ISDI Student Spotlight ft. Danette Mashkoori
In this weekly series, we’ll be highlighting the student journeys and accomplishments of our future leaders in digital business.
We’re more than halfway through our inaugural ISDI’s MIB (Master’s degree in Internet Business) program, and it’s about time we show off our best assets: our students.
Welcome to the ISDI Student Spotlight series!
In this series, every week we’ll be highlighting the journeys and accomplishments of our future leaders in digital business. From our youngest student at 23 to our oldest at 60+ years old, our masters students come from all walks of life. This series is an opportunity to read about where they come from and why they decided to pursue the same goal — learn how to successfully navigate and capitalize on the changing business ecosystem through digital transformation.
Join us on this journey; we hope after reading their stories you will feel as proud — and impressed! — as we were, and that it may help you find more clarity on your path. Welcome to #thisISDIspotlight.
Spotlighting first is our “mother hen” and a secret force of grounding during complex strategic discussions: Danette Mashkoori — read on for her interview.
Danette Mashkoori
- In 30 seconds tell us who you are in regards to your work and career experience.
My professional background lies mostly in finances and banking for both consumer and commercial clients. My personal experience involves coaching, mentoring, and volunteering.
My volunteer work mostly focuses around youth and inclusion in the community specifically causes like youth and substance abuse and Project Cornerstone.
I also spent quite a bit of my time volunteering for youth theatre, I love the design, engineering, and creation aspect of building sets and props that can work functionally for the production at hand.
2. Share with us a surprising fact that not many people may know.
I absolutely love thrill seeking — roller coasters and bungee jumping — anything that gives me an adrenaline rush is the best. It may be surprising coming from an introvert!
3. You’re halfway through the digital business program, you must be thinking more about successful businesses. If you were to start one tomorrow, what would it be and why?
I used to want to have a travel goods brick and mortar store, where I would bring items back cool items to sell from my travels. I would have hired young people teach them the ways of business and how to be accountable to someone (ties back to my love for coaching). Nowadays it’d probably be an eCommerce store.
That’s an idea I’ve always had, but what I know I will definitely be doing post-graduation is redoing houses — I love doing a rehab houses, the high-intensity moments of project based work, then that sense of fulfillment once it’s done I just love.
4. If your closest friend was to describe you in 3 words, what would they be?
Compassionate/Kind, Honest, Intelligent
5. If there is one thing you could change in your life (not a regret!) what would it be?
One of my strengths is living with my decisions and figuring it out and dealing with consequences of decisions. I really wouldn’t change anything, life is a journey and all of it is my path — maybe I’d consider maybe pursuing things I’m passionate about earlier in life but that’s it!
6. Recommend something to us! What’s a product/service/book/anything that you love to advertise?
Anything to do with Tony Robbins, his seminars, recordings etc.
And two books I love: 1) A New Earth, and 2) Quiet by Susan Cain. People often overlook strengths of introvert because they ponder things as opposed to having quick responses but this book reminds the world the true value and power of introspection and introverts.
7. Finally, what technological innovation are you most excited about in the coming decade?
Robots who will be able to do my laundry (my least favorite chore!) and something to help change Alzheimer’s disease — or at least something that can at least aid people with the sickness.
Thanks for joining us on our first posting of our Student Spotlight Series! For more ISDI blog posts written by our students and our esteemed academic board, check them out at our ISDI Blog here.
