Every unique and talented Avantee is a co-creator of the Avant culture we love. We hope the @Avant series helps you get to know who we are, how we do what we do, and what it looks like to build your career at Avant.
Nick Wolff
Chief Technology Officer on the Leadership team
With Avant 2015-2020, then rejoined in 2021
What’s it like to work @Avant? We asked Nick for his take on our culture, and here’s what he said:
1. How would you describe Avant’s culture?
The culture here is really special—different from other companies I’ve worked at. There is a real sense that you can ask anybody any question, regardless of their level or their function, and they’ll have a genuine willingness to help you learn and understand.
It’s the psychological foundation here. We’re generally a blameless culture, and there are no dumb questions. People feel confident in their jobs, and I think that’s one of the hallmarks that makes Avant special.
2. Why are you happy/successful here?
Especially compared to big banks or larger companies, you can really grab the bull by the horns, so to speak, and solve problems that make an impact on real people’s lives. You can take real action without a ton of red tape or bureaucracy slowing down your ability to improve the company. That was a breath of fresh air when I first arrived, and it’s continued to be true. It’s really motivating! Being blocked makes people feel demotivated. Actually taking action and seeing real results is what continues to make me excited to come to work here, 10 years later.
3. If you were to describe who you are and not mention your work at all, what would you say?
I’m a dad with great little kids at home. I love sports and was a college athlete—football. And, we’re outdoors people, real lovers of nature. In our spare time as a family, we like to be outdoors. I grew up in Minnesota, and now we go up to the Boundary Waters each summer to canoe with the kids. It’s centering, that connection to something bigger than yourself, and it helps us reset, refresh, and give perspective. We love it.
5. What’s your favorite thing about how your specific role works on your team?
Avant is a digital-first company, and as CTO, it is really satisfying to have a full view of how we work. Having a vantage point across that full footprint gives me a real understanding of what we do and ways to continue to improve the company. That’s a real privilege—I feel privileged to be in that spot. It’s definitely something I love about my role.
6. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a quarterback in the NFL. Steve Young from the 49ers, that was who I wanted to be when I grew up.
