Meredith Shelley McCracken

I attribute my success to very strong communication and a strong focus on collaboration and alignment. No one gets out of this alone. When I started at Getty 9 years ago, it was a very siloed company - very global and spread out by nature, which tends to create silos. It's a lot better now, and a lot of that is my doing - breaking down the silos, making sure people are aligned early and often at the beginning of a project so we're talking across the aisle. I really lean into strong communication, coordination, and collaboration, as well as process and alignment. Process doesn't really get top billing as a factor in success, but when you have really strong operational success and process, it can make a huge difference. I also think my early background in psychology has helped me understand the link between marketing and psychology to drive results, and combining that with data-driven analysis has led to much of my success.

The best career advice I ever received - and I absolutely hated hearing it at the time, yet it's true - is that there's always something you could have done differently. My manager at Audible gave me this advice, and his point was that even if you think you had no role in a mess-up that happened, if you were involved in it, there's something everybody could have done differently. Whether it was earlier communication and alignment on teams, adding another check to a process, or something else - even when you think you've dotted every T and crossed every I, especially as a manager where you're a bit more removed from the details, it's a chance to always look at what you can do differently and better for the next time. I hated hearing it then because I was sometimes only tangentially removed from the mess-up, but it was great advice to always check yourself and ask, 'What can I do differently next time to make the situation better?' It's about recognizing that every situation, whether success or failure, is an opportunity for growth.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to advocate for yourself and communicate clearly. Understand what matters to you, make your accomplishments visible, and don’t be afraid to pursue opportunities. Early in my career, I assumed hard work alone would be recognized—but being bold and confident about your value is essential for growth.

One of the biggest challenges I see in my field today is addressing siloed structures within global organizations—though this also presents a significant opportunity to unify teams and foster more collaboration. I’m also focused on strategies for retaining customers in subscription-based businesses, as loyalty and engagement are critical. Additionally, I’m passionate about leveraging psychological insights alongside data and analytics to drive more effective, targeted marketing.

The values I prioritize in work and life are trust, openness, and authenticity. Trust is essential—whether relying on colleagues or family, it keeps relationships and teams strong. I also lead authentically, sharing challenges and admitting when I don’t have all the answers, because embracing our humanity builds connection and growth.