What do the career path and the day-in-the-life look like for a Lead Implementation Manager at Nayya?
We connected with Carina Tran to find out!
Interested in learning more about Nayya and their job openings? Make sure to check out their company page on VentureFizz!
Where did you grow up? What did your parents do for work?
My childhood was spent going back and forth between Saigon, Vietnam and Seattle, Washington. We started spending time in Saigon in 1995 - my dad was exploring opportunities in the early industrial manufacturing industry in Southeast Asia.
Where did you go to college? What did you study and what were some of your initial jobs out of school?
I studied Political Science at Knox College and worked on the student newspaper. After graduating, I spent five years working in private wealth management before pivoting into the startup world.
What has attributed to your success thus far and has helped propel you to the position you have now?
Tackling complex problems and finding effective solutions is something I find incredibly rewarding. Having the freedom to experiment gives me the space to make and learn from my mistakes. I am also very fortunate to have people in my life that both support and challenge me.
Can you share the high-level responsibilities of your current position as a Lead Implementation Manager at Nayya?
After joining Nayya in 2021 as a Customer Success Manager, I was brought into the Lead Implementation Manager role in 2023 to build out the implementation function for a new key partnership. My first few months were focused on developing the operational groundwork and hiring an incredible team. I now focus on supporting my team members on their implementation projects, coordinating on strategy with our internal and external stakeholders, and improving our day to day operations.
Any tips for someone considering a career in your field?
Take the time to understand how your work fits into the bigger picture, whether it’s the impact you have on your customers and team members or operational processes. When faced with tough decisions, I first try to understand the trade offs associated and how they impact the people and systems around me.
Day in the Life
Coffee, tea, or nothing?
Coffee in the morning and tea in the afternoon.
What time do you start working?
I get my best work done in the mornings and usually start by 7.
What are three things that motivate you in your role?
Making customers’ lives easier, supporting the growth of my team, and improving operational efficiency.
Every day is different, but can you outline what a typical day looks like for you?
My morning ritual is drinking coffee and going to the gym. I like to get a couple hours of heads-down work done before going into meetings, which are usually a mix of customer and internal meetings.
Any productivity hacks?
Reduce redundant information tracking. I try to keep all of my notes in as few places as possible.
What are the 3 apps that you can’t live without?
As a commuter, I love Citymapper for New York. I’m also a frequent user of NYT Games and Shazam.
What professional accomplishment are you proudest of?
Pivoting from financial services to the startup world was a major life change in many ways but I’m very happy with my decision.
Who do you admire or call upon for professional advice?
My dad
Biggest guilty pleasure song and/or artist?
I don’t feel guilty about loving Taylor Swift.
Most used Emoji:
😅
