Her Story
About Kristen
Kristen Perez serves as Lead Business Consultant in Industrial Operations at Publix Super Markets, supporting the company’s largest business segment, which encompasses manufacturing, distribution, and facilities. In her role, she partners closely with the Director of Finance to conduct strategic analysis, identify operational efficiencies, and enhance reporting processes that support informed decision-making. Perez began her career in 2008 in an entry-level billing position, which led to progressive roles in accounting and finance before she transitioned into operations to broaden her leadership experience and develop a more comprehensive understanding of business performance. Perez holds an undergraduate degree from New York University, completed additional accounting studies at Hunter College, and earned her Executive MBA from the University of Central Florida in May 2026. Throughout her career, she has developed a strong ability to connect people and teams, a leadership strength she discovered after initially focusing primarily on technical accounting expertise. She is passionate about employee development and advocacy and has created initiatives designed to help professionals build confidence and strengthen their communication skills. Among these efforts, she helped develop an internal public speaking committee that evolved from a small Toastmasters group into monthly panel events attracting hundreds of participants. Perez attributes her success to the resilience she developed through years of persistent effort and to the transformative experience of becoming a single mother, which gave her a renewed sense of focus and purpose. While raising her daughter, she returned to school and earned her Executive MBA with a very unconventional external support system, demonstrating the determination and perseverance that have shaped her professional journey. She encourages young women entering the field to become their own strongest advocates, develop confidence in their abilities, and avoid relying solely on external validation to define their worth. She also emphasizes the importance of building meaningful professional relationships and ensuring that at least one trusted ally is willing to advocate for them in the rooms where important decisions are made.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kristen
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my resilience and the transformative experience of becoming a mother. Because success did not come easily, I learned to work hard, persevere through challenges, and view roadblocks as opportunities to grow rather than obstacles that could stop me. Becoming a mother also gave me a renewed sense of purpose, focus, and determination. As a single mother without a support system, I returned to school and continued pursuing my goals, an experience that strengthened my confidence and showed me that I was capable of achieving far more than I had imagined.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I attended an c-suite event of UCF alumni and I asked a CFO of a non profit organization in Orlando what she recommended. She told me “Don’t stay in your lane… they will try to put you in a box, but don’t let them.” That advice really stuck with me and made me feel like she was giving me permission to be myself. It was so inspiring!
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to be your own strongest advocate. Do not rely on external validation or titles from others to define your worth, because that recognition may not always come. Instead, learn to recognize and affirm your own value, celebrate your accomplishments both big and small and have confidence in the contributions you bring to the table. Know your worth, advocate for yourself, and make sure you build relationships with at least one person in the room who will also recognize your value and advocate for you when you are not there.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Burnout! It is one of the biggest challenges that people are speaking out about more and more. Between working from home and AI innovation, there’s such a big push for productivity and it’s been determined by metrics and reporting. But if leaders just took the time to observe, to ask the right people the right questions, they would be able to solve most of the company productivity issues without burning out their employees. This is an area I’m really focused on because as a leader I would much rather have better work done efficiently than more hours and low morale.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
At work, it’s always been about helping people and creating connections. I’ve always been deeply passionate about improving work environments and team morale. Wherever I’m working, I am always looking for available resources that will help people thrive.
Personally, it’s all about connection and being present. Life is too short I see that more and more now watching my daughter grow up. This past June was the first time in 6 years that I went on vacation without a laptop for work, and it made me sad to realize all the time I had lost when I didn’t unplug. I’m very intentional about living a life with no regrets!
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