March is Ladies’s Historical past Month. To rejoice this necessary event, we requested Natalia Brown, Chief Consumer Operations Officer for Nationwide Debt Aid, to share her private expertise and recommendation. However first, right here’s a bit about her background, together with how she started her journey at NDR to assist others stay a greater life.

Natalia is a local New Yorker whose two sons encourage her to do her greatest day-after-day. She is an authorized debt specialist and holds a bachelor’s diploma in accounting from Lehman Faculty. Her present aim is pursuing a grasp’s in operations and venture administration from Southern New Hampshire College.

Ms. Brown started within the negotiation division in 2010, the place she helped keep a settlement share of 47%. As we speak, she performs a significant function in NDR’s consumer journey by overseeing all client-facing operations of the enterprise. She manages and helps a staff of greater than 400 representatives and promotes a collaborative work setting. As a thought chief, Natalia touts NDR’s human-centric model values in information shops, publications, and podcasts nationwide.

Individuals Additionally Learn

What recommendation would you give your 16-year-old self?

I’d inform my 16-year-old self that life doesn’t begin and finish with Excessive Faculty drama, and it’s okay to fail miserably and see these failures as invaluable classes to be my greatest self. I’d even have some vogue recommendation however then once more, I don’t assume anybody had it proper again then.  

Did you have got a mentor early on in your profession who impacted you considerably? In that case, how did they influence you?

My earliest mentors have been my grade faculty lecturers who believed in me. I didn’t come from the perfect of neighborhoods and having lecturers imagine of their college students made an infinite distinction in my future selections and the worth of training. As an grownup, I realized from my mom, grandmother, and nearly each chief I’ve ever had, even when it was to be taught what to not do.  

What about your job ignites your ardour essentially the most?

I’ve all the time discovered nice pleasure in serving to others and seeing others accomplish their objectives. I get pleasure from being a mentor as a lot as I get pleasure from problem-solving. I attempt to align my passions with the work I do at NDR and with non-profits that I donate my time to.  

What was your most satisfying second/state of affairs at NDR?

When NDR moved to performance-based charges our first negotiation aim appeared unobtainable—the aim was someplace between 25k and 30k as a complete staff in same-month charges for the month. I had doubts that the projections for our aim have been even appropriate. It was so satisfying to not solely hit our first aim however exceed it. I ought to point out the aim went up the next month and we didn’t imagine we might make it and but we did.  

What’s crucial factor you’ve realized about debt because you joined NDR? 

A very powerful factor I’ve realized is if in case you have a stable plan, you’ll be able to handle debt. Conserving monitor of bills, taking the time to finances, and having monetary objectives might be achieved by anybody with analysis and time. I’ve additionally realized how a lot debt can burden folks which is one more reason I do my greatest to assist others meet their objectives.   

Is there the rest you’d like to incorporate about your profession development, your private journey to a C-level place or recommendation for younger feminine professionals?

For anybody trying to advance of their profession, it is very important search suggestions and discover an goal mentor. I say goal since you wish to keep away from somebody who will keep away from telling you the reality about your self. The one approach to develop is to be taught as a lot as you’ll be able to about your self as a person and the way to leverage your strengths as a frontrunner, not a boss.

Along with her ardour for serving to folks handle their debt and take again their lives, Natalia’s private mission helps you girls navigate, perceive, and thrive within the monetary world. Her goal of serving to younger adults was impressed by her work with Recent Air Fund, the place she endorsed and mentored kids with and with out particular wants.

Consequently, Natalia helps immigrant girls as a volunteer at New Ladies New Yorkers. She can also be concerned in 4 Steps Ahead—a program based by The American Faculty of Monetary Companies that goals to financially educate a million black girls.

We salute Natalia as a task mannequin who empowers girls to beat obstacles and forge their very own paths.