Norah Perez
Salesforce Practice Manager, VALiNTRY360
📍Orlando, FL, USA
If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why?
Advocate. My team of consultants, our clients, my executive leadership team (and heck, my family and friends) can all tell you that I strive to understand peoples' goals, dreams, and motivations, and then work on how I can help advocate for them and support them in their journeys. Helping those around me reach their personal and professional objectives and potential has allowed me to establish authentic trust-based relationships, which in turn have positively impacted my life and career.
Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact? If so, why?
I think it's critical for corporate leaders to prioritize social impact for a variety of reasons, not least of which is the fact that customers, clients, and employees are looking at the impact of companies they're vetting to give their business to or work for, and making decisions based on whether the companies are forces for good in their broader communities or not.
Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?
VALiNTRY360 has a deep commitment to supporting the communities around us. Each year our team engages in different community service activities as a team and company, for example packing personal care and health packs for the local unhoused population, purchasing and donating bulk food essentials to the Second Harvest Food Bank, donating conference room space to a local non-profit board that supports local youth in the foster care system, etc.
What’s the best piece of advice you've ever received?
As a type A person, I've always liked to plan ahead and clearly envision my path towards professional growth.
However, early in my career I read a quote by Condoleezza Rice that recommended not holding too tightly onto a rigid plan for your future because some of the best growth comes from veering off of your expected path to seize an unexpected opportunity. Since then, I've made it a point to take unexpected opportunities, resulting most recently in leaving a 13-year career in higher education administration and entering into the world of Salesforce consulting. By being open to changing my path, I've found a career that I absolutely love, professional growth that motivates me every day, and a company that trusts and empowers me as a woman leader in the tech field.
Not holding too tightly onto a rigid plan for your future because some of the best growth comes from veering off of your expected path to seize an unexpected opportunity.
This year’s International Women’s Day themes are focused on investing in women and inspiring inclusion. What can we do to make today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive for women?
I feel that the most impactful way of making today's workplaces more equitable and inclusive to women is to promote and hire women into leadership roles in companies. By doing so women can finally see ourselves represented in leadership spaces, giving voice to our unique contributions as well as our critical perspectives, and increasing our ability to form impactful mentor and advocate relationships at work. I know that my addition as a Latina woman to the leadership team at VALiNTRY360 has brought an entirely new perspective to the executive spaces, helping our company increase awareness and support of issues faced by underrepresented members of our team and field.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Don't let fear or insecurity get in the way of your success or of your choices. You are enough. You do have what it takes. That voice in your head that's telling you that you aren't and don't is called Imposter Syndrome. It's lying to you, and listening to it will keep you from reaching the heights you're destined for.
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
I'm looking forward to starting sessions with a woman-focused executive coach this year, as well as attending a Women's Leadership Retreat later this year to help me hone my executive presence, set strategic goals to propel my team's success, and build a network of women leaders who I can be in relationship with and call on in the future.
