Navigating the New Corporate "Enlightenment" - with Carla Harris

Straight Up with Bonnie St. John: Real Talk about Climbing The Corporate Ladder

Season 1, Episode 8
The past year has brought about so many changes in the workplace – from working remotely to addressing systemic inequities. People who have never felt that they had a voice within an organization are suddenly being asked to offer their perspectives and ideas for “changing the system.” How can diverse professionals successfully navigate this evolving corporate environment, avoid pitfalls, and maximize their success?

This week, my guest is Carla Harris, Vice Chairman of Wealth Management and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley. As a Black woman, Carla overcame many barriers on her way to becoming one of the most influential senior executives on Wall Street. In this episode, she shares her wisdom, insights, and advice for what it takes to advance, what it means to be authentic, and how to use this moment of “enlightenment” as an opportunity to have a voice and a seat at the table.

Carla has been a huge influence in my life, so I am very excited to share our conversation with you!
Carla Harris is Vice Chairman of Wealth Management and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley. In her 30-year career, Carla Harris has had extensive industry experiences in the technology, media, retail, telecommunications, transportation, industrial and healthcare sectors. In August 2013, she was appointed by President Barack Obama to chair the National Women's Business Council. Harris was named to Fortune Magazine's list of "The 50 Most Powerful Black Executives in Corporate America," US Banker's "Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Finance" (2009, 2010, 2011), Black Enterprise's "Top 75 Most Powerful Women in Business" (2017). She is the past chair of the board of the Morgan Stanley Foundation and of The Executive Leadership Council, and she is a member of the board of overseers of Harvard University and the board of directors of the Walmart Corporation. She's the author of the books Strategize to Win and Expect to Win.

Carla’s passion lies in helping others. She vowed that when she reached senior management and people came to her for advice, she would provide them with the tools, strategies, and pearls of wisdom honed by her own experience. “Carla’s Pearls” have become the centerpiece for her many speeches and television appearances.

Carla is also an accomplished a singer and has released three gospel albums, including Unceasing Praise, Joy Is Waiting, and Carla's First Christmas, which was featured on the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather. She has performed five sold-out concerts at Carnegie Hall.

http://carlaspearls.com/