At Moxy, we believe in inspiring action by highlighting real stories of real women. Today, get to know Nina Conseil, a seasoned professional with over 20 years of expertise in data-driven marketing and customer experience. Join us as we delve into Nina's journey, where a growth mindset and building relationships take center stage in successfully navigating career transitions.
Introducing Nina
Can you briefly introduce yourself to our audience and share a little about your career journey?
I spent my early years in southern Germany, being the eldest among three siblings. The allure of travel captivated me at a young age, culminating in the definite departure from my parents' home at 18 to study in the UK. Embracing a nomadic lifestyle alongside my French husband and our two daughters, we've had the privilege of calling various countries across Europe, North America, and Asia our home. While my roots lie in marketing, my professional journey has seen me assume roles in both Marketing and Product Management in B2C, concentrating on enhancing Customer Experience in Retail and Financial Services. More recently, I've expanded my horizons into the realm of B2B and Partner Experience within the dynamic landscape of the Tech industry.
Navigating change
You've relocated countries multiple times, changed industries, and managed parenthood while progressing in your career. What key lessons have you learned about harnessing your potential / achieving your goals in these diverse situations?
Embracing change with an open heart and trusting my instincts has been my guiding light in navigating diverse situations.
I wish I could say it was all a well laid out plan, but to be very honest, my career path had as much to do with listening to my gut as it had with looking for new challenges. I believe that the red thread in my career has been all about building relationships and driving alignment in objectives, whether internally or with clients. This has been the pilot light in what I look for in a role no matter what the industry vertical or domain. In my experience, good and open communication, as well as always assuming positive intent, has been what has allowed me to navigate challenging situations, both professionally as well as juggling a growing family.
I would be lying if I said that I have never felt the pressure of being successful in business while also trying to be the perfect mum and partner. It took me a long time to accept the concept of quality vs quantity, especially as relates to the time with children and that being passionate about my job was not something I should not have to be ashamed of. I was also lucky to have always worked for companies and managers that had a good understanding of the importance of balancing business and private life.
Could you share a specific instance where staying open to new opportunities played a significant role in your career progression?
I came into my last role at VMware almost by accident. On recommendation of a friend, I reached out to the VP of Partner and Commercial APJ at VMware in Singapore. My intention was to have a coffee chat about my career so far, and how to position my multi-disciplinary CV in Asia, as I felt recruiters were struggling with not being able to pigeon-hole my resume. This relaxed and open chat led to an opportunity with VMware, a company in an industry vertical that had never really been in my peripheral. I was surprised that the leadership team thought I could add value; my professional background felt just “too different”. But it was exactly this difference that was to be my value-add.
Bringing a different perspective, a different culture. The learning curve was steep and I had to learn to abandon the idea of “needing to know it all”. I was forced to dig deep and trust my experience and instincts more than ever. To listen in a way that would allow me to cast certain things aside and not let myself be distracted by “not understanding everything”.
I remember my manager saying to me early on “Nina, you are not competing in a 100m dash, you are running a marathon, pace yourself!” And she was right. The first 12 months were humbling and challenging and oftentimes frustrating. But they taught me to attain new levels of resilience and perseverance and I was rewarded with the confirmation that at a certain point in one's career, experience transcends pure functional knowledge.
In your experience, how important is having the right support network when navigating career changes and challenges?
Building a strong support network with mentors and allies, I seek diverse perspectives, often finding valuable allies outside my department for a broader outlook.
The right support network is everything. Mentors, allies and friends are crucial to have as a sounding board, to help course correct and often to help see things we do not recognize in ourselves. I always look for allies in any new company early on, and they rarely come from the same department. They are usually people who are able to give me the bigger picture.
Can you share a moment in your career that truly energized you, when you realized that opportunities and people who supported you were available?
The most energizing moment of my career was actually when I was in between jobs. I had just arrived in Singapore and realised quickly that being a trailing spouse was not for me. I enjoyed having more time with the children but I also wanted to fill those hours when they were in school with something meaningful. This led me to starting to volunteer for She Loves Data as the head of the Singapore chapter. This role allowed me to pour all my passion into helping women advance in their careers and creating an environment for them in which they could safely explore new professional domains.
Not only did I feel good about the impact my work was having, but more importantly it connected me with so many like-minded volunteers, many of which have become mentors and some even dear friends.
What advice would you give to individuals who may be facing similar challenges or transitions in their careers? How can they find the inspiration and support they need?
Always dare to step out of your comfort zone. Ask for feedback, both from your managers and also from those who you might manage. Build a support network with mentors both inside and from your domain. Sometimes those that are a little further removed can give you a very different perspective. If you can, invest in business coaching when you feel you are bumping up against similar challenges again and again.
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Thank you for joining us on Nina's inspiring journey. Feel free to share your own story in the comments or reach out if you have a story that can inspire other women or organizations.
