PPB September 2019

FEATURE | Rising Stars Kate Alavez, 37 Chief Operating Officer PromoShop, Inc. Los Angeles, California Education Degree in English from Loyola Marymount University First Industry Job When her employer, Diagnostic Products Corporation, was sold to Siemens in 2006, she took a recommendation from a family friend and applied at PromoShop as a sales support assistant. Why She’s A Rising Star Kate’s nominator says, “It takes a special person to be in HR and operations, one who can communicate effectively at all levels, from the owner to the janitor. Kate has that ability, treating everyone with respect, providing candid feedback and navigating difficult work relationships when necessary.” She has also been a board member for the Specialty Advertising Association of California and serves on its foundation. She frequently speaks on education session panels at The PPAI Expo and the SAAC Expo. What Inspires Her “I am always inspired by people who are grounded in positive action. Action is the language of our intentions—we can say whatever we’d like about who we are and what we believe but our actions, our commitment to be a part of the solution—these are defining character features. I am so moved by people identifying a need and plunging headfirst into change.” Her Most Difficult Challenge “I was diagnosed with an aggressive case of rheumatoid disease in 2014. The disease quickly spread to other areas of the body and made life very difficult very quickly. Prior to the onset of the symptoms, I was an avid runner and never took more than a Tylenol. Because I’m so Type A, I had to learn very quickly to let go of situations out of my control (though I haven’t mastered that skill yet!). At work, I had to learn to work differently. On days when my hands are not functioning, I have a voice translator and when I catch an ancillary infection I work from home. Because I love my job it makes being at work easy.” What She’d Like To Accomplish In The Next 24 Months “PromoShop is growing into new territories and expanding our reach to meet client needs, so for me the next 24 months will be focused on our ability to establish enhanced connectivity across our organization to increase cohesion and flexibility in work environments. It is imperative that our systems are accessible, agile and our employees feel connected to one another in the digital space.” What’s Needed To Recruit Young Pros To The Industry “We need to be out in the field working with our candidates, asking questions and listening to them. In terms of young professionals, this means meeting them where they are, finding their currency and speaking to the attributes of our organizations that foster and encourage development for candidates looking to begin a career.” Best Advice For Industry Newbies “Be humble and collect experiences. Especially in a world where social media reigns, the idea of tasks being ‘beneath’ us is permeating our workforce. This ends up limiting people in expanding their experience. If you’re assigned a project or there is an opening for an initiative you don’t particularly love, embrace that opportunity to create something better. Add that experience to your repertoire and put your personal stamp on that change. Down the line, when the chance for a promotion comes up, you’ll be twice as likely to get the job as the person beside you who didn’t take charge because that wasn’t in his or her job description.” Tips To Relax And Recharge “I’m a reader and a big believer in service projects to recharge. Whenever I am helping someone else it instantly grounds me. You can’t be jaded or full of yourself in the face of vulnerability. With service, boundaries evaporate and you become a part of the community or project you are serving. When I am limited on time or can’t sleep, I read books, articles, everything. I love the perspective shift and empathy that comes from reading.” 22 | SEPTEMBER 2019 |