Adrianne C. Smith
Senior Vice President and Senior Partner, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at FleishmanHillard, and Founder of Cannes Can: Diversity Collective
Adrianne C. Smith, Senior Vice President and Senior Partner, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at FleishmanHillard and Founder of Cannes Can: Diversity Collective
Those that dismiss diversity simply as an industry buzzword clearly have not met Adrianne C. Smith, who speaks passionately about the power of D&I, not just in the creative industries, but on wider culture and identity too. Here she shares insights into how it can, and indeed must, be woven into the “nervous system of organizations” everywhere.
How would you describe your role as an elevator pitch?
I’m Senior Vice President and Senior Partner, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at FleishmanHillard and Founder of Cannes Can: Diversity Collective.
What does a day-to-day look like for you?
As the recently appointed CDIO, my role is to execute the diversity, equality and inclusion strategy previously put into place, as well as make sure DE&I is embedded into the nervous system of the organization.
What impact has D&I had on the creative industry?
The industry is about storytelling. DE&I efforts have made these stories more authentic. These efforts have provided access to people who have traditionally been excluded, to now be included, to tell their stories and do creative work from their lived experiences and not someone else’s.
How important is it that we make space for D&I in the agency model?
There is power and responsibility in the hands of all creatives. Whether we like it or not, people take social cues to establish their own from the work that we produce. As creatives and storytellers, we have a responsibility to make sure that anyone who is exposed to our work can see the common humanity in it. Everything we do should be an authentic representation of who we are. And when possible, allow people to see themselves, so they feel like they are included and like they belong.
What’s been a career highlight for you so far?
Creating the Cannes Can: Diversity Collective and CC:DC’s Inkwell Beach:2021.
How would you combat or address performative D&I action?
If there is to be sustainable change in any organization’s culture, there’s no space for performative action. Reactionary symbolic gestures are akin to putting a Band-Aid on a severe stab wound. We have to do more. We have to get to the core of the issue and help change the mindset and hearts of the individuals. We have to educate our team members and change internal policies to achieve the change we want to become, not just post a black box on social media channels.
Tell us more about Cannes Diversity Collective?
I am bringing the Cannes Can: Diversity Collective experience to Martha’s Vineyard from August 10-12th. Since we could not physically go to Cannes this year, our goal is to bring the creative conversations back to the original Inkwell Beach.
What’s next for you, what are you currently working on?
My secret goal is to write a book on DE&I.
Has the last year in particular seen a positive change?
The last year has given DE&I efforts another life. Now that it has become a global movement, we have the opportunity to make sustainable change for the world.
Interview by: Katy Pryer / Photography by: Crystal Blake
Visit Cannes Can: Diversity Collective
