Cabrera’s role as SVP is simple – engineer milestone deals for AMC Studios. OK, maybe it’s not so simple after all, but she handles that very complex task extremely well. She believes in thinking outside the box in the recruiting process. “Let’s not look for interns that are going to well-known, Ivy league or similar schools, but rather reach out to underserved communities,” she suggests. In the past 12 months, Cabrera has kept close eye on AMC’s ongoing agreement with Amazon, which includes Amazon Prime Video receiving exclusive access to the AMC library of original series including “The Terror” and “The Little Drummer Girl.”
What does your company/organization do to ensure all employees feel included?
Our company does a lot to make sure all employees feel included, from diversity and inclusion seminars and events, speaker series, volunteer and service groups, lunch and learn, mentorship programs and various subcommittee groups that are open to all and diverse enough to interest anyone regardless of how Junior or Senior their position.
How can diversity be better incorporated into the recruiting process?
I truly believe that by being open to looking for candidates outside of the box and not somewhere that just caters to our industry is one of the best ways to incorporate diversity in the recruiting process. For example, let’s not look for interns that are going to well-known, Ivy league or similar schools, but rather reach out to underserved communities and programs that can help those who most need it and at the same time can contribute valuable stories and backgrounds to the work place.
Can you share a successful diversity program at your company or one you’ve observed at another company or organization?
Our offices participated in the Sparc program, which essentially brings in kids from underserved high schools to give them exposure into the world of entertainment. These students came in twice a month and learned valuable, firsthand experience on what it is like to work in our industry. The program helped to expand their world of career options because many did not even know these careers or jobs existed.
What questions is the industry not yet asking in its efforts to be more diverse and inclusive that it should be?
How can we better outreach and connect with our underserved populations so they are included in the conversations?
Which current television show/s best embrace diversity?
Fortunately, many now do, to name a few: AMC’s “The Terror: Infamy,” Sundance TV’s “This Close,” IFC’s “Sherman’s Showcase” and AMC’s “Fear the Walking Dead.”
