The Women Who Make AC Possible: Cristina talks about career and new motherhood

Andean Collection continues its celebration of Women's History Month with Cristina, the Production Coordinator and Manager of Exports in Ecuador.

Cristina on her wedding day. Que linda!

Born in Ecuador's northern city of Ibarra, and currently living in Otavalo, Cristina started working with Andean Collection in 2011. Her family had been working in exportation for years, so she followed in her father's footsteps and studied customs in college. "When I started working for Andean Collection, I was this inexperienced girl, just barely out of university," said Cristina humbly. "Slowly but surely I started to gain experience and professionalism. Still, though, I think I have a lot to learn." In all actuality, Cristina hit the ground running when she started working with Andean Collection. She quickly mastered the complicated packing and exportation process. This is an extraordinarily important and detail-oriented position that ensures all of our accessories make it to our customers in pristine condition. Fortunately, Cristina is an international customs whiz and she embraces the methodical aspect of the position.

Cristina (expecting!) and Vanessa lend a hand in Nancy's workshop.

Shortly after she began working with Andean Collection, Cristina also started to contribute to production coordination. In addition to working in exports, she now assists Sally, Andean Collection's Product Development Coordinator, and spends a lot of time visiting in the artisan workshops. Cristina's precision, paired with a strong eye for fashion and sunny disposition, make her a perfect fit for this role. "Each season we are sent new designs from NYC and I love assisting in the process." One of Cristina's roles is to help Sally in maintaining a smooth flow of production in the artisan workshops, from materials, to color and construction.
In addition to having two roles at Andean Collection, Cristina is also a new mom. Last November, she and her husband Francisco welcomed Danna Sophia into the world.

Cristina with Sophia, just weeks old.

Now that Cristina is a new mom, I was curious how she plans to balance motherhood and career. This is what she told me, "When it comes to the woman's role, in Ecuador, women are an indispensable part of family life. Children and husbands depend on the women in their lives to care for them and the home. Working at Andean Collection has taught me that I can do both. By having a career, I'm helping my family. My life is different from my mother's because I can attain my career goals with the help of my husband. He supports me."

Cristina brought Sophia along to an artisan meeting in Otavalo, February 2012.

Although Cristina's future is likely to be different from her mother's, she looks up to both her mother and grandmother, "I deeply admire my grandmother. She cares for everyone and everything in the home. Although she's a bit older, she has a tremendous amount of energy and vitality. She helps take care of Sophia when I'm working, and does everything in her power to make our lives less complicated and more joyful." Cristina continued, "My mother has so many wonderful virtues that I hope to pass along to my daughter. I love that she is a goodhearted person. She is always helping people. She's also extremely intelligent and seems to have a solution for any problem."

Cristina's mom Patricia holding Sophia.

 Clearly, the apple doesn't fall from the tree!