Rokt’star Spotlight: Maillard Howell
As Rokt sets out to unleash its best year yet, we’re taking a moment to highlight some of the Rokt’stars that are helping their teams thrive by challenging the status quo and inspire them to achieve something something bigger. Read on to learn about their time at Rokt and what makes them tick, both in and out of the office.
Meet Maillard
How did you end up at Rokt?
I’m an immigrant from Trinidad who came here on an academic scholarship. After 10 years of exploring my career, in 2014, I co-founded a gym in Brooklyn – Dean CrossFit and also joined Reebok as their “Head of Fitness” before joining Rokt. I serve as the point person for all things wellbeing and career development for Rokt across all offices.
What are your hopes for the tech industry becoming more inclusive? And what are some hopes for Rokt specifically?
As with any other industry, my hope is to decentralize the privilege and power structure that is monopolized by a few at the disadvantage of people who look like me. No handouts, a more even playing field for opportunity, comfort and generational wealth for Black and Brown People. My hope for Rokt is that they help lead a new corporate generation of intentional thinking and action centered around equity in resources applied to the hiring funnel.
How have you seen Blak’stars impact Rokt’s culture, and what does it mean to you to be a part of it?
I’m humbled to be a part of the Blak’stars group here at Rokt. It means we have the opportunity to be inspirations to those aspiring to or questioning if they can belong, thrive, succeed in high performance corporate environments. The work we put in now will be for the betterment of the generation of minority high schoolers and college students coming, there is great responsibility in that fact.
What do you like most about working at Rokt?
I enjoy the high level of autonomy and expectancy of “doing” vs “waiting on approval”.
What are some of your hobbies or passions outside of the office? How do you spend your free time?
I’m an avid traveler. The pack a carry on and grab an Airbnb en route to the airport, ideally to a non Instagram popular location. I read a ton, going between true crime, self help, business acumen, and nutrition genres. I also thoroughly enjoy bike riding to nowhere in particular (outside of winter).
How is Rokt different from other places you’ve worked?
I feel like I am embedded with a tribe of high performers on similar or higher wavelengths to my own, which I really enjoy. I thrive in spaces that challenge my thinking and capacity while having people whom I can absorb and learn from.
What’s your favorite memory from your time at Rokt?
The first time I met Kiwi at the office — my desk neighbor’s lap dog. I have my own dog who is just as small, but he is a tyrant at times so I’ve been leery to bring him in. Kiwi gives me my workday dog fix till I get home to mine.
What is one thing you’re looking forward to in the next 3-5 years at Rokt?
I’m looking forward to seeing the tangible impact of my role on the career trajectory of my peers as well as the bottom line of the company.
What Rokt core value do you most identify with?
“Raise the bar”. My dad said to me once, “I don’t care what you do, just be the best at it.” That stuck with me from childhood. Raise the bar aligns with that gem from my father and is pretty much how I have strived to live my life.
What was your favorite band in high school and why?
This is a tough one to narrow down to one. I think The Fugees. Their Caribbean heritage spoke to me and they were dope even before the highly acclaimed Score album.
Want to be part of our growing team? Check out our open roles here.