Welcome to another episode of the Pursuit Playbook. Aprileen welcomes Marcia Fray, who currently leads the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives at Warner Music Group - Europe, Middle East, Africa and Emerging Markets. Marcia's journey is anything but linear, as she recounts her career transitions from finance to music, and ultimately to DEI—a path shaped by both professional opportunities and personal life changes. With candid discussions about balancing motherhood with career ambitions, Marcia offers invaluable insights on why DEI became a driving force in her life post-motherhood. Together, Aprileen and Marcia explore the roles of kindness, mentorship, sponsorship, and strategic thinking in building a fulfilling career while navigating through life's unpredictable challenges. 5 Key lessons from the episode: 1. Embrace Career Transitions with an Open Mind: Marcia shares how her career took unexpected turns from finance at Bloomberg and BlackRock to music and DEI at Warner Music UK. Her willingness to say "yes" to new opportunities and openness to pivot proved pivotal in her success. 2. Kindness is a Powerful Professional Tool: Throughout her journey, Marcia emphasises the importance of kindness. Operating from a place of kindness not only fosters a positive workplace but also enhances personal fulfilment and professional relationships. 3. Navigating Motherhood and Career Responsibilities: Marcia gets candid about her struggles with pregnancy and the challenges of balancing new motherhood with career ambitions. She underscores the necessity of support systems and the importance of self-compassion during this period. 4. Leveraging the Power of Mentorship and Sponsorship: Distinguishing between mentors (who provide guidance and advice) and sponsors (who advocate on your behalf), Marcia offers strategies for effectively utilising both to promote career growth and opportunities. 5. DEI as a Strategic Imperative: Marcia speaks to the strategic importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace. Addressing diversity gaps and promoting equal opportunities are essential not only for moral integrity but also for creating a more effective and inclusive business environment. Get to know our Playmakers: Connect with Marcia - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marciafray/ Stay up to date with careers at Warner Music UK: https://wmg.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/WMGGLOBAL Don’t forget to click the subscribe button to find us nextweek and listen to other episodes, actionable advice and insider perspectives only on the Pursuit Playbook! Join the community at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.meetpursuit.com⁠and sign up to our substack at  ⁠https://pursuitplaybook.substack.com⁠. Don’t forget to follow us on IG at @meetpursuit⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/meetpursuit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This is an AiAi Studios Production, recorded by AprileenAlexander in June 2024. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG: @aiai.studios Website: ⁠www.aiaistudios.com⁠