Deborah Picciolo

Finding creative ways to provide exemplary customer experiences to the 4 million customers in her region—Southern California, Arizona and Hawaii—is Picciolo’s mission. That takes a good team, which doesn’t stop after recruitment. “Formal mentorship, advocate programs and succession planning with clear understanding of bench strength and diversity within that bench will also help with recruiting women and ensuring they have a path to senior positions,” she notes.

How can the industry do a better job of recruiting women and ensuring they have a path to senior positions?
Ensure every senior level position has a great, diverse slate of candidates with at least one woman within that slate. Formal mentorship, advocate programs and succession planning with clear understanding of bench strength and diversity within that bench will also help with recruiting women and ensuring they have a path to senior positions.

What advice would you give your 13-year-old self?
Always lean in, don’t be afraid to speak up and seek out sponsors and advocates.

Which current shows best reflect the kind of women’s roles you like to see and why?
“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” I love this show and the way it reflects that time in our history and women’s roles then. Mrs. Maisel is a strong woman—she takes risks and is working towards success in a highly male-dominated profession. It’s that push/pull that is life!

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