Meet Optro’s 2025 personal improvement value champion: Dana Pernsteiner

In this Optro culture series, we are spotlighting our 2025 Values Champion Winners. Read on to learn more about Optro’s core values and our people who embody them!

At Optro, a value champion is an individual who exemplifies and embodies our Optro core values. Selected through our annual Values Champions Awards, these individuals demonstrate exceptional commitment to our values in their everyday actions and interactions. As value ambassadors, they serve as role models and champions of our organizational values, inspiring their colleagues and contributing to a culture of excellence, integrity, and collaboration throughout the year.

We're thrilled to introduce Dana Pernsteiner, a Strategic Alliances Manager at Optro and our 2025 personal improvement value champion. Dana has demonstrated a fierce commitment to personal growth since joining Optro as an Executive Assistant, a drive amplified by her Army experience and innate pursuit of excellence. From her EA role, she meticulously studied our sales organization and products, gaining a deep understanding of our customers and the interplay of the various building blocks of customer success. This proactive self-education, combined with strategic conversations and insightful questions, positioned her perfectly to apply for — and ultimately earn — her role as Partner Sales Manager on the Alliances team. Dana truly embodies the value of daring greatly in the pursuit of personal improvement.

Tell us about your role at Optro.

Dana: I manage strategic alliances with Crowe, Grant Thornton, and A-LIGN. My role focuses on building strong, collaborative relationships that create value for both our partners and Optro. I’m part of an incredible team that works cross-functionally to support our partners and drive meaningful impact in the market.

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned at Optro?

Dana: My journey at Optro has taken me from supporting executives to partner sales and now to building strategic alliances. Each chapter has required something different from me, but what’s remained constant is the value of staying curious. Curiosity fuels relationship-building. Asking thoughtful questions, listening closely, and taking the time to understand what truly matters to our people, our customers, and our partners has helped me find success in each role. The more I lean into learning and connecting with people, the more effective and fulfilled I feel in my work.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Dana: The most rewarding part of my job is meaningfully supporting both our internal teams and our partners. I love being in a role that connects people, creates alignment, and helps others succeed. Being that bridge between teams and making things happen together motivates me every day.

How has Optro helped you in your career development?

Dana: Optro has completely changed the trajectory of my career. I started as an Executive Assistant and was given the opportunity to move into a completely different part of the organization. I’ve been surrounded by leaders and mentors who invested in my growth and made sure I had the tools, training, and encouragement to succeed. That kind of trust and support is rare, and I’m incredibly grateful for it.

What advice would you give someone interested in a career in your field?

Dana: Don’t be afraid to start with what you don’t know. Be willing to ask a lot of questions, tap into your network, and seek out people who are already doing the work. When I moved into partnerships, I leaned heavily on the relationships I’d built, connected with others in the space, and made it a point to learn from every conversation. Alliance management is about connecting dots and providing value for everyone involved, so the more you listen, learn, and build trust, the more effective you’ll be.