Alexis Bonanno Karst

I attribute my success to a combination of continuous learning, strong mentorship, and a commitment to leading with both data and empathy. Throughout my career, I’ve intentionally sought out mentors and perspectives that challenged me to think differently and grow beyond my immediate experience. That guidance has been invaluable in helping me navigate new responsibilities and step confidently into leadership.

My experience as a college athlete—specifically as a softball pitcher—also played a significant role in shaping my approach to leadership. It taught me discipline, resilience, and accountability, as well as how to perform under pressure and contribute to a team’s success. Those lessons have translated directly into my professional career, where consistency, preparation, and teamwork are critical.

Equally important has been my willingness to embrace change and drive improvement. Whether leading teams through automation initiatives, implementing systems like ServiceNow, or advancing analytics capabilities, I’ve focused on building processes that create transparency, scalability, and better decision-making across the organization.

I also believe that success is rooted in how you lead people. Investing in my team, understanding their individual goals, and creating an environment where they feel supported and empowered has been critical. When people feel valued and see a path for their own growth, it drives stronger engagement and better outcomes.

Finally, I’ve learned to give myself grace. Growth doesn’t happen overnight, and being open to learning from challenges and mistakes has allowed me to continue evolving as a leader.

One of the most impactful pieces of advice I received early in my career was to seek out a mentor. Just a few months into my role, I connected with a leader who became an invaluable source of guidance and support. That relationship significantly shaped my development, reinforcing the idea that growth often comes from perspectives outside of your immediate experience.

As leaders, we don’t always have full visibility into every situation, and it’s easy to interpret challenges through a narrow lens—especially in high-pressure environments. Having a trusted mentor provided me with the ability to step back, reassess situations objectively, and approach challenges with greater clarity and professionalism.

This experience taught me the importance of continuous learning and the value of surrounding yourself with individuals who can challenge your thinking, offer honest feedback, and help you grow. Throughout my career, that commitment to seeking diverse perspectives has been instrumental in both my personal and professional development.

One of the most important pieces of advice I would offer is to be patient with yourself and extend grace as you grow. Stepping into any new role—especially in leadership—comes with a learning curve, and it’s important to recognize that you won’t have every answer on day one. Growth is built through experience, and mistakes are not setbacks—they are opportunities to learn, adapt, and become stronger in your role.

Equally important is leading with authenticity and transparency. Building trust with your team requires open communication and a willingness to share both challenges and successes. When you remove barriers and foster an environment of honesty, you create a culture where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work.

I also encourage young women to invest in the people around them. Take the time to understand your team on a human level—their goals, motivations, and aspirations. When you actively support others in their development and help them progress in their careers, you build stronger engagement and long-term commitment.

Finally, seek out mentorship early and often. Having someone who can offer perspective, challenge your thinking, and provide honest feedback is invaluable. You don’t always know what you don’t know, and learning from others’ experiences can significantly accelerate your growth and confidence as a leader.

One of the biggest shifts in Accounts Payable and Finance right now is the rapid move toward automation, AI, and data-driven decision-making. Organizations are being challenged to move away from manual, paper-based processes and adopt more scalable, technology-driven solutions. While that transformation can be complex, it also presents a significant opportunity to increase efficiency, improve accuracy, and provide real-time visibility into financial operations.

Another key challenge—and opportunity—is leveraging data more strategically. Finance teams are no longer just transactional; they are expected to deliver insights that drive business decisions. Building strong analytics capabilities allows us to better understand spending patterns, manage costs, and support long-term growth. This evolution requires not only the right tools, but also the right talent and leadership to translate data into meaningful action.

Additionally, managing systems and integrations across platforms like ServiceNow and ERP environments has become increasingly important. As organizations scale, ensuring processes are standardized, transparent, and user-friendly is critical to maintaining operational effectiveness.

Finally, as the field evolves, there is a growing opportunity for leaders to focus on people development. With so much change, investing in teams—helping them adapt, upskill, and grow alongside new technologies—is essential. The organizations that succeed will be those that balance innovation with a people-first approach.

At the core, everything comes down to people. While the work itself is important—driving results, fostering innovation, and adapting to constant change—it’s the people you work alongside who truly define the experience. I’ve been fortunate to be part of an organization that prioritizes community and culture, and it’s something I value deeply. I genuinely enjoy the relationships I’ve built, many of which have grown beyond colleagues into meaningful, lasting friendships. That speaks volumes about the environment we’ve created.

I also strongly value a people-first and purpose-driven approach. In our industry, that means putting both animals and people first and creating a space where individuals feel comfortable being their authentic selves. The opportunity to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds—whether it’s my team or the veterinarians in our hospitals—brings a level of meaning to the work that goes far beyond day-to-day responsibilities.

Ultimately, I value connection, authenticity, and creating an environment where people feel supported, respected, and empowered. That’s what makes both work and life truly fulfilling for me.