“Identify talent in each other," Susan Schiekofer from GroupM

Meet Susan Schiekofer, Chief Digital Investment Officer at GroupM. She’s responsible for digital and cross-platform partnerships and trading across GroupM’s agency clients. Susan is integral to improvements in the digital marketplace in the US. She is one of the key architects of GroupM’s responsible media platforms, including responsible news and diverse media initiatives.

Susan joined Jocelyn Hudak, Director, Content and Digital Marketing and Sophie Anderson, Associate Director, Podcast Sales Marketing for a Pass the Mic interview at Advertising Week New York. Give their conversation a listen, and get ready for insight on representation and inclusive leadership.

We all want to feel welcome and to be represented, and we need more leaders like Susan who are making a conscious effort to be inclusive. Here are some highlights from the full interview.

Identify talent in all people.

Highlight: “We have to continue to identify talent in each other, help each other, and lift each other up, especially women who come from more diverse backgrounds. It’s better than it was 10 years ago, but we have a long way to go. And I think we as women have to make sure we’re lifting up all women.”- Susan Schiekofer

Clients want to see themselves represented.

Highlight: “Our clients want to come into meetings and see a team on their business that reflects society at-large, a diverse consumer base.” - Susan Schiekofer

Make a decision to ride it out or leave.

Highlight: “If something doesn't feel right, if it's not working, if you think, ‘Well, I'll just ride this out,’ make a decision to ride it out, or make a decision to leave. Sometimes, I find that women want to make things work when maybe they should leave and put energy into a new and more positive environment. And that's why it's also important to have those female relationships to work through with each other on the best path forward.” - Susan Schiekofer

Practice speeches in the mirror.

Highlight: “Anytime you're going to present in front of a big audience, practice your speech three times in front of a mirror. It works. Do it. It works because you get some of the kinks out. You realize a sentence sounds awkward. You realize maybe you're doing too many ums, like, you knows, which I try to avoid, but probably did that myself today.” - Susan Schiekofer

When you look in the mirror, speech rehearsal or not, make sure you’re seeing someone like Susan, who is part of the change. Ready to hear more about lifting up the women around you? Check out more Pass the Mic content.