FEATURE

Clarin Gniffke has come a long way. 1,607 miles to be exact. 

The Millsap native and Weatherford College alumna is now living and working in New York City. She’s an up-and-coming leader in a tech startup called Shiftsmart. Her office is in the spectacular One World Trade Center, where she hosted a group of WC donors in October in the building’s 64th floor observatory. 

What does your job entail? 

“As Director of Support and Compliance, I oversee the data privacy, security and compliance functions for Shiftsmart, an app-based labor platform. I also manage the department providing support for our more than 3 million app users. I have been with Shiftsmart since 2020 and am thankful for the opportunities I have had to grow with the company over nearly four years.” 

What’s your favorite thing about your position? 

“When I first started with Shiftsmart, we were a small company, and everyone was working remotely. The company is now headquartered out of One World Trade Center in downtown Manhattan, and I enjoy getting to work out of that iconic building with such great views! Working with a startup can be challenging as we continue to grow and evolve rapidly with a limited team, solving previously uncharted problems. However, in my position, I have had the opportunity to gain a new skillset and stretch my capacity for learning as I grow with the company.” 

What are some of the big differences in living/working in New York City? 

“In some ways, NYC is not all that different than Weatherford, you just have to know where to look! I have my favorite downtown coffee shop, the neighbors still share the local gossip at the diner, and there is great pizza down the block...though it’s no Roger’s Pizza Place! I’m grateful to have experienced the rural ranch lifestyle in the wide open landscape west of Weatherford and also downtown high rise living in some of the largest cities in the US. What is really different about living in New York is the expanse of opportunity all in the same city. I have loved the challenges that I’ve tackled and the confidence I’ve built in myself through those experiences. Like they say, if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere!” 

What is your favorite part about living in NYC 

 “I love the access to world-class entertainment on Broadway, the opera, museums and concerts, all just a few minutes away! The restaurant options are never ending, and enjoying the parks or coffee shops always makes for enjoyable evenings and weekends. But my favorite part of NYC is the people. I am grateful to have found a community here that makes NYC feel like home.” 

Do you ever have contact with anyone from WC? 

“I mostly keep up with WC through social media and The Hilltop, but also was able to catch up with some of the WC team in person here in New York last fall! I hosted them at my office in Freedom Tower and it was great to hear about all the new things happening for WC from Dr. Farmer.” 

Anything else you’d like to say? 

“I am grateful to Weatherford College for the foundation I found there that has set me up for so many other life experiences. Developing a love of learning and willingness to challenge myself have been invaluable skills that have pushed me to where I am today. I am excited to see what the future holds and will continue to keep an eye on WC!”

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This feature was originally published in the Spring 2024 issue of The Hilltop.