Virtual Meeting
Kristina C. Unker and I first connected virtually in 2019, instantly hit it off, and have since built a close friendship and collaborated on multiple projectsโall without ever meeting in person (yet!).
As the Founder & Creative Director of MA’AM Creative & Maestra Presents, Kristina is not only a visionary in her field but also a powerhouse connector, mentor, and advocate for women in creative industries.
Check out our conversation below.
๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ถ๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ, ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ต๐ผ๐ ๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ถ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐น๐ถ๐ณ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฟ?
Twenty years into my career, my greatest strength and superpower is being a connector, matching people to collaborate, inspire or support one another’s journey. I earn the trust of those who meet me rather quickly, and after personal reflection, it’s because I’m very open about my shortcomings and challenges. Connecting people to make 1+1=3 energizes me, especially when I discover that an introduction led to something extraordinary – a friendship, a job opportunity, or a collaboration. People frequently come to me for mentorship, advice, or connection with others. As a result, I have built a beautiful network of intelligent and inspiring people, especially women, for which I’m grateful.
๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐โ๐ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐บ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ผ๐ฝ๐น๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐๐น๐ฑ๐ปโ๐ ๐ด๐๐ฒ๐๐โ๐ฏ๐๐ ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ฎ ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ป๐ถ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐ฟ๐ผ๐น๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ผ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ?
Many people who know me believe I am strongly self-assured and confident. What they don’t know is that I have struggled with depression and anxiety since I was a child. Through those darkest moments, my mother has been my salvation and steadfast supporterโnever judging or treating me as broken but gently guiding me back toward the light. I’ve learned to lean on close friends and family when needed rather than attempting to face every challenge alone. These life challenges have built trust and confidence in myself and the ability to overcome and activate effective habits to maintain good mental health.
๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฑ๐ผ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ฝ๐น๐ถ๐ณ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ผ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐, ๐ฒ๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป?
Mentoring young women in the creative industry is one of my top priorities. Too often, women undervalue themselvesโIโm passionate about helping them build confidence, own their power, and demand what they deserve. I began mentoring at-risk youth in my 20s, later guiding professionals through corporate mentorship at Starwood Hotels & Resorts. As an entrepreneur, Iโve mentored through Built by Girls, AIGA NY, UCONN Werth Institute for Entrepreneurs, and countless aspiring creatives. I will never stop mentoring. Grateful for the mentors who shaped my own journey, I see paying it forward as both a privilege and a purpose.
Who are the remarkable women in your industry or community that deserve recognition? Letโs celebrate their impact together.