Kristina Elkhazin | Responsable de l’industrie de la vente au détail, Google Canada

Kristina Elkhazin

Head of Industry for Retail

Google

Created On: June 6, 2018
Sector:
Business, Management, and Administration,  Information Technology
Education Pathway: University
Related School Subjects:
Business & Economics,  Computer Science

Learn About My Career

Kristina Elkhazin is the Head of Industry for Retail at Google.

I was born/grew up in: Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada and grew up in Brampton, Ontario, Canada

I now live in: Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

I completed my training/education at: Bachelor of Commerce from Queen's University and an Associate's Degree in Fashion Merchandise Management.

My key activities include people management, managing our sales pipeline and team operations. I also work closely with our customers to ensure we're focused on their most important business outcomes. In terms of STEM skills that I use regularly, I have to use a lot of math to help with forecasts and sales pipeline management. I don't use any specialized equipment. With respect to problem solving, a lot of the problem solving I do with my partners is to help them through change management since many are undergoing digital transformation. I do have to make a lot of decisions both for my team and for my customer. In general, I make those decisions by using structured processes like decision trees and decision matrices. I work as part of a team. I manage a team and also work closely with other teams within my same company. I do not use other languages at work.

I did not expect to be working in Sales at Google when I was in high school. I went to school for Business and had a very deep interest in Marketing. After working in marketing roles for a few years after I graduated, I decided to pursue a personal passion and went to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Here I earned an Associate's Degree in Fashion Merchandise Management. That took me into a career in Retail. Here I explored being in Finance, Buying and eventually back to Marketing.

After spending a couple of years in Retail Marketing, a friend invited me to interview at Google where, at the time, they were looking for someone who had deep Retail expertise. I never thought I'd end up switching roles as I really loved the pace of Retail and being close to the merchandise but the culture of Google was alluring.

I've had a lot of failures throughout my career and I look at those very positively. I believe that if you aren't feeling uncomfortable in your role, it's probably time to move on. I believe that taking some risk is important to ensure you are continuing to learn and grow. With every failure comes an important lesson you wouldn't have learned otherwise. The important part is to feel comfortable with failure, and learn from those missteps.

The most exciting part of my job is getting to work with the most intelligent people in the world. Every day, I feel challenged by someone bringing a new perspective or introducing me to a new way of approaching a problem. That every day challenge keeps me motivated to ensure my team succeeds. In addition to feeling challenged by my colleagues, I love working with my customers to help them solve their biggest problems. For many of them, the solutions are digital in nature and our team provides expertise and guidance on how to best navigate making that digital transformation. This career is right for me because this environment is very entrepreneurial and one in which I am empowered to fail fast and learn.

My career is relevant and fulfilling because the impact of what my team does is very measurable for our customers and we can see that we're helping them with their business results. It also matters because we produce revenue for Google that is then reinvested into technologies that are saving the world. An example of one such technology is Project Loon that provides internet access to remote areas that don't yet have it.

I have two kids - one is 7 and one is 2. Outside of work, I spend my time hanging out with them playing at the park, watching my elder child play baseball and hosting big family dinners at home. I do volunteer regularly through work and focus my volunteer activities on advancing diversity. I work out 4 times a week at 5:30 in the morning! I know it sounds early but I really love feeling productive and that is the only time that works for the whole family.

My advice would be to work really hard and find success in an area that you love, whatever area that might be. Technology is moving so quickly that it will be hard to predict exactly what kinds of careers will be available for future generations. But focusing on what you love and building competencies in areas like entrepreneurial thinking, communication, leadership, critical thinking and problem solving will help to ensure you have the right skills for whatever field you decide to pursue.

What I do at work

My key activities include people management, managing our sales pipeline and team operations. I also work closely with our customers to ensure we're focused on their most important business outcomes. In terms of STEM skills that I use regularly, I have to use a lot of math to help with forecasts and sales pipeline management. I don't use any specialized equipment. With respect to problem solving, a lot of the problem solving I do with my partners is to help them through change management since many are undergoing digital transformation. I do have to make a lot of decisions both for my team and for my customer. In general, I make those decisions by using structured processes like decision trees and decision matrices. I work as part of a team. I manage a team and also work closely with other teams within my same company. I do not use other languages at work.

My career path is

I did not expect to be working in Sales at Google when I was in high school. I went to school for Business and had a very deep interest in Marketing. After working in marketing roles for a few years after I graduated, I decided to pursue a personal passion and went to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Here I earned an Associate's Degree in Fashion Merchandise Management. That took me into a career in Retail. Here I explored being in Finance, Buying and eventually back to Marketing.

After spending a couple of years in Retail Marketing, a friend invited me to interview at Google where, at the time, they were looking for someone who had deep Retail expertise. I never thought I'd end up switching roles as I really loved the pace of Retail and being close to the merchandise but the culture of Google was alluring.

I've had a lot of failures throughout my career and I look at those very positively. I believe that if you aren't feeling uncomfortable in your role, it's probably time to move on. I believe that taking some risk is important to ensure you are continuing to learn and grow. With every failure comes an important lesson you wouldn't have learned otherwise. The important part is to feel comfortable with failure, and learn from those missteps.

I am motivated by

The most exciting part of my job is getting to work with the most intelligent people in the world. Every day, I feel challenged by someone bringing a new perspective or introducing me to a new way of approaching a problem. That every day challenge keeps me motivated to ensure my team succeeds. In addition to feeling challenged by my colleagues, I love working with my customers to help them solve their biggest problems. For many of them, the solutions are digital in nature and our team provides expertise and guidance on how to best navigate making that digital transformation. This career is right for me because this environment is very entrepreneurial and one in which I am empowered to fail fast and learn.

How I affect peoples’ lives

My career is relevant and fulfilling because the impact of what my team does is very measurable for our customers and we can see that we're helping them with their business results. It also matters because we produce revenue for Google that is then reinvested into technologies that are saving the world. An example of one such technology is Project Loon that provides internet access to remote areas that don't yet have it.

Outside of work I

I have two kids - one is 7 and one is 2. Outside of work, I spend my time hanging out with them playing at the park, watching my elder child play baseball and hosting big family dinners at home. I do volunteer regularly through work and focus my volunteer activities on advancing diversity. I work out 4 times a week at 5:30 in the morning! I know it sounds early but I really love feeling productive and that is the only time that works for the whole family.

My advice to others

My advice would be to work really hard and find success in an area that you love, whatever area that might be. Technology is moving so quickly that it will be hard to predict exactly what kinds of careers will be available for future generations. But focusing on what you love and building competencies in areas like entrepreneurial thinking, communication, leadership, critical thinking and problem solving will help to ensure you have the right skills for whatever field you decide to pursue.

When I was a student I enjoyed:

  • Foreign Languages
  • Business & Economics
  • Math

When I was a student, I would describe myself as someone who:

  • Brought people together
  • Enjoyed doing things on my own
  • Was motivated by success
  • Liked being given specific instructions
  • Learned best by doing
  • Liked helping people
  • Organized activities for my friends
  • Wanted to be in charge
  • Felt great satisfaction in getting good grades

Related Topics

Business Careers Information Technology Internet of Things Management Marketing Sales

Explore More Career Profiles

  • Brianna Lummerding à genoux près d’un cerceau en plastique collectant des échantillons dans un champ herbeux.

    Brianna Lummerding

    Career Profiles

    Agronomic Innovation Manager

    I look after all things related to soil management for a group of retailers.
    Learn More Brianna Lummerding
  • Li Tan, vêtu d'une blouse de laboratoire de couleur blanche, souriant dans son laboratoire.

    Li Tan (he/him)

    Career Profiles

    Molecular Lead

    I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab.
    Learn More Li Tan (he/him)
  • Tyler Mohard wearing lab coat and hair net as he works in the SyLMAND lab

    Tyler Morhart (video)

    Career Profiles

    Scientist, Beamline Responsible - SyLMAND

    I am responsible for the SyLMAND beamline at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron facility.
    Learn More Tyler Morhart (video)
  • Five people, each wearing a white lab coat, standing around a lab bench that has scientific equipment on it.

    Li Tan (Video)

    Career Profiles

    Molecular Lead

    I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab.
    Learn More Li Tan (Video)
  • portrait par Rashell Featherstone

    Rashell Featherstone (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Senior Program Associate

    I coordinate projects for the development of new products at STEMCELL.
    Learn More Rashell Featherstone (she/her)
  • Kira Hoffman portant un casque rouge avec de la fumée en arrière-plan

    Kira Hoffman (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Postdoctoral Researcher/Fire Ecologist

    I am a researcher at both a university and a not-for profit organization where I am gaining experience to become a senior researcher.
    Learn More Kira Hoffman (she/her)
  • Zoe Ehlert closely examining a plan that has yellow flowers

    Zoë Ehlert (Video)

    Career Profiles

    Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding

    I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for.
    Learn More Zoë Ehlert (Video)
  • Daniel Meister headshot

    Daniel Meister

    Career Profiles

    Master's Student, Kinesiology

    Learn More Daniel Meister
  • Zoë Ehlert, vêtue d'une blouse de laboratoire blanche, pose une boîte en carton sur une étagère.

    Zoë Ehlert

    Career Profiles

    Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding

    I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for.
    Learn More Zoë Ehlert
  • Jennifer Baltzer portant une casquette et un tee-shirt violet avec des arbres en arrière-plan.

    Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Professor and Canada Research Chair in Forests and Global Change

    I work at a university, teaching students and conducting research on the impact of climate change on forests in Canada and around the world.
    Learn More Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)
  • Caitlyn Lyons, prête pour la forêt avec son sac à dos et ses outils de collecte de données. La photo insérée montre Caitlyn examinant une section de gazon.

    Caitlyn Lyons (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Ph.D. Candidate

    I am working towards my PhD and studying the forests in the Northwest Territories.
    Learn More Caitlyn Lyons (she/her)
  • Joann Whalen headshot

    Joann Whalen

    Career Profiles

    Professor at the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,

    I teach advanced courses on how to manage soils to produce healthy, nutritious food and maintain healthy ecosystem functions.
    Learn More Joann Whalen