Our CEO Hillary Spreizer contributed to an article at Twin Cities Business Journal. Three business leaders contributed to the article. Here is what Hillary shared:

Hillary Spreizer, CEO and Owner of The Latitude Group, brings a nuanced perspective shaped by years of executive advisory work. She cautions against assuming that the decline of formal DEI programs means the disappearance of their underlying values.

“DEI programs declining doesn’t mean there isn’t a residual understanding of their benefits within a lot of organizations,” Spreizer says. While the structures may be less visible, the people who believed in them often remain — the key is to identify and engage with them intentionally.

“Who’s in the room that can mentor you or help you advance?” she asks. Just as important is how leaders talk about their own contributions. Spreizer urges women to actively brand their accomplishments and articulate the outcomes they’ve delivered: “What would people say about what you’ve delivered?”

Spreizer echoes Lawless’ emphasis on branding and visibility, noting that the dynamics of influence haven’t changed — even if the mechanisms have. “The law of attraction hasn’t changed, and we live in a world of social media,” she says. “Post what you’re achieving; post what you want to know more about.”

As Spreizer’s insights highlight, in today’s environment, advancement often hinges on clarity: clarity about one’s value, direction and impact, communicated consistently and confidently. In the absence of formal advancement programs, access increasingly flows through relationships and reputation — dynamics that reward clarity and courage as much as competence.

Read the full article, with insights from all three business leaders, here.