Behind every thriving company, there are individuals whose unique contributions drive success and ingenuity. In this installment of our Inside VNA series, we shine the spotlight on Monica Li, Viscosity’s Director of Operations and Marketing. From overseeing operations to leading marketing initiatives, Monica's journey reflects her adaptability, resilience, and passion for connecting with people. Her hands-on approach and leadership have been instrumental in shaping Viscosity’s culture and driving its growth.
Monica, as the Director of Operations and Marketing at Viscosity, you wear many hats—managing operations and finances, driving marketing initiatives, and building partnerships. Balancing these strategic and creative demands must be quite a challenge! What qualities or skills have been most crucial in helping you thrive in such a multifaceted role?
One of the most important skills in managing such a diverse role is resilience and the ability to pivot quickly. Balancing different departments, goals, and personalities isn’t easy—it requires adaptability and a calm mindset when the unexpected happens.
Things rarely go exactly as planned, and you have to be okay with that. Resilience means not letting setbacks derail you. It’s about finding ways to stay efficient, keep moving forward, and adapt your strategies without losing momentum.
These roles also rely heavily on relationships. Burning bridges isn’t an option, and staying on schedule is just as critical. It’s a constant balancing act, but being a people person, listening to others, and maintaining flexibility are key to making it all work.
As you know, morale is everything. When you’re juggling so many responsibilities, you have to trust your teams to deliver. Maintaining high morale and making people feel valued is key to getting the best results. People naturally do their best work when they’re inspired and know their contributions are appreciated.
And that’s what makes you an exceptional leader.
Thank you.
Your journey to the tech world is quite unique. You started in fashion design, even worked with TV shows, and then made a pivot to Viscosity. What sparked this change?
When I graduated, many fashion companies were struggling due to an economic downturn. I interned in New York but quickly realized many people were working for free, which wasn’t sustainable. After finding a low-paying job in the industry, I saw even more companies downsizing. So, I pivoted and started my own online boutique while working part-time for Viscosity, which was growing during the recession. Eventually, I transitioned to a full-time role at Viscosity, starting in billing and accounting, and moved into marketing and operations. I closed my boutique after five years to fully dedicate myself to Viscosity, and I’ve embraced the tech world ever since.
So, you basically designed the clothes and didn’t have formal education in marketing or operations — you learned everything while working at Viscosity in different areas, right?
Yes, that's correct.
I've always had a business mindset, so it was a natural fit. I initially thought I'd own a fashion design company or boutique. Marketing, relationship building, and sales come naturally to me. But working with Charles Kim from Viscosity has accelerated my learning more than I ever expected. He's been a mentor, teaching me not just technology but also sales and marketing, and how smaller companies can operate faster and more efficiently than large corporations. I learned hands-on, quickly, and took on more responsibilities earlier than I would have at a larger company. While my education is in textile design, I've applied design tools like vector graphics to marketing content. But most of my learning has been at Viscosity.
If you had to describe Viscosity to someone unfamiliar with the tech world, what metaphor would you use to capture what makes the company unique?
Viscosity is a "big, small company." While we offer comprehensive data and cloud services, we operate with the flexibility and responsiveness of a small firm. We can execute large projects without the bureaucracy, making us nimble and efficient. Even as we grow, we maintain close-knit relationships, where team members are more like friends, supporting one another and engaging with the community.
Our event strategy starts by partnering with Oracle user groups to stay aligned with Oracle technologies. We prioritize metro areas with significant client presence, while also targeting regions that may lack in-person events or have emerging user groups. This approach ensures we build strong relationships while expanding our reach. In addition, we look for areas that have Oracle users but may not have access to in-person events, or where there’s an opportunity to establish new user groups. It’s a mix of well-known locations and untapped markets. We also gather feedback through surveys to understand what people are looking for, which informs our event planning.
Furthermore, we've had great success with webinars and virtual events, particularly with the New York Oracle User Group. By dedicating expertise to these events, we aim to engage as many participants as possible, with each event contributing to our ongoing learning and growth.
Can you name any clients or partners who’ve become trusted friends over the years?
We've built many of our trusted partnerships through the Oracle ACE program. It’s been invaluable for connecting with both clients and partners. For example, our longest partnership is with Quest Software, and we've also worked closely with United Codes. While some of our partners, like Quest, can also be competitors, the relationships have remained strong. Overall, the Oracle ACE program has helped us forge lasting connections in the industry, and many of those relationships have turned into great friendships.
You’re always deeply involved in the Oracle community, organizing events and fostering partnerships. What stands out to you about the Oracle community?
The Oracle community is full of proactive people. Whether they’re attending an event for knowledge, career opportunities, or networking, they’re actively seeking something. There’s a blend of long-time professionals and newcomers, especially now, as many long-standing professionals have retired after the pandemic. It’s exciting to see a new wave of younger faces eager to make their mark. The community is incredibly genuine and always focused on growth.
I’m deeply passionate about technology, but what excites me the most is the people. I love learning from tech enthusiasts—whether they’re developers, DBAs, or new Oracle users. I find inspiration in their enthusiasm and excitement about tech, especially with the growing interest in AI. It’s an inspiring time to be in this industry, where ideas and technologies are constantly evolving.
There’s clearly more than just Viscosity. I’ve seen you dancing, performing on stage, and doing PR for the Texas Exes alumni group. Can you share more about these passions?
I’ve been involved with the Texas Exes alumni organization for years, and it’s been a huge part of my life. For the past four years, I’ve served as the VP of PR and marketing for the Dallas chapter, and this year, I’m stepping into the president-elect role. Our main focus is raising money for scholarships for high school students in Dallas who are heading to the University of Texas at Austin. It's a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization, and I love being part of a community that supports education and brings people together through social activities, networking, and community service.
How did you get involved in the Texas Exes organization?
When I moved to New York for an internship, I got involved with the New York City Texas Exes chapter. After moving to Dallas, I continued attending events and eventually joined the board. The PR and marketing role I hold at Texas Exes mirrors what I do at Viscosity, which makes my life easier. I’ve met some of my closest friends through Texas Exes, and it’s incredibly fulfilling to help newcomers feel welcome in Dallas.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
What I love about Viscosity is that it’s not just about the work—it’s about the people. I feel personally invested in the company’s success, and I’m proud to be part of a team that values genuine connections. I’ve learned so much from the leadership here, and it’s a rewarding experience to work with such talented, passionate people.
I don’t work on commission or manage clients, but I've made some accidental sales simply by speaking about the company with passion. Viscosity attracts great people who truly care about the work, not titles or accolades, and this positive environment is reflected in our client interactions. We prioritize working with clients who align with our culture, never pushing ourselves onto anyone.
Monica Li is the Director of Operations & Marketing at Viscosity North America, an Oracle Platinum Partner. With a background in fashion design and a passion for tech, she bridges marketing, sales, and client relationships, driving success and innovation through technology adoption.