“I came to work for Avi Zimak through a somewhat fortuitous path. In business school I founded a nonprofit apprenticeship organization, teeing up young adults with blue collar trade workers for long-term skill development. My global partners hailed from Portugal, Lebanon, and Indonesia and we had spent a year abroad focusing together on social impact entrepreneurship.
While we awaited our 501(c)(3), I decided to take a job as a receptionist with an AdTech firm, that would allow me the flexibility to work on my nonprofit and also serve as Adjunct Professor in the evenings.
After I started, in a creative and unexpected move — something I now call a ‘backwards interview’ — Avi Zimak pitched me to take a role in sales. When I say ‘pitched me’ it was exactly that — Avi created the role based on something he knew I would like and would benefit the company’s growth objectives. Then, he encouraged me to take it, in a move that effectively moved me up from receptionist to being a leader building a new team.
I was 24 years old. I had an advanced degree, and a significant background in marketing, but this was a completely new role for me. As a young, Hispanic, female, in a company dominated by male leadership, I now had leadership responsibilities in support of 30 sales staff, across 3 locations.
Avi’s allyship extended beyond creating the role for me; he was with me every step as I learned how to command the respect of my team. He’d pull me aside and coach me on how to word an email to with more authority, or how to push back and assert my position with influence, and draw on data to gain leverage.
Avi was truly a team player, and was behind his team not just in sales but, really, for anything. He recognized and respected work-life balance and encouraged his team to take care of their own health, family and well-being. This type of personal care and interest created a deep mutual-respect between Avi and his team . He embodied the spirit of, ‘You want to do something, go for it, I’m behind you every step of the way.’
With my international business background, I told Avi I wanted to take on more global work. Avi was 100% supportive, and I threw my hat in the ring every chance he had. Eventually the board created a global business team and I was brought on to support 16+ offices around the world – reporting to the VP of Global Business Operations.
Throughout my career growth, Avi’s mentorship and belief in me has given me the confidence to lean in to a task or a new role without hesitation. I largely believe I am where I am today because of Avi’s support and coaching in the early stages of my career.
His management style of protecting his staff, and encouraging innovation is one I try to replicate at all costs. Young talent and/or different points of view are often silenced, but with trust you can draw out the different paradigms to mitigate risk and take advantage of opportunity that catapults your team to success.”
– Kristina Rodriguez, Sales Executive, Global Startup Week & Weekend Sponsorships, Techstars
New York City, NY
Kristina’s background in Strategic Planning, Business Development and Marketing have collided, forming her dream role at Techstars where she is tasked with recruiting the right partners to support the growth of entrepreneurial communities around the world. As an avid traveler, Kristina enjoys bringing a piece of each trip home, where she tries to recreate her favorite dishes.