Western Digital creates environments for data to thrive. As a leader in data infrastructure, the company is driving the innovation needed to help customers capture, preserve, access and transform an ever-increasing diversity of data. Everywhere data lives, from advanced data centers to mobile sensors to personal devices, our industry-leading solutions deliver the possibilities of data.
Whether in your pocket, home, car, or the cloud, it’s likely Western Digital is with you every step of the way. Our data-centric solutions are comprised of the Western Digital®, G-Technology™, SanDisk®, and WD® brands.
2.Kindly Give us an overview of your background and your role in the company.
I am the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for Western Digital and responsible for leading key global human resources initiatives and people strategies.
I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Brigham Young University and over 20 years of experience developing and aligning HR strategy with business needs. This includes leading company-wide initiatives focused on culture, organization effectiveness, leadership development, integrated talent management, total rewards and more.
Before joining Western Digital, I served as Senior Vice President (SVP) of Global Human Resources at Jacobs, a global provider of technical, professional and construction services. I also served as SVP of Human Resources and Ethics at Arizona Public Services Company, the largest electric utility in Arizona, and advanced through a series of HR leadership roles at American Express.
3.What were the past experiences, achievement or lessons that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
I am lucky to have spent nearly 15 formative career years at American Express – where diversity was passionately supported and where there were many amazing women role models at senior levels of the organization. While at Amex, the majority of my leaders and mentors were smart, courageous women. Althea DeBrule, Patricia Alexander, Bonnie Stedt, Ursula Fairbairn, Gabriella Giglio, and Pam Arway were all instrumental in shaping me and encouraging my career. They provided me with amazing opportunities, coaching, and taught me to believe in myself as a leader. I just hope I can give back a small part of what each of these amazing women gave to me.
4.Kindly mention some of the Important challenges that you faced during the initial phase of your journey.
During the early part of my career the biggest challenge was gaining credibility so my ideas would be heard. That meant building important relationships with peers, identifying and developing mentors, and working on my teaming and collaboration skills.
I liked to learn and challenge myself – so I took risks. For example – I moved from HR to Marketing for a few years and learned new skills working on advertising campaigns and managing marketing promotions. When I returned to the HR function, I accepted a position that required me and my husband to relocate to Manhattan, NY. Later I took a global role implementing a major initiative that required me to live in the UK and Sweden and travel extensively.
Another challenge was balancing career moves and opportunities across two aspiring careers as both my husband and I were making career moves and decisions. Making the needed trade-offs and sacrifices for each other was an important part of my early journey.
5.Describe some of the Important attributes that every transformational leader should have.
Transformational leaders create a vision for their team and champion change through inspiration and motivation. They shape strategy and priorities, and drive strong performance while delivering results. They are continuous learners and seek external insights. I think great leaders both push their teams and support them as they navigate the challenges and opportunities together.
Great people leaders are also great team members who share information, collaborate well and support their colleagues.
6.How do you Make your product/solutions more creative and innovative to appeal your target audience?
As an HR leader – my team and I are focused on the employees and leaders of the organization. Our job is to implement the people programs and strategies that will allow us to recruit and retain the talent needed to accomplish the company strategy.
I challenge my team to be proactive and progressive. Innovation is an important part of that. We work to identify and address the most pressing challenges facing our leaders and our people. We are working to better leverage technology and when we design programs and processes, we focus on delivering a positive and efficient employee experience.
7.How do you see the company and the industry in the future ahead?
Consumers are rapidly adopting technology and Covid-19 has accelerated that adoption. From smarter homes and online healthcare to entertainment and gaming, the growth of data and need for storage technology is growing rapidly and Western Digital is positioned to help businesses and consumers accelerate the adoption towards these areas by offering devices that is designed for how their data will be used. I see an ongoing need to support workforce flexibility models and that will create an ongoing need for even better technology to support virtual collaboration.
8.What is your advice for Fledgling women leaders?
Sometimes great advice comes at unusual times and in unusual places. When I was in my late 20’s I observed an exchange between a family friend and her 3 year-old daughter at a family party. The young girl was upset about something and her mother gently, but firmly encouraged her to get control of her emotions. After a moment, when the daughter had calmed down, the mom told her daughter – “know what you want, say what you want, get what you want.”
I’ve never forgotten that exchange and I’ve applied that wise counsel in many situations. First, get control of your emotions, then be sure you know what you want and that you can articulate it clearly. As an adult, I know I don’t always get what I want, but if I don’t know what I want or don’t say it out loud to the right person at the right time – it won’t happen
