Meet Crystal Sincoff

How did you first learn about PDXWIT and what keeps you coming back?

I heard about PDXWIT through my talent team back in the day, but I didn’t really get to know and dive in until Hazel (my wife) started working there. The more I learned about what PDXWIT does, the more I wanted to be a part of it. I started helping with events, and then creating events. I’ve watched PDXWIT grow and evolve. It made me proud to volunteer for this team. It was an easy decision to take a seat on the board so I can be a part of this amazing group of humans and help drive change in the tech industry.

Can you give us some background on your career in tech or otherwise? Did you intend this career path?

I didn’t start in tech. My degree is in fashion design and I’ve reinvented myself several times. After fashion, I was a reporter/photographer for a newspaper, and then I got into hospitality and spent several years managing guest services at a couple of different hotels. I got into Tech because I wanted to work in an industry where I could find a more balanced and healthy life. I left the long hours and working holidays and exchanged that for a career at a company that really cares about its people. I’ve grown with Zapproved and they’ve helped me really find myself and cultivate my strengths. When I look back at the work I’ve done I can see a common connection to helping people be their best selves.

What is a fun fact about you most people may not know?

When I was in college I had an internship on a TV series called, “The Upright Citizen’s Brigade,” on Comedy Central. I was the assistant costumer and got to make costumes and dress the indomitable Amy Pohler. She was/is super cool and at the time, not very famous.

If you could change one thing in the tech industry, what would it be?

I want us to be an equitable and inclusive industry.