Annmarie Gajdos, a 2024 Aspire Leaders Program alumna, is passionate about storytelling and has a vibrant spirit that mirrors her outlook on life. The 26-year-old, whose roots trace back to Slovakia, found her earliest inspirations in the multiculturalism of her hometown – New York City.
Growing up amid the diversity of New York City, she developed a deep appreciation for culture, music, and travel. These interests would later shape both her professional dreams and personal adventures.
“My parents always stressed the importance of education and learning from peers. Music, travel, and culture were always an integral part of my life,” shares Annmarie of her early childhood.
An avid explorer, Annmarie has transformed her early volunteer trips during her school years into a lifelong passion for global discovery, having visited over 38 countries to date. She is also an enthusiastic content creator, documenting her travels on Instagram. “I love to travel because I feel like I meet so many interesting people that way. When you go and meet people, you create those connections and hear their stories,” she shares.
From scaling Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to wandering through the ancient streets of Istanbul, her adventures have shaped her worldview and reinforced her love for storytelling. “I realized we had so much more in common than I was expecting, even just in terms of the music we listen to or the things we like to do after work,” she reflects.
Aspire Leaders Program Experience
In January 2024, Annmarie joined the Aspire Leaders Program after seeing the program information posted by a connection on LinkedIn. “I had graduated from college and I missed academic learning from professors. I wanted to enhance my soft skills. So when I saw the application, I was excited because I knew the professors were really good,” she shares.
The program’s global perspective particularly resonated with her. It enhanced her critical thinking while also pushing her to accept different perspectives on topics. “My biggest takeaway is just that the world is so interconnected. The globalization aspect of the courses was incredible,” she reflects. “I learned that you can never stop learning. Even when you graduate and have your degree, there’s still so much to learn and discover.”
Balancing Corporate Role with Creative Pursuits
Annmarie graduated from the City University of New York with a BBA in Computer Information Systems and Management of Musical Entreprises and double minors in Business Law and NYC Studies. Her early jobs included working at record labels which piqued her interest in the entertainment industry.
“When HBO called and offered me a job, I thought it was a good entryway to see what I liked and what I didn’t in the industry,” Annmarie explains. “Along the way, I found that I love talking to people and sharing stories.”
She currently works full-time in finance at HBO, while pursuing her passion for journalism and content creation on the side. She views her current role at HBO as a strategic stepping stone in the entertainment industry.
Aspire Institute’s CEO Meena Sonea, was recently in New York City and met up with Annmarie. At this meeting, Annmarie shared her content creation journey and gained insights on how she could transform her passions into entrepreneurial endeavors.
Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, Annmarie has ambitious plans in the broadcasting world. “I want to have my late-night talk show eventually. Right now, I am hosting a fashion show, but I want to do something more music and culture-related,” she shares.
While her corporate role at HBO provides valuable industry insights, Annmarie actively builds her skills through side projects in correspondence and journalism. “Being at HBO has been helpful because it allows me to see what the industry is like from a different perspective,” she notes. “I’m always meeting different people on set or at the office, so that’s also been super helpful.”
As she charts her path toward becoming a talk show host, Annmarie embodies the Aspire spirit of lifelong learning, passion for life, and fearless pursuit of one’s dreams.
