Aazia “Aaz” Mickens-Dessaso, 32, director of the Office of Innovation, Zel Technologies | Top 40 Under 40

At work: As I shape the company’s new Office of Innovation, I work closely with my mentor and company CEO Jack Ezzell to facilitate conversations about our corporate strategy, integrate new collaboration tools, develop the company’s brand voice, and work with the local startup community.

Home and family: I am engaged to Corey, a Pittsburgh native whom I met in Downtown Norfolk and convinced to build a life with me in the 757. Naomi, my 15-year-old daughter, is a student in the Governor’s Health Sciences Academy and International Baccalaureate program, and plays soccer for Virginia Legacy Soccer Club.

Volunteer activities: I am a member of the Business Advisory Council of Versability Resources, curator emeritus for the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community (Norfolk Hub), and a member of the Climate Reality Leadership Corps.

Motivating factor: I am motivated by the energy, ingenuity, and optimism of Gen Z. My daughter and her friends use technology in such creative ways to fight for what’s right, galvanize their peers, create positive change, and inject more joy into the world. It makes me so hopeful for a bright, open-minded, and inclusive future.

Advice for young people: There is no such thing as failure. Experiment with new ideas often, learn everything you can from your experiments, and use what you’ve learned to continuously adjust your sails.

Professional goal in five years: My goal is to build a thriving consultancy that helps companies re-imagine the future of work. New technologies, global health events, social unrest, and climate change present a tremendous opportunity for individuals, businesses, and government to proactively build a human-centered and profitable future.

The one thing I’d change about Hampton Roads: It’s wishful, but I would love for the seven cities of Hampton Roads to consolidate. Each city has and should retain its own unique culture and identity, but more streamlined services and amenities, and a more unified economy would transform this region into a standout contender in the national conversation about thriving metropolitan areas. Connectivity = productivity!

Region’s biggest asset: The region’s greatest asset is its people! We are diverse, we share so much creative, athletic, and scientific talent with the world, and we care about one another.

Downtime: In my downtime, I love to hunt for vintage decor. Because of its history, this area is great for thrifting. Plus, buying secondhand supports local businesses and nonprofits, and is more authentic and sustainable than anything you’ll find on Amazon.

What really gets under my skin: I am happy to grant people the space to be exactly who they are, but I will NEVER understand why drivers slam on their brakes before driving through the tunnels!