We’re excited to introduce Fluent Voices, a new blog series designed to give employees across all levels and departments within our organization the opportunity to share their unique stories and passions – from what led them to their current role to their proudest career accomplishments. In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re kicking this series off with a spotlight on some of the amazing women leaders making a difference at Fluent and AdParlor. Stay tuned throughout the year as we continue to feature and celebrate more of our bright minds.
Women Building Careers in Pursuit of Progress
Akanksha Joshi
Senior Data Engineer, Fluent
What led you to the role you’re in today?
“My curiosity and eagerness to build something purposeful brought me here. Having been in a support role before, I always wanted to be a part of a product right from its inception. This required me to take a bold step to change my career and pursue a higher degree. My resilience to not settle in my comfort zone and my passion to bring a positive change around me helped in my journey. Fluent is a progressive place to work, providing immense growth opportunities, an inclusive work culture, and a nurturing environment.”
Who is your biggest role model/career influence and why?
“My mother is my biggest role model. I have learned a lot from her growing up. Hard-working, resilient, and compassionate are some of the many adjectives that describe her. I remember two very important lessons that she taught my sister and me – First, it is of utmost importance for everyone to be financially independent, especially women. And second, one should never be hesitant to speak up when they believe that they are right. Both of these lessons have stayed with me ever since.”
What is one of your proudest career accomplishments?
“I am really excited for where I am in my career right now. My journey from being a college graduate to having a prominent role in a data-driven environment and rapidly growing organization is something that I am proud of. Looking back, I am grateful for all the challenging situations that have tested me. I am proud of my pursuit to set up a strong process for myself that has helped me achieve my goals.”
What is one piece of advice you’d give to the next generation of women leaders?
“One of the most important things I’d ask of every woman is to Speak Up! – Speak up for yourself, speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, speak up for equity and inclusion, speak up to challenge gender biases, and speak up for everything YOU believe in.”
Jessica Jeffers
Senior Media Manager, AdParlor
What led you to the role you’re in today?
“A LOT! I’m originally from Manchester, UK, and after having lived in London for a few years, I started to get itchy feet and wanted to start a new chapter. I made the huge decision in 2019 to apply for a working holiday visa, pack my bags, and move across the pond to start a new adventure in Toronto! I’ve had a couple of roles here, but my latest position at AdParlor was the result of wanting to move to the next stage of my career. I was so excited by the fact the Sr. Media Manager role was brand new, in a brand new division for AdParlor – the Performance Team – and I was thrilled by the prospect of growing something from the ground up. Today I can say we’ve done/are doing that!”
Who is your biggest role model/career influence and why?
“My biggest role model is my mum! She moved countries from Ghana when she was in her early twenties too so I can relate to her on that level. She’s in the medical profession and had to get used to a whole new culture, country, and train to be a midwife all at the same time. Both her and my dad have always been so supportive of me making the move to Canada and have encouraged me to take risks and also enjoy the achievements and the special moments. They’ve also taught me to embrace my ambitious nature and never to be afraid to throw myself out of my comfort zone.”
What is one of your proudest career accomplishments?
“It’s fairly recent! The whole BLM movement last year was so poignant for me and I really took the time to assess where I am and how I feel. I’m proud of how far I have come and representing my community in a senior position within such a diverse workplace. Being asked to participate in the Fluent Speaker Series “Black Lives Matter vs. All Lives Matter” panel was a proud moment in my career because I was able to represent Black women in my workplace – and the reactions and responses from the team were so warm and loveable. It’s also now taught me where I want to go from here – to achieve more and keep rising up.”
What is one piece of advice you’d give to the next generation of women leaders?
“To the next generation of women leaders, I would say, OWN your voice. No matter your background, culture, or who you are, you’ve earned your right to take the stage and be heard. It took me some time to find mine when it comes to being in a work environment, but thanks to being surrounded by some very aspirational women in my career, I’ve found it and run with it. I wouldn’t be in the position I am today without having followed the advice I have been given along the way.”
Kerry Sorenson
Director of Data Operations, Fluent
What led you to the role you’re in today?
“In college, I interned and eventually accepted a position as an account manager at a different lead gen company. In 2015, I was referred to Fluent by a former co-worker to become Fluent’s second Data Account Manager. I quickly realized I was much more interested in operations than account management, and the rest is history!”
Who is your biggest role model/career influence and why?
“At Fordham, I graduated with a BS in marketing and an entrepreneurship concentration. My concentration course load was led by a badass professor, Christine Janssen. She has forever inspired me. Oh, and my mom of course!”
What is one of your proudest career accomplishments?
“I think it’s really cool to have been one of the OG operations team members at Fluent (aside from Winnie of course). I’ve loved watching the operations teams transform and grow over the years.”
What is one piece of advice you’d give to the next generation of women leaders?
“Don’t be afraid to speak up / It’s okay to wear your heart on your sleeve.”
Brooke Robinson
VP of Performance, AdParlor
What led you to the role you’re in today?
“I’ve had an eclectic career in marketing and advertising over the past 10+ years. I’ve worked client-side and agency-side, always moving in a direction that would teach me something new. I was motivated by learning and that has taught me to work with the right people. I’m forever a mentor and a mentee and I chose my current role because of the team – those who would be my leaders and inspire me, my colleagues, and the opportunity to help others navigate through challenges in the advertising world.”
Who is your biggest role model/career influence and why?
“The foundation of my career has been built on working with strong women who took the time to coach me because they saw potential. Early in my career, I was in awe of Mary DePaoli (now EVP and CMO at RBC Bank) for being such a forward-thinking executive who worked her way on to the executive board at Sun Life Financial – a company where a CMO did not previously have a seat at the table. While she was my CMO at Sun Life, she gave me opportunities that inspired me and has continued to support me throughout my career when I’ve needed it most. I strive to be the kind of women that inspires others, in the way that Mary inspired me.”
What is one of your proudest career accomplishments?
“My proudest career accomplishment to date is seeing my former mentees excelling in new roles – women like Amanda Atkins (now Marketing Manager, Intuit) who was my protégé while at GroupM. These talented women are now excelling in roles that didn’t even exist 5 years ago and that makes me proud. Second to seeing the success of those I’ve coached along the way, was launching my own consulting business in 2018. I was struggling with what to do next and launching my own business brought me back to the ground floor – building something from nothing. It was humbling, it was challenging, and while I may return to an entrepreneurial role someday, my role at AdParlor has allowed me to marry my love for building something from the ground up and inspiring talented young marketers to do great things!”
What is one piece of advice you’d give to the next generation of women leaders?
“Follow good people, and they will lift with you. It took me a while to shift from chasing an opportunity to following those that inspire me, but I love the past experiences for shaping the person I am today.”
Jennifer Burrington
Head of Sales, Vesey Studios (Fluent)
What led you to the role you’re in today?
“20+ years of career experience in mobile phones/devices; from 1999 to 2021. Evolving my knowledge and experience along with the technology from finance to marketing, wireless carriers to app stores, and mobile gaming to mobile/digital advertising. Being part of the convergence of mobile platforms with digital advertising was really phenomenal.”
Who is your biggest role model/career influence and why?
“I’m inspired and influenced by the creativity of entrepreneurship. The way entrepreneurs need to think outside the “box” to build entire companies through vision, strategy, and innovation. I’m often very inspired by female entrepreneurs by the way they are never stopped by roadblocks, the way they break down walls, eliminate ceilings, and disrupt all of the stereotypes. Entrepreneurs of all kinds have motivated me throughout my career.”
What is one of your proudest career accomplishments?
“Joining an early stage start-up in 2006 while in seed funding as the fifth employee and only woman. Helping build the company through Series C and its acquisition by Conversant in 2011. It was one of the first mobile advertising networks and I learned so much about growing a business, mobile technology, innovation, emerging market sales, marketing, teamwork, focus and vision, sales management, and entrepreneurship. Most importantly, I learned how to use my voice as a woman in a business and industry that was predominantly male.”
What is one piece of advice you’d give to the next generation of women leaders?
“It’s not only OK to break the mold, to disrupt the stereotypes, and change expectations; it is what is right for you and what is empowering for all women. Lead the way and find a new path; it may be covered with tall grasses and weeds, but you can make it accessible to future generations of women.”
Marina White
Director of Business Analysis, Fluent
What led you to the role you’re in today?
“I realized that I love analytics and could be good at it pretty early on. I just kept working at it, always adopting new ideas and tools so it never became boring. My peers are very smart, and we feed each other ideas, so it is a very rewarding field to be in.”
Who is your biggest role model/career influence and why?
“My academic advisers gave me a lot – starting with school and then to college and grad school I had great women who taught me and nurtured me. Each of them had a unique approach and they taught me how to keep moving forward. And even if I failed, as a next step, I would challenge myself to try something more difficult.”
What is one of your proudest career accomplishments?
“When I started to lead analytics groups, I saw how great it was to watch other people succeed. I am pretty sure that everyone I’ve worked with has had a flourishing career. I’ve been in situations after corporate mergers where new people came to my group that were not considered A players – I saw their strengths and we worked together to realize potential. It was great to see how their careers skyrocketed, some even leaving to get positions higher than mine.”
What is one piece of advice you’d give to the next generation of women leaders?
“Code or learn another technical skill – it can help to set the foundation for a great and long career. Find friends and colleagues with whom to laugh – this is a foundation of positivity.”
Want to join our dynamic team of forward-thinkers and creative problem-solvers? Check out our open positions here.
