One of my favorite parts about being an employer brand manager at Taboola is learning about the very cool people who work here. After admiring the energy of this group for some time, I decided I needed to learn more about their friendships, and so, this is the story of a group of Taboolars who found an unexpected community at work.
Meet Fernanda Sene, Account Director; Juliana Padovani, Senior Publisher Account Manager; Diego Meira, Publisher Sales Manager; Victor Pacheco, Senior Account Director, and Victoria Proença, Team Lead Advertising Account Management, a group that, independent from one another, shifted from Taboola Brazil to Taboola offices across the U.S. From navigating cultural nuances to taking on new career opportunities, this group shared how despite these challenges, they found a supportive community in one another at Taboola.
How have you harnessed your Brazilian culture as a superpower?
For many Latin American cultures, community and connection are key values, and many Taboolars have figured out how to harness their heritages as distinct superpowers. Whether coming together during cafecito (little coffee) gatherings or tapping into their strong work ethic fueled by passion and upbringing, channeling their cultures has many added benefits. Juliana expressed, “Brazilian culture has shaped my creative approach to problem-solving and my ability to connect with colleagues and clients.” She went on to share how Taboola has embraced her drawing on her Brazilian roots, which has provided a unique strength in building relationships, navigating her work, and adapting in diverse environments.
As the group chatted about the cultural shifts between Brazilian life and the U.S., they were all laughs as they bonded over acclimating to new environments, a new market, and differing communication styles. They expressed, “In Brazil, communication with clients felt more immediate and WhatsApp based, whereas, in the U.S., communication is often more formal through email.” This theme of navigating a new job with new clients and expectations, even within the “same” company, resonated with everyone and helped each with their transitions.
What did Taboola and the expat community here do to help you feel welcomed?
“Relocating was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, but I had the support of Taboola and never felt like I was on my own,” Fernanda shared. Despite the shared company name, the group emphasized that relocating meant a profound professional shift. As they worked on establishing their new lives in the U.S., Fernanda and the others expressed how their managers were “very understanding.” Thankfully, Taboola’s support system proved invaluable in fostering a sense of community that helped their transition, and this shared experience of being far from home significantly deepened existing relationships.
Juliana and Fernanda pointed out, “When you’re outside your comfort zone, you seek connection with those who understand what you’re going through.” Juliana also highlighted the unique bond formed by finding a community far away from home. Victor further emphasized the relational aspect, noting, “The move allowed us to strengthen existing relationships and form new ones.” And even though Victoria is based in Atlanta, she expressed, “If I need anything, this group is there, even from afar. We’ve all been through similar experiences in some way, so when I visit NYC, I’m so excited to connect with them and talk with them in Portuguese!” Diego added, “Although I don’t work directly with the other Brazilians, they have introduced me to other teams and helped me get settled.”
How have you leaned on each other through your transitions and day-to-day jobs?
Victoria pointed out the hands-on help, expressing, “I’m always pinging Victor and Fernanda about running ads with their publishers,” and added that the Atlanta group “embraced me and sat with me to help me understand the market differences, which made for a smooth transition.” She also appreciated having friends on the Publisher side to “understand and unblock things” and the comfort of talking “in our native language.”
Beyond shared experiences of embracing change, Diego highlighted the big impact this network had on him. “They’ve helped me see the business in a different way, positively influencing me on my personal and professional decisions and being a resource for my career.”
“Outside the four walls of Taboola,” adjusting to new cultures, foods, and work challenges together has been the catalyst for many to find community even far away from home. In the end, it’s the people who make our experiences what they are, and this group is a reminder of the importance of community and connection, a strong thread woven throughout Taboola.
To learn more about why we are consistently ranked as a great place to work, check out the Taboola Life blog. Visit our careers page and realize your potential with #TaboolaLife.
