Mosaic Mentorship: Elizabeth Hewitt Gibson
Mosaic Mentorship brings together perspectives in leadership to guide new and aspiring leaders in your leadership journey. “Mosaic” speaks to the beauty of bringing together multifaceted insights into a cohesive whole – because none of us should do leadership alone. I hope this is a place where you can learn, be inspired, and feel encouraged as you lead your team and grow personally and professionally.
Elizabeth Hewitt Gibson
Director of Philanthropy
I first met Elizabeth nearly 15 years ago, and our professional connection quickly grew into a meaningful friendship. Since then, she has been a steady presence in my life and she continues to be someone I can always rely on.
We often meet for walks or lunches in Southern California, and no matter where we are in our careers or lives, she always brings me belly laughs and a sense of calm. Elizabeth is the kind of mentor who tells you the truth with compassion. She asks thoughtful questions that get you thinking deeply about your purpose, your path, and the kind of leader you want to become.
She has been a pillar of support for me and a trusted guide throughout my journey. I am honored to spotlight her as this month’s Mosaic Mentor.
Say hello to Elizabeth!
Ask Elizabeth:
What’s an uncomfortable but productive conversation about race and gender you wish MORE WORKPLACES WOULD HAVE?
Why is DEI under attack right now in organizations? Who is driving that attack and what is the end goal? We know that diversity, equity and inclusion make business sense in an increasingly global marketplace, even beyond the fact that it is the right thing to do at a visceral level. Target vs. Costco is a real-world case study of understanding your market and the business consequences of removing DEI vs. the rewards of emphasizing it. As business leaders and women, how can we effectively advocate for and communicate the benefits of increasing DEI instead of weakening or removing it, and what the far-ranging ramifications of either choice will be to our businesses, lives and society at large?
What’s a hard truth about being a woman in leadership that no one prepared you for?
We are living in challenging times. Markets and business priorities can change quickly and resilience has become a core survival skill. One thing I have learned through experience is that as a woman in leadership, you may “have it all” but probably not all at the same time and there is no one-size-fits-all strategy. “Lean In” when you can, but different stages and circumstances will call for a variety of solutions.
To survive (and thrive), know:
your core values
what “season” of life you’re in
what you need to achieve financial/physical/ emotional stability
what type of colleagues and work environment you are working with (and what “success” looks like in that context)
how much external support you need and can access
…and take all of these components into consideration to determine your priorities and make career and life decisions.
How can you challenge systemic barriers while still advancing in your own career?
Ideally, we want to be positioned to advance because people know our character, trust our knowledge and judgement, and can rely on our competence. A few small steps everyone can take to improve your prospects:
Strengthen your personal network. Your network can give you perspective, create access to opportunities, and increase your visibility. Who do you most respect (and for what reason) in your personal circle? Who has expertise in areas you may not yet be an expert and who could you approach for advice or as a mentor or sponsor to actively promote your career growth? A supportive network can provide guidance, open doors, and push back against career barriers.
Negotiate. Understand power dynamics, pay attention to trends/market data/best practices, and advocate for and create win-win opportunities (projects, deals, new positions) for yourself and others. Speaking up not only benefits individuals but helps set new norms for leadership teams and organizations.
Be visible. Speak at conferences, publish content in your area of expertise, seek out leadership positions and actively participate in decision-making to reshape perceptions and break stereotypes. Representation matters—each step forward reinforces that women belong in every space of influence.
Elizabeth, thanks for sharing with us! You’ve given us a lot to think about…
PS – Have a question, but no mentor?
Send me your questions on LinkedIn and one of my mentors will be honored to address them in an upcoming post. 💜
