The keynote speaker for our 2020 International Women’s Day event was Lizette Williams. Marketing Executive. Culture & Branding Thought Leader. Motivational Speaker and Mentor. Lizette had a dynamic presentation titled “Remarkable: Becoming the Change you wish to see” that was based on a famous quote by Gandhi, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Below are highlights from her presentation:
Her Story:
Lizette was born in the Bronx to Puerto Rican parents. Raised by a single mom, she got a full scholarship to a boarding school at age 14, became the first in her family to go to college, received her MBA from Kellogg at Northwestern, and now uses her career in marketing to change how people of color are portrayed in the media.
“My childhood was the best training for the work I do now. I was a change agent before I ever stepped into Corporate America.”
She was a change agent by going to boarding school
She was a change agent by being the first in her family to go to college
She was a change agent by bringing her culture and who she was into new spaces unapologetically
“People who are catalysts for change are deeply rooted in their personal stories.”
She encourages us all to explore the core of who you are because your power to make change lies there.
Inspire and Be Inspired:
After sharing her personal and professional story, Lizette continued by sharing inspiring quotes from individuals that have inspired her. She passed on the advice she learned from these individuals as a way to pay it forward and use it as a platform to inspire those in the audience.
Oprah: “You get in life what you have the courage to ask for” -- Oprah Winfrey
At one of her first jobs, Lizette was looked over for a promotion; she was really upset and went to speak to her boss about it who said, “I didn’t even know you wanted to be promoted.”
When it comes to driving positive change, you need to become the superhero version of yourself.
You have to advocate for yourself and speak up for what you want and need.
Dr. Seuss: Was rejected over 20 times by different publishers before his first book was published.
In the life of any change agent, you’re not going to see the change right away.
Rejection in inevitable and when you face it, you have two options:
Give up/curl up in a ball
Reinvent yourself. Be patient, yet persistent in pursuing your vision.
Don’t give up on yourself or the change you are seeking, even in a season of rejection.
Horse: Lizette had a mentor/sponsor who told her, “You bet on the jockey and not the horse.”
As a change agent you don’t have to be the person in charge, but you do need to set a vision, articulate it clearly, and get others on board.
Become a strong jockey. “Get on your own horse and become a bada** jockey… you’re in control of your own horse.”
John Legend: He once said, “All men should be feminists. If men care about women’s rights, the world will be a better place. We are better off when women are empowered—it leads to a better society.”
Lizette shared a story about an ally she had at work named John. He could get into spaces she couldn’t. As she shared her ideas and vision with him, he would advocate for it with senior leadership and people she didn’t have relationships with.
Ally relationships are important. Find them and nurture these relationships.
Things allies can do to show support:
Come alongside women and minorities to refine their vision
Leverage your resources and contacts
Eliminate barriers
Teach women and minorities to play the game
Thank you Lizette for sharing your truth and being an inspiration to us all! We will be sharing highlights from the remaining sessions over the next couple of weeks, so come back soon.
