Favorite Parts of Being a Director of Strategic Partnerships at Fintech Climate Startup
Rebecca thrives on the autonomy and fast-paced decision-making of her role at a climate fintech startup, a stark contrast to her previous structured government position. This allows Rebecca to "play" and build, spearheading initiatives like opening a New York office, while also enjoying the collaborative and intellectually stimulating nature of the climate tech industry and its shared mission.
Executive/Leadership, Problem-Solving, Decision-Making, Entrepreneurship, Climate Sustainability
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Rebecca Saletta
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Fintech Climate Start-up
UCLA
N/a
Communications
Climate, Environment, Sustainability & Waste Management, Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Business Strategy
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. The ability to build something from the ground up and to create your own path within a company.
2. The autonomy to make decisions and spearhead projects, such as opening a New York office.
3. Working in the climate tech industry and collaborating with other passionate individuals to solve complex problems and the opportunity for continuous learning and development within a fast-paced environment.
Transcript
What do you enjoy most about being in your current role?
I like a lot about this role. I previously worked in the British government, which was a very structured and bureaucratic environment. My first job out of college provided a lot of learning, development, and support, along with benefits.
Then I moved to a small startup with no support, which sounded really hard. One of the things I like most about this role is the freedom to experiment. It's like a blank slate where I get to decide each day how I want to build things. This helps develop pathways in my brain for making decisions and moving fast.
Having some representation of the US has also been really fun. As the only person out here, a significant part of my job is to represent America. This involves considering what that means and making decisions.
I was able to open our office in New York, which was something I thought through and executed myself. I identified a cool accelerator, decided to apply, pitched our company, won, and then proceeded to open the office and build relationships in New York. This entire process was something I spearheaded, and that level of autonomy is very exciting.
Yes, it lacks some of the natural comfort of a larger corporation or more structure. There are trade-offs for that autonomy. However, I think this freedom is one of the things I love most about the role.
Additionally, I love this industry. I work in climate, which is a fascinating space with great people. Many are trying to solve a very complex problem, and we get to be a small part of that solution.
I enjoy attending events with others in the climate sector because I learn about developments in marine technology, building and construction, and renewable energy like solar. My focus is on financing electric vehicles, and people are curious about that. There's a lot of learning and development because we are all united against a common cause. This makes the job enjoyable as I get to meet interesting people and learn.