Rebecca Messina: Former Chief Marketing Officer at Uber

Rebecca always wanted to be a global citizen. Although she did not think a job with that specific title existed, she wanted to roam the world and maybe join the Peace Corp. She had parents who were really good at providing guidance without becoming overbearing, and to this day, her parents keep her going. From a young age, Rebecca was a risk-taker, which helped her reach her full potential professionally. She started her career at Coca-Cola, where she spent twenty-two years in marketing and innovation and working and living in various countries around the world.   She left Coca-Cola in 2016 to become the Global Chief Marketing Officer at Beam Suntory and then in 2018 she transitioned to Uber as Global Chief Marketing Officer. Now, she serves as a Senior Advisor at McKinsey and Co. 

What is the greatest risk you have ever taken?

I have always been a risk-taker, either physically or mentally. I was never really afraid of getting hurt. I was the person who would climb the trees five branches higher than anyone else. On the physical level, I always took risks. On the other side of things, I have always just put myself out there. I took risks that put me in vulnerable situations, and that is just something I do. I like to not know everything, and I like being vulnerable. My risk-taking is in my decision to do things, go places, and take jobs where I don't know people or I don't know how to get the job done. I have never taken a single huge risk. Moving to Atlanta to intern at Coke, leaving the US at 27 to move to Latin America, leaving Latin America, and moving to Australia not knowing anyone are some examples. Then, I left Australia and moved to France without knowing anyone or the language. I have always done those things and left behind anything familiar, but those things were worth doing in order to pursue global citizenship. 

When was the time you wanted to give up, and what made you persevere through it?

The largest risk I took was moving to France as they spoke a language I did not know, and it was a country I did not know. I adore them now, but initially, I found the French to be unwelcoming. I would call my parents, crying and saying that I just wanted to come home, I was really just ready to give up. So, my mother flew out and she was like, “what are you afraid of? I have never seen you like this.” It was what motivated me even though I was really ready to leave, I had no friends, and I could not speak the language. I could not make friends since I did not speak the language, and I was not effective at work. I was really close to giving up. I am so glad I did not. 

If you did not have to worry about money, how would you choose to spend your life?

I still would be a global citizen, but I may have worked less. I think that work is a great way to move your ambitions and talents forward, but I would have worked less. I would have done more for society by utilizing the extra time I would have as a result of working less.

What advice do you have for others who aspire to be entrepreneurs like yourself?

I hope that they aspire to be the best version of themselves. But, if they like my life, I would say there is no reason they cannot be like me. I had very humble parents, who just dedicated their lives to be teachers, but they believed that there was nothing that we could not do. I would say “set a goal higher than a job”, and it will give you purpose and motivation.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I would say work less and live a lot. I would not change much since I am pretty happy with the way I have treated people. I do not have regrets. I would say “ treat others the way you would want to be treated, believe in yourself, work a little less, and do work that you love”! 

How do you define the word “success”?

Even though society has set what the term means, success is a very personal thing. No one is going to put their resume on their tombstone. I think success is based on the impact you have made on people’s lives, the integrity with which you have acted, and the way you have treated people.

If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be? 

I think it's a shame that with all the wealth in the world, there are still children that go to bed hungry. Food and education for children are human rights, and I think we can solve this issue.