• by Lisa Singer , Staff Writer, January 8, 2024

Behind the Scenes with Jerri DeVard

BECA's Jerri DeVard talks staying true, making sacrifices and having the power to ask why.

I've had the opportunity to connect with and learn from executives of major brands at MediaPost's Insider Summits. In the process I've discovered some truly impressive women -- not only for the work they do, but their stories behind the scenes. With Brand Insider: BTS, I get to pull back the curtain on some of the most influential women marketers as they talk about their path to success: the twists and turns, obstacles, inspirations and the valuable lessons learned along the way.

“There's a conga line of men outside my door, telling me what they want, when they want it, and how they want it. And, as women and people of color, we tend to be much more concerned about whether or not we've earned it…and want validation from others. So I think that if we can get more of that moxie, that I deserve it and ask for it and tell people what you want, that would be a much better thing than sitting back and waiting for someone to tell you.” Jerri DeVard certainly has plenty of moxie and then some. The Black Executive CMO Alliance (BECA) founder has never been one to sit back, an innate confidence she credits her mom for. In this episode of Brand Insider: BTS, Jerri talks about the importance of speaking up and asking the difficult questions, whether advocating for one’s career or diversity within your organization. She also explains why she no longer indulges in “guilty pleasures,” refuses to make excuses, and reveals a simpatico connection with Auntie Mame! You can watch the entire conversation here: