We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sienna Jackson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Sienna, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
My optimism comes from a career filled with diverse experiences working with incredible people and organizations. As a two-time founder, consultant, and producer, I’ve had the chance to explore the worlds of entertainment, music, and social impact, always looking for ways to combine creativity with purpose.
In the entertainment and music industries, I’ve been lucky to work on projects that have both entertained and inspired people globally. My work on Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominated soundtracks with artists like Pharrell Williams, Taylor Swift, and U2 has shown me how art can shape culture and spark important conversations.
This passion for using storytelling and creativity to make a difference led me to start Zoran Creative Strategy in 2020. Through Zoran, I help mission-driven organizations define their goals, build partnerships, and create powerful stories, showing me how much can be achieved when passion and strategy work together.
As CEO and Co-Founder of Nortera, I’m learning every day, and creating a business that will tackle big problems faced by large companies, especially in areas like employment law and HR compliance. Our innovative software will give leaders the tools to manage risk and show their commitment to diversity and inclusion with real data.
Outside of my businesses, I’m deeply involved in organizations like Knock Out Abuse West, Social Value International, and Social Value United States. I’m also a member of the National African American Insurance Association, and AnitaB.org, which drive diversity and inclusion in the insurance industry and tech, respectively. Collaborating with others in these groups helps us all make a bigger impact and advocate for a more equitable and inclusive world.
Ultimately, I’m optimistic because I believe we all have the power to create change, no matter how difficult things seem. By combining our creativity, passion, and resources, we can build a better future together. I believe that all of the problems that we face are man-made, so naturally there’s a man-made solution to every problem.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Right now, I’m focused on growing my consulting practice as well as my tech startup Nortera. However, I’m a big believer that life is about balance: you can’t pour out of an empty cup, so I enjoy travel, art, going to live shows and spending quality time with my friends. Lately I’ve gotten really into weightlifting, and I used to do martial arts. I also really love writing science fiction. Having various creative and physical outlets fuels and recharges my brain and makes me more effective as a leader.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Connection – I think people feel a lot of apprehension towards “networking” but the first (and only) boss I ever worked for, a lovely man named Richard Glasser, told me this: “always treat your ‘relationships’ like friendships.” As in, don’t look to other people as a means to an end, but truly value them, their time and their perspectives. I truly enjoy meeting and getting to know other people, and if down the line I find ways to collaborate with those connections I’ve made over the years, great!
Collaboration – my father is a director and producer in television, as well as a photographer and visual artist. He has a saying that builds on the first quote I mentioned: he practices “the Art of Collaboration.” That art is how you work and interact with people and get the best out of them, really setting a team up for success.
Creativity – this is the animating force that drives all of my work, even after leaving the entertainment industry. Constraint breeds creativity, and problem solving is an inherently creative endeavor.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
If I’m having a rough or overwhelming day, or if my tasks are stacking up and there’s not enough hours in the day, I tell myself that “tomorrow’s problems are for tomorrow’s Sienna,” and I keep it pushing. I think we can all benefit by showing ourselves a little more grace and understanding.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.zorancreativestrategy.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siennajackson/
Image Credits
Capturely
