Natasha Valani, Chief People Officer at Tubi

Like a lot of graduating high school seniors, Natasha Valani knew she wanted to go to college, but wasn’t entirely sure what she wanted to study. That uncertainty and a willingness to ask questions and reimagine what career opportunities a degree might offer, have propelled her to the role of Chief People Officer at the streaming service, Tubi.

“I had no idea what I wanted to do after high school. I dabbled in fashion, was drawn to marketing and advertising, but wasn’t sure where I wanted to land,” Valani said. “Starting at a local community college gave me the space to explore my options while saving money. By my second year at Norwalk Community College, I found myself leaning toward marketing, and with the help of an amazing counselor, I discovered Western Connecticut State University and its business and marketing programs.”

Once she transferred to WCSU, Valani enrolled in the AACSB-accredited Ancell School of Business, where she majored in Business Administration and Marketing, and explored what a future in marketing might look like.

“Autonomy and agency were important to me,” Valani said. “WCSU provided the flexibility to own my schedule and provided me with the tools to figure out how I could make learning work on my time. I’m not sure I would have had that level of autonomy anywhere else. I paid my own way through college, and chose classes that fit around my work schedule so I could balance my job, classes, and study time.”

She did make time for a few activities that supported her intended degree. “I found an internship with Aflac on their sales team,” Valani said. “That internship taught me how to style flex when it comes to your audience and how to navigate the corporate landscape early on.”

Tubi executives at the premiere of Naomi Osaka’s documentary, “The Second Set”: (l-r) Rich Bloom, GM, Creator Programs & EVP, Business Development; Courtney Sanchez, Chief Strategy Officer & EVP, Operations; Natasha Valani, Chief People Officer; and Jeff Lucas, Chief Revenue Officer.

She also joined the university’s marketing club — the Western Marketing Association (WMA). “I met some lifelong friends through that club and expanded my network,” Valani said. “If you were to ask me today, going to college is part setting you up for your career and part networking — both are extremely critical after you graduate.”

After her December 2009 graduation, Valani said she originally thought she’d end up in sales or consumer insights. “I loved understanding what drives people’s decisions,” she explained. “Instead, I found my path in human resources. I started in benefits, moved into employee engagement and development, then leadership development, and eventually became an HR business partner. What began as a passion for influencing consumers evolved into influencing people and shaping how they experience work. I noticed an interesting parallel: both fields are fundamentally about understanding human behavior and shaping experiences.”

Valani continued, “My career began in benefits and talent management, but my foundational experience was forged at Mastercard. Driven by curiosity and a willingness to say ‘yes’ to any challenge, I dove into complex problems and questioned existing policies, learning quickly with the help of a great mentor. The pivotal moment came when I moved into media at 21st Century Fox, a role that finally fused my professional expertise in HR with my personal passion for content. Over the last eight years, through progressive leadership roles at Fox and now Tubi, I’ve had the privilege of partnering with some of the industry’s brightest minds. These collaborations have been instrumental in defining my career as an HR leader focused on building world-class culture, engagement, and leadership.”

Tubi Chief People Officer Natasha Valani with her husband, Cristian Duran.

In some ways, Valani’s success has had a lot to do with flexibility and the ability to apply knowledge from one field (marketing) — to another (human resources). She has advice for students who are unsure about selecting a major and how it will impact their future.

“I took my time to narrow it down before I made my way to WCSU and I’m extremely grateful that I had the opportunity to do so,” she said. “Be curious and try everything. I’m genuinely jealous of the role you’re about to step into. Employers value people who are eager to learn, experiment, and ask questions. Some of the best early-career talent I’ve seen are the ones who challenge the way things are done and look for better ways to do them. Make the most of the resources WCSU offers, and don’t rush through your time here. Everyone moves at their own pace — some may be ahead, others behind. The only person you should compare yourself to is who you were before. Ask yourself honestly: am I doing better than I was last year, or five years ago?”

Western Connecticut State University changes lives by providing all students with a high-quality education that fosters their growth as individuals, scholars, professionals, and leaders in a global society. Our vision: To be widely recognized as a premier public university with outstanding teachers and scholars who prepare students to contribute to the world in a meaningful way.