Jessica Herrera-Flanigan

Herrera-Flanigan leads the charge to build confidence in Hispanic communities to build strong minds, promote healthy habits and celebrate diversity through programs like UCI’s revamped community empowerment platform, Univision Contigo. “Acknowledging the need to have voices in the board room, in front of the camera, behind the camera, and everywhere in between helps open up opportunities,” she says.

What’s a recent example of a step forward for women in the media industry?
The increased dialogue about diverse representation in media – whether it’s the focus on shattering corporate glass ceilings or the creation of talent pipelines – is an important step forward. Acknowledging the need to have voices in the board room, in front of the camera, behind the camera, and everywhere in between helps open up opportunities. The key for the future, however, will be transforming that dialogue into sustainable change for women from all backgrounds.

Who is an inspirational woman you admire, and why?
I often speak of a picture I keep in my office that shows five generations: my great-great-grandmother, my great-grandmother, my grandmother, my mom, and a baby me. Those four women who came before me are the women who I admire most and who inspire me. They taught me to be proud, determined (stubborn?), empathetic, and that you can both work and raise kids, even in the most difficult environments. Most of all, they taught me to keep it “real.”

What’s been the most dramatic change in your sector of the business today vs. three years ago?
While the convergence of tech and media has been in the making for years, the collision of the two has especially been dramatic the last three years. The rapid pace by which the two have been coming together reminds me of the old Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup ad where two people – one eating peanut butter and the other eating chocolate – collide and they proclaim, “You got your peanut butter on my chocolate!” and “You got your chocolate in my peanut butter!” The “new” is setting all kinds of standards for the future of media and entertainment.

If there were a reality show based on your office, what would it be called?
“America Gigante.”

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