Dana Hall, Senior Manager of Compensation at Designer Brands, shares her extensive experience in the retail industry. She discusses her unexpected journey to equity compensation and the pivotal role of internships. Dana highlights her passion for diversity through her leadership in Designer Brands’ African American BRG and involvement in the NASPP's DEI Task Force. She offers valuable advice for career growth in compensation and emphasizes the importance of collaboration and diverse perspectives in the workplace.
The NASPP's DEI initiative emphasizes enhancing diversity in equity compensation to foster innovative ideas and equitable opportunities.
Dana Hall's unconventional career journey illustrates the importance of internships in discovering personal interests and shaping career trajectories.
Deep dives
Importance of DEI in Equity Compensation
The significance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the field of equity compensation is emphasized, highlighting a commitment to creating an inclusive environment. The DEI task force established by NASPP aims to enhance diversity among professionals in this field, thereby fostering innovative ideas and perspectives. A scholarship program has also been introduced to provide resources to equity compensation professionals from underrepresented communities, supporting their career development. This initiative is seen as a vital step in empowering diverse talent and ensuring equitable opportunities for advancement within the industry.
Career Path to Stock Compensation
Dana Hall shares her unconventional journey to becoming a Senior Manager of Compensation, revealing that she had little knowledge about stock compensation during her college years. Initially pursuing international business, her career path shifted through internships that exposed her to human resources, ultimately leading to her role at Designer Brands. Through these experiences, she learned the importance of exploring various career options and the value of internships in discovering personal interests and professional skills. Hall's story underlines how diverse experiences can shape one's career trajectory in unexpected ways.
Blending Art and Science in Compensation
The dynamic nature of compensation work is discussed, with a focus on the balance between data analysis and creative problem-solving. Dana emphasizes that no two days are alike in her role, as external market conditions and internal organizational changes constantly influence compensation decisions. She also highlights the necessity of understanding the emotional aspects tied to compensation, as it directly impacts employees’ livelihoods and experiences. This blend of analytical and interpersonal skills makes compensation a unique and fulfilling area of work.
Thank you to Bank of America for sponsoring the NASPP's DEI Initiative.
About Our Guest
Dana is a native of Columbus, Ohio and currently works as the Senior Manager of Compensation for the Corporate Offices of Designer Brands Inc. Her team manages the compensation programs for their business segments in the United States. This includes base compensation, short-term and long-term incentive plans. Dana has worked in the field of compensation for over 22 years, primarily in the retail industry.
Dana majored in human resources and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University. She is a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) and has also earned her Equity Compensation Associate (ECA) designation.