Allegra Margolis W'14

Contact: Feel free to contact Allegra Margolis through LinkedIn.  

What did you study at Penn and when did you graduate? 

I graduated in 2014 with a double concentration in Management and Marketing. 

What were your favorite experiences at Penn?

At Wharton, I was fortunate to be a Teaching Assistant for a course I loved - Management 100. It was one of my favorite experiences as I was able to coach students and facilitate their team building. I was part of the TA community for three years and met some incredible people through the program (including my now husband!). I also enjoyed conducting research with Adam Grant through Impact Lab. As an introvert myself, his research opened up a whole new world of management and organizational behavior, especially how introverts can lead effectively which I found fascinating. 

What were your main takeaways from your Wharton education?

Through the applied learning style at Penn, I learned how to critically think through scenarios and face real-life challenges. I still use the presentation skills - from building an agenda to delivering a compelling storyline. I also leverage the leadership skills from the Management courses around the situational leadership styles and how to be a multiplier. As a people manager, I use those skills daily with my team from providing feedback to organizing sub-teams. 

What did you do after graduation from Wharton?

After graduation from Wharton, I went into management consulting in San Francisco. I fell in love with digital technology and wanted to build my technical skills for a more well-rounded background of management and technology. I found an amazing program at LSE in the Management of Information Systems so I went abroad for my Masters of Science. Always a good reminder to live and work abroad, even if you don’t have the opportunity in undergrad! Upon returning to San Francisco, I started at MuleSoft which was acquired by Salesforce a few years ago. 

What do you do now?

I am now based in San Francisco, California as Senior Director of Product Marketing (which is an intersection of my two undergrad concentrations) at MuleSoft, a Salesforce company. I just hit 5 years at the company! I bring a technical product to life through messaging, sales activations, campaigns, events, and enablement. I also have the pleasure of managing a team of 12+ amazing product marketers. 

How has being a woman in business affected you and your career?

I have always been passionate about promoting women in the workforce and was on the leadership committee of Wharton Women throughout college. My favorite leadership position I held at Penn was being President of Wharton Women, an organization of 1200+ women at the time. I’ve carried this passion with me throughout the years and brought what I learned from Wharton Women into the workforce. I reenergized our own group called Women at MuleSoft and started a company-wide mentorship program. As a woman in a technical field, which continues to largely be male-dominated, I find I have to build more credibility. I fully embrace being a woman in business and tech and will always support other women that want to do the same. 

What hobbies do you have and how do you balance your social and work life?

I’ve always strived to have balance across my work and social life - and Penn prepared me well! At work, I’m completely focused on my team, deliverables. and the company strategy. Outside of work, it’s all about my family, friends, and personal growth. I love to travel, try new restaurants, and spend time with my 11 nieces/nephews. I believe the best way to achieve balance is to surround yourself in an environment that lets you bring your whole self to work. I’m appreciative that Salesforce supports my interests inside and outside of work. 

What is your biggest accomplishment?

My biggest achievement is building a team of incredible product marketers who continue to thrive in their careers at Salesforce and beyond. I started as an individual contributor at the company, was given an opportunity to build a team and now manage a team of managers. The best part of the job is watching people around you learn, grow & succeed. 

Anything else you’d like to share?

Wharton is truly the most incredible school so take advantage of every opportunity - and remember to have fun! It’s a time to explore what you want to do next and also learn about new opportunities. I didn’t know about the discipline of product marketing when I started at Wharton and am happy to talk to anyone who wants to learn more.