Meet The Employee: Lorraine Santiago-Poventud

Welcome to the thirteenth installment of our employee spotlight! We’d like to take a minute and introduce our first-ever Texas spotlight on Lorraine Santiago-Poventud, Senior Digital Marketing Manager!

Q: What do you look forward to most on Monday?
A: I look forward to seeing my coworkers and catching up on their weekend adventures — and seeing if there are any new video or photoshoots coming up that I can pose for. Did anyone say photoshoot? Because I’m already smiling!

Q: What is your biggest accomplishment at work?
A: My two biggest accomplishments at work – so far – have been to successfully lead the pilot program for the Marriott MDS/Wpromote partnership and speaking at a SEMPO forum representing the company amongst the top industry leaders.

Q: What is your favorite work event?
A: The holiday party is pretty awesome. Besides that, we have other super cool activities and events such as Culture Week, where we get to play games and showcase some of our hidden talents. My talent — shhhh — is to respond to any questions in Spanish. It is hilarious to see faces when I do this.

Q: Who is your favorite coworker and why?
A: This is a really hard question. I have multiple favorites, though, so…from the Content Team, Brian Medricka because he is always laughing and happy; from the Marriott Team, the six girls I supervise and Erika Pedersen because, well, they’re all awesome.

Q: When were you hired? What was your starting position?
A: I was hired on November 04, 2013 as an SEO Manager for Marriott.

Q: Do you have a morning mantra/routine? What is it?
A: Before I enter the office, I smile big and say, “Today is going to be an awesome day” as I’m swiping my card to get in the door. Then I walk into the office saying good morning to people while grabbing my NYC coffee mug and orange Hydro Flask to head to the kitchen for coffee and water.

Q: What’s your favorite book or movie – why?
A: My favorite movies are “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” “Runaway Jury,” and “Beauty and The Beast.” I love John Cusack and drama movies. For me, Julia Roberts has the most contagious and authentic smile/laugh – which I’ve been told I do, too — and Belle is my favorite princess.
My favorite books are “Doña Barbara” by Rómulo Gallegos, “La Carreta” by René Marqués, and “The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business” by Charles Duhigg.

Q: What’s your go-to Dallas activity?
A: Dallas is a big place and at the same time kind of small. There is a lot to do and see, but for some reason, I end up doing the same things over and over. I’m a transplant from Puerto Rico via Miami, so obviously, I play tourist all the time. Reunion Tower, or “The Ball” as I used to call it, is a favorite. Klyde Warren Park, the Perot Museum, and White Rock Lake are also in my Rolodex of places to go. Going to musicals and concerts, as well as visiting different coffee shops in the area, can be fun anytime. During a weekend, I could be very wired with all of the java that I might drink while coffee shop hopping.

Q: What’s your perfect Sunday-Funday?
A: Depends on what I did on Saturday! If I was out and about, Sunday is a great time to stay home, relax, watch TV, listen to music and cook. If Saturday was relaxing, Sunday is the day to hit the movies or visit my friends for coffee and pastries – I love cupcakes – and quality time.

Q: Do you have a hidden talent/secret power? What is it?
A: Besides a killer hair flip — I wish I could make money doing that — I can make people smile and make their day a little brighter.

Q: What is your theme song (for your life) and why?
A: At the moment I have two. “Eye of the Tiger” for when I’m super tired and want to stop walking while training for the races I participate in; and Beyoncé’s “Run the World” since the group I manage is all ladies – but they are not all single, that’s why it is not “Single Ladies.”

Q: If you weren’t doing digital marketing, what would you be doing and why?
A: I’d be cooking, baking, and traveling. In my ideal scenario, I’d be traveling to other places, talking to locals, and writing about it.

Q: What’s the weirdest thing on your desk and what is its significance?
A: I have a few “odd” things. One of them is a salt lamp I bought simply because it was pretty, but then I learned about its health benefits, so it was a win-win! I still have birthday balloons attached to my monitor even though it has been almost two months since my actual celebration.

Q: What would you name the autobiography of your life – and why?
A: My autobiography would be called “Talking With My Hands.” As I mentioned before, I’m from Puerto Rico, and we tend to be very expressive, so using my hands while I’m speaking helps me express better what I want to say.

Q: What celebrity do people always say you look like?
A: I’ve been told I remind people of Gabrielle Union, but I don’t see it.

Q: What do you do outside of work that may surprise people – and why?
A: I’m a mentor for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Team in Training group, as I prepare for half marathons in Dallas and around the country.