Due Diligence: Getting to Know Alli Hochberg
Our next “Due Diligence: Getting To Know…” employee spotlight is on: Associate Director Alli Hochberg in New York City.
Macro: What’s a fun fact most people don’t know about you?
Alli: I lived in Thailand and taught English to kindergarteners.
Macro: How did your background or studies prepare you for the work you do now?
Alli: My first 5 years out of college I taught nursery school, and then kindergarten. While this path may not traditionally align with the corporate world, it was foundational in shaping two of my most critical professional skills: patience and communication. Working with 3–5-year-olds—who are still developing their ability to express themselves and understand others—taught me to listen deeply, explain very clearly, and remain composed in the face of challenges. These are the skills that continue to guide my work today, particularly in roles that demand empathy, clarity, and collaboration.
More recently, I earned a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology through the Harvard Extension School. This academic experience was both enriching and highly practical. The coursework provided a strong theoretical foundation in human behavior within organizational settings, and I was fortunate to be in a position where I could immediately apply what I was learning to real-world situations. This integration of study and practice has significantly deepened my understanding of workplace dynamics, motivation, and effective leadership.
Macro: What song is always on your playlist when you need to focus or hype yourself up?
Alli: When I need to focus, I listen to Ludovico Einaudi, an Italian pianist. To get hyped up, “Level Up” by Ciara usually does the job.
Macro: What’s a skill you’ve developed (or are working on) that you didn’t expect would be important in this field?
Alli: One skill I’ve developed, and didn’t expect to be so critical in this field, is analytical thinking. I’ve always enjoyed puzzles and challenges that require seeing patterns, identifying root causes, and piecing together information to form a bigger picture. What surprised me is just how much that mindset translates into successful change management.
Macro: If you weren’t working in this field, what do you think you’d be doing?
Alli: I would have a small shop in the Catskills where I would make and sell crafts.
Macro: What’s something you’ve learned at Macro that has shifted how you approach your projects or clients?
Alli: One thing I’ve learned at Macro that’s really shifted my approach is that asking questions isn’t just okay, it’s encouraged. Early in my career, I sometimes felt pressure to have all the answers or to keep questions to myself until I had everything figured out. But at Macro, I’ve seen how asking thoughtful, even tough, questions early on actually builds trust, surfaces critical insights, and strengthens collaboration with clients and teammates.
Macro: What’s one thing on your bucket list?
Alli: I just crossed off a big bucket list item (earning my master’s degree) – it was a major goal I’d been working toward for a while, and now that it’s behind me, I’m enjoying the moment and reflecting on what kind of challenge or experience I want to pursue next.
Macro: How do you define success in your role or in a project?
Alli: To me, success means maintaining balance while achieving the main goals set by the team. Projects rarely go exactly according to plan, so staying flexible, collaborative, and focused on the bigger picture is key. It’s about being able to adapt when things change, support the team through challenges, and still move the work forward in a meaningful way.
Macro: What’s something you’ve done that you’re proud of but don’t get to talk about often?
Alli: I taught myself how to play the ukulele.
Macro: What’s a piece of professional advice or feedback that stuck with you?
Alli: “Don’t let perfect be the enemy of progress”. I’ve learned that forward momentum, especially in fast-moving projects, is often more valuable than getting every detail right the first time. That mindset has helped me be more confident sharing ideas early, iterating quickly, and staying open to feedback. Progress often comes from movement, not perfection.
Macro: If you could give one piece of advice to a young professional, what would it be?
Alli: We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.
