Do you know anyone who seems to be effortlessly good at everything that they do? That's Ali, and I have a hypothesis about how she does it. Ali gives her customer/ticket-buyer/constituent a seat at the table. She takes the time to deeply understand what they value. She reflects those values back and designs experiences to deliver on those values. She could be designing an event, digital experience, or even a piece of clothing -- she always considers the needs, emotions, and values of her audience first. Ali reported to me at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History. She was responsible for designing luxurious & creative experiences for our most important donors. The Red Ball, our largest donor event of the year, was scheduled for shortly after her start date. While others may have chosen to dig into the logistics on their first day, Ali wisely took the time to study our donors. She explored our donors' expectations for the night. She uncovered what emotions we wanted them to feel. From the sequencing to the decorations, the flatware to the music, the entrance to the goodbyes, Ali always held the donors' experience as our top priority. As a result of Ali's vision and execution, the event raised more money than in any year prior. Ali's authentic empathy for, and curiosity about, other human beings is why she's so successful across sectors. If Ali worked as a clothing designer, she'd consider what the owner wants to *feel* or *who they want to be* when they wore her designs. If she worked at a creative agency, Ali would take the time to understand her clients and THEIR customers, too. Her read on people and what they care about is unique. It's a skill you can't coach and translates well to every sector. They say you should hire people that you would want to work for. I hired Ali, and if I ever had the opportunity, I would go work for her in an instant. She's a bonafide superstar and anyone would be lucky to have her on their team.

Do you know anyone who seems to be effortlessly good at everything that they do? That's Ali, and I have a hypothesis about how she does it. Ali gives her customer/ticket-buyer/constituent a seat at the table. She takes the time to deeply understand what they value. She reflects those values back and designs experiences to deliver on those values. She could be designing an event, digital experience, or even a piece of clothing -- she always considers the needs, emotions, and values of her audience first. Ali reported to me at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History. She was responsible for designing luxurious & creative experiences for our most important donors. The Red Ball, our largest donor event of the year, was scheduled for shortly after her start date. While others may have chosen to dig into the logistics on their first day, Ali wisely took the time to study our donors. She explored our donors' expectations for the night. She uncovered what emotions we wanted them to feel. From the sequencing to the decorations, the flatware to the music, the entrance to the goodbyes, Ali always held the donors' experience as our top priority. As a result of Ali's vision and execution, the event raised more money than in any year prior. Ali's authentic empathy for, and curiosity about, other human beings is why she's so successful across sectors. If Ali worked as a clothing designer, she'd consider what the owner wants to *feel* or *who they want to be* when they wore her designs. If she worked at a creative agency, Ali would take the time to understand her clients and THEIR customers, too. Her read on people and what they care about is unique. It's a skill you can't coach and translates well to every sector. They say you should hire people that you would want to work for. I hired Ali, and if I ever had the opportunity, I would go work for her in an instant. She's a bonafide superstar and anyone would be lucky to have her on their team.

Do you know anyone who seems to be effortlessly good at everything that they do? That's Ali, and I have a hypothesis about how she does it. Ali gives her customer/ticket-buyer/constituent a seat at the table. She takes the time to deeply understand what they value. She reflects those values back and designs experiences to deliver on those values. She could be designing an event, digital experience, or even a piece of clothing -- she always considers the needs, emotions, and values of her audience first. Ali reported to me at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History. She was responsible for designing luxurious & creative experiences for our most important donors. The Red Ball, our largest donor event of the year, was scheduled for shortly after her start date. While others may have chosen to dig into the logistics on their first day, Ali wisely took the time to study our donors. She explored our donors' expectations for the night. She uncovered what emotions we wanted them to feel. From the sequencing to the decorations, the flatware to the music, the entrance to the goodbyes, Ali always held the donors' experience as our top priority. As a result of Ali's vision and execution, the event raised more money than in any year prior. Ali's authentic empathy for, and curiosity about, other human beings is why she's so successful across sectors. If Ali worked as a clothing designer, she'd consider what the owner wants to *feel* or *who they want to be* when they wore her designs. If she worked at a creative agency, Ali would take the time to understand her clients and THEIR customers, too. Her read on people and what they care about is unique. It's a skill you can't coach and translates well to every sector. They say you should hire people that you would want to work for. I hired Ali, and if I ever had the opportunity, I would go work for her in an instant. She's a bonafide superstar and anyone would be lucky to have her on their team.