If you need someone to tell you how to fold in the cheese, Jackie Montoya is who you should be asking. Like her favorite show, Schitt’s Creek, Jackie has come a long way in five short years. Her job and her focus are representative of the future of the ARM industry and nobody is more excited about that than she is. Read on to learn more about Jackie, how a family connection got her started in the industry, and how she proved she was fearless.
Name: Jackie Montoya
Current Role/Job Title: Digital Risk Analyst II
Company: Resurgent Capital Services
Length of time at current company: 5 years! 🎉
Length of time in industry: 5 years
How did you get your start in the industry?
Through family! A family member worked at Resurgent and mentioned the internship program, so I applied the summer before my senior year and was accepted! At the end of the summer, I was offered a full-time position, and started working right after graduation.
What is your career highlight so far?
My first major project on my current team was to build a rules engine system that would house logic for all our outbound digital communications. It was a huge undertaking involving multiple departments, stakeholders, and a lot of brain power. While it’s still a work in progress, it’s proved its value over and over again as we continue to expand our digital reach.
When or how are you most productive?
After a cup of coffee, for sure 😉. But usually, I’m the most productive after I’ve come up with a game plan for my day. That means looking at my calendar for the day and week, see what meetings I have, and strategize how I can best utilize the rest of my time to move the ball on larger, higher level initiatives.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
Honestly, my boss, Kristyn Leffler! She’s a digital kingpin at Resurgent as well as in our industry and is a wealth of knowledge. And I’m not just saying that to suck up! LOL
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I genuinely enjoy talking to and connecting with people, and I think that’s what makes me so good at building relationships. Even amongst my own department, I’ve taken the initiative to bridge our different teams and bring people together, which helps fosters collaboration and better teamwork.
What do you like most about this industry?
This is probably true for other industries, but I love a challenge and our industry is chock full of them. I’m constantly having to do the research, dig into the data, and come up with solutions to problems, both big and small.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
It comes with the territory, but I wish debt purchasers and collectors had better reputations amongst consumers. We aren’t the bad guys coming for your wallet … in fact, we try to find ways to make it work for almost everyone.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
Some sort of travel or event planning. I’m a type-A girl by heart, and nothing makes me happier than making lists and itineraries and planning big events or parties.
Describe a typical work day
I mentioned the coffee already … so you know all my days start with a cup. Work-wise, my mornings usually consist of planning and prioritizing tasks for the rest of the day, followed by a few meetings, and then concluding the last hour by answering emails and assessing my to-do list for the next day. After work, I love going to the gym to lift weights and then enjoying a big dinner!
What is your guilty pleasure?
Binge-watching my favorite show, Schitt’s Creek, over and over again. I’ve probably watched the whole series 10+ times … it never gets old!
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Embrace a growth mindset and never stop learning.
What are you currently reading?
“Sisters of the Resistance by Christine Wells.” I’m a big fan of historical fiction, especially in the WW2 era!
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
In my first international trip to Spain in 2019, I surprised myself by jumping 30 feet off a cliff into the Balearic Sea. So you could say I’m fearless!
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
