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Meet Ariel Vicente, the joy of supporting teams

Headshot of Ariel with a design that reads "Kin+ Ariel Vicente"

Our name is intentional. “Kin” refers to family and “Carta” refers to maps. When together, we’re Kin + Carta — a group of connected makers, builders and creators, who come together everyday to help our clients build experiences and plot a clear path forward in today’s digital world. Carta is what we do, Kin is who we are.

Kin+ is a series that uncovers the experiences, stories and lives of the people who make our collective “Kin” exceptional.

Cross-functional and operational support is required for any team to succeed. And at Kin + Carta, client consulting teams are backed by some of the best across our finance, operations, people and growth platforms. One team, in particular, ensures strategic advancement of the firm’s tech alongside personalized solutioning. They’re also one of the first groups of people to meet our new hires week over week. This is our Connective Digital Services (CDS) more precisely, our Digital Solutions team — what we call IT.

Ariel Vicente is a leader within the CDS team, providing support all across Latin America. We see him in the office and over zoom calls so wanted to learn more about his motivations and his role. You’re going to love meeting Ariel — our Kin who finds endless joy in solutioning and supporting his Kin.

Ariel with the CDS team

I love fixing computers and I love talking with people. I've been doing both of these things for as long as I can remember. And to be honest, it's always been really easy for me to work on computers. More importantly, I love solving problems and puzzles. This is what led me to work in IT, which I've been doing for the last 22 years.

My road to Kin + Carta started in March 2021 when I first applied for an IT coordinator position. And while I didn't get that role, I promised them they would see me again and that I would eventually work for the company. In November of that same year, I came across a senior IT specialist job opening and applied. And here I am today, at Kin + Carta where I even work alongside my sister whom I referred.

Ariel and his sister at work
Ariel and his sister at work

I’ve loved my role, and I've recently accepted a promotion to Latin America Solutions Manager. This means I’m now also responsible for Colombia and Argentina, managing a fantastic team and supporting Kin, Latin America-wide. But I truly never feel limited. In my team, and really across every role at Kin + Carta, you’re never bound to your physical location. We’re a global firm, and in CDS, specifically, we are set up to provide support to any individual across Latin America, the United States, and even Europe.

The duality of working as a part of a global environment is unique, because even when we share the same culture within Kin + Carta, we end up experiencing a completely different culture outside of work. I love this, as it helps me grow as a human being. I get the chance to learn about everyone’s unique experiences just by having conversations about what my coworker did over the weekend or how something specific works in their country. Sharing a little about ourselves is a great way to connect and create bonds with the team, and you can see the positive impact in the dynamics of the group.

For me, the best part of working on CDS has to be the innovation. There's always an opportunity to surface new ideas, like creative ways of working or even new technologies that’ll better support our Kin. This work ties into my passions — learning new things and offering better solutions and services. It’s our goal to make it easier for our Kin to do their work.

There's always an opportunity to surface new ideas, like creative ways of working or even new technologies that’ll better support our Kin.

One of the most amazing parts of my job is working with new hires, especially just embracing that first moment of being introduced to them every week. They’re excited and happy to be where they are, and I'm the guy who always likes to have a joke ready to make them laugh. I intentionally create the space for all new hires to feel like it's okay to be yourself and have fun.

And it’s kind of funny to admit, but during the onboarding process one of the most common questions I receive is: “How do I copy and paste on a Mac?” I answer these types of questions and always try to provide advice. And, it’s the same message I would share with anyone in the company: If you want to try something, do it. Go for it, and don't be afraid to show who you really are. Be yourself and let us know what you can do for the company.

Ariel and his team in a zoom call
Ariel and his team in a zoom call

I'll say it over and over again, but I'm supported by a fantastic team. I repeat this constantly because it's true. We show up for and care about one another, and I truly believe that our success is determined by this. If someone on the team is sick, we have at least three people raising their hands to offer help. This ensures that they are able to take the time off they need to get better. It’s these every day actions which make me feel so proud to be part of this group.

I often reflect on the research process I did before my first interview with Kin + Carta. I remember reading about our B Corp certification and digging into comments and reviews from current employees. It was overwhelmingly positive and after all of this research I remember thinking: “Yeah, I want to be there.” And now that I’m here, I want to stay here. What you read on the internet is real — we love to work here.

The CDS team working at the office
The CDS team working at the office

My secret to life is simple - stay humble and flash a smile to everyone. Accept people for who they are. I try to do this everyday, all while attempting to help them realize their goals at work. And, believe in the possibility of being happy going to work. It's Monday? Hey, let's go to see the team in the office. You’ve got a day full of meetings? Make sure that at least a few minutes of each is used for connecting with your coworkers personally. I feel good going to work and am passionate about caring for those around me. When you combine an incredible team with excitement and purpose, there's no limit to what you can achieve.

Ready to build alongside passionate Kin, like Ariel?

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