90. Find a Sponsor Who Will Accelerate and Not Block Your Career with Deb Grant, Former President of The GE Foundation and Chief of Diversity

What makes a great sponsor?

In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Deb Grant, Former President of The GE Foundation, Chief of Diversity, and GE’s first Black female corporate officer. Currently, Deb serves as an Independent Director for Edelman and is the Founder and CEO of Corporate Playbook, a business consulting firm. She also leads Dining With Deb, a unique dining experience that brings professional women together to bridge racial, religious, and political divides through meaningful conversation.

Deb shares how sponsors played a pivotal role in accelerating her career—and how, at one point, her own sponsor nearly blocked her progress. Here are her insights on what makes a great sponsor:

1. Find a sponsor committed to DEI Deb’s sponsor was a senior White male executive leader who prioritized diversity in his leadership team. After receiving feedback on the need for more diversity, he sought out Deb, recognizing her potential, and invited her to work directly under him.

2. Ensure your sponsor gives you feedback Her sponsor helped her grow by meeting with her weekly and providing valuable feedback. He took the extra step of gathering insights from her colleagues, peers, and direct reports to give a well-rounded perspective on her strengths and areas for growth.

3. A good sponsor opens up opportunities Her sponsor entrusted her with high-profile projects and introduced her to senior executives, helping her expand her network and gain visibility with influential leaders.

4. A good sponsor sets you up for promotion He was deliberate in advocating for her promotion, socializing her candidacy with decision-makers and addressing any concerns in advance.

5. Beware of unconscious bias that may block your career When Deb’s promotion was under discussion, her sponsor—despite his support—remarked, “Deb is great, but she needs one more thing to develop.” An African American leader in the room intervened, pointing out that her sponsor was holding her to a higher standard than others. Thankfully, Deb received her well-deserved promotion after this realization.

Thank you, Deb, for sharing your powerful story with us and highlighting how intentional sponsorship can make a difference in accelerating careers.

#WomenLeaders #WomenOfColorRise #Sponsors #GEFoundation

Get full show notes and more information here: https://analizawolf.com/ep-90-find-a-sponsor-who-will-accelerate-and-not-block-your-career-with-deb-grant