“Just be you,” Shirli Zelcer from dentsu

Meet Shirli Zelcer, Chief Data and Technology Officer at dentsu, where she is responsible for driving innovation and growth for clients while overseeing client-facing, data-driven analytics and technology-enabled platforms and products. Shirli’s 20 years of experience across analytics, data science, and artificial intelligence have led her to the forefront of innovation to lead the future of AI and data. In her experience working across numerous industries including travel, media, retail, high tech, entertainment, and financial services, Shirli has made positive impacts for big brands and left her mark on the way data and technology are used today.

Shirli sat down with our own Jocelyn Hudak, Senior Director, Content and Digital Marketing at CES to discuss the importance of being clear and direct, the benefits of continued learning, and how showing up as your authentic self can create a positive impact. 

To hear this inspiring conversation, tune in to the full interview below, then check out some of the biggest takeaways from the conversation. 

Stay open.

Highlight: “I've always tried to be very clear, direct, and honest when I don't know something or the path. And just bringing people along on the things that I know are going to work and that I know we need to do. And also being open to the fact that things are going to change and just being very open and transparent about it.” - Shirli Zelcer

Always keep learning.

Highlight: “Always keep learning. I don't think it's enough to say, ‘What I know is going to get me by for the next ten years.’ It's important to keep up to date. Always keep learning, and always keep progressing, and ask yourself, “Have I done something new or learned something new in the past month?’ Keep yourself fresh and have new ideas.” - Shirli Zelcer

Make friends.

Highlight: “Make friends. I don't think I'd be where I am in my career if I didn't make friends along the way that I learned from, that I kicked around ideas with, that helped me to understand what they were doing in their work or with their clients and could I apply it to mine and vice versa. There was a lot of learning together.” - Shirli Zelcer

Be aggressive.

Highlight: “It's okay to be aggressive. There's a fine line between aggressive and combative, but being aggressive, and knowing what you want, and asking for it is okay.” - Shirli Zelcer

Be clear about what you want.

Highlight: “It helps put everybody on an equal playing field when you are very clear with what you want, even if it's not something that you can get right away. Have the ability to say what you want in the next six months, and then make sure that your supervisor or your peers are working towards that same thing. Otherwise, if you don't speak up, nobody's going to know what you actually want.” - Shirli Zelcer

Communication is key. It helps us to work well with others, speak up when we need to, and create connections that will help shape the future of our careers. Like Shirli, we’re showing up as our best selves and finding ways to be clear and confident in our goals. For more inspirational content, check out the Pass the Mic page.