February 2020 Featured Interview
|
|
Interview with
Hattie Hill
Global Thought Leader and President & CEO of the T.D. Jakes Foundation
Photo Credit: Grapevine Photo
About Hattie:
Hattie Hill is a renowned speaker, author of multiple books, and a global thought leader. She has spent more than three decades developing successful global diversity and gender equity strategies that drive culture change and create inclusive environments for corporations, nonprofit organizations and foundations across 70 countries, including IBM, Southwest Airlines and McDonald’s.
Hattie paved the way in advising some of the world’s largest brands and Fortune 500 CEOs on why diversity and gender equity should be prioritized, and her work over the past 30 years has profoundly impacted the way that many of today’s organizations approach the topic of inclusion.
She has mastered the ability to connect, engage and transform individuals and organizations to elevate corporate culture, while improving employee engagement and driving business and revenue growth.
Currently, Hattie serves as the president and CEO of the T.D. Jakes Foundation, a fund with a goal of raising $100 million to work toward improving disadvantaged communities and providing economic growth globally through science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). The foundation is committed to preparing people for success in the 21st-century workforce, lifting underserved populations and connecting corporations to new, highly-skilled pools of talent amid increasing global competition.
Earlier in her career, Hattie served as president and CEO of the Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF), where she worked to champion gender equity within the food ecosystem (production, manufacturing, producing, etc.). At WFF, she proudly initiated and managed an unprecedented collaboration with McKinsey’s Women in the Workplace Study to advance women leaders.
Hattie serves on the boards of Texas Women’s Foundation, National Restaurant Association, VisitDallas, Dallas Regional Chamber and ShareMaster.
Hattie Hill is a renowned speaker, author of multiple books, and a global thought leader. She has spent more than three decades developing successful global diversity and gender equity strategies that drive culture change and create inclusive environments for corporations, nonprofit organizations and foundations across 70 countries, including IBM, Southwest Airlines and McDonald’s.
Hattie paved the way in advising some of the world’s largest brands and Fortune 500 CEOs on why diversity and gender equity should be prioritized, and her work over the past 30 years has profoundly impacted the way that many of today’s organizations approach the topic of inclusion.
She has mastered the ability to connect, engage and transform individuals and organizations to elevate corporate culture, while improving employee engagement and driving business and revenue growth.
Currently, Hattie serves as the president and CEO of the T.D. Jakes Foundation, a fund with a goal of raising $100 million to work toward improving disadvantaged communities and providing economic growth globally through science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). The foundation is committed to preparing people for success in the 21st-century workforce, lifting underserved populations and connecting corporations to new, highly-skilled pools of talent amid increasing global competition.
Earlier in her career, Hattie served as president and CEO of the Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF), where she worked to champion gender equity within the food ecosystem (production, manufacturing, producing, etc.). At WFF, she proudly initiated and managed an unprecedented collaboration with McKinsey’s Women in the Workplace Study to advance women leaders.
Hattie serves on the boards of Texas Women’s Foundation, National Restaurant Association, VisitDallas, Dallas Regional Chamber and ShareMaster.
Myrna Beth Haskell, managing editor, spoke with Hattie about her work to encourage gender equity and diversity in corporate environments, her leadership roles through which she has helped women thrive, and her current role as president and CEO of the T.D. Jakes Foundation.
How long have you been helping businesses create workforce environments that welcome diversity and gender equity? How does this type of environment help a business thrive?
I’ve been an entrepreneur specializing in leadership development for over 32 years. Board rooms were always filled with men, and I knew that I could effect change in this area. I was a pioneer in diversity and inclusion – I was working on this before it was popular. I wanted to change the look and feel of corporate environments to encourage more creative ideas.
It’s an uphill battle that we’re still fighting, but we’re moving in the right direction. The bottom line is that CEOs need diverse perspectives during the decision-making process in order to be successful. It’s necessary to bring both men and women to the table so we can work together to make the necessary changes.
How long have you been helping businesses create workforce environments that welcome diversity and gender equity? How does this type of environment help a business thrive?
I’ve been an entrepreneur specializing in leadership development for over 32 years. Board rooms were always filled with men, and I knew that I could effect change in this area. I was a pioneer in diversity and inclusion – I was working on this before it was popular. I wanted to change the look and feel of corporate environments to encourage more creative ideas.
It’s an uphill battle that we’re still fighting, but we’re moving in the right direction. The bottom line is that CEOs need diverse perspectives during the decision-making process in order to be successful. It’s necessary to bring both men and women to the table so we can work together to make the necessary changes.
|
Do you feel women should have more confidence when it comes to leadership roles in big business? What are some things that might hold a woman back from reaching her potential in a leadership role?
Women can’t let a lack of self-confidence get in their way. They need to step up and push for the next role. When men pursue promotions, they do so even if they only have half of the skills and experience on a job description. There’s this notion that they’ll do whatever they have to in order to support their family financially. Women are natural nurturers and tend to be less competitive. There is often self-doubt, too. Many women won’t move forward for a promotion, even if they have most of the skills in a job description. Competitive women who aggressively pursue these roles frequently receive negative pushback. According to Payscale.com, a study in 2018 showed that 67% of men said they have asked for a promotion at any point in their careers, while only 54% of women have asked at any point in their careers. The same study showed that, of those participants who were in a committed relationship, 77% of men said their own career takes priority, while only 35 percent of women said the same. |
Promoting Gender Equity in the U.S.:
Hattie Hill led the Women of Influence conference in November 2019 that T.D. Jakes designed to equip women with tools needed for success in the workplace. More than 10 female entrepreneurs joined Hattie on stage to offer their testimonies about trials and successes as an underrepresented minority. |
Do women approach leadership roles differently than men?
Yes. Women are natural nurturers and approach leadership with a sense of fairness. We are also natural collaborators.
Many women in the workforce are juggling parenting, grandparenting and/or caring for elderly parents in addition to a long day at the office. What advice would you give someone who is struggling with work-life balance?
There are so many demands on us, and it’s true that finding a balance is not easy.
A woman needs to first define what balance means personally to her. It’s not the same for everyone. Secondly, she needs to construct a system to encourage this balanced lifestyle and put the pieces together to make it happen.
She should ask herself the following: What’s my 2020 strategy for self-care? Do I have at least an hour to myself each day? Women’s health issues have changed overtime due to the amount of stress they carry on a daily basis, so she has to make self-care a priority.
I know some corporate women who have the money to hire help (cleaning services, a cook, etc.). But you don’t have to be rich to find help. You just need to have a good support network. I also know someone with small children who decided that having her mother-in-law move in with her family was the right solution. Perhaps there is a community group or church group that can offer assistance in some way. The important thing is to develop a network of people who can help you, so that you can start to delegate responsibilities.
Once you come up with a plan, keep those promises to yourself.
You can direct readers toward my blog: “True Influence” which discusses tackling life’s hardships.
Did you have a female mentor who encouraged you to reach your potential?
My mother. I grew up on a farm in Arkansas. My mother was a single mom with six girls, and we learned about hard work, strength, integrity and character from her. Faith was a critical part of our upbringing as well.
I also had a 9th grade teacher who was phenomenal. She convinced me that I could pursue anything that I wanted and that I shouldn’t sell myself short.
In the workforce, I actually had a male mentor. He pushed me to start my own company.* He told me that I would feel more satisfied with my work…that I could help lots of people…that I had the skill set for building strong relationships.
*Hattie founded Hattie Hill Enterprises, Inc., in 1984 and became a turnaround specialist for major ailing companies worldwide. She worked with CEOs to guide them with workforce relations – including gender equity and diversity - in order to advance their businesses.
Yes. Women are natural nurturers and approach leadership with a sense of fairness. We are also natural collaborators.
Many women in the workforce are juggling parenting, grandparenting and/or caring for elderly parents in addition to a long day at the office. What advice would you give someone who is struggling with work-life balance?
There are so many demands on us, and it’s true that finding a balance is not easy.
A woman needs to first define what balance means personally to her. It’s not the same for everyone. Secondly, she needs to construct a system to encourage this balanced lifestyle and put the pieces together to make it happen.
She should ask herself the following: What’s my 2020 strategy for self-care? Do I have at least an hour to myself each day? Women’s health issues have changed overtime due to the amount of stress they carry on a daily basis, so she has to make self-care a priority.
I know some corporate women who have the money to hire help (cleaning services, a cook, etc.). But you don’t have to be rich to find help. You just need to have a good support network. I also know someone with small children who decided that having her mother-in-law move in with her family was the right solution. Perhaps there is a community group or church group that can offer assistance in some way. The important thing is to develop a network of people who can help you, so that you can start to delegate responsibilities.
Once you come up with a plan, keep those promises to yourself.
You can direct readers toward my blog: “True Influence” which discusses tackling life’s hardships.
Did you have a female mentor who encouraged you to reach your potential?
My mother. I grew up on a farm in Arkansas. My mother was a single mom with six girls, and we learned about hard work, strength, integrity and character from her. Faith was a critical part of our upbringing as well.
I also had a 9th grade teacher who was phenomenal. She convinced me that I could pursue anything that I wanted and that I shouldn’t sell myself short.
In the workforce, I actually had a male mentor. He pushed me to start my own company.* He told me that I would feel more satisfied with my work…that I could help lots of people…that I had the skill set for building strong relationships.
*Hattie founded Hattie Hill Enterprises, Inc., in 1984 and became a turnaround specialist for major ailing companies worldwide. She worked with CEOs to guide them with workforce relations – including gender equity and diversity - in order to advance their businesses.
|
|
You’re currently spearheading the T.D. Jakes Foundation. What are some of the goals of the foundation?
This is a newly launched foundation. Our goals include working with young people in the areas of science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM). It’s about the next generation – helping young people develop the skills they need to take on these cutting-edge jobs and to effect global change. We want to encourage more women to go into careers in mathematics. We also want to see more balance in the types of recruiting questions companies ask so that they are not geared toward a homogenous group of white males. What does your role as president and CEO of the foundation entail? I am involved in everything – creation of the foundation’s goals, developing relationships with partners, developing programming for students, etc. |
|
You served as president and CEO of the Women’s Foodservice Forum where you championed gender equity. I’m curious, what drew you to help women specifically in the foodservice industry? A lot of my clients were in the food and hospitality industries (McDonalds was a client of mine), so it was an area I was comfortable with. The former president and CEO [Fritzi Woods] was a dear friend of mine. She passed away suddenly, and I was asked to fill the position on an interim basis. However, I was originally more comfortable to sit on the board and serve as an executive consultant. [Hattie continued to run her consulting company.] But in 2014, you went all in - you took on the role as president and CEO. I’ve always loved projects that support women and girls, and I realized it was what I needed to do. My excitement grew as I began guiding this organization. [Hattie spearheaded and launched unprecedented research projects that better connected and engaged women in the foodservice industry.] |
Hattie Speaking at Women's Foodservice Forum's
2019 Annual Leadership Development Conference |
March is Women’s History Month. Is there an historical figure whose life’s journey has been an inspiration to you?
Maya Angelou.* She also grew up in Arkansas. I loved her work, but I also saw her as a model for leading a good life. She didn’t waiver when it came to her beliefs and who she was. I guess you could say that she was a mentor of mine from a distance. I always watched what she was doing, and it stuck with me.
*Maya Angelou (1928 – 2014): Award-winning poet, civil rights activist and winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2010).
You have a book coming out soon titled Women, Wisdom and Water. Fabulous alliterative choice, but I’d like to hear more. As to word choice…where does ‘water’ fit in?
The book is in production now. My greatest wisdom comes from walking by the ocean – it’s a form of self-care for me. I find peace and solace near the water. It’s a place to think – everything becomes clear. Water aligns with me mentally and emotionally.
“Women, Wisdom and Water was written with a specific vision - to create a safe community where encouragement, freedom and resources for practical help are abundant to women. Hattie shares her journey, the wisdom she has accumulated from women during her lifetime, and the beautiful symbolism and importance water represents in a woman’s life.” (Hattiehill.com)
Well…I think you’ve already answered my final question. Where do you find sanctuary?
Hattie laughs. I think I did! The beach! I’m such a water person.
I want to also say that I’ve embraced something a good friend [Serita Jakes] suggested: Make every place you go a sanctuary [by taking along things that comfort your senses and help you find serenity wherever you are]. When I travel, I bring some candles and my favorite blanket.
Maya Angelou.* She also grew up in Arkansas. I loved her work, but I also saw her as a model for leading a good life. She didn’t waiver when it came to her beliefs and who she was. I guess you could say that she was a mentor of mine from a distance. I always watched what she was doing, and it stuck with me.
*Maya Angelou (1928 – 2014): Award-winning poet, civil rights activist and winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2010).
You have a book coming out soon titled Women, Wisdom and Water. Fabulous alliterative choice, but I’d like to hear more. As to word choice…where does ‘water’ fit in?
The book is in production now. My greatest wisdom comes from walking by the ocean – it’s a form of self-care for me. I find peace and solace near the water. It’s a place to think – everything becomes clear. Water aligns with me mentally and emotionally.
“Women, Wisdom and Water was written with a specific vision - to create a safe community where encouragement, freedom and resources for practical help are abundant to women. Hattie shares her journey, the wisdom she has accumulated from women during her lifetime, and the beautiful symbolism and importance water represents in a woman’s life.” (Hattiehill.com)
Well…I think you’ve already answered my final question. Where do you find sanctuary?
Hattie laughs. I think I did! The beach! I’m such a water person.
I want to also say that I’ve embraced something a good friend [Serita Jakes] suggested: Make every place you go a sanctuary [by taking along things that comfort your senses and help you find serenity wherever you are]. When I travel, I bring some candles and my favorite blanket.
