Today we’d like to introduce you to Marilyn Figueredo.
Hi Marilyn, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Looking back, my career has been anything but linear, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I have a background in psychology and spent much of my undergraduate career working with children with autism. It was incredibly rewarding work, and I have immense respect for the people who dedicate their lives to it. But I also realized I was such an empath that carrying those emotions every day wasn’t sustainable for me long-term.
While psychology may seem unrelated to marketing and events, understanding people has become the foundation of everything I do. Whether you’re planning an event, building a brand, or creating a campaign, you’re ultimately trying to connect with people in a meaningful way.
CIM Miami basically landed in my lap thanks to what felt like the world’s longest game of “I know someone who knows someone.” Eager to simply join the workforce post-graduation, I joined the team as a lending hand.
Now, looking back eight years later, it has been the most rewarding ride and one that has inevitably shaped me both personally and professionally. I learned so much from Cristina Mas Adler, and we worked tirelessly helping grow both the company and the team. One of the biggest lessons she taught me was that relationships always come before transactions. That philosophy has stayed with me throughout my career and continues to shape the way I approach every client, partner, and project.
After the pandemic, I decided to pursue an MBA at Florida International University to continue challenging myself and growing professionally. It was then that I confirmed that caffeine can, in fact, become a personality trait.
A few years later, I stepped away from CIM to challenge myself in a new environment, producing world-class events including the inaugural Puerto Rico Wine & Food Festival and Chefs For Farmers Food + Wine Festival in both Houston and Dallas. That experience pushed me operationally, introduced me to an entirely different side of event production, and ultimately made me a stronger strategist.
I came back home to CIM in March of this year and have so many exciting projects coming down the pipeline. Today, I continue to focus on integrated marketing, communications, and event strategy.
Every new client and project continues to challenge me in new ways and I refuse to believe you ever stop learning. I hope at least, I never do.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of my biggest struggles was and continues to be working through my imposter syndrome.
When I started out in this industry, I was always the youngest in the room. That’s a huge accomplishment, and one I do not take lightly, but it comes with its challenges. When you’re surrounded by talented professionals and constantly pushing yourself into new industries or bigger opportunities, it’s easy to question whether you’re ready.
I’ve learned that growth almost always feels uncomfortable, and that’s usually a sign you’re moving in the right direction. Quieting down the voices in my head has been an ongoing process, but I’ve learned that confidence is more about trusting that you can figure out the right answer, not about having it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As the current VP of Operations and Event Strategy at CIM, I specialize in integrated marketing and event production with a strong focus on social media. I help organizations find the right way to tell their story while creating experiences that strengthen relationships with their audiences.
If you asked the people I work with what I am known for, they would probably say my organization. I am someone who enjoys building systems and bringing organization to complex projects. Marketing and events often look creative and fun from the outside, but behind every successful campaign and production is planning, communication, and execution. If I am being honest I think a color coded, well-organized timeline is my love language.
I think what sets me apart from others is my keen attention to detail. I genuinely believe the small things matter. Whether it’s a campaign, an event, or a piece of content, I want every touchpoint to feel intentional.
Ultimately, I am proud of every single project I touch. I’m definitely not a runner, but the feeling after wrapping a successful event is the closest thing I’ll ever experience to a runner’s high. There’s something oddly satisfying about watching hundreds of moving pieces come together exactly the way they were supposed to. The look on the bride’s face of pure joy after we planned the most perfect day from start to finish. A non-profit organization hitting their fundraising goals, knowing they are going to make a world of difference. Watching the last runner at The Lifetime Miami Marathon cross the finish line. Escorting the final guests out after eight South Beach Wine & Food Festival events knowing they felt taken care of. Knowing I had a hand in that, whether big or small, means the world to me.
That’s why I keep every credential, wristband, and staff badge from the events I’ve worked. To most people they’re just pieces of laminated paper, but to me they’re reminders of the people, the long days, the lessons learned, and the moments that made every project worthwhile.
How do you define success?
Success has changed a lot for me over the years.
Early in my career, I measured success by promotions, titles, and checking off the next milestone. While those things are still important, I’ve realized success is much more about the impact you’re making and how you feel on the day-to-day. It’s waking up with a calm nervous system instead of living in a constant state of urgency. It’s doing work that genuinely fulfills me while still having the time and energy to be present with the people I love: my fiancé, my family, my friends, and my dogs.
I still have big goals and want to continue growing professionally, but I don’t want success to come at the expense of my well-being. If I can build a meaningful career while also building a meaningful life, that’s success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cim.miami/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilynfigueredo
