Carta’s Mallick Uses Own Exclusion to Drive DEI

Mita Mallick’s story begins at a young age—she was the dark-skinned girl with a “funny” sounding name who brought lunches to school that did not look like the rest. And her classmates let her know it. Today, Mita is using her story of exclusion to drive inclusivity. She is the Head of Inclusion, Equity and Impact at Carta and formerly was the Head of Inclusion and Cross-Cultural Marketing at Unilever. Mita has had an extensive career as a marketer in the beauty and consumer product goods space, working at companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Avon, and was recently named a LinkedIn Top Voice. Her superpower of marrying storytelling and inclusivity is the foundation of her success, despite facing career obstacles such as once being put on a “Mommy Track” after becoming a mom. Regardless, Mita does not take her experience lightly—she is on a journey of gratitude and is focused on finding career sponsors to continue supporting her career, after the wise words of WW CBO Gail Tifford. For more on Mita’s story, read on to find out more about her passion for storytelling, why she took on the “less glamourous roles” that no one else wanted, and her take on why career sponsors are just as critical as mentors if not more. How did you get to where you are today? Growing up, I never “fit in” and I was hardly ever included. I was bullied both verbally and physically growing up by my peers for many years. They let me know every day I didn’t belong in their community. I became a storyteller because I wanted to see the stories of more people who looked like me be told. Throughout my career, I have always carried those experiences of being excluded because others perceived me to be different. I am driven to change that for all of us; to challenge who we are not including and understand and educate ourselves on why. I want to empower others to see the role they must play in being inclusive leaders. How do you foster strong professional relationships as you grow in your career? Fostering strong professional relationships is the work you have to put into any relationship. It’s about being intentional and showing up for the other person. It’s been hard during the pandemic as a working mother to stay in touch. I have focused on texts to check in, sharing articles they might find of interest, and sending them a thinking of you gift (some of my current favorites from women owned businesses include: Partake Foods, Omsom,Tea Drops). What’s one way you’ve invested in yourself that’s had the most impact over the course of your career? What about within the past year? Throughout the course of my career, I have gone after and taken the assignments no one else wanted. The roles that at the time were viewed as less glamorous, less high profile, less impactful. I went into each of these roles and gave it my all and made it my own. When I moved on, I knew I had made an impact because there were a number of people waiting to replace me in roles that once upon a time no one else wanted. This past year with the pandemic has really reinforced for all of us to let go of the job descriptions, and your biases of what industries you would never work in. Go where you can learn, make impact, be respected, and be fulfilled. How do you view work-life integration, especially now, and what advice can you share with others who may be struggling with it? We live in an attention seeking economy, and we get what we want when we want (ie: ordering on UberEats, binge watching Netflix). And while we do this, we fail to understand that we cannot treat ourselves like any of those apps or devices, which are on 24/7 and when it crashes it just needs a simple reset. We need to disconnect. We need to recharge, refuel, and re-energize. Find those moments during the day and don’t let go of them. For me, it could be a few minutes scribbling in my journal while sipping a cup of tea, going for a quick walk, or drawing with my children. Can you recall a situation where you've dealt with typecasting in the workplace? And what advice do you have for other women on how to overcome typecasting at work? I remember once being recommended for a job that required travel. My then manager had said to me, “You can’t do that job. You have two young kids at home.” He wouldn’t approve me interviewing for the internal role, which would have been a promotion. I wish I had the courage to ask: Who gave you permission to slow down my career? Find the allies who will stand up for you, who will stand with you. If I had been a working father, with no question, I would have been allowed to interview for that role, and most likely would have gotten it. My advice for other women to overcome typecasting at work: find the allies who will stand up for you, who will stand with you, and allies will fight for your career aspirations. What’s one tip you can share or something you’ve learned on how to handle salary negotiations or raises? I once went to a former boss to ask to have my salary reviewed. I knew I was being underpaid and had done my research as to why. I went in to lay the groundwork for a potential raise. His response: "Mita, you and your husband make more than enough money." I was stunned into silence. I wish I had the courage to ask him: What does my husband’s salary have to do with my contributions? Oddly enough, a few months later, I received a modest bump in my paycheck with no explanation. It didn’t matter, because I left the organization shortly after that. I couldn’t stay where I knew I wasn’t being compensated fairly for my talent. My biggest lesson is when you know you are being undervalued, stand up for yourself. And if your leader doesn’t recognize your worth, find an organization that will. Who has helped you in your journey and how did they help shape your career? One of my biggest career sponsors has been Gail Tifford, WW Chief Brand Officer. Gail once asked me a question that changed the course of my career: Do you know who is talking about you and fighting for your career when the doors are closed? It was in the moment that I realized that I was over mentored and under sponsored. I realized that I was over mentored and under sponsored. Mentorship is important, and I continue to have many mentors in my life. But sponsorship is the game changer. A career sponsor is a leader who works in your organization, is typically 2 levels above you, and will use their social and political capital to help advance your career. They will do this because they know your contributions and value and see your potential. They will get you access to other Executive Leaders, provide you with candid and actionable feedback, and put your name forward for roles you didn’t even know existed. I wouldn’t be where I am today in my career without sponsors like Gail. What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Jonathan Atwood, one of my other career sponsors, always reminds me that stories have the power to create change. Always tell your story, that’s what people will remember. By telling your story, you will inspire someone else to share theirs. It will cause a tidal wave of truth tellers who will be emboldened to be the change. What does success mean for you? I have been on a mission to rediscover gratitude this year. If we all want to find success, it starts with finding gratitude. I am focused on being happy and grateful for what I have, while I continue to pursue what comes next. WW Chief Brand Officer On Why Taking Career Steps Back Is a Good Thing

Women Trailblazers

Carta’s Mita Mallick Is Using Her Experience of Exclusion to Drive Inclusivity

Head of Inclusion, Equity and Impact shares her powerful childhood story and career learnings along the way

Luz Corona

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