Come along as we get to know Kwanza in this month’s edition of Pepper Talk!

Kwanza works as a senior principal business and technology strategist supporting one of our government clients. She’s been with Eleven Peppers for a little under one year.

1. Do you have any nicknames?
I have a childhood nickname that is reserved for my family, but I just started going by Dr. Kay

2. What is the first thing you do when you wake up?
Pray and meditate to set my intentions for the day.

3. What is your favorite part about working as a business and tech strategist?
I love research! This position respects the importance of research, and it allows me time and space to research and find new ways to help my client solve problems and grow within their market.

4. How did you get started in this industry?
I began supporting the DoD as a soldier in the Army and I have been in the IC Community for over 20 years. The skills that I have learned along the way combined with my innate passion for problem solving has prepared me for organic career growth and longevity in this industry.

5. What are your favorite tools of the trade? What are the worst?
My favorite tools of the trade are good old effective communications. It is the best tool; to be able to say what you mean and express what you need is priceless. My least favorite tool is any technology that claims to communicate for you. We should never look to technology to communicate our thoughts or feelings.

6. Do you have a set process when you begin a new project?
My process is to take my time to learn the new environment, the people, the processes, and the personalities and then see how I can be value added. I am a big picture person so it is always important for me to understand how my work fits into the bigger organization, corporate, and industry picture.

7. Rapid-Fire Round:

Caffeine or no: No caffeine for me, but I love a cup of decaf

Sweet or savory: Savory

Favorite TV series: Old sitcoms like “Good Times”, “Girlfriends”, “Seinfeld”, and “Martin”

Favorite place to travel: I am a home body, but my dream trip is Egypt

Hobbies: Writing, reading, drawing, painting

9. Okay, admission time… What research organization do you think is knocking their marketing out of the park?
I would say Stanford University and Cornell University. The research that they are doing across industries is exciting and the ways in which they market that research is bold, clear, consistent, and presented with confidence at every level.

Thanks for meeting Kwanza. As always, stay tuned for next month’s Pepper Talk to meet another member of our team!