Williamson’s motto is simple: “Create a safe and open culture. Start by creating a culture of curiosity, an environment where you celebrate individual differences, as well as how we can embrace and promote those differences.” A member of Effectv’s Diversity Board, she has championed the company’s “Ally” talent recruitment program is the National Champion Voice for the APA Employee Resource Group at Comcast and continues to apply the role of storytelling with company initiatives such as “Celebrate Diversity” by producing quality creative for advertisers.
Advice I would give a recent graduate: The tech landscape is constantly evolving, so staying adaptable is key—but don’t hesitate to challenge the status quo, because your unique perspective could be just what’s needed to drive innovation.
What nonprofit are you proud to champion? I wish there was a program like Mentoro when I was growing up in the media business to help guide me as I navigated my career in corporate America. Mentoro is a non-profit movement that connects young professionals with senior executives who are willing to share their advice and experience, with over 70% of the participants being women. Having immigrant parents with English as a second language and no experience in the corporate world, I didn’t have much guidance from home. My parents were hard working entrepreneurs which helped develop my strong work ethic, but I was limited in my knowledge on how to navigate my career or handle workplace issues. I’m very proud to champion the Mentoro program as a mentor, given the opportunity to give back and help young professionals as they navigate their professional growth. It is so rewarding to work with my mentee and watch her gain confidence as I guide and support her to pursue her career aspirations. One of the key areas we’ve spent a lot of time on has been navigating the work landscape as a young, ambitious working mom and achieving balance. This area continues to prove difficult for many, so I’m happy to do what I can to help women navigate achieving career success while also caring for their families – always enthusiastic to offer tips from my own journey.
What do you think is the biggest misconception about diversity within your industry? One of the biggest misconceptions about DE&I in our industry is that progress has been fully achieved. When I started, getting into the media space often hinged on connections, which made it particularly challenging for those coming from diverse backgrounds who lacked established networks in the business. While we’ve certainly made significant strides since then –– there’s still more work to be done. We need to continue expanding our outreach and raising awareness about opportunities within our industry to truly bridge the gap and push for diversity and inclusion to be further embedded in our everyday practices.
What movie or show is must-watch for celebrating diversity? Last year, I highlighted “Fresh Off the Boat” as a must-watch for celebrating diversity, and I still stand by that recommendation. This show offers a heartfelt and humorous look at the experiences of an Asian American family navigating life in the U.S. It does an exceptional job of addressing real challenges and opportunities while celebrating cultural heritage – and it not only entertains but also provides valuable insights into the diverse experiences that shape our society, making it a standout example of how media can enrich our understanding of different backgrounds.