Selena joined the Alibaba.com New York team in October 2019. She drives seller acquisition and retention by fostering relationships and co-marketing efforts with partners like trade organizations, media, and associations. Although her hobby of traveling the world is on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Selena now has plenty more time for her other favorite hobbies: cooking and creating art. Find out why Selena loves working at Alibaba.com.

What brought you to Alibaba.com?

I’ve focused on working with tech startups for the past few years, but I really love working with small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). So I decided to pursue this role at Alibaba.com.

What’s the most exciting thing you’re working on right now?

We’ve just kicked off a partnership with Mastercard and their Easy Savings program that I’m really excited about. All Mastercard Business Card holders are eligible to receive an exclusive rebate to sell on Alibaba.com. These business owners will have the chance to connect with tens of millions of global buyers, and we’ll equip them with the necessary tools to grow their business.

What ideas or tools have you implemented?

Before COVID-19, I was hosting Alibaba.com Build ups. These were in-person events in different cities across the US where we could interact with customers and the local SMB community. It wasn’t just an acquisition tool — we were learning from these business owners. In order to deliver value to Alibaba.com buyers and sellers, we need to hear their feedback. Build Ups allowed us to do that on a deeper level.

When in-person events were canceled, our team quickly pivoted to online events. We started hosting virtual fireside chats every week to continue providing the same value to SMBs.

What sets Alibaba.com apart from other ecommerce platforms?

We always put the customer first, and it’s reflected in the way our business model is set up. We don’t charge a commission, we help businesses grow their revenue, and we provide dedicated support once a business becomes an Alibaba.com seller. We want to make sure we set up these businesses for success.

What do you find most rewarding about your role?

Being a former athlete makes me competitive — but also collaborative. The sports I played were always team sports. I found that I wasn’t competing against my teammates but against myself and the goals we set for ourselves. I find the culture of ambition and the high expectations to be quite rewarding. Some people shy away from it, but I’m up for the challenge. When you embrace that ambition, you’ll surprise yourself with what you can accomplish.

What’s your greatest accomplishment at Alibaba.com?

We’re facing a lot of challenges right now, from a global health crisis to finally coming to terms with racial injustice in the US. We are truly living in unprecedented times. However, our team remains centered. We continue to deliver value to SMBs and serve our customers. Although the circumstances have changed, the needs of SMBs have not. Me being able to do my job effectively directly impacts someone’s family. It’s not just the business owner; it’s their family and employees. I’m extremely proud to be part of a team that works day in and day out to help these SMBs continue to operate despite these difficult times.