I am a content strategist for Social Sentinel that is solving the issue of social media scares and threats that are posted publicly on forums and social media. It helps organizations like schools and universities to not spend unnecessary resources on unrealistic threats and communicate efficiently to their student body if there is an imminent threat. So far there has been great success and wide acceptance from K12 schools and universities nationwide. Being part of the company where their mission to helping schools provide a safer and more secure environment for students makes me feel good that our company can help. I used to be a martial arts instructor in my late teens early twenties and we don’t teach children how to deal with an adrenaline rush if there is an emergency until there a lot older.
I went to SDSU and USD, I have a Bachelor’s in International Business and a Master’s of Science in Global Leadership. I initially wanted to work in finance and realized that was not for me. I love puzzles and marketing fit that description. My interest in marketing has always been how to connect with people, to motivate them and move them to do what you want them to do. Marketing is always evolving because people learn and become aware and as a marketer, you always have to find how to connect with people.
What do you do at the San Diego AMA?
I am the Earned Media Manger for the San Diego American Marketing Association. I’ve been a volunteer for two years and have had the opportunity to participate in many aspects of the organization. I think that for anyone who is looking to be a volunteer or be a member for the San Diego AMA, it is an outstanding organization with a vault of people, experience and knowledge that optimizes marketers in any aspect of their career they seek to improve or gain experience in.
Favorite Brand:
Calvin Klein. I know there are many people jumping on the Calvin Klein bandwagon but, I do want to put it on the record that I loved Calvin Klein long before it became trendy. I don’t know what or who mad it trendy all of a sudden, but I like the comfort and texture of the attire they offer.
Favorite Quote:
“if you put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them. – Bruce Lee
Who inspires you and why?
Jean Claude-Van Damme and Bruce Lee. I studied Taekwondo and Krav Maga for a combination of 20 years and I had to study these two people. I found their personal character and self-perseverance in the face of difficult life obstacles admirable. I think everyone has their difficult times in life—whether it’s in their career, business or it’s personal—having a strong mentality for a lifelong marathon for every aspect of life is important. Especially in marketing field when everything is changing by the day and marketers have to work very hard to keep up their stamina. But I think marketers have to be mentally stronger, have a big passion and interest in marketing, and be completely committed. On a personal level, the same applies, I have to be mentally strong, have a big passion and interest in my personal goals and be completely committed regardless of all the digital crap that is surrounding me.
What are you passionate about?
In one word: Leadership. I have always admired those who hold a position of power like the former President of The United State and previous presidents who have had the temperament, diplomacy, the charisma, and skill to bring people together in the direction that gets the leader’s agenda fulfilled, even if there are people in disagreement. That interest influenced my decision to study in the Master’s of Science in Global Leadership program at the University of San Diego, because human and social behavior is very complex. I firmly believe that if you don’t understand yourself first, you can’t understand others and develop a relationship with people relative to the space that you’re in. A lot of marketing is about developing a relationship and understanding people, so when you understand yourself you can connect a bit more clinically with others. And when you’re having a conversation I can be like, “Aha! I hear what you’re saying, but I understand you’re feeling under the lens that you’re experiencing it.”
How has the AMA helped you excel in your career?
I think that the value of the San Diego AMA depends on what you want to get out of it and the effort you want to put into it. As a volunteer, I have made many valuable connections, I have marketing insights and techniques and career guidance for career growth. For me it’s about only the volunteer work, but how you nurture the relationship.
What excites you most about San Diego AMA events?
I don’t know if this is only me, but at work there a lot things that happen that you lead you to question thoughts, ideas, strategies or techniques about marketing and then when you come to an event and you connect with others, it makes you feel really good because there are others who you can connect with and you eventually realize that you we’re not wrong.
