“Humble yourself,” Emily Graham from Omnicom

Meet Emily Graham, Chief Equity & Impact Officer at Omnicom, where she advances systemic equity across the holding company’s global network, leading a team of dedicated DE&I professionals worldwide. For the past 15 years, Emily has promoted and protected reputations through strategic communications. Additionally, she spearheads culturally relevant strategies internally as a senior strategist and externally, for clients, to ensure businesses reflect the world we live in and are rooted in purpose. She is an award-winning corporate communications practitioner and client leader. Her career ascent has been profiled by LinkedIn, Forbes and Essence. She has been recognized as a 40 Under 40 Honoree by PRWeek and Crain’s New York Business. Most recently she was honored as one of the Most Influential Diversity & Inclusion Executives in America by Savoy Magazine.

Emily is also an adjunct professor at The University of Oklahoma, active board member and advisor to numerous organizations including Syracuse, Georgetown, and Howard Universities where she guest lectures and mentors. Additionally, she serves on the board of Forbes BLK, the Institute of Public Relations, American Advertising Federation, Cannes Can Diversity Collective, and Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University.

Emily joined Jocelyn Hudak, Senior Director, Content and Digital Marketing for an interview in our Pass the Mic booth on the French Riviera at Cannes Lions. Get ready to feel empowered, and give the full interview a listen.

Humble yourself.

Highlight: “Humble yourself, because every effort to be intentionally inclusive is usually born of you failing to be inclusive... Know that you have blind spots. Recognize that people will call them out. Honor that and embrace it when it happens. And every moment you miss to be inclusive is a learning opportunity to bring more people in, to have them be alongside you and let them show you what inclusion looks like for what they need.” - Emily Graham

Lead with intention and passion. 

Highlight: “I am a collaborative leader, and I really don't have a hierarchical lens. I know I'm a C-level leader, but I do the same work some days as my intern. We sit together, we partner side by side because I like to be in the trenches. I like to play in the dirt, and I feel like that's the way I lead. I lead with intention and passion.” - Emily Graham

Respect everyone. 

Highlight: “We have shared humanity. We have to think about, as different as everyone is, everyone still has the fundamental, basic need to be respected, to be understood and to feel safe in the work environment. Because so many people don't feel safe in their home or their societal or community environment.” - Emily Graham

Work hard, play hard.

Highlight: “I'm just really energetic. I can work sun up, sun down and still be going and still be moving. I wake up at four in the morning, like ‘Oh, I forgot about that. Let me drop that note.’ But also, when I'm on vacation, I’m like, ‘Let's go. Enjoy your time. We've worked very hard.’ I believe the mantra of us giving ourselves rest, and resetting and restoration is essential. And I didn't learn it until later, until now, but I try to work hard, play hard.” - Emily Graham

Your titles don't define you.

Highlight: “Your titles don't define you. I think your mission defines you. I was told by a colleague who was here at Cannes doing some incredible work that, if I were to leave my job tomorrow, it's just the title that I will lose. I will still gain and have my mission statement. And that’s what I take to every company; it’s not the title, it’s the mission statement. So you have to remember that at the end of the day, when you log off, this is just one part of a big life's journey of what you're supposed to be doing.” - Emily Graham

Know what brings you energy.

Highlight: “I think there is a value in knowing what brings you energy. Some people love to work. It's okay…I think that you have to find balance. If you love what you do, you don't feel like you're working. I know that sounds cliché, but it's true..” - Emily Graham

Emily inspires us to continue building a more inclusive environment in and out of the workplace and find a balance that lets us work hard, play hard. If you’re ready for more inspirational content like this, check out the Pass the Mic page.