Jeanette works for Beam Suntory in a senior global marketing role and is a senior director for the House of Courvoisier. She is also an active ally in driving Beam Suntory’s diversity, equity and inclusion agenda. Born in South Africa, she moved to the UK 22 years ago and lives in London.

The Starting Point

Jeanette’s biggest personal challenge came at the start of her career. Her parents instilled a sense of independence and self confidence in her and her two sisters. “We were strong and independent. I entered the workforce as a very confident young woman capable of anything.”

Yet the drinks industry was male-dominated back then. This caused Jeanette to question “how I should behave.” She was encouraged to adopt “more masculine traits” and be “more aggressive in the boardroom.” She admits that she “really struggled to fit in”.

Times have changed. No longer is it a question of fitting into a grey corporate mould but more that firms now “actually look at the strengths people bring to a business.”

Jeanette has taken stock of her career. She realises that “I had lost myself because I didn't really know who I was.” She knew she delivered and that she was a “really good employee” but she was told to be more challenging & assertive.

Maybe it’s an age thing but she now understands the value she brings to the table and knows she does not have to comply with someone else’s mould.

Being True to Yourself 

Jeanette is determined that others should not have to repeat her experience. With HR, she has helped set up an employee impact group across her company and also mentors 12 women. Her aim is simple: “to help them find their voice and to be true to themselves.”

The value of this is obvious. To give women, often younger colleagues, the chance to “have somebody that they can speak honestly to.”

One in Particular

Jeanette also had someone she could speak honestly to, a “really great mentor” who was her first boss in the UK yet, “I really felt I could speak openly to her.” Jeanette says this “was the first time I could ever really voice what was going on inside.”

Jeanette believes the strength of this relationship with her boss, now a friend, was down to one characteristic: listening. “I think what was special about her is that she really listened. “I often think, when facing a challenge “what would Kate do about this?”

Find the Joy, Don’t Follow the Money

“Finding your joy and just being true to it” is the best advice she could give to her younger self. Above all, “ Don't do it for the money. The money will follow.”  

Breaking the Bias

It is through ‘challenge’ that Jeanette believes we can break down bias. Also, learning and “being open to learning.” She says teenage children are great for this, “a fantastic learning ground.” “My teenagers are so much more open to the world and to difference.”

Looking back to when she started her career, she can see that the world is now so much “more accepting of people's differences”. And long may that continue.