I Choose the Ladder: Recent Episodes
I Choose the Ladder
In this episode, we explore some of the unique challenges Black women face as they climb the corporate ladder. The themes were gathered from hundreds of Black women leaders who have been interviewed for the I Choose the Ladder Podcast. Whether you're a Black woman leader, ally, or simply interested in the topic, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice for creating more equitable workplaces. Don't miss out on this important conversation!
In this episode of the I Choose the Ladder Podcast you meet Brenda Battle, a leading voice in healthcare and Senior Vice President of Community Health Transformation and Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at UChicago Medicine. With over 30 years of experience, Brenda Battle is a trailblazer in healthcare who has worked tirelessly to improve health equity and access for marginalized communities.Brenda oversees efforts to design UCM’s community-health management strategy, develop and implement coordinated, innovative healthcare solutions to address healthcare disparities, and foster innovation in UCM’s care delivery system by crafting care models that promote diversity, inclusion, and equity.Brenda leads efforts to integrate the resources and strategies of the UChicago Medicine with the assets and resources of the community to meet the healthcare needs of populations served by the UCM system. Ms. Battle oversees UChicago Medicine’s Urban Health Initiative (UHI) which facilitates and coordinates efforts to address complex health and social needs of residents on the South Side of Chicago by bringing a collaborative, community-based, and participatory problem- solving approach to the health and social needs of UCM’s patients and the broader community; creating greater access to high-quality and culturally competent information, educational programs, financial and healthcare resources that empower community members to live the healthiest lives possible; generating goodwill in the community and the social capital/relationships needed to create new services and programs that improve population health and reduce gaps in the social determinants of health; serving as the bridge to the community to training and research; and serving as the honest broker providing UCM’s community consciousness, enabling the UHI to listen in to the community and communicate back to UCM leadership what the community needs and wants.Prior to joining the UCM, Brenda was the director of the inaugural Center for Diversity and Cultural Competence for Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO, were she oversaw programs to eliminate health disparities, promote diversity, equity and inclusion. Brenda has over 38 years of health care experience, serving as Executive Vice President, Government and Community Affairs for Medical Transportation Management (MTM), Inc., and leading operations in commercial and Medicaid managed care. Brenda has several publications, and has served as national speaker on reducing health care disparities.
In this episode, you meet Jennifer Montague, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer for NiSource, a natural gas and electric utility company servicing 4 million customers under the NIPSCO and Columbia Gas brands. She is responsible for setting direction and managing a leadership team focused on customer experiences in the areas of Customer Care Centers, Customer Insights and Marketing, Billing & Payments and New Business across six states. She joined the company as the Vice President of Communications and External Affairs at NIPSCO in November 2018.Prior to joining NIPSCO, Jennifer had nearly three decades of customer operations, branding, communications and marketing experience in several roles with Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) in Chicago and British Petroleum (BP)/Amoco in London (England) and Warrenville, Illinois.Jennifer currently serves on the board of directors for Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, Edgewater Health, Merit School of Music, and Northwest Indiana United Way.Jennifer earned a bachelor’s degree in quantitative economics and feminist studies from Stanford University and a master’s of business administration degree from the University of Chicago.Jennifer is based at the NiSource headquarters facility in Merrillville, Indiana.In this episode, we discuss:- Keeping your eyes on your own prize- How to keep from being bitter at work- Creating connections with people who have different life experiences
As we step into the new year, I Choose the Ladder Founder & CEO takes you through 12 questions to ask yourself to help clarify your goals for the year.
We are seeing layoffs happening all over corporate America, and if we are being honest, these are some scary times for employees. In this episode, I Choose the Ladder Founder & CEO, Watchen Nyanue, helps people managers lead their teams through layoffs. We focus on the ones who stay and the impact of the ones who leave.
It's that time of the year again when we start planning for the new year. Of course, we make ambitious plans, but we may need to look at our plans through the right lens.
In this episode, I Choose the Ladder Founder & CEO Watchen Nyanue takes you through how she plans for her upcoming year and helps you use the right data to ensure that next year is your best year yet!
In this episode, you meet Rae Livingston. As AbbVie’s Chief Equity Officer, Ms. Livinston leads enterprise efforts to promote a diverse, equitable, bias-conscious, and inclusive culture with internal and external impact. Ms. Livingston serves on the AbbVie Executive Leadership Team.
In her previous role, Ms. Livingston served as Vice President, Business Human Resources, Corporate Functions, and U.S. Employee Relations when she joined AbbVie in 2016. Before AbbVie, Ms. Livingston held multiple vice president roles, primarily in Business Human Resources. In this capacity, her areas of accountability and specialty included: global operations & engineering services, headquarter functions, and mergers & acquisitions, as well as driving a culture of inclusion. Her career journey has included pivotal experiences with SC Johnson and Medtronic domestically, as well as Rockwell Automation and JP Morgan Chase, where she grew her global footprint.
In 2021, Ms. Livingston was recognized by Diversity Woman Media’s Elite 100 list as one of one- hundred extraordinary Black women executives changing the face of corporate America. She was also named to Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) Advisory Board (2021-2023) to help guide the HBA’s strategy on diversity dynamics. Ms. Livingston is also a member of The Executive Leadership Council, the Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Executives Council with The Conference Board, and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) executive network. Previously, Ms. Livingston served as board chair for the YWCA of Southeast Wisconsin and as a member of the executive committee.
She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
In this episode, we learn all about The CLIMB Career Summit and what attendees can expect this year.
Enjoy!
In this episode you meet Tara August the Senior Vice President of Talent Relations & Special Projects for Turner Sports and Bleacher Report, where she oversees the division’s marquee roster of on-air announcers across both digital and linear platforms. In this role she is responsible for the management of some of the biggest names in sports including Hall of Famers Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Wayne Gretzky and Pedro Martinez, across Turner’s sports properties which include the NBA, NHL, NCAA and MLB. On a day-to-day basis August facilitates on-air production, sales, marketing and promotional activities, with a special emphasis on serving as the primary liaison to all sport teams, leagues, agents and celebrities to facilitate contract negotiations and special guest bookings. She also contributes to the development of special projects for the TNT, TBS, NBA TV and Bleacher Report family of platforms such as the official NBA Awards show, The Dunk King and the All-Star All-Style Show.
She also currently oversees the organization’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) efforts via the People Advisory Council (PAC), an internal organization which aims to increase diverse hiring and mobility and creating a diversified industry pipeline of professionals.
Previously, Tara served as public relations manager for Turner Sports where she aided in directing the strategic development and implementation of visibility efforts for the organization’s programming, talent and executives.
Prior to joining Turner Sports, August was an account director for Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide where she managed extensive sports marketing partnerships designed to promote social marketing causes via sports personalities and organizations. For more than six years she successfully worked across a multitude of sports leagues to develop award-winning public service announcements, special events and programs for the agency’s public and private clientele.
In October 2021 Tara August was named the 2021 DEI Cablefax Champion for her diversity, equity and inclusion efforts; additional recognition includes the Atlanta Business Chronicle 2021 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion “Outstanding Voice” Award and being named to the Cynopsis “2021 Top Woman in Media” and 2020 Cablefax “Most Powerful Women” lists.
Tara August is currently a Southeast Trustee for the Boys & Girls Club of America, as well as the VP of public relations on the Sports Task Force of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and a member of the American Cancer Society’s Sports Council. She’s also a founding member of the San Diego Network of African-American Professionals (SNAAP!).
She earned her master of arts degree in sport management from the University of San Francisco and her bachelor of arts degree in comparative literature, with a minor in communications, from San Diego State University.
In this episode, I Choose the Ladder Founder & CEO discusses practical ways that you can help your team find success.
Enjoy!
I feel like I say this all the time, but all of your employees don't need the same things. And what got them to your company might not be what keeps them at your company.
So in this episode, I talk about some of the areas you should consider as you develop programs and retention strategies for the diverse employees who work for and with you.
Enjoy!
Everyone thinks they want to be a people manager until they actually have to manage people. Ask any current manager, and they will tell you that managing a team is one of the hardest things they have ever done.
But ask someone a first-time manager has managed, and they would argue that that's even harder.
So in this episode, we talk to aspiring people managers about preparing for a leadership role.
Enjoy!
In this episode, I Choose the Ladder Podcast host Watchen Nyanue shares some tips on what to do when the realization of a dream is delayed or taking longer than expected.
Hint: Getting resentful or bitter does not make the list.
In this episode, you meet Lori Spicer Robertson. Lori is a creative change agent always pursuing opportunities to transform lives and foster sustainable progress. Formerly, she assumed the role of VP, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Saks Fifth Avenue to design a more inclusive experience for employees, customers, and partners.
As a natural connector, she currently is the founder and Chief Joymaker of an experiential platform and membership community created to reconnect women and mothers to a life of joy called Wundher. As a thought leader on women and mothers; diversity, equity, and inclusion; leadership and authentic joy, she is sought after by companies, universities, and organizations annually to share her narrative. Spicer Robertson is wife to her fellow community crusader Eric Robertson, mother to her amazing boys - Liam and Emory, and they all believe in their family motto to ‘live in your vision and not your circumstances’.
Enjoy!
In this special crossover episode, I Choose the Ladder Founder & CEO Watchen Nyanue shares tips on how to discuss race at work. As we continue to navigate tragedies that impact our entire society, Watchen shares some best practices she has seen over the years of working with some of the world's best leaders.
When it comes to leveling up professionally, the focus seems to be on leveling up financially. Still, in this episode, I Choose the Ladder Founder & CEO Watchen Nyanue shares a few other career areas you will need to level up if you plan to pursue leadership roles.
Enjoy!
In this episode, I Choose the Ladder Founder & CEO Watchen Nyanue discusses the five areas that often hold you back from being able to quickly and smoothly navigate a career change. These challenges are relatively simple to address but not always very easy. So grab your I Choose the Ladder notebook, a pen, your favorite beverage, and get ready to get to work.
In this episode you meet, Melissa Donaldson. Melissa Donaldson, a self-described business leader with a heart for human capital, is the first chief diversity officer at Wintrust and responsible for developing diversity and inclusion strategies for increasing competitive advantage while positioning Wintrust as an employer of choice and responsible corporate citizen. The heart of her practice is that advancing diversity, equity and inclusion should be business-owned and leader-led to promote shared responsibility in action.
A direct report to the CEO, Melissa established the ubiquitous “One Wintrust” masthead as a unifying guidepost. Noted accomplishments include: establishing the annual executive diversity forum assembly of top senior executives, co-designed 360°Inclusivity multicultural segment framework, launched Paired to Win hybrid mentorship- sponsorship program targeting underrepresented leaders, regular Board of Directors engagement, and contributor to ESG reporting. Prior to joining Wintrust, Melissa led inclusion practices as a director with both Walgreens and CDW LLC, which received the Exemplary Voluntary Efforts Award from the U.S. Department of Labor in 2008. Skilled in communications, strategic planning, stakeholder management and innovative high-impact programming, Melissa is a versatile change agent who enjoys collaborating with internal and external partners to drive results.
Crain’s Chicago Business named Melissa among Top Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Executives and Most Influential Women in Commercial Banking. Chicago United selected Melissa to the esteemed 2021 Business Leaders of Color, to name a few of her accolades. Melissa is a Leadership Greater Chicago Daniel Burnham Fellow, and member of the Economic Club of Chicago, and The Links, Incorporated. A prolific writer and speaker, she has contributed to numerous industry publications, conferences, podcasts, radio and other media outlets. Melissa holds an MSC from Northwestern University, MSA from Central Michigan University, and a BS Wright State University Raj Soin College of Business. She has guest lectured at Northwestern University and serves on a variety of boards and councils.
Some of the things we discussed that stood out to me were:
- Following the steps that you think you are supposed to when make career choices.
- How a layoff shifted her perspective on being left behind professionally.
- Understanding your path and the ability to cheer on the success of others without envy.
Enjoy!
We have seen a few different responses to people feeling disrespected at work in the past couple of weeks.
In this episode, I Choose the Ladder Podcast Host, Watchen Nyanue, shares some context around disrespect at work and tips for both people managers and individual contributors on handling disrespect at work.
Enjoy!
In this episode you meet Elizabeth A. Campbell. Elizabeth is a +20 yr marketing veteran with a proven track record of successfully cultivating consumer insight to deliver integrated marketing programs that drive consumer demand. In September 2019 she was chosen to lead McDonald’s Cultural Engagement Team into its next evolution. Her responsibilities include managing a $30M budget to elevate McDonald’s Cultural Strategy in the areas of Music, Sport and Entertainment, amplifying McDonald’s social media presence and driving forward our Multicultural Youth marketing strategy. Elizabeth uses her cultural curiosity and her ability to partner with the McDonald’s franchisees to build cultural brand experiences that touch the consumers passion points.
Elizabeth has led some of the brands most iconic platforms to advance the brand with consumers including; McDelivery with UberEats; Dorado with J. Balvin; The Saweetie Meal; The Mariah Carey Meal; Future 22 Black and Positively Golden and the brands most recent steps in to the Metaverse through a partnership with Humberto Leon and IWG to celebrate Lunar New Year.
Prior to joining McDonald’s, Elizabeth honed her business acumen at Kraft Foods, New York in Brand Management and as an Account Executive with the Coca-Cola USA Fountain Division of The Coca-Cola Company. Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from the Purdue University, Krannert School of Business and a Master of Business Administration from the Clark Atlanta University, School of Business. She currently resides in Chicago, Illinois and is a native of Benton Harbor, Michigan.
Some of the things we discussed that stood out to me were:
- The freedom that career tenure has given her
- Mistakes that young Black women are making
- How the next generation of leaders can help their mentors and sponsors help them
- Being at the same company for 18 years
- Dealing with impostor syndrome
- Being an example of what Black excellence is
- The pressures of a seat at the table as a Black woman
Enjoy!
As we launch a new season of the I Choose the Ladder Podcast, ICTL Founder & CEO shares updates on everything happening at I Choose the Ladder and some lessons from her first full year of entrepreneurship.
Shop the products mentioned in the episode - Planner: https://bit.ly/3HVztNR - Affirmation Cards: https://bit.ly/3i4rm6r
In this episode you meet Erika Swilley. Erika is the Vice President of Community and Social Responsibility for the Detroit Pistons. Previously she spent time in community relations for the Chicago Sky and Sky Cares Foundation and Golden State Warriors.
In her role, Swilley coordinates the philanthropic initiatives of the Pistons and their players. She also organizes events as part of numerous league wide initiatives as part of NBA Cares, as well as, has an instrumental role with player development and works closely with team sponsors and the players’ personal foundations.
Swilley was named 2007 and 2008 Palace Sports & Entertainment Community Relations Employee of the Year and has received three World Championship rings as part of overseeing community relations efforts for the WNBA Detroit Shock and Golden State Warriors. In 2009 Swilley was selected as a “Woman of Excellence” by the Michigan Chronicle, in 2010 was recognized in “Who’s Who” in Black Detroit and in 2018 was named one of Detroit’s 40 Under 40.
Swilley received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a major in communication, marketing and sociology.
Some of the things that we discussed that stood out to me were:
- Navigating Office Politics
- Compromising Your Values
- Speaking up about social justice issues
- Pivoting into sports
- Getting Unstuck
Enjoy!
In this episode you meet Titi Cole. Titi Cole is the Head of Operations & Fraud Prevention and the Chief Client Officer for Citi’s Global Consumer Bank. In this role, she is responsible for delivering a seamless client experience across service channels, deploying cutting edge fraud prevention technology and enhancing productivity. Titi also serves as the Global Diversity & Inclusion Champion for the Global Consumer Bank, leading several key diversity initiatives including increasing representation of women and underrepresented groups across the business.
A 27-year veteran of the financial services industry, Titi joined Citi from Wells Fargo, where she was the Head of Consumer and Small Business Banking Operations and Contact Centers after previously leading Shared Services for Consumer Credit Solutions in support of the consumer lending businesses. She also served as a member of Wells Fargo’s Management Committee.
Previously, Titi led Retail Products and Underwriting for Bank of America with responsibility for the consumer credit card, debit and checking businesses, credit card underwriting and fulfillment, and the enterprise payments network group. She has also held leadership roles at BMO Harris Bank in Chicago and McKinsey & Company.
Titi earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. Titi serves on the Board of Trustees for Communities in Schools and for Queens University of Charlotte.
Some of the things that we discussed that stood out to me were:
- The unexpected ways being an immigrant positioned her for success
- Managing impostor syndrome
- The importance of who you choose to marry
- Making mistakes
- The evolution of corporate culture
In this episode you meet Amanda C. Jones, an innovative, strategic brand leader with more than a decade of experience at global retail and consumer-packaged good powerhouses. She’s built a track-record of delivering successful multi-million-dollar marketing campaigns for personal care and beauty brands like Olay Skincare, Secret Deodorant, COVERGIRL and BECCA Cosmetics. While at COVERGIRL, she was responsible for improving the brand’s relevance with multi-ethnic women. She led large media partnerships for the brand with Fox’s Empire TV show and the BET awards, and partnered with celebrities like Zendaya, Janelle Monae and Issa Rae. While at BECCA Cosmetics, Amanda led the brand’s global repositioning strategy and re-defined the brand’s commitment to go beyond physical beauty to the mental health and emotional well-being of all people. Now, she’s leading Product Marketing across the Skincare, Makeup and Fragrance categories for Estee Lauder North America. Estee Lauder is the flagship brand of the Estee Lauder Companies, the leader in prestige beauty brands.
Amanda holds a BS in Marketing Strategy from The University of Arkansas and an MBA in Marketing Strategy from The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She has been editorially featured in magazines like Women’s Wear Daily and Essence Magazine, and was a featured speaker at Harvard Business School’s African-American student conference in 2019.
Some of the things that we discussed that stood out to me were: - The importance of being able to perform - Building relationships - The importance of sponsorship from the C-Suite - Ambition - Confronting your weaknesses
In this episode we discuss everything that's required to create goals that work, and we are not talking SMART goals.
In this episode, you meet Stephanie Smellie, the Head of Creator Marketplace Partnerships at Spotify. In this role, she leads the company's strategic partnerships with platforms and brands that enrich Spotify's offering to artists, with an eye toward helping them grow, engage, understand and monetize their audiences.
Prior to Spotify, she was Vice President of Business Development and Partnerships at iHeartMedia and led distribution and content partnerships across a variety of industries, including partners like Amazon, Samsung, Hilton, Comcast and Sonos.
Stephanie started her career as a CPA, working on Wall Street and was committed to making a career switch to an industry and function that she was passionate about. Since that shift, she's also worked in Business Development at Sony Music Entertainment and Brand Marketing at Under Armour.
In her spare time, she's an avid traveler, a budding DJ, and serves on the Steering Committee of Alvin Ailey's Young Patrons Circle.
Some of the things that we discussed that stood out to me were:
- Maximizing your network
- Not being a salesperson for business school
- Career pivots
- How she's using the skills she acquired in corporate America to build a side hustle
- Giving yourself options
- Clarity about your job criteria
- Stepping outside of your comfort zone
In this episode I Choose the Ladder Founder & CEO, Watchen Nyanue discusses what you should be doing to wrap up Q1. What performance receipts should you be gathering. What meetings should you be having. What progress you need to document.
The planner referenced in the episode can be found here --> https://ichoosetheladder.com/products/the-review-planner
In this episode you meet Terrie S. Sterling. Currently, Terrie is the Chief Nurse for nDorse and serves as Principal and CEO of her own healthcare management services firm. She was recently appointed by Governor John Bel Edwards as Co-Chair of the Resilient Louisiana Commission, along with Don Pierson, Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development. Ms. Sterling was formerly the Chief Operating Officer of Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center (OLOLRMC), w here she was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the largest hospital in Louisiana with more than 800 beds. Under Ms. Sterling’s leadership, OLOLRMC was recognized among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in its 2017-18 “Best Hospitals” rankings. OLOLRMC achieved Magnet Designation Awarded for excellence in nursing services by the American Nurses Credential Center’s Magnet Recognition Program® and earned Hospital of the Year honors five times under Ms. Sterling’s leadership. Immediately prior to her retirement in January 2020, Ms. Sterling served as the Executive VP for Strategic Initiatives at OLOLRMC where she led the development of the freestanding Children’s Hospital.
Ms. Sterling has served on the Core Leadership Team of the Louisiana Action Coalition for the Future of Nursing Campaign for Action since its inception in 2011. She plays a pivotal role with the Nurse Leader Institute and the Nurse Mentorship Program. Ms. Sterling recently presented the role of the public-private partnership in transforming healthcare in Louisiana at the Future of Nursing 2030 Workshop in Philadelphia. Ms. Sterling serves on the Board of the Louisiana Organization of Nurse Leaders. She previously served on the Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, New Orleans Branch, and has also been involved with the Capital Area United Way, Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area, Capital Area American Heart Association, and the Louisiana Workforce Investment Board. Ms. Sterling has been a member of the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge since 2006, was inducted in the Louisiana Nurses Foundation Hall of Fame in 2016, received the Louisiana State University Women’s Center Esprit de Femme Award in 2014 and is a past recipient of the Influential Women in Business Award from the Baton Rouge Business Report.
- Planning for a gap year a decade in advance
- Taking a state of your financial union
- Being in career purgatory
- Building a diverse career while working for the same billion dollar business
- The importance of discernment periods
- Having a personal mission statement
- What to look for in a long term partner
- The garden of Ignore
- Finding your passion at any age
Enjoy!
In this episode you meet Nona King. Nona is a career strategist and global marketing leader who coaches young professionals of color to learn practical career planning and job search tools and builds their influential networks to establish and navigate the professional world. After spending over 25 years building an impactful and rewarding career as a senior marketing executive at companies like L’Oreal, Coca-Cola and Himalaya, where she grew global brands to peak performance and created high performance teams, Nona’s passions and core differentiator are centered around developing future leaders. Nona knows what truly drives job promotions, leadership opportunities and pay advancement - and it’s not mastering job tasks. It’s how well you know your value, build meaningful connections and lead by serving others.
Complementary to Nona's widely successful career, she is an MBA graduate of Washington University John M. Olin School of Business and holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Flute Performance from Vanderbilt University.
Nona King celebrates life as a wife and mother of two and resides in Houston, Texas.
Some of the things that we discussed that stood out to me were about:
- Finding your passion
- Putting yourself out there to get unstuck
- The importance of writing things down in a journal
- How she’s using the skills she acquired in corporate America to build her business
- Depositing into your success bank
- The benefits of living by a calendar
- Stepping outside of your comfort zone Prioritizing yourself Prioritizing family above all else
In this episode you meet Lizette Williams. Lizette is a leading marketing and advertising executive with expertise at driving the convergence of brand, culture and tech. She has worked across Fortune 50 companies driving consumer-centric growth strategies focused on cultural relevancy. In 2020 she was named one of “Advertising Woman of the Year” by the Chicago Advertising Federation. She is one of the foremost-awarded marketing executives in the field and was also inducted into the American Advertising Federation Advertising Hall of Achievement, the premier industry recognition for leaders under 40 who are making a significant impact in the industry and their communities. She has been listed as Crain’s Chicago Business “40 under 40,” Advertising Age “Women to Watch,” and Black Enterprise “Top Women Executives in Advertising and Marketing.” A respected thought leader and subject matter expert, Lizette is a sought-out speaker, lecturer, and advisor on marketing and culture. She has provided expertise as a keynote speaker and panelist at several premiere industry conferences, including SXSW, Advertising Week, Essence Fest, and multiple Association of National Advertisers conferences. She is frequently invited to keynote events at major companies to discuss cultural growth strategies including the Kraft Heinz Company, LinkedIn, and Ogilvy & Mather.
Lizette serves as the Global Head of Vertical Solutions Marketing at Facebook where she leads a global marketing team tasked with developing the business marketing strategy and approach across 7 industries including Consumer Packaged Goods, Retail, Gaming, and eCommerce. This combination of platform and digital work allows her to continue to drive cultural relevance and impact on a broader scale.
Lizette has worked in major marketing roles at McDonald’s, Kimberly-Clark Corporation and PepsiCo. She has consistently remained at the cutting-edge of driving innovative approaches that bring brand, culture and tech together.
Lizette’s love of all things “culture” comes from being a born-and-raised New Yorker (and proud “Afro-Latina.”) Currently based in Chicago, she serves on the Board of the Chicago Advertising Federation where she chairs the Diversity Thought Leadership Council. She also serves on the Board of Directors of RealSelf, the leading healthcare marketplace for people considering an elective cosmetic treatment. Additionally, Lizette chairs the American Advertising Federation Hall of Achievement Selection Committee. She has a passion for serving young people and women and as a result, has a countless number of mentees across the country.
She spends her free time inspiring college students and has keynoted events at Northwestern University and Lincoln University as well as guest lectured classes at several other universities. Lastly, Lizette is a proud mother of two children who keep her filled with laughter and purpose.
Lizette received her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She received her BA in Economics/ Political Science through a joint program with Columbia University in New York City and the London School of Economics.
Some of the things that we discussed that stood out to me were:
• Being a regular girl from the Bronx • How having a daughter influenced her relationship with her natural hair • How to survive be being tested professionally • Maintaining your authentic voice regardless of where you work
In this episode you meet Veronica Appleton. Veronica is a scholar, practitioner and children’s author. She serves as Vice President for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Omnicom agency, The Marketing Arm. Appleton is also a lecturer of intercultural communication at DePaul University in Chicago and subject matter expert for various executive education programs in diversity, equity and inclusion. As a renowned speaker, Appleton has served as keynote and speaker for some of the world's largest Fortune 500 organizations and believes educating the future is an essential strategy for building equity in communities and systems at-large. Appleton's work has been recognized by Crain’s Business, FOX News, and Diversity Journal’s Top Professionals in Higher Education. She's also a mentor and board member of several nonprofits providing resources and impact in communities of color, women, men and children.
Some of the things that we discussed that stood out to me were:
• Trying to fit in • Knowing when to move on • Diversity progress in advertising • Setting the tone for mentorship
In this episode you meet Karla Davis. Karla is a high performing leader whose innovative spirit, influence and partnership is helping to change the face of beauty. Karla leads the Integrated Marketing Communications and Media Team for Ulta Beauty, and in her 5 years tenure, she has built the Integrated Marketing Communications function for the company, overseeing Category Marketing, Equity Communications, Media & Social Strategy, Brand Partnership Development, Grand Openings and Local Marketing. She helped establish the brand’s positioning, brand identity and brand purpose and launched Ulta Beauty’s first ever national advertising campaign.
Karla’s passion for the diverse and inclusive beauty space has led her to continually advocate for research development, cross functional initiatives, and communications strategies that ensure all beauty lovers can feel seen, heard and valued at Ulta Beauty . Her efforts helped determine a new value for the organization – Champion Diversity. For her work in Multicultural Strategy, Karla was recognized as a Hispanic Marketing Thought Leader by HispanicAd.com.
More recently, Karla was named to Essence Magazine’s Pretty Powerful List of Influential Black Beauty Executives and became an inaugural member of 25 Black Women in Beauty. From a broader industry perspective, she has been featured in Adweek’s Innovators Series for Inventive Marketing, on the mainstage for the ANA’s Multicultural Summit, and in AdAge’s Retail Summit. In response to her career-long impact on the marketing industry, Karla will be inducted into the prestigious American Advertising Federation’s Hall of Achievement, as part of the Class of 2020.
Prior to Ulta Beauty, Karla has held various roles in marketing at Fortune 100 companies, such as PepsiCo, Johnson & Johnson and Kraft Foods.
In her personal life, Karla is passionate about empowering others spiritually, financially, and professionally. Through CityPoint Community Church, an innovative, Millennial-focused church she co-founded with her husband over 10 years ago, she leads Women and Couples to spiritual growth and connection. Additionally, after eliminating over $125K of debt in 2 years, she and her husband began the Young and Debtless platform to educate people on how to change mindsets and behaviors for financial freedom. That work has led to YD Investments, their real estate business that invests in underserved communities. Karla also sits on the Advisory Council for the Chicago Chapter of Dress for Success.
Karla holds a master's degree in Design Strategy from IIT's Institute of Design, and received her bachelor's degree from Hampton University.
Karla is the loving wife of Demetrius, the proud mama of Laila and an avid traveler – having visited 5 of the 7 continents and counting…
Some of the things that we discussed that stood out to me were: • How media influenced her career journey • How attending an HBCU opened up her career options • The impact of sending the elevator back down • Being the only Black person and the youngest person in a new environment • Knowing your worth • The weight that Black women carry when they have a seat at the table • How golden handcuffs can box us in • Running from a job V. running to a job • Assuming positive intent
In this episode you meet Monique L. Nelson. Monique is chair and chief executive officer of UWG, the country’s longest-standing multicultural marketing agency. She took the helm of the agency in May 2012, when founder and advertising pioneer Byron Lewis retired.
Headquartered in Brooklyn, with offices in Detroit, Atlanta and Miami, UWG maintains a list of esteemed clients. Today, this list includes Ford Motor Company, Colgate Palmolive, The Home Depot, Bacardi U.S. and Coca-Cola. As one of the country’s leading multicultural agencies, UWG services its clients with General Market, Black, Hispanic, Asian and LGBT marketing and advertising, digital and traditional advertising, consumer insight, public relations, consumer healthcare communications and cultural fluency consulting.
Ms. Nelson has expanded the agency’s client list and has led her team in the development of several award winning campaigns that show the wide range of the agency’s expertise, as well as its ability to connect its clients with the growing and diverse cultures of today’s marketplace. With today’s minorities becoming the new majority, Ms. Nelson sees the role of multicultural agencies as even more important than when UWG was founded 50 years ago.
While a one-size-fits-all marketing campaign might be efficient, it may not be effective, according to Ms. Nelson. Thus, her vision for UWG is to continue its history of providing the deep insight, knowledge and cultural nuance that keeps its clients connected to their consumers.
Prior to joining UWG, Ms. Nelson was the Global Lead for Entertainment Marketing at Motorola, where she ensured that the technology giant’s entertainment and music strategies and alliances lived up to their promise as results-driven strategic marketing weapons worldwide.
Today, her leadership extends beyond her C-suite at UWG. Ms. Nelson contributes to many organizations and charities. She sits on the Advertising Week Global Board, AdWeek Diversity & Inclusion Council, The Brandeis Board of Trustees, The Eagle Academy Board, as well as the New York Advisory Board for The Posse Foundation, of which she is an alumna. She is a participant in the ANA’s Alliance for Inclusive and Multicultural Marketing. Ms. Nelson continues to give back to her undergraduate alma mater by supporting the Vanderbilt on Madison Avenue Internship Program. She is also a member of the Brooklyn Chapter of Links, Inc., an international, not-for-profit corporation established in 1946, which is the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organization of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the cultural and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry.
Ms. Nelson has an MBA in international marketing and finance from Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at DePaul University and a Bachelor of Science degree in human and organizational development from Vanderbilt University. In 2016, she received United Way of New York City's Women's Leadership Council’s Power of Women to Make a Difference Award. Her other distinguished honors include: The Network Journal’s 25 Influential Black Women Under Forty, Ad Age's 40 Under 40, and the 2015 Advertising Working Mothers of the Year.
Some of the things that we discussed that had me ready to pass the collection plate were about: 1. Handling mistakes. 2. The power of alignment. 3. How COVID has changed her day to day life. 4. The health scare that caused her to reorganize the role that work played in her life. 5. Buying a company, getting married, and having her first child in 12 months.
In this episode, I discuss some of the major-ish career lessons that I was forced to learn during COVID. There may or may not be a special announcement in there as well, so you should probably listen to it.
Happy New Year!!
In this episode you meet Tiana Conley. Tiana serves as the Vice President of Global Cereal for the Kellogg Company, where she is responsible for the $6 billion flagship portfolio with treasured brands such as Special K, Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops and Corn Flakes. Prior to joining Kellogg, she was Marketing Director of global tequila at Beam Suntory, where she led a portfolio of 5 brands and oversaw operations at the Casa Sauza Heritage Center in Tequila, Mexico. Before joining Beam Suntory, Ms. Conley held a variety of marketing roles at Kimberly-Clark and Procter & Gamble, including leading the $4 billion Global Bath Tissue Portfolio as well as leading the P&L for the North American Olay brand. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Business Administration degree from Xavier University Williams College of Business in Cincinnati, Ohio. Tiana is based in Chicago and is mother of two children, Griffin and Ava.
Some of the things that stood out to me during our conversation were about:
- Finding sponsors
- Your authentic self
- Being ambitious while prioritizing children
- Getting an MBA while working full-time
- Imposter Syndrome
We are getting VERYYYY close to that “new year, new me” phase of the year, where most of us start reflecting on what we accomplished and begin to plan for the next year.
For Watchen, that means taking a look at her professional bio and seeing if what is in the bio still accurately reflects the career story that she wants to share with people.
So, in this episode Watchen shares some tips on how to craft a career story that people remember.
Enjoy!
In this episode you meet Amelia Hardy, the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives for Inclusion and Diversity at Best Buy. She joined the company in 2014 and has held various roles including Category Marketing Director- Home Theater & Digital Imaging and Director of Brand Marketing for Holiday and seasonal campaigns. Most recently she was the Sr. Director Health- Enterprise Relationship Management. She has had over 20 years of strategic leadership roles at fortune 100 companies. Her career experiences include marketing, strategy, brand management, business development, product commercialization and P&L management. Amelia is significantly involved within the community. Currently she serves as the Champion for the Black Employee Resource Group and serves on multiple national and community boards including the Boys and Girls Club of the Twin Cities.
Outside of work, Amelia resides in Woodbury, MN and enjoys spending time with her husband and their 4 kids ranging in ages from 3 yrs old to 15 yrs old. She spends time at dance competitions, soccer and basketball games and at the local playgrounds.
Some of the things that stood out to me during our conversation were about:
- The importance of value alignment in our work.
- The impact of positioning.
- Passion V. Growth opportunities
- The three P's.
In this episode Watchen discusses why you need to get into an accountability group. If your goal is to get a raise, promotion, a new job, or a complete pivot, this is one of the things that needs to be very high on your priority list.
Enjoy!
In this episode you meet Sandra Hurse, Managing Director, Chief Human Resources Officer, GCM Grosvenor. Sandra Hurse is the firm’s Chief Human Resources Officer. She also serves on the ESG Committee and the Diversity & Inclusion Governing Committee. Prior to joining GCM Grosvenor, Ms. Hurse held various positions at Bank of America, most recently serving as Global Head of Human Resources for Corporate and Investment Banking. Previously, Ms. Hurse also held leadership roles in Talent Management and Talent Acquisition at Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Bernard M. Baruch College and her Master of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Michigan. Ms. Hurse serves as a Corporate Board Member for the Harlem School of the Arts.
Some of the things that stood out to me during our conversation were about:
- The importance of people being able to see your humanity.
- The difference between humility and hubris.
- Hiring well.
- Understanding value creation in your organization.
In this episode Watchen shares six simple ways that you can invest in your career development today. It's been proven that people are willing to invest in people who have demonstrated that they have some skin in the game and have first invested in themselves.
If you want to be competitive in this changing job market, you have to start by investing in yourself.
Enjoy!
In this episode you meet Lolly Bowean. Lolly is the program officer for Media & Storytelling at the Field Foundation.
Before joining the Field, she worked as a general assignment reporter at the Chicago Tribune for more than 15 years and had a particular focus on urban affairs, youth culture, housing, minority communities and government relations. She wrote primarily about Chicago’s unique African-American community and the development of the Obama Presidential Center.
During her tenure, she covered the death of Nelson Mandela, how violence was lived and experienced in troubled neighborhoods, and the 2008 election and inauguration of President Barack Obama. Most recently, she wrote about the election of Chicago’s first African-American woman Mayor, Lori Lightfoot. In addition, she’s covered Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the last gathering of the original Tuskegee Airmen.
Before joining the Chicago Tribune, Bowean covered suburban crime, government and environmental issues for the Times-Picayune in New Orleans.
She has been published in the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, the Boston Globe, Lenny Letter and Longreads. She has served as a contributing instructor for the Poynter Institute and lectured at the Art Institute of Chicago. She is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and is the former program officer for the Chicago Headline Club. She was a 2017 Nieman Fellow at Harvard University and is a Studs Terkel Award winner. In 2019 she became the first African-American awarded the Gene Burd Urban Journalism Award. She is a Pulitzer prize nominated writer who lives on the South Side of Chicago.
If you attended The CLIMB then you already know about Lolly Bowean, wordsmith extraordinaire. Her "what's your career story?" session had us all thinking about how we effectively articulate this career journey that we are on.
Because everyone loved her so much I thought I'd bring her back so that we can hear a bit of her career story, spoiler alert, she was the first African-American awarded the Gene Burd Urban Journalism Award!
Some of the things that stood out to me during our conversation were about:
- Knowing what your sword is.
- Attracting opportunities.
- Public V. private career battles.
- Shattering glass ceilings.
- Belonging.
Enjoy!
In this episode you meet Amy S. Hilliard. Amy is an award-winning serial entrepreneur and a former senior corporate executive. A native of Detroit, she is an honors graduate of both Howard University and the Harvard Business School and is also certified in Digital/Social Marketing by Columbia University. The Hilliard Group, her strategic marketing consulting firm for over 20 years has worked with clients including Nielsen, IBM, Pandora Jewelry, BET Networks, American Express, HBO, The GAP, The Limited, PepsiCo and others. In 2001, she founded The ComfortCake® Company, makers of “Pound Cake so Good it feels like a Hug “, which gained distribution with United Airlines, Walmart, a McDonald’s test market and Home Shopping Network among others using Amy’s own pound cake recipes. Amy now licenses ComfortCake’s® intellectual property and Sugarless Sweetness, a patent-pending sugar substitute.
Recently President of Fashion Fair Cosmetics, the global legacy cosmetics company focused on women of color, Amy is a former retailing, senior marketing and advertising executive with Bloomingdale’s, Gillette, Pillsbury, Burrell Communications, and L’Oreal. Her marketing innovations to build Gillette’s White Rain brand into a $100 million-dollar business were documented in a case study for the University of Virginia’s Darden Business School. Amy has also been an Executive Lecturer at Loyola University’s Quinlan School of Business. A proven thought leader on entrepreneurship, empowerment and marketing, Amy has been profiled in Fortune, Success, Entrepreneur, CNN, Black Enterprise, Essence, Ebony and NPR. An international speaker, she is also the author of “TAP INTO YOUR JUICE -- Find Your Gifts, Lose Your Fears and Build Your Dreams” – endorsed by First Lady Michelle Obama. Her blog, Sizzling After 60 – Thriving at Every Stage of Your Life is popular among all ages.
Based in Chicago and passionate about her community and health/wellness, Amy is the proud mother of two young professionals. Amy served two terms as a Trustee of Howard University, thirteen years on PepsiCo’s Multi-cultural Advisory Board, and was the first African-American elected to the board of the National Association of the Specialty Food Trade. Amy currently sits on the LeanIn.org Advisory Board with Sheryl Sandberg. Her website is www.amyshilliard.com.
Some of the things that stood out to me during our conversation were about:
- Starting over in your 40's
- Recovering after a major loss
- Integrating a junior high school
- Building a business while being a corporate executive
- The importance of reciprocity
Enjoy!
In this episode I share an update on what's coming up for I Choose the Ladder and answer some of the questions that I get asked the most.
Enjoy!
In this episode you meet Dannielle Cumberbatch. Dannielle has over 20 years of experience in the digital & performance-based marketing industry. She grew up loving computers and socially was in the middle of everything – sports, academic activities, Girl Scouts © and anything fun. Dannielle credits her tenure within the business to her mix of client service experience and technical know-how, which allows her to pull the best out of People & Machine. Dannielle got her first taste of entrepreneurship during her college years as an independent singer/songwriter. She officially transitioned into the business marketing scene, working as an intern at an independent marketing company - Own Your Power Communications, run by Simone Kelly. During her time at Own Your Power, Dannielle was webmaster for the site and responsible for organizing geo-targeted promotional campaigns to increase awareness and attendance of local OYP events in NY, NJ, GA, FL & Wash, DC. Joining Rakuten Advertising in 2006, Mrs. Cumberbatch was selected to build a brand new service offering for the business – identifying and activating Lead Generation partnerships with publishers who distribute offers through Form-Hosting, Web Display, Email, Search (SEM/SEO), Pay-Per-Call: Mobile, Print & Per-inquiry Radio. At its peak, Dannielle was responsible for a client portfolio with an annual revenue target of $17M+.
In her most recent role as Vice-President, Product Operations, Dannielle leads a dynamic, global team responsible for the technical integration and marketing launch of brands seeking to increase their distribution and sales opportunities through Affiliate, Search and Programmatic Display channels. With clients seeking to drive new online and offline sales, within the Americas and Internationally, Dannielle’s daily work responsibilities all lead back to how her and her team can ensure the client satisfies their consumer privacy needs, create a workflow that supports their business profitability goals; and has the best onboarding experience. Outside of work, Dannielle is a wife and mother of two beautiful children and pushes to be a better version of herself every day.
Some of the things that stood out to me during our conversation were about:
~The importance of keeping receipts when it comes to self advocacy.
~Deciding where you put your focus.
~The role of entrepreneurship in a corporate setting.
~How to remain visible when the company you work for is going through growing pains.
~Balancing herself, her spouse and her children during COVID.
~The importance of asking for and accepting help.
Really grateful to Dannielle for sharing a bit of her career journey with us.
In this episode you meet Minyon Moore, Partner at Dewey Square Group and former Democratic National Committee CEO.
Minyon is considered one of the nation’s top strategic thinkers with extensive experience in political and corporate affairs, as well as public policy. She leads DSG’s State and Local Affairs and Multicultural Strategies practices with clients ranging from the Fortune 100 to startup non-profits seeking counsel for developing strategies that address emerging consumer markets and achieve public policy goals. She specializes in building coalitions and brand awareness strategies for corporations while at the same time effectively addressing their state and local public policy issues.
Under President Bill Clinton’s administration, Minyon served as Assistant to the President and Director of White House Political Affairs, in this capacity, she served as the principal political adviser to the President, Vice President, First Lady and senior White House staff, with primary responsibility for planning outreach and directing the political activities of the White House. She also developed and coordinated legislative strategy, Administration policy, and communications planning with senior White House staff. As CEO of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Minyon was responsible for day-to-day operations and oversight of the Democratic Party.
Minyon is a native of Chicago, Illinois and currently resides in Washington, DC. She attended the University of Illinois at Chicago and graduated from the Boston University Digital Filmmaking Program(DC). A noted speaker and filmmaker, Minyon has continues to serve as a guest lecturer and has lectured at Yale University and Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. In 2018 Minyon was awarded the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) Lifetime Achievement Award and has been inducted into the AAPC Hall of Fame. Her book, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics, co-authored with Donna Brazile, Yolanda Caraway and Leah Daughtry, was awarded the 2019 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary work, Non- Fiction.
We discussed:
- Leaning in
- Imposter Syndrome
- Coloring outside the box
- Having it all
- Sacrifices for greatness
Enjoy!
In this episode you meet Chastity Lord. Chastity has spent two decades dedicated to DISMANTLING systems of inequity for marginalized communities.
Chastity is currently the President and CEO at Jeremiah Program (JP), a national organization committed to disrupting the cycle of poverty for single mothers and their children, two generations at a time.
JP’s proven, holistic approach begins with establishing a supportive community for single mothers to pursue a career-track, college education. Through a combination of quality early childhood education, a safe and affordable place to live, and empowerment and life skills training, families find stability to respond to the proven systemic barriers that impede social and economic mobility. JP deeply believes that families are the best owners and narrators of their lives. History has proven time and again that building infrastructure, leadership, and power for marginalized communities creates a contagion of long-term change. When single women living in poverty THRIVE, their children and everyone living in the community THRIVES.
Chastity also recently served as Chief Operating Officer at Color of Change (COC), a racial justice organization with over 2+ million members. Prior to joining COC, Chastity was the Chief External Officer of Achievement First, a nonprofit organization that operates 42 charter schools in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Brooklyn. Over five years, Chastity worked with community leaders to secure $200 million dollars, favorable expansion terms and progressive educational policy funding, helping level the playing field for poor and marginalized communities.
Later Chastity spent eight years at The Posse Foundation, a nationally recognized and MacArthur Genius awarded college access program, devoted to public high school students who show academic and leadership potential but may be overlooked by the traditional college admissions process.
Chastity’s professional north star and commitment to equity and social justice for the past two decades is influenced by her own personal experience as a first-generation college graduate. Chastity understands that education is not the panacea for inequity but unapologetically credits it to transforming how she dreams and disrupting the cycle of poverty for her own family.
Chastity has a BA in organizational communication from University of Oklahoma and an MBA in strategy and marketing from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She is a 2012 Pahara-Aspen Fellow with the Aspen Global Leadership Network and serves on the board of Shriver National Center on Poverty and Law.
During our conversation we discuss:
- Getting from good to excellent
- Creating Beyonce Coachella moments in your career
- Building your network
- Passion for the work
Enjoy!!
In this episode you meet Ezinne (Kwubiri) Okoro, North America, Head of Inclusion & Diversity at H&M. Ezinne is a global citizen, change agent, diversity leader, and ally. Her professional career began in the financial services industry, though she quickly set her sights to the media and entertainment industries. During her 11-year tenure at Viacom Media Networks (MTV), Ezinne served in various roles in auditing, compliance, project management, change management, diversity & inclusion and employee engagement. This thought leader is now using her talents in the fashion industry as H&M’s North America’s Head of Inclusion & Diversity. In this role, she is tasked with creating a strategic framework, facilitating, and leading the company’s mission to foster diversity, inclusion, democracy, and respect for all its employees. Ezinne’s proven track record for executing with excellence, driving innovative results, and championing for progressive change, speak for themselves. Recently named amongst 30 Black Stars by Face2Face Africa and ESSENCE Magazine’s Women to Watch; Ezinne uses her experience and network to support organizations that empower young girls and service underrepresented communities. Her world view is one that upholds the values that mandate equality, access, and opportunity for all humanity.
During our conversation some of the things we discuss:
- Impostor Syndrome
- Inviting yourself into the room
- Finding mentors
- The importance of your network and how to leverage your network.
Enjoy!
In this episode, we discuss the four must have career tools that make a difference in your career.
In this episode you meet Judith Harrison, Senior Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion at Weber Shandwick. A tireless advocate for the advancement of women and people of color, Judith is one of the most influential, awarded executives in marketing communications.
She is a visionary leader dedicated to changing the face of the business through industry collaboration and inclusion-focused organizational transformation. Throughout her high-profile career in top marketing services agencies and organizations, Judith has activated industry diversity and inclusion efforts through creation of the Diversity Distinction in PR Awards, initiating a partnership with the United Negro College Fund, and bringing together multiple professional and trade organizations in an unprecedented joint effort to attract, retain and develop diverse talent. Judith is an inspiring, authentic, powerful speaker who is passionate about motivating women and multicultural professionals to see the best in themselves, be the best they can be, and boldly face the future with the information, confidence and courage they need to fulfill their potential.
Judith is president-elect of New York Women in Communications, the premier organization for the advancement of women at every career stage in a changing media landscape through scholarships, empowerment grants, educational and networking events, and mentoring. She is also president of the PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) Foundation, which works to increase racial diversity and inclusion in the public relations industry. Judith is the first woman of color to hold either position, and the first individual to hold both simultaneously.
As Diversity & Inclusion leader at Weber Shandwick, Judith drives programs designed to build a multicultural workforce that leverages diverse backgrounds and perspectives to create innovative solutions for clients and an inspiring, high-performance workplace.
Judith’s background includes public relations and marketing communications positions and projects at Burson-Marsteller, Ernst & Young, CBS, Media General, Random House, and the Italian Trade Commission.
Since joining Weber Shandwick in 2006, Judith has guided the firm to recognition as a champion of diversity and inclusion, with honors including the PRWeek/PR Council Diversity Distinction in PR Awards in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016, and the 2016 PR News Diversity Heroes Award as an Organization of the Year. She brought the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) together with the PR industry to form the PRIME (Public Relations Internship, Mentoring and Education) Program, launched in 2015 with sponsorship from Fortune 500 companies as well as leading PR agencies.
Judith is former president of New York Women in Communications Foundation, former chair of the HR Roundtable of the PR Council, and a former member of the Clinton Global Initiative Disabilities Working Group. She serves on advisory boards of ColorComm and the Ron Brown Scholar Program, as well as the 4A’s Diversity Steering Committee. She is also a member of the public relations industry Research Collaboration Group.
During our conversation some of the things we discuss: - The skillset required to be a great PR professional. - Going from working in PR to allow her to sign at night, to finding her purpose in the work. - The importance of having a senior management team that supports you and your strengths. - How having emotional intelligence can change the course of your career. - Why choosing the right partner is critical for career success.
It's often said that you don't get paid what you're worth, you get what you negotiate. While most women feel uncomfortable with negotiating, it is a skill that we all have to get better at. So, in this episode we spend get you prepared for your next negotiation.
Enjoy!
In this episode you meet Kimberly Cook, the first Black partner at the largest divorce firm in the United States. Kimberly is a partner at Schiller DuCanto & Fleck, where she is the embodiment of “grace under pressure” as demonstrated by her distinguished legal career as an esteemed litigator known for guiding her clients through difficult and complex family law matters including prenuptial agreements, divorce, custody and child support, with grace and dignity.
Disintegrating relationships are never easy. That’s why Kimberly works one-on-one with her clients to help them realize their own power to navigate to the next stage of their lives. She brings a personalized approach to every case and works diligently with her clients to develop a clear plan for everything from prenuptial agreements to post-Judgment issues. As a skilled litigator, Kimberly is always prepared to go to court if negotiation is not possible while demonstrating that kindness should never be mistaken as weakness. Kimberly navigates clients through a difficult time while giving them the tools to move forward into their best life.
Kimberly’s legal work speaks for itself. She has been named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine since 2013, she was identified as a 40 Under 40 Illinois Lawyer to Watch, listed in Crain’s Chicago Notable Minority Lawyers and named in The Best Lawyers in America (2015-2017).
Kimberly received her B.A. from Spelman College and her J.D. from the Catholic University of America - Columbus School of Law. While in law school, she served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Gerald B. Lee, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, and the Honorable John Mott, Superior Court of the District of Columbia - Domestic Relations Division.
Kimberly spends her free time sharing her legal experience with the community as a speaker, volunteer and mentor. She is a member of the Black Women Lawyer’s Association and American Bar Association. Her civic engagement includes her membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Jack and Jill of America, Inc. and the Economic Club of Chicago.
During our conversation some of the things we discuss: - How she thinks about being labeled an angry Black woman. - Dealing with impostor syndrome. - How COVID-19 has changed how she does her job. - Finding job in a new city with a competitive job market. - The first time she had to show up at work with braids and how that experience changed her.
In this episode, Watchen discusses:
- Why you need a mentor.
- What to look for in a mentor.
- How to get a mentor.
- How to maintain a mentor/mentee relationship.
About Watchen: Watchen Nyanue is a strategic marketing and career development expert from Liberia, who resides in Chicago, Illinois. She is currently the Senior Vice President of Marketing Partnerships for the WNBA Chicago Sky. In addition to her role with the Chicago Sky, Watchen is also the Founder of I Choose the Ladder, a company that aims to bridge the gap between ambitious Black women who want to climb the corporate ladder, and the companies who understand who important it is for their bottom line to attract and retain that group.
As an advocate for female leadership and empowerment, her journey has been filled with more than twelve years of executive experience, where she has excelled as a proven strategic leader who understands the importance of building relationships and capitalizing on the “it” factor in order to take the organization and employees to the next level as it relates to the Black female employees. Watchen holds a bachelor’s in communication from DePauw University. She is currently pursuing her MBA at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Prior to working at the Sky, she has had the honor of working with a multitude of renowned companies, including Comedy Central, Hearst Digital, Yahoo!, and Johnson Publishing Company. Watchen has been recognized as a Chicago Scholars 35 Under 35 Honoree, a 2018 Chicago Business Journal Woman of Influence Honoree, a Biz Women 2018 Headliner, and a 2019 Black Women's Expo, Presented by BET Her, Phenomenal Woman Honoree.
In this episode you meet Tatiana Holifield-Arthur currently serves as Vice President/Head of Digital Strategy for Pacers Sports & Entertainment, an integrated sports and entertainment company comprised of the Indiana Pacers (NBA), Indiana Fever (WNBA), Fort Wayne Mad Ants (NBA G League), Pacers Gaming (NBA 2K League), Pacers Foundation, Inc., and operations of Bankers Life Fieldhouse arena. In this role, she leads the digital and social media marketing strategy for the entire organization. As one of the Pacers’ highest ranking women in leadership, she will also lead the team’s digital strategy for the 2021 NBA All Stars in Indianapolis.
Prior to her current role, Tatiana was Senior Director of Social Media & Digital Marketing Strategy for Viacom’s BET Networks. With a team based in New York and Los Angeles, BET launched over 100 social media campaigns that drive tune-in, attendance to events, pro-social awareness, and build brand affinity. Prior to Viacom, Tatiana spent six years working under the Comcast/NBCUniversal umbrella in various capacities. As Director of Brand Marketing for NBCUniversal Television & New Media Distribution, she led brand marketing, events, social media, and affiliate relations for the network’s daytime syndicated shows, including high profile talkers Steve Harvey, Access Hollywood, Meredith Vieira, Jerry Springer, Maury, and more. Most notably, Tatiana established the Maury Facebook page which grew to over 1 million followers in a year.
She currently resides in Indianapolis with her husband and beloved dog.
In this episode, Watchen sits with Talent Acquisition Specialist Joyce Lewis, to discuss navigating the job market during a global pandemic.
Joyce Lewis recruits independent Agents for State Farm Insurance Company. She possesses more than 20 years of experience in Recruiting and Marketing, and has an expertise in Diversity Recruiting. Before joining State Farm, Joyce was an Executive Recruiter with The Hollins Group, a retained search firm nationally recognized for its diversity practice. Prior to pursuing her passion for recruiting and guiding professionals through career transitions, she spent several years in Brand Management with the Kellogg Company and Levi Strauss, where she managed the Eggo Waffles and Levi’s Jeans businesses. Joyce holds a MBA from Duke University and a BA from the University of Virginia.
We discuss:
- Recruiters V. Hiring Managers
- Getting past AI when applying online
- Preparing for your interview
- Negotiating in the current job market.
Enjoy!
In this episode, Watchen is joined by special guest, Williette Nyanue for a sister+sister episode. Sparked by The Last Dance, they discuss the biggest career lessons they learned from the documentary. They cover lessons that include:
- Mental toughness
- The pursuit of greatness
- Knowing your role
- Knowing when to bow out
- Betraying yourself
Enjoy!
In this episode Watchen discusses how COVID-19 has drastically changed how we go about landing a new job.
We know that this has fast tracked us to a recession/depression so the condition of the job market is going to be challenging for some people, and whether you find yourself in the job market due to layoffs, or because this pandemic has forced you to take a closer look at the company that you work for and you realize that you just aren’t aligned, or if you are being recognized for your contributions internally and have an opportunity for an internal promotion, one of the things that I am confident is going to continue to change is the way that we interview. I want to make sure that as a community we are prepared for what could be the new normal when it comes to finding a new job.
We discuss: - Effective preparation - Technology - Getting in the right headspace
Enjoy!
In this episode, I discuss six resources to aide in your professional growth. As some of us may find that we have a little more time to spend on developing ourselves, this episode aims to help you do that in a way that won't break the bank.
Enjoy! Watchen
In this episode, ICTL Podcast host Watchen Nyanue discusses how work has shifted in the wake of some unprecedented times and the lessons she's learned during this forced slowing of pace. She also covers some exciting things coming up for the ICTL community and shares an opportunity for you to be the first to test a new product that ICTL is rolling out at the end of the year, so make sure that you listen to the entire episode.
Enjoy!
In this episode you meet Arshele Stevens, CEO of Girls Inc. of Chicago. Arshele is a seasoned not-for-profit executive, a champion of and leader in urban education and a veteran expert in the traditionally male IT industry. As a girl, she was raised to challenge limitations and now as the mother of an amazingly strong, smart and bold daughter, —Stevens is deeply connected to Girls Inc.’s unparalleled commitment to empower girls to success.
In her most recent role as president of Kennedy-King College, she led the organization to reaccreditation with the Higher Learning Commission and spearheaded efforts to secure over $1.2 in development funding to supplement the college’s operating budget. During her tenure, degrees awarded increased by 14% and the number of students transferring to 4-year institutions grew 11%.
Prior to her appointment as president, Stevens served as the Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer at City Colleges. In that role Stevens oversaw the provision of technology for the City College of Chicago’s seven campuses and six satellite sites that together serve more than 115,000 students and approximately 5,500 faculty and staff. She previously served as the Chief Information Officer for Chicago Public Schools—leading approximately 300 staff who supported all things IT for nearly a half million users across over 700 unique locations. During her time there she managed the 21st century upgrade of CPS’ administrative systems creating a more collaborative educational environment and diminishing barriers between CPS families and access to technology resources.
Stevens holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana and an MBA from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. She currently serves as a board member for Friends and Family Health Center. She is married to Craig and they have two children; Tristan and Raegan.
In this episode we discuss:
- The difference between how men negotiate salary and how women negotiate.
- The two ways in which Black women quit when they feel they are being mistreated.
- The importance of being honest at work.
- What the absence of joy in your work may mean.
Enjoy!
Amy Elisa Jackson is an established expert in entertainment and lifestyle journalism, content management and social media strategy. She is currently the Editorial Director at Glassdoor.com, one of the fastest growing job sites. The Stanford University alum and proud 'LA girl' has spent nearly 15 years as an award-winning journalist on both digital and print platforms. She served as the Lifestyle Editor for Ebony Magazine, executing cover stories and exclusive interviews with Magic Johnson, Mariah Carey and Mike Tyson. More recently, Amy Elisa has brought her talents to Silicon Valley creating content for Levo League and Facebook.
Amy Elisa kicked off her career at PEOPLE Magazine where she earned a coveted LA Press Club Award. She continues to work with top brands, both in print and digital media, such as Facebook, MSN, BET, Lexus, Essence Magazine, Latina Magazine, AOL Makers, Business Insider, Fast Company and iVillage. An on-air entertainment expert, Amy has appeared on Good Morning America, E! News, Access Hollywood, and Inside Edition. Whether she is conducting a milestone interview or launching a new digital property, she handles it all with poise, passion and a unique blend of sassy sophistication.
I will admit that I was already a fan of Amy Elisa before our interview, as you will be able to tell by how fast I’m talking, ha, but after our conversation, I officially became the president of the Amy Elisa Jackson fan club.
Some of the things we discuss in our conversation are: - Choosing a career path that is outside of the family career path. - Black #girlbosses who inspire her. - Dealing with the different seasons of your career. - Leaving the dream job to struggle - Having the life of you dreams and losing that shortly thereafter. - Adjusting to what is v. what you thought would be. - Why she hasn’t chosen entrepreneurship. - Being vocal about Diversity and Inclusion at work.
I think you are really going to enjoy this conversation, so as always grab your favorite beverage, your notebook and pen, and get ready to catch these gems.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please share it with at least one woman in your network who you think would also enjoy it.
In this episode, we explore a few of the career lessons that Kobe Bryant taught us along the way. Kobe was known for his drive to be excellent and how he pushed others to be the same.
While he was a superstar, Kobe was also an employee who worked for a company, the Lakers, and worked with a team, so the lessons that he shares can be applied regardless of where you are in your career.
I discuss:
- Mentors from afar
- Getting over yourself
- Preparing for the race you're running
- The impact of strategic thinking
And so much more.
Subscribe to our newsletter by texting CLIMB to 66866.
Enjoy!
In this episode you meet Jacqie McWilliams, Commissioner of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). She was the first female to serve as Commissioner for the CIAA and first appointed African American Commissioner out of 100 Conferences representing NCAA Division I, II and III.
Jacqie spent nine years at the NCAA managing NCAA championships to include both the men’s and women’s Division I Basketball tournaments. She started her career in coaching and administration at Virginia Union University with career growth opportunities at Norfolk State University and Morgan State University prior to the NCAA.
Jacqie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Hampton University, a Master of Arts in Sports Management and Administration from Temple University. She is a member of the Hampton University 1988 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship team and was inducted into Hampton University’s Athletic Hall of Fame. She was inducted into Temple University’s Gallery of Success and the Sierra High School Hall of Fame.
Jacqie served as the chair of NCAA DII Management Council and was a member of the NCAA Board of Governors while in that seat.
Her passion to advance women provided her the opportunity to also serve on the board of directors for Women Leaders in College sports and the Collegiate Women’s Sports Award (CWSA). She has received numerous awards to include the Black Women in Sports Foundation Legend Award (2013), Radio One Women of Excellence (2016), Charlotte Career Mastered Award (2016), the café Mocha Salute Her Trailblazer Award in Charlotte (2017).
During our conversation we discuss:
- The importance of mentors and being prepared.
- Dealing with hurtful comments from colleagues.
- Balancing being a single mom with a demanding career.
- How her faith fuels her passion.
- The natural hair journey.
Subscribe to our newsletter by texting CLIMB to 66866.
Enjoy!
In this episode, we kick off the year with my lessons from Liberia. After being away from Liberia for over 28 years, I spent three weeks on the continent of Africa and I changed me in some unexpected ways.
I discuss:
- Why going to Liberia caused me to have anxiety.
- How living through a war impacts how I show up in my career.
- What I did to prepare for my homecoming.
- The good, the bad, and the ugly of the trip back to Liberia.
- The six lessons that I learned that I plan to apply to my career and life this year.
If you enjoyed the episode please share it with someone who you think could benefit from hearing it.
In this episode you meet Sheila Talton, CEO of Gray Matter Analytics. Sheila is an innovative global leader and Big Data strategist with over 30 years of experience in helping organizations increase value, build successful businesses within larger companies and expand into emerging markets.
Her experience in governance extends to corporate, civic and not-for- profit sectors; currently serving on the boards of Deere & Company (NYSE: DE), Wintrust Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:WTFC), OGE Energy Corp. (NYSE:OGE), Chicago’s Northwestern Memorial Hospital Foundation, The Chicago Network, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the Chicago Urban League and Sysco Corporation (NYSE:SYY). She served for 10 years on the board of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and for five years at Acco Brand Corporation (NYSE:ABD). She was a founding member and chairperson of the Information Technology Senior Management Forum, where she continues to serve on their advisory board. She also served on the Advisory Committee to the Board Selection Committee for Agenda, a Financial Times Company. She was the founder and CEO of Unisource Network Services; she was a Senior Managing Partner at Ernst &Young/Cap Gemini, President of EDS’ Business Processing Information Services and the VP Globalization Officer for Cisco Systems in China and South America. She currently serves on the boards of companies focused on agriculture, finance, energy, healthcare, food services and the performing arts. Most recently, she was designated a “Woman of Influence” by The Chicago Business Journal and an honoree in “Those Having Significant Impact on Business and Technology” by TechWeek. She is a graduate of Northern Illinois University and Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.
In this episode we discuss:
- What she learned in corporate that helped make her a good CEO of her company.
- Understanding the role of mentors.
- The importance of effectively framing what it is that you do.
- Selfcare.
- Why she doesn't think about mistakes.
In this episode you meet Dorothy G. Capers, Executive Vice President, Global General Counsel of National Express Group. National Express is a publicly traded transportation company on the London stock exchange as an FTSE 250 company with subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Spain, Bahrain, Morocco, Germany and North America. Dorothy oversees a diverse legal team across the globe that supports the Company in areas of corporate governance, finance, regulatory compliance, mergers & acquisitions, employment, labor, litigation, environmental, real estate and corporate contracts. Dorothy is a member of the Senior Executive Team reporting to the Chief Executive Officer.
Prior to joining National Express in June of 2015, Dorothy was Associate General Counsel/Chief Litigation and Bankruptcy lead for U.S. Foods, Inc., a publicly traded foodservice distribution company. Before joining U.S. Foods, Dorothy has worked extensively as a litigator in the state, county and local government as well as in the private sector for law firms and corporations. Her government experience includes her leadership as a Deputy Corporation Counsel with the City of Chicago and as a prosecutor for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. Dorothy has been actively involved in the community for many years as a mentor and board member in various civic, nonprofit and cultural organizations. Dorothy currently sits as a member of the board of the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation, Children’s Home & Aid and the Chicago State University Foundation. She serves as a mentor for the Chicago Urban League Impact Program.
Dorothy earned her J.D. from Howard University School of Law, Washington DC and her B.A from the University of Illinois, Champaign, IL.
We discuss:
- The importance of accountability.
- Learning how to build bridges for others.
- How she overcame imposter syndrome.
- Balancing a full career and a business while being married and raising a family.
- Self care.
- How working out + Law = Husband.
Enjoy!!!
In this episode you meet Melissa Connelly. Melissa Connelly is a first-generation college graduate who, in spite of starting high school in a truancy program, obtained three college degrees with a 4.0 GPA. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer for OneGoal, a national college access and success organization. In this episode we discuss:
- How being a first generation college graduate impacted her career choices.
- The impact that colorism has had on her career.
- Recognizing your own privilege.
- How being a wife also helps her as a CEO.
- How changing her perspective on a dichotomy that she created, selfish or selfless, set her family up for success.
- Why daily workouts have become one of her secrets to success.
Enjoy!
In this episode, we talk about the concept of managing up. Do you know the type of boss that you have? Have you adjusted how you engage with them so that you can be more effective? Do you often wonder why everything seems to be a struggle? Well then this episode was created with you in mind.
We talk about the most common types of bosses, I'm team #HandsOff, the challenges they may be facing, and what you can do to ensure that your relationship with them is productive.
Enjoy!
In this bonus episode, you learn what you need to start doing today to prepare for your year end review. I talk to J'ai Brown, the HR Business Partner for U.S. Wealth Management at BMO Harris Bank.
In this role, she serves as a trusted advisor, providing strategic insight and collaborative support to the U.S. Wealth Management business across all aspects of HR including employee relations, diversity & inclusion, recruitment & staffing, compensation, talent review, organization design, workforce planning, and learning & career development. In addition, J’ai serves as the National Chair for BMO’s Black Professionals Network U.S. Enterprise Resource Group.
We discuss topics like, recognizing your blindspots, handling tough feedback, bringing up your raise and how to advocate an internal career pivot. Most importantly, we discuss how to ensure that you do not unintentionally derail your review and tangible ways that you can measure the success of your review.
Enjoy!
In this episode you meet Manika M. Turnbull, PhD, Vice President, Community Health & Economic Impact Officer at Health Care Service Corporation.
We discuss everything from how growing up with a family member living with a mental health illness shaped her career path, to growing in an organization, having children later in life, and how you really can find joy in the work that you do, even after being with the same company for 13 years!
We're back!! In this episode I gave you an update on what career things I am thinking about at this point in the year and give you some updates on important things coming up with ICTL. Hint: The 2020 Career Summit may or may not have been announced in this episode.
A note: Please forgive the audio, my mic was being weird and I had to decide between waiting for the new mic to arrive to record or release the new episode as is. I feel like you have waited long enough for new episodes, so release it I will :-)
In this episode I give you eight ways that you can be intentional about sending the elevator down for other Black women. This topic is near and dear to my heart because it is the only way that we can progress as a community. In case you are curious, one of the ways is by not becoming the boss that you complained so much about before you became the boss... Enjoy!!
In this episode you meet Felicia Rauls, SVP and Director of Operations, Mesirow Financial. We discuss everything from how to say you don't know without losing credibility to the importance of mistakes in career development.
Remember, you can join the ICTL community by texting CLIMB to 66866. We look forward to climbing with you.
I tried something different this episode. Join me, Williette and Shavon as we explore some of their most boring career questions.
In this episode you meet Venture Capitalist, Karen Kerr. Karen is one of approximately 64 Black female venture capitalists in the United States, WHAT?!?!?!
We talk about everything from her decision not to have children, to her role as a leader, and how she thinks we should think about mistakes.
Enjoy
In this episode we explore my thoughts on networking. I discuss how my network is the thing that people comment on the most, but how networking is one of the things I enjoyed the least.
I also share how I changed my approach to networking so that I feel empowered and not deflated. If you enjoy this episode be sure to join the community by texting CLIMB to 66866.
Enjoy!
In this episode, you meet Tiffany White, a financial services executive who spent more than 18 Years in recruitment at JP Morgan. We talk about everything from double standards to why closed mouths don't get fed. If you had an opportunity to attend our April Office Hours with Tiffany, than you know that you are in for a treat. Enjoy!
In this episode Watchen talks about step three of the job cycle:
Step 1: Get the job. Step 2: Become excellent at the job. Step 3: Prepare to look for your next opportunity. Step 4: Actively look for your next opportunity.
Enjoy
In today's episode you meet Valerie King, the SVP of Investor Relations at Ariel Investments. We discuss everything from how her husband keeps her balanced, what it feels like to work for one of the leading minority owned financial institutions in the country, and why your total package, and not just your hair, matters. Enjoy!
In this episode you meet Karen Brown, the Founder of Bridge Arrow, LLC. We discuss everything from the challenges that companies face when it comes to D&I, the benefit of switching jobs every couple of years and how she knew when it was time for her to exit Corporate America. I also learned a VERY important lesson about making assumptions. Enjoy!
In today's episode you meet Sherina Maye Edwards, Partner at Quarles & Brady, LLP. We talk about everything from when the right time to leave a job is, balancing work, life, family and Philanthropy, and lastly the importance of doing good work, even when you think no one is watching. This is hands down one of my top three favorite episodes. Enjoy!
In this episode you meet Yaa Stanley, Vice President of e-Commerce at Corelle Brands. We discuss everything from the pressure to represent your whole race, career pivots, and how Corporate America can sometimes feel like a game of thrones. Enjoy!
In this episode, inspired by the Humble Lukanga interview, I talk about the concept of hard work and how to measure it. For example, what is the difference between being a hard worker and someone who works a lot.
In this episode, you meet Dorri McWhorter the CEO of the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. We discuss everything from why titles don't really matter to her to why being self aware is some important when trying to find joy on your corporate climb. One of my favorite parts of the interview was when she talks about the perceptions people make about her abilities because she's perceived as "nice." I am a huge Dorri fan, and after listening to this episode you will be firmly on #TeamDorri. Enjoy!
In episode 15, Watchen talks about why it's OK to ask for help and reasons why you may not be getting the help that you want.
In this resource episode, you meet award-winning career coach and Founder of Twenty Ten Talent, Octavia Goredema. We discuss everything from language to help you negotiate better to finding your voice and rhythm in Corporate America. If you see a promotion or a new job in your 2019 plans, you must listen to this episode. Enjoy!
In episode 13 of I Choose the Ladder, host Watchen shares what she's leaving in 2018 and what she plans to take with her in 2019 based on the interviews that she had with the women of I Choose the Ladder. In 2019, do you think she is leaving or taking "saying yes?"
In episode 12, you meet Shaelyn Otikor, Global Business Strategy, Senior Vice President at Northern Trust. In the episode, we discuss everything from switching jobs every two years, to what she learned from working internationally, accepting her failures, and why she's sick of the mentorship/sponsorship conversation. Enjoy!
In episode 11, you meet Andrea Zopp, President and CEO of World Business Chicago. In the episode, we discuss everything from the importance of the Urban League, running for Senate, being the only one, her passion for economic development opportunities for African Americans, and why she doesn't watch shows like Power and Empire. Enjoy!
I had the good fortune to see Oprah interview Michelle Obama on the first stop on her book tour for Becoming, and it was nothing short of magical. In this episode you get to hear a few of the gems that I picked up during the event.
In episode 9, you Nicole Elam Esq., Vice President, Government Relations at JPMorgan Chase & Co. In the episode, We discussed everything from looking and playing the part, to the power of observation when you don’t have mentors, battling it out in Politico, relationship building, exiting corporate, the cost of balance, and so much more.
Enjoy!
In episode eight we meet Nzinga Shaw, the SVP, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena. We talk about everything from being an "angry Black woman," learning to be OK with being the "only one" in a room, and dealing with working for someone who doesn't recognize your full potential.
In episode seven, you meet Terrie-Lynne Devonish the Chief Compliance Officer for North America at AON Corporation. We discuss everything from being the "angry black woman" to mentorship, to fixing your mistakes.
In episode six, you meet Leslie Anderson, SVP U.S. Head of Business Banking, Treasury & Payment Solutions at BMO Harris Bank. We discuss everything from mentorship to divine intervention and marriage, networking, how a $70 TJ MAXX sweater changed her life, and so much more.
In episode five, which is a resource episode, Watchen shares some tips on how to give your resume a makeover.
In episode four we meet LaTonya Foster the CEO/Executive Director of the Chicago Center for Arts and Technology. We talk imposter syndrome, mentorship, and entrepreneurship.
LaTonya oversees strategy and operations for one of Chicago’s newest non-profit organizations. As a product of Chicago’s public-school system and a proud alumna of Loyola University Chicago, LaTonya loves that her work provides her the platform to drive change and to serve as an example of the significance that mentorship, community and education has played in her life.
I Choose the Ladder is a podcast for Black Women on the Corporate Climb. In this episode, you meet the host Watchen and learn about what to expect in future episodes.
In episode two, host Watchen Nyanue sits down with Nicole White, Global Counsel and Assistant Secretary for Avison Young.
Nicole White joined Avison Young in 2015 and serves as legal counsel to Avison Young personnel in connection with the hiring, engagement, and compensation of professional and other personnel. She also serves as counsel to Avison Young’s human resources function.
Prior to joining Avison Young, Nicole was an attorney for Allstate Insurance Company where she provided advice and counseling to Human Resources on various employment issues including hiring, discipline, discharge, and disability accommodations. Additionally, Nicole managed and directed federal and state employment and general commercial litigation matters handled by outside counsel.
Nicole also served as the subject matter expert on trade secret and non-compete issues, and notably established and implemented a nationwide Restrictive Covenant Enforcement Process to assist the company in enforcing the restrictive covenants in its independent contractor agreements.
Ms. White earned her Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
In episode three, Watchen Nyanue sits down with De'Andrea Anderson, Executive Director of Asset & Wealth Management at JP Morgan Chase.
Dee started her career in Fixed Income Sales.
At J.P. Morgan, D’Andrea serves on several leadership teams and manages development programs within.
In addition to her work, Dee is also involved in external civic and community work including being a Board Member & Treasurer of Just the Beginning Foundation, A member of the Posse Foundation Leadership Council, a member of the Economic Club of Chicago, National Association of Securities Professionals, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
D’Andrea has been in the financial services industry for over 20 years and holds series 7 and 63 licenses. She holds a MBA from Purdue University and B.S. in Economics from Hampton University.