Kailin Villamar is one of our professional women and a Red Shoe Movement Senior Ambassador. She was born and raised in the Bronx, went to Iona College where she started focusing on chemistry until she realized she lacked the aptitude for it and decided to major in Advertising Communications and minor in Marketing. She began her career as an intern at Time Inc. and then got a job at InStyle magazine where she learned about online media and ad sales. Two years later, she’s now working at NBC Universal as an Ad Inventory Planner where she’s responsible for all things related to online inventory and forecasting within the NBC Digital News Group.
While at InStyle magazine she discovered that she had a passion for the fashion industry so she started her own fashion and style blog, Kazzled.
What are some of the major changes you notice around opportunities for professional women advancement?
If you take a look around, there is simply no way to put it except: women are changing the world. It is with women like Marissa Meyer who are changing the way women take roles in business. No matter what criticism she may face, she knows what success means to the company and her employees. Or with issues like gender inequality in India being brought to attention. Women are now taking a stand and defining what success means to them. It’s not all about the American Dream anymore.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your industry and in your job where you would appreciate some help?
I would love to find more blogger resources.
What do you find the most satisfying part of your work?
The most satisfying part of my work at NBC is being able to gain skills in the analytical field. Everyday I am learning innovative ways to research, analyze, optimize and perform.
Give us an example of how you’re currently helping other women advance professionally to fulfill their career goals?
I am the person that friends and loved ones come to for advice. Most of the time it is career advice. They seek my advice in different ways: how to ask for a salary raise (if you are truly up for one), how to switch careers, or how to figure out what the next step in their career might be.
Could you mention one or more women who have helped you get to where you are now?
I can name MANY women who have helped get to where I am now. From Chiara Alcivar at People En Espanol to Teresa Geovanna from Avon. These women have inspired me from the first day I met them. From being my very own cheerleader to just listening to me, there are women like these two out there who are angels from afar. They believe in you the way you should believe in yourself. I think every woman has someone like that in their life. If not, that’s what the Red Shoe Movement is here for.
You can connect with Kailin directly at kailin.villamar@gmail.com and via the following platforms:
Blog: www.kazzled.com
Instagram: @kazzled
Twitter: @kazzl3d
