SHOCEO^® Reading for Success: 4 (Four) Minutes.

For this edition of the She’s Her Own CEO^® Interview Series, we are excited to introduce you to VP and Editorial Director, Diane di Costanzo!

Diane di Costanzo is the VP Editorial Director of The Foundry, the branded content division of Meredith Corp. Throughout her career, she has worked as a magazine editor (Self, Healthy Living, Martha Stewart, Esquire) and as a writer, published by The New York Times, Vogue, InStyle, Country Living, Cottages & Gardens, and more. In 2019, she was named one of Folio’s Top Women in Media. Diane is also the Editorial Director of Millie magazine, all about women and money.

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®: Hi Diane, it is such a pleasure to speak with you today! Please share some of your early career experiences that have contributed to your professional success.

Diane di Costanzo: It was always clear to me that I would work as a writer and an editor. After college, I enrolled in NYU’s Publishing Institute, with the goal of landing a job at a book publisher. After a few years at Simon & Schuster, I moved to magazines (Esquire, Self and others) and then to every channel that emerged: early days on the internet (Time Inc.), video, branded content, apps, enewsletters and… who knows what’s next? Short answer is that I found a focus early on—and stuck with it, evolving as media evolves.

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO®: On ShesHerOwnCEO.com, we often talk about how one can best Lead, Provide, and Create™. Each of us, in our respective world, has opportunities to Lead Ourselves, to Provide for Others, and Create for the Larger World.

Please share with me your favorite example of how you Lead, Provide, and Create™ in your professional and/or personal world!

Diane di Costanzo: Currently, I’m most proud of leading a super-talented team of Millie magazine editors. We saw a massive white space around women and money as an audience and topic. We were supported by Meredith Corp to launch the magazine (and now digital channels) in a new way and with a team based in branded content. It’s been so gratifying to conceive, launch and promote a new brand!

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO: Being the CEO of your world can take many forms (for example, volunteering in your community, holding a formal corporate position, engaging in creative pursuits, or being a reliable mom/sister/daughter).

Diane, in your opinion, what is the best way to achieve success and to become the boss of your world?

Diane di Costanzo: At least in the media world, no one achieves alone. No one is heard and supported—let alone successful—without allies and advocates. I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by open-minded, curious and trusting colleagues and managers, who never say things like, “Oh that’s not the way it’s done.” I try to pay them back by being open-minded, curious and trusting, as well. Oh, and kind. For me, at the end of every day, kindness is the thing that matters most.

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO: Any additional advice you can share with motivated, aspirational professionals?

Diane di Costanzo: It’s never too late to try something new! Last year, for the 2019 U.S. Open, I took a week off from my day job and worked as a reporter—on court, filing stories back in the press room, clocking out after midnight at times. Heaven!

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®: Thank you for sharing your career story, Diane!

Looking for even more #CEO inspiration?  Check out my other #CEO interviews and be sure you’re subscribed below.

Kathryn

 

Learn more about Diane’s work below:

Portfolio: https://dianedico.squarespace.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianedico/

Writing for Tue/Night: https://tuenight.com/author/diane_di_costanzo/