Lori LeBas

LeBas has established a permanent position at the forefront of Disney Entertainment’s leadership, steering in a way that brings value to it, its partners and consumers alike. Within the organization and outside it, LeBas is a vocal mentor who tries to uplift women and underrepresented groups wherever possible, always remaining available to those she supports through their career journeys.

“It is extraordinary how many points of connection exist between seeming strangers. Sharing personal stories opens the door to rich conversations and deeper understanding. I’ve learned to be a better friend by being a better mentor.”

How do you know when it is time to take a risk at your job or in your career? I’d like to recraft the question because I believe risk taking is a constant. What’s important is evaluating the impact of the risk and what’s the Plan B if things go awry. Considering all angles, and all opportunities, should be the norm. When my gut says time to act, I go with it. Also, I listen to what isn’t being said — lots of good guidance there.

What inspired you to pursue a leadership role? Having had some not great leaders early on in my career, I vowed to learn from those experiences and do better. Leadership isn’t just what happens in the workplace, it’s how we live. I strive to bring compassion, mindfulness and selflessness to my day-to-day interactions and treat everyone with respect. Sharing — what I know, what I do, what I’ve experienced — and really listening and engaging with other humans provides me a life to live well.

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