Sara Dobrinic, Client Success Manager, is Cognitiv's Employee Spotlight this April. Sara joined the team just over a year ago, and from day one has brought great energy and a collaborative spirit to the Client Success team. Her passion for learning, openness to new perspectives, and positivity have not only been appreciated by our client partnerships but also inspired her colleagues, making Cognitiv a more connected and vibrant workplace. Sara bridges departments, champions innovation, and brings joy to every project.

1. Pronouns: she/her
2. Role: Client Success Manager 
3. Team: Client Success
4. How Long Have You Been at Cognitiv: 1 year and 3 months

Inside The Office

What do you love most about your role?

What I love most is the ability to work cross-functionally with so many different teams. We have incredibly smart people across Cognitiv, and I get to collaborate with sales, data science, the TPM team, and product. It’s fascinating to see how all the moving parts come together to form such a well-oiled machine.

Recently, I had a call with the insights team, and Glen gave me some feedback on my QBR that completely changed my perspective. It was one of the most helpful conversations I’ve had, and it reminded me how lucky I am to constantly learn from the brilliant people around me.

What is one innovation in adtech you are most excited about, and why?

I’m really excited about Unified ID 2.0. It’s a cookieless solution—and even though I hate the word “cookieless,” it’s a huge buzzword right now for a reason.

What’s interesting about UID 2.0 is how it replicates some of the utility of a pixel, but instead of living in your browser, it’s embedded within the website itself. 

It offers more privacy and makes omnichannel activation a lot more seamless. It's a smart, forward-thinking way to approach identity in a world without third-party cookies.

What is a memorable moment when you felt like your work really made an impact at Cognitiv?

One of the most memorable moments was when a campaign I worked on—our collaboration with Sargento—was honored with the Digiday Award for Best Use of AI.

Seeing it nominated and then winning was such a validating experience. It felt amazing to be part of something that had a real impact and received recognition on that level.

What advice would you give to someone joining #TeamCognitiv?

Talk to everyone and be curious. There’s so much to learn here—about the products, the people, and how all the teams work together. Everyone comes from such unique backgrounds, and the mix of experiences is inspiring.

Whether it's a PechaKucha or a casual meeting, there’s always something new to take in. So, my advice is to stay open, seek out different perspectives, and get involved cross-functionally as much as possible.

Outside The Office

Is there a quote or piece of advice that has stuck with you throughout your career?

“Try anything once.” That’s been my guiding mindset. I had a bunch of different internships in college—some I loved, some less so—but they all taught me something.

I never thought I’d end up in programmatic; no one wakes up one day saying, “I want to be a programmatic trader,” right? But I tried it, and here I am.

I’ve worked at an ad agency, a tax firm, been a barista, taught swim lessons to babies, and even to an 87-year-old. I’m also starting a cornhole league tonight—so, clearly, I stick to the motto.

What would you do if you won the lottery?

The practical answer? Pay off my student loans. The dream answer? Solve world hunger.

I like to think I’d donate a big chunk of it to causes I care about and try to be a good person. But let's be real, the student loans would be the first thing to go.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I’m a big Solidcore girly—I go every day, and I genuinely love it. It’s an amazing workout, and I’ve made some of my closest friends through it.

I also have a 95-pound dog who’s absolutely the most entitled creature I’ve ever met. We spend a lot of time at the park together, and I’m proud to say I finally made it into the dog park group chat—my 2025 resolution!

Outside of that, I love exploring the city and spending time with my amazing circle of friends.

What's a skill or hobby you've learned recently?

I’ve gotten really into baking. I can make any recipe vegan, and I love experimenting. My vegan lemon blueberry cookies—also gluten-free, by the way—are so good they belong in the Louvre.

When I make a batch, my friends devour them instantly. Baking has definitely become one of my favorite creative outlets.

Rapid-Fire Questions

• Coffee or tea? Celsius energy drinks 
• Morning person or night owl? Morning person 
• Favorite vacation spot? South of France 
• Favorite book or movie? Little Miss Sunshine 

Team Shoutouts

"Sara doesn’t just work with clients—she connects with them. She takes their success to heart, always going the extra mile to ensure they feel supported, heard, and empowered to reach their goals. Just as important, she brings a refreshing sense of fun and creativity to the team! Whether she’s brightening our Slack channels with hilarious memes, keeping spirits high with her quick wit and jokes, or sparking fierce debates with her ever-evolving rankings of Celsius flavors, Sara knows how to make work a little more lively. Her humor, energy, and good vibes are contagious, and we’re lucky to have her on the team!" — Dale Neves, Team Lead, Client Success

"Sara is a bright light on the central team and a programmatic wizard! She's always happy to jump in and help troubleshoot a campaign, and the way she develops and maintains such close relationships with her clients is unparalleled." — Jackson Parli, Associate Client Success Manager

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