As a relationship manager for Ascend (primarily supporting Ascend’s Professional Education group), Merideth Tumasz’s primary goal is to support all functional groups, helping them solve the company’s biggest problems. She does this by working with other departments and business units to understand their needs and processes, and what support or resources they need to work more efficiently. Merideth is heavily involved with pipeline planning and awareness, as well as keeping up-to-date on processes and resources all the teams offer. She especially enjoys getting to interact and work with so many different people and departments.

Outside of work, Merideth enjoys hiking with her dog Yogi, being outside, playing floor hockey and watching the Boston Bruins. She also enjoys traveling and photography.

Q. What does an average day look like for you and your job?

A. My day is typically filled with a variety of meetings, which I love. I run status meetings to understand when products will hit the market, attend meetings to help improve workflows and cross-department interactions, and have check-ins with departments and other business units to understand needs and maintain strong communication.

Q. What have you gained from working at Ascend?

A. I’ve gained a plethora of business knowledge and strong relationships from working at Ascend. Everyone welcomes conversation and the open-door policy is such a wonderful aspect of our company. I learn so much about how people work and what our company does from casual conversations that I’ve learned to appreciate the informal meetings just as much as the formal ones.

Q. What’s the greatest piece of advice a mentor has given you?

A. It’s nearly impossible to do anything 100% correctly. Any mis-step should be seen as a learning opportunity and gives you a chance to improve in the future. I’m typically my harshest critic, so understanding that I will not always get it right on the first try (or second, or third) has been really eye-opening for me.

Q. What is one thing that people are surprised to find out about you?

A. I am heavily involved with FIRST and VEX Robotics even though I do not have a STEM background. I have participated in these programs since middle school, and now I volunteer at events all over New England. Last year I was an announcer at VEX Robotics World Championships.

Q. What’s one thing you love that everyone else seems to dislike?

A. I love helping people move! I’ve moved people to Colorado, North Carolina, D.C., Buffalo, as well as local moves across New England. I think I have wires crossed in my brain, but lifting boxes and setting up furniture is such a blast for me.