From Austin to London: My Journey as an American Expat at Dell Technologies
Anna Loftin | Senior Consultant, Analyst Relations | England, United Kingdom
Originally Published: February 20, 2025
My professional journey began while studying Public Relations (PR) and Government at the University of Texas. Two big things happened that set my future life working for Dell Technologies as an American Expat in the U.K. in motion. (Fun fact – I’m an Austinite who has never worked for Dell in Round Rock, Texas!)
During my second year, I was lucky enough to get to spend a summer semester abroad in London. It was a life-changing experience that fuelled my desire to work and live in the U.K. after graduation.
In my final year, I started an internship with a PR agency which turned into a job offer attached with a transfer to London promise after a year. I worked hard, stayed true to what I wanted and they made good on that promise, so I found myself working in London at age 23… a bit scary, but mostly super exciting!
After a couple of years with the agency where I supported Dell Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) as a client, I was offered a position with the Dell regional communications team to drive EMEA Industry Analyst Relations (AR) and Client Solutions PR. My skillset in understanding different working cultures and regional needs offered a unique bridge to effectively connect dots and collaborate.
Throughout my 15 years (so far!) with the company, my role and skills have evolved to keep pace Dell’s own growth and evolution. That’s what makes Dell an exciting place to work – it continues to successfully reinvent itself which in turn offers new opportunities, so I’ve never been bored.
Anna L.
Industry Analyst Relations Lead
Throughout my 15 years (so far!) with the company, my role and skills have evolved to keep pace Dell’s own growth and evolution. That’s what makes Dell an exciting place to work – it continues to successfully reinvent itself which in turn offers new opportunities, so I’ve never been bored. For the past 5 years, I’ve been supporting our Global AR program, working with teammates and industry analysts based around the world.
Part of my global responsibilities – and a career highlight – includes managing our annual Dell Technologies Summit (DTS), an event designed exclusively for the industry analyst community. Industry analysts are an important audience because they provide strategic advice for companies like Dell as well as support customers’ technology buying decisions. DTS is the most strategic moment in our annual AR plan and anchors our ongoing engagement with analysts. It’s an opportunity to build relationships, delve deeper into Dell’s long-term strategy, showcase our technology and get feedback to shape the future direction of the company.
If that sounds like a tall order, it is! Pulling this together requires months of cross-company collaboration with Dell’s most senior leaders plus Product Group, Chief Technology Office (CTO), Engineering, Strategy, Marketing and Events teams. We collectively work together to showcase strategic connections and the most impactful innovations across the breadth of the business.
Last year’s DTS took place in early November and focused on how Dell is accelerating AI for customers. We brought this to life through our executive leader, customer and partner voices, tangible examples of innovation in action and lifted the curtain on what’s coming across roadmaps.
We also went beyond AI as a theme and incorporated it in specific ways to support the event itself and key deliverables. For example, we used GenAI to help quickly summarize and contextualize analyst feedback back to the business. This is one of the many ways we’re using AI to enhance the overall value we’re providing as a function – net, it’s an exciting time to be in AR!
It’s clear that it takes a village to pull these things off. There are so many great examples of top-notch events – lots of which I’ve seen from Dell – to draw from for inspiration. But what I’ve learned over the years is that it’s all about the vibe. For DTS, we want to foster an environment of mutual trust, calm and reflection.
Like all events, it comes with its stressful moments, but in the end it’s all worth it. We wrapped last year’s event in a big bow with positive feedback from both Dell stakeholders and the industry analyst community. Here’s some of what they had to say:
- “This is the best analyst event I’ve been to in a long time.” – Industry analyst
- “Dell does one of the best analyst summits in the industry.” – Industry analyst
- “This was a top tier experience and that was made possible by the outstanding approach and talent of the team. Thank you!” – Dell stakeholder
So, almost two decades after my big move, I still call the U.K. home alongside my husband Jon and kiddos Laurence (age 8) and Marnie (age 6) (who I insist call me “mama” instead of “mum”) and have called Dell my “transatlantic work home” for 15 years. I look forward to many more.
If you happen to find yourself on this side of the pond, reach out for recommendations on travel spots, the best eats, things to do with kiddos and spa breaks (you know, resulting from the kiddos), which is where you’ll find me in my spare time. Cheers, y’all!
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