Rebecca Zogbi

Dunkin’ Brands, Inc.
Vice President of Global Consumer & Business Insights

Years with company: 15

Education:

• University of Massachusetts, Amherst MA: Bachelor of Business Administration
• University of LaVerne, Masters of Education

Professional/Volunteer Organizations:

• New Sector Alliance: Board Member
• Service Management Group (SMG): Client Advisory Board
• Northeastern University MBA Program: Career Track Advisory Board
• Boston Museum of Science: Young Leadership Committee

Mentors and how have they assisted you in your career: Each of the mentors I’ve had over the years has brought a different perspective and provided guidance and opportunities for personal and professional growth.  Two key qualities I’ve noticed they all share are patience and an ability to provide candid feedback that goes beyond the specifics of a particular role.  For example, offering advice on how to handle business dealings with different cultures or how to stay true to my own personality and build on strengths while navigating challenging situations.  The mentors I’ve had have empowered me to grow my career by instilling a sense of confidence and pushing me to be the best that I can be.

What are you most proud of in your career achievements? Do you have a defining moment of your career to date? I am most proud of my team and what an outstanding group we have assembled.  In today’s lean environment of always being asked to do more without additional resources, they enable my department to fire on all cylinders, making us responsive to all the demands and needs of the organization domestically and internationally.  When I look at my team, I see a remarkable collection of people, expertise and skillsets, and it has been incredibly rewarding to watch them expand their influence organizationally and take on greater challenges.

Most challenging part of your job: Two elements:  being charged with heading a function that is designed to provide strategic guidance, and working in a franchise system. Both require me to influence a wide variety of stakeholders who at times may have disparate perspectives and goals.   This requires a constant balancing act of trying to u nderstand and take all viewpoints into account while always keeping the interests of the business forefront by maintaining the neutrality and integrity of the analytics.

Advice for upcoming younger executives:

1) Recognize the importance of teamwork – nobody can do it alone.

2) Understand and embrace what makes you different.  Build on your strengths.

3) Always do the very best you can with whatever responsibilities you have been given.

4) Be adaptable and try stay ahead of change.  Don’t fight the currents but learn to swim with them

Hobbies: I enjoy reading, traveling to new places and embracing new and unexpected challenges.  Last summer, on a family vacation, I learned the flying trapeze.