We are thrilled to share the news that SmartCEO has named our very own Ashley Deibert, VP of Marketing for iQ Media, as a 2017 Philadelphia Brava Award winner.
The Brava Awards celebrates high-impact female business leaders in three categories: CEOs, Executive Directors of Nonprofits, and C-suite executives. An independent committee of local business leaders select winners based on company growth, community impact and mentoring selects winners.
“Brava winners possess the hallmark qualities of successful leaders — vision, passion, compassion, dedication, perseverance. Each winner in this year’s class exhibits these qualities in all facets of her life, from running her business to tending to her family and donating time and resources to philanthropic initiatives,” says Jaime Nespor-Zawmon, president of SmartCEO. “We are honored to recognize a group of women who are truly making a difference in the world.”
Ashley joined iQ Media in June 2016, tasked with growing revenue and brand recognition through marketing and pre-sales. In her first year, she re-messaged the company and secured major press around our real-time TV analytics offering, which, in turn, helped to land new business with key clients.
We sat down with Ashley for a little Q&A to discuss inspiration, leadership and goals.
What serves as your inspiration?
My mom and dad definitely serve as my inspiration to keep growing in my career path, helping others, and absorbing all the world has to offer. As their only child, I've always felt immense support and love from them. In 2009, when I packed up a U-haul and moved to NYC without a job waiting for me, they were by my side helping me move. They never doubted me and always believed in my success.
Unfortunately, I lost both of my parents to sudden deaths in 2014-2015. Their legacy drives me to continue my career success, but mostly to be a coach and mentor to others. My mom was always my career coach on resume writing, interviewing skills and dealing with inter-office operations. My dad always lent an ear when I faced tough situations and reminded me I had the strength to persevere. Ultimately, I've decided to channel pain into career progression.
What advice would you give to aspiring leaders or executives?
My motto is “one team, one goal.” No matter if you oversee a single project, a large department, or the entire company, you’re only as good as your team and the ability to motivate them. Employees are most successful when they are motivated by a common goal and aspiration, rather than operating out of fear. Lead by example!
In what ways do you demonstrate leadership, mentoring or philanthropy inside and outside of the company?
Inside the company, I strive to allow each individual to grow and I find joy in watching them succeed. I guide my teams through each project but give them the freedom to show off the work they are able to do and accomplish. I never make my employees feel like they’re below me, but rather build a relationship which each colleague and enjoy surrounding myself with them outside of the office. As a team we participate in many charitable events, such as Cradles to Crayons, Philabundance, food drives, clothing drives and needy family sponsorships.
In the fall semester of 2016, I led a young group of aspiring marketers at Rice University through their semester-long marketing project. I have also been a guest lecturer at New York University for a grad school marketing program, teaching the value of customer-centric marketing as well as jumpstarting your marketing career. Lastly, I provide free career consultations and resume writing/design for young aspiring marketers in the New York and Philadelphia areas.
What is one of the biggest lessons you've learned as a leader?
The biggest lesson I've learned is that it's ok to admit when you're going through a challenging time, and ask for time away when you need space to reflect and recharge. It's easy to become caught up in the day-to-day "craziness" of work that we forget to stop, breath, and reflect. Sometimes a pause, a vacation or even just a personal day can bring better ideas or clearer decisions to light.
Congratulations to Ashley and all of the other Brava Awards winners!