Christina Mancini has a renowned career.
The CEO of the non-profit Black Girls Code has worked at a 20th century studio (formerly 20th Century Fox) for over 13 years and has risen to the rank of executive vice president. She then first spent over five years at Salesforce, being chief marketing officer and then as chief engagement officer. She was appointed in 2023 to her current role at BGC.
“I was really fortunate,” Mancini told CNBC that to Make Make at the Fast Company Innovation Festival in September. “I had an incredible mentor and sponsorship that helped me accelerate my career.”
There is something particularly stand out, she said: John Herbert, former chief information officer of a 20th century studio.
“The IT executives assigned to me didn’t take me seriously.”
In 2015, Mancini was tasked with deepening fan engagement with 20th century properties, particularly by connecting with fans digitally. But she needed the skill to do that.
“The IT executive assigned to me was struggling because he wasn’t taking me seriously,” she said, adding, “I needed technology. I had to test it and he wouldn’t help me.”
So she began to find workarounds.
“If you continue doing that, the CIO will ultimately visit you in your office,” she said. “Fortunately, rather than punishing me for that, John asked, what was I trying to achieve?”
When Herbert realised Mancini’s mission and constraints, he helped her get the skills she needed. “He also introduced me to these high-tech organizations, such as HP and Microsoft,” she said. “It really led me to find my footing in high-tech landscapes.”
John asked, what was I trying to achieve?
Christina Mancini
CEO, Black Girls Code
Without a referral from Herbert, she said, “I don’t think I would have been on the Microsoft campus as a marketing executive who would pitch a fan engagement platform.”
In 2015, HP sponsored a platform for fan engagement that supports “Avatar” movies.
Mancini believes there is a central difference between mentorship and sponsorship. Mentors listen to complaints and help mentees strengthen their resume, she says. The sponsor will take you to your room where you can make your own connections.
That’s what Herbert did for her, she says.
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