From the performing arts to cloud technology, Ana has carved out an inspiring path at Kion. As a key member of our small but mighty marketing team, they bring creativity, strategy, and collaboration to everything they do. Driving campaigns, connecting teams, and helping share Kion’s story with the world. Their journey reflects our culture of growth, curiosity, and teamwork, where learning never stops and communication thrives.
Read on to learn more about Ana’s path to tech, her favorite parts of Kion’s culture, and how she’s using creativity (and AI!) to drive impact every day.
How long have you been at Kion, and how did you find the company?
I’ve been at Kion for a year and a half. I was scouted by a recruiter to join Kion. I decided to apply after reading the job description because I was excited about how well it aligned with what I had done in my previous roles—and what I was looking for when I started thinking about the next step in my career.
Tell us about your role at Kion, what you’re most passionate about in your role, and a bit about the tools and skills used in your role.
I’m an integral member of our small marketing team, and I wear many different hats. I work in marketing operations, lifecycle marketing, internal/external communications, customer marketing, paid/organic social media management, demand generation, campaign management, and more. I do a little bit of everything, and that was the most exciting thing about this role for me. I get to touch all parts of marketing, which makes me a stronger marketer and also exposes me to other teams in the company that I wouldn’t normally work with one-on-one at larger organizations.
What are you currently working on that you’re excited about?
We recently had the pleasure of interviewing two of our amazing customers in person at our annual All Hands event. I’m currently working on different ways to use that content to spread the word about how incredible our platform—and our team—is to our customers.
How did you get started in the cloud space? What about it piqued your interest?
I entered the tech/cloud industry later in life. My previous career was in the performing arts, so I wasn’t sure which industry in marketing I’d land in. I started as a temp at a software company and had no idea what the cloud even was! It was a learning curve—not just in marketing, but also in tech. I quickly realized there were so many different marketing functions and specializations. It was a real crash course, and eventually, I found my place in Demand Generation.
What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute your success to, and why?
I’d say it’s my communication style. I pride myself on clear, concise communication with my peers. I aim to be approachable and to bring value. Especially with the sales team, I try to be open and helpful because I deeply value that relationship. Sales and marketing should work closely together, and for the first time, I can confidently say there are no silos between the two. That’s because we work hard at it and keep communication open.
What’s one thing you’re learning right now, and why is it important?
I’m learning to use AI. I was initially very skeptical in many ways, but I learned a lot at our company All Hands, which helped ease some of that skepticism. Now, I use it daily in my work. It’s important because, like it or not, everything is moving toward AI. We have to learn to use it—but use it mindfully and responsibly, which is what I’m aiming to do.
What has your experience been with our company culture?
Kion has some of the kindest and hardest-working people I’ve ever met. Genuinely, there’s no one I’ve met here that I haven’t liked. Being a small company helps us stay connected—we regularly share ideas and updates on our work. The atmosphere is always positive, and everyone is willing to pitch in with helpful ideas.
How have you grown professionally while on our team?
There was so much I’d never done before joining Kion. For example, I had never used HubSpot, our marketing automation tool. With some guidance, I’ve become incredibly proficient in it. What’s great about this environment is that you bring your ideas and experience—but also adapt to the business’s current needs. I’ve learned new skills and strengthened the ones I already had. A startup pushes you to be better because you’re not just generating ideas—you’re the one bringing them to life.
Enough about work…
What TV/podcast are you hooked on currently?
I love TV and binge-watching shows. Some of my recent favorites (or ones I’m still watching) include Severance, Nine Perfect Strangers, The Last of Us, Murderbot, and The Gilded Age, among many others. My favorite podcast by far is Was I in a Cult?, but I also enjoy more lighthearted ones like Las Culturistas.
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long week?
As a remote worker, I spend most of the week at home, so it’s nice to get out! My husband and I love going to the movies weekly. We also enjoy live theater and cheering on the Houston Rockets at home games.
About the Author
Ashley Camara
Ashley is our People Operations Manager at Kion.
