Carole Munroe: Think about all women, not just those who may look like you

In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, this is one of a series of profiles highlighting just a few of the impressive accomplishments alumnae of Grady College are making in their respective industries. For other profiles, please visit any of those listed below:

            Maureen Clayton

            Becca Hannan

Carole Munroe is a Senior Director of Brand Communications at Hilton Worldwide. Before that, Munroe worked at Walt Disney Parks & Resorts as a Director of Content Relations. She collaborated with LucasFilm on the reintroduction of the Star Wars movie franchise in Disney Parks and leading up to and the opening of Star Wars Land and with James Cameron and Jon Landau on the premiere of Pandora, which is The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Currently, Monroe serves on the Grady Society Alumni Board. Among her accolades, Munroe was awarded the 2015 Pat Tobin Media Professional Award which is the NABJ’s highest award to a public relations professional.

Grady College: How has your Grady education helped you in your career?

Carole Munroe: My Grady education has been an ongoing part of my success as a journalist, publicist and marketing professional. These professions converge around capabilities of storytelling, information distribution and strategic thinking, all of which I learned at Grady and continue to excel as a result of having such a strong foundation.

GC: What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned as a female leader?

CM: “To thine own self be true.” I’ve learned to be comfortable in my own skin. Remember, ‘there will never be another you’ and that’s for a reason — because each of us has our own unique gifts to contribute. I’ve also learned the power of team work and diversity.  Team work is about everyone having a key role based on their strengths. It’s better to let others thrive by their strengths rather than dilute the results by trying to do it all oneself. I have been more successful developing and working with cohesive teams than individually.

GC: Have there been any challenges to being a female leader in your field? How do you overcome those challenges?

CM: Yes, there have been lots of challenges! As a female leader who is also African American, I’ve had the challenge of having people judge me before seeing me or getting to know me. This can happen while even applying for a job, and it can be very subtle! Women and men have to be on the lookout for this kind of shortsightedness and subtle bigotry, because people like that do not make good leaders and, in the long run, have limited success.

GC: Any advice for Grady students who aspire to be in a leadership position?

CM: When you are in a leadership role, remember it is a servant’s role. You are there to serve, to inspire, and to help your people grow. If you do these things your team will work hard and will help you succeed because they believe in you.

GC: Are there any other comments you care to share about Grady College or women in leadership?

CM: On International Women’s Day, I want to encourage all women to think about ALL women, not just those who may look like you.  Think “Sisters in Leadership.” As women, no matter our color, we have great things in common. However, I think we also have biases that keep us from experiencing all the strength that women in leadership can bring to bear. So, be a sister to the woman who might be having a harder time than you because she’s also dealing with race, size, sexual or male chauvinist bigotry, or she just might be really shy or socially awkward. She just might be the smartest person in the room, so don’t count her out and be sure to include her.