Our Lead(H)er series features impressive women leaders in the tech industry. In this Q&A, we are featuring Hayley Islas-Wolf, Regional Vice President at Liaison International.
Where did you grow up and how would you describe yourself as a child?
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. I was always fiercely independent, loved the arts, was a social butterfly and an achiever. I could be found making art, playing the piano, singing, dancing, and working with my dad around the house on projects. I am the middle child between two sisters. With a family legacy in the entertainment industry, I had thought I would end up in that world, but I instead made my own path.
What did you study in college and what was your first job out of school?
I was an Interpersonal Communication major with a minor in Music at California State University Long Beach. I worked throughout college and held several internships, but my first job post graduation was at Deutsch, an advertising agency in LA. I was a human resources assistant and started hiring for all of the entry level jobs at the agency and running the internship program along with making lots of copies and filling. I quickly realized that human resources was not where I was going to stay and somehow stumbled into working on a college campus.
Can you share the details on your career path and what were the critical moments that got you to where you are today?
I got recruited to be an Admissions Counselor at a college and got bit by the higher education and technology bug. I loved the tactical and strategic side of hitting goals and working smarter. I also enjoyed creating relationships with the incoming students throughout their journey and being an advocate for them. I found that by creating innovative strategies and events, students had better outcomes and, at the same time, the institution excelled. It was a win-win.
I was quickly promoted to helping run the Admissions Office at a small regional school. After spending a lot of time being scrappy and having to bring in big numbers and try new things constantly, I was ready for the next step in my career. First I served as the Associate Director of Admissions at Azusa Pacific University. I then went on to serve as the Director of Admission at Pepperdine University for the undergraduate college. At the age of 29 I was the youngest director at a top 50 school in the nation while also managing to graduate with my masters in business.
I learned so much being on college campuses and running the office that brought in the revenue for the institution. Not only did we need to do the basics and day to day functionality well, we needed to think creatively, maximize everything and serve the students and institution. In my time on college campuses I ended up taking on the big technology projects like implementing a Student Information System and CRM. I loved that data and strategy could then be paired with the human element of managing and empowering a team to then effect change at a larger organization. It was exhilarating.
After working at three very different institutions - regional to mid to competitive, I realized that all colleges and universities had a lot of the same obstacles and problems. Some of which could be solved by technology and thinking outside of the box. I knew at this point in my career that going into a more consultative and technology focused career path, I could effect more positive change in the world of academia and lean into my strengths.
What is your current role and responsibilities?
I am the Regional Vice President for Sales at Liaison International, a higher education specific tech, consulting and services company. I oversee the western United States and all International new business. I have a great team of AVPs that provide solutions and consult for colleges and universities in those areas. I get to play a strategic role in our growth as an organization, serve as an executive sponsor for the universities we work with and help coach and mentor.
Looking back, is this where you thought you’d be professionally? Was it always your goal to be in this position?
I don’t know if I had a particular goal of being an RVP early on in my career, but as I found my direction and what I was passionate about, it makes sense. I love solving problems and thinking creatively - ultimately helping others achieve their goals and dreams. Technology and strategy removes barriers and enhances the human element. I love the consulting side of my job - using what I have spent my career doing and helping colleges and universities at a much larger scale and then I also love my team. It is also fun to be a part of our company’s strategies and helping to voice the staff and customers voices in the process. I knew I would be in leadership and use my people and technical skills in a role, so though I may not have known I would be a Regional Vice President at a large technology company, I knew the skills and goals I had that align with my current role.
For people who are looking to be in a similar position, what advice would you give to others in terms of helping them achieve their career goals?
Sometimes it feels like you are working hard and not seeing movement in your career. Especially as a woman, it is important to become your own advocate. I had to really hone this skill and it took longer than I would like to admit. I learned that by not buldosing or being docile - rather letting your work, relationships and achievements speak for themselves - you can then ask for what is next in your career. It is okay to ask and be ready for the next step in your career.
Remember, you are the only one who is in control of your trajectory and career. It is important that you always put out the very best of who you are and when you are feeling frustrated and trapped, it is important to communicate and advocate for yourself. Jumping job to job or company to company only solves part of the problem. If you have a good boss and work for a good company, it is better to try to help make the changes you want to see and to ask for what you would like. Questions like, this is where I would like to be in a few years or even now, what do you need to see from me, how can I enhance my skill set to achieve that, and what feedback (good or bad) do you have for me so I can be the best I can be.
What are the most important skills that you need to do your job well?
I think communication, collaboration, ingenuity, coaching and care. Communication is essential in my role with my direct team, which all of the universities and colleges we work with and then across the organization as we continue to work on ideas and enhancements.
This leads directly into collaboration. This can be seen in all areas of work and ultimately we know that by collaborating and working together whether that is client to vendor or internally person to person, when we put our heads together and have candid and healthy collaboration we can achieve much greater results.
Leading into ingenuity. I love thinking outside of the box. When faced with a problem or an obstacle that looks daunting or insurmountable, it is always very advantageous to take a step back and think about all of the ways to reach its summit. Often times when we think creatively and outside of the box, incredible results can be achieved. I have done this in every role in my career and I think has lead to some of my best successes.
Coaching and care to me go hand in hand. In my current role managing a team, it is important that I don’t just solve every problem that comes our way, rather work with my team and others to come to a solution. This allows for others to be empowered moving forward. Also, I manage out of a place of individuality. Everyone is treated equally, but my approach with each person is different, because each person has a different need or way they thrive in their own unique personality style. This has served me well and is how I like to be led. It creates room for each person to truly thrive and flourish.
What do you find most interesting/rewarding about your work? What’s the most challenging?
Working in the technology space in higher education can be challenging and my career in higher education prior as I am an innovator and often like to see results quickly. Higher education can oftentimes feel like a very big ship that take a very long time to turn. I guess it is also part of the thrill, when you can be a part of that change, but change moves slowly. I truly believe in the work we are doing. Whether I was in my roles as a Director of Admissions or now as a Regional Vice President helping Higher Education Administration and end users serve students better, we are indirectly and directly helping set up the future generation. I am also very passionate about equity, diversity and inclusion. It was a very large focus in all of my roles on campuses and I think even if technology or consulting can bring down some of the barriers or biases, then we are winning. That is meaningful work!
What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
I think I look at my age and my career and I very proud of all the hard work I have done. I have talked about getting to a top 50 university as a director of admission under the age of 30, my roles and career trajectory at TargetX and Liaison. What I did not mention is that during the last 4 years my husband and I also opened up two bars! I was able to balance and effectively run my career and two successful businesses that got featured on national news. We have now sold one of them and are in the process of selling the other, but this to me is a huge accomplishment - all while never losing steam at my career. It was the least amount of sleep or freetime I have ever experienced, but I feel a great sense of accomplishment. I think in my entire career, I have proven that I am capable, competent and successful. Now that the bars are sold/in the process of selling - I am so grateful for the new time I have to have work life balance. This is a new phase in my life where I am not ever going to lose steam on my career or my aspirations, but now I get to balance it out (not working three full time jobs anymore) where I can enjoy walks with my dogs, pick up painting, playing the piano and ceramics and traveling and spending time with my husband.
Are you involved with any professional organizations outside of the company? Volunteer work?
As mentioned, opening up Quail State - the first rooftop craft cocktail bar in Fresno, CA, and then opening up Saint J - the first natural wine bar in Fresno, CA all while maintaining and growing in my career took up a lot of my time over the last 4 years, but I am excited to get plugged back into some of the organizations and volunteering I did prior to my crazy adventure. In those 4 years, we really worked and helped in the revitalization of the Fresno downtown area and a lot of my time and effort outside of work went into that community. My husband and I now live back in Los Angeles and are getting plugged into our local community.
Q&A
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Traveling - in the past 5 months I have gone to 9 countries alone. It is something I love and am passionate about. I also love to work out, hanging with our dogs, and spending time with my husband and friends.
How do you manage stress?
Taking care of my mental and physical health are essential. I love being active - HITT, barre, hot yoga, weight lifting, hiking - it is such a good physical and mental reset for me. Also, I think it is important to fuel the soul - for me this is being creative in the arts or gardening.
How many cups of coffee do you have in a day?
This is a funny question, but I hear you. I typically have two cups of coffee in a day. I try to not overdo my caffeine intake and I do not drink any other caffeine if possible in the day.
What advice do you have for recent college graduates?
It takes time to learn and master something. Be humble, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, but learn from them. I think the best piece of advice is make the mistake and then never do it again. That is what will set you apart from the rest and enhance your career trajectory. Also, the other piece of advice I would have is that so much for my early career I was looking for the greener grass. Ultimately, what I learned is the grass was never greener at a company or institution, but what was important was have a good manager, a caring work environment and a place that at the end of the day is doing something you believe in.
