Advocacy
As a global communications leader, I am passionate about using my experience to advocate for change in two key areas: to elevate the role of communications in organizations and to encourage women to take on international assignments.
Elevating the Role of Communications
Communications belongs in the C-suite and the board room. Communications professionals bring a broad perspective and a multi-stakeholder view, internally and externally. We are business advisors and strategists who can see around corners and understand every stakeholder's perspective.
While some companies understand the value of communications, many companies have yet to do so. I want to see Chief Communications Officers (CCOs) normalized across companies to help drive strategic business decisions, and I will continue to speak out on this topic until they are.
Women Expats
You can't be what you can't see.
I am my company's first expat sent from the U.S. to Japan. I had no mentors or role models to help me understand the hows, whys or whats of becoming an expat. The population of women expats is tiny; thus, many other women are surely in the same position that I was.
Why does it matter? Because women represent only approximately 14-20% of employees on international assignments. Yet, numerous studies show international experience is crucial to upward movement in the workplace and for those desiring senior leadership or C-suite positions. U.S. News & World Report cites a study reporting that 71% of Fortune 100 CEOs have spent at least two years in senior positions abroad.
To help change this statistic and to create a more robust pipeline of female senior executives, I am passionate about speaking with women, sharing my experiences, and encouraging them to take international assignments.