Dara Treseder’s Post

Last week, I had the pleasure of sharing the virtual stage with: Claire Darley, E.A. ROCKETT and Sophie Pibouin - some of Adobe’s incredible leaders, as part of the Digital Media All Hands. With Black History Month US taking place last month and Women’s History Month being this month, Claire Darley created space to focus on this during her All Hands. This was wasn’t a DEI-focused meeting, this wasn’t a HR-focused meeting; this was a global org-wide meeting for employees, leaders, and stakeholders to discuss business-wide matters across Adobe’s Digital Media Field Sales and Customer Support business. Claire brilliantly role-modeled how easy it is and should be for leaders to create the space to have authentic and impactful conversations that have a global reach. In such moments, you never truly realise the impact these efforts can have on the individual’s listening in. My personal highlight was receiving a message from a colleague in California, sharing that the session made them feel seen. My call to action for any leader reading this post is to be intentional about creating space for DE&I in your strategic business meetings. Driving inclusion in the workplace is not solely the responsibility of HR - it requires ALL of us to do our part - especially those in positions of leadership! #diversityequityinclusion #diversityandinclusion #adobe #adobelife

Thanks Patrick Burgoyne and In-House Agency Leaders Club for having me as a part of the discussion yesterday. It was a real privalege as a Client to peak behind the curtains and understand the challenges this group face in persuading businesses to invest in Creative tech and then have the resources to properly operationalise and embed within the business. With so much noise about Retail Media, 1st Party data strategies and Personalisation, it's time this group of talented and esteemed colleagues had a seat at the tech table. That way we can start banging the drum for creativity and it's impact on the effectiveness of this new ecosystem in order we optimise and mature our Createch stack alongside the Martech capabilities we unlock. Without it, as Creative veterans Michael Wolff and Phil Rumbol reminded us yesterday, consumers FEEL nothing and therefore DO nothing as a result of our efforts. The data is there with System One report on the Cost of Dull Advertising (link in comments). Having a mature, dynamic, data driven stack is one thing. But if you just pump out wall paper, what is the point?

I'm not used to this version of me...the one being celebrated with an award at an event (I'm normally behind the lens capturing those being honored). I'm not used to this version of me being celebrated as "most likely to make it big." The version that celebrates my success and accepts others celebrating it too. The version that achieved a record-breaking summer season, typically our slowest (not single-handedly!) The one who focuses on wins and progress while being honest about the tears and the pain. The version that is more the same at home, at work, and in my closest circles. The one who doesn’t wait to have everything figured out perfectly before moving forward. The version that cares less about others’ reactions to my authenticity and more about creating for the sake of being real. I’ve photographed hundreds, if not a thousand, people receiving awards through out my career. So why didn’t I share my moment sooner? Like 3 months ago when it happened? I’m still getting used to this version of me. Do I feel like a winner today as I did earlier this year? Not really, but I’m learning to balance how I feel with what the evidence shows and getting more comfortable with this version of myself. And some days I want to sabotage and stay with what I'm most comfortable with...and others I want to keep leaning in. Grateful for this award and the friends and family who support me on this journey especially those in my EO catalyst forum, moderators at the time Ilex Pounders Shane Tinnin and chapter leaders Sameera Lowe, Michael Burcham Matt Charette. My team who made time for me to work on the business and not in it quite so much. And co-winners and rockstar queens Blair Roedel and Danielle D. For anyone who can relate? Are you ready to celebrate your own wins and showcase your authentic story? Embrace this new version of yourself? If you need help sharing your story or capturing the new you- I know someone. Let’s create something amazing together. I've been there and it would be fun to share this new version of you and your team with others. Inspired by Bijal Patel’s post today, I’m unpacking the discomfort. Appreciate you. #ContentBuildsConnection #AuthenticityMatters #BrandedContent #PersonalBranding

📢Breaking the Silence: Sharing Insights and Growth It’s been a while since my last post, but sometimes stepping back allows you to return with greater purpose and clarity. Recently, my team and I have been diving into The Sticking Point Solution by Jay Abraham. It’s a brilliant reminder of how creativity, collaboration, and a fresh perspective can unlock new opportunities for growth—even in challenging times. As part of this journey, we’re implementing strategies to better serve our customers and elevate our pharmacy’s impact. From tailoring promotions to creating value-driven experiences, we’re focused on building stronger connections with our community. I’m excited about the upcoming Black Friday week-long promotion at our pharmacy💃🏽. We’re aiming to make it more than just a sale—it’s a chance to showcase how much we value the people we serve. This is a season of action and reflection, and I’m grateful for the chance to grow alongside my incredible team and community. How are you using this time of year to innovate or reconnect with your goals? Let’s inspire each other—share your thoughts below! #Innovation #Growth #PharmacyLeadership #CommunityImpact

"As we conclude the 21-Day CEO Branding Challenge, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the incredible LinkedIn community. Your unwavering support, engagement, and insights have been the driving force behind this transformative journey. A heartfelt shoutout to Kwasi York for his invaluable support and guidance throughout this challenge. His wisdom and collaboration have truly enriched the experience, making it more impactful. I appreciate you 🤝 As we step into March 2024, let's carry this momentum forward. Here's to continuous growth, meaningful connections, and a future filled with positive change. Wishing everyone a fantastic March ahead! 🚀💙 #CEOBrandingChallenge #Gratitude #NewBeginnings"

A few weeks ago on a company-wide townhall, a C-level executive commended me with high-praise in a shoutout by stating I was “hands-down the best field marketer he has worked with in his career.” At first I was flattered, however, my next immediate thought to myself was “Well, it’s because I have to be.” During the time, over a span of 3 weeks (while being sick) - I managed 8+ events, ranging from tradeshow conferences, networking events, a meetup, a webinar, and other deliverables while traveling across multiple cities and flights. As a Black woman in corporate America, we often have no choice but to work twice as hard, be twice as good, and leave little room for error. Even with that, there are moments where we deal with being overlooked, questioned, micro-aggressions, or being held to higher standards than our peers. Yes, I work hard. Yes, I take pride in the quality of my work. Yes, I understand that the work that I output is a reflection of me - and therefore, hold myself to be of high standard. But it’s deeper than that, for many of us. And so I share this boldly as a voice for my fellow Black women, a reminder for those who aren’t, and a wake-up call to those who have no idea what the constant reality is for many of us. #FoodForThought #BlackWomenInTech

🧐 How to work in DEI? I’ve been asked multiple times by people in my network how I ended up working in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Here’s the truth: I didn’t plan this career path. And that brings me to one of my favorite quotes: “Life happens when you’re busy making other plans.” I originally envisioned myself as a marketer, consultant, entrepreneur—but not a DEI leader. Yet, here I am. Looking back, it all makes perfect sense. Every step of my journey has led me to this point. As a DEI leader, you wear many hats and must be well-versed in law, communication, strategy, coaching, marketing, data analytics—you name it. Because DEI isn’t just about hosting fun events or planning the monthly diversity post. It’s embedded in every business decision and is relevant to all areas of an organization: 🔹 Leadership: How do you build the best-performing teams? DEI is essential. 🔹 Technology: How do we ethically use digital tools and AI? DEI is at the core. 🔹 Sales: How do you market to EVERYONE, not just a fraction of the population? DEI matters. 🔹 Product Development: How do you create products that meet the needs of diverse customers? DEI drives this. I could go on and on… So, how can you work in DEI? Here’s the good news: You can start right now. Your current job likely has many opportunities to foster DEI. Whether you’re a team leader, shaping product strategy, crafting sales pitches, or designing marketing materials—DEI can be integrated into all of it. You don’t need an official DEI role to make a difference. You already have the power to advance DEI in your organization by embedding diverse thinking into your everyday actions. 💡 How are you embedding DEI into your daily work? Let’s share ideas and keep the momentum going! #DEI #Diversity #Inclusion #Leadership #Strategy #Marketing #ProductDevelopment #Sales #EthicalTech #Empowerment #CareerJourney #ContinuousImprovement #InclusiveWorkplace

As we celebrate #BlackHistoryMonth2024, it’s the perfect time to shine a light on the exceptional talent within our ranks, especially those who embody the spirit of excellence in sales. LinkedIn's "Deep Sales" report: https://lnkd.in/insiders underscores that high-performing sellers share three pivotal habits: prioritizing accounts, diligent research, and fostering strong relationships. These practices not only set them apart but also drive meaningful impact. This month, I want to recognize Dzifa Abodakpi a top-performing global tech sales professional. Dzifa’s superpower lies in her unparalleled ability to conduct in-depth industry research and build lasting relationships with clients, making her a standout contributor and a true inspiration. Recognizing our peers is crucial for several reasons: 1️⃣ Empowerment. Celebrating achievements boosts morale and motivates everyone to strive for excellence. 2️⃣ Visibility:Recognition brings visibility to diverse talent, showcasing the wide range of skills and perspectives within our teams. 3️⃣ Growth: Acknowledging the successes and strategies of our colleagues provides learning opportunities for all, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and shared success. Who in your circle deserves a shoutout this Black History Month for their outstanding contributions to your team's success? Let’s use this time not just to celebrate achievements but to inspire and uplift each other towards greater heights. #DeepSales #1MillionWomenby2030

Our 60th anniversary is more than a milestone – it’s a chance for us to highlight our brand identity, engage in unique storytelling and strengthen our relationships. As our agency’s marketing leader, Franco SVP Nikki Little has guided our integrated year-long anniversary campaign plan that includes various paid, earned, shared and owned efforts. She shares tips and lessons in her latest Forbes Communications Council article (link in comments) that can help you maximize the impact of your next company anniversary. 👉 Get leadership involved from the beginning. 👉 Your audience includes employees. Keeping them in the know and involving them in the campaign is critical to its success. 👉 Weave anniversary messaging into your sales and new business process. 👉 Always start with owned media. 👉 Get creative and find smaller ways to celebrate if an event isn’t in the strategy.

Feeling appreciated: Leadership and Personal Branding. Be a leader. It’s important to ensure your team feels appreciated always and not only during black history month or any of the special occasions. See them and make them feel a sense of belonging consistently. Fellow brothers and sisters, don’t be afraid to be seen for who you’re. Embrace your uniqueness and lead with your unique personal brand story. If you do this, you will see magic. You will make it difficult to be dismissed. Happy last week of black history month. It’s been a good month full of organized celebrations. Keep the momentum going for the rest of the year. How did your company celebrate black history month? Let us know about your proud moments in the comments ⬇️ Like 👍🏾, comment ✍️, repost 🔁, and inspire others too. Follow 🔔 my journey, because you will be inspired to lead with your unique personal brand story. 🚀 —————— P.S: I post daily about how to “Be A Leader" followed by leadership call to action with focus on people first mindset, simplicity in complexity mindset and highlight on personal branding journey through the lens of my personal brand symbol, Rubik's Cube. The different colors and patterns in Rubik’s Cube represent my unique life experiences in different countries. Let's connect, show up and inspire each other. Thank you, Felix Okoth, PMP® LinkedIn Top Thought Leadership & Personal Branding Voice. #Leadership #Goals #Influence #MulticulturalLeader #PersonalBranding #LinkedIn