Disney has quite a bit to have fun proper now.
The Walt Disney Firm simply kicked off its a hundredth anniversary. Walt Disney World is wrapping up its 18-month-long fiftieth anniversary celebration. Extremely anticipated rides like Tron Lightcycle / Run and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind are considerably upping Disney World’s thrill issue. Disney Cruise Line is including a brand new ship to its fleet and making ready to welcome visitors to its latest personal island, Lighthouse Level, subsequent yr. And Disney World not too long ago struck a take care of its six forged member unions to lift the minimal wage from $15 to $18 an hour by the tip of 2023.
These are all large milestones. Nonetheless, there may be one other milestone that’s simply as vital and instantly influences every of the achievements talked about above: For the primary time in Disney’s historical past, all 4 Disney World theme parks are being led by ladies.
From the opening of Disney World’s latest land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, to overseeing the multiyear transformation of Epcot, these ladies have put numerous hours into making Disney World what it’s in the present day.
What higher time than Ladies’s Historical past Month to have fun their accomplishments throughout the firm, study what conjures up them, see how they encourage one another and provides them the fanfare they so rightfully deserve?
TPG not too long ago had the possibility to talk with Jackie Swisher, vp of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Sarah Riles, vp of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, about their half on this monumental second in firm historical past.
Along with Melissa Valiquette, vp of Magic Kingdom, and Kartika Rodriguez, vp of Epcot, these ladies are setting a brand new precedent for Disney management.
The trail to the highest
Although they’re every on the helm of various parks now, every lady has held various roles throughout her tenure at Disney. Riles and Swisher each started their careers in Disney’s skilled internship program with industrial engineering roles. At Disney, this may imply every thing from planning new sights to day-to-day park operations.
“Industrial engineering at Disney is so distinctive,” Swisher instructed TPG. “Throughout my internship, I fell in love with being part of Disney’s imaginative and prescient of making happiness.”
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As Swisher progressed by way of varied back-of-house roles in operations, she turned fascinated with bringing happiness to Disney visitors in a management function. “I knew I might use my talent set to create a broader affect by main a group and bringing happiness to visitors that means,” Swisher stated.
She gained the data she wanted by taking up roles main Disney World’s textile companies and worldwide security companies groups earlier than touchdown her present function as vp at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Riles, alternatively, credit her path at Disney to her sense of curiosity. “If a job opened, I raised my hand, and I went for it,” she stated.
This led her to roles in costuming, sights, trip planning and others earlier than returning to guide the economic engineering group. “Among the finest issues about working for Disney is you can attempt so many various paths and discover what you really like to do,” she added.
Their colleague Valiquette began her profession at Disney as a visitor relations hostess at Magic Kingdom. After transferring up the ranks — together with a stint as vp of Epcot — she got here full circle to her function as vp of Magic Kingdom.
Their inspiration
When requested if they’d any function fashions that made them see an esteemed management function like those they maintain now as a chance, each Swisher and Riles credited their moms as major sources of inspiration.
Swisher’s mother ensured she and her siblings knew the sky was the restrict. “My mother spent a variety of time ensuring we knew that we might do something,” she shared.
Riles’ mom equally inspired her. “My mother stored us very centered on faculty and dealing arduous and made certain I knew that any door might open for me,” she stated.
Some notable feminine leaders embody Erin Wallace, the previous head of Magic Kingdom, and Meg Crofton, the previous president of Walt Disney World.
Recommendation for future leaders
In that vein, Riles and Swisher shared some recommendation for different ladies fascinated with management roles. “You spend a lot time at your job. It’s a must to discover one thing you might be captivated with and sit up for while you get up each day,” Riles stated. “Discover your strengths and pursue a profession that performs to your items.”
Swisher agreed and added that you must all the time be asking for suggestions. “Ask your friends and leaders for suggestions,” she stated, “Ask how one can proceed to develop and enhance.”
Now, they — together with Valiquette and Rodriguez — have the chance and the duty to encourage the following era of feminine management at Disney.
The ladies work in an especially collaborative and supportive atmosphere the place they will lean on and study from each other. All of them have totally different items and talent units, and so they acknowledge that collectively they’re stronger.
These ladies have made vital achievements, however Riles hopes they are going to be remembered for greater than breaking obstacles.
“I hope our legacy is that we have been all united as one group of girls,” Riles stated.
It is all the time inspiring to fulfill robust feminine Disney characters like Merida and Tiana within the parks. Nonetheless, these 5 ladies are real-world examples that desires are greater than fairy tales. With a variety of arduous work – and a little bit pixie mud – you can also make your desires come true.
