KERV is celebrating Women’s History Month by uplifting the women on our team. This week, we’re thrilled to spotlight Kristina Anaya, Digital Strategist.
Tell us about your career journey
My career began with a passion for helping children. I started working with child abuse will the goal of reaching human trafficked victims. After realizing this was a passion but not a career path, I then switched gears.
I dabbled in photography, social media management, event coordinating, nannying, and even barista work. I found passion in the coffee industry (and now have my own coffee blog and a dream to own a coffee truck someday) and advertising, where I began as a Facebook advertiser for a software company and now work at KERV as a Digital Strategist.
Where did you go to school and what did you study?
I went to the University of Colorado Colorado Springs where I studied Criminal Justice and Spanish.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
The constant challenge of it and the ability to be creative.
What moments were the most meaningful in shaping your career up until now?
The most meaningful moment for me was changing careers from social work and taking a risk of getting into marketing and advertising; a career that I knew nothing about and wasn’t sure that I would love.
Shifting careers left me feeling really lost and it was one of my hardest years. I was bouncing from job to job, living in a city I hated, and struggling with my identity. I didn’t know what I wanted and was switching my life plan after working so hard for it. I was also surrounded by successful people and while it was extremely hard, it was also empowering and helped me to strengthen who I am now.
My parents’ divorce and my father’s abuse also played a huge role in shaping my career and my goals for myself. I had something to prove to myself and I did it.
What matters most to you?
My family and being 100% confident in who I have become and who I am.