Interpublic’s Women’s Leadership Network Hosts Mentorship Tea with Ellen Johnson

Companies

• IPG
• Interpublic

On October 30, 2024, Interpublic's Women's Leadership Network (WLN) hosted its inaugural Mentorship Tea in New York, during which attendees enjoyed valuable networking opportunities with senior leaders and peers.

The event featured a fireside chat with Ellen Johnson, Chief Financial Officer and WLN Executive Sponsor, and Carol Frazer Haynesworth, WLN Global Lead and Executive Director of Inclusion and Impact at Interpublic. Ellen Johnson spoke about her career journey and how it is so important to create an inclusive work environment where everyone has a voice.

Speaking about the importance of mentorship and advancing women's careers, she said "I think what we really need to do is listen and really understand what the issues and challenges are. What is the latest ceiling that we need to break and make sure it doesn't become a barrier? If we do that, we can figure out solutions and provide an open place for people to get mentorship, but to also really just express what's working and what's not. We can then figure out together how to make changes and make it sustainable."

Also speaking at the event was Lauren Leader, Co-Founder and CEO of All In Together. Leader provided practical guidance for effective mentorship strategies and stressed the importance of reciprocity, honesty, vulnerability and trust in the mentor/mentee relationship.

Following the speaker portion of the event, the 28 senior women mentors, representing many Interpublic agencies, generously led small-group mentorship sessions with the participants, creating an enriching experience for everyone involved.

The WLN Mentorship Tea speaks to the commitment of Interpublic's leadership to build and support emerging leaders. Among the women who served as mentors are Susan Credle, Global Chair, FCB, and Creative Advisor, Interpublic; Amie Owen, Global Chief Growth Officer, KINESSO and Helene Yan, SVP, Chief Client Officer, Health, Interpublic.