Leading with Bold Brilliance and Unstoppable Drive
Vice President Strategic Partnership
Aftershoot
Veronica’s journey began in the modest surroundings of her homeland, where her early struggles shaped a resilient mindset that would later fuel her success in the U.S. As the Vice President of Aftershoot, she has become a driving force behind one of the most innovative AI-driven companies in the tech industry. Her story is not just about achieving success, but about empowering others to rise with her—an embodiment of what it means to be an empowering woman leader in today’s fast-paced, evolving world. Reflecting on her journey, Veronica once said
And that’s exactly what she’s done. What truly sets Veronica apart is her commitment to lifting others as she rises. In a world that often emphasizes individual achievement, she exemplifies a new kind of leadership—one that breaks ceilings but also builds bridges for those following behind. Recognized as one of the Most Empowering Women Leaders from the USA 2024, Veronica Benson’s story is a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about personal triumph; it’s about creating a legacy of empowerment and opportunity for others. With a vision that transcends traditional boundaries, Veronica is proving that success is not defined by where you start, but by how many people you bring with you along the way. TradeFlock interviewed her to delve into this vision, strategies and future plans.
My career has been a long journey, starting as a teenager in Peru where selling was more about survival than business. Figuring out how to make ends meet taught me to find opportunities in every relationship, shaping me into the businesswoman I am today. Over time, I launched several businesses in Peru, from wine distribution to oil changes and fumigation. In 2016, I moved to the U.S. to join my husband and children, starting from scratch with no business background here and even studying nursing. Then in 2022, I found my true calling again when I joined Aftershoot. My networking skills helped me quickly introduce Aftershoot to Spanishspeaking communities. When the partnerships manager left, I stepped up to lead and focus on growing and scaling the program.
Moving to the U.S. came with two big challenges: being a Hispanic woman and speaking English as my second language. I’ve been judged for my accent and found it even tougher to break into maledominated spaces. But instead of seeing these as setbacks, they fueled my determination. I knew I’d have to work twice as hard to prove myself, and that’s exactly what I did. When I first joined Aftershoot, some brands didn’t even respond to me, but now they’re eager to collaborate after seeing the results we’ve achieved. Throughout the time, there was just one thing in my mind –
Empowering women in my organization and industry starts with building confidence. I’ve faced challenges due to both race and gender, so I know how easy it is to walk into male-dominated spaces and think, “Maybe I don’t belong here.” But confidence is the key to unlocking doors where we already belong. It’s often not a lack of skill but a lack of belief in ourselves that holds us back. I encourage women to embrace their values and step into spaces they deserve. When I see talented women hesitate, I remind them that they belong and that, with confidence, they can break barriers and thrive.
I love spending time with my family. Whether it’s a board game or a movie, having time to disconnect and recharge with loved ones helps you focus when things are on. I love exercising as well, that boost of energy in the morning and wrapping up the day with my husband and kids makes everyday special.
One experience that absolutely changed my outlook on leadership and empowerment was when I had opened one of my first businesses. It was an oil change business, and I had an amazing employee and a few ok employees. I treated them all as equals. What I did not realize at the time, was that creating opportunities for each employee to grow and feel more valuable to the company would churn them out. The really good employee ended up leaving and starting his own competing business. I immediately pivoted my attention to the ok employees, and found that the loyalty was there, and with the right coaching and motivation, one of them ended up growing and I created the path for him to eventually open up our second location. Loyalty is very important when it comes to employees, but loyalty goes both ways. As a leader, you need to make sure your loyal employees who are devoted to the company’s success, whether they are the best employees or not, have a space to grow and become the person who could run everything in the future if needed. While that great employee that left was great working for us, his business went under a few months before our second location opened up. The best employees don’t always end up being the most capable to lead when left on their own.
Strategic partnerships can seem simple but are actually quite challenging. It’s easy to say, “We want to work with you,” but the real skill lies in setting yourself apart and building genuine connections that inspire collaboration. My experiences growing up taught me that every connection is a chance to innovate, whether it’s organizing a unique event or launching an entirely new initiative. The key is to see every opportunity as a chance to experiment and grow, pushing your brand to lead and stand out in the industry.
For me, personal and professional goals are intertwined. Over the next five years, I plan to grow Aftershoot while also expanding my personal brand. It’s not just about business; it’s about empowering the people I meet and creating positive change. For example, I’m collaborating with a photographer to organize a marathon, with proceeds going to help those in need afford wheelchairs. My goals often overlap because I believe in using my platform to make a meaningful impact, both in my career and in the communities I support.
One of the biggest things I have done to help empower my team is giving everybody the ability to influence the entire program. Just because I may know how I want strategy or operations to run, I know many of them have personal things they are passionate about, and can help influence or bring the strategy to another level. This means trying to harness what each employee loves and finding ways to bring that into their work to help the entire program perform at its best.
One of the greatest disparities between men and women to this day is equality. Companies seem to struggle to empower women to be leaders. It often comes with strings attached, such as, you can lead this team, with this person as your second in command, or this person overseeing. There are opportunities for women to lead, but gaining trust amongst employers is more difficult for women than for men.
Be disciplined and finish what you have started. It is so easy to get distracted and pulled in different directions, leaving things half done. Discipline helps with this. Making sure you wake up early, and get started on the right foot. Carrying that mentality of getting going and sticking with it throughout the day gives you the mental freedom to focus on getting everything done.
