Name: Fran Reyes
Title: Senior Project Manager
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica
Favorite Quote/Motto:
“Transparency is the key to success as a PM. My style of work is being very open, honest, sincere, and direct. I want our team and our clients to always understand the expectations and know the status of each task. If everyone is happy with the work they’re doing or they’re receiving, then I’ve done my job.”
What does your usual workday tend to look like?
My morning starts with tying up loose ends from the day before and then diving into any high-priority tasks for the current day. I like to check in with our designers and make sure their allocated assignments are perfectly clear and they have everything they need to get them done. The rest of my day is jumping in and out of meetings, both internally and client-facing, and ensuring that everything that was on the to-do list is checked off and delivered to wherever it needs to go — so we can do it all again tomorrow!
Then it’s time for work! I’ll start by reviewing all the projects I am currently involved in and collaborating with co-workers to figure out the best approach to take so that I can make a plan for the day. Over the last year, I have been primarily focused on VEEVA — which was totally new to me when I first started! But we knew this platform would be a valuable resource to our clients, and so I dove right in, learning extensively about creating and executing VEEVA emails and CLM presentations.
What are some of the skills that you’re known for on the Assemble team?
I’m really good at juggling multiple tasks at once and have a passion for understanding how things work. For example, if a designer has to create an animation, I’m inserting myself to learn all about the tools and procedures that entails, so I know what they need and the barriers they need to overcome to make it happen. I ask a lot of questions, which has really helped me understand the back end of our processes, and my teammates know this. Whether it’s Scott or Kristy on the leadership side with a question about a project, or a fellow PM looking for guidance on a client, they know they can come to me, and they’ll have the answer they need as quickly in no time!
How would you describe your job to a bunch of kindergarteners/grandparents?
I’m a messenger for our teams and our customers, who has to understand each person’s needs and share that information with everyone else! I also look for any problems that could happen during the day and fix them!
What do you love about working for Assemble?
My team! Assemble truly hires fantastic designers and developers, and people who just have great attitudes and are always willing to help. Whether you’re a new team member or more experienced, our team will go above and beyond to make sure you always have the support you need. I trust the expertise of every individual, and I really cannot say enough good things about each one.
What motivates you professionally / personally?
I have to say my team again! They make it so easy to love what I do. I learn new things from them every single day, and that’s exciting for me. Some parts of my work can feel like they’re on autopilot, but others really challenge me to think outside the box and push myself and my team to new ideas and capabilities. Those thrills are what inspire me to keep trying to better and help my team in any way I can to achieve our goals.
What are your favorite things to do in your free time?
First off, I love to eat. Italian food is my weakness! So I like going to new restaurants and indulging in pizza and pasta. You’ll rarely find me cooking.
I also love going to the beach. My brother lives by the beach, and my boyfriend, Jorge, and his family own a hotel/catamaran business there as well, so I like to visit both of them as much as I can. The beach is my happy place!
But when I’m not lounging, I’m probably running. It’s something I have enjoyed for years, and recently got more into on a regular basis. I’m debating running a Half Marathon soon — but I’m slightly deterred by how much work and strategic training it involves!
And I have a cat named Coco, who is really fun to pester and play with.
Who is someone you really admire? Why?
My mom. She’s an extremely resilient woman, which is something I’ve always tried to replicate. She spent our childhood totally devoted to her kids, but now, she’s so independent and doesn’t care what people think. She’s doing what makes her happy and living life her way because she’s earned it. And I really admire that.
If you won the lottery and were set for life, what would you do?
I would probably buy a modest house somewhere by the beach, and then just travel to all my bucket list places! I have family in England, so that would be first on the list. Then Egypt, maybe French Polynesia or the Caribbean Islands, and somewhere to see the Northern Lights.
It would also be cool to find some more strategic use for all that money as well, such as financing a business or starting my own. With all that free time, I could focus on personal projects and working toward something meaningful — while also living the life of a retiree.
What is one of your biggest fears?
With every cell in my body, I absolutely hate rodents! Rats, no.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I could definitely see myself in higher management or leadership position. A great work life balance is very important to me, so I want to be successful and fulfilled in a role that challenges me, but I also want the freedom to do all the things I enjoy in my personal life. By then, I would love to have a house in San Jose to be close to my family, but then also have a place at the beach, so I can have the best of both worlds.
