Under Soehren’s leadership, learning and development at Comcast is delivered via innovative solutions with a focus on efficiencies and effectiveness. Comcast U delivers more than 5 million hours of training annually for the company’s 159,000 employees, and Soehren oversees the entire operation. Cable “is making progress on recruiting more female leaders, especially at the VP level,” she says. “We have a need and an opportunity to ensure we’re retaining and promoting them. This means more focus on setting women up for success right from the very start.”
What is one way the industry can continue to evolve in ridding itself of gender discrimination?
The industry is making progress on recruiting more female leaders, especially at the VP level. We have a need and an opportunity to ensure we’re retaining and promoting them. This means more focus on setting women up for success right from the very start, and making sure they have opportunities to be visible and grow…whether through stretch assignments, rotations, lateral moves, or promotions. Women also need to lift other women up in an environment that is competitive for great talent.
What famous woman, living or deceased, would you like to have dinner with?
I would love to have dinner with Laura Bush—I think she is an amazing community leader with a deep focus on enriching the education and lives of children. She’s poised. Polished. Kind. Courageous. Love those things about her.
Best advice for relieving stress?
One way to relieve stress in a work environment that feels to move at the speed of light: Schedule the things most important to you—especially family time. And recognize there is no such thing as life/work balance. To chase balance is a stressor in itself. Work for life flexibility.
