Episode 77. Fausta Ballesteros – Communities of Contagious Compassion

Fausta Ballesteros is the VP of Culture Experience Cognizant Softvision. She manages the global employee, candidates and customer experience with the brand.

She has more than 20 years of experience working for and with both tech/IPO startups and multinational companies such as Cognizant, Softvision, Shell, Globant, Unilever, American Express and Urban PR. Always in Communications, PR, Branding and Marketing.

She is from Argentina but has lived in New York since 2007 with her husband and 4 boys.

She manage a diverse, multicultural and remote team of +30 people from Latam, North America (US & Canada), APAC (India, Australia and Philippines) and Europe (Romania, Lithuania, Ukraine and Poland). Worked also with Change Management Initiatives and M&A team to integrate teams before and after an acquisition.

Culture Experience: Talent, Candidate and Employee Experience. EVP (Employee Value Proposition) & Employer Branding.

Brand Awareness: events calendars, speaking and awards opportunities. Partnership and sponsorships.

Global head of Talent Marketing Strategy and plan with special focus in Eastern Europe (Romania, Ukraine), Latam (Argentina and Mexico), North America.

In 2006 she was the co-director of Gesto both a marketing-to-women communications company and a community that stimulates women to find their own space. Today she is the executive sponsor of the Woman Guild at Cognizant Softvision, and a Makers honoree. (an initiative that connect and inspire executives at the forefront of equality initiatives, impacting real change at work and beyond)

She has a BA in Communications from Austral University, a Master in Marketing from San Andrews University (both in Argentina) and last year participated in the Yale Women Leadership Program.

I make things happen with positive energy and enthusiasm. Most of the time with the strengths and talents of my team. As an Orchestra conductor putting people together, both to complement each other’s skill sets but also to compliment one another. Always empowering and celebrating people so everyone can bring out their best.

I’m always in forward mode, and can’t help myself to think how we can go bigger or better to make an impact, or to change a reality. I’m creative, flexible, an entrepreneur, and full of new ideas. I can’t settle for mediocrity. I work with a “transforming while performing” approach. Everything can be improved. When there is a crossroad I find another way, nothing is impossible, I keep going.

One of my biggest strengths are my empathy and people instincts. I’m sensible and care about people, I’m constantly creating connections, engaging with people personally and building relationships and trust.

I work hard, I’m brave to confront ambiguity and have the energy to rise to new challenges. I do a lot of research when I have to face a new reality and do not linger in my comfort zone.

Favorite Quote:

Let your life not be a sterile life. “Be useful.” “Leave it on.” “Light up.” 

“Never let a good crisis go to waste.” — Sir Winston Churchill