02: First Work Friends

Oct 9

Episode 2: First Work Friends:
There for Our Good, Bad and Ugly
With guest, Jill Braff

In this new episode, Elizabeth is joined by her longtime friend and former colleague, Jill Braff. They reminisce about their early days in advertising at a small agency in New York City, where they navigated the challenges of being new in their careers and building lasting connections. Today, Jill, is a highly accomplished leader in the digital and entertainment industries. She shares insights from her impressive journey, highlighting the power of first work friends, mentorship, and evolving through the years as professionals, mothers, and friends.

Together, they cover:

Early Career Memories: The duo recalls their early workdays at an agency specializing in children’s toys and games. They share stories of learning on the job, staying up late, scavenging leftover lunches, and dealing with first-day crises, all while forming a deep bond that transcended work.
The Power of First Work Friends: The conversation references a New York Times article titled "The Magic of Your First Work Friends" by Emma Goldberg, which resonated for both. Elizabeth and Jill reflect on how these relationships serve as both professional and personal lifelines in navigating the world in your twenties.
Jill’s Journey in Digital and Entertainment: After starting in advertising, Jill took a bold leap, moving across the country to work for Nintendo in her early 20s. From there, her career trajectory skyrocketed as she led marketing for major players in the entertainment industry, including Nintendo, Sega, HSN, Ellen Digital Ventures and more.
Navigating Male-Dominated Industries: One of the themes Jill touches on is the importance of finding a seat at the table in industries traditionally led by men. She talks about how she balances being a decisive business leader while embracing her femininity, and how these experiences have shaped her leadership style.
Mentorship and First Bosses: The importance of mentorship is emphasized, particularly through their shared experience working for Paul Kurnit, a founding partner of Griffin Bacal. Both Elizabeth and Jill recall how he empowered young people and valued their input, helping set the tone for their future successes.

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