Award-winning director and producer Ava DuVernay, known for her groundbreaking films like “Selma,” “A Wrinkle In Time,” and “Origin,” didn’t actually start her career behind the camera. She spent years working in public relations before taking the plunge and pivoting in her 30s. Spoiler: it paid off. And she’s got an Academy Award to show for it. To kick off our new season of "9 to 5ish," we spoke to Ava about how she embraced change and found joy in her career.
PS: Ava’s film, “Origin,” will be streaming on demand starting March 12.
In this episode, Ava shares:
Alicia Garza, Principal at Black Futures Lab & Co-creator #BlackLivesMatter: "You have to build the kinds of alliances that are unexpected. You have to build [them] between people who might think they
Kristen Welker, NBC News Chief White House Correspondent and co-anchor of Weekend TODAY: “This is my advice for anyone doing anything scary…. Think about it. Face it. How are you going to be prepa
Jessica Lessin, founder and editor-in-chief of The Information: "I’m kind of all business. One of the things I miss about being in an office...is actually the ability for people to see different sid
Emma Grede, co-founder and CEO, Good American: “I feel like so many women I know will struggle with a salary negotiation…. A lot of the time it's down to not really knowing what the other person's
Priyanka Chopra Jonas, actress, producer, entrepreneur, philanthropist: "For a very long time, I...never dealt with the things I was feeling."
Dr. Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas, co-authors of Humor, Seriously and faculty at Stanford: "Humor creates a window into authenticity and trust."
Rachel Hollis, motivational speaker and author: "I might not know all the things, but I will outwork you."
Maria Sharapova, tennis champion and founder and CEO, Sugarpova: "There were so many times when I stepped on the court and I wasn't the better player, but I won that last point because...I was just me
Tamron Hall, journalist, television host, executive producer: “You can't be afraid of losing it. Be afraid of not being prepared to lose it.”
Naomi Hirabayashi and Marah Lidey, co-founders and co-CEOs, Shine: “The...really important thing we did for one another was...help each other to feel less alone.”
Kara Swisher, host of Pivot and Sway podcasts, co-founder of Recode: "When I have someone try to shut me down by insulting me or calling me bossy or outspoken, that's when I go full in."
Elaine Welteroth, author, former editor-in-chief, Teen Vogue, incoming co-host, "The Talk": "It's not like you apply for the position of making history."
Cindy Crawford, supermodel: "I'm a big fan of faking it till you make it."
Linda Johnson Rice, CEO of Johnson Publishing Company: "A lot of times, there is somebody that you need to listen to that might have a better idea.”
Noura Sakkijha, co-founder and CEO, Mejuri: "The beginning was really hard. I decided to go into therapy at that point because it was really intense.”
Chelsea Hirschhorn, founder and CEO, Frida: "You have to have an aptitude for risk that puts you in a slightly uncomfortable position.”
Ramona Hood, CEO, FedEx Custom Critical: "I felt that if I could not lead [with authenticity] then I wasn’t effective.”
SFTC Election Special: Careers in Politics with Elise Jordan, former NSC communications director, George W. Bush administration
SFTC Election Special: Careers in Politics with Deesha Dyer, former social secretary, Obama administration
Ashley Graham, supermodel, entrepreneur and host of Pretty Big Deal: "People want to [put] you into a box. But it's your decision if you want to go along with the molding or not.”
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