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.
Tatyana D’Ascenzi
Senior Manager on the Financial Planning and Analysis team
Joined Avant in 2021
What’s it like to work @Avant? We asked Tatyana for her take on our culture, and here’s what she said:
1. How would you describe Avant’s culture?
It’s non-hierarchical, passionate, and very high energy. Avant does a really nice job of recruiting people with shared values. When I was interviewing here, the people I spoke to gave me an impression of the culture, and once I joined I was really impressed that this culture was actually reflected across the company. And everyone is so smart and friendly!
2. Why are you happy/successful here?
I have a lot more autonomy here than I would have at most companies. I love the way that allows me to be creative and put my own spin on things. On the FP&A team in particular, we have this attitude of “enhance something every single month,” and that value really resonates with me. It gives me a sense of purpose and I’m excited to see what we can achieve month to month. And finally, I would say that my work feels more valued here because it’s still a young company. There’s lots to do and lots to build, so I’m working on things that are genuinely impactful.
3. At Avant, we talk a lot about our love of problem solving, taking initiative—the more technical or functional elements of our culture. What is the softer side, or the human side, of Avant like?
One example that comes to mind is when AvantConnect (our internal newsletter) comes out, people really make a point of noting when their coworkers’ birthdays are and reaching out personally. Another one is that my manager noticed I was not taking time off, so he reached out to actively encourage me to do so. No manager has ever encouraged me to take PTO before. I loved that.
5. If you were to describe who you are and not mention your work at all, what would you say?
Wife, and mom to two little kids. Driver, tutor, and party planner! Also, I love everything about food, from shopping for it to preparing it to eating it, that’s a huge passion of mine. I’m even trying to grow it as of late, but I have a lot of competition in my yard, a lot of bunnies. So I spend all summer watering everything, and then the bunnies get to enjoy it.
7. What’s a superpower that you get to apply at your job?
One thing that every manager I’ve ever had has commended me on would be my attitude. That makes me think it’s a differentiator. I stay positive whether things are calm or chaotic at work, and I am genuinely curious to learn about and understand others’ points of view. I will run through walls to get things done that I believe in. Also my willingness to change my mind—just give me the data and I am more than happy to say “You know what? I was wrong and you are right. Let’s do this.”
8. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Since I was very little, I wanted to be a lawyer. I had an incorrect perception of what that job was, all based on movies. I thought that I would be in the courtroom arguing and defending. When I grew up, I realized most lawyers don’t do that. But as a kid, I wanted to become the type of person who could win in the courtroom. I even joined the debate team in high school to get over my fear of public speaking. I looked at the people who inspired me—super intelligent, resilient, could do anything—and that was the kind of person I wanted to grow up to be.
