Episode 174: The Power of Your Story with Cowen’s Ripa Rashid

What’s your story? Have you ever been asked that question during an interview and not known where to even begin? Telling stories about your professional self can inspire others’ belief in your character and in your ability to successfully take on new opportunities or make career transitions. It also can help you believe in yourself. Having a career story gives meaning to your career history; it will assure you that, in moving on to something new, you are not discarding everything you’ve worked so hard to accomplish.

Unfortunately, research has shown that most of us fail to use the power of storytelling in pursuit of our professional goals, or we do it badly.

Our guest, Ripa Rashid, Managing Director and Head of Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) at Cowen, shares her career story and why it is important to weave together your professional narrative and be able to clearly articulate your journey with clarity.

Ripa is an internationally recognized subject matter expert and practitioner in the space of workplace diversity and inclusion, with a focus on gender, race and global talent engagement and development strategies.  Prior to joining Cowen, Ms. Rashid was Managing Director at Culture@Work, Working Mother Media and Bonnier’s strategic advisory and custom research group. Previously, she was co-president at the Center for Talent Innovation (CTI) in New York City, a premier think tank and content provider that studies global workplace inclusion and diversity. She has also served as a management consultant with Booz & Company, PwC and Mitchell Madison Group, and has held senior diversity and inclusion positions at MetLife and Time Warner.

In this episode, Ripa shares how her career has been guided by a desire for continuous growth and learning, why it is important to have allies and sponsors in your corner, and advice on how to stay ahead of the curve in the digital age.

Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Ripa.

Highlights: [03:07] Ripa’s story [08:05] Articulating your journey with clarity [13:29] The importance of alliances and sponsorships [17:53] Leveraging your relationship & asking for help [23:31] Setting & achieving your goals [30:26] Staying ahead of the curve [33:51] Ripa’s decision-making framework [36:06] Advice to women in the workplace [39:19] Best way to connect with Ripa Quotes: “Approach everything with a learning and growth mindset.” – Ripa Rashid

“Talent exists everywhere, opportunity does not. It's about creating access and opportunity.” – Ripa Rashid

“If you live a life with fear, that means that you're not discovering anything.” - Ripa Rashid

“There is no roadmap and no prescribed path for innovative work.” - Ripa Rashid

About Ripa Rashid: Ripa Rashid is a Managing Director and Head of Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) at Cowen. Ms. Rashid is an internationally recognized subject matter expert and practitioner in the space of workplace diversity and inclusion, with a focus on gender, race and global talent engagement and development strategies.  Prior to joining Cowen, Ms. Rashid was Managing Director at Culture@Work, Working Mother Media and Bonnier’s strategic advisory and custom research group. Previously, she was co-president at the Center for Talent Innovation (CTI) in New York City, a premier think tank and content provider that studies global workplace inclusion and diversity. She has also served as a management consultant with Booz & Company, PwC and Mitchell Madison Group, and has held senior diversity and inclusion positions at MetLife and Time Warner.

Ms. Rashid holds an AB cum laude in astronomy and astrophysics from Harvard University, an MA in anthropology from New York University and an MBA from INSEAD.

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riparashid/