Zello Career Growth & Development

Describe your career journey so far. What skills or experiences have you acquired along the way that have helped you get to where you are now?

I started my career at Zello as a freshman in college. Joining a startup so young let me see the company evolve through multiple stages and wear many hats — working on marketing, data analysis, community management, research and eventually product management. Being open to every challenge helped me learn across different areas and think holistically when collaborating with my team.

I’ve also learned deeply from our users — both from B2C and B2B —which has been key to solving real problems and collaborating effectively. Watching Zello grow from startup to scale-up taught me the importance of ruthless prioritization as we balance growth with customer needs.

My experiences span from consumer products to PLG and enterprise, each with unique challenges and lessons. Above all, caring deeply for our users, the product and continuous learning has shaped how I lead today — by empowering my team and supporting their growth every step of the way.

What support did you receive from individuals or resources that helped you step into a leadership role?

My manager, Nayeli Cortina, has been instrumental in my growth since I joined Zello as a part-time college student. She’s consistently empowered me, encouraged me to take on challenges and given me the space to explore and even fail — something that’s been key to my development. Her trust and guidance helped me understand where I wanted to go and how to get there.

Beyond Zello, I’ve also had the chance to connect with mentors outside the organization who’ve helped me see things from new perspectives and bring fresh ideas into how I approach leadership and team processes.

A major resource that supported my transition into management was the book The Making of a Manager. It gave me a grounded, realistic view of what good management looks like and helped me build confidence as I stepped into leading others.

How do you encourage other women on your team to become leaders themselves? Are there any stories you can share that showcase how you’ve done this?

One key thing I focus on when supporting other women is doing what my manager once did for me — giving them the space to grow, explore and realize their potential. I try to create an environment where they can take ownership and feel confident stepping into new challenges.

I also make it a point to champion the women around me by giving them full credit for their amazing work and making sure their contributions are visible. I’ve seen talented women, especially those earlier in their careers, shy away from recognition or have their work overlooked. I’m now in a position to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Finally, I lead with transparency — sharing my own struggles, doubts and lessons learned. Too often, women let their perceived weaknesses hold them back. By being open about my own process, I hope to help them see that growth and leadership come from embracing, not hiding, those moments.