Back in 2011, I was working at Pega as a UX Designer. On one typical morning, I was designing at my desk, giving my updates during the daily scrum meeting, and replying to emails from our offshore teams. The company meeting was scheduled that day as well, and I was surprised to hear that the CEO had announced that I was the recipient of the Employee Award. He talked for a bit about my contributions to Pega, and concluded by saying how I was both creative and pragmatic. They asked me to fill out a questionnaire so people could get to know me better. Below is the email distributed to the company a few days after the announcement.
Christina Ho, User Experience Designer
Christina Ho joined Pegasystems in June 2010 as a User Experience Designer in Product Management. Prior to joining Pega, Christina was a Web developer at Dell Services Federal Government at the Volpe Center, Department of Transportation. Christina received her Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science from Boston University.
Christina has been instrumental in a number of key projects this year. Christina has had a hand in enabling and delivering outstanding User Experiences in applications and frameworks ranging from overhauling the Case Management UI (AKA Next Gen Case UI), Collections, Eligibility and Enrollment for Government, Adaptive Conversation Manager (AKA Offer Management) and Marketing Execution Manager. Not only has Christina often had to juggle doing many of these project simultaneously, but has done it while helping other peers and members of the Pega Family without hesitation. Christina’s enthusiasm, energy and passion for everything she does is contagious. Everyone around her is energized by her commitment to deliver above and beyond excellence…she epitomizes being PEGA (Passionate, Engaging, Genuine, and Adaptive) and then some!
Congratulations, Christina!
Here are some fun facts about Christina:
What Is-
…your funniest or fondest memory about Pega?
Recruiting a team for the Fitbit challenge and winning it in half the targeted time. I remember one evening in the NH office my team and I were strategizing on how to maximize the number of steps in the shortest amount of time, without getting injured, while walking around a conference table. That’s dedication and teamwork. Go, Angry Nerds!
…The book you are reading now?
I’m reading two books actually.
- Total Immersion: The Revolutionary Way to Swim Better, Faster, and Easier by Terry Laughlin and John Delves. This is an excellent book to read if you want to learn how to swim correctly and efficiently.
- Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. This is a story about a fight to the death on live TV, the first book of a three part series.
… Always in your fridge
A variety of fruits and baking soda – which reminds me – I need to replace the baking soda, soon!
Your greatest extravagance
Boring answer: my home. Guilty answer: my latest splurge on a Louis Vuitton bag I bought in Paris. I still have a hard time justifying that purchase.
… Happiness to you?
A balance of three aspects in my life:
Self – be able to express myself creatively through the arts and music without constraints.
Relationships – be surrounded by loyal, honest, and dependable people who can let loose, laugh, and share the ups and downs of life.
Work – always looking for the next challenge and finding a solution. I don’t like to be bored.
…and maybe one more thing… all topped off with yummy, “real” gelato! :9
…The silliest thing you’ve ever done?
My kindergarten teacher made silhouettes of the class and pinned them up on the wall. I noticed that my nose looked different from everyone else’s, so I went up to the teacher and asked her why. She paused for a moment, and said I was “special”. She made it sound like something was wrong with me so I went home and asked my mom the same question and she offered me a solution.
I spent every night with a clothespin clamped on my nose for fifteen minutes, until one night my mom walked in and asked me what compelled me to do such a painful thing. Hellooo? It was your idea, MOM! She rarely joked with me after that. I still listen and take her advice, but not about my button nose. Happy with it, just the way it is :o)
…Your favorite past time
Right now it’s a tie between sea kayaking in Maine and swimming. Ask me again in 5 years – it may change.
If you-
…Won the lottery today, what would you do tomorrow?
Make plans to pay off my families’ and best friend’s mortgage, then setup a meeting with my dad and a family friend to discuss the smartest way to invest and diversify my winnings.
…Could meet anyone (past or present) who would that be
I’ll pick a past and present since I’m torn between two people.
Past: Since I was 8, I’ve always admired Beethoven’s compositions and enjoyed playing his pieces. He was a fearless, brilliant man with determination even after he became deaf. His music is filled with drama, unpredictability, and a fighting spirit.
Present: ❤ Adam Levine…!!! Need I say more?
…Come back to earth, what/who would you come back as?
I thought about who I would want to be, but drawing a blank. I’m happy with my life and have no regrets. I’d come back as myself.
I received a thread of responses – I’ll share one Director’s 15-minute Photoshop handiwork he sent back.
CHOhesive 