well as serving as adjunct professor of Diversity , Inclusion and Leadership in communications at Syracuse University , Shanique also runs a lifestyle brand and community , Girlfriends Retreat , which centers women while celebrating the transformative power of friendships .
Shanique finds it hard to pinpoint any one project or outcome she is most proud of , as she sees the work as something that calls on her to show up every day with fresh optimism .
“ Addressing issues that are so personally impactful to people while representing the values of a business has been a deeply fulfilling experience .”
Like so many people in the field , Shanique says she was fully tested as she and her team navigated 2020 , from the pandemic to the racial uprisings , but that she was proud to see so many companies stand up .
As for the future , Shanique stresses the need for companies to continue to lead by example and to strengthen their commitments , specifically around allyship .
“ I encourage people to think about allyship as a verb . We need to move people beyond being hand raisers to becoming active participants in solving problems and bringing new ideas . We all own this work , and it lives in all parts of how our businesses will grow , from marketing to product development , R & D to sales .
“ When we celebrate differences and bring people together to solve big challenges , we can leave an indelible mark for future generations . Together , we can all make a positive impact .” businesschief . com 19