Our Lead(H)er series features impressive women leaders in the tech industry. In this Q&A, we are featuring Mariah Bridges, Sr. Director, Content & Community at InsideTracker. 

Where did you grow up and how would you describe yourself as a child?

I asked my father to answer this question; he said, “Curious, bright, alert, artistic, and stubborn.” – and I grew up in North Carolina. 

What did you study in college and what was your first job out of school?

I studied English and Psychology in college. My first job out of college was a professional dance choreographer for competitive dance teams. 

Can you share the details on your career path and what were the critical moments that got you to where you are today?

I started a traveling dance convention business at a young age that benefited the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. Starting from the ground up, I had to learn (sometimes the hard way) all about building a business, event planning, and leadership. After years of growing that business, I had the opportunity to sell. Then I started planning events and fundraising for nonprofits that eventually led to startups' brand building. Both owning your own company and working in the startup/nonprofit world taught me how to wear multiple hats, organize, and the value of budging. What I didn't know at the time was that community-building skills were etched in everything I did. I quickly learned that my passion and education in psychology was a superpower in the marketing world, so my consulting business took off. I stayed very niche in the endurance/health and wellness space and was lucky enough to grow and learn from some of the best in the wellness marketing space-- which eventually led me to cross paths with the CEO of InsideTracker. Little did I know that everything I had been a part of before then had to lead me to content and community marketing within the biotech space, and the rest, as they say, is history. 

What is your current role and responsibilities?

As the Sr. Director of Content and Community, I lead a team responsible for all aspects of demand generation, email strategy, lead nurture workflows, social media, content strategy, community activation, events, and growth. InsideTracker is full of intelligent, talented humans, and I consider myself lucky every day to get to learn and grow with them. 

Looking back, is this where you thought you’d be professionally?  Was it always your goal to be in this position?

I never thought my career would take me to where I am now, but I’m not surprised by it either. My only career goal has been to help people, grow outstanding communities, and learn along the way. So with that as a goal, I would say I’m right on track.

For people who are looking to be in a similar position, what advice would you give to others in terms of helping them achieve their career goals?

Marketing is constantly changing. You have to acquire and master best practices at the same time you are educating yourself on the latest tactics and trends. And it is critical to always be a student of your industry. The more you know the product, your customer, and the psychology behind how they make decisions, you will have a unique perspective to add to industry best practice tactics. 

What are the most important skills that you need to do your job well?

Adaptability, Communication best practices, Creative Problem Solving, Data analysis, and hands down; project management. 

What do you find most interesting/rewarding about your work?  What’s the most challenging?

Leadership and Management. The greatest joy of my life is leading a team. I consider it an honor to help others grow their talent, career, and help the company to achieve their goals. It, however, is also highly challenging to adjust working styles for each colleague while at the same time working towards the company's immediate growth needs and long-term growth goals. 

Are you involved with any professional organizations outside of the company? Volunteer work?

Board Member of Healing Canines 

Volunteer Coordinator and Producer for Shop Local Raleigh and WRAL 

Run Coach for Girls on the Run 

Community Development Volunteer for USO 

Q&A

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

My family is number one. We love to sail, boat, workout, and weekly walks around the neighborhood with my dog Maverick. When I’m not with my family, I’m usually crossing something off my “Learn list” or traveling — from skydiving license, Ironman racing, summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp, and more. I love this world of ours and consider myself a constant explorer. 

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How do you manage stress?

Before you learn how to manage stress, it is essential to have the proper tools in your stress management toolbox (Mental therapy, physical fitness, nutrition optimization, laughter, gratitude, human connection, sleep, mindfulness, positive self-talk, journaling, organization, etc.) 

I acknowledge all the tools for stress management, and sometimes I’m excellent at prioritizing them and knowing which tools to use, and sometimes the toolbox is all but completely closed. 

Still, some of that is the cost of excelling in your career. There are times you have to push through the stress, as it is nearly impossible to prioritize all self-care and stress management tools every day. So in those times, you focus on the one thing you can do, do it well (give yourself tons of grace), and when that season of your life has subsided, you can double down on the tools in your stress management toolbox. I’m lucky to work for InsideTracker and have access to the platform and an incredibly smart health and wellness community backed by science. 

How many cups of coffee do you have in a day?

I go through phases where I’ll walk to my local coffee shop and grab a cup usually 1-2 a week but then sometimes I go months without. 

Any book or podcast recommendations?

• Atomic Habits - James Clear 
• The Power of Moments: Why certain experiences have extraordinary impact - Chip & DanHeath
• The Secret Lives of Colors - Kassia St. Clair 
• Any Harry Potter or Fantastic Beasts book
• Huberman Lab Podcast 
• How I Built This Podcast 
• The Tim Ferriss Show  
• And of course, Longevity by Design Podcast 

What advice do you have for recent college graduates?

Take time to figure out who you are apart from what others have told you that you should be, then go out and unapologetically be that person. 

Invest in your natural gifts, your talent. Because talent finds work, and work finds talent.

It takes time to build up your career but every season of growth has its purpose.

Be humble and know that therapy is your friend. 

Our Lead(H)er series features impressive women leaders in the tech industry. In this Q&A, we are featuring Nicole Hildenbiddle, VP, User Experience at Rue Gilt Groupe. 

Where did you grow up and how would you describe yourself as a child?

I grew up on the eastern end of Long Island, New York, in a small town called Amagansett. It's a beautiful part of the country with a thriving art and design community, which captured my attention at a very young age. I would describe myself then and now as a deep thinker with an appreciation for beauty and detail. When I was thirteen, I began training with a local artist named Linda Capello, who focused on figure drawing. The five years I spent working with Linda motivated me to pursue a formal design education.

This is a photo of my son and me last summer in my hometown:

What did you study in college?

I studied industrial design at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in Providence, Rhode Island. I went to college thinking I wanted to focus on painting, but during my first year at RISD, I was exposed to human-centered design and fell in love with it. I found it fascinating that a well-designed object or experience could influence behavior and positively impact the daily lives of others. Every project was an opportunity to connect with new users, understand a unique problem space, and use creative thinking to develop a solution.

Can you share the details on your career path and what were the critical moments that got you to where you are today?

The beginning of my career was not glamorous. After working hard in college, I graduated during a recession, and finding work as a junior designer was very difficult. I took freelance jobs and did contract work where I could find it and eventually joined a design agency in Seattle, WA. As a young designer in a small but growing agency, I had to wear multiple hats. I managed client relationships, conducted research, designed web experiences, and wrote code. It was a challenging period in my life, and I often felt like I was burning the candle at both ends, but I learned a broad set of valuable skills that helped differentiate me from my peers later on in my career.

I joined a luxury department store chain in 2013. It was an exciting opportunity to help establish user experience as a new discipline for the popular retailer with a growing e-commerce platform. For the first time in my career, I was working on a single product suite with a team of designers at a large organization. As I grew into a leadership role, I became more confident in my abilities and learned how to drive transformational change within a corporate structure. I was also introduced to the philosophy of servant leadership during my time at this company, of which I'm an advocate to this day.

I moved to Austin, Texas, to join an online marketplace for coupons and deals in 2019. My role was to support a growing team of designers, establish a strong design culture, and deliver impactful changes on an aggressive schedule. Within the first year, my team redesigned the complete product suite, which put the company on a new growth trajectory and played a significant role in its 2020 acquisition. This opportunity challenged me in new ways and helped me grow into a stronger people manager and business leader.

These experiences have led me to my current role at Rue Gilt Groupe. Each one has shaped who I am today and compelled me to push through self-doubt and self-imposed limitations.

What is your current role and responsibilities?

I'm the VP of Product Design at Rue Gilt Groupe. Rue Gilt Groupe is a leading off-price eCommerce portfolio company that operates three complementary sites: Rue La La, Gilt, and Shop Premium Outlets. I joined the company last year to establish an influential user-centered design, research, and writing discipline. I'm excited to be part of the leadership team focused on accelerating the company's growth by connecting with customers and supporting top talent. My day-to-day activities consist of helping my team navigate design challenges, identifying opportunities for the product, promoting our discipline throughout the organization, and connecting with our customers to gain insights. I love my role at Rue Gilt Groupe because there's a ton of opportunity to influence and significantly impact the customer experience. 

For people who are looking to be in a similar position, what advice would you give to others in terms of helping them achieve their career goals?

As a leader in the design industry, I believe it's essential to understand your craft and stay curious. We are in a quickly evolving field, and I think people do themselves a disservice when they become too comfortable. It's also imperative to be kind and respectful inside and outside your professional life. Relationships matter. Positive relationships do more than grow your network; they improve the quality of your work and your day-to-day life by making collaboration more efficient, enjoyable, and ultimately more rewarding.

What do you find most interesting/rewarding about your work?  What’s the most challenging?

I love demonstrating the power of design and bringing people from other disciplines into the creative process. I've led multiple companies through design transformations at this point in my career, and the first phase is always focused on building trust. You need to inspire your colleagues to innovate and push past established norms, which can be challenging because there are many different personalities, agendas, and working styles to navigate within an organization. I've successfully built trust by bringing cross-functional partners into the creative process and working with them to create an inspirational vision that we can work toward incrementally. Getting in a rhythm of incremental delivery is when the magic happens. The organization begins to see how gradual design changes can dramatically impact the customer experience and business, and they want more. There's a dopamine effect when a new design, feature, or copy change goes live, and the numbers start to climb in the right direction. When I see that shift happen and people within the organization begin asking for more design and user research, I'm reminded why I love this industry so much. It is incredibly impactful and rewarding!

What is your proudest professional accomplishment?

If I had to choose one, I would say I will always be proud of my work on the e-commerce platform of the luxury department store chain. When I joined the company, it was funding major renovations to the retail stores, but there was little investment behind re-envisioning the e-commerce space, which was lagging behind the competition. I initiated and drove an effort to demonstrate the importance of modernizing our customer-facing, digital experiences, resulting in full funding for redesigning our digital product suite. This redesign generated significant wins for the company year over year. A future-thinking concept from the initial board presentation also evolved into a product, which was a big success.

I look forward to leveraging my learnings from past experiences like this one and making a significant impact at Rue Gilt Groupe. I believe the best is yet to come!

Q&A

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I'm very interested in health and wellness and I’m currently studying nutrition. I think it's remarkable how seemingly small changes we make to our lifestyle add up and have the potential to transform our health. I also highly value the time I get to spend with my family. My husband, son, and I have a very close bond and enjoy exploring new places together.

How do you manage stress?

Poor relationships are a significant source of stress in the workplace; therefore, I prioritize building positive relationships with my team and colleagues. I also make time for a walk each day and practice breathing techniques to reduce anxiety. The power of breath is impressive! Here's a good book recommendation on the topic: Breath The New Science of a Lost Art, by James Nestor.

How many cups of coffee do you have in a day?

I don't drink coffee. I gave it up two years ago when the pandemic started because I noticed it triggered anxiety, so I now opt for caffeine-free herbal teas. My new favorite is a Lavender Mint blend by RISHI teas. You can still find me in coffee shops though because I like the ambiance, and my son is a hot chocolate connoisseur. 

Any book or podcast recommendations?

Two books that shifted my perspective recently are Atomic Habits by James Clear and Untamed by Glennon Doyle. My team is also reading Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek right now, and I'm enjoying it.

Do you have any open roles?

We have a Product Manager role on our Business Intelligence team open right now, and our Engineering organization has several open positions as well. It is an opportune time to join Rue Gilt Groupe because it's on an exciting growth trajectory, and there's a strong appetite to innovate and improve the customer experience.

What advice do you have for recent college graduates?

There's a Martin Luther King Jr. quote that I revisit, which is: "You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." I felt so much pressure to have it all figured out when I graduated college, but there was no way I could have foreseen how my journey would unfold. Each step introduces you to new people and opportunities, so forget about the five-year plan, focus on the now, and take your first step. The steps will build upon each other organically, and one day you will be looking back on your life from a new vantage point and appreciate all the twists and turns. 

Our Lead(H)er series features impressive women leaders in the tech industry. In this Q&A, we are featuring Mary Kaufman, SVP Product at Takeoff. 

Where did you grow up and how would you describe yourself as a child?

I grew up in Wethersfield, CT, the 5th of 7 children in a very athletic and competitive family.  That sense of competition spanned academics, athletics, and board or card games. My high school sports were swimming, gymnastics, and track & field - participating in sports was a big part of my youth.

What did you study in college and what was your first job out of school?

I majored in Engineering Sciences at Dartmouth College - because it’s a liberal arts college, I actually graduated with a bachelor of arts in Engineering!  I found that I enjoyed the entry level course in each of the engineering disciplines, but was less enthusiastic about subsequent courses, which made me realize I didn’t want to be an engineer.  So I got a job as a consultant, figuring that would allow me to decide what industries & types of jobs I enjoyed most.  I had done some programming in college and so joined Computer Partners, which had been recently acquired by CSC, to do systems consulting. 

Can you share the details on your career path and what were the critical moments that got you to where you are today?

I realized pretty early on that I liked being able to understand the business and their needs and help translate that to system needs.  I liked that more than solving the tough architectural or technical problems associated with implementing a system.  So that put me on the path of business analyst or business architect as we called it in those days, and eventually included more management consulting type work.  

I remember the first supply chain-related project I was on - it was like a light bulb went on and I was just so intrigued and enthused about how computer systems can completely transform a physical operation like warehousing & distribution.  Compared to a financial services project I had been on earlier, it just felt so real, so tangible and impactful.   And as I continued in my career, I’ve found that working with operational products is more appealing to me than consumer-facing products.  

The final inflection point was joining CSN Stores, which then became Wayfair.  I found the thrill of working at a startup - no bureaucracy, nobody who is just “punching the clock” - just a fun, fast-paced environment with a little bit of chaos thrown into the mix, and building something that everyone believed in.  I was hooked from the start. 

What is your current role and responsibilities?

I currently head up the Product organization at Takeoff Technologies. Our solution provides retailers with the most cost-efficient way to fulfill their online grocery orders, using automated, hyperlocal  Microfulfillment Centers.  The product team listens to clients, keeps a pulse on the industry, partners with our operations teams who are working to drive success at clients, and works with our engineering team to bring continuous improvements to our solution.  

Looking back, is this where you thought you’d be professionally?  Was it always your goal to be in this position?

This position didn’t really exist until somewhat recently - along with the Agile methodology came a new type of role so I certainly didn’t aspire to it!  

To be honest, after spending 15 years in consulting, and much of that time on the road, I was well and truly burned out by the time my first child was born.  So I actually thought at that time that I was retiring to be a full-time mother, never to go back to the workforce.  And I spent 7 years in that occupation.  But when my younger child started school, I realized I missed exercising that part of my brain and the feeling of professional accomplishment so I looked around for a local company and found Wayfair.  It was serendipity that I happened upon them and it was definitely the most rewarding chapter of my career to date. It also led to my move to Takeoff Technologies as I was recruited by a former colleague.  So I think I’ve been lucky more than planful in my career. 

For people who are looking to be in a similar position, what advice would you give to others in terms of helping them achieve their career goals?

Get comfortable with data - be able to pull your own data & do your own analysis.  Zoom out occasionally to make sure you understand how your work is aligned to your organization’s objectives & strategy.  Make sure you take a step back and articulate to yourselves & others why you are building something and how you will know if it’s successful.  Finally, get good at saying No but in a way that convinces people that No is the best answer at this time - prioritization is everything in product.  

What are the most important skills that you need to do your job well?

Communication skills are crucial - both listening and then translating what you’ve heard to other audiences and then circling back to replay.  It took me a while to learn that you can’t over-communicate as a product manager.  

What do you find most interesting/rewarding about your work?  What’s the most challenging?

When I was growing up and we would talk about professions, my dad always said that the most important thing, more than money or prestige, was that you enjoy what you do at work.It was such great advice, and I’ve kept that forefront in my mind as I reflect on changes I want to make in my career.  I find that working with a small team, using data to get insights & figuring out how a product investment can help solve an operational problem is what gets me out of bed in the morning.  Several times in my career, I’ve ended up in a place where my team & area of responsibility had grown to be so large that I felt disconnected from the problems they were solving and as a result felt less fulfilled by my job.  At that point, the ego and external forces are telling you that you should be striving for more & bigger but I recognize that it doesn’t make me happy.  So each time, I’ve swallowed my pride and taken a portion of my remit and spun it out to somebody else.  In many cases, it’s been somebody on my team who I’ve seen grow & become ready for the challenge, and that’s been rewarding as well.  

What is your proudest professional accomplishment?

There were so many at Wayfair and I feel so fortunate to have been part of that growth story. My team helped launch their Castlegate 3PL business along with the Wayfair Delivery Network.  Both were such audacious goals and we accomplished them so quickly - it got me hooked on the power of a small group of talented people to do amazing things.  That’s what ultimately attracted me to Takeoff; the desire to make an outsized impact with a small team of really smart people, and to have fun doing it.  

Are you involved with any professional organizations outside of the company? Volunteer work?

Pre-pandemic I was more involved in CSCMP and Boston Product Managers Association, but I find I have limited appetite for virtual events after spending all day working remotely.  When my children were still in elementary school, my husband and I were active in volunteering and supporting their school in various ways.  

Q&A

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I picked up tennis several years ago and I’ve really enjoyed playing recreationally and on a USTA league team.  It's one of the only sports I’m still getting better at.  My husband and I snowboard and our kids ski, so we try to do that a few times a year though not as often as we used to.  And we’ve always enjoyed playing cards & board games after dinner - I’m amazed that as teenagers my kids are still enthusiastic participants.

How do you manage stress?

Exercise, games, reading, and crosswords are all stress relievers for me - any activity where you need to be present and focus helps to destress.  I also love taking my dog on long walks in the woods.  Getting in some cardio while being out in nature is the best medicine. 

How many cups of coffee do you have in a day?

Usually 2, but each is about half skim milk.   When it’s summer and I’m drinking iced coffee, I am tempted to sip all day long but I have to stop myself after about 2pm because then I don’t sleep well.  

Any book or podcast recommendations? 

I’ve been in the same book club for 20 years and we’ve read so many great novels - a recent favorite was The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo.  During the pandemic I started to listen to podcasts during long walks or runs.  I always enjoy RadioLab, Freakonomics Radio, and The Future of Everything (Stanford Engineering). 

What advice do you have for recent college graduates?

Find a job that sounds interesting to you and see where it takes you.  Remember the job you will love 20 years from now might not exist today so just build your skillset out and learn as much as you can.  So many career opportunities come from people you know or have worked with in the past, so keep in touch with those people you’ve enjoyed working with. 

Our Lead(H)er series features impressive women leaders in the tech industry. In this Q&A, we are featuring Maayan Arbili, Senior Director of Customer Success at Aqua Security. 

Where did you grow up and how would you describe yourself as a child?   

I grew up in Jerusalem, Israel and moved to Boston in 2014. (Right in time for the worst winter on record – the weather only could improve from there.) 

As a child, I was outdoorsy and carefree. Times were simpler then! As I grew, I discovered a passion for aviation and wanted to be a pilot. I trained in gliding and aeronautics during middle and high school. When I joined the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) upon graduating high school, women weren’t allowed to be pilots, so I was unable to continue that track. 

What did you study in college and what was your first job out of school? 

Following two years with the IDF, I went to Hadassah College Jerusalem (HCJ) in Israel to pursue a degree in Computer Science B.Sc. Unsurprisingly, there were few women who attended the program. 

While earning my degree, I started my first role as a Network Operations Center technician or NOC Operator. In Israel, it is common to start your first job while in university. 

The role was at a VoIP startup — a technology that was just emerging at that time. The company was small, but it was a vibrant culture, and I was working on cutting-edge technology. This experience gave me my first glimpse into innovation and entrepreneurship. 

Can you share the details on your career path and what were the critical moments that got you to where you are today? 

In my last year of college, I moved to a new role with Comverse Technology, a flagship Israeli tech company. 

While very different than the VoIP startup, both organizations offered cultures with a sense of family and belonging. I was drawn to the mission and people. It’s very similar to what drew me to Aqua — the values and the team. 

I grew a tremendous amount during my 14 years with Comverse and progressed from a software developer to a software team leader to eventually a software project manager and then a senior program and project manager. My responsibilities expanded from strictly development to business-oriented strategic leadership.  Although I spent many years with one company, it was a dynamic, fast-paced environment, and my role was constantly evolving.  

In addition to the pivotal moments, I also think of the critical people who impacted my career path, and my mentors along the years. My mother had a significant influence. She is a strong independent woman, who balanced family and work. She was able to be very present in our household but also had her own path. She showed me that women can have their own career, and she inspired me to pursue all of my passions. 

What is your current role and responsibilities? 

At Aqua, I lead the global Customer Success department and oversee a team of over 25 amazing CSMs (and growing!). Our team is responsible for the customer journey beginning at day one, focused on maximizing adoption and value in their goal of securing their cloud native applications and infrastructure.  

We have a 360 view of the customer’s experience and act as trusted advisors and advocates internally for Aqua’s customers. We partner with Aqua’s engineering and product teams and prioritize new integrations or features that are requested by customers. We see ourselves as an extension of our customers’ teams to ensure they are successful. In other words, we help amplify the voice of the customer. 

Aqua is maturing its customer success offerings rapidly, and I’m responsible for building our global team. We are expanding into new regions including Singapore, Australia, Europe and across the United States -— we plan to hire 15 ppl in 2022 (so check out our openings!).  

Looking back, is this where you thought you’d be professionally?  Was it always your goal to be in this position? 

Not exactly. Customer success is still a relatively new profession that really emerged within the last 15 years.   

I was always drawn to roles that required collaboration with key stakeholders across multiple departments. I’ve also always had a passion for both the interpersonal side as well as the technical. Moving into customer success was a natural evolution. Each role I held throughout my career helped prepare and shape me for my current role. 

For people who are looking to be in a similar position, what advice would you give to others in terms of helping them achieve their career goals? 

I was the first Customer Success Manager at Aqua (I’ve been promoted 4 times since I was hired if it shows anything about the opportunity for growth at Aqua!). I can say that perseverance, hard work and the drive to learn is what’s helped me be successful. 

Those who are considering customer success need to enjoy working with people and see customers beyond the numbers. It requires dedication and a “do whatever it takes” mindset to help customers achieve their goals. 

I’d also stress the importance of investing the time to understand product, the market, and trends. This is the foundation for success. 

What are the most important skills that you need to do your job well? 

Grit and flexibility along with the right balance of technical and interpersonal skills. You need to be able to build partnerships internally and externally. 

Project management skills are also essential. You must be detail oriented but also strategic and able to see the bigger picture to set goals (and work backwards to achieve those goals). 

What do you find most interesting/rewarding about your work?  What’s the most challenging?   

I love being a part of a company that is growing so quickly (aka a high growth unicorn!). I can see firsthand how my contribution has a direct impact on the company’s success.  

A challenge I face, like many in cybersecurity and tech, is hiring in a dynamic and competitive market. We are extremely focused on retaining talent and nurturing professional growth within the company. I think this is unique differentiator at Aqua that is helping set us apart. 

What is your proudest professional accomplishment? 

I left my role at Comverse after 14 years to move to Boston with my husband, three boys and our dog. We left our family and friends for a new city and new careers. When I landed my role at Aqua, it was my first role in customer success, and I embraced the opportunity. I spent weeks learning the market and the technology and simultaneously understanding our customers and their needs.   

I built a new “Aqua” family in Boston and at the same time built the company’s first customer success team from its inception to a robust program with 28 people today. The opportunity to drive the processes and create the programs have been very rewarding. We continue to listen to customer feedback and are always evolving and improving. It's really exciting! 

Are you involved with any professional organizations outside of the company? Volunteer work?   

I participate in executive MVP customer success forums, and I volunteer with both the Israeli Scouts and the Israeli American Council Community Leadership Forum. I also act as an internal mentor within Aqua. 

Q&A

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? 

I am very active and a bit of a workout junkie. I enjoy a range of activities including yoga, soul cycle, lifting, rowing, biking, running and triathlons. I love the outdoors, the beach, hiking with my boys, dogs and husband and also traveling. 

I also like to carve out time for healthy cooking and baking as well. I am proud to say I just won the first annual dessert contest at Aqua with my mini tiramisus!   

How do you manage stress? 

See above! Being active is my secret. 

How many cups of coffee do you have in a day? 

Too many to count. More than 3 — we'll leave it at that. 

Any book or podcast recommendations?

I like to listen to Customer Success podcasts. One in particular I like is Planhat:  

https://www.planhat.com/tags/podcast/ 

I read a lot of leadership books and anything related to well-being and health. 

What advice do you have for recent college graduates? 

• Start networking as early as possible. You never know where opportunities will come from! 
• When the time comes for an interview, preparation is key. Put in the effort, it will show.   
• Lastly, don’t settle. Take the right role where you are happy, challenged and find the right cultural fit.   

I understand it’s competitive as a new graduate, but look for companies that welcome young, emerging talent. Aqua for example has an associate, entry-level program where we take recent grads. This has been really successful for both Aqua and the incoming talent. Hard work is acknowledged and rewarded, and these team members are moving up the ladder quickly. 

Our Lead(H)er series shares the stories of women leaders at some of the fastest-growing companies in the tech industry.

Here is a recap featuring the 27 inspirational stories from 2021 with a short segment from each profile. You'll learn everything from the challenges, successes, and surprises of their careers, lots of useful advice, and more!

Harinder Bhinder, VP of Engineering Applications at ZoomInfo

“Grab any opportunity you get to learn new skills. It’s ok to feel uncomfortable with what you don’t know. If you’re in your comfort zone, you’re probably not growing. Find the right people to work with  - who can challenge you and mentor you.”

Check out the full Article   View zoominfo's Jobs

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Jenny Giblin, VP of Health Strategic Initiatives at EverQuote

“Explore! I am in the position I am in at least partially by happenstance. I said yes to a lot of opportunities that let me figure out and refine my career path (which I am still doing, by the way).”

Check out the full Article   View everquote's Jobs

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Shira Haddad, VP of Engineering at CareAcademy

"Embrace the ways in which you are different, that’s your power and your contribution to expanding people’s perspectives.”

Check out the full Article   View careAcademy's Jobs

---

Sharon Butler, EVP of Global Education at Flywire

“I would tell them to be open minded and take chances. Don't always play it safe. Go for the opportunity that excites you the most because your passion will fuel your path. Whatever job you're doing, give it your all. Ask a lot of questions, be curious and take notice of what others are doing.”

Check out the full Article   View flywire's Jobs

---

Virginia Ng, Director of Growth at Knox Financial

“Raise your hand and don’t be afraid to stretch yourself in a function or area that is new to you. I think there is value in being specialized in a specific skill set or role, but there is also value in having experience in many functions (even if it is just volunteering to work closely with another team).  We often call this knowing enough to be dangerous."

Check out the full Article   View knox financial's Jobs

---

Julie Hogan, VP of Customer Success and Strategy at Toast

“It’s easy to think that certain jobs only exist for certain people. Get rid of your fixed mindset. Put yourself out there, and start asking for introductions, asking for help and mentorship, spending time really nurturing relationships, and finding ways to get exposure to the work you want to do. You HAVE to ask for it, and you also have to start saying yes to things, even when everyone else around you tells you to say no : ). It’s ok to not follow the pack.”

Check out the full Article   View toast's Jobs

---

Eva Moscat, Director of Software Engineering at iRobot

“Be inquisitive and take your time to dig into what you’re working on to learn past your immediate task. Regardless of your role and responsibilities, there is always something to learn whether it’s how to do something, how not to do something, new technologies, pros and cons to different implementations and solutions, process improvements, etc. Your learnings from your experiences will prepare you for future opportunities.”

Check out the full Article   View irobot's Jobs

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Amy Wagner, Chief Financial Officer at CreateMe

“Whatever job you do, be excellent at it.  Take full responsibility and ownership of what you are doing and it will open countless doors for you."

Check out the full Article   View createme's Jobs

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Christina Arellano, Chief Customer Officer at Acoustic

“Be open to opportunities. I think people can be too focused on looking at a position’s title vs. what they can learn from the job. I never thought I would have a few of the positions I’ve held, but when I saw the scope of the jobs and the responsibilities I would have, they piqued my curiosity and I recognized that they would allow me to learn and grow.”

Check out the full Article   View acoustic's Jobs

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Laurie Mitchell, Vice President, Partner & International Marketing at Wasabi

“It is important to be able to work well with others. It may sound overly simple but it is important to be inclusive and respectful to everyone no matter their level or title. It is also important to never adopt the mindset that you know everything, no matter what your title is.”

Check out the full Article   View wasabi's Jobs

---

Amanda Baier, VP, Marketing Communications at Vecna Robotics

“Step up. Do the hard thing -- take on a project that is big and scary or overwhelming, step into a place in your organization that needs a leader, give candid feedback in a loving way, etc. What’s hard is different for everybody, but you have to learn to recognize your edges and then lean into that discomfort. That’s how you grow and become a bigger, better, more powerful version of yourself.”

Check out the full Article   View vecna robotics' Jobs

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Debbie Umbach, VP of Corporate Marketing at Dynatrace

“Never be afraid to take on new challenges and ask a lot of questions. Embrace your mistakes and learn from them. ”

Check out the full Article   View dynatrace's Jobs

---

Eva Maloney, VP of Business Operations at AppNeta

“Never turn down an opportunity, even if you think you might be getting in over your head.Joining a company with a culture that allows you to fail is key, because that’s how you learn.”

Check out the full Article   View Appneta's Jobs

Our Lead(H)er series features impressive women leaders in the tech industry. In this Q&A, we are featuring Harinder Bhinder, VP of Engineering Applications at ZoomInfo. 

Where did you grow up and how would you describe yourself as a child?

I grew up in India in a small city. As a child, I was generally reserved but wasn’t shy to participate in a lot of activities/clubs at school. My mom (who never attended school) was told that the daughter didn’t need the same standard of education as the boys. I’m glad she didn’t listen to that advice. My parents wanted me to have the same opportunities as my brothers, and that’s a big reason for where I am today. 

What did you study in college and what was your first job out of school?

I moved to the US with my family after high school. I studied Computer Science and started programming for the first time in college and the idea of using logic for problem solving resonated deeply. I really enjoyed the concepts of Software Engineering, the idea of building small components and bringing them together to build a complex system. As I graduated, the DotCom bust led to a scarcity of software engineering jobs. My first job was at the R&D Center of a leading ceramics manufacturing company, writing scripts to automate analysis of various processes.

Can you share the details on your career path and what were the critical moments that got you to where you are today?

Prior to ZoomInfo, I was at Sterling Commerce where I worked on Supply Chain Management software. I left shortly after Sterling Commerce was acquired by IBM because I wanted to work at a small company. That’s when I joined ZoomInfo. At the time, there were about 70 employees.

Joining ZoomInfo was one of the best professional decisions I’ve made. It was the perfect fit - not a startup but a fast paced environment in a small company where you could make an impact in many ways. I grew with the company, working on various technical projects. I also gravitated towards taking on tasks like planning, cross functional communication, removing roadblocks etc. ZoomInfo was acquired by a private equity firm in 2018 and by DiscoverOrg in early 2019. These were pivotal moments that set us on the path to our hyper-growth journey and I had the opportunity to be part of this amazing experience. Today, we are a 2500+ employees company. There are many challenges ahead of us as we grow and scale and solving these challenges is yet another exciting phase.

What has contributed the most to my growth are the people around me. The passion and energy of the leaders and the amazing teammates is contagious and addictive. I am grateful that so many people believed in me and supported me. The 10 years at ZoomInfo have been very rewarding, personally as well as professionally, and the journey continues.

What is your current role and responsibilities?

Our product suite is growing rapidly and providing a unified experience across these products to our customers has a huge business impact. My team is focused on building the foundation for shared services and APIs that can be consumed by various products. Our goal is to help engineering be more efficient, reduce toil and duplication and provide the automation and tooling that makes development a rewarding experience at ZoomInfo.     

Looking back, is this where you thought you’d be professionally?  Was it always your goal to be in this position?

Our goal at ZoomInfo has always been to take the organization to the next level. We have strong leaders who constantly challenge us, and we strive to be better every day. I am fortunate to be working in a company where that effort is recognized and rewarded regardless of gender, race, background etc. I started at ZoomInfo to work with a smart group of people using cutting edge technologies to solve complex problems. The small company culture lent itself to various opportunities where I could wear multiple hats and grow into the leadership role.

For people who are looking to be in a similar position, what advice would you give to others in terms of helping them achieve their career goals?

Don’t be afraid to take on new challenges, especially ones that allow you to help the organization you’re part of succeed and not just your team.

What are the most important skills that you need to do your job well?

The ability to remain calm and help my team manage the constant pull in various directions that is part of the hyper-growth phase and can be overwhelming. In a fast growing company, it’s important to also always keep the bigger picture in mind and think long term and promote that culture as well.

What do you find most interesting/rewarding about your work?  What’s the most challenging?

As we continue to grow exponentially, the biggest challenge is the scaling of our teams, processes and systems while building a culture that promotes individual growth and makes working at ZI a rewarding experience. Helping the teams work through these challenges and being successful is the most rewarding part of my job. 

Q&A

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Spending time with my kids, gardening when weather permits. I love learning new languages.

How do you manage stress?

Over the last year and a half, I’ve tried to include workouts in my routine, whether it’s 10 mins of yoga or a 30 min run. Recently picked up swimming, which is a very relaxing workout. Meditating also helps whenever I can. Taking that time out for myself helps me recharge and be my better self at both home and work.

How many cups of coffee do you have in a day?

I mostly drink black tea twice a day. Some days I drink coffee, but no more than a cup.

Any book or podcast recommendations?  (professional or fun)

Thinking in Systems, Sapiens (gifted by my amazing manager :)) - 2 books that I’ve read recently that I really enjoyed and learned from.

What advice do you have for recent college graduates?

Grab any opportunity you get to learn new skills. It’s ok to feel uncomfortable with what you don’t know. If you’re in your comfort zone, you’re probably not growing.

Find the right people to work with  - who can challenge you and mentor you.

Our Lead(H)er series features impressive women leaders in the tech industry. In this Q&A, we are featuring Shira Haddad, VP of Engineering at CareAcademy. 

Where did you grow up and how would you describe yourself as a child?

I was born and raised in Jerusalem, Israel. I was always a geek who loved books, TV, and computers. My older siblings had an Atari computer (connected to the TV) and we spent our summers playing video games and watching TV shows together.

What did you study in college and what was your first job out of school?

I studied Mathematics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem - I loved it; it was so different from the math I learned in High School. When I got my degree I wasn’t sure what I could actually do with it, so I decided to check this QA thing people were talking about. 

Can you share the details on your career path and what were the critical moments that got you to where you are today?

My path was... unexpected. I started with QA and stumbled into management. I then went back to being an individual contributor in both QA and Product but was promoted to lead the QA team in Veson Nautical. From there I moved to lead the whole Engineering department and I really enjoyed this transition. I was always interested in the big picture and this opportunity allowed me to actually impact it.

What is your current role and responsibilities?

I recently joined CareAcademy, as their VP of Engineering. I’m currently leading Engineering and Product and am super excited about the team and the work we do here. 

Looking back, is this where you thought you’d be professionally?  Was it always your goal to be in this position?

Not at all! I never imagined myself to be a manager or a leader in an organization. I was always an introvert and a  shy person so my future picture was always of someone who keeps to herself and codes all day. I am grateful to be here though; the challenges are never the same so the learning is constant. 

For people who are looking to be in a similar position, what advice would you give to others in terms of helping them achieve their career goals?

Be open-minded and honest about the type of contribution you’d like to make to your company, community, and surroundings overall. The answers might change in time, so it’s good to always go back and ask the questions while considering the big picture.

What are the most important skills that you need to do your job well?

I think there are many answers, but I’ll highlight two: attention to detail and empathy. The former is straightforward - listen, observe and follow up on what you’re hearing. You want to grow with the job and impact from within - not from the outside, using a boilerplate of ‘best practices’. The latter is crucial - your agenda might compete with other agendas across the organization so it’s very important to acknowledge it and to try and help the others; even if it’s not spelled out in your OKR’s.

What do you find most interesting/rewarding about your work?  What’s the most challenging?

The most rewarding aspect of my job is to help folks around me to have a better day at work. This takes many forms for different people around me and I think that’s also the challenge - understanding when I have the power to make an impact on the work and when do I need to step back.

Are you involved with any professional organizations outside of the company? Volunteer work

I’m a co-chair of the MassTLC Technology and Innovation community. I also mentor a few women in STEM. I really enjoy the relationships those opportunities created for me.

Q&A

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Watching TV and playing video games. I have two young girls and I can’t wait for them to join me in those activities - I guess not a lot has changed since I was a kid!

How do you manage stress?

See above - I love casual video games and I’ve been hooked on Stardew Valley recently. So my answer is farming and killing monsters.

How many cups of coffee do you have in a day?

I can stop whenever I want, 2-3 cups a day.

Any book or podcast recommendations?

I listen regularly to Reply All, What a Day, and 60 songs that explain the 90’s. They’re all very different from each other, but I highly recommend each and every one of them.

What advice do you have for recent college graduates?

Embrace the ways in which you are different, that’s your power and your contribution to expanding people’s perspectives.

Our Lead(H)er series features impressive women leaders in the tech industry. In this Q&A, we are featuring Sharon Butler, EVP of Global Education at Flywire. 

Where did you grow up and how would you describe yourself as a child?

I grew up in a small town in Massachusetts. I was one of four children, two sisters and one brother. My extended family also lived in town, so I always had lots of family around. I was incredibly active and curious. I played a sport every season, was active in my Church, joined lots of clubs and always had a job whether it was chores around the house, babysitting for neighbors or working in my small town’s coffee shop. I loved being busy and involved. I also played the clarinet in our marching band and took part in my high school’s theatre productions.  My childhood was full of laughter and love.

What did you study in college and what was your first job out of school?

In college I studied communication and business. My first job out of college was with Roche Pharmaceuticals. I was a Professional Medical Rep. I would travel around my territory meeting with doctors and pharmacists sharing the features and benefits of my company’s prescription medications. It was a wonderful foundation and experience. I had great sales development support and learned how to maximize even the smallest opportunities to engage and add value. 

Can you share the details on your career path and what were the critical moments that got you to where you are today?

I have always been in sales. I left the pharmaceutical industry after 6 years to move back home to be near my family and was recruited by my first manager to join a wireless tech company called SkyTel. This was a huge change for me, I went from what was really a promotional product role to more of a quota-based sales role where I learned very quickly that activity equals output in sales and building your funnel of business was the only way to survive. I also learned very quickly how important engagement and follow-up was for building trust and referral opportunities. Even though the pressure for delivering monthly results was very high, and the role was demanding, I loved that I was in control of my earnings and that the more successful I was at helping clients achieve their goals the more I could grow our portfolio of business. I loved hunting and engaging, and I especially loved winning new business. No doubt it was the competitive nature of the sale and the strategy needed to win that excited me, just like playing competitive sports. 

I advanced into leadership roles, taking on more and more responsibility, but after several years in the business I decided I needed a change and began a process of exploring opportunities at other companies. By this time my husband and I had started our family and although it would have been easier to stay in my current role, I have never been one to take the easy way out and I knew I wanted another challenge. This is when I found the Education industry.

I took a Regional Director role at a company called Tuition Management Systems. I loved the idea of focusing on a specific vertical and understanding the unique challenges within the Education industry. It was an incredibly great fit for me because I loved building relationships with the University and College staff and helping them figure out how to automate and optimize their Student Financial Service operations. I loved my role and the company and had no intention of leaving until one day I took a call from an entrepreneur from MIT. He was an international student who had a bad payment experience and was looking to partner with someone who had experience and relationships in Higher Education. Since he was given my name by industry friends, I decided to meet him for a coffee.  

During our coffee I learned about the challenges he faced as an international student and how difficult and costly it was for him to make a payment. He had an idea that we could create a more cost effective and better solution for the students and while he shared, I realized we could do the same for our institutions. It was a two-sided problem that was growing, and it had to be solved. One thing led to another and before I knew it I had left my comfortable job to go off and help start Flywire! Some 11 years later, we've built a multi-vertical company, formed strong relationships with our clients, developed innovative technology, become market experts, and cultivated a unique global company culture focused on customer success. We now have more than 600 FlyMates representing over 40 nationalities located in 12 offices around the world and on May 26, 2021, Flywire became a publicly traded company! 

What is your current role and responsibilities?

I am the EVP of Global Education at Flywire. Currently I lead our sales and account management teams globally. I set our strategic vision and priorities to ensure we continue to deliver the most important and complex payments for our clients and their payers. 

Looking back, is this where you thought you’d be professionally? Was it always your goal to be in this position?

No way!  I always had big dreams and I was always very driven.  I loved sales and leadership, so advancing there was always the goal, but I could never have imagined that at a time in my life where I had two very young children, I would leave a secure job with a great career path to go off and start a company and then take it global.  It’s been the hardest and most rewarding journey of my life.  

For people who are looking to be in a similar position, what advice would you give to others in terms of helping them achieve their career goals?

I would tell them to be open minded and take chances. Don't always play it safe. Go for the opportunity that excites you the most because your passion will fuel your path. Whatever job you're doing, give it your all. Ask a lot of questions, be curious and take notice of what others are doing. We don't always know exactly what we want when we start our journey so it's important to be aware and learn about various roles within an organization. Always be willing to raise your hand to help or take on new responsibilities because experience and exposure is the key to learning about yourself and finding your path. There is nothing more rewarding than doing what you love, even when it takes an enormous amount of work and dedication. There really is no magic career button. Let the journey and self-discovery guide you.

What are the most important skills that you need to do your job well?

The skills needed to lead a global sales team are wide ranging. The foundation is centered around good communication, planning and leading the vision of success. That vision needs to be communicated and to get alignment and support from internal teams to help move the vision to the execution stage to accomplish revenue targets. Once that is done it is all about the execution of the plan and being ready to knock down walls to help your team deliver. The primary skills used to do all of this are strategist, teacher, motivator, advocate and creative problem solver. Other responsibilities include forecasting, budgeting, recruiting, hiring and staying plugged into market needs and changes.

What do you find most interesting/rewarding about your work?  What’s the most challenging?

I love the people and culture at Flywire. We call ourselves FlyMates and it is incredibly rewarding to work with people who care so much about what they do and our clients. Even though our teams are spread across the globe, the collaboration is inspiring. I always know I have the support and commitment to ensure my team can hit their goals and our customers will be satisfied. It's an incredible feeling to work with people that feel like family and who will always deliver. I also love seeing fellow FlyMates develop and grow, advancing their own careers. 

What is your proudest professional accomplishment?

Taking Flywire public on May 26, 2021, which was also my son's 17th birthday.

Are you involved with any professional organizations outside of the company? Volunteer work?

I enjoy mentoring other entrepreneurs and sales professionals. I am also the go-to for a network of friends when they need someone to donate their time or fundraise for an important cause.

Q&A

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Family time. Cheering on my boys at their sporting events. Taking hikes with my husband and dog, Edgar, getting together with my siblings and their families playing games and laughing. We love board games in the winter and pickleball tournaments in the nicer weather.

How do you manage stress?

I hug my dog Edgar, find something to laugh about, take a few minutes to meditate by popping on a Headspace wind down. Go for a walk and prioritize my to-do list, for some reason that list gives me comfort.

How many cups of coffee do you have in a day?

Too many! Two cups in the morning and usually a large cold brew with almond milk in the afternoon for a little pick me up.

Any book or podcast recommendations?

I love the podcast, “How I Built This.” It’s fun to hear about other entrepreneurs’ journeys. For fun, I love to laugh and get a kick out of “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” podcast. As for reading, I always joke with my friends that my library reflects someone who is either trying to figure themselves out or make themselves better. I love to read personal development books. I am currently learning more about the power of meditation and reading a book called The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.

What advice do you have for recent college graduates?

Don’t panic or beat yourself up if you are uncertain what your passion is or what you ultimately want to be when you grow up. Instead, embrace the journey of self-discovery. Set more achievable short-term goals to learn and get more experience. Have fun, work hard and always follow through with your commitments. A great attitude and strong work ethic will open a lot of opportunities. I waited to take my big risk, but I knew the time was right. Don’t be afraid, be excited!

Our Lead(H)er series features impressive women leaders in the tech industry. In this Q&A, we are featuring Laurie Mitchell, Vice President, Partner & International Marketing at Wasabi. 

Where did you grow up and how would you describe yourself as a child?

I grew up in a small suburb outside of Hartford, Connecticut. Looking back I would describe myself as a well-rounded kid. I was always focused on doing well in school and bringing home good grades. If I didn’t have my nose in a book, I was usually running around playing with other kids in my neighborhood. I was the type of kid who got along easily with others, I was friends with everybody rather than just one particular group.  

What did you study in college and what was your first job out of school?

I studied business and marketing at the University of Connecticut. I was always very interested in marketing because it was something that allowed me to be creative, and I am fascinated to learn what makes people buy certain products. Right out of college I was very intent on getting an actual marketing job, not just any job. I hunted for a while until I found an entry-level job at a small startup called Excel Switching that was looking for help in marketing. I was the first marketing person at that company so I was given the opportunity to learn all aspects of marketing from day one. 

Can you share the details on your career path and what were the critical moments that got you to where you are today?

As time went on, the startup I was originally working for brought in additional marketing professionals. This gave me the opportunity to have many talented bosses who helped propel my career as the company grew to over 900 people. I also had many mentors, and one who was pivotal introduced me to the idea of a partner program and together she and I built the partner program for that company. This gave me opportunities to travel and build partner marketing programs. Looking back, that experience was the key moment that transformed my general marketing career into one that was focused on partnerships and alliances. To this day I am still thankful to her! 

What is your current role and responsibilities?

Currently, I am Vice President of Partner and International Marketing for Wasabi. I am responsible for marketing to, through and with Wasabi’s partners. My team and I work to recruit technology alliance partners where our products are complementary, and we then take those partnerships and drive a better story together. We then go out and recruit their channel partners. Along the way, we are building a sea of evangelists of the Wasabi product. On the international side, we basically walk through the same process but from an international partner perspective. We work with the broader marketing team to build the brand and create content, along with all the other wonderful things that are used to promote the brand overall. I enjoy the role because it is both fun and challenging. I get to work with very talented people and do something different every day.

Looking back, is this where you thought you’d be professionally? Was it always your goal to be in this position?

I am not the type that had a set specific goal in mind, especially when I was younger. I always knew that I wanted a job that would challenge me but also be fun at the same time. It was important to me that I worked with great people and this path took me to where I am now. Looking back, I am exactly where I want to be at this stage of my life. I think it is important to have the ability to roll with the punches and make adjustments along the way. You never know what opportunities will arise and where they will take you.

For people who are looking to be in a similar position, what advice would you give to others in terms of helping them achieve their career goals?

First, it is important to be able to work well with others. It may sound overly simple but it is important to be inclusive and respectful to everyone no matter their level or title. It is also important to never adopt the mindset that you know everything, no matter what your title is. I would advise someone just starting out in their career to recognize that you are never done learning because your industry, technology, products, processes, and people will always be changing. Marketing has completely changed and gone inbound digital since I started my career and I had to adapt. You have to always be able to adjust and learn along the way.

What are the most important skills that you need to do your job well?

Communication is the most important skill that comes to mind. Over-communicate and communicate often. And be diplomatic. In each partnership, some people have different timelines and styles than you and you may not always see eye to eye. But if you are patient and open you can come to a solution that all are happy with.

What do you find most interesting/rewarding about your work?  What’s the most challenging?

I love our creative marketing and voice at Wasabi. Telling our story in a fun and interesting way through social campaigns, our Migrate with Nate campaign and more makes Wasabi a fun company to work for. We are very marketing-driven, and while many tech companies underfund marketing, I’d say we fund it well. One of the most challenging parts of my job is finding patience. Some companies we work with are big companies and don’t want to give you the time of day or they are on a different timeline than we are.

What is your proudest professional accomplishment?

My instinct tells me my proudest moment is happening right now. At Wasabi we launched a partner network that has tripled in the last few years and continues to grow so rapidly. So much has gone into it including digital marketing automation which constantly feeds the sales team with leads and new partnerships to activate.  We are building an A+ team which is our best asset. 

Are you involved with any professional organizations outside of the company? Volunteer work?

I wish, but as a mother of twin girls, that’s what keeps me busy outside of work. 

Q&A

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I love going to the beach and being active - hiking, biking, skiing, yoga. I really love cooking, and I did lots of it especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of my favorite new recipes that I made recently is roasted salmon with honey-mustard pecan crust.

How do you manage stress?

Taking my dog for daily walks and going to yoga every week keeps me sane. I think it is important to take time away from work, kids, etc., and focus on yourself.

How many cups of coffee do you have in a day?

I usually have one giant cup of coffee every day.

What's one of your favorite places in the Boston?

Legal Harborside is one of my top favorites. They have everything I love - seafood, great gluten-free options, ocean views and so much more.  

Any book or podcast recommendations?

The Power of Habit is a must-read. I love that book because it helps you think about how you operate and how your brain uses more energy when you are out of habit. It applies to pretty much every aspect of life.

What advice do you have for recent college graduates?

Don’t settle for any job. Go out and find the one that is the best fit for you, even if it takes time. Also, use your network, and don’t be afraid to reach out. I’d be impressed if a college grad reached out to me and asked about partner marketing.