User Profile

I was born in Minsk, USSR in 1973. I think there is a lot that can be written about my first 15 years of my life, but at this point I will just skip it and jump to 1989. My family and I immigrated to US, W Hartford in 1989 via Vienna and Rome.
Spend a few years in US high school and went to Brandeis Univ in Boston. Was lucky to get accepted into the graduate business program as an undegrad, therefore graduated from Brandeis in 1995 with Econ and Psychology degrees, and in 1996 with Masters in International Finance. Had a great opportunity to spend 6 months studying at the Tel Aviv business school in Israel. I felt in love with that country and people there. Truly feel that its my SECOND HOME.

Started my first post graduate job at GE CAPITAL in their Financial Management program that basically made me move to a new job, location every 6 months. Also spend sometime on the other leadership program - GE Consulting. I always wanted to travel and see the world and GE took me places (Stamford, Atlanta, Ohio, Pittsfield, Barcelona, Hamburg, Milano, Paris).

In 2000 I was give an opportunity to be one of the first employees of a new technology start up that was supposed to change the world. I was 28 and was two levels away from a CEO of the $6bln company, with significant options, salary and ambitions and moving from NYC to San Francisco. The goal: To Retire before i am 30. 2 years later-I ...... didnt retire, and was making a career decision of staying or moving on. From 2000 to 2002 i put on over 300,000 travel miles covering Europe, Asia, Mexico, US and Canada. I think i was getting sick of travel, of hotels, of restaurant foods.

2002-2003 - I am trying another start-up, which in theory made a lot of sense, however, execution of the business plan was not up to par. I decided to leave, as my career was not going anywhere.

I am seriously considering moving back to NYC. I miss my family, i have been traveling way too much and have not had a chance to meet quality friends. I have million of acquintences but no real friends. Seems like the main difference between NYC and SF are the way people interact and how deeply they want to be part of your life.


I have an offer to go back to NYC, however last minute i am approached by a headhunter about an opportunity that is very challenging and rewarding. I am super impressed with the people i interviewed with and ytd achievements. I take that offer and once again shift into a completely new industry- online advertising.

It has been 2.5 years- i am still with the company, things been up and down but overall i am still challenged and learn a lot. That gets me going. (to be continued...)

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