DEB + My J3 Newsletter - March 2022
by DEB + My J3 Committee: Apoorva, Jasmine, Kate, Melissa, Rose, Uma, and Alana
Hello from Alana!
Hello J3!
Before we close out Women’s History Month, I’d like to take time to acknowledge the unique challenges that women experience in the workplace. I also want to highlight why gender diversity is so important.
Though you may not know it from J3—which has always been female forward— there is a gender diversity gap that is broadly acknowledged throughout the rest of the business world1. The Rockefeller Foundation reports that one-quarter of Americans (24%) say there are no women in leadership positions at all within their companies, and only one-third (34%) say their workplace puts a high priority in having women in leadership positions.
This despite the many pieces of data demonstrating the linkage between the presence of women in management and corporate financial performance2, employees signaling they want more women leaders3 and even believing that female leadership could have significant impact on closing the wage gap (76%), changing policies for the better (74%), and building a more diverse workforce (71%).
McKinsey reports that those women who do move into leadership roles, find themselves increasingly isolated and are “more likely to face microaggressions that challenge their competence— such as being interrupted, hearing comments on their emotional state, or having their judgement questioned4.” This sentiment intensifies if the women are a “double or triple minority”, being both a woman and/or of color and/or LGBTQ+ and/or disabled.
Though we certainly have more work to do, it brings me a lot of pride that we’re outpacing sector data for female representation and leadership— and making strides towards various intersections within that female-identifying cohort. Put into this context, it makes me even more appreciative of the leadership dynamic and culture at J3 and the work we’re doing to ensure that all employees feel like this agency is a place where they can thrive and belong.
Once again, thanks to our contributors: Uma Anand, Rose Carollo, Apoorva Garigipati, Melissa Lee, Jasmine Roseboro, and Kate Schneider. Additional thanks to Mike Pierre, our HR lead, who updates us every month with all the new J3 employee happenings. Please send us a note and let us know what you think!
All the best,
DEB Celebrates Women’s History Month
This month, the UM DEB Council launched a “Uniquely Me” campaign to recognize inspirational women across our network who are positively impacting their teams and colleagues through strong leadership, mentorship, and all the things they do to strengthen our community of care.
Lisa Beshara and Lauren Israel are two shining examples of the vital impact of female leadership. Lisa works tirelessly in service of our J&J clients and in support of our employees. Under Lisa, people-focused initiatives like the Better Balance Manifesto, My J3, J3 Healthy Lives Mission — and this newsletter!— were started. And through Lauren, we’ve been able to improve our diversity balance numbers, demonstrating our commitment to bold action and sustainable change, ensuring that diversity, inclusion, and equity are embedded into everything we do in both our workplace and marketplace.
We truly are so fortunate to have them both!
Lisa Beshara
Lauren Israel
Supporting Small Businesses and Non-Profits
Last month, we debuted a new section that provides small ways to make an impact. Each month we'll continue to introduce you to both local organizations and small businesses. The non-profits featured will provide aid directly to those in need with either time, resources, or a financial contribution. And when shopping with a small business you're doing more than just making a purchase, you’re empowering and supporting the communities around you.
As this month is Women’s History Month, we felt it was fitting to highlight a woman-owned business and an organization that empowers women.
She Runs It
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that although women represent more than 50% of the available talent pool and occupy 52% of all management- and professional-level jobs, fewer than 21% of c-suite executives in the U.S. are women, and women represent just 5% of CEOs at major corporations. Furthermore, just 1% of c-suite executives in the U.S. are women of color. (Forbes)
She Runs It is an organization paving the way for women to lead at every level in marketing, tech, and media. For over 100 years the organization, previously League of Advertising Women and AWNY, has been invested in women’s achievement. And In 2021 Lynn Lewis Media brands & UM Global Chief Marketing Officer was awarded “Women of the Year” alongside Kimberly Paige, CMO of BET; and Meredith Verdone, CMO of Bank of America. Join | Donate
Concrete Geometric
42% of entrepreneurial ventures are women-owned. However, only 19% of the companies receiving start-up funding VC investment are woman-run businesses. (Golden Seeds)
Founded by Krizia Flores in 2013, Concrete Geometric is an eco-concrete homeware line. Everything is handmade by Flores in her LA studio. With Spring now in our midst, it’s the perfect time to stock up on planters which Concrete Geometric has in abundance. Click here to shop.
IPG’s On-going Commitment to Support Ukraine
Lastly, last month both Philippe Krakowsky and Daryl Lee sent memos joining the international community in condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As noted, IPG has made a donation to the International Committee of the Red Cross and to Doctors Without Borders to help alleviate the hardship and suffering being caused by the attack on Ukraine, whether to people within the country, or among those refugees being forced to leave as a result. For additional ways to help, please click here.
Celebrating J3ers
New Hires & Celebrating Promotions
During March, we have added four new members to the UM J3 Family! Welcome all, we’re so thrilled to have you on the team!
Let’s also give a well deserved round of applause to our recently promoted, way to go!
This Month’s Birthdays
Happy birthday to all March-born J3ers! Wishing you a very happy day and month.
Spotlight on…
[Editor’s note: Alana, here! Subbing in for Kate while she’s out on maternity leave. Wishing the best for her and her new baby, one of the newest members of our J3 Family :)]
Paris Frattone recently celebrated her third work anniversary at J3. Last year she along with the rest of her Imbruvica team hosted a J3 Extended Resident, going above and beyond to make him feel like he was a part of the team. Anything she does, she does so with her characteristic Paris-flair, exuding kindness, helpfulness, and authenticity. Colleagues like Paris are one of the best parts of working at J3, so if you haven’t met her, make sure to say hi.
Plus…I mean… you never know when you may need a new restaurant recommendation or someone to watch F1 races with! :)
Cultural Calendar
Health, Hope and Heart are the themes for the month of April. Let’s take some time to reflect on our health, our hope for the planet, and the promise of new beginnings.
April is Autism Awareness Month. Kicking off the month on April 2nd, World Autism Awareness Day recognizes and spreads awareness for the rights of people with autism.
April is also National Month of Hope. Initially founded by an organization committed to health and wellness and food security for families, among other significant initiatives. The group called “Mothers in Crisis" adopted the acronym HOPEE which stands for Helping Others Practice Enduring Empowerment.
April 1st – 30th: Ramadan Ramadan is a holy month of fasting, introspection and prayer for Muslims, the followers of Islam. It is celebrated as the month during which Muhammad received the initial revelations of the Quran, the holy book for Muslims. Fasting is one of the five fundamental principles of Islam. Each day during Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink from dawn to sunset.
April 5th: Qingming Festival (or Tomb Sweeping Day), goes back 2,500 years, Observed mainly by the Han Chinese and the Chitty people of Malaysia, it’s a time when people honor their ancestors through traditional food offerings and by sweeping tombs. Interestingly, this festival’s closely linked to farming as well. As temperatures rise and rainfall increases, Qingming is a sign for farmers to plant in spring.
April 7th: World Health Day. This date marks the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948. It is celebrated annually and each year draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world.
April 17th: Easter, a Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The egg is an ancient symbol of new life and rebirth. A modern tradition is to substitute decorated chocolate, or plastic eggs filled with candy such as jellybeans; as many people give up sweets as their Lenten sacrifice.
April 15th : Passover or Pesach in Hebrew, is one of the Jewish religion’s most sacred and widely observed holidays. In Judaism, Passover commemorates the story of the Israelites’ departure from ancient Egypt. A weeklong festival with a number of important rituals, including a traditional Passover meal known as a seder, the removal of leavened products from their home, the substitution of matzo for bread and the retelling of the exodus tale.
April 22nd : Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. It is a day for promoting awareness for the health of our environment.
As always, take a minute to celebrate, acknowledge and reflect on these moments in April with your friends, family and colleagues.