Breaking The Glass Ceiling - 2024

Note

Happy International Women's Day!

Kevin

DeSevo Dianne

Defying Stereotypes, the HR Landscape, and Succeeding in Leadership

Anisa Hassan the ultimate Matchmaker

Rozy Rana

Leading Innovation For A Delightful Coffee Experience

Dr. Theoroa

M. Cason A Champion For Equity

Dianne DeSevo

Defying Stereotypes, Transforming the HR Landscape, and Succeeding in Leadership

Inthedynamiclandscapeofleadership,women aroundtheworldareboldlyshatteringtheglass ceiling,challengingtraditionalnorms,andcarving outtheirownpathstosuccess.Thesevisionarywomen leadersarenotonlybreakingbarriersbutalsoreshaping thenarrativeofwhatispossibleinthebusinessworld. Withresilience,innovation,andarelentlesspursuitof excellence,theyaremakingsignificantstridesindiverse industries,fromtechnologyandfinancetohealthcareand beyond.

CurrentlyservingastheChiefPeopleOfficerforDow Jones,DianneDeSevostandsoutasanexemplaryleader, forgingherwaytosuccess–anddoingherparttoliftothers upintheprocess.SheoverseestheHRfunction,aswellas workplaceevolution,safety,securityandriskforthe globalpublisherandproviderofbusinessinformation services.HerleadershiphasbeeninstrumentalinDow Jonesachievingandmaintainingahighstandardof employeesatisfactionandorganizationalperformance.

Diannehasdedicatedover25yearsofherprofessional journeytothefieldofHumanResources,predominantly withinthemediaandagencysectors.Herexperience includessignificantstintsatWarnerMedia(HBO,Warner Music),Disney/ABCNews,andEngine(Tech). Throughouthercareer,thefearlesstrailblazerhas successfullynavigatedorganizationsthrough transformativephases,integrations,andperiodsof

JasonVego, Co-Founder

substantialgrowth.Shealsohadthe privilegeofholdingprominentroles andcollaboratingwithleaderswho fosteredherpersonalandprofessional development.“I'm passionate about the work I do, the businesses and industry I support, and the network I have very intentionally built and maintained throughout my career,” saysDianne.

PersonalChallenges:ReshapingHR PerceptionsandDrivingSuccess

Challengesareapartoflife.Inher professionaljourney,achallenge Diannehashadtoconfrontinvolved reshapingperceptionsabouttheroleof HRanditssignificancewithin organizations.Likemanyothersinthe field,shehasencounteredsituations whereHRwasviewedasapersonnel oradministrative orevena policing function,leadingtostrained interactions.

Sherecallsoneparticularevent:

“Earlier in my career, when I first met with a business leader in the organization, I was told in no uncertain terms that they did not like HR people or HR speak. There was a reluctance to appreciate and really embrace the role HR teams can play in high-functioning organizations and it was made perfectly clear to me in that moment.”Herresponsethen–asit wouldbetoday–was,“Well, I'm not HR, I'm Dianne. I don't speak HR, I speak business, and I can assure you that after working with me, you and your organization will be more successful today than you were before you met me.”

Thisapproachmarkedtheinitiationof afruitfulcollaborationwhereinthey revampedandmodernizedtheHR function,fosteringaprofound relationshipwiththebusinessleader.

Diannebelievesitisnecessaryupon HRleaderstoeffectivelycommunicate thevalueofHRasastrategicpartner, demonstratingitsessentialcontribution toorganizationalsuccess.

PioneeringGlobalInformationwith Over130YearsofTrusted Journalism

DowJonesisaprominentglobal providerofnewsandbusiness information,aimingtofacilitate informeddecision-makingforboth businessesandindividuals.The company'sdiverseportfolioincludes esteemedpublicationssuchasThe WallStreetJournal,Barron's,and MarketWatch,alongsideleading businessintelligencesolutionslike FactivaandOPIS.Boastingoneofthe world'slargestnews-gathering operations,DowJoneshasbeen

deliveringunparalleledandtrusted journalismforover130years.With approximately5,500employees worldwide,thecompanyisstructured aroundcorepillarsofexcellencein news,wealthandinvesting,riskand compliance,andenergy Additionally, DowJonesoperatesathrivinglive eventsbusiness,bringingtogether businessleadersacrossindustriesto addresskeyissuesthroughouttheyear. NurturingandEmpoweringTalents AtDowJones

ToDianne,whattrulymattersishow DowJonesempowersitsemployees. Sinceshejoinedthecompanyin2021, DowJonesCEOAlmarLatourhas beenakeysupporterofemployee developmentandengagement.Under hisleadership,thefearlesstrailblazer hasmadesignificantchangesin operations.Whilethecompanyiswell-

establishedwithreputablebrandsanda richhistory,it'salsoundergoinga transformation,showingacommitment toadapttotheevolvingneedsof customersandemployees.“I've been blown away by the support I've received and it's a direct contributor to the level of impact our team has been able to have over the past two years,” statesDianne.

WeaveDE&IIntoEveryAspectOf Business

AtDowJones,diversity,equity,and inclusionarefundamentaltothe company'scultureandoverarching mission.Recognizingtheresponsibility tomeetaudienceneedsandaccurately representtheworldintheirnews coverage,thecompanyemphasizesthe importanceofembracingavarietyof backgrounds,experiences,and perspectives.Ittakesaproactive approachbyintegratinginclusion effortsintoitsday-to-daybusiness

operationsratherthanisolatingthemas aseparatefunction.Thisapproach aimstofosterasustainablecultureof inclusionthatinvolveseveryoneand holdsthemaccountable,extending beyondthesolepurviewofHR.

AccordingtoDianne,DowJoneshas incorporatedinclusioninitiativesinto itsperformancemanagementsystem, emphasizingitssignificanceinteam buildinganditsconnectiontobusiness results.

EmpoweringWomentoChallenge Stereotypes

Beingawomannavigatingthe corporateworld,Diannereflectsonthe challengeswomenface,highlighting thepressuretoactorpresentor overcompensateinawaythatmanyof theirmalecounterpartshavenot experienced.Shestrivestoaddress thesenormsbydemonstratingthat successinasenior-leveljobcan

coexistwithafulfillingpersonallife.

Thefearlesstrailblazerrecalls,“I've encountered single women in various stages of their careers who were concerned that to be successful, they would have to give up much of their personal life. I have shown that you can hold a senior-level job while having a life outside of work. I have modeled this and tried to coach others not to be afraid. I have also spoken to many women who have felt added pressure to prioritize their appearance or fashion.”Thefocushereison encouragingwomentobeconfident, supportiveofeachother,andtoreject thenotionthatsuccessrequires sacrificingpersonalwell-beingor conformingtonarrowstandardsof appearance.

Diannehasalsonoticedacommon trendwherewomenarenot consistentlysupportingeachother

Thishasfueledherstrongcommitmenttoadvocatingfor women'smutualsupport.Sheemphasizestheimportanceof collectivebackingforeveryone'ssuccess,highlightingthat therearenoadvantagestodiminishingothers.Thefearless trailblazeractivelyinveststimeincollaboratingwithfellow women,focusingonboostingtheirconfidenceand reinforcingthevalueofsolidarity

SourceOfMotivation

Whenaskedtosharehersourceofmotivation,Dianne replied,“What motivates me the most is watching organizations and people grow and change. It is very rewarding to see my work's influence over the businesses I have supported. It is both gratifying and energizing to know that the work my team does in building relationships, earning trust and advising teams and leaders has a direct impact on the success of the business.”Shefurtheradds, “Our employees are our biggest asset– and our greatest evangelists– so it's so important that we're engaging with and investing in them to continue to fuel the type of growth and innovation we're looking for at Dow Jones. It's never lost on me that what we do each day matters so much.”

DrawsInspirationfromFemaleLeaders

Diannedeeplyrespectsfemaleleaderswhoutilizetheir platformsandinfluencetoshedlightonsignificantissues thatpositivelyaffectpeople'slives.Theseleaders,including MichelleObama,OprahWinfrey,andAriannaHuffington, inspireherwiththeiropennesstovulnerabilityand willingnesstosharepersonalexperiences.

FuturePlans

Currently,Dianne'sprimaryfocusisonthedynamicand thrillingprojectsunderwayatDowJones.Thecompany boastsrobustleadershipcommittedtofosteringanexcellent placetowork.Andso,sheandherteamareworking togethertoachievethisgoal.“I am blessed that I work with great people and that I love what I do everyday,”says Dianne.

TransformativeCareer Wisdom

AstheChiefPeopleOfficer, Diannegivesadvice,“Work hard. Play hard. Know your trade. Build great relationships. And be kind. That is what has worked for me throughout my career and I think being really intentional in those key areas has been transformative. As you navigate your career, mentorship–both formal and informal–plays an important role, as does remaining open to being mentored. If you approach every interaction as an opportunity to either help someone or learn from them, those experiences will help to develop really strong relationships. I'd also add that as you grow in your career and find yourself in leadership roles, be mindful of how much influence your position affords you and never underestimate the impact you have on those around you. It plays a large part in how company cultures are built and sustained.”