Today I packed up my desk at work and at this very moment, the orange moving crates have are moving to a new floor where I’ll be sitting and working starting tomorrow. As a Pisces, the end of the zodiac cycle, I like endings because they allow us to complete a goal and look forward to new opportunities. I like the feeling of wrapping up a project, looking back on accomplishments that I worked so hard to achieve.
I do get a little sentimental during a wrap-up. Today it was a little hard to say good-bye to some co-workers, to know that I won’t be on the phone with them daily the way I was before. I’m so proud of the work we were able to do together, and I’m so grateful for the time I spent with them. This new opportunity before me is a dream position, and before I springboard head-first into the new job, I spent a little time reflecting on my last role and what I learned there:
1.) There’s no such thing as over-communication
2.) Never underestimate the power of honesty and reason to leave a lasting impression on people at all levels of an organization
3.) Saying what you mean and meaning what you say are the two most important things you can do on the job and in life
4.) Take care of a team so that the team can take care of customers so that customers’ opinions of and loyalty to the brand will take care of the shareholders’ investment; leaders need to focus their time on the base of the pyramid, not the top
5.) Leadership, above all else, is service and requires a high degree of empathy; care and concern for a team, as people first and employees second, is the surest way for a leader to be successful
Deep breath in, deep breath out, and here I go. In a new direction, on a new journey, armed with another experience to draw from.
Published by Christa Avampato
IN BRIEF
Author, journalist, digital product manager, and licensed New York City tour guide. Creator and host of NYC's Secrets and Lies. Alumna of the University of Pennsylvania (BA), the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA), Arizona State University (Biomimicry), and the University of Cambridge (MSt in Sustainability Leadership).
I build digital media platforms, report on urban climate resilience and biodiversity, and produce live narrative experiences that connect communities to history, nature, and place.
THE DEEP DIVE
My work centers on a single thread: building systems and stories that foster deep connection to our shared world. Across digital streaming, environmental reporting, and live civic storytelling, I design experiences that help people understand complex ideas and the environments around them.
DIGITAL PRODUCT STRATEGY & MEDIA LEADERSHIP
At Carnegie Hall, I serve as Digital Product Manager, leading product strategy, operations, and technical delivery for the video streaming platform Carnegie Hall+. I translate artistic mission into scalable, high-performance streaming architecture that reaches audiences globally. Previously, I led agile product and delivery teams across operations and compliance at American Express, managed Broadway theatrical productions and national tours, and guided strategic initiatives across cultural institutions.
ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM & AUTHORSHIP
As a freelance journalist, I investigate how living systems, urban infrastructure, and human culture intersect. My reported features on urban decarbonization, biodiversity, coastal resilience, and biomimicry appear in publications including Smithsonian Magazine, The Washington Post, Mongabay, Natural History Magazine, and Foreign Policy Magazine. In fiction, I write the Emerson Page young adult novel series, alongside upcoming historical fiction and nonfiction works on New York history, mythology, and human resilience. I also write Togetherhood, a LinkedIn newsletter focused on urban ecology and community restoration, and co-host the podcast Frameworks in the Wild.
LIVE EXPERIENCE & CIVIC STORYTELLING
As a licensed New York City tour guide and live event producer, I transform urban landscapes into shared narrative encounters. I created, produce, and host NYC's Secrets and Lies, an interactive live storytelling series staged across cultural landmarks including the New York Transit Museum, the South Street Seaport Museum, and the historic tall ship Wavertree. I also design and lead site-specific walking tours exploring coastal ecology, food history, and neighborhood evolution, often with partners at Climate Week NYC and the Natural Areas Conservancy.
DOUBLE OR NOTHING MEDIA
Through my independent production studio, Double or Nothing Media, I develop ventures across media, ecology, and public history:
Digital Products & Strategy: Architecting scalable digital platforms, streaming experiences, and operational models for mission-driven institutions.
Environmental Reporting & Publications: Delivering long-form reporting, books, and newsletters grounded in climate resilience and regenerative design.
Site-Specific Live Storytelling: Producing immersive live shows and educational walking tours that engage public audiences in community history.
CONNECT
Website & Production Hub: doubleornothingmedia.com and christaavampato.com
Newsletter: Togetherhood on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/newsletters/togetherhood-7273771832221089792/
Instagram & Threads: @christarosenyc
Emerson Page Novels: emersonpagebook.wordpress.com/
View all posts by Christa Avampato
Christa you have absorbed and embodied more leadership, empowerment and vision in such a short time than I have encountered in thirty years. Ohhhh, how things could have been different had I had your courage and strength and wisdom to mentor me. Lead own Visionary and bring the heart back to the business world! I do not wish you luck, you’ve made the path and have the sword — go forth and conquer!
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Thanks for this huge vote of confidence, Beth! I will do my best to live up to the faith you have in me!
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Yes, Christa, saying good-bye can be tough. The nostalgia of having worked with your colleagues can pull at your heart-strings. It is uncomfortable to leave people.
On the other hand, the dream position beckons and will be personally meaningful and a rewarding experience.
I guess that’s life: you win some and then you lose some.
Your management lessons are well-considered. Listening with empathy is a key component of success with people.
And any business, after all, is all about the people. Whether at the top, middle or bottom of the pyramid, we all have to get along with people.( It seems you have good “people skills.”)
In the final analysis, people make or break your business, not just the customers/clients. My guess is, you also have to interact with people outside your organization.
Maintaining a good rapport with these external stakeholders can also translate into a better image for your company. Let the good times roll and cheers to you.
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Thanks, Archan. I’m doing my best to keep those good times roll, roll, rollin’ along. You’re right – you win some and you lose some. As long as we keep sight of the people in our company, and keep their well-being top-of-mind, I think we’ll be able to bring the heart back to business.
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Very smart insights on leadership…I hope you’re managing a team in your new position, the company will be better for it! (and so will those on the team….)
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Thanks, Amanda. Not officially leading a team in this new role, but will likely be managing cross-functionally eventually – once I get myself grounded in this new job. It’s a good time and I’m learning a ton. This opportunity was definitely worth staying for! Thanks for your vote of confidence!
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