WWN by Anggie Salazar Ep12: Tatyana Sergeyeva

Hi Networkers! I'm Anggie, VP of Sales & Marketing at CROING l Creative Agency a creative agency founded by Alejandra Salazar and welcome to my newsletter, Women Who Network: Stories of Connection and Success.

I’m super excited to introduce our special guest today: Tatyana Sergeyeva, M.A. A communications and product development leader, with experience in Fortune 100 companies, Tatyana Sergeyeva is also an accomplished educator, trainer, and localizer. She has lived in five countries and speaks five languages. A firm believer in language education and global exchanges, she proudly serves on the Board of Directors of WorldChicago and Intercultural Montessori Language School, and on the Advisory Council of Language Connects Foundation.

Why did we start this newsletter?

As I always say, networking has played a key role in my career, and I have found through many conversations that it is an area where many women still don't feel confident or need a little push to explore further.

At CROING, we are motivated to inspire and empower professional women to feel more confident in networking. We believe that by sharing stories and experiences, we can encourage more women to connect and grow together.

I’m confident that Tatyana’s story will motivate many women to embrace networking with more confidence. ??

How Introverts Can Master the Art of Networking

Tatyana: As an introvert, I had to learn to look at networking as an art. Earlier in my career, I dreaded networking events, so I simply avoided them and didn’t think that networking was for me. But as I progressed through my career and got to work in different industries, I understood that networking isn’t just about attending networking events.

For me, networking became an opportunity to establish a deep personal and professional connection to someone, learn from them, and use these learnings for self-improvement. While today I do attend networking events, I also look for other networking opportunities that appeal to me as an introvert.

For example, my organization has a mentoring program, for which I enroll every year – sometimes as a mentor and other times as a mentee – because it’s a fantastic opportunity to meet and network with other leaders across my organization, either one-on-one or in a small group setting.

Additionally, you get to meet with these people more than once, so this is a perfect way for us, introverts, to establish the deep personal connections we are looking for. Another networking channel that has worked well for me as an introvert and someone who is passionate about volunteerism and social impact is attending events associated with organizations I volunteer for or serve on the Board for. In my mind, there isn’t a better conversation starter than 'What’s your favorite part about this organization?'. Some of my most meaningful and long-lasting connections were established from attending these types of events.

When it comes to establishing genuine connections at networking events, Tatyana adds:

Tatyana: I firmly believe that we are part of something bigger than ourselves and that, by connecting with others on a common theme, our impact and the impact of others on the world grows exponentially. When I am in a room full of people I don’t know, I typically look for a common reason or a connection point that brought people to the event. Is it a professional conference, an organization, or a cause? Typically, people in attendance have deep knowledge about the subject matter and are passionate about it, so it’s natural to start the conversation with 'What’s your connection to…?' A new friend is usually guaranteed!

Anggie: I think it's more about building genuine, intentional connections instead of just gathering contacts. You're so right about mentoring programs—those smaller, regular interactions really help relationships grow naturally. It’s great how you've made networking fit your personality and values, turning it into a space for both personal and professional growth.

Stories of Connection and Success: Tatyana Sergeyeva’s Edition

Networking has often been the catalyst for transformative opportunities in Tatyana Sergeyeva's career. From pivotal introductions to unexpected positions, Tatyana reflects on how connecting with the right people has shaped her professional journey.

Tatyana: One of my mentors in my organization, an executive whom I met through a formal mentoring program, has introduced me to several other executives in different lines of business. Additionally, he shared with me other game-changing resources available through my organization that could be instrumental in my career growth. While I am still getting to know these executives and exploring the resources, it’s thanks to networking that I got exposure to these opportunities that I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.

Tatyana highlights that while networking often serves as a platform for personal growth and learning, it can also lead to surprising and significant opportunities.

Tatyana: While my main objective for networking is learning from others so I can use those learnings for self-improvement, I did have unexpected opportunities that came from connections. For example, I landed one of my nonprofit Board positions through a longtime connection, with whom I kept in touch over the years and shared a passion for language education. If Board service is something you are interested in, networking will be key.

Anggie: I love how you've pointed out the effect of networking. It’s amazing how personal connections can open doors we didn’t even see coming. It’s not just about quick results, but about building relationships that can lead to opportunities later on. At CROING, we always put people first, and we've experienced this too—those long-term connections often turn into unexpected collaborations. It really shows how genuine relationships can shape the future in surprising ways.

Networking Without Limits: Tapping Into Every Opportunity

Networking is not confined to formal settings or large events; it can happen anywhere and take any form that suits you. Here’s how to start making meaningful connections today:

Tatyana: The magical part about networking is that you can do it anywhere, in whatever form that works for you. So start networking today! If you feel more comfortable starting with one-on-one networking opportunities, seek out programs through your organization that would allow you to network with other leaders, like mentoring programs. Alternatively, set up coffee chats with those in your organization whose work, accomplishments, or leadership style are of particular interest to you. These scenarios have a guaranteed connection point: you work for the same organization!

Also, think of something you feel passionate about. Maybe it’s the environment, education, or animal rights. Is there a local organization or group that advocates for this cause? By joining them—whether as a volunteer, supporter, or Board member—you will be opening doors to countless networking opportunities as there are professionals, just like you, who will be helping the organization advance its mission. In my mind, this is the best kind of networking: not only do you get to network with the best of humankind, but also make a positive difference in your community and beyond.

Anggie: In person coffee chats or getting involved with causes you're passionate about are such great ways to build authentic connections. At CROING, we often remind ourselves that meaningful networking isn’t about the setting—it’s about the shared passions and values. When you're genuinely invested in something, the conversations flow more naturally, and the connections that come from it tend to be much more impactful.

Finally, Tatyana shares “Sometimes I don’t get to meet anyone who is likely to become a meaningful and long-lasting connection. But that’s ok: by attending networking events, I still get to experience different personalities, communication styles, viewpoints, and learn something new.”

This reminds us that even when networking doesn’t go as planned, there is always an opportunity to learn and grow. At CROING, we echo this sentiment and have developed our Referral Program as a powerful networking and business tool. It’s a great way to connect, collaborate, and grow together.

Don’t forget, your network is your net worth.

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories in our next edition of Women Who Network: Stories of Connection and Success every Tuesday and Thursday.

If you want to be part of or propose someone for this space, please email me at [email protected].

Until next time, keep networking and growing!

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