Next up, we have our ‘Doer-of-All-the-Things’, Sasha Rudenko! Her official title may be Project Manager, but that by no means covers the extent of what she does here at Hot Soup. With her pinch of sass and never-ending ambition, Sasha is a true asset at the office.  

 

Q: What’s your story?

A: I’m a fiery Russian who made her way to Vancouver in 2011 to study Communications at Simon Fraser University. 6 years later, and well, I’m still here – with no plans on leaving this beautiful city. I joined the Hot Soup team right after I graduated from university in 2016, and thus began the roller coaster of opportunities. My role here is constantly evolving. I’m always learning by doing, getting my hands dirty in new projects, and growing as an individual. I’m not only getting better at the things I’m already good at, but also discovering the potential in my skills and personality.

 

Q: What’s your favourite thing about working for Hot Soup?

A: The work environment is definitely challenging and fast-paced, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m grateful for what it’s teaching me: decision making, taking leaps of faith, meeting deadlines, putting out fires, and team collaboration. 

Besides being able to test my limits, I love the people I get to work with (and bug) daily! 

 

Q: What makes you you?

A: At my last job I had an unusual nickname: Fireball. That’s been me from the day I was born. My calm and melancholic mother could never keep up with me and clearly nothing has changed. I’m energetic and sometimes too loud – when I laugh you can hear it from afar. I bet you could distinguish me in a dark movie theatre just from my laugh… *this may or may not be based on a true story*  

At the end of the day, I’m a strong believer of not taking life too seriously. In other words, if you’re not disrupting the office with your contagious laughter, you’re doing it wrong!

 

Q: What do you do when you’re not doing… everything… at work?

A: I have a few side gigs that keep me extra busy (as if I needed that). I’m in charge of events at the Young Women in Business Vancouver non-profit society, I attempt to run my lifestyle blog, and in the summer I work as a wedding assistant on the weekends. And just when you think I’d be ready to sleep for 5 days straight, I end up going out with friends, eating delicious food, going on hikes when it’s warm, and snowboarding when it’s cold! 

 

Q: What are you great at?

A: I’m a people person. Maybe not the same type of people-person that Brianna is, but I’m proud to say that I can find common ground with almost anyone! As I move more into a Project Management role at Hot Soup, it’s become my job to ensure our clients – and our team – are happy. Whether it means I have to be flexible or firm, I’ve learned to adjust to both. With enough communication, I can work with anyone, easy peasy! 

 

Q: Where’s your happy place?

A: The beach! It’s the only place where I can chill out and take a break from everything.  

[P.S. She used more colourful language, but we’ll spare you]

 

Come back soon!

There you have it, the girl that does All the Things! There’s no doubt we’d be a team of headless chickens without Sasha’s initiative – and her laugh. Check back in soon to meet more of us!