Finding A Seat at the Corporate Table Doesn’t Mean You Succumb To Assimilation | feat. Dorothy Jones

Lisa Gardner is joined by Dorothy Jones, Chief Marketing Officer at Dallas College, to discuss maintaining authenticity and integrity while trying to find a seat at the table in corporate settings.  
 
Dorothy shares her strategies for storytelling, the pressures women face in business, and the importance of mentorship and sponsorship. Dorothy also explores the cultural differences between the private sector and higher education, highlighting Dallas College's mission-driven culture. Gain insights into building impactful brands, fostering inclusive leadership, and supporting diverse executives.  
 
Also in this episode: 
 

• Women and Authenticity: Jones highlights the struggle women face in maintaining authenticity in corporate settings, often having to conform to cultural norms and suppress their true selves to gain acceptance and leadership positions. 

• Emotional Intelligence: the unique value women bring to the corporate table, such as emotional intelligence, relationship-building, and the ability to listen and observe before acting. 

• Brand Fundamentals: Successful brand management requires understanding the fundamentals, including brand purpose, mission, goals, value proposition, and knowing the business one is in. 

• Diversity in Leadership: the ongoing challenges of achieving it in marketing and corporate sectors. She notes that true inclusivity is still rare at senior levels. 

• Support and Mentorship: the importance of mentorship and sponsorship in career development, providing support, guidance, and opportunities for growth, especially for women and people of color. 

• Overcoming Challenges: Jones shares strategies for emerging as a leader in environments where one might be overlooked or undervalued, including preparation, building relationships, balancing listening and speaking, and understanding the dynamics of the room. 

 

 
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About Dorothy Jones 
High-energy executive leader with a diverse background in managing small to large companies, budgets, and teams. I excel in operational excellence, strategic decision-making, and accountability management. My multi-dimensional skillset enhances work culture, drives performance, and ensures unique customer experiences through problem-solving and data analysis. Growth-minded, I integrate information to devise cohesive plans that drive action, aligning with visionary goals for accelerated company growth. Expertise includes brand strategy, communications, marketing, media management, crisis management, community relations, and innovation. Known for strategizing and executing deliverables for outstanding customer experiences, I am poised to be a valuable asset in a growth-oriented company. 
 
About Lisa Gardner 
Lisa Gardner is a corporate real estate thought leader and co-founder of OMS Strategic Advisors, LLC, focusing on real estate, strategy, and workforce development. With over 25 years of experience, she drives profitability by optimizing human capital, leading diversity initiatives, and crafting corporate strategies. She has managed national accounts for Fortune 500 companies like Wal-Mart and AT&T, and revitalized multicultural marketing for JCPenney. Lisa serves on the Executive Board of SMU's Cox School of Business and contributes to DCEO Magazine. She is active in her community at Gateway Church and lives in Plano, Texas, with her husband and two children.