Episode 2: Vanessa Dewey
In this episode of the Leaders of B2B podcast, I got to sit down with Vanessa Dewey, Lead of Development and Creative Experiences at Mattel Inc.
Vanessa is a creative with tons of experience who is working to help educate and facilitate culture at Mattel.
As a true creative, Vanessa has had roles ranging from being an intern for April Greiman, working in general communications roles, to packaging, and now she is in a brand new position that doesn’t even have an official title yet.
I had a great time sitting down to hear her story and advice for other creatives.
The journey to Mattel
As I mentioned above, Vanessa has very broad experience in several different roles. Her journey wasn’t just a direct line to get to where she is today.
Over the course of her career, she has always had two different things she relied on.
She has had a general curiosity that has encouraged her to look beyond her current role and explore what more she can do.
The more different opportunities you get can help give you a fuller understanding of what your organization is like.
I love both of these points, because they show just how focused she is on providing value for the companies she has worked for over the years. A lot of people go to work without thinking through things in this way. By gaining a better understanding of the company you work for and exploring new opportunities for them, you can make huge strides in furthering your career.
Vanessa also mentioned that mentors are key.
In addition to mentors in your field, it can also be beneficial to have mentors within your organization that aren’t necessarily in your same department but can help you navigate relationships and the corporate environment.
By focusing on these things, Vanessa was able to land a job with Mattel and move up in the company to where she is today.
A unique role
I introduced Vanessa as the Lead of Development and Creative Experiences, but that is just a title she is using for now… it isn’t official yet.
She went from a clearly defined role within the company to one that doesn’t even have an official title, and I was curious to know how that transition went.
The transition was really something very natural for her, and it came from her being someone who is always looking at new ways she can work within the organization.
While at Mattel, she noticed that there was a huge opportunity they were missing out on. When it came to speakers educating the staff, there hadn’t been any external speakers for a long time. So, she got reconnected with AIGA and was eventually able to cofound a series that brought external speakers to Mattel for education.
Not only has this allowed for more unique education opportunities within the organization, but it has also allowed them to leverage some of these relationships they have developed with prominent people in the design community.
When it came down to it, she simply wanted to help the culture of the company. She surrounded herself with the right people, planted the seeds and the opportunity came.
Fostering creativity
Mattel is a huge corporation with a lot of history, but in talking with Vanessa, I was impressed with their willingness and excitement to bring about new ideas and change.
I’ve often found that large companies have a difficult time with this. But, Vanessa had some words of advice for those looking to adapt and change with the times.
Her biggest piece of advice was to simply look to other companies. If you like what they are doing, reach out and ask them for information or advice. Often times, people simply want to help others, and they will if they are able.
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. You can simply see what others are doing and see how their solutions can fit into your existing culture.
And for designers, she strongly recommends teaming up with your local AIGA chapter. And, always keep your eye out for places to find creative inspiration. They are everywhere.
Advice for others
Don’t be anxious about what is going to happen in your career. Plan it, strategize it, and your manifest it.
Talk to people and ask advice from those you respect. Be genuine. If you are fake, people will be able to see that. But don’t be afraid to reach out and find mentors that can turn into advocates.
Always be curious, even when corporations try to squelch that curiosity.
Continuously allow yourself to learn, and be sure to see if the company you work for has any compensation for continued education or professional development.
I love Vanessa’s advice and her story. I hope this interview inspires you to reach out to other for advice for both your personal career and for your company’s development. If you want to reach out to Vanessa, you can do so through her LinkedIn page. Thank you for listening, and I look forward to next time.
