Chief

Thanks for the honor, TIME! We are incredibly proud and grateful to be recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Companies of 2023. This recognition is a testament to our talented and passionate team and incredible community of Chief Members. We started this journey just over four years ago — our work is just beginning, and we look forward to all that lies ahead as we continue to advance our mission to change the face of leadership. #TIME100Companies

According to a CNBC survey, 78% of workers believe it's important to work for a company that prioritizes DEI, with over 50% saying it’s very important. Despite this, DEI initiatives are facing fierce attack and the business implications are becoming clear. Last week, we hosted Trisch Smith, Global Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer and Senior Counselor at Edelman and workplace culture strategist and consultant Sofia B. Pertuz, PhD, ACC, CDE® to lead a roundtable discussion on protecting DEI efforts in this shifting landscape. Their top recommendations? 1️⃣ Make data-driven decisions. Research shows that companies in the top quartile for both gender and ethnic diversity in leadership are 9% more likely to outperform their peers. If your DEI efforts face scrutiny, let data like this speak for itself. 2️⃣ Communicate clearly. The general lack of understanding of the term “DEI” has been weaponized against the efforts to create more seats at the table. When discussing your vision for a culture of inclusion, make sure you leverage the appropriate channels and call upon the right voices for help. 3️⃣ Build coalitions. This will help you collect data and insights on the work that you do, and the work of future generations. 

Last month, Chief and premium leather goods brand Cuyana brought together a group of executive women at our Los Angeles Clubhouse for a conversation on authentic leadership — exploring how to balance your personal values and professional brand. Members networked and heard from Cuyana Co-Founder & CEO Karla Gallardo, Alex Taylor of Perelel, and Lindsay W. of United Talent Agency. Their key advice for leading authentically? 🌱 Infuse your brand ethos into your leadership style. 🤝 Foster genuine communication with your team and stakeholders. ⚖️ Align personal values with professional demands.

Connie Chung is an icon. We gathered to hear from the award-winning journalist’s experience navigating the newsroom and womanhood. We laughed, we cried, and we celebrated her incredible career of “firsts.” Here’s a peek inside the chat: “Thank you Connie, for such a wonderful session, an incredible book, and getting together such an amazing group of women” “I am in tears... this is by far the best Chief session.” “This has been such an amazing talk. Thank you Connie for spending time with us.” We think Chief Members said it best. Thank you, Connie. Thank you for proving what’s possible, relentlessly advocating for yourself and others, celebrating women, and — perhaps most importantly — openly sharing. Chief Members, what was your favorite lesson from our conversation with Connie?

Just when you thought victory was right around the corner, it slipped away. That bold move turned into a big lesson learned. We’ve all been there. So, how do executive leaders turn setbacks into stepping stones for growth? Jacqueline Howard, Head of Money Wellness at Ally Financial shares her three key tips: 1️⃣ Identify and celebrate your strengths. 2️⃣ Lean on your network. 3️⃣ Show yourself grace. Thank you, Jack, for your words of wisdom. 🤝

Congratulations to the Chief Members who made bold moves this week. We’re cheering you on not only in these big moments but in your moments of impact every day. — Colleen Wilson was hired as Chief Product Officer at Best Egg — Lynette Fraga, PhD launched Fiercely Forward LLC — Adrienne Bigley Fretz launched TENDhr — Maureen Burke Cawley joined the advisory board of Kindred Minds — Vanessa Esparza was appointed President of the Exhale to Inhale Board — Michele Pytlinski joined the advisory board of the Women in Leadership Program at the University of New Haven — Marla Crawford was named one of Corporate Counsel Business Journal’s 50 Women to Watch — Soumya Kesireddy was named one of Staffing Industry Analysts’ 40 Under 40 — Hady Mendez was named one of ALPFA New York’s 2023 Latinas to Watch — Andrea Mohamed received WOMEN IN TECH ® Global’s Most Impactful Initiative - North America Award — Kristi Straw, MBA 🦄 was named one of The Mecklenberg Times’ 50 Most Influential Women — Patricia Van Nostrand was named one of Women We Admire’s Top 50 Women Chiefs of Staff of 2024 — Lisseth Zouhbi was named one of Women We Admire’s Top 50 Women Chief Human Resource Officers of 2024 — Mercedes Soria published Women Living Fearlessly

Even faced with shrinking DEI commitments and growing burnout and mistrust, Etsy CHRO Toni Thompson (Nadal) is setting high industry standards.. Swipe to discover how The New Era of Leadership Award winner and her team are making significant strides toward gender parity, accessibility, diversity, and equality. 

Penny Pritzker has founded five businesses, served as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, and advised on multiple boards, including Microsoft and the Harvard Corporation. Last week, she joined us at ChiefX Chicago to discuss her legendary career in business — one she says she’s been set on since she was five years old. These are her top three pieces of advice for executive leaders. 1️⃣ Invest in your team. Pritzker reminds us that “life is a team sport.” Ask questions, listen more than you speak, and cultivate a culture of trust so that bold ideas can move from the boardroom into the real world. 2️⃣ “Integrity and humility are critical to leadership,” Pritzker says, “align your company around a bold vision and a clear set of values.” 3️⃣ Lead with intention. The ‘C’ in CEO stands for culture. Reflect on how you are living your company culture and reinforcing it through actions so that established values remain at the center of your company’s work. Chief Members, what were your favorite insights from Pritzker? Share them in the comments below.

From water coolers to Slack chats, conversations about the election are everywhere. A recent Gallup poll shows that nearly half of U.S. employees have talked politics at work. Given this ubiquity, leaders can — and should — step in to guide conversations in a way that reduces potential harm or interpersonal conflict among their teams. To lead the conversation, try: 👐 Creating a brave space focused on courage, not comfort ✋ Opening with a five-minute check-in to get a sense of emotions in the room 🤝 Aligning with company values to understand when to speak up 🙏 Assigning a trained facilitator to guide honest discussions

Your Monday reminder: