As ESPN’s top female comms executive, Arnold has overseen the internal and external communication strategy for many of the company’s most integral business inflection points during her 19-year tenure. Her ability to share her knowledge, thoughtfulness and enthusiasm with her staff has been a key to her team’s success. It’s a leadership skill she learned years ago while overseeing communications for an international business. “Often times I was one of only a few female executives in the room. The head of that business made it very clear I was in charge of comms and always made me feel included,” she says. “He visibly displayed the utmost respect for me, and that helped me gain the credibility I needed with the group.”
Do you have an example of male allyship that made a difference to you?
I oversaw communications for international businesses for a good part of my career, and often times I was one of only a few female executives in the room. The head of that business made it very clear I was in charge of comms and always made me feel included. He visibly displayed the utmost respect for me, and that helped me gain the credibility I needed with the group.
What one female empowerment book do you think every woman should read?
It’s not a female empowerment book per se, but Valerie Gordon’s new book “Fire Your Narrator” offers a fresh perspective for change and personal growth. We all too often criticize and judge ourselves, which holds us back. This book helps defeat the negative narrator in your head.
