20 Questions With Monica Trevino, Director, Loss Prevention Operations, GameStop

1. What’s the best book you’ve read recently? 
   “Stories that Stick” by Kindra Hall is a wonderful resource to help leaders tell compelling stories that inspire.
2. What is a tip you have for productively leading a WFH or hybrid team? 
   Setting clear expectations and regular updates is key to maintaining a productive team.
3. What’s a mistake you made early on in your career?  
   Early in my career I didn’t lean in as often as I could have. I didn’t have the confidence then that I have now.
4. What’s the toughest part of being in charge? 
   Balancing the needs of the business but still being sensitive to the demands on the team can be difficult to balance at times. Communicating those challenges up the chain as well as down is imperative.
5. What’s the best way you motivate team members? 
   I like to acknowledge and celebrate tangible wins regularly, internally and via career site posts.
6. What woman inspires you right now and why? 
   Jamie Lee Curtis has been inspirational to me lately. With her recent Oscar win, she has proven that women in their mature years are still able to contribute meaningful work. She is a great example of women supporting women.
7. What are you looking forward to the most for the industry over the next year? 
   Continued partnerships with integrators to improve our analytics. Using the data to drive our physical security initiatives.
8. What is one thing you look for when interviewing a potential candidate?
9. I look for candidates that have confidence. They know their abilities and are not shy of taking on new responsibilities.
10. What’s something that you learned about yourself in the past year? 
    My strength is in adaptability. This past year has presented many changes in my organization, and being able to adapt to those changes has been essential.
11. What’s your favorite podcast? 
    “Good Friend” with Jamie Lee Curtis
12. What values are most important to you as a leader? 
    Communication and transparency with the team are essential. It fosters trust and strengthens the team.
13. What’s the most important thing people should know about you? 
    I am an advocate for my direct reports. Their growth and development are paramount to me.
14. What practices or boundaries have you implemented in your personal life to create more work/life balance? 
    I dedicate time to my family and my hobbies. It is essential to maintain those personal relationships and activities in order to feel rejuvenated.
15. How would you describe yourself in a single sentence?
    I strive to be a servant leader, to lead by example and to foster the development of my team.
16. What’s your favorite app? 
    LinkedIn is my favorite career-focused app. It allows me to stay connected with industry peers and also develop insight to emerging trends.
17. What do you do to recharge?
    Travel! Seeing new places and immersing into new cultures inspires me.
18. What is your biggest accomplishment? 
    Being in the minority as a woman in the field of loss prevention and rising to my current position has been my greatest career accomplishment.
19. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders? 
    Squash that imposter syndrome monkey on your back, and don’t be afraid to lean in. You’ve got this!
20. What gets you up in the morning? 
    My dog! Seriously though, it is knowing that what my team accomplishes every day to support our stores really matters.
21. What do you like most about being a member of Women in Retail?
    This group provides a forum to share best practices and to share challenges in a safe and inclusive environment.

Interested in connecting with women like Trevino? Apply today to become a Women in Retail Leadership Circle member!