“It is the ultimate luxury to combine passion and contribution. It’s also a very clear path to happiness.” – Sheryl Sanberg, COO, Facebook
Over the years, women leaders at Exponential have contributed greatly to our company’s success and growth. This month, in a special “ExpoHer” feature, we take a sneak peek into the lives of our colleagues and learn about their journeys on the path to professional and personal growth. This is an effort to not only take inspiration from our women leaders, but also acknowledge their superpowers!
Karen Phuong, Manager, Billing and Credit / Emeryville, US / Joined 2005
Why is your career important to you?
My career is important to me because it gives me independence.
How do you manage your personal and professional life?
Personal life: Leave thoughts about work at work. When at home, focus on family matters, hobbies and personal interests. Limit discussions of work matters at home and when speaking to friends.
Professional life: Tune out all distractions to increase your productivity at work. Keep your personal life private at work.
Favorite…superhero, app and travel destination?
- Superman, because he can fly. I’ve always wanted to be able to fly, so I can get to places quicker.
- Spotify
- Japan! I love it there. People are very nice, polite, food is amazing and it’s super clean.
Are there any web or TV series you are currently following?
Top Chef
Melissa Biddison, VP, Marketing / Baltimore, US / Joined 2010
Can you give us a brief description of your background?
I started working in Digital in 2006 in Baltimore, Maryland at Advertising.com. I joined Exponential in 2010 and have held various roles from Performance Strategy Analyst to Director of Global Business Ops to most recently VP, Marketing. I am married to Chris, a financial advisor, and we have two boys: Jack (7) and Porter (5).
Why is your career important to you?
My career exposes me to new perspectives, gives me unique challenges to overcome and provides stimulating social environments. I am rewarded with a sense of achievement that I couldn’t get otherwise.
What advice would you give to women who want to achieve professional and personal success?
I would give the same advice to anyone: find what is right for you. I evaluate my top 3 priorities of what I want to get out of my job at least once/year. Make sure what you are doing fits this list. My list has evolved as I have gotten married and had children, and that’s okay. Just be honest with yourself.
Favorite…life quote, superhero and app?
- “Just do it”
- Optimus Prime (the Transformer) because he’s a leader with strong moral character.
- The Peloton workout app
What are 3 routine tasks that help you get through the day?
Breakfast and coffee, re-write my daily priority lists, block 30 mins of my calendar at the end of the day to help me to wrap-up loose ends.
Penelope Lima, Director of Publisher Operations, EU / Madrid, Spain / Joined 2010
Can you give us a brief description of your background?
I’m a journalist who realized one day that marketing/advertising was my real vocation. I started working as Marketing Manager for some offline companies when I made the best decision in my career: jumping into the Digital world! I started working as a Marketing Manager and Publisher Manager at AOL, then moved to Exponential in 2010, which has been the longest and most fruitful stage of my career.
How do you manage your personal and professional life?
Motherhood is difficult to manage with a professional life and planification is the only trick. I never thought my calendar was going to be so full of notes! The key is enjoying all the time you have with your family and friends and making time for yourself!
What advice would you give to women who want to achieve professional and personal success?
I would give the same piece of advice to both women and men: try to pursue your professional dreams by working hard, always with a smile. Also, never forget your origins and where you come from.
Favorite…superhero, quote and travel destination?
- Batman – he’s not a superhero, he’s a human being with moral values, with doubts…like all of us!
- “Happiness is only real when shared.” (from the movie Into The Wild)
- South Africa/Zimbabwe/Zambia
Any hidden talents?
I sing and dance flamenco. What else could you expect from a Sevillian woman, of course!
Yulia Ocheretyanaya, Senior Media Planner / Kiev, Ukraine / Joined 2011
How would you best describe yourself?
Easy-going, positive, smiling and hard-working with a great sense of humor. I take life at a relaxed pace, but also at the same time, try to make the most of it.
Where do you draw your life inspiration from?
I adore nature, especially the sea and mountains. I like drawing a lot – it inspires me to be happy and smile.
What advice would you give to women who want to achieve professional and personal success?
Professional success is something that anyone can reach, but that requires persistence. Decide what you want, be assertive and go for it. Personal success, on the other hand, is something much more subjective. For me, my personal success is being unconditionally happy. That was something I, at some stage in my life, decided I wanted, and I feel lucky to have achieved it.
What’s currently on your reading/watchlist?
I just started to read The Undiscovered Self by C.G. Jung and am waiting for the last season of Games of Thrones to come out soon.
Linda Chan, Head of Account Management / Melbourne, Australia / Joined 2012
Can you give us a brief description of your background?
I am from the UK and moved to Melbourne 8 years ago. I started at Expo in 2012 as an Account Manager and now am Head of Account Management for AU/NZ.
Why is your career important to you?
It’s always been important to have a career that I’m passionate about and I’ve been lucky that people I work with are so great. I can say in all my years of working at Expo that I’ve never dreaded coming into work. Actually…maybe after the holiday party!
What advice would you give to women who want to achieve professional and personal success? Prioritize what you believe is important and always make time for yourself. I go running twice a week, which was easy to do before the baby, but now I schedule it in!
Favorite…superhero, app and travel destination?
- Not a known super hero but my mum is pretty awesome.
- Thailand
What are 3 routine tasks that get you through the day?
Coffee, exercise and a bedtime routine with my daughter.
