Capitol Communicator is running a series featuring profiles of communicators in the mid-Atlantic. In this “up close and personal” profile, we feature Shana Glenzer, vice president of social marketing at Social Radar. Photography for this series is by Cade Martin; wardrobe styling by Pascale Lemaire for THE Artist Agency; and hair and makeup by Patti D Nelson and Janice Kinigopoulos for THE Artist Agency.
Shana, tell us about yourself.
At work, I design strategic marketing initiatives that engage with market influencers and performs direct market outreach to the local and technology communities. And, I am a go-to technology commentator for national financial networks including Fox Business.
Are you involved in any other organizations?
I am co-producer of DC Tech Meetup and co-organizer of DCFemTech.
What are the things you are most proud of?
Before joining SocialRadar, I worked at a larger company in a more secure job. Looking back, I’m most proud of the leap I took to work at a startup. At the time it seemed like a really risky decision and now I realize entering the entrepreneurial tech scene was the right move at the right time.
Who were your personal role models?
I feel fortunate that I can’t narrow it down to just one or two. Whether it’s PR insight from my friend Lisa Throckmorton, leadership by example from my CEO Michael Chasen, or career and family advice from my friend and former colleague Judy Verses, I cherish the many business and personal relationships that I have built over time.
Did your role models offer professional advice that helped you in your career?
I’ve received so much good advice over my career and here are two that come to mind:
– Take a job in sales. I did, and for several years I learned more to use in my later role as a marketer than I could ever learn in a course about solution selling;
– and, if you’re asked to speak to a group, it’s because others feel you have something worthwhile to share. Trusting in that, I’ve accepted more speaking opportunities than I feel comfortable with (or believe I’m qualified for) and each has been an incredible opportunity to impart at least one piece of relevant experience to at least one person in the crowd.
What professional advice do you have for others?
When starting work at my first post-college job, I was told to take everyone in leadership to lunch to get to know their job and how they got there. The paths all differed and I began to build a solid understanding – which continued over several companies – of a path that felt right to me. Now that is a recommendation I pass on liberally.
What advice do you have on what’s appropriate attire for your organization.
While the standard uniform at many tech companies is T- shirts and jeans – adding only a blazer for important meetings – I like my wardrobe to show a little bit of flair each week. When we started SocialRadar, I formally declared Fridays as Fancy Friday and took advantage by wearing dresses from my former jobs. Sadly, I am the only one who observes this tradition.
Where do you buy most of the clothes you wear to the office?
I love to wear and collect tees from other startups and that makes up most of my collection. The downside is that I wear a lot of dark gray. The upside is that half of my wardrobe is free.
Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?
For seven years I ran the Blackboard Halloween party for families of employees. It was a big company and so the party was a big commitment, but it became legendary. I’m pretty sure that the reason Michael hired me at SocialRadar was a bit because of my marketing skills but mostly because his kids informed him that, startup or no startup, his company Halloween party tradition cannot die…
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