MATRIX AWARDS

2018 MATRIX AWARDS RECAP

Nearly 1,000 people gathered today at the Matrix Awards in New York City, to honor ten extraordinary female leaders in the communications industry, as ‘Women Who Connect the World.’ The awards were emceed by Savannah Guthrie, Co-Anchor of “TODAY” and NBC News Chief Legal Correspondent, and hosted by Interpublic Group.

The award honors women in communications who are at the pinnacle of their careers and is considered the most prestigious communications award.

The 2018 Matrix honorees included:

  • Halle Berry—Academy Award-Winning Actress; presented by Michael I. Roth, Chairman and CEO, Interpublic Group
  • Mika Brzezinski—Co-Host, MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Founder, Know Your Value; presented by Joe Scarborough, Co-Host, MSNBC’s “Morning Joe”
  • Kim Kelleher —Chief Business Officer, GQ, Golf Digest, Pitchfork, WIRED, Ars Technica, Condé Nast; presented by Wendy Clark, Global President & CEO, DDB Worldwide
  • Betsy Kenny Lack—Head of Global Brand Strategy, Snap Inc.; presented by Evan Spiegel, CEO and Co-Founder, Snap Inc.
  • Dia Simms—President, Combs Enterprises; presented by Sarah Hemminger, Founder & CEO, THREAD
  • Alexandra Trower—Executive Vice President, Global Communications, The Estée Lauder Companies; presented by William P. Lauder, Executive Chairman, The Estée Lauder Companies
  • Shelley Zalis —CEO, The Female Quotient; presented by Amen Mugisha, Bridge2Rwanda Scholar

This year, NYWICI also presented its inaugural Incite Award, which was presented to the three Pulitzer Prize-winning, New York Times reporters, Jodi Kantor, Emily Steel and Megan Twohey for their ability to incite change through writing and reporting for their coverage on sexual misconduct in the workplace.

#WomenHeard Moments—Words of Advice from the 2018 Matrix Honorees:

  • Halle Berry: “Walk right into the fear. Follow your intuition. It’s your guide. Your compass. Don’t opt-out of someone else’s fear for you. Listen to your gut and go do it.”
  • Mika Brzezinski: “It’s all about being a woman. It’s all about being exactly who you are, knowing who that is. Knowing what that value is, and getting it across. Know your value.”
  • Kim Kelleher: “Find your tribe and be part of somebody else’s tribe, and go out there and lead.”
  • Betsy Kenny Lack: “I’ve learned to take risks and always ask, why not?”
  • Dia Simms: “Studies shows that women CEOs outperform their peers 3:1 so if you don’t do it for your hearts, do it for your wallets.”
  • Alexandra Trower: “I’ve tried to pass this along to every woman I mentor: it’s so important to ask for help.”
  • Shelley Zalis: “One moment of mentorship can lead to a lifetime of impact, for your mentee and for you. It’s not about passing down the torch—it’s about sharing the torch.”
  • Jodi Kantor: “We now understand that harassment and abuse is not a private shame, it’s a shared problem and a gigantic hurdle in our struggle for equality.”
  • Emily Steel: “The chorus of women’s voices grew louder and louder and the world finally listened.”
  • Megan Twohey – “Confront bullies head on.”

Today, NYWICI launched #WomenHeard—a new platform and opportunity for women to share their voices about their career struggles and advice, to help women get what they need in the workplace to succeed, to break down the glass ceiling. Women are invited to use the hashtag #WomenHeard to share their experiences, thoughts and advice on: career advancement, equality in the workplace, compensation and work-life balance.

Also featured at the annual Matrix Awards were the 2018 scholarship winners. All proceeds from the Matrix Awards go towards a full range of scholarships and educational programs for women, whether they are just beginning or are embarking on a career transition.

Bid now on exciting lots like a ‘Mentoring Lunch with Alexandra Trower, EVP, Global Communications, The Estée Lauder Companies & Tour of Ms. Estée Lauder’s Original Office’ and ‘Attend a Live Broadcast of MSNBC’s Morning Joe at Rockefeller Plaza in NYC!’ Lots benefit the NYWICI scholarship program through Charitybuzz!

Kristen Kurtz

Slideshow Images: Copyright Maryanne Russell

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