Vanessa Sewell ’14 is the Head of Monetization at Zip Co. She recently made a virtual visit to the Women in Business Club and gave her thoughts on how to be a good leader.
“Learn to be a good listener and to sit with your problems. This is something I’ve been working on lately – I don’t always have to respond. I can just listen. It’s an important skill to learn.”
Can you tell us about your journey?
I started at Riverdale in the sixth grade, where I participated in a variety of activities like swimming, musicals, the Rivertones, and field hockey. I was open to trying new things. If you asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up, I would have said be a singer. I attended Boston College, studying economics and communications without a clear career path in mind. Afterward, instead of getting my first apartment, I was excited to go back home. I was able to spend time with my family and my younger brother, Cameron Sewell ’23.
My first job was at Publicis, one of the largest advertising agencies, and that began my career in marketing. I later worked at a skincare company and then at an afterpay, where I was one of the first advertising hires on a team of three and focused on turning around the finances of the companies I worked with. Currently, I work at Zip Co, and enjoy creative freedom, while reporting directly to the Chief Customer and Chief Marketing Officers.
Everything that I did to get me to where I am today required me to believe in myself, apply for these positions, and have confidence in my skills and abilities.
How did you learn how to be a leader?
I had a formative experience with a VP who reached out to me personally to get dinner. I remember wondering, “Why does she want to have dinner with me? What did I do?” It was really her way of building a connection and making the more junior-level employees feel like they had someone they could talk with. It inspired my own approach to leadership and on building one-on-one relationships and trust.
As a young female leader in the financial technology sector, I have had feelings of imposter syndrome, and it took me a while to realize that I am a leader at this stage in my life. The most valuable thing I’ve learned is that you need to understand different leadership styles. It is important I adapt my feedback style to better connect with each team member. I want to help others grow in their careers, and a part of that is understanding and supporting the unique needs of each team member. I prioritize creating a welcoming environment for all team members, and encourage quieter colleagues to share their thoughts during our one-on-one meetings.
What is your advice to current Riverdale students?
Learn to be a good listener and to sit with your problems. This is something I’ve been working on lately – I don’t always have to respond. I can just listen. It’s an important skill to learn. You should never be afraid to speak up for yourself, but there are times when we can listen better, and it will help us in the long run.
You should take it one day at a time and not be afraid to enjoy where you are and the journey.