Executive Round-Up: How Media Companies Can Make the Industry More Inclusive for Women

In the spirit of International Women’s Day, we asked executives in our industry what the media industry can do to make it more inclusive and equitable for women. Here’s what they had to say.

Maria E. Brennan, CAE
President & CEO
The WICT Network

Rely on the research. Companies that embrace diversity, equity and inclusion as a business imperative understand the data that demonstrates how strong DEI practices will make them better, faster, stronger companies. Allocating resources toward your inclusion efforts pays dividends including increased innovation, higher staff morale, and greater profitability. And make sure you’re benchmarking your efforts. Grounding your diversity and inclusion efforts in data establishes a baseline and informs goals that will help you make significant inroads on the path to equality.

Sandra Howe
Chair
The WICT Network

Inclusiveness and equality starts at the top!   Companies that build diverse boards of directors will create diverse executive teams.  These executives must then pass a culture of inclusion, becoming mentors and active sponsors of diverse rising stars. Drive your leaders to mentor women on business and financial acumen – and methodically sponsor candidates for stretch or new assignments. The ONE thing that the media industry can do to be more inclusive and equitable: From the top down, give women a chance. Mentor. Sponsor. Partner.

Michelle Ray
Executive Director
Walter Kaitz Foundation

It is incumbent upon companies, both large and small, to take stock of their existing hiring and retention strategies and practices that can lead to improved outcomes.  While that’s the easy part, the next steps are what creates real change.  It requires intentional adjustments to policies and tactical changes to workforce practices. Full stop!  Often, we get caught up in aspirational discourse leaving our efforts in the ‘all talk and no action’ category.