10W New York — Highlighting Impressive Women Leaders
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
10W features women leaders from a wide range of industries, backgrounds and perspectives. We’ll learn motivational tips, raw opinions and inspiring stories from leaders in tech, finance, creative arts, business, law and media.
Throughout 2020, we’re highlighting 10W in New York, Zurich, San Francisco, Tokyo, London and Chicago. Please nominate a leader you know HERE.
Thank you Kevan for the FIRE photos!
Meet 10W — New York
- Ariana Papa: Facilities Manager — Fortune 10 company
- Elena Taber: Content Creator
- Macha Ross: Administrative Business Partner, Speaker — Fortune 10 company
- Esther Townes: Lawyer
- Sarah Xue: Trader — Global Fortune 500 company
- Robyn Metzger: Director, Online Store (Ecommerce) — Fortune 500 company
- Tsvetelina Kemalova: Digital Marketing Lead
- McKenna Semin: Product Merchandising, Women’s Ready-to-Wear
- Candice White-Parker: Holistic Health and Wellness Coach, Corporate Wellness Consultant
- Maryam Shittu: Financial Product Lead — Fortune 500 company
What’s a challenge you’ve faced in your career and how did you overcome it?
“Even when I am aware that I am experiencing the symptoms, imposter syndrome can be so difficult to navigate as a young female attorney of color in New York City; both the City generally and my chosen career field in particular are some of the most demanding and unforgiving spaces that one can find oneself in. I certainly cannot say that I no longer have occasional feelings of inadequacy or “otherness” but I have developed tools to put those feelings of self-doubt to work for me, rather than against me.” — Esther
“Because of the negative stereotypes surrounding social media, it can be difficult to prove that my career path is legitimate and something that can be taken seriously. There’s a misconception that it is easy and futile when in reality it took me 5 years to build my platform and turn it into a full time job with a team. Some of the negative experiences have led me to develop a thicker skin which has inspired me to continue to share a message that empowers women and helps promote personal wellness.” — Elena
“Throughout my career I have faced an enormous amount of resistance. Many times I felt this is due to my age, my gender, my appearance, my bias towards action mentality. My life coach equipped me to have my own toolkit on how to handle these situations. Whether it would be to keep myself accountable or simple breathing exercises or how to be authentically myself in times of conflict. A mentor of mind shared me this quote: “If you are willing to look at another person’s behavior toward you as a reflection of the state of their relationship with themselves rather than a statement about your value as a person, then you will, over a period of time cease to react at all.” ― Yogi Bhajan. I think about this quote when I interact with others and face resistance and I tend to move through the moment faster than ever before.” -Ariana
“I’ve always looked at situations and tasks as problems waiting to be solved — I think it reflects on my being a math major in college. In any career, change is always a challenge, but being adaptable and resourceful can be essential in making it through.
In my current role, I’ve had 5 different managers, 4 replatforms, multiple strategies, etc. Staying focused and being quick to manage the change has always served me well. One of my favorite former bosses taught me to “choose my battles.” It definitely helps to put situations into perspective and to focus on the things that really matter.” — Robyn
How do you stay motivated?
“1) Build professional and personal life around passion. When you do something you truly love it’s very easy to find the motivation needed to succeed. 2) Always have short-term and long-term. Long term gives you something to work towards, and short-term goals ensures that you are able to taste victory on a regular basis. When I feel powerless or at the mercy of my circumstances, I always remember a quote I read in the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People — “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” i.e you cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that lies your growth and happiness.” — Maryam
“I try to stay connected to the things that bring me joy and ensure that I have them in the workplace. Looking for opportunities to learn and challenge myself.
Doing something that scares me, in a good way. Making sure that I am investing in my friends, family and hobbies & health. Work to live vs. living to work.” — Macha
“I don’t think you can trick yourself into staying motivated. You either enjoy what you do, or you don’t. If you genuinely like what you do, the drive and motivation will come naturally.” — Sarah
“Professionally, to stay motivated I find myself bouncing from project to project. I know that may sound inefficient but sometimes I just need space from a project if I am feeling unmotivated to complete it. I continually remind myself of the bigger picture. I love and enjoy the people I work with. I look up to my superiors, and someday I want to be doing what they are doing and that motivates me to keep pressing on.
One of the best pieces of advice I have been given was, even if you don’t have your dream job, if you are in your field, keep pressing on and you will get there.” — McKenna
“Early on in my career, I had a manager (now sponsor and friend) that elevated my outlook on what motivates me. It was during a time when I was on a verge of exhaustion and my solution-oriented mind was not providing any solutions. She introduced me to the growth vs. fixed mindset. It really was an eye opening experience. A concept that felt very tangible to me. “In a growth mindset, people have an underlying belief that their learning and intelligence can grow with time and experience. When people believe they can become smarter, they realize that their effort has an effect on their success, so they put in extra time, leading to higher achievement.” This concept allowed me to breakthrough resistance and challenges and provide a motivational foundation for all facets in life.”— Ariana
What’s a helpful life hack?
“The thing that has helped me the most is Meditation. It has been life changing for me. Meditating by yourself is difficult when you are a beginner. Then I tried a bunch of apps and I found the perfect match for me: Calm. I have been meditating everyday for over a year now. It has given me more patience (especially with my kids), more perspective in life and reduced 95% of my anxiety! The second thing that is helping me is Nutrition. It boosts my energy and keeps viruses away from me!” — Candice
“Talking to everyone you can within the organization, whether they are the security guard at the desk or in the C-Suite, and really treating people the same can go a long way.
The world isn’t such a big place and you never know where your next opportunity could come from.” — Robyn
“I am a huge believer that when you take care of yourself, your body rewards you and you'll have more energy and a clear mind to deal with everyday challenges, stress and to take all kinds of decisions.
The first thing I do in the morning is stretch and drink a cup of hot water with lemon. Someone recently told me that you should share out loud your gratitude, positive thoughts, or visualize your outcomes of the day.” — Tsvetelina
“Every new year I think about what I have accomplished that year and what I want to let go of and I write them down and put them in the fire. I then like to think about my goals for the year- Professional, Personal, Health, Financial.
My number one favorite routine is working out first thing in the morning. There are less obstacles and you have now done more by 10am then some people do all day and you get to cross one thing off your list! That’s my other thing.
Lists. With an actual pen and paper. I use check boxes to mark when something is completed. I love that feeling.” — Macha
“I don’t know if I would consider this a life hack, but after an intense work week, it’s important to do something completely different that helps reset your mind. I love taking dance classes because you are getting in a good workout, and simultaneously improving your flexibility, spatial awareness, and memory.” — Sarah
What’s one of your favorites quotes/mantras?
“Hakuna matata” has been a favorite since I was a child. To this day, I often find myself saying “no worries” in just about any context.
I also recently read a toast made in a Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles that stuck with me, particularly as I am in the early stages of my life in New York City: “It is a sad but unavoidable fact of life that as we age our social circles grow smaller.
Whether from increased habit or diminished vigor, we suddenly find ourselves in the company of just a few familiar faces. So I view it as an incredible stroke of good fortune at this stage in my life to have found such a fine new friend.”
To me, that quote (and really, the book more generally) is a reminder to adapt to life’s ever-changing circumstances openly and graciously, without judgment of oneself or others; it is sort of like another way of saying “no worries.”
“If you want to, you can find a million reasons to hate life and be angry at the world. Or, if you want to, you could find a million reasons to love life and be happy. Choose wisely.”
“Pursue wholeness through simplicity over perfection.
You can do anything for 15 minutes. ( This is one of my favorite quotes from my mom, Wendy).”
It’s a joy to know these ladies and I hope you found their tips valuable. Throughout 2020, we’re highlighting leaders in New York, Zurich, San Francisco, Tokyo, London and Chicago. Please nominate a leader you know HERE.
Gratefully,
Erin
