Category: Get To Know ME

It’s time to get to know Alyssa Chomiczewski from our Traverse City location. Alyssa started with Motivation Excellence halfway through 2024 and fell in step with the team instantly. She’s kind, open and ready for adventure. Read below, and watch her short video, to learn more about her favorite sports team (despite the family drama) and at least one potential wedding gift idea (she gets married later in 2025). Thanks, Alyssa, for participating in our Get to Know ME segment this month!

What’s your current title and how long have you been in the incentive industry?

I am a Technical Project Manager, and I joined the incentive industry, and Motivation Excellence, about 7 months ago (July 2024).

What do you like about your job?

As a project manager, I enjoy problem-solving and keeping projects on track. Organization has always been a skill I value and rely on in my professional life. The problem-solving aspect keeps the work interesting and is especially rewarding when I overcome a complex challenge or learn something new in the process.

What’s something you want to share about the people you work with at Motivation Excellence?

I feel very fortunate to have joined a team that is not only welcoming (and fun!) but is also filled with smart, genuine people who have become friends with one another. The sense of camaraderie on my team, and with everyone I’ve met at Motivation Excellence so far, was obvious from the start and I feel lucky to get to be a part of it.

What’s a specific moment in your history that always stands out as a defining moment, and why?

The summer after I graduated from college, my car broke down while I was driving back to my internship. It suddenly stopped in the middle of the road, leaving me stranded and broke. At the time, my plan was to stay in Michigan and start interviewing for post-grad jobs in some of the state’s bigger cities. However, my dad was living in the suburbs of Chicago, so I made the decision to forgo buying a new car and move to Chicago instead. That choice led me to a role in Commercial Property Management, and I ended up having the time of my life living in one of the country’s largest cities.

What’s an unknown or odd talent you have?

I got a unicycle for my 12th birthday, and for a time, I was pretty good at riding it. It’s been over 15 years since I last tried, but I’m sure I could pick it up again with some practice.

What motivates you to accomplish things in your life (work or personal)?

I’m always striving to grow and improve, both personally and professionally. Learning or trying new things gives me a genuine sense of accomplishment. Ultimately, my goal is to spend as much meaningful time with my family and friends as I possibly can.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I love anything that gets me outside! Hiking, backpacking, kayaking, snowboarding. If I have free time, you’ll usually find me outside. When I’m indoors, I enjoy reading, puzzling, or building with Legos.

One thing that always makes you laugh is?

My funny friends and family.

What’s a bucket-list item you can’t wait to cross off?

Traveling internationally (besides Canada). Other than a couple parks in Canada, I’ve never left the US.

Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Why or why not and care to share any?

No official resolutions, but I am participating in Dry January and No Frivolous Spending January.

Our last Get to Know ME segment for 2024 is one of our awesome Travel Program Coordinators, Susan Falkiewicz. She has a long history in the travel industry and provides detailed service to our incentive travel and meeting participants. She shares below, and in a short video, what keeps her laughing and enjoying her active life. Thanks Susan, for letting us get to know you better!

What’s your current title and how long have you been in the incentive industry?

I’m a Travel Program Coordinator and I recently celebrated 10 years in the incentive industry.  I’ve been in the travel industry for 35 years.

What do you like about your job?

I like the people the most – our clients, coworkers, and participants.  I’m always doing different things and shifting gears and that keeps it interesting.

What’s something you want to share about the people you work with at Motivation Excellence?

We are a great big family.  I felt welcomed when David Jobes bought VIKTOR in 2022 and everything just fell into place.

What’s a specific moment in your history that always stands out as a defining moment, and why?

In early 1989, I lived in Detroit and was job hunting. I had interviews set up with Michigan Bell and Detroit Edison.  Then Delta called asking me to fly to Atlanta for an interview.  I wasn’t going to move so I didn’t think there was any sense in going.  My mom convinced me to go, and I was hired to work at an office 15 min from home.  This started my career in the travel industry. I got married a few months later. So it was a big period of time for me!

What’s an unknown or odd talent you have?

I can ride a unicycle.

What motivates you to accomplish things in your life (work or personal)?

With work, it’s mastering new skills. At home, my kids motivate me to live a healthy lifestyle and they keep me feeling young.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Spending time with my kids and grandkids, fishing, camping, hiking, and doing anything outside.  I love to bake, cook, and read too.

One thing that always makes you laugh is?

My two youngest kids and I have this noise we make when we’re in a situation where we want to make each other laugh, but when we shouldn’t be laughing.  It’s like an inside joke and we’ve done it for years.

What’s a bucket list item you can’t wait to cross off?

I’ve never had a bucket list, but Hawaii is the only state I haven’t been to.  I would like to go someday.

This month, our theme for social media is “A Stress-free End of Year.” Do you have a favorite technique to use when stress creeps up on you?

I take a long walk or do some laps in my yard.

It’s time to get to know one of our newer colleagues! Sheri Racine started in June of 2024, getting several months of training from our long-time Merchandise Buyer, before retiring. We’re happy to have Sheri take on the role and bring a new perspective to the team. Please read on, and watch her short video, to learn about her passion outside of work and what she loves doing with her family. Thanks Sheri for participating in our Get to Know ME segment this month!

What’s your current title and how long have you been in the incentive industry?

I am the Merchandise Buyer and I started four months ago, in June 2024. I am new to the incentive industry and excited to be here!

What do you like about your job?

The people I work with, both internally as well as our suppliers. Everyone is so willing to step in and assist.

What’s something you want to share about the people you work with at Motivation Excellence?

They are all amazing. Truly like a family.

What’s a defining moment in your life?

I created a successful product for a previous employer, and ten years later I was on a plane with my family, and it was in the Skymall catalog! It was fun to be able to show it to my children. 

What’s an unknown or odd talent you have?

Home Renovations. I love seeing something in a room that can transform it into something completely different and wonderful.

What motivates you to accomplish things in your life (work or personal)?

My children do. I always strive to be someone they look up to. Showing them that you can have a family and work is important.

One thing that always makes you laugh is?

Quick witted people. 

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I love attending concerts with my family. We love exposing our children to a wide array of genres.

What’s a bucket list item you can’t wait to cross off?

A trip to Italy – hoping to go soon.

This month, our theme for social media is “Workplace Harassment Awareness/Prevention.” Is this important to you? Why or why not?

Yes, I think it’s very important. Everyone should feel comfortable in the workplace. 

If you want to have a talk with a calming personality, look no further than Iris Huisman (pronounced Ear-ess House-man). No wonder she excels in the sometimes hectic incentive, meetings and events industry; she’s cool under pressure and makes you feel like “everything is going to be alright.” Thank you Iris for participating in our Get to Know ME segment. Read on, and watch her video, to get to know her better. 

What’s your current title and how long have you been in the incentive industry?

I am a Program Manager as part of the Travel Department at Motivation Excellence. I started my career in the M&IT industry as a graduate trainee in England way back in 1997. I have had many roles in the industry since then, both on the client side as well as for a DMC and of course many years on the agency side. Wearing many different hats has given me a unique perspective when helping clients find the best solutions for their meetings and incentive programs. 

What do you like about your job?

I love the variety this work provides and seeing the end result when lots of planning and creative thinking comes to fruition. Of course, the opportunity to travel is nice too; I am fortunate to have experienced many great destinations all over the world. 

What’s something you want to share about the people you work with at Motivation Excellence?

The people I work with on my team at Motivation Excellence care a lot about doing what is right for our clients and providing the best service. But more than that, the team really cares about each other, and that is something that I think makes this a great place to work. 

What’s a specific moment in your history that always stands out as a defining moment, and why?

Wow, that is a tough question. There have been quite a few pivotal moments in my life: moving to England when I was 18 with the plan to stay for only a year, and staying for almost 13, moving to the United States in 2006, dealing with the loss of my dad, stepdad and mum all in quick succession; all of these moments have had a profound impact on shaping me into the person I am today. 

What’s an unknown or odd talent you have?

I wish I could say that I inherited my dad’s musical talent. He was a musician all his life, but no amount of piano and flute lessons could ever get me to come even close. 

What motivates you to accomplish things in your life (work or personal)?

Maybe cheesy, but my kids are my biggest motivator – showing up for them and everything they want to achieve in life has been driving me forward toward bigger and better things. I want them to know that their mum has done, is doing, and will do her best to support them. 

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I love hiking and taking in the beauty that is all around us here in North Georgia (when it is not 100 degrees 😊). I love to run and play tennis. And if I had my way, I would live somewhere where I could go skiing regularly. I also like to read – Ken Follett has been a favorite of mine recently. 

One thing that always makes you laugh is?

Good comedy! I love Bill Burr and Ricky Gervais; their sense of humor speaks to me. 

What’s a bucket list item you can’t wait to cross off?

I am really hoping to have the opportunity to take my kids on safari in Africa. I was fortunate to plan and operate a few programs on the African continent and it has left a lasting impression on me; I want them to have that experience too. 

This month, our theme for social media is “Learning Styles.” Do you prefer to learn in a certain way? How do you make sure you’re digesting work information in the best way for you?

I think my learning style is a mixture of things; I am more of a kinesthetic than an auditory learner, but for some things, logical/analytical learning works better. To digest certain information, I am still a little old school and like to print certain documents out, so I can take notes while learning the material. 

It’s time to get to know Melissa Nazareno, our Accounting Manager. As you can read below, she sees the fun in numbers and systems, which makes her a perfect fit for her role! Read on to learn about her passions for space exploration, delegation and solving challenges. Thanks, Melissa, for participating in our Get to Know ME segment this month!

What’s your current title and how long have you been in the incentive industry?

My current title is Accounting Manager, and I’ve been in the incentive industry for 1 year with Motivation Excellence.

What do you like about your job?

I love my job because it allows me to solve business challenges and optimize operations by transforming digital and financial infrastructures. Motivation Excellence has built a supportive culture that allows for growth. I can geek out on numbers, play with systems, and have strategic impact. My job is fun, and I’m excited for our future.

What’s something you want to share about the people you work with at Motivation Excellence?

I’m surrounded by fun-loving people who have built careers around making others happy and driving positive change. Our team strives to deliver exceptional incentive experiences and innovative technology for our clients. Coming from an audit role where clients weren’t always thrilled to see me, I greatly appreciate this industry.

What’s a specific moment in your history that always stands out as a defining moment, and why?

I’ve had a collection of moments which led to a pivotal understanding: time is precious. With whom and how I spend it is sacred. I’m big on process improvement and continually work to streamline my life with this in mind.

What’s an unknown or odd talent you have?

I’m amazing at talking to engineers and translating what they said to non-engineers. Specifically odd, but very handy in solving cross-functional challenges and troubleshooting. I’ve worked in systems implementations and my spouse is an engineer, so I’ve had a ton of practice!

What motivates you to accomplish things in your life (work or personal)?

The pursuit of truth and the quest for knowledge propels me. I love learning and trying new things to find out more about myself. Life is a sandbox, and I seek out adventure.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Being an executive assistant to three little ones means mastering the art of multitasking. While I love spending time with them, I also cherish my daily runs, accompanied by a podcast at 2x speed – it’s meditative.

One thing that always makes you laugh is?

Non-sequiturs and deadpan humor.

What’s a bucket list item you can’t wait to cross off?

I’d love to watch a rocket launch – or even better, travel to space.

This month, our theme for social media is “Effective Delegation.” What are your tips on delegation?

I’m passionate about this topic. Simply being the best at something doesn’t mean you should always do it. I believe in passing on the value you can create to others, empowering them by matching the right tasks to the right people. The goal is to help someone progress from being task-focused to taking ownership. One of the most overlooked aspects of effective delegation is recruiting and maintaining a pipeline of talented people for value creation. I love lifting others up and watching them grow.

We’d like you to meet our Get to Know ME subject this month: Kathy Krawczyk! Kathy is one of those people you meet and instantly become friends with. She’s curious, talkative and ready to connect on a personal level. She sat down for a recorded interview and provided answers to questions below. Take a few minutes to get to know our recently hired Travel Sourcing and Planning Manager. Thanks Kathy!

What’s your current title and how long have you been in the incentive industry?

I am a Travel Sourcing and Planning Manager; I have been in the meeting/incentive industry for over 25 years.

What do you like about your job?

I like that I’m still learning after all these years.  It keeps every day interesting, sometimes challenging, but everyone should have a challenge here and there.

What’s something special about how you grew up?

I’m an only child and because of this, I have eight friends that have been there for me since grammar school.  I have two friends in particular who I met when I was five and they are truly my adopted family (along with their 6 brothers).

What’s a specific moment in your history that always stands out as a defining event, and why?

On a personal level it was marrying Al after knowing him for 15 years.  We dated when we were very young, separated and then got back together.  Two other events that I’ll always recall as defining: New Year’s Eve 1999 hoping New Year’s Day 2000 was going to be normal as usual after all the hype. And 9-11, who could not have been affected by that.

What’s an unknown or odd talent you have?

I used to sing in a guitar group back in the day and love to dance (my friends call me the “Dancing Queen”).

What motivates you to accomplish things in your life (work or personal)?

I love seeing the outcome.  With any event, whether personal or at work, you plan and plan and then when it all comes together, I just sit back and take it all in.  Sometimes it can bring on a little depression for a day or two knowing it’s over but then onto the next one (especially after my two daughters’ weddings).

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Spending time with my family and friends, traveling, making my mom’s old recipes, shopping (what woman doesn’t like this), and just hanging with my husband Al.

One thing that always makes you laugh is?

Hard to say, I love to laugh.  Some old memories make me laugh every time I retell them.  My friends say I have a contagious laugh.

What’s a bucket list item you can’t wait to cross off?

Traveling to Germany and Prague, and eventually retirement!

This month, our theme for social media is “How to be Influential.” Do you have influence with people in your life (family, friends, colleagues), and how do you best protect it?

I think when your family calls you when they need advice or have questions, especially your children, it means you have influenced them by teaching them over the years and they feel very comfortable still asking for advice.  I feel the same with friends. I protect this by keeping trust between all of us, telling it is like it is.

Meet Lindsey Jarson, our Get to Know ME spotlight this month! Lindsey joined us in 2023. She’s holding down the accounting fort at our Traverse City location, but her role extends to any supplier that needs to be paid. She’s camera-shy, so no video with her, but you can quickly read below about what brings her joy and satisfaction. Thanks, Lindsey, for sharing with us!

What’s your current title and how long have you been in the incentive industry?

I am an Accounts Payable Associate. It’s been a little under a year since I joined the industry.

What do you like about your job?

I love the fast-paced nature of the work we do at Motivation Excellence. It’s rewarding to ensure accurate financial data and make sure our vendors get paid on time!

What’s something you want to share about the people you work with at Motivation Excellence?

Everyone here is extremely hard-working and always willing to lend a hand. It’s a great atmosphere.

What motivates you to accomplish things in your life (work or personal)?

The sense of accomplishment in meeting deadlines and hitting my goals and the opportunity to contribute positively to the world keep me inspired and focused.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I enjoy reading thrillers, hiking with my pup, and traveling!

What’s a bucket list item you can’t wait to cross off?

I’d love to go to Europe (someday)!

Meet Claire Urness, from our Performance Management team! She hasn’t been with us a year quite yet, but she’s already found she feels right at home in our Schaumburg headquarters. A self-described “shy person,” we appreciate her willingness to sit down with us for this month’s Get to Know ME edition. Read on and watch our short video to learn more about Claire!

What’s your current title and how long have you been in the incentive industry?

My current title is Program Manager, and I’ve been involved in the incentive industry for a few years now.

What do you like about your job?

I enjoy the fast-paced environment of my role as a Program Manager and the constant growth it brings.

What’s something you want to share about the people you work with at Motivation Excellence?

I would emphasize the genuine sense of value and appreciation I feel working with everyone at Motivation Excellence. Everyone is so willing to share knowledge and help in any way they can, so it is hard to not feel like you are a part of a team here. 

What’s a specific moment in your history that always stands out as a defining moment, and why?

A pivotal moment in my life was when I moved to Tennessee a few years after college. At this point, my (now) husband and I were long-distance for two years while he finished graduate school, so taking the leap to move to a new state to close that distance was a very big step in our lives. 

What motivates you to accomplish things in your life (work or personal)?

I am always working on becoming a better version of myself both personally and professionally.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I love spending time with my family and friends, as well as anything that gets me outdoors. 

One thing that always makes you laugh is?

My dog never fails to make me laugh with her goofy personality and constant need for attention.

What’s a bucket list item you can’t wait to cross off?

A bucket list item I’m eagerly anticipating crossing off is taking a cruise to Alaska to witness all the wildlife. 

This month, our theme for social media is Carbon Footprint Awareness. Is there anything you do to be more eco-conscious? 

We have recently started composting at our home and I’m excited to turn our food scraps into nourishment for our garden this year! 

Brittany Cerillos joined our Travel Department in the last year and made an impression instantly. She’s got a happy, can-do attitude and if you pass a bar with karaoke, you know she’s going to duck inside for a moment (or two). When you read below and watch her short video, you’ll be able to see her spark too! Thanks Brittany, for being our Get to Know ME subject this month!

What’s your current title and how long have you been in the incentive industry? 

I am a Travel Program Coordinator. I have been in the Travel and Incentive industry since 2018. 

What do you like about your job?

Everyday is different! I like a fast-paced environment that looks a bit different each day. I also have the opportunity to be creative in my role. I enjoy working with the attendees and making connections with our clients and supplier partners. Traveling, experiencing new cultures, and bringing once in a lifetime experience to our clients is extremely rewarding. 

What’s something you want to share about the people you work with at Motivation Excellence?

I have been with Motivation Excellence for less than a year and it truly feels like a little family. Everyone is always laughing while working together and there is never a dull moment in the office. Whenever anyone is at their capacity there is always someone willing to help or lend a hand! 

What’s an unknown or odd talent you have?

Amateur karaoke singer.

What motivates you to accomplish things in your life (work or personal)?

We only have one life – I want to make the best of it! Plus, I have to pay for all my travel expenses. Lol.  

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I love trying new restaurants, taking my dog Rio to patios in the summer / go on walks, hosting events for my friends and family, traveling and reading. 

One thing that always makes you laugh is?

My Corgi Rio!

What’s a bucket-list item you can’t wait to cross off?

I am really looking forward to taking a cooking class in Italy one day when I go there.  

This month, our theme for social media is Celebrating Women. Is there a female role model you had or have that made an impact on you?

My mom is definitely the most resilient person I know. She often reminds me “that’s life” and not to sweat the little stuff.