Corporate Professionals Share How They Consistently Deliver Commanding Impact That Is Valued and Respected By Their Peers, Colleagues, and Superiors
Interviewed By Maryan Aiken. Originally Published on February 10, 2020
JESSICA HANKS
Senior Product Manager
Cox Communications, Inc.
Washington and Lee University
Economics and Spanish (double major)
Charity Involvement
Shot on location at Roche Bobois in Buckhead Village District for CityBox
ABOUT CITYBOX DIARY
The CityBox Diary is a quick glimpse of business stories direct from business owners, corporate professionals, and entrepreneurs. It’s a place where they collectively share their business journey, exciting projects and collabs, experiences that sometime brought hard lessons & setbacks but loaded with electrifying & exhilarating aha moments & of course, those memorable game changers that catapulted them to a whole new height of dizzying triumphs. Welcome to the CityBox Diary!
Q: You have been at Cox Communications for quite some time now, what do you attribute to the longevity and commitment of staying loyal and committed to one company? Company culture is key. Cox has a key dedication to the employee as well as teamwork. I have stayed with Cox for so long because of their dedication to the growth and success of their employees as well as the team culture which means there are countless resources ready and willing to help. That has kept me there for the long haul.
Q: With the demands from your professional realm & home life, how do you find that critical balance to ensure that you have a Me Time to refresh and reset to keep yourself at optimized state? I learned from a good friend of mine how important it is to maintain a flexible rhythm. Even when that work/life pendulum swings toward a heavier emphasis on work there are key activities I always do, I plan for them, I write them down in my calendar. For example, I make time for the gym, spending quality time with family and friends even if it is just a quick coffee, and self-care. By planning and writing these key activities down, I incorporate them into my daily life instead of looking at them as luxuries. By planning for them I can be flexible to adjust to account for those times when work has to take precedence. These activities keep me balanced and are necessary to maintain excellent performance at work.
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Q: In your professional journey, what was the most compelling challenged you've experienced that made you more pliable for growth and what resolved did you find to offer and implemented? I have been laid off twice in my career. Both times were scary and discouraging but gave me the opportunity to make key changes in my career that I never would have done otherwise. These experiences gave me a greater understanding of how change and challenge can affect a team and gave me tools to better support a team through that challenge or change.
Q: Your skill set as a seasoned Product Manager is impeccable and prized by your team at Cox Communications. If I were to ask your team members and superior the 3 qualities they value about you, what would they be? Tenacious. Passionate. Resilient.
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Q: What do you most enjoy about Cox Communications & your current role? The culture at Cox is honestly what I enjoy most. Where my role is concerned, I love the collaborative nature of it, I’m working with different teams every day, multiple times within a day, it is both challenging and exciting, never a dull moment. I feel like I’m always learning, growing and building something important. I can see tangible benefits of the work I’m doing.
Q: What project are you working on now? I am highly focused on customer engagement, ensuring we are truly delivering what the customer wants. I’m leading strategies and programs around self-install brand as well as improved methods of targeting our customers with the right offers or treatments.
Q: If you were to mentor your younger version, what advice would you give yourself? I go back to a quote from a childhood favorite, Winnie the Pooh, “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.” Relax and be confident in who you are, you are going to be just fine. There are great things ahead.
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STELLA RINGER
Senior National Sales Executive Strategic Marketing – Disney Partnership
The University of Alabama
BA Communications MBA Kennesaw State University
The Coca-Cola Company
Charity Involvement
Board of Directors Agape Community Center Board of Directors The PIVOT Foundation Board of Directors Rock Teen Youth Mentoring Program Wings of Mercy Care Volunteer The Goode Foundation (Sponsorship Chair Annual Gala Fundraiser) Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
Shot on location at Roche Bobois in Buckhead Village District for CityBox
Q: Give us an overview of your role as National Sales Executive at The Coca-Cola Company:
I lead Marketing for the Coca-Cola Company’s Disney partnership. What I enjoy about the role is working collaboratively with The Walt Disney Company to develop relevant, compelling and magical programming that connect with our brands’ consumers; which results in positive business performance for both companies. The Coca-Cola Company and The Walt Disney Company are icons in the hearts and minds of consumers globally, it’s an honor to contribute to the success of both brands.
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Q: In your professional journey, what was the most compelling challenged you've experienced that made you more pliable for growth and what resolve did you find to offer and implemented?
I face challenges head on, first understanding why there are challenges and barriers (what’s the cause), determine the approach to address the challenges (the how) determine who should be on the team to help alleviate the challenge, then execute the strategy to breakdown the challenge. I would say the most compelling challenge I’ve experienced was both personal and professional. I was at a crossroads about a decade ago regarding my career path. I approached the situation per my earlier statements and took a bold step to move from an HR discipline to Marketing (where I didn’t have much experience). The move was either going to make or break me. Thankfully my transferrable skills gave me the foundation for success and my curiosity continues to guide me as I grow and move to different Marketing roles to benefit the business.
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Q: Your skillset as a seasoned Marketing Executive is impeccable and prized by your team at your company. If I were to ask your team members and superior the 3 qualities, they value about you, what would they be?
From a personal perspective they would say a wife and mother that relentlessly loves her family and a compassionate servant who loves to help others; two things that people are aware of whether they know me personally or professionally. From a business perspective, they would mention my professionalism, my leadership style and my calm, yet effective approach to business challenges.
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Q: If you were to mentor your younger version, what advice would you give yourself?
I would tell my younger self to never conform or change who you are to emulate someone else. I’ve learned the importance of embracing who I am and it’s a valuable piece of advice. It’s fine to have others inspire you, but we all have a unique thumb print that makes us special. When we see successful people, we only see the “success”, we don’t know the back story of challenges and obstacles they encountered. I would encourage the younger Stella to tell her own story and be authentic, you never know how your story will encourage and uplift others.
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Q: You have been at The Coca-Cola Company for quite some time now, what do you attribute to the longevity and commitment of staying loyal and committed to one company?
I’ve been able to stay committed and loyal because I’ve been fortunate to lead and work in several departments; to learn and experience different parts of the business. With The Coca-Cola Company being a Global organization, there are a plethora of opportunities to build and expand your knowledge base. Continuing to learn and experience new things are valuable. The Company’s reputation in the community/giving back has always been something I’ve been proud of as well. Anytime you can find an organization whose values align with yours is a plus!
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CHRISTINE FAAS
Learning and Organization Development Consultant
The Southeast Permanente Medical Group
B.A. in Politics University of Georgia, Athens, GA – M.Ed. in Learning, Leadership, and Organization Development
Charity Involvement
Wellspring Living
Shot on location at Roche Bobois in Buckhead Village District for CityBox
Q: Give us an overview of your role at Kaiser Permanente?
In my role as Learning and Organization Development Consultant, I provide leadership and communication coaching to our clinician leaders. I partner with Kaiser Permanente leaders at all levels to enhance our organization’s performance by assessing organizational capability, implementing strategies to build a culture of development and by improving the engagement, resilience and capacity of our leaders, teams and individuals. Working with my colleagues, I anticipate emerging organizational needs, provide expert advice and feedback to organizational leaders and identify or develop resources to close performance gaps. I also provide consultation through the analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation of leadership, team and employee development programs.
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Q: In your professional journey, what was the most compelling challenge you've experienced that made you more pliable for growth and what resolve did you find to offer and implemented?
While in college, I majored in politics and completed 2 political internships. Five months after graduating, I was hired as a staff member of a U.S. Congressman in Washington, D.C. I had landed the job of my dreams. Within months, I realized that I didn’t like politics. At the time, I thought I would never have a job or career that I enjoyed. A year and a half later, I was hired to work with urban youth doing training and development. I feel in love with my career as an educator and coach. In addition to my current job at KP, I’ve opened a coaching practice on the side to help others find their dream careers. Because of my experience on Capitol Hill, I never take for granted having a job and career that I love.
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Q: What is the secret formula to your success?
Not only do I focus on what I am doing, but I also focus on who I am being. So often in our society, we think that doing more will get us what we want. We forget that we are human beings and not human doings. Often, we need a longer “to be” list rather than a longer “to do” list. When I am making a decision, I ask myself, “Am I coming from my survival mechanisms (fear, perfectionism, etc.) or from my essence/best self (joy, power, unity, play and heart). When I come from my best self, things go so much better for everyone involved. I’ve opened my own coaching practice on the side, and I work with my clients to identify their essence or best self. While coaching them in the foreground on their projects and development areas, I am always encouraging them in the background to come from their essence 90% of the time.
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JAMELIA (JAY JAY) THOMPSON
Executive Assistant
Towson University
Pre-Med
SAP America, Inc.
Reports to Amy Spruill, Southeast RVP . Volker Reinert COO, Latin America and the Caribbean . Kevin Hester COO, NA Ariba. Department Southeast
Charity Involvement
Chris Hope Foundation
Shot on location at Roche Bobois in Buckhead Village District for CityBox
Q: Give us an overview of your role as an Executive Assistant for 3 top level executives at SAP America Inc.
Being a right-hand to my executives and anticipating their needs for the business is my first priority. Supporting their teams is secondary. Embracing my talents to add more value to my organizations helps round out my role.
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Q: In your professional experience how do you expertly maintain calendars, book appointments and arrange meetings that meet the needs of the Chief Operating Officer of Ariba North America, Chief Operating Officer of SAP Latin America & Caribbean, and the Regional Vice President of SAP America Inc.?
The only way to maintain calendars with meetings and appointments for my three executives is to ensure first that my calendar is managed at its best. I look ahead on calendars as much as possible to anticipate the need, whether it is a customer meeting or an internal call urgently scheduled. Can’t stress enough the understanding of how to logistically plan ahead for each of them. I ensure to speak with them regularly to proactively review what is going on in the next few weeks. The travel content on the calendars have to be the most detailed because in my best control. It is important that I anticipate any shifts, such as a weather forecast, that can change the course of travel. I also look for ways to save money, especially if there is an attendance at the same event. For example, I will seek out who is renting the Hertz car and can have shared rides. Little details such as this can further assist in a successful travel day or meeting execution.
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Q: Your role as a top notch Executive Assistant to 3 busy high level executives requires you to be on your A Game at all times. How do you manage a successful & vibrant home life with your entrepreneur husband Charles, a go getter college freshman student and a 9 year old son who is a promising future business leader?
I am a top-notch EA not because I am always on my A game. That’s not it at all. It is very challenging to maintain the personal and professional sides of my household as well as control what I can at SAP. I look at it more as harmony vs life balance because I feel the individual knows their own drives and limitations. What motivates me to excel may not work the same for my colleague as he/she is set with various situations and lifestyle choices that suits them best. When I do make mistakes, I take ownership of it. Not an excuse person. My work ethic keeps me grounded and allows me to adjust and shine at anything that comes my way.
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Q: You have been at SAP America Inc for nearly 14 years. What do you attribute to the longevity and commitment of staying loyal and committed to one company?
The commitment of staying loyal to one company is attributed to the belief in the core principles of SAP. Also, my continued longevity is ensuring I have a super network, that is both long and wide. Working with the best in the company endures my commitment.
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With 14 years in the making you've encountered challenges and triumphs. Looking back, what was the most compelling challenged you've experienced that made you more pliable to grow and what resolve did you find to offer and implemented?
I am thinking the most compelling challenge I ever faced is knowing that there were people ready to attack me and undercover, couldn’t be trusted, because I was the new kid on the block or changed the status quo. I had to work around the adversity of feeling knives around me. A very wise past manager advised me to “sustain.” From there, I focused energies on how I am an attribute to the company and left other noise behind.
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Q: With access to your company’s most sensitive information, highly effective executive assistants must maintain confidentiality and discretion. How do you navigate complex office politics without compromising the significance of confidentiality in the workplace?
To keep everything confidential, especially in the most sensitive areas, I play a bit stupid when some may ask me a question that has nothing to do with their business. I also stay diplomatic when it comes to protecting my managers and teams, not really siding with anyone. It’s just best to not look left or right but keep to the middle and in the zone.
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Q: Your skillset as a valued gatekeeper is impeccable and prized by your team at SAP America Inc. If I were to ask Kevin, Volker and Amy, what are the 3 qualities they value about you that's been the vital elements to the success of your overall seamless flow of engagements resulting to the extraordinary pairing you have with each of them, what would they be?
Loyalty should be, I believe, the most consistent quality all three of my managers will say about me. I have such a unique relationship with each of them, so it may be best to ask them this value. If I had to gander, they may say also I am authentic. Maybe humble. Hence the reason this is best to ask them, LOL!
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CityBox Diary. A Quick Glimpse of Mini Business Stories Of Corporate Professionals, Business Owners, and Entrepreneurs In Atlanta
ABOUT THE CITYBOX DIARY
The CityBox Diary is a quick glimpse of brief business stories direct from business owners, corporate professionals, and entrepreneurs. It’s a place where they collectively share their business journey, exciting projects and collabs, experiences that sometime brought hard lessons & setbacks but loaded with electrifying & exhilarating aha moments & of course, those memorable game changers that catapulted them to a whole new height of dizzying triumphs. Welcome to the CityBox Diary, a place where you can instantly & meaningfully connect to expand your business.
CONNECT. SUPPORT. EXPAND
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