Companies That Care

This Verizon Leader Makes Sure Women Don’t Have To Fend For Themselves

This Verizon Leader Makes Sure Women Don’t Have To Fend For Themselves

Miriam Meijers is a tough-talking, no-nonsense manager of sales operations for a wide swath of Western Europe at Verizon, but don't let her impermeable outer exterior fool you. She's just as forceful when it comes to advancing women's careers and diversifying Verizon's workforce overall as she is about acting as the results-driven glue between Verizon's business and sales departments.

"Diversity is the key to having a successful organization. You'll have a more balanced view of the world and good insight into your customer base, because your customers are diverse as well," Meijers tells us. "Women have great listening skills, and that's something that's needed."

Meijers actively contributes to the diversification of Verizon as a board member and vice president of Verizon's WAVE program (Women's Association Verizon Employees) for EMEA, where female leaders organize efforts to assist Verizon employees with professional development. Meijers explains, "We're giving women tools to develop themselves, but it's also about shared experiences. I always used to be one of these women who let others fend for themselves. 'There's a special place in hell for a woman who doesn't help other women.' I thought, that was me. I've always been a giver, but I'd never sought out women."

Through her work with the Cherie Blair Foundation, Meijers continues to expand on her new-found passion for mentorship. There, she partners with female entrepreneurs in developing economies access the skills, technology, networks and financial services they need to become successful. "I've been assigned a mentee in the Philippines," Meijers beams. "She started a business selling strawberry jam and cashews from her own home. She was able to build a relationship with local stores and she registered the company. We work together to see how we can grow her business, and that's very rewarding."

With past lessons fresh in her mind, Meijers is working to make sure other women at Verizon and beyond start their careers helping each other. "I would start seeking out coaches, mentors and sponsors early on in my career. In order to get ahead, you need all three of them. I've got so much experience. I think it's important to share so other women don't make the same mistakes that I've experienced."

Like what you hear? Check out Verizon's open roles here.

You may also like View more articles
Open jobs See all jobs
Author
Author
Check out the schedule for our Career Connections Virtual Job Fair!

Check out the schedule for our Career Connections Virtual Job Fair!

Learn more about what sponsors are participating on September 21st.

Check out the schedule for our free Career Connections 2023 Virtual Job Fair on Thursday, September 21st. Our Main Stage will include a featured speaker from each of the session's sponsors followed by Breakout Sessions where you can get to ask your questions directly to Hiring Managers and Talent Leaders. For our Breakout Sessions, we will have representatives from each of our sponsors, per session, in each room.

Before you attend, be sure to visit our sponsors' PowerToFly pages to see what open roles they are currently hiring for!

Read MoreShow less
What’s left for the human leader in a world of AI?

What’s left for the human leader in a world of AI?

AI is a powerful engine to make bold decisions and drive change. But the decision-maker must still be human.

HR and L&D leaders should see AI as a force for great leadership. But, for its potential to be realized, and its pitfalls avoided, key human qualities – communication, collaboration, empathy, critical thinking, and emotional judgement – must be prominent in all organizations.

AI will support decision-making, but the new “AI super-leader” will still make the decisions, working within a distributed power structure, and taking people with them.

These decisions will demand resolute focus on the business goals and solutions to be served by AI, and not solely on what AI can solve. These will be goals and solutions supported by data on a new scale, shaped and challenged by the human brain.

Read MoreShow less
DEIB in Action

DEIB in Action

How to put your DEIB strategy into action?

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) is the cultural foundation for an organization, where all employees can bring their authentic self to work and be valued for their differences – celebrating people of all sexualities, genders, age, abilities, presentations or background.

For a great many organizations, DEIB has become a senior level, strategic discussion. It goes beyond a moral imperative, or an HR exercise, but really key to their future success.

Read MoreShow less