#WeAreVTS: Senior Director of Implementation Services Rudy Soria on Achieving Greater Success Together
The VTS team consists of folks with a diverse set of personalities, talents, and perspectives, and we want you to meet them! That’s why we’ve created this #WeAreVTS blog series to highlight some of the many outstanding people we have at VTS, get a closer look at the dynamic lives they have, and continue to create an environment where each VTSer can be their authentic self.
Over the next few weeks we'll be highlighting members of our Customer Success organization. Without further ado, here's our interview with Rudy Soria, Senior Director of Implementation Services!
In a sentence or two, can you explain what you do here at VTS?
In my role as Senior Director of VTS Implementation Services, I lead our implementation teams to guarantee a seamless onboarding and implementation experience for our customers within VTS Lease and VTS Market, with a core focus on servicing their key business goals & outcomes.
My primary focus is to ensure that the team is enabled and supported to do their best work toward those efforts.
Where are you based right now?
In New York. I work in the city and live in Forest Hills in Queens.
Can you describe your professional journey and how it led you to VTS?
My career has consistently revolved around implementation in some way. I started off at a consulting firm called Polaris, implementing grant management solutions for pharmaceutical companies. This was a highly regulated sector with strict compliance requirements, and the software was quite rigid, necessitating collaboration with numerous offshore vendors and adapting to evolving customer needs. Needless to say, I learned a lot from that experience!
I then transitioned into the SaaS and startup realm, spending a year at NewsCred, where I oversaw project deployments for their content marketing solution. In 2016, I joined Hightower, which merged with VTS just eight months into my tenure.
This marks my 7th year at VTS, primarily focused on client service implementation and working collaboratively with the different teams that surround implementation like sales, solutions, marketing, and client advisory.
What excites you about what you do at VTS? Is there a moment in your time here that made you especially proud to work at VTS?
Having been at VTS for some time, I've had the privilege of witnessing the evolution of our product, our customers, and our team. What's particularly rewarding is observing the growth of my team —from their beginnings to where they are now. I've seen many cultivate expertise over this time, with some who joined at a junior level now becoming key experts in their field, further coaching and mentoring others to pursue the same. It's been incredibly fulfilling to see the impact of our change management efforts and the impact that’s made its way in servicing the business.
On to more personal topics - what was your dream job growing up?
As a kid I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my dad, who worked for the United Nations. He wasn’t a diplomat or anything, but the reality was I really enjoyed the travel we got to do in following him and where he worked. We went to many different countries like Cambodia, Thailand, Cyprus, Israel, and Iran. I did middle school and my first year of high school in South Carolina, and then I went to college in the Philippines. In 2011 I moved to New York, but I still do my best to travel whenever I can!
What do you like to do in your free time? Any hobbies?
I like spending a lot of time with my family! I have a 5 year old daughter and I love spending as much time with her as possible. Outside of that, lately I’ve been obsessed with BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu). I’m a little over a year in, and can’t imagine stopping anytime soon! I also like to read a good book every now and then when I have downtime.
If you could wave a magic wand to solve any problem in the world, what would it be?
For anyone that has read The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, I'd love to see a solution akin to Marvin the Android’s "empathy gun." If people could naturally experience the emotions of others, I believe it would foster greater empathy and understanding, potentially solving many of the world's problems.
What’s your advice for someone who wants to be in a role similar to yours?
There’s that quote that goes: “If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go with a team.”
This has been a guiding principle in my career. I've found that supporting the team's growth by understanding their challenges and mutual collaboration on solutions has been instrumental. Initially, I didn't start with this mindset, but over time, in transitioning from an individual contributor to my current role, I've come to learn more about the nuanced challenges faced by both our collective teams and our customers. This empathy has enhanced our collective problem-solving abilities. Ultimately, investing in your team pays dividends, allowing you to achieve greater success together.
