Meena's Musings | October 2022
Networking Interview with Kristina Horita
Kristina (Kristi) Horita has generously offered to provide her insight on how to best network at the upcoming SASE Pro National Conference given her experience with SASE the past 12 years. During my interview with her, Kristi shares what networking means to her, some strategies, and some personal experiences where she has benefited from connecting with others. She is now a company focal for Boeing and is a primary point of contact between Boeing and SASE.
Kristi’s 12 years with SASE include various positions such as chapter founding officer, president, regional coordinator, regional manager, and Membership Representative on the Board of Directors. Upon joining The Boeing Company, she has built stronger ties between SASE and Boeing, and demonstrated her leadership on both sides for several years. Later, she stepped down from her SASE National responsibilities to complete her MBA from WashU Olin Business School and graduated in May 2022.
Meena: What does Networking mean to you?
Kristi: Networking means building connections with others. Sometimes networking gets a negative connotation from some people. But the way I think about it, networking is really just a means of getting to know other people. I personally really love meeting new people. I tell my shy friends that everyone is your friend, and that you just haven’t met them yet. This is my mindset when I meet people. With that kind of mindset, networking becomes easier for me, because it’s just a means of making new friends.
Meena: Do you have some tips and strategies for how to network at the conference efficiently?
Kristi: At the SASE National Conference, you could find yourself surrounded by others that have faced similar challenges at work that you have. Some may have this moment or realization, that they’re not the only one facing these problems and that they are no longer alone. Being able to realize those epiphanies with others is such an incredible and bonding experience.
My SASE National Conference experience is different from first timers attending the conference. There have been years where I average about 6 hours a week volunteering for SASE. Since I’ve spent so much time on virtual calls with SASE volunteers, they really are my SASE family that I get to see once a year at the SASE Conference. Even though it’s been a while since I’ve seen these people, I still feel connected to them.
I bond with people over our similar experiences and appreciation for the differences. Everyone has a story. Understanding the nuance differences of how everyone is, is truly special and unique in terms of the vast experiences they’ve encountered. Understanding what people have gone through is such a meaningful way of hearing someone’s story and connecting with them. Gain an appreciation for others based off of the unique experiences they have encountered.
Meena: Can you share a personal experience where networking has benefitted you or you have benefitted someone?
Kristi: While advocating for SASE, I have recruited several Asian Executives at Boeing to the SASE Executive Forum. I have also recruited them to be Executive Champions for a Boeing Business Resource Group. While recruiting Asian Executives, they have also become my mentors. Leaders that I aspire to be more like as I continue to develop. People are interested in being part of this community, but they just don’t know it yet. So being able to create awareness and connect these leaders to the community is how I have created value for everyone.
My goal is to one day be a SASE Executive Forum member so the fact that I’ve helped 3 people get there is the greatest win to me. It makes me feel like I’m one step closer to those aspirations.
Meena: How did that become a part of your roadmap?
Kristi: The SASE Executive Forum was Dennis Hirotsu’s idea, and I was bought in when I first heard about it. What has created ripples across the nation in the past in terms of influencing culture and policies? Usually it stems from a small group of corporate leaders with a lot of power that are advocating and pushing objectives, that have led to implemented changes nationally.
One of the other interesting things associated with the SASE executive forum is that to my understanding, the Fortune 50 top black leaders know each other and are a part of the same community. Same with Hispanic community; But when it comes to Asians, none of them had known each other before the first executive forum meeting. So, there’s a gap associated with the Asian community, and it’s not well connected like some of the other minority leaders. There’s an opportunity to advocate as a collective voice by building this executive forum community to support Asian heritage scientists and engineers in the corporate and global business world.
Those are the things that make me excited! Making the world a more inclusive place for everyone and being a part of the team to be able to do more of that on a large scale makes me super excited!
Meena: What are some good conversation starters? I feel like that is something with which most people struggle.
Kristi: My favorite one for an average week is “What’s the best thing that’s happened to you this week?” The reason for it is two parts. Part one is the person gets to reflect on their week and focus on the positives, which is great because most of us spend too much time focusing on the negatives. It helps them to see what they’re grateful for that week. Part two is that it tells you a little more about what they care about and what they value. People often respond with storied about their children. I love the answers and it’s never a canned response. It does require a little bit of thought and it does require the other person to be open to having these deeper conversations as well.
Meena: How can we create a lasting impression with the new people we’re going to meet at the conference?
Kristi: Remember them. Remember their name, and remember things that stood out to you or the subtle things they shared with you. So hypothetically, when you talk to someone about their pets, the next time you meet them, ask them how their dogs, Milo and Lego, are doing! That makes a huge difference. I also think that if you can meet a whole bunch of people for the first time, but if you don’t get their information or contact them afterwards, it’s almost like this lost connection. So, if you find people you want to keep around in your life, connect with them through LinkedIn or get their phone numbers and actually reach out and build a cadence to talk to them more frequently.
Meena: I’m sure a lot of us will be attending the SASE National Convention in person for the first time. What would you like to share with us first timers?
Kristi: Try to absorb as much as you can from the conference. Set yourself a couple of goals, like, “I want to form 1-5 meaningful connections with people that I want to follow up with later”. Another one could be “I want to attend this training and create three actions for me to take after this training to apply what I learned during the conference”. Create a to-do list associated with the steps you want to take towards your development. Putting a plan in place is step one towards achieving your goals.
And then follow through with it!
Meena: Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Kristi: The SASE Community is such a welcoming environment that I hope everyone gets to experience the warmth and inspiration I’ve gained through the people I’ve met at SASE. I meet incredible people through SASE and think “Future CEO’s right there!” The connections that I build through SASE are so authentic.
I love the energy we radiate together being with the SASE community. It’s hard to describe, but it’s empowering, hopeful, and supportive.
SASE has definitely been a safe place for me to grow and develop as a leader. Volunteering for SASE has grown my confidence and competence at leading and making decisions that affect hundreds of people in the best way.
Small changes can create a ripple effect, and we’re all capable of it. At the end of the day, we all need to be a pillar of strength for one another, irrespective of gender or race. That’s the first step towards creating an inclusive environment.