Today we’d like to introduce you to Zanada James
ZaNada , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Personal Background:
I’m originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, and moved to Georgia by myself at 18 to pursue higher education. I come from very humble upbringings that exposed me to parts of life that I didn’t want to experience as an adult. I started working at 15 years old, where I then began to foster a ‘true’ sense of independency. I bought my own toiletries, my own clothes, even my own groceries. There were points and times where I took care of myself 100% between ages 15-18. At the 17-18 years-old mark, I was working two jobs, in Dual Enrollment at IUPUI in Indianapolis, and still going to my high school classes. Once I realized that my environment was a ‘crab in the bucket mentality’, I immediately said to myself “I need to change my life“.
I moved down to Valdosta, Georgia with the hope and dream of changing my life and having a fresh start. And that was the one commitment I made to myself on day one of my freshman year. I experienced so many chaotic events led me to Valdosta, but I am so thankful that they all happened. From falling out and disagreeing with family members, to purchasing 90% of my college necessities by myself. I went to Valdosta, GA with $700 that I scraped together. Do you know what it feels like to say “the stars aligned for me“? It’s the same as saying that “God had this planned for me”. And God indeed did.
Education:
Once I got to Valdosta State University in the Fall of 2019, I took every opportunity possible to become a better person and a better professional. I initially went there in hopes of being an Actuary (with a major in Math) but that quickly turned after my first semester of my freshman year. I had tried to teach myself actuary science (because that wasn’t a major offered there) and that didn’t go far after I couldn’t learn actuarial calculus. Shortly after that, I switched to becoming a Statistician, and again, that also changed very quickly. I then chose finance with a minor in Fintech and I was off to the races.
My sophomore year of college was a very pivotal moment for me. I had my first Financial Accounting class and everything clicked. This is also where I met a woman who is so important to me (present day). I remember, maybe two months into me taking the class, she told me I was on of the best students she has had in decades of teaching. She was the first person to see so much potential in me that I didn’t see myself. She motivated me and encouraged me to pursue accounting as a second- degree and I trusted that she knew what was best for me. That same day I went to my advisor and told them I wanted to add a second degree to my graduation plan. As I continue to navigate through college, of course I faced so many hurdles and hiccups in the road, but I always had that very special woman there to guide me and provide me with advice and love.
As my college career continued, I learned that I had a passion for black student advocacy. I chartered the first minority-based business organization in the Harley Langdage Jr. College of Business called NABA. By this time, I had already been president of four other organizations and had executive roles and a few others, but NABA, was my baby and my members of NABA had became my family.
I graduated in May of 2023 with two degrees in Finance and Accounting. Cum Laude
Professional:
While at Valdosta State University, I became a published researcher in the Institute of Management Accounting, the Accounting Quarterly publication. I had four internships: two at J.P. Morgan in Corporate Client Banking and Middle-Market Banking. Aprio LLP in Professional Services Tax. And Georgia Pacific in Treasury. I also had exposure to great apprenticeship programs, including the Black Possibilities Summit with Goldman Sachs, Procter & Gamble: Stand out, and SEO (Sponsor for Educational Opportunities). After graduation, I took an offer Microsoft as a Financial Analyst in the Finance Rotation Program (which is a top ranked rotational program). After 10 months, I decided I wanted to lean into my passion of gaming and now I am a Program Manager within the Digital Gaming Sales space at Microsoft where I get to work with AAA publishers to host and conduct experimentation on our digital gaming storefront as well as manages my teams research and the addition of store features. Outside of work I am still very active in my community as the CFO and CSO (Chief Strategy Officer) for the Future Executives Initiative, Inc. which is a nonprofit based on uplifting and empowering college students and our metro Atlanta area and surrounding states. I am also the director of PR for the NABA Atlanta professional chapter. And outside of all of these amazing things, I still mentor others from Valdosta State University, as well as volunteer during events at the Microsoft Atlanta office for college student/intern activities .
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Yes. I faced several challenges along the way. The one I will cover here is Imposter Syndrome. I have been in spaces where I felt I didn’t belong or that I wasn’t deserving to be in those spaces. It took YEARS for me to overcome that hurdle of “I don’t feel like I belong” to “I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t supposed to”. Knowing that I have all of the qualifications, the degrees, the achievements, the expertise and knowledge to be in the spaces I’m in… I own it now. I know that I am where I need to be when I enter a room.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am a Program Manager at Microsoft in our Gaming Digital Sales organization. I manage and host experimentation on our digital gaming storefronts through partnership with our AAA publishers and internal partners. I also conduct large scale research to learn more about our customers and I manage our store feature prioritization.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
@troywiththecamera on Instagram
