Her Story
About Anna
Anna Zavarzina is an executive assistant, nonprofit leader, and advocate for emotional intelligence whose career has been shaped by adaptability, lifelong learning, and a passion for helping others. Based in San Mateo, California, she has spent more than a decade with Gallium, where she leverages her expertise in communication, organization, and emotional intelligence to support business operations and foster strong professional relationships. Rather than following a traditional academic path, Anna built her career through hands-on experience, advancing from executive assistant to design and leadership roles within the technology industry.
Born and raised in the former USSR before coming to the United States as an international student, Anna brings a unique global perspective to both her professional and volunteer work. Fluent in English, Mandarin Chinese, and Russian, she has developed a reputation for connecting with people across cultures and backgrounds. In 2013, she co-founded and joined the board of directors of the Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment (MADE) in Oakland, helping expand access to coding education and technology resources for young people while supporting the organization's mission to preserve and celebrate digital creativity.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Anna is deeply committed to philanthropy and community service. She has been a dedicated supporter of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital since 2011, believing that investing in the well-being of others is far more meaningful than personal luxury. Guided by her belief in the goodness of people, she encourages young women to recognize their own strength, embrace new opportunities, and never underestimate their ability to create positive change. Through her work, volunteerism, and advocacy for emotional intelligence, Anna continues to inspire others to lead with compassion, resilience, and purpose.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Anna
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I did not have advice, but I had amazing people kind of believing in me, and that's whom I was speaking to the last 2 years.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Believe that you're the most beautiful thing in the world, that you're the most powerful thing in the world, don't ever settle for anything less, and just go after good things. Enjoy yourself doing it.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Goodness in people. I appreciate goodness in people and filter things through my perspective from living in two different worlds, the Soviet Union and America.
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