AFLA Conference Archives-WIFM Session - Power Moves: How to Advocate, Influence, and Advance

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Christy Falteruso, a seasoned customer success executive with over 13 years of experience, delivered a keynote on "Power Moves: How to Advocate, Influence, and Advance." Drawing from her 23-year career trajectory, including marketing and SaaS customer success, she emphasized the importance of intentional career design. Christy shared that while early on she believed she could have any role she wanted, real-world challenges tempered that confidence. However, she ultimately built two dream careers by being purposeful and strategic.<br /><br />Christy outlined six pillars essential for career advancement: (1) defining your "why" and "what" – understanding your motivation and career goals; (2) defining what it takes – identifying skills and gaps for the desired role; (3) mapping your own career path – taking ownership rather than letting employers dictate your journey; (4) cultivating allies – building a strong, cross-functional network for support and advocacy; (5) communicating your value – actively sharing your achievements to shape your narrative; and (6) being bold and taking risks – embracing discomfort to grow and create opportunity.<br /><br />She stressed personal agency: you always have choices, even difficult ones, and must ask for what you truly want rather than settle for what you think you deserve. Christy also highlighted the power of mentorship and executive coaching to identify blind spots and develop skills.<br /><br />In Q&A, she advised starting small when communicating your value, focusing on scope and growth over titles in career mapping, approaching new industries by humbly seeking knowledge and building mutual relationships, and preparing thoughtfully to advocate for oneself. Her message inspires proactive, empowered career leadership grounded in clarity, courage, and connection.

Asset Subtitle

Kristi Faltorusso

Meta Tag

Location Marco Island, FL

Year 2025

Keywords

2025

Marco Island, FL

Christy Falteruso

customer success

career advancement

intentional career design

six pillars

personal agency

mentorship

executive coaching

career mapping

advocacy