The Next Generation – Jr. Board Member Interview
In April’s WISE Jr. Board Member Interview, we are featuring Angela Atamian, the Office Services Manager at John B. Sanfilippo & Son. Angela is WISE’s newest Jr. Board member, and she brings so much to the table, both professionally and personally.
Professionally, Angela is first and foremost a list maker and enjoys remaining busy, which has been the perfect asset to the WISE Jr. Board. After her first junior board meeting, Angela designed an Excel worksheet that included the agenda and action items for the board to walk through during each meeting. Her impact was felt right away in making the meetings more efficient.
She’s found a deep interest in DEI now that she better understands the issue, and she loves finding new ways to level the playing field for everyone so opportunities can be shared equally.
Personally, Angela is a mother to an (almost) two-year-old son and is expecting a daughter in August. She and her husband are very active and love summer activities, so they are looking forward to including their children in biking, hiking, boating, and paddleboarding in the coming years. Angela also loves to cook, craft, host parties, and work.
WISE: Angela, please tell us a little bit about your current role at John B. Sanfilippo & Son.
ANGELA: Currently I’m the Office Services Manager coordinating just that and overseeing our Consumer Relations, Administrative Support and Reception functions. I’m sort of a jack-of-all-trades contributing to several different areas. Through the corporate programs offered like our mentorship program and Career Development program, I’ve been given an opportunity to move to Human Resources mid-2022 and focus on expanding my technical skillset.
WISE: Tell us a little bit about how you found your opportunity with John B. Sanfilippo & Son.
ANGELA: I’ve had years of experience in the food industry dealing with hands-on production functions. When I saw the opportunity at JBSS I was excited! Not only was it incredibly close to home, but it took an industry I had familiarity with and allowed me to grow, to be less hands-on with manufacturing. Now I support the organization as a whole.
WISE: What has been your most challenging part of your time working at John B. Sanfilippo & Son?
ANGELA: I think this is a place I can see myself building tenure and settling in, but I needed to figure out for myself what my long-term career goals were. My mentor, Shayn, was instrumental in asking me thought-provoking questions and helping me map my needs and interests into a career path that is meaningful and exciting. I remember feeling that “it was too late to make a big change,” but he proved to me that was not the case. His perspective is something I will always value and will share in any mentorship opportunities I may encounter in the future.
WISE: What has been the most rewarding part of your time working at John B. Sanfilippo & Son?
ANGELA: The opportunities that have been provided and the prospect of being successful for years to come. Additionally, seeing the JBSS culture progress as an organization that supports employee’s needs and individuality.
WISE: What has your experience been like while working during COVID? How did that mold your experience?
ANGELA: My team was sort of serving as ‘feet on the ground’ during the pandemic when a majority of our office was working from home. It allowed me to slow down and recognize what’s important: family, health, individual’s needs and their interests. It also demonstrated how we can still work effectively, but with less at times. It emphasized teamwork and how selfless individuals were when departments were short-handed. We always found a way to accomplish what mattered and our team grew stronger.
WISE: What got you interested in joining the WISE organization?
ANGELA: I wanted an opportunity to network with others outside of my organization, to see how other businesses work and to discover new ideas that I could integrate to JBSS. I also felt that my worldview could be broadened so I hoped to find a diverse group of individuals and insights, which I did!
WISE: What were your thoughts about the organization as you learned about WISE and its mission?
ANGELA: The more involved I get with WISE through the junior board and committees, the more impressed I am by the depth of professional talent that unites on a volunteer basis to make it run. I was also encouraged when I started attending events to see that membership and event hosts were not limited to women!
WISE: What do you think could be the future of WISE?
ANGELA: I think there is opportunity to bring in and build programming geared toward the younger generations. I love the idea of integrating those still green in their careers with the industry experience of those with established careers. Had I been given this networking opportunity earlier in my career, when I was working at much smaller organizations, I think I would have been able to grow faster and make a greater contribution sooner.
WISE: How would you sum up your experience in this industry, and what advice would you give to those considering joining this industry?
ANGELA: The food industry is “small,” and the players in the market you will hear about no matter who you work for. But it’s a great community of people dedicated to providing a resource we all depend on. My advice probably applies to any industry, but ask questions and be curious about how businesses work, as a whole, not just within your day-to-day operations.