Senior Vice President, Chief Diversity & Social Impact Officer, IPG
In your opinion, what qualities make a “Moves Mentor”?
A Moves Mentor is someone with the time, skills and energy to invest in the potential of woman. Someone who believes is the equal access, opportunity and impact women make across all industries and sectors. A Moved Mentor created opportunities for other women to thrive.
How does mentoring benefit the mentor? Career-wise? Intellectually? Spiritually? Socially? Any other “-allys”?
Mentoring creates an opportunity to share the tips and tricks you’ve learned along the way. Sometimes that learning was difficult and sometimes it was lonely. You can change the future by giving this away to someone else.
Should mentorship be a company requirement or a personal give-back?
It can be both and work successfully, but not everyone can be or should be a mentor. Mentorship requires time, conviction and the ability to commit to the success of another person. It also shouldn’t be forced, but it should be an expectation.
What is your mentorship method? Do you prefer a more hands-on or laidback approach?
Mentoring should be tailored to the person. Some desire a hands-on approach and some like a laidback style. It’s the mentor’s job to learn the mentee.
Given the evidence that successful mentoring increases the bottom line, should any responsible five year corporate strategy include a detailed plan and budget for mentoring complete with an official position for a mentoring director and regular progress reports to the board. Very interesting concept! In the spirit of democratizing mentorship, I’d say all senior leaders should be mentoring instead of one person.
“In the nineteenth century, the central moral challenge was slavery. In the twentieth century, it was the battle against totalitarianism… in the 21st is century the paramount moral challenge will be the struggle for fairness and gender equality around the world.” * Why is gender equality even a challenge, especially in the ‘enlightened’ western world?
Male dominance and power has been and continues to be the driving force in society and business. Women have been undervalued and underestimated, in every century. The role of a woman has also changed with access to education and economies. As women assume more power they are demanding that the division of not only labor, but also opportunity be given to them.
Can mentoring be a major contributing factor in making gender inequality a thing of the past? By passing on personal anecdotes and with the benefit of past experience, can the mentor significantly effect equality and diversity in the workplace (and in broader society)?
As a DEI leader, I think anyone has the ability to effect equality in the workplace and in their communities. A mentor’s role is counsel, support and advice. A sponsor is advocating in the rooms were that person is not present. I see that as a more effective strategy to effect equality for women in the workplace.
Was there a defining moment or experience in your life that led you to where you are today? What was it?
Getting an executive coach!
What do you think is the number one action we as a society can take for women’s power and equality? (e.g. affirmative action?)
Pay equity.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
You’re at the table because you are supposed to be there.
If it is true that whenever women are involved in any one aspect of life – domestic, business, recreation – the empirical evidence shows that activity is enhanced in a real and tangible way, why is there such fierce resistance to this female influence?
Most people in positions of power don’t want to give that up.
Who do you most admire? Why?
Mellody Hobson [Co-CEO of Ariel Investments; chairwoman of Starbucks Corporation], she is my hero. She is powerful, black, witty, fashionable, incredibly smart, business savvy and effective. She shows that you can be feminine and strong. Confident and kind. Assertive and not aggressive.
