For Ying Rao, stepping into his new role at cross-border money transfer company Pangea Money Transfer was personal.
Not only has he taken a major step in his career journey to become the company’s new director of software engineering, consumer and enterprise, but he also now has the chance to do meaningful work that resonates with his life story. As an immigrant, he knows firsthand the economic struggles many expats face, which is why he’s eager to tackle new challenges in the international payments realm.
Rao isn’t the only local tech professional who just landed a major new role. For instance, T.K. Gore recently became Phenix Real Time Solutions’ first-ever chief revenue officer. Gore, who has a background in cross-platform media and sports programming, will be working alongside the company’s global sales team to help them close more deals with key clients.
As someone with several years of management experience, Gore brings his own unique leadership skills to the table. For him, it’s all about combining his old-school work philosophy with education and development.
“I believe in developing a positive, energized culture focused on continuous learning and improvement, ownership, and accountability,” Gore said.
For Rao, Gore and The Kraft Heinz Company’s recently appointed Head of the Agile Center of Excellence Manish Khatri, new roles mean greater opportunities to stretch their skills and make an impact. Built In Chicago caught up with each of these local leaders to learn about their responsibilities, leadership styles and excitement about the road ahead.
What position are you stepping into, what’s your professional background and why were you brought on to lead this team?
I recently joined Phenix as the company’s first-ever chief revenue officer. My goal is to work with our outstanding global sales team to add structure and process so we can close more deals with sports leagues and properties, broadcasters, and sports betting operators. My background is rooted in cross-platform media and sports programming. I’ve spent time at various regional sports networks, a startup Olympics network, Comcast, NBCUniversal, CBS, AOL and most recently, Comscore, where I was general manager of strategic partnerships, working with DISH, Sling TV and Charter Communications.
I have an old-school philosophy when it comes to leadership: work hard, collaborate, communicate and lead by example.”
How would you describe your leadership style, and how do you hope to apply this in your new role?
I have an old-school philosophy when it comes to leadership: work hard, collaborate, communicate and lead by example. One can be forceful, but in a tactful manner. Sales is based on relationships and building strong bonds with clients and prospects. I often adhere to fictional character Ted Lasso’s coaching philosophy: Be kind, curious and empathetic.
What position are you stepping into, what’s your professional background and why were you brought on to lead this team?
I recently joined Pangea as a director of software engineering for consumer and enterprise products. I oversee a team of developers in Chicago and Mexico City who are building our core remittance application, API solution and integrated banking service. I bring more than 20 years of software development experience, including over six years of experience leading iOS, Android, web, and quality assurance engineers. Throughout my career, I have helped build teams and products from the ground up and improve efficiency, which I did most recently at Chowbus.
I’m really inspired by Pangea’s mission. As an immigrant myself, my experiences have been that people with less money need to pay more to do things. That’s why I’m excited to be able to do something that can help lower the barrier for underserved customers.
My main goals are to grow the team’s technical maturity, implement new business requirements with quality and efficiency, and improve system stability and observability.”
What will you be focused on accomplishing in your new role?
My role is one of two new engineering leadership positions that will be focused on supporting Pangea’s four roadmaps and growing the team. I lead the team that is developing the core and enterprise roadmaps. The company is growing fast and needs technical leaders who can focus both on the team and the platform. We’re aiming to double the size of our engineering team in the next few months. My main goals are to grow the team’s technical maturity, implement new business requirements with quality and efficiency, and improve system stability and observability.
We’re currently working on expanding our service to several new countries, launching new enterprise clients and improving the customer onboarding process. We’re looking at more than doubling the number of countries that our customers can send funds to and expanding the ways that they can receive transfers, including various types of mobile wallets.
What position are you stepping into, what’s your professional background and why were you brought on to lead this team?
I’m leading the Agile Center of Excellence while also facilitating a broader agile transformation across the company. I performed a similar role at PepsiCo and upheld multiple transformational programs.
Agile unlocks major opportunities for organizations, enabling them to reinvent themselves and compete in a new economy defined by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. Agile is a mindset and a methodology. It’s easy to learn, takes effort to practice and can be difficult to champion.
I make sure to understand the strengths and motivations of each team member and put them on a trajectory that best aligns with their goals.”
How would you describe your leadership style, and how do you hope to apply this in your new role?
As a leader, I focus on a few things, including building an aspirational vision for what the team can achieve. I make sure to understand the strengths and motivations of each team member and put them on a trajectory that best aligns with their goals. It’s also crucial to stay connected with the industry and the larger organizational strategy to look for opportunities where the team can lend its support. Ultimately, the North Star of success is value creation for the company and the growth of individuals on the team.
