Meet Virtanza: Just Three Questions
Welcome to our second Meet the Team feature, where we are introducing three more crucial members of our team. We’re talking with Natalie Petersen, our Vice President of Marketing. Natalie began her career in advertising sales with The Wall Street Journal. She then went into sales management before starting her own business and honing in on her passion for marketing. “I've helped small brands get their sea legs with logos, websites, advertising campaigns, grassroots activations, and more.” She’s using this experience, including spearheading recent political campaigns, to fuel her mission for Virtanza to create a nationwide movement of sales professionals!
Next, let’s meet Mike Gersten. Mike is one of our Certified Instructors. He has been a salesperson and sales manager in the high tech industry for his entire career. He offers some great insight to our students who are interested in a career in sales or the tech industry.
And last but not least, Katie Marcuzzo, our Content Management and Student Relations Manager, shared insight. Katie has previously held roles as an Editorial Director, Content Management and Development, and Communications Manager. She is the administrative lead who drives Student Success from enrollment through graduation.
It’s time to begin our questioning.
What are you passionate about?
Natalie’s passion is doing good work and making a difference, which she feels can be accomplished by applying self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
Mike says he is passionate about having a dialogue with people talking in teams, pairs, or group settings. He says, “So much of work-life is in front of screens, on computers. Real progress happens through the exchange of ideas, sometimes with differing viewpoints.”
Katie loves to see people grow, learn, and thrive. She especially finds passion in seeing these results in her family and kids.
What is a quote that you live by?
One quote Natalie lives by is, “Mean what you say, and say what you mean.”
One of Mike's favorite quotes is, “Physical prowess is fleeting.”
Katie is inspired by this quote; “You can't fulfill your calling in your comfort zone.”
What is something you will miss about quarantine and having leisure time?
“The last several months have been a blessing to my family,” says Natalie. “We are closer than ever, and we have committed ourselves to never losing the connection we forged while our family unit was under pressure.”
Mike explains he also enjoys the moments he shares with his family. “Quarantine has forced my wife and me to be home together more often and thus have more time to talk during and after meals.”
Katie jokes she will miss nothing. “What leisure time?”