Sean Downey’s Post

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending the Women's Leadership Panel "Beyond the Box," hosted by AdFed Minnesota / Ad 2 Minnesota. It was a perfect night filled with inspiration, wisdom, and empowerment. The Twin Cities' female advertising community is nothing short of amazing, to say the least. The evening was not only an opportunity to learn but a chance to connect with others. As an upcoming graduate, I left the event feeling motivated and inspired for my future in the field. With that being said, I can't help but share my top three takeaways: 1. Authenticity! Being genuine and unfiltered was a recurring theme from the amazing keynote speaker Giselle Ugarte. She advised us to share our experiences, even the vulnerable ones. Keeping an open line of communication empowers and inspires others to reach their full potential. You should never underestimate the impact your story could have on someone else. 2. Know your worth! It is crucial to be confident in what you are worth. Don't be afraid to negotiate and advocate for yourself. Equal pay isn't enough when you are worth more. 3. Overcome imposter syndrome! Imposter syndrome is a common struggle. But one of the panelists had a fun and effective tip to help: when you feel the weight of imposter syndrome, head to the bathroom, look in the mirror, and strike a Superman pose. You'd be surprised what a little boost of confidence can accomplish! A huge thank you to AdFed Minnesota and Ad 2 Minnesota for organizing such a fantastic event, and to all the speakers and panelists for sharing their valuable insights. Together, we can rewrite the rules and break the mold! #BeyondTheBox #WomenInAdvertising #Empowerment 🌟

🌟 #BlackWeek's new conference at #AdWeek is set to ignite discussions on #diversity and #inclusion. Led by Black and Latino leaders, it's a must-see for industry change-makers. Interested in their transformative agenda? 🤝🚀🌍 #News #BusinessNews #MarketingNews

This is the kind of tangible Inclusion focused action steps and strategies we need to push back on all the “anti woke rhetoric, anti DEI”efforts being pushed to discourage the dismantling of systemic, structural and institutional barriers that prevent true racial equality and equity.

It's awards season in this part of the world, and I have already been approached by organizers wanting to grant me an award and crown me the best, for a reasonable fee (of course). So, dear event organizers as you are busy pitching awards’, securing sponsors, and booking venues to celebrate the "biggest" and the "bestest" the region has to offer. May I employ you not to celebrate an individual's ego, a company’s office size, and their deep marketing pockets. And instead, may you have the wisdom to tell the difference between showy PR moves and actual, impactful, real-life change. May you have the courage to seek out the voices and the stories muted by fancy headlines and spokespeople, and may you have the serenity to honor those who have been brave to take a stand. #realchangematters #beyondheadlines #changemakers _____________ I initiate conversations that matter. On women. On identity. On inclusion.

Ozzie (Oswaldo) Gromada Meza talks leading latinos into success and shares his views as acting CEO and president of Latino Corporate Directors Association (LCDA) Leading LCDA presents a transformative #opportunity to continue to shape the future of corporate #governance and influence board composition across corporate America. As I guide the organization, I envision LCDA becoming a trailblazing force that propels Latinos into influential boardroom roles, creating a ripple effect of change across our #community. By fostering collaboration among Latino leaders, LCDA can establish a powerful #network that supports the development and advancement of talented individuals. Additionally, we plan to leverage research and best practices to influence smart, inclusive corporate decision-making and approach board influencers with a solution-based strategy. For instance, LCDA's involvement in developing partnerships with #board influencers including search firms, private equity, and board of directors will lead to increased representation, ultimately benefiting companies' innovation and strategic planning. Our commitment to #equity and #inclusion will ensure that LCDA continues to be a catalyst for reshaping the corporate landscape to be more reflective of the communities it serves. 101 Most Influential Latinos 2023 out NOW! Link to article: https://lnkd.in/gcs6i24q #latinoleaders #latinoleadersmagazine #LCDA #Latinos #101mostinfluentiallatinos #digital #trailblazers #OzzieGromada

"By fostering collaboration among Latino leaders, LCDA can establish a powerful #network that supports the development and advancement of talented individuals. Additionally, we plan to leverage research and best practices to influence smart, inclusive corporate decision-making and approach board influencers with a solution-based strategy." -Ozzie (Oswaldo) Gromada Meza Read the latest interview from Latino Leaders Magazine and Acting President and CEO, Ozzie (Oswaldo) Gromada Meza below! #LatinoLeaders #LCDAinAction

Yesterday at the Advertising Association, ISBA and IPA (Institute of Practitioners in Advertising)’s LEAD event where industry leaders discuss key issues, trends, and innovations shaping the advertising landscape, our very own Verica Djurdjevic, Chief Revenue Office of Channel 4 Sales, delivered an impassioned call to action for the advertising industry.   Referring to The Channel 4 Diversity in Advertising Award which recognises and celebrates outstanding campaigns that promote #diversity and #inclusion within the advertising industry, she stated:   “I would like to offer a call to arms. In 2022, #disability was the theme of our Diversity In Advertising Award. It was in fact the first time we had revisited a theme in the initiative; we had run disability as the theme in 2016 when Maltesers were the winners. Things need to keep moving forward and we ask everyone in this room to be bold and to think about the fundamental commercial truth here. Great storytelling, with brilliant representation and portrayal drives great business results.”   The whole industry needs to step up and help drive representation for the underrepresented. Now more than ever. #representationmatters #LEAD2024

To celebrate Women's History Month, we had the privilege of speaking with Jennifer Killilea, a valued member of JB's advisory team. Jen shared her thoughts on the woman who has influenced her life the most... "In my first major Sales role back in 1993, I found myself in a unique position as the sole woman in a financial firm, serving as the VP of Outside Sales with 14 other colleagues. During a group goal planning meeting, the CEO initiated a discussion by sharing his admiration for Harry Truman and his reasons behind it. When it was my turn to answer the question, ‘Who is the most influential person you know? How does he inspire you?’ I confidently chose Oprah Winfrey. My rationale was straightforward: Oprah's unparalleled ability to connect and communicate transcended barriers of gender, race, and socioeconomic status, making her an incredibly captivating figure. Although she was in the earlier years of her career back then, Oprah Winfrey still left a profound impression on me, as she did on others. Despite enduring light-hearted teasing at 4 p.m. with suggestions to tune in to "The Oprah Winfrey Show," I remained unwavering in my admiration for her impactful influence. As time unfolded, the tables turned in an unexpected manner. Today, Oprah Winfrey stands as one of the wealthiest individuals globally, her empire spanning far beyond television. With her immense success and influence, the once playful jabs about watching "The Oprah Winfrey Show" at 4 p.m. have transformed into a subtle acknowledgment of my foresight. In a world where barriers continue to be broken, and diversity celebrated, my choice of Oprah as an inspirational figure stands as a testament to the power of recognizing talent beyond traditional norms." #WomensHistoryMonth #FinancialAdvisor

This is why most people don't put themselves out there: Because you have to deal with the comments that challenge you. That are uneducated. That make assumptions about who you are and what you stand for when they are strangers in the void. The more I've put myself out there on different platforms to share and inspire fellow AANHPI voices and female founders of color, the more I've been getting people who share their opinions about what they think is or isn't right. It's jarring for a highly sensitive person. It's jarring for someone who used to be a people pleaser. It's jarring for someone who is also learning how to find her voice, express it, use it well, and be of service. On my YouTube shorts channel, I got this comment. I responded factually, because 1) I believe every person is an individual and has a right to feel how they feel, and 2) facts are one way that you manage responses from people who have different versions of reality than your own. The question is: "Will I let this stop me from continuing to show up and share my opinion?" I think about the women I'm meeting in the Tory Burch Foundation Fellowship program, of what Tory herself has shared with us. Of the flak she's gotten and how she's gotten to where she is now. "Negativity is noise," her parents would always tell her. "And, tomorrow is a new day." While sometimes, she felt like her "tomorrow's" took longer to get here than she would like, she's continued to blaze the trail and give back so that other underrepresented voices and women-founded businesses can grow with the kind of support she recognizes so many female founders don't have access to. Keep showing up. Keep speaking up. It may be hard. But you — and your message — are worth it. #founders #learning #youtubemarketing #HSP #femalefounder #woc #AANHPI #branding #contentmarketing