Episode 13 - Pam Lifford

Today’s episode is with Pamela Lifford. At the time of this recording Pam was President of Warner Bros. Consumer Products Division. Our conversation meanders from the beginnings of Pam’s career path in apparel through the various high profile companies she has worked at and the mentors and lessons she encountered along the way. One of the themes of the conversation is Pam talking about the importance of “showing up” consistently; with enthusiasm, and a willingness to participate. It’s very much how I knew her at The Walt Disney Company where she had nothing short of a meteoric rise. Listen for the choices Pam has made, the courage she has had and how building relationships got her a seat at the table. Towards the end I asked Pam about her observation of the evolution of black women in the workplace. The conversation shifted from career path in work to career path in life. I was humbled by her retelling of childhood experiences with other kids at school and with her father at home and how that has further shaped the choices she makes as a leader to this day. Perhaps a couple of weeks after Pam and I spoke I read in the paper that her job had changed (and gotten even bigger). She was now President of Warner Bros. Global Brands and Experiences of which Consumer Products is a part. Big job, big talent. Let’s get into it…