What do Pam Kaufman, Carla Hassan, Carolyn Everson, Linda Boff, and Gail Tifford have in common? They’re BADASSES, that’s what.
In addition, every one of these women is a leader at one of the largest and most well-known brands in the world, from Paramount to Coca-Cola. Indy Maven CEO Leslie Bailey had a chance to attend a panel discussion at VeeCon featuring Kaufman, Hassan, Everson, and Boff, moderated by Tifford. Read on for her takeaways from these “Women at the Top.”
THEIR SUPERPOWERS
“Relationships, humility, vulnerability—this is the most underrated leadership quality out there— people connect with you when you show you’re an actual human.” – Carolyn Everson, Director and Advisor / Coca-Cola Company, The Walt Disney Company, Under Armour, Permira
“Bringing humor and levity to a situation. Trying to be inclusive and respectful of everybody, not just the person in charge. – Pam Kaufman, President and CEO of International Markets, Global Consumer Products & Experiences / Paramount
BIGGEST F**K-UPS
“My most visible…after a long 14-year career at Pepsi Co., I decided I wanted to save the Giraffe at Toys R Us. Five or six months after they filed for bankruptcy. I learned how to lead through adversity and pick myself up. I learned who my true friends are. It ended up being the best thing I ever did.” – Carla Hassan, Chief Marketing Officer, JP Morgan Chase
“I got fired from my own company! I told the CEO she was going to file bankruptcy, and she fired me.” – Carolyn Everson, Director and Advisor / Coca-Cola Company, The Walt Disney Company, Under Armour, Permira
BIGGEST MYTHS
[That anything] matters more than culture. Nothing matters more than culture. Nothing. It makes people work hard, stay places, and give the extra —it’s so hard to find, but when you have it, it’s incredibly important. Don’t forget culture. – Linda Boff, CMO, GE
“That AI is going to take all of our jobs. We’re going to work side by side. It’s going to make us better, but it’s not going to take our jobs away.” – Carla Hassan, Chief Marketing Officer, JP Morgan Chase
“Technology is not great for women. Every tech company wants more women in every aspect—engineering, leadership, boards of directors—it’s important for women to get comfortable and not be intimated.” – Carolyn Everson, Director and Advisor / Coca-Cola Company, The Walt Disney Company, Under Armour, Permira
FINAL TAKEAWAYS
“Relationships drive everything. We’re on this stage because of our relationships and our love for Gary V.” – Gail Tifford, Partner, True Search
“You’re not as bad as you think you are on your worst day, and you’re not as good as you think you are on your best day.” – Linda Boff, CMO, GE
“Be authentically who you are. In my career, I tried to emulate other women…and I wasn’t successful.” – Carla Hassan, Chief Marketing Officer, JP Morgan Chase
“Stay a little uncomfortable. I feel uncomfortable every single day, and it’s good.” – Pam Kaufman, President and CEO of International Markets, Global Consumer Products & Experiences / Paramount
“Name your inner voice and tell it to shut up.” – Carolyn Everson, Director and Advisor / Coca-Cola Company, The Walt Disney Company, Under Armour, Permira
Leslie Bailey is the founder and CEO of Indy Maven.
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