Marina Minnikova is passionate about sharing her expertise and mentoring the next generation of leaders

With over 7 years of experience in program management and 6 years in UX/UI, Marina Minnikova is an inspiring leader. Coming from a small town in Eastern Europe, she dared to dream big and became a driving force behind business and launch strategies at top international companies like IDEO, Sensorium Galaxy, Decathlon, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and United in Gaming.

She fosters collaboration among 300+ professionals in global, cross-functional teams. She’s led the implementation of programs that brought in over $500 million in revenue.

She is certified as a Project Manager Professional by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and holds two master’s degrees. She’s also a recognized Fulbright and Muskie alumni. Passionate about sharing her expertise, Marina mentors young professionals and currently co-leads at the Next Generation Leaders PMI SFBAC. 

Key Takeaways:

• As a program manager, Marina thinks that the most important habit of high performers is prioritization. It is essential to understand what is a top priority, what would be nice to have, and what can be put off. 
• Life challenges such as illnesses of family members remind us that we only have one life to live. So, it’s our loved ones and the moments we share with them that truly matter. Work can always wait, but family time is precious and cannot be replaced. 
• Encouraging your team and being part of a supportive team make your professional life more efficient and enjoyable. That’s why Marina always tries to foster healthy collaboration in her teams.
• Many people think that there will be time for everything, but our time is very limited. So, if you have an idea, go for it! If you want to run a marathon — do it. If you are unhappy with something — change it. 
• Prioritizing work-life balance is essential for fostering a more supportive and inclusive business environment for women. Flexible work hours allow women to balance careers and motherhood. 
• To stay ahead of the curve you should not only read tech news but also test new technologies and incorporate them into your daily life. Start using AI in your work and day-to-day activities if you haven’t already — but remember to stay critical and retain decision-making responsibilities.

Can you start by introducing yourself and telling us, in your words, about your inspiring story?

I come from a small and pretty depressing town in Eastern Europe. Growing up, all I saw were run-down grey houses and people worn out by life’s struggles. I had a loving family and a happy childhood, but things weren’t easy for our family. My dad worked two jobs while my mom balanced caring for two children with a full-time job. Their hard work and dedication inspired me to follow my dreams against all odds and never give up on them. I always felt that something greater was out there for me, and was inspired by the thought of exploring the world.

At the age of 21, I participated in a student exchange program and came to the US for the first time — hardly speaking the language and with just $15 in my pocket. It was my first trip abroad and it became a turning point in my life. When I returned home, I completely dedicated myself to studying, making sure to excel in everything I did. 

My first master’s degree set the foundation for my academic and career aspirations. After that, I was honored with a Fulbright Scholarship, which allowed me to get my second master’s degree and deepen my commitment to professional development. Recently, I’ve been granted an Extraordinary Ability Visa that recognized my achievements and potential in my field. Today, as a program manager at a Fortune 500 company working with global cross-functional teams, I use my knowledge and education to make a positive impact.

Impressive and inspiring! Please tell us more about how you got to where you are today.

I’ll start by saying that I’ve always had a positive attitude, even during the toughest times. There were so many times when I felt like giving up: visa declines, job rejections, family members getting ill, and so on. But I kept searching, exploring, and pushing forward. I believe that dreams do come true, but only for those who work hard for them. You can dream and manifest all you want, but progress won’t happen if you keep procrastinating.

Of course, I wouldn’t have succeeded without the support of the people around me — family, friends, colleagues, and my managers. The amount of support and encouragement that I received from all the amazing women in my life cannot be overstated. Their strong belief in my success gave me the confidence to move my career forward. Now I want to do the same for others. As a program director for the Next Generation Leaders program at the PMI SFBAC I’m committed to helping young professionals advance in their careers and follow their dreams. 

What are the three most important habits to be a successful high performer or leader?

As a program manager, I think that the most important habit of high performers is prioritization. Every day, we have to manage a huge number of tasks, both in our personal lives and at work. It is essential to understand what is a top priority, what would be nice to have, and what can be put off. I completely agree with the concept of “eating the frog first” — addressing the most important and potentially unpleasant task right away. 

Secondly, it’s all about empowerment. Try to foster a sense of community and establish personal connections with people around you. For example, try to build a community of neighbors that support and help each other. When it comes to work, empower your teams and actively listen to them.

Thirdly, leaders must commit to continuous learning and adapting because technology is advancing at light speed. Of course, it is impossible to track every single tech update, but you should maintain a thirst for knowledge and have the drive to keep growing and improving.

We all face challenges, but looking back, what have been some of the biggest challenges and pitfalls you’ve had to navigate?

I would like to share a personal story. My mother passed away two years ago, after fighting cancer for three years. During those years, I was rapidly advancing in my career with exciting projects in the US while my mom was in another country. So I decided to put those projects on hold to be with her. For three years, I was practically living between several countries. My mother’s struggle with her illness was extremely emotionally challenging. I accompanied her to all the chemotherapy sessions and surgeries while also managing a full-time job, mentoring, and other things.

I was there for her at that time and looking back, I believe that I made the right decision. If someone were to ask me, “Would you do it again?” I would absolutely make the same choice, only perhaps work even less. Such experiences remind us that we only have one life to live. And that it’s our loved ones and the moments we share with them that truly matter. Work can always wait, but family time is precious and cannot be replaced.

Can you share some of the most important lessons you’ve learned from your successes and failures in business?

Perhaps the biggest lesson that I’ve learned from all my experience is the value of open and transparent communication. For example, if things aren’t going as expected, be honest about it. If you’re falling behind on a deadline, don’t wait until the last minute; instead, explain the situation as soon as you can and manage the expectations of all the stakeholders.

I am also reminded of the importance of being adaptable and flexible daily. In the environment of rapid technological development, especially in the AI era, leaders should be able to quickly adapt to respond to all the shifts in the market.

Another lesson is the importance of team empowerment. Encouraging your team and being part of a supportive team makes your professional life more efficient and enjoyable. I always try to foster healthy collaboration in my teams because these are the people you spend most of your time with. And if the team morale isn’t great, then the work won’t be either. 

Lastly, I cannot imagine a contemporary leader without resilience and a lifelong desire for learning. If things aren’t going according to plan, don’t dwell on it. Think of it as a stepping stone on your path to success.

What advice would you give your younger self when starting this journey?

I would tell her: “Get things done right away and don’t wait for the right moment.” Many people, including myself, often think that there will be time for everything. But the truth is — our time is very limited. So, if you have an idea, go for it! If you want to run a marathon — do it. If you are unhappy with something — change it, as it likely won’t get better by itself.

Remember to expand your horizons and build a diverse network of friends and colleagues. Don’t let your significant other be the center of your universe; focus on expanding your social circle. As Gillian Anderson famously said, “Follow your dreams, not your boyfriends.”

And don’t forget to listen to your inner voice and pursue your true desires. Invest some time in developing self-awareness. You can try out different jobs and engage with people from different fields to figure out your true passion. And once again, never stop learning, stay flexible, adapt quickly, and always keep moving forward.

What would you consider your biggest accomplishment and why?

I think my greatest achievement is finding my true passion. I discovered an area that I genuinely enjoyed, which is program management, and dared to transition into it after years of experience in a completely different field — design. Since then, I no longer see my job as something boring.

No matter the project I’m involved in, I wake up every day feeling excited and fulfilled. I am eager to start my laptop because I know I’ll be engaging in something I’m very passionate about. I wish everyone could experience the same feeling. 

What initiatives or actions are crucial for fostering a more supportive and inclusive business environment for women?

Prioritizing work-life balance is essential. Leaders need to realize that their employees have lives beyond the workplace. Flexible work hours allow women to balance careers and motherhood. For example, if you need to pick up your children from school, you can leave the office earlier, knowing it’s perfectly fine — and complete your tasks later at a more convenient time.

Mentorship programs can also foster a more supportive business environment for women. Many nonprofit organizations offer mentorship opportunities, often at no cost. Moreover, support networks are great sources of guidance at a challenging time or for celebrating achievements together. These networks are there for you if you need advice or want to share your success.

Furthermore, I believe organizations should promote a culture of mutual support, respect, diversity, and inclusion. 

Which female leader do you admire, and why?

In my career, I’ve been very lucky to work under the guidance of incredible female managers. They are the shining examples of servant leadership: always engaged in team dynamics and dedicated to creating a comfortable work environment. They offered strong support and motivation every time anyone needed assistance. I’ve always admired them for their ability to lead big teams, prioritize and remain calm, friendly, and helpful, despite having to raise a family with two or three kids. 

How do you leverage technology and innovation (like AI) to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving business landscape?

I always make time to read the latest news and to network with professionals from different fields. Try to use all the opportunities your workplace provides. For example, we receive a weekly newsletter with a summary of market updates and then discuss it at meetings. I would also suggest collaborating with universities as an expert or a mentor because younger people are often more in tune with the latest trends.

Remember that it’s not just about reading and learning. It’s important to test new technologies and platforms and incorporate them into your daily life step by step. Start using AI in your work and day-to-day activities if you haven’t already — but remember to stay critical and retain decision-making responsibilities. In the end, AI and other technologies should complement, not replace your work.

Key Takeaways:

1. As a program manager, Marina thinks that the most important habit of high performers is prioritization. It is essential to understand what is a top priority, what would be nice to have, and what can be put off. 
2. Life challenges such as illnesses of family members remind us that we only have one life to live. So, it’s our loved ones and the moments we share with them that truly matter. Work can always wait, but family time is precious and cannot be replaced. 
3. Encouraging your team and being part of a supportive team make your professional life more efficient and enjoyable. That’s why Marina always tries to foster healthy collaboration in her teams.
4. Many people think that there will be time for everything, but our time is very limited. So, if you have an idea, go for it! If you want to run a marathon — do it. If you are unhappy with something — change it. 
5. Prioritizing work-life balance is essential for fostering a more supportive and inclusive business environment for women. Flexible work hours allow women to balance careers and motherhood. 
6. To stay ahead of the curve you should not only read tech news but also test new technologies and incorporate them into your daily life. Start using AI in your work and day-to-day activities if you haven’t already — but remember to stay critical and retain decision-making responsibilities.

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