Phenomenal Grit, Career Conversations for Women of Color

In this episode of Phenomenal Grit, host, and marketing executive, Alia Kemet shares the intentionality behind the word "for" in Career Conversations for Women of Color. This podcast is for EVERYONE but the "for" represents both a battle cry and a love song for the women who need it most. 

Alia also shares early career experiences that taught her the value of leaning into and surrounding yourself with people who believe in you at work. 

Surround yourself with people who see your light. Those that want it to shine. Those that will support you and uplift you. They are there. You might just be missing them. Ask them what they think of you and how you can be better. Find the people who will champion you. 

No Grit. No Pearl. 

Phenomenal Grit comes in many packages and this podcast will feature and celebrate them!

This episode is dedicated to all women who have been typecast as the "Hidden Gem" or "A Quiet Storm" and features Wendy Joong, Vice President of Insights & Creative Strategy for WE Communications. Wendy and Alia talk about making an impact at work while overcoming stereotypes when you have a quiet presence coupled with an introverted nature.

Wendy also shares her personal perspective as an Asian American woman in corporate America. She talks about what it's like to not be considered the norm in her industry and how she learned to find comfort in her own style--ultimately creating an impactful career. Enjoy this inspiring conversation and learn how to go from Hidden Gem to Quiet Swag! 

Meet Wendy Joong: 
Bringing together data-driven strategy and breakthrough creativity, Wendy has 20 years of experience ideating and implementing strategic, integrated PR & marketing communications initiatives. A winner of multiple industry awards, Wendy has delivered successful campaigns for clients in various industries such as retail, consumer products, food & beverage, consumer tech, and financial services.

Wendy graduated from Columbia University and has a passion for television, baseball, and all things pop culture.

This conversation with Nadja Bellan-White, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Vice Media Group is all about courage.  After Nadja and Alia chat briefly about how much they love veggie burgers because--why not, she shares tons of practical career advice. 

Get ready! You might be inspired to do something you didn't think you were ready for. Perhaps a big career pivot is in store for you. Nadja shares her global journey across multiple continents and industries, and how she leverages a courageous mindset for game-changing career moves! Enjoy the conversation. 

About Nadja Bellan-White
As Vice Media Group’s first Global Chief Marketing Officer, Nadja Bellan-White is responsible for developing the enterprise brand strategy for this media conglomerate. She oversees marketing, brand strategy, data and insights, and global communications in over 25 countries. Prior to joining Vice Media Group, Nadja was the Executive Partner and WPP Team Leader for Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide. At WPP, Nadja led the Brand Transformation for Unilever across Beauty and Personal Care focusing specifically on Dove and led behavior change for Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation globally.

 She is known as the “fixer”- the person brands call when they are facing challenges in brand transformation.  Nadja utilises her 26+ year career in integrated marketing, media, and communications to transform brands. Using her background in digital, brand, and consulting she has a unique approach that makes her an invaluable member of the team. During her career, Nadja has led brand transformations for such clients as American Express, LG Electronics, IKEA North America, RBS Citizens, Bharti Airtel, Coca-Cola, Siemens, Safaricom/Vodaphone. While in Africa, her team leveraged partnered with key African government leaders in driving business growth in countries across East and West Africa.

 Context, Culture, and Creativity are also critical for Nadja. Nadja was the recipient of AdColor’s Legend Award for her excellence in advertising, media and communications, the 2019 recipient as one of Savoy Magazine’s top 100 Women in Corporate America, named one of the top women to watch for AdAge Europe in 2020 and recently named one of the top 25 Women of Color in Communications in 2021

 She has served as both a member and the President of Dubai Lynx, Creative Effectiveness Jury; member of the Council of Urban Professionals Board (NY); Executive Leadership Council, Executive Director of The Roundhouse.Org (UK) and was recently elected to the Board of the Ad Council. 

This powerful conversation with Chloe Arnold, Emmy Nominated Choreographer is a perfect way to celebrate Women's History Month. Chloe, is PHENOMENAL GRIT  personified! In this interview, she gives us so many lessons and pearls of wisdom. She is unapologetically honest, vulnerable, and inspiring. She discloses the not so pretty parts of what we go through as women and how her resilient nature kept her intensely focused on her goals, pushing toward her dreams, and how dance drove her spirit to reach them. Enjoy the conversation! 
No Grit! No Pearl!

Chloé Arnold, was discovered at a young age in Washington, DC by Debbie Allen. Chloé's choreography has been featured on hit TV shows such as So You Think You Can Dance, Good Morning America, the Ellen Show, The Talk, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen's A Legendary Christmas, and over 50 episodes of The Late Late Show With James Corden

Chloé Arnold is the founder of the hit Female Tap Sensations Syncopated Ladies. They have over 70 million views online, receiving praise from Beyoncé, Whoopi Goldberg on The View, as well as many other celebrities and news outlets around the world. Some of their credits include The Ellen Show, Good Morning America, So You Think You Can Dance, Global Citizen Week, New York Fashion Week, Essence Fest, Imagine Justice (featuring Common, J. Cole, and Andra Day), Glamour Women of the Year Awards, Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative at the US Open, CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, The Women in the World Summit, Democratic National Convention, Beyoncé's Ivy Park Launch at Top Shop London, and many more.

Chloé recently was named one of LeBron James' "The Strongest," a campaign featured in Essence to celebrate his 16th Nike Sneaker release, was on The Root 100 List, and was featured in Shonda Rhimes and Microsoft's "Language of Leadership" panel discussion. Chloé is also an entrepreneur who holds a degree from Columbia University. She and her sister co-founded Chloé and Maud Productions, DC Tap Festival, and co-produced the award-winning documentary TAP WORLD with Hollywood Executive Producer Dean Hargrove.

ChloeArnold.com

Alia sits down with MJ Soler, advertising producer to discuss how she has excelled in advertising, an industry that has a long way to go when it comes to diverse representation. MJ's determined nature has helped her build the career she always wanted, and the drive to work hard and play hard too.

MJ has been in love with the world of production for as long as she can remember. Early on, she worked as an intern for MTV networks and Participant Media in LA & NY. Unsure about whether she wanted to pursue roles in Television or Film, she discovered advertising was her true calling after graduating from Elon University in NC. Something about the fast nature of the business, the variety of categories she could work on, and the possibility of traveling all over the world creating campaigns really turned out to be the perfect fit. 

As an agency Creative Producer, MJ has produced TV commercials for brands like Volvo, Canon, Frank’s RedHot, McCormick, Walgreens, Gillette Venus, Pantene, TJ Maxx, and Target among others. She began her career at Grey and is currently a Producer at Mother New York.

MJ is also bilingual, loves to travel, has an MBA, and considers herself a team-player above everything. She loves dogs and is doing what she can to help create an advertising and production landscape with greater representation and inclusivity. 

In this episode of Phenomenal Grit,  host and marketing executive, Alia Kemet, shares early lessons learned which help her crush big goals and achieve success.

Her 5 Ways To Increase Winning Moments at Work are inspirational and actionable!

For over 20 years, Alia has worked as a marketer in corporate America transforming how brands go to market, connect with consumers, and ultimately grow business results. 

Alia Kemet is the Vice President, Creative & Digital Marketing for McCormick & Company. In her role, she oversees several functions including: digital strategy, content, creative campaigns, owned platforms, social media, public relations and branded engagement across McCormick’s portfolio of brands. She has designed creative experiences to modernize brands, developed McCormick’s first in-house creative agency, and introduced transformational creativity, an impactful innovative approach to digital and consumer intimacy across the firm’s flavor brands.

 Prior to joining McCormick, she  spent 14 years with IKEA US in creative and digital leadership roles launching social media and leading an overhaul of the company’s digital operations to increase omnichannel traffic and sales. Always a transformative leader, she is responsible for IKEA’s first foray into branded content producing several branded programs including IKEA’s Easy to Assemble, Fix This Kitchen and the IKEA Home Tour. Her work has won multiple industry marketing awards.

All views and opinions belong to Alia Kemet and not an employer. 

In honor of Black History Month, Alia and her cousin Arica Harris, Group Leader of Banking and Payment Operations for one of the largest financial services companies in the country reflect on their shared family history as descendants of Tulsa Race Massacre survivors and how this legacy has enabled their own Phenomenal Grit.

Arica discusses how she found comfort in discomfort early in her career when she was the only or one of a few people of color in "the room". She offers tips on how to build relationships, stand out at work, and secure sponsorship within your organization. This episode is a must for anyone who has ever found it difficult to navigate spaces where they are in the minority. Be inspired!

Dedicated to the memory of James Titus Durant.

For more information on the Tulsa Race Massacre Visit:  https://www.tulsahistory.org/exhibit/1921-tulsa-race-massacre/

Alia has a conversation with one of her childhood friends reflecting on the earlier stages of their careers when they leaned on each other for life-changing support. Mujadala (MJ) Abdul-Majid is an accomplished technology attorney who has held leadership roles with Amazon, Ro and recently joined Facebook. 

Listen in as Alia and MJ discuss navigating a career change, finding innovative ways to lean into challenging opportunities, and asking for fair and equitable compensation. This is a conversation you don't want to miss. Be Inspired!

On each episode, Phenomenal Grit host Alia Kemet will interview amazing women of color who will share their wit, grit, and wisdom to help you achieve your career goals. This podcast is the go-to place for inspiring you to tap into your personal magic, navigate challenges and CRUSH IT at work!  Launch Date: February 16, 2021. Visit PhenomenalGrit.com to find out more.