Interview with Kristi Beck

September 2021

My name is Kristi Beck, I grew up in Southern California and attended Cal Poly Pomona in the TOM/EBZ department from 2012-2016. eBusiness was still a fairly new major at the time and it was exciting to attend while so much new information about business technology was on the horizon.

Coming out of college, I still wasn't 100% clear on what my career path would look like (and that's okay!), so I ended up working with a recruiter -- I highly encourage reaching out to recruiters in your field to help you navigate the hiring process -- who found me a role in Location Based Entertainment at Playboy Enterprises. This included a 3-month stint in New York opening a physical property, designing the experiential marketing for the brand, and working with the gaming arm of the business. I quickly moved into a Brand & Strategy position where I worked to rebrand and evolve existing franchises within Playboy and focus on Social Impact internally and externally for about 5 years. Finally, knowing that I'd found my passion in strategy and impact work, I landed at my current role in management consulting for Yardstick Management.

I am currently a Senior Consultant with Yardstick Management, the nation's leading Black-Owned Management Consulting Firm.

In my current position, I work with top-tier clients to help integrate management and/or diversity, equity, and inclusion solutions at every stage of business. Whether a company is still working to define success and/or diversity, or looking to expand on internal work already being done with us as a third-party expert, we are here to help guide organizations to reach their fullest potential. We also have an executive search team filling executive positions with diverse talent, and an in-person Institute where companies can send their executives to gather, learn, and work together on bettering the corporate climate.

Advice

My advice is to follow your gut and know it is never too late to pivot. I went to school never thinking I would end up in my current position, but have truly found a place in the corporate world doing something I love with a supportive team. Also, prioritize your mental health and speak up when you need help - you will never produce your best work when you aren't prioritizing your needs first. I'm on LinkedIn if you ever have a question!