Rina Pastrana
Strategic and results-driven Senior Executive Assistant with over two decades of experience supporting C-level leadership across revenue, operations, and marketing. Known for operating as a true business partner, I bring structure to complexity, enabling executive teams to focus on growth, innovation, and impact.
My career began in Mexico, where I built a strong foundation working with legal and accounting professionals, gaining early exposure to compliance, audit, and international business practices. After relocating to the United States, I expanded into sales, marketing, and territory management before transitioning into executive support—where I found my strength in driving alignment, execution, and operational excellence at the highest levels of an organization.
At PROS, I have supported global leaders including the COO, CRO, and CMO, playing a key role in go-to-market strategy, executive operations, and cross-functional initiatives. I am often trusted to lead high-impact projects, streamline processes, and serve as a connective thread across teams.
Recognized for my discretion, agility, and anticipatory mindset, I thrive in fast-paced, high-growth environments. I take pride in being the force behind the scenes that keeps everything moving forward—efficiently, thoughtfully, and with purpose.
• Bachellors Degree
• Presidents Club
• Above and Beyond Award
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of resilience, adaptability, and a strong work ethic. I didn’t have a linear path—I started my career in Mexico, transitioned across different industries, and had to learn and evolve quickly in every role. That experience taught me how to navigate uncertainty, build relationships, and consistently deliver results.
I also take a lot of pride in being proactive and anticipating needs before they arise. That mindset has allowed me to become a true partner to the leaders I support, not just someone executing tasks.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received is to not listen to those who don’t believe in you. You have to believe in yourself first... sometimes before anyone else does.
At the same time, you have to stay committed to growth. Always be learning, always be evolving. Because the moment you stop learning, you stop growing.
And part of that growth comes from not being afraid to make mistakes. I’ve made my share, but I’ve learned that mistakes are part of the process. What matters is that you own them, learn from them, and use them to get better.
Every experience, good or bad, shapes how you show up moving forward. So for me, it all comes down to self-belief, continuous growth, and resilience. Keep learning, keep pushing forward, and don’t quit.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women—don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. Be clear about your goals and go after them. No one is going to advocate for you the way you can advocate for yourself.
Find a mentor, someone who sees your potential and helps guide you, but also someone who pushes you to grow. That kind of relationship can really change your trajectory.
And stay curious. We’re living in a time where everything is evolving so quickly, especially with AI. Learn the tools, explore what’s out there, and keep yourself current. The more you learn, the more confident and capable you become.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think the biggest opportunity right now is also the biggest challenge...and that’s AI.
It’s changing everything about how we work. A lot of the manual, repetitive tasks are being automated, which gives us the opportunity to step up and operate more strategically. We’re not just supporting anymore, we’re helping drive the business, thinking ahead, creating structure, and enabling our leaders in a bigger way.
But with that comes the pressure to keep up. Things are evolving fast, and if you’re not constantly learning and staying curious, it’s really easy to fall behind.
I also think there’s a balance we have to figure out, what to automate and what still needs that human touch. Because at the end of the day, relationships, judgment, and how you show up… that’s still what sets you apart.
So for me, the opportunity is huge if you lean into it... but you have to be willing to evolve with it.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
For me, it comes down to integrity, resilience, and people.
I’ve learned that your word matters: how you show up, how you treat others, and how you handle tough situations says everything about you.
Resilience has shaped a big part of who I am. I’ve been through a lot, and I don’t take challenges lightly, but I’ve learned how to push through, grow from them, and keep moving forward.
And I value people deeply. My family, my relationships, and the connections I build in my career mean everything to me. At the end of the day, that’s what truly matters.
