The year 2020 called for a more level playing field for everyone. But Magda Yrizarry has been on this mission for decades.
As the Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Verizon, her role is to expand mentorship and development opportunities for women, people of color, LGBTQ, people with disabilities and neurodiversity, and veterans. But it is also her recognition of the unique role Verizon can play in shaping a brighter future that is the fuel to the fire. When she first joined the Verizon team (then New York Telephone) 30 years ago, she immediately joined the company’s Hispanic Employee Resource Group now known as SOMOS. It more than accelerated her knowledge of the company-it gave her a sense of belonging. Today, this is what she strives to implement for others not only within Verizon’s walls, but out in the world on her own time through mentorship and volunteer initiatives she holds close to her heart.
Discover why Magda pays it forward, her critical advice for women everywhere inspired by the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and what she believes is the only success metric that matters in life.
How did you get to where you are today?
Before moving into HR, I was responsible for Verizon’s strategic alliances but this required a move from NY to DC. While I was there, I had the opportunity to collaborate with Verizon’s Chief Diversity Officer at the time. When he retired, he recommended me for the role. The move to HR was a significant departure from my prior roles. Working in the tech and telecommunications industry made me hyper-aware of the power of technology to transform communities, businesses and individual lives. Driving business success intensified my desire to break down barriers in the DE&I space and commit to creating a more level playing field for everyone.
Tell us about what you are doing now.
As the Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, I work on behalf of all four stakeholders – employees, customers, society and shareholders. We are at the forefront of an industry building a more connected world. With our purpose, scale and global reach, we are uniquely positioned to shape a more equitable future. I also partner with organizations dedicated to building diverse talent pipelines in response to social justice needs.
Women often attribute much of their success to the support from the people they surround themselves with. How do you foster strong professional relationships as you grow in your career?
I’ve had lots of support and encouragement, starting and ending with my husband. We partnered in raising our children, being available to our extended family, and now caring for elderly and ill parents.
Find people who are your advocates and sponsors.
I am also a founding member of 100 Hispanic Women and an alumnus of the National Hispana Leadership Institute, networks of powerful Latinas who serve as role models, sounding boards and confidants. The key to a successful career is finding people who are your advocates and sponsors.
What’s one way you’ve invested in yourself that’s had the most impact over the course of your career?
Paying it forward feeds my soul. Throughout my life as a Girl Scout, church youth group member, Fresh Air Fund kid, student or ASPIRANTE, adults came alongside my single-parent mother and supported me, a total stranger. They didn’t have to, but their investment in me made a difference. I want to do the same. Therefore, my investment in myself is taking time out of my busy personal and professional schedule to volunteer with young people. They inspire me and fill my cup.
How do you view work-life integration, especially now, and what advice can you share with others who may be struggling with it?
With the continued and intense impact of COVID-19, the concept of work-life integration has been pulled apart and pieced back together to reflect a very different reality. I have colleagues juggling video calls while keeping their kids on task or tending to babies and even older parents. I don’t want them to feel like they need to mute their lives to satisfy work.
Give yourself grace.
Kids coming in and out of the screen or dogs barking in the background–that’s all part of what makes us human and it makes us stronger contributors and greater assets. My one piece of advice is to give yourself grace. For now, whatever you can get done in a day is perfect and you can conquer anything un-checked on the to-do list at another point in time.
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?
When the role in DC opened up, my supervisor was on the candidate selection panel. One day, she described the requirements of the role, and I asked why I wasn’t being considered. With my strong family ties in New York, she thought for sure I wouldn’t be interested in a role that required relocation. That was classic typecasting. I went home, spoke with my husband and family, and put my hat in the ring. I would advise other women to write their own script and make sure others know what role you want to play.
What’s one tip you can share or something you’ve learned on how to handle salary negotiations or raises?
Know your value and learn to be comfortable with uncomfortable conversations. Women tend to shy away from the more challenging discussions for fear of being defined as difficult or unworthy of the ask they are making. The best way to prepare is to practice having these conversations with your mentors to ensure you sharpen your key points. You must clearly convey value with examples and articulate what you want from your employer.
Who has helped you in your journey and how did they help shape your career?
Many people have helped me in my career journey, some intentionally and some unintentionally. What has shaped me most is watching others navigate through a difficult conversation and chaos, influence when there’s resistance and even opposition, and extend grace to themselves and others when things don’t go as planned.
What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
I have to offer two because they intersect:
- Never question your place. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg reminded us that “women belong in all places where decisions are being made.” Never let anyone doubt why you are in the room or silence your voice because your contributions are important.
- Challenge the status quo. Katherine Johnson’s mathematical genius wouldn’t have guided astronauts to land on the moon if she was concerned about adhering to the rules. If there’s an obstacle standing in your way, knock it down not only for yourself but for the other women around you.
What does success mean for you?
Success to me is being a good steward of the talents and opportunities that have been given to me and experiencing peace, contentment, and joy for using my abilities to make the world a better place than it would have been if I had not existed. Lastly, and most importantly, having my mother, children, husband, family, and others say I was a blessing to them. That’s the greatest definition of success and the only one that matters in the long-run.
For more of Magda’s perspective and personal experience, check out Adweek’s Hispanic and Latin American Summit where Hispanic and Latino/Latina/Latinx business leaders came together for a live discussion on the community’s biggest challenges and opportunities in today’s environment.
