“Real fulfillment lies in aligning your career with your broader life goals.” | From Visionary Leader to Marketing Innovator: Meet Yaritza Vallejo

Yaritza is a dynamic professional currently holding the position of Brand Marketing Supervisor at McDonald's Corporation while pursuing her MBA at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. With a robust background from top Fortune 500 companies like Deloitte and Amazon, Yaritza brings diverse experience and perspective to her role.

Her impact extends well beyond the corporate sphere. Yaritza is deeply committed to community service. She actively leads young professional boards and mentorship programs, which underscores her dedication to nurturing future leaders. Her exceptional contributions have earned her notable accolades, including the HACR 2024 Young Hispanic Corporate Achiever award, induction into the ADCOLOR 2023 FUTURES program, and a place on the 2022 Rising Stars List by the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA), marking her as one of the top 50 emerging Latina talents in the U.S.

Miss EmpowHer: What does women's empowerment mean to you? Why is it important?

Yaritza Vallejo: To me, women empowerment means fostering the confidence and support necessary for women to pursue their goals and ambitions, even when those goals seem challenging or out of reach. It's about creating an environment where women feel valued and capable of breaking through barriers. This is crucial because increased representation of women, especially women of color, in traditionally underrepresented spaces enriches our communities and leads to more diverse perspectives and innovations. Empowerment helps ensure that all voices have a chance to be heard and that opportunities are accessible to everyone.

Miss EmpowHer: What advice would you give to other women looking to succeed in your industry? What qualities are the most important and what skills should they focus on developing?

Yaritza Vallejo: My advice to women looking to succeed in our industry is to be courageous and persistent. Many of us hesitate to pursue opportunities because we doubt our ability to break into fields that have traditionally skewed in one direction. However, it’s crucial to remember that these spaces were not always open to us, and by stepping into them, you are not just advancing your own career—you are helping to build a bridge for others who will follow.

The most important qualities to cultivate are resilience, confidence, and adaptability. Develop a strong sense of self-belief and don't be afraid to take risks. Also, focus on honing your skills in areas like leadership, strategic thinking, and effective communication. These skills will not only help you stand out but also empower you to navigate and thrive in challenging environments. Remember, your presence and success in these spaces can pave the way for future generations of women in the industry.

Miss EmpowHer: Tell us about a woman who has influenced your career and how their guidance has impacted your professional growth.

Yaritza Vallejo: Early in my career at McDonald’s, I had the privilege of meeting Suheily, an outstanding DEI leader. Despite her demanding schedule, Suheily always made time to meet with me, while demonstrating a remarkable blend of kindness and humility. What stood out most was her genuine willingness to listen and offer guidance. Suheily's mentorship has been invaluable; she has encouraged me to think critically, lead with curiosity and approach leadership with empathy and authenticity. She has reinforced my belief that effective leadership involves caring deeply about both the work and the people involved.

Miss EmpowHer: How do you handle work-related stress and pressure, and what techniques or practices do you use to maintain your well-being while pursuing a successful career?

Yaritza Vallejo: To handle work-related stress and pressure, I prioritize effective time management and maintain a balanced perspective. I use techniques such as setting clear priorities and breaking tasks into manageable steps. Additionally, I make time for hobbies and personal interests to recharge and stay grounded.?

Miss EmpowHer: Can you share any lessons or insights you have gained from failures or setbacks in your career, and how you have turned them into opportunities for growth and learning?

Yaritza Vallejo: Early in my career, I discovered a valuable lesson: while fitting into the status quo seemed like a solid foundation, I soon realized that true success comes from pursuing a balance of purpose and ambition. Initially, I believed that simply conforming to conventional expectations was enough. However, setbacks and failures taught me that real fulfillment lies in aligning your career with your broader life goals and personal values. From these experiences, I learned to view challenges as opportunities for growth. They pushed me to reassess my priorities and seek roles that not only advanced my career but also contribute meaningfully to my overall sense of purpose. Embracing this mindset has allowed me to turn obstacles into stepping stones, helping me build a career that is both successful and deeply fulfilling.

Miss EmpowHer: Can you share any strategies or tips for building a successful network and fostering meaningful professional relationships that have helped you in your career?

Yaritza Vallejo: Building a successful network and cultivating meaningful professional relationships begins with authenticity. Instead of trying to connect with everyone you meet, focus on forming genuine connections with those you truly admire and are curious about. Prioritize relationships with individuals who resonate with you on a personal level and share mutual interests.

The most valuable relationships in my career have been those where I could be my authentic self and where the other person genuinely recognized and supported my potential. These connections develop naturally when you engage with honesty and openness. Investing time in nurturing these genuine relationships will not only enrich your network but also drive your career growth and personal fulfillment.

"Instead of trying to connect with everyone you meet, focus on forming genuine connections with those you truly admire and are curious about."

Miss EmpowHer: What strategies or tactics do you use for setting and achieving your career goals, and how do you stay motivated and focused on your objectives?

Yaritza Vallejo: To set and achieve my career goals, I rely on a strategic and collaborative approach. Each fall, I hold a goal-setting session with my closest friends, where we conduct a comprehensive brain dump of everything we want to achieve in the coming year, both professionally and personally. From this list, we create actionable steps and set clear milestones.

We support each other in refining our goals and ensure they are aligned with our broader objectives. To keep us on track, we have quarterly check-ins to review our progress, adjust our strategies, and address any challenges. While these goals serve as a roadmap, we remain flexible and open to adapting them as circumstances evolve throughout the year.

Miss EmpowHer: What motivated you to choose your current career field, and what do you find most fulfilling about your work?

Yaritza Vallejo: From a young age, I was fascinated by the creativity behind the vivid images on billboards and the commercials that interrupted my favorite shows. I was always curious about who created these visuals and how they were brought to life. When I began my career, I realized my initial path didn’t align with these passions, so I made the bold choice to pursue brand marketing. This field allows me to explore and fulfill those early curiosities.

What I find most fulfilling about my work is the opportunity to craft compelling narratives across various mediums and collaborate with a diverse range of partners. Brand marketing uniquely blends art and science, letting me merge creativity with strategic insight.?

Miss EmpowHer: Can you discuss any specific trends or changes in your industry that you see impacting careers, and how you are preparing to adapt to these changes?

Yaritza Vallejo: The rise of AI. To stay ahead, I'm integrating AI tools into my daily work to streamline processes and boost efficiency. I'm actively learning how to leverage these technologies to enhance my productivity.

Miss EmpowHer: What advice do you have for individuals who are starting their careers or looking to make a career change, based on your own experiences and lessons learned?

Yaritza Vallejo: Trust your instincts. From my own journey, I’ve discovered that our gut feelings about what we truly want in our careers are often worth listening to. These intuitions can reveal our deepest passions and desires. Whether you’re just starting out or contemplating a career change, don’t hesitate to follow what feels right for you. Embracing these instincts and taking bold steps toward them can lead to more fulfilling and aligned career choices.

"From my own journey, I’ve discovered that our gut feelings about what we truly want in our careers are often worth listening to. These intuitions can reveal our deepest passions and desires."

Miss EmpowHer: How do you approach professional development and continuous learning to enhance your skills and stay relevant in your industry??

Yaritza Vallejo: I approach professional development with a commitment to continuous curiosity and growth. I believe there's always something new to learn, so I stay proactive and open-minded about enhancing my skills. To keep up with industry trends and deepen my expertise, I regularly attend conferences, delve into articles, and take part in relevant workshops.?

Miss EmpowHer: Can you discuss any significant achievements or accomplishments in your career that you are particularly proud of and what you learned from those experiences?

Yaritza Vallejo: I’m particularly proud of my involvement in groundbreaking programs such as ADCOLOR FUTURES and the HACR Young Hispanic Corporate Achiever program. These experiences have been exceptional in fostering a dynamic and supportive community where we not only empower each other but also challenge one another to excel. Through these programs, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of mutual support and collaboration. They’ve underscored that real progress is achieved by coming together to uplift one another and drive each other toward collective success.

Miss EmpowHer: How do you balance your career ambitions with other aspects of your life, such as family, hobbies, and personal well-being?

Yaritza Vallejo: Balancing career ambitions with family, hobbies, and personal well-being is an ongoing process that requires flexibility and self-awareness. I've found that my focus naturally shifts depending on the demands of each area of my life. No matter the situation, I try to prioritize my personal well-being because it’s the foundation that supports my ability to excel in all other areas. It’s about finding a rhythm that allows me to thrive both professionally and personally.

Miss EmpowHer: Are there any specific books, podcasts, email newsletters, thought leaders/influencers, or training courses/programs that you would recommend for personal or professional growth?

Yaritza Vallejo: I’m a big advocate for podcasts as they offer a convenient way to dive into valuable content during my daily activities. Some of my favorites include The Diary of a CEO, Uncensored CMO, Founders, and On Purpose with Jay Shetty. These podcasts provide insights and inspiration that fuel both personal and professional growth.

Additionally, my MBA program at Kellogg has allowed me to delve into classes aligned with my interests and connect with like-minded individuals. Being part of this environment has been transformative, as it normalizes ambitious dreams and fosters a supportive community for achieving them.?

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