Our Head of Operations
Ardiana Comia
Ardiana came onboard in 2020, starting fresh but with a track record of success. The potential was obvious from day one and, very quickly, she rose through the ranks.
As Head of Operations, Ardiana continues to improve as an individual and as a leader. Throughout this journey, she ensures that her team succeeds and grows alongside her.
Tell us about your current role at Ortus and how you got here.
After a tremendous four-year run at my previous job, I was seeking an opportunity to stand on my own two feet. Casually browsing through job listings, The Ortus Club caught my eye. The simple yet elegant representation of a group dedicated to C-level executives from esteemed companies around the world sharing insider knowledge exclusively to its members or, as I know now, guests was definitely intriguing. I wanted to be in. I applied at the beginning of the pandemic, and soon thereafter, I was in.
It was a risk. I had to start all over—an entry-level position with no guarantee of a future.
Then in the first week, I saw it. I saw the potential. I knew it wasn’t perfect, as with most start-ups, but I knew right from the get-go that there is a future. I knew I could add value.
I hadn’t even finished my training session, and I had already messaged the managing partner, Jess Circi, to put myself out there. Albeit my willingness to initiate more than the job description, I also knew that I had to know more about the space before I could carry out responsibilities beyond my scope. And that’s exactly what I did. I mastered my role and waited for the right time before I applied my know-how to the wonderful world of Operations.
Two and two worked in my favour. A year later, I’m now the Head of Operations at the Ortus Club.
What’s going well for you and your team this week? Any wins (big or small)?
As we’re nearing the end of the year, we’ve had a chance to recap the improvements we’ve executed, and I couldn’t be more proud of the team and the accomplishments we’ve made in a short amount of time.
It completely shifted the landscape of the company and how we operate. From breeding leaders to building a culture of trust and collaboration, this transformation enabled us to grow into a motivated bunch that’s hungry for more!
Tell us about a refreshing encounter you had with a coworker.
It’s often overlooked with the work we do to remember what our end-product is. We hyperfocus on the numbers and ticking off tasks from our to-do list that we miss out on what is important.
Speaking with Charlene about her event, she was surprised that I was actually listening to the roundtable discussion. As a knowledge-sharing company, dialogue is our bread and butter. It’s where our guests and our clients find the most value. So we, too, can find it worthwhile.
Where do the great ideas come from in your organisation?
Great ideas come from connecting with people, no matter what role they have in the company. Simply by talking to them, you can gain valuable insight that could better your organisation and yourself. So let’s not limit ourselves to staying in one circle. Having these conversations with people from different backgrounds broadens your perspective and opens up possibilities where you can make the biggest impact.
“Great ideas come from connecting with people, no matter what role they have in the company. Simply by talking to them, you can gain valuable insight that could better your organisation and yourself.”
How do you continue to grow and develop as a leader?
I listen. It’s a superpower each of us has but often fails to realise. It empowers us to become self-aware of what we lack and where we can grow. It’ll challenge you, hurt you, and put you down, but it also pushes you to become better and stronger. Listen with intent.
Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you? Why and how did this person impact your life?
A man named Jordan Peterson, a renowned psychologist and intellectual, highly influences my life. Listening to his lectures and podcasts enables me to gain wisdom and knowledge on how to go about my daily activities, be it personal or professional. Whenever I’m lost and confused about moving forward, I always seek his advice and keep going. He taught me to look within myself to find the strength to bring about change that I want, including for those around me. Although difficult to accept, he is not afraid of telling you the truth, and that keeps me grounded.
One of my favourite adages from him is, “Maybe it’s not the world that’s at fault. Maybe it’s you.”
What makes you want to stay at The Ortus Club?
The Ortus Club is here if you want it. It’s for people that understand that reality is what you make it.
It’s not easy by all means. It’s definitely challenging, but once you realise that it’s all up to you, whatever you want, YOU are the driver, then everything else is just a bump in the road.
The possibilities are endless. And that’s why I’m still here.
Meet the team
Discover new opportunities with Ortus and apply to join our team in Asia or Europe!