EMILY DALLARA

Emily is Head of Marketing Operations at AAX and has been in crypto since late 2016. She's worked with the likes of Bitcoin.com, Liquid and OKEx. She is obsessed with UX, product marketing and building efficient processes. Most of all she enjoys motivating her team and learning from others. Based in Saigon, Vietnam she is dog mom to Nikon and Bao and she spends her time supporting campaigns for animal rights, learning French and coffee cupping.

“Community is everything.”

Q: Tell us a few things about your country, and also your life's story!

I am currently living in Vietnam, trying move to Europe when the borders reopen! I am British and moved here seven years ago. I have been in marketing for eleven years now, and five in crypto. I have found that I really thrive with supportive people around me. I am a realist but also super sensitive and emotional, and I am obsessed with rescuing dogs - I have two of my own here in Vietnam and they are like my kids! My goal is to work in sustainable finance.

Q: What was your experience of the global pandemic crisis? Did it change your life and/or your views about the world? If so, how?

I am 16 hours away by air from my family and have been for two years now due to the pandemic. The world is resilient, and I realized how we as humans adapt quickly to change when needed. We struggled a lot here, we have a pretty brutal track and trace system in Vietnam that separates families into centralised camps where they're stuck for 21 days at least. So, I was always scared of that happening to us. I also realized how desperate people can get, we saw a huge increase in crime and theft.

Q: What are some of the key challenges in your society currently?

Lack of funding for vaccines, serious racism, and extreme lack of female and animal rights. 

Q: Can you share with us some of the hurdles that you have had to overcome in your life so far? How did you handle them? 

1. I had to learn that just because someone tells me their opinion, it doesn't mean I am not good enough and that I need to be stunted from growing. It is just one person's opinion.

2. I am strong enough to overcome criticism but I can also understand when someone is not being fair or constructive. I can make sure that when I feel a certain way, I am transparent and honest - without worrying about the outcome.

3. I am a born leader and working under micro managers kills me – something that is a common problem in the exchange industry. So now I just lead with data and results to prove myself.

4. Fear of failure. I still have this, but its more focused on finances than a lack of confidence in what I do.

5. I have had severe health issues that really impacted my daily life, but I've worked on this and now I can maintain a pretty normal life day to day. 

Q: If you were to ask one thing from our current leaders, what would it be?

How do you get through fear of failure, uncertainty and emotional decision-making or reactions? 

Q: Why is the role of a mentor important for you?

I really lack sounding boards of people who understand career growth in my particular industry and the hurdles that come with it. I also just want to be able to chat to someone about their journey and how they got where they are. 

Q: Do you have a lesson that life has taught you and you would like to share? 

Have a strong network, and community is everything. 

Q: Name a project, a foundation or a person in your country that you think is doing great work in helping improve other people's lives!

Whole Food Foundation - my best friend here runs the program for APAC. They provide micro funding to the most remote villages and communities, giving them a chance to grow and provide for their family. 

Q: What are some of the challenges that women in your country face and what efforts are being made towards gender equality?

Severe sexual harassment, lack of respect… women are treated like sexual objects and not taken seriously. I have had to deal with this personally here. 

Q: Share with us a phrase, a poem or a story that you love or you find interesting!

"You are stronger than you think”

Q: Can you share with us a project that you would like to make happen for your country or a cause that you are passionate about? 

I would LOVE to work in animal welfare and enable others in countries with little legislation to have enough funds to do that.