October 16, 2022

Meet Cassandra Pope, acting Head of Portfolio Management for Zalando’s Digital Experience Portfolio Team

With the Black Girls Tech Summit just days away, we’ve connected with the Girls Talk London community. As we continue our mission to get more Black women into tech, we’re sharing what a day in the life looks like for Cassandra Pope, acting Head of Portfolio Management for Zalando’s Digital Experience Portfolio Team. If you’re considering a tech career – particularly at Zalando – you’ll want to read this. 

Get to know Cassandra

Cassandra is a biracial German American U.S. Military Brat who spent most of her time growing up in U.S. Military facilities in Europe. After acquiring her Masters of Arts in Literary Studies: English Literature and Culture with her graduate thesis on “Bound in Human Flesh: An Exploration of the Horrific Birth of Anthropodermic Bibliopegy”, Cassandra continued a non-linear career path before joining Zalando in 2015. She is now the acting Head of Portfolio Management for Zalando’s Digital Experience Portfolio Team. Cassandra is a proud intersectional feminist, the founder of the Black Employee Connection Employee Resource Group at Zalando, has a passion for all things science fiction, and would have been a proud member of House Slytherin.

Looking Back

What was your dream job when you were growing up, and why? 

 Believe it or not, my dream job was to be a cashier when I was in elementary school! I had a toy cash register complete with a moving conveyor belt, a beeped scanner, and a register that “dinged” when opened. Looking back, I am positive it was partly about converting chaos (a pile of groceries) into order (neatly packed bags and a receipt), which has continued to be a running theme throughout my professional career.

What is your biggest failure and lesson learned to date? 

 A lesson I’ve learned repeatedly is to trust my instinct and believe in myself, but also to remain humble and reach out to others for guidance and support when needed. 

When you look back at your career, is there anything that stands out as the peak of your journey? 

 Honestly, I hope my peak is still to come! I see it as a win if I am learning, growing, and being challenged in the workplace and within my role. With that said, my shift from Program Management to Portfolio Management felt like a high moment in my career journey. Portfolio Management wraps everything I love and more into one role – understanding the more comprehensive strategy, bringing order to (organized) chaos, creatively problem solving, collaborating with stakeholders, and continuous growth. 

A Day in the Life 

What does a typical day in the life routine look like to you? 

 My typical day involves waking up, getting ready for work, and working from my home office. Then, I’ll wrap up the day via anything that allows me to disengage fully (i.e. a video call with my niece, working out, reading a book, playing video games, etc.).

Do you have a morning routine or evening rituals you must do daily? 

 Honestly, my morning routine consists of hitting the snooze button 5 or 6 times before finally getting out of bed to make a giant hot cup of coffee. Then, in the evening, as mentioned in my previous response, anything that allows me to disengage, which is usually a science fiction related activity.

If you could choose just three essentials to get you through the working day, what would they be? 

 Sunshine, caffeine, and laughter. 

A Career with Zalando 

What is your current position, and how did you secure it? 

 I am the acting Head of Portfolio Management for Zalando’s Digital Experience Portfolio Team. In addition to working hard and setting a high standard for myself in the workplace, I have had incredible leaders, mentors, and perhaps most importantly, sponsors who have all continued to guide and support me.

What are some misconceptions about working for Zalando, if any? 

 I am not sure what people assume working for Zalando is like. However, I hope they know that, as with any eCommerce company, change is the only constant, which means you will always be presented with new opportunities for creative problem-solving and growth.

What is your favourite thing about working for Zalando? 

 That change is the only constant! 

Can you share a word of advice for anyone looking to secure a role at Zalando? 

 Be flexible, adaptable, and open to new ideas and perspectives. Do your research on the role you’re interested in applying for, and check out Zalando’s Our Founding Mindset to understand our core values.

Black Girls Tech Summit 

Ready to be inspired by more women in tech? Attend our Black Girls Tech Summit to reclaim your power, make career moves and connect with the Girls Talk London community. Click here to secure your ticket for our Berlin summit at Zalando HQ on the 26th of October. Click here to join our global summit on the 16th & 17th of November.