It’s no secret that the Covid-19 pandemic has disproportionally affected women. The National Women’s Law Center found women’s workforce participation reached 57%, the lowest participation rate since 1988. Between February 2020 and February 2021, more than 2.3 million women left the U.S. labor force, the NWLC report also said.
A recent study from McKinsey & Company showed that compared to men in similar positions, women managers are consistently doing more to promote employee well-being—including checking on team members, helping them manage workloads, and providing support for those dealing with burnout or navigating work/life challenges.
At Comcast, we are incredibly proud and grateful to the women persevering to get through these challenging times and helping move our organization forward.
As we close out Women’s History Month, we want to acknowledge the work of our female workforce and congratulate three leaders who have recently accomplished a milestone in their careers. Tiffany, Lisa and Michelle are three individuals whose accomplishments have earned them a promotion to senior director.
In light of their promotions, we asked them to answer the following question: In your opinion, what is one leadership skill that is necessary to navigate and thrive in these current complex and uncertain times?
Lisa James — It’s all about the people…
As the new Sr. Director, Human Resources, Lisa will support the Technical Operations, Network, & Construction teams. Lisa strategically partners with California leaders to inspire an exceptional employee experience and culture. Lisa’s leadership has added tremendous value not only to teammates she directly supports, but throughout our California team as a whole.
“Be bold, think different, embrace being comfortable with being uncomfortable through challenging yourself and others. Be adaptable and lead with confidence through uncertainty.”
Michelle Alba-Chua — Building bridges to help the organization grow…
Named Sr. Director of Business Development, Michelle will also now be a key member of the Comcast California Senior Leadership Team, with a focus on leading our network expansion efforts to include future residential and commercial growth opportunities, working closely with developers and municipalities. Michelle and her team will continue their efforts on maintaining and acquiring access to serve residential, commercial, and multi-use buildings, partnering with local colleges and universities, and bringing our industry-leading broadband service to rural markets. Michelle started at Comcast is 2003 and has continued to be an essential part of what makes Comcast great.
“When you’re leading in times of uncertainty, there’s no playbook to guide you, and you are called to make quick decisions that impact others. Leading with empathy by taking time to check in with the team, listening attentively, and being flexible creates a culture of trust. High-trust teams are crystal clear on their purpose and work together to achieve success even through challenging times.”
Tiffany Shugrue — Building a strong team culture one program at the time…
Tiffany, who was promoted to Sr. Director of Employee Engagement, is responsible for driving and executing our overarching Organizational Health Excellence strategy, with a keen focus on teammate engagement and employee relations. She and her team manage programs and policies that enhance employee engagement, enrich the employee experience, and promote Comcast as a Great Place to Work.
“It is important to expand your mindset. Be open to listening to different points of view and welcome change. Challenge yourself be a part of the solution, especially during adversity.”