Celebrating International Women's Day: Q&A with Talos's Head of People, Kat Moks

How have your experiences as a woman in a male-dominated industry shaped your approach to building the culture at a crypto technology startup?‍

I had taken for granted the role that women have played in my life until I entered the crypto industry in 2021. 

I was raised in a single-parent household (thanks, Mom!), attended an all-girls high school, and my most formative job prior to Talos was at a company where women held 60% of leadership positions. It should have been obvious to me that I had gotten to the place I was in because of the women surrounding me. 

But arriving at Talos in 2021, there weren’t other women leaders to open doors for me, and it was then that I realized the hole that creates in an employee experience. 

It was going to be my turn to open the doors. It’s a torch that I am proud has been passed to me. 

What is your north star?

Creating the best place to work. Seriously. 

I know women in similar positions might run into roadblocks, but we are very fortunate at Talos to have incredibly supportive founders and male leadership who are committed to making Talos the best place to work. They have been supportive of creating a workplace that values integrity, flexibility, and equality, allowing women and all of our employees to succeed.  

I bring one lens of what is important in a “great place to work” and my perspective may or may not ring true for some women, and for our employees in general. The reality is we all value different things in a workplace and are motivated differently.

I often temperature check ideas or policies with my brain trust – a trusted group of people in different industries and roles that I have been fortunate enough to encounter. They are happy to tell me the best and worst things going on within their companies and what would make them love their jobs more. I value the diversity of their perspectives and am happy to adapt ideas to make sense for Talos. 

What advice would you give women who are interested in a career in digital assets, technology or finance?

I have received a lot of advice throughout my career, but I often return to one piece of advice I received from a mentor early on in my career. 

I had an offer in hand to leave for a better paying job at a company with a great reputation. I knew deep down that I was not as excited about the role, but it was an opportunity worth considering. She told me that I would value different aspects of each job I held, and would hold, at different points in my life and career. 

“Sometimes the cash in your pocket will be the most important; other times, you’ll value flexibility. Maybe at points you will want an opportunity that pushes you. Sometimes, it will be the team and culture. If you find all of these pieces in one job, you should try your best to hold on to it.” 

With that in mind, my advice is not to allow society to dictate what “having it all” means and know that “having it all” can change for you over time. Having a fulfilling career and life should look different for every woman. Take some time to decide what you value – define your own ambition.

If you are motivated by the idea of a role that is going to push you, where you can truly be part of building something and leave a lasting impact, then I think you should consider a job in crypto. And you should strongly consider Talos. 

How do you navigate motherhood and working full time in this fast-paced  industry?

I love being a parent. I love my job. Some days, I might even change the order in which I list those. Doing both is hard, and some days it feels impossible. 

What drives me in my career right now? I have chosen a role that pushes me while also allowing me flexibility to be present for my daughters. 

There are tradeoffs, no doubt. I am constantly having to make choices that, quite frankly, my colleagues without children don’t have to make. But I will say this: I have chosen to work at a company that is incredibly supportive of working parents and all the speedbumps that come along with trying to figure it out. 

It’s so important to me that I wear the “working mom” badge. I want to push the boundaries of what could set precedent to make the future better for my daughters in whatever path they choose. And I remind myself every day that I am setting an example for them of what it means to work hard and love what you do.

If you have any tips that have worked well as a working parent, please send them my way. 

What’s one lesson you’d like to share? 

I tried to adapt to the way other people in the room might best receive information. I tried to be more like them than me. I left meetings incredibly frustrated that I wasn’t getting through to others, even though my ideas were good ideas. My mistake was that my focus was outward instead of inward. 

Instead of focusing on what others in the room “don’t get”, let’s focus on what we bring to the table. When each of us leans into our own strengths, whether that’s high EQ, communication skills, or a different lens on problem solving, we contribute our deepest expertise. The best decisions are made with well-rounded perspectives and backgrounds.

When we work with the talents that come naturally to us, we have more opportunities to do what women can do best – highlight the strengths we see so clearly in those around us. Everyone wins.

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