Five Key Lessons from the 52nd Annual New York Women In Communications Matrix Awards
Photo Credits: Michael Priest Photography
I am truly honored to serve on the board of New York Women In Communications Incorporated (NYWICI), whose mission is to empower women in the communications industry to reach their full potential and navigate the ever-changing communications field.
This week, #NYWICI hosted our 52nd Annual #MatrixAwards at the legendary Ziegfeld Ballroom, New York City’s premier special events venue. A little history on the Ziegfeld, it is a Manhattan (New York, New York so grand you name it twice) staple and mecca for society galas and corporate events. A true New York City landmark unto itself from its opening night until 2016, when the location shifted focus from a traditional theater, the Ziegfeld has hosted more premieres of Hollywood blockbuster films than any other venue outside of my hometown of Los Angeles.
I am honored to chair #NYWICI’s Scholarship Committee, as funds raised from the #MatrixAwards2022 goes towards college scholarships and other educational programs for women at every career level. To date, NYWICI’s Foundation is the nation’s largest communications scholarships for women and has given more than $2 million dollars in scholarships. At this year’s award ceremony, scholarship winners joined the stage amongst Emmy award winners and stole the show – they’re definitely the future of our industry.
New York Women In Communications President and Global Head of Public Affairs at Spotify, Dustee Jenkins noted that the highly anticipated night honored “the influential voices who represent the very best of our industry” as the night supported “the growth of all of the women following in their footsteps.”
Communications is my passion, as it plays an integral role in society and uniquely impacts all of our senses – what we see, hear, touch and even taste and smell.
This is the first time in a while my husband and I attended a well-deserved night out in NYC leaving our toddler (soon to be 3 year old) son #BabyGambrell & four month daughter #GigiGambrell at home.
Just think about it, marketing and advertising impacts what we do with our money, what we buy, our awareness of products and services; journalism impacts the truth as we know it, and our knowledge of individuals, companies, the world; broadcasting, TV, video and film impacts culture, diversity, equity and inclusion (one of my life’s passion points), society’s voice and tone, storytelling, the way we consume information, the things that we learn, the mediums and platforms that we use and more. And lastly, my current work field of public relations (PR) is a management function in which one’s success or failure is dependent upon. With good PR, your business, company or brand will succeed and without it, failure is inevitable. PR serves to inform, persuade, and maintain favor amongst a target audience at the most important times and places.The communication field impacts the masses by providing invaluable knowledge. It is an imperative resource for the entire world.
As you know, I’ve got the GIFT OF GAB, I’m a storyteller. Whoever you are, the stories that we tell have an immense impact on not just on our lives, but all lives. Last night, at the 2022 Matrix Awards the following eight communications legends were honored:
Devika Bulchandani, Global CEO, Ogilvy
Rita Ferro, President, Advertising, Disney
Marlee Matlin, Actress and Activist
Stephanie Mehta, CEO and Chief Content Officer, Mansueto Ventures
Elizabeth Rutledge, Chief Marketing Officer, American Express
Gwen Stefani, GRAMMY® Award winning singer, songwriter, fashion designer, coach on “The Voice,” and founder of GXVE Beauty, presented by her husband Blake Shelton, Singer and Television Personality
Tiffany R. Warren, EVP, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Sony Music Group; and President and Founder, ADCOLOR
Judy Woodruff, Anchor and Managing Editor, “PBS NewsHour”
Here are five of my favorite takeaways from the night:
Follow your passion & what brings you joy. When you follow your passion and what brings you joy, the world will receive it. Honoree Gwen Stefani shared that though she was not a top student, music helped her to overcome dyslexia. A fellow California girl, Gwen struggled academically, but still went on to teach people how to spell B A N A N A S with her smash hit Hollaback Girl.
“Being dyslexic has had challenges for me. But the advantage is it made me who I am. When I wrote my first song, I discovered my talent and purpose. I struggled my whole life with spelling, but then I went to teach the whole world how to spell B-A-N-A-N-A-S ” - @gwenstefani
It’s ok to have the nerve! Be brave & courageous. “Nerves never die, they just evolve. I now have the nerve to tell all of you the ANSWER to all of your questions, dreams and fears is Y E S!” - Matrix Awards Honoree, Tiffany R. Warren, EVP, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Sony Music Group; and President and Founder, ADCOLOR
Ask the question! Elizabeth Rutledge, Chief Marketing Officer, American Express reminded women to ask the questions, all of the questions, for career growth. Women often are timid or reserved when it comes to asking questions compared to men, and there is tremendous power in knowing why.
GET YOUR WELL-DESERVED MONEY! Rita Ferro, President, Advertising, Disney, encouraged women, especially women of color to appreciate their authenticity and have pride. Rita noted that all women, especially women of color must know our value, worth, and not be afraid to financially earn what we deserve. She mentioned borrowing from those who are currently winning, and making sure to raise the bar for those who will come after us. I will step up to that challenge!
A proud Cuban American, Rita Ferro also reiterated that we need more women of color in the C-suite (the most senior positions, reporting into the chief executive officer of leading companies (CEO). The great thing is that could be you!
