We recently had the chance to connect with Victoria Zelefsky and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Victoria, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Who are you learning from right now?
I’ve always been driven to grow my career and sharpen my skills because being mediocre has never felt like a viable option to me. For years, that meant taking classes, attending conferences, and saying “yes” to every professional opportunity that came my way, even if it wasn’t directly tied to my career goals. But recently, I’ve shifted my focus. Instead of keeping my head down and grinding, I’ve been looking up, building a network of inspiring people, asking for help, and celebrating their wins.
This shift has been a game-changer. Surrounding myself with smart, motivated professionals, especially women, has expanded my perspective in ways I had not imagined. I’m constantly in awe of my circle and grateful for the relationships I’ve built. Now, when I go to conferences or events, I’m intentional about meeting people who inspire me and I make a point to follow up. Whether it’s a Zoom call, coffee chat, or in-person meal, those connections are where the real growth happens.
One of my favorite examples was at a conference in New York City in 2022. I was attending alone, visibly pregnant with my first son, and admittedly less outgoing than normal when I heard a senior leader from Bozzuto speak on a panel. She was sharp, insightful, and one of the most engaging speakers I’d ever heard. I pushed myself to walk up afterward, introduce myself, and we’ve stayed connected ever since. To this day, I’m able to ask her career questions and continue learning from and being inspired by her.
More recently, at a digital marketing conference in DC, I listened to a panelist discuss AI with such clarity and expertise that it made a complex topic feel completely approachable. Again, I made sure to connect with her, and that relationship has already proven incredibly valuable.
What I’ve learned is this: professional growth isn’t just about taking classes, getting certifications, or checking off goals—it’s about people. The more I invest in relationships, the more inspired and motivated I become.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Victoria—an opera singer turned marketing professional, full-time mom of two sweet boys, and full-time VP in a quasi-government agency, with a busy social calendar and a few side hustles that keep life interesting. I’ve always thrived on staying busy, but becoming a mom in 2023 taught me the importance of prioritization and self-care because when I am feeling my best I am a better mom and better person.
Today, I’m the Vice President of Marketing & Communications at the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation in Annapolis, MD. What I love most about this role is the opportunity to make a difference right here in the community I call home. Before this, I worked in Washington, DC as head of marketing for a real estate development company and its brokerage of more than 1,000 agents. It was exciting and rewarding, but after welcoming my first son, I knew I needed to rebalance. Taking a leap of faith, I shifted closer to home and found a role (and a team) that turned out to be the best fit.
Now, my work is as meaningful as it is dynamic. From organizing agricultural fundraisers that spotlight local products to coordinating nearly 100 business visits and 50+ community leaders in a single week every fall, there’s never a dull moment. Balancing career, motherhood, and community life is no small feat, but I’m grateful every day for the people I work with and the impact we’re making together.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I fell in love with singing when I was in second grade. Like many kids, my mom encouraged me to try different sports and extra curricular activities, and I took to choir almost instantly. I could hold a tune, remember any lyrics, and most importantly, I loved being on stage. When I was seven, I was chosen to sing the solo in “One Little Candle” in our annual winter concert. The auditorium was dark, the seats were full, the stage was bright and cold, and I was nervous—but I took the microphone, sang my heart out, and walked off beaming from ear to ear. I had proven to myself that I could do it, and I felt so invincible.
That moment changed everything. Music opened doors to experiences I’ll always cherish, and to this day, I often think back to that little girl who stepped onto that stage with courage beyond her years and never looked back.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I’ve always been passionate about my work and laser-focused on building a career I could be proud of. But becoming a mom shifted everything for me. Before having children, I had no idea how difficult finding reliable childcare in the U.S. could be. I always believed that with the right planning and determination, you could figure anything out. When I found out we were expecting our first son, I was over the moon and immediately started preparing. We toured a few facilities and picked our favorite and, before even telling our families we were expecting, we put a deposit down and joined the waitlist at a daycare close to home with a great reputation, I felt confident we had our plan in place.
But just weeks after Charlie was born, I called to confirm our spot and learned that, even after waiting 11 months, we no longer had one. Other families with siblings had priority. I was devastated, facing a return to work in less than a month with no childcare plan and a newborn in my arms. As a planner, I had done everything “right,” yet here I was back at square one.
For the first time, my priorities had shifted completely. Charlie came first, and I even considered putting my career on hold to stay home, something I had never imagined for myself. I threw myself into finding a solution but also prepared myself to walk away from a job I loved if I couldn’t find care I trusted.
And then, in the most unexpected way, the answer came. My garden was overflowing with herbs, so I posted in a local moms’ Facebook group offering them for free. A woman showed up for dill, saw me sitting outside with Charlie, and casually asked, “What are you doing for childcare?” Within two months, we joined her nanny share and found the most loving, kind, and wonderful nanny I could have imagined.
Looking back, being bumped off that daycare list was a blessing in disguise. It was overwhelming in the moment, especially as a sleep-deprived new mom, but it taught me resilience, the power of community, and that sometimes the best plans are the ones you never saw coming.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. Authenticity is so important to me. While the “public version” of myself often highlights wins and beautiful moments, I also make space to share the raw, uncomfortable, and honest parts of life. As a marketer, I know how powerful storytelling is, and I know that people can always sense when what you’re putting out there isn’t real. I’m proud to celebrate my successes and to share the beautiful moments in my life I work hard to create, but I’m just as willing to be open and vulnerable when times are hard.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
As an opera singer, there are moments when you feel like you’ve “made it”, and I was lucky enough to experience that more than once. One of my proudest moments was being selected to sing the National Anthem at Camden Yards for the Baltimore Orioles. What began as a dream moment turned into a tradition, as I was invited back year after year for 10 years. That first time especially felt like a defining milestone, and I couldn’t wait to add it to my resume.
Looking back now, though, I realize that while singing gave me incredible opportunities, it was never quite enough for me. The beauty of performance didn’t outweigh the grind and uncertainty of the lifestyle. At 24, I was living in Europe and chasing the path of a professional singer when I had to face the truth: it wasn’t the future I wanted. I was in love with someone back home in America, I craved stability, and I wanted to experience life fully through travel, great food, and beautiful things without the “starving artist” mentality.
Ironically, even as I sang on some of the biggest stages of my life, I knew deep down it wasn’t my calling. It was time to pivot, and I’m proud to say I did just that, carving out a career that excites and fulfills me in ways I never could have imagined back then.
Contact Info:
