Home: Medford, MA. Age: Forever 31. Birthplace: Massachusetts. Profession: Advertising technology. Organization: Automattic. Title: VP, Ad Partnerships and Strategy (WordPress and Tumblr). Pronouns: She/Her/Hers. Significant other: My college sweetheart and now husband, Kevin Mundt. Alma mater: Boston University. Languages spoken: English; conversational French on my better days.
Current project: Advisory Board Member of Nerdy Girl Success, a nonprofit with the mission of changing the landscape of leadership by supporting and preparing young, diverse women for college and careers. Latest contribution to others: Becoming a mentor at Girls With Impact, a nonprofit equipping girls with the skills, knowledge and confidence to become the leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators of tomorrow. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Moving to NYC after college without any job and just enough money to last me a month. Led to an entry level position in advertising technology when I didn’t even know what a CPM was. Never looked back! Last book read: Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men, by Caroline Criado Perez. Recently viewed and recommended: Hacks. On HBO with the brilliant Jean Smart.
Personality profile: Love spending my energy with friends and family, and recharging it alone on my couch. How do you define a perfect friendship? Mutual respect and admiration. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Trust, respect and transparency. What is your greatest joy? My three incredible children and marrying the love of my life. What is your guilty pleasure? Bravo TV. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Social workers. Those who are on the front lines of the most complex, most critical domestic issues facing families and children. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Travel and food with friends and family. I value unique experiences with those I love over material things. What is your go-to workout? Yoga and a good walk or hike. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Good company, drinks and a fire pit.
What was your first paying job? At CVS. What was your favorite college course? Media Law and Ethics. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Clueless. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Art by my children. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Ask for forgiveness, not permission. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? GPS. I have a terrible sense of direction, so this has been a game changer.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field?
Eliminating the Motherhood Penalty and supporting working parents better.
What change would you like to see in the world? A greater number of female leaders in government, the C-suite and other positions of power. What mega-trend most excites you? Remote and distributed work. So many benefits, from aiding working parents to increasing access to professional opportunity.
What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? I’m told Parker Posey would be a good match. I’ll take that! As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A Law and Order ADA. What advice would you give your younger self? Don’t try to emulate the white male leaders you see just because they’re in a position of power. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? Any beautiful day on the Cape with my three children and husband.
Personal mission: Eliminating the Motherhood Penalty. Personal motto: Sometimes you gotta say, what the fuck. Desired epitaph: She finally got the rest she so desperately needed.
