In the dynamic world of creative agencies, where innovation and authenticity reign supreme, Emily Venizelos stands out as a beacon of leadership and inspiration. As the Chief Talent Officer at 72andSunny, Emily spearheads the global talent strategy for a company that collaborates with some of the world’s most iconic brands.

Emily’s passion lies in cultivating an environment that is not just inspirational, but also inclusive and authentic. Her vision is clear: to expand and diversify the creative class, ensuring that voices from all walks of life are heard and valued. Leveraging her expertise in compliance auditing, training and development, and process innovation, Emily empowers her teams to deliver exceptional results for clients and partners alike.

At the heart of Emily’s approach is her role as a trusted confidant, a strategic partner, and a change champion for executive leaders and employees across the globe. She thrives at the intersection of people and process, where her superpowers of creative problem-solving, out-of-the-box thinking, and connective glue truly shine.

Partnering with Leadership and Global Initiatives

When Emily found herself in need of a new job due to her previous company closing its doors, she interviewed at 72andSunny and experienced what she describes as love at first sight. The energy, culture, vibrance, and excitement that emanated from everyone she met drew her in immediately. Twelve years later, all of those initial impressions remain true, and even more vibrant than ever.

Emily began her journey at 72andSunny as the company’s first HR Generalist, a role that was initially met with some confusion. Working under the CFO in payroll and benefits, she quickly found herself under the guidance of the Director of Talent, Sedef Onar, who took her under her wing and taught her the ropes of being an HR business partner in the creative world. As the company grew, so did Emily. She began partnering with leadership, taking on larger responsibilities, including global initiatives, office openings, and driving evolutions in talent offerings. Emily found herself hungry for more challenges, eager to try new things, and committed to growing alongside the company as it scaled.

After over a decade with 72andSunny, Emily’s dedication and growth were recognized when she was appointed Chief Talent Officer, globally. She expresses immense pride in taking on this role in a company she grew up in and loves dearly. Emily’s journey is a testament to the opportunities for growth and development within a company that values its employees’ contributions and fosters a culture of continuous learning and advancement.

Balancing Common Practices and Local Expertise

Emily highlights the importance of considering both scale and local adaptivity when operating on a global scale. She highlights the ethos of her organization, which centers on specific values, practices, and philosophies that guide its operations. These values are not only applied globally but also adapted to local markets to ensure consistency and effectiveness across all offices.

When expanding into local markets, Emily explains the challenge of scaling operations across regions like North America while maintaining a balance between common practices and leveraging the unique abilities of local teams. Rather than having specialists serve only in one location, the goal is to create a scalable approach that allows for shared resources and expertise across all offices.

For Emily, scalability at a global level involves connecting all offices behind the company’s vision and values while adapting these values to meet the needs and preferences of each local market. This approach ensures that the organization maintains a cohesive culture and mission while also respecting the diversity and nuances of different regions. By aligning with the company’s overarching values and goals, each office can contribute to the collective success of the organization while still addressing the unique challenges and opportunities present in their respective markets.

Opportunities Beyond Major Markets

According to Emily, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) isn’t just an initiative at 72andSunny; it permeates how the company approaches everything. The official DEI&B efforts at 72andSunny began back in 2014 when it became the company’s mission to expand and diversify the creative class.

Emily highlights various initiatives that demonstrate the company’s commitment to DEIB, including partnerships like “free the lens,” which ensures that at least one female director is included in the triple bid process. Additionally, the company focuses on ensuring diverse candidates in its hiring pipeline and seeks to hire outside of local markets, providing opportunities for individuals who may not be in major markets to work with them.

While recognizing that the journey towards DEIB is ongoing and that the company isn’t perfect, Emily emphasizes the importance of progress. Reflecting on the strides made and the areas where improvement is still needed, 72andSunny continues to push for betterment and progress in its DEIB efforts. Through continuous reflection and action, the company strives to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for all.

Internal Training Programs and Executive Coaching 

Integrating compliance auditing and training into talent development initiatives at 72andSunny is essential, with training positioned at the center of everything. Emily stresses that in order to ensure the company is a great place to work, learn, and grow, leaders must cultivate growth, provide feedback, set clear expectations, and prioritize training and development.

To support this, 72andSunny has implemented its own training programs and provided leaders with executive coaching. Additionally, the company is working on rolling out a global training platform that offers scalable training for managers. This platform aims to equip managers with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively grow, inspire, and lead their teams. 

Emily’s emphasis on training underscores the importance of continuous learning and development in fostering a positive and supportive work environment. By investing in training initiatives, 72andSunny demonstrates its commitment to empowering its employees and cultivating a culture of growth and excellence.

Automated Workflows and Data Analytics

Emily’s focus on working smarter, not harder, drives her constant exploration of systems and processes that can enhance efficiency and productivity. At the center of this approach is process innovation, continually seeking out the latest tools and practices to streamline operations.

One area of interest for Emily is the latest Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) that can replace existing tools and improve HR processes. She keeps an eye on the market for innovative HRIS solutions that offer advanced features such as automated workflows, data analytics, and integrations with other systems to simplify HR tasks.

Additionally, Emily looks to other companies for inspiration and ideas on process optimization. She actively seeks out what other organizations are doing and ideating, particularly in the HR realm, that could be implemented at 72andSunny. This includes best practices in talent management, employee engagement strategies, performance management systems, and more.

Alignment with Core Values

Emily leverages data, complemented by gut instincts, to provide insights to executives and leaders at 72andSunny. By analyzing various data points such as turnover rates, interview themes, and employee engagement metrics, she keeps her finger on the pulse within the organization. This approach enables the company to understand its internal dynamics and make informed decisions quickly, always grounded in context and common sense.

Fortunately, 72andSunny’s core values, including being ‘born modern’ and having a ‘learner’s stance,’ align well with Emily’s approach. These values encourage experimentation, curiosity, and a willingness to learn and adapt. Emily appreciates how these values foster innovation at every level of the organization, allowing for creative solutions to emerge from unexpected places.

She often encourages others, both within and outside of 72andSunny, to adopt a ‘learner’s stance.’ This mindset encourages individuals to approach challenges with openness and flexibility, embracing possibilities and exploring creative solutions. By adopting a learning mindset, individuals can uncover innovative solutions that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. Emily’s advocacy for this approach reflects her belief in the power of curiosity and adaptability in driving meaningful change and innovation.

Promoting a Supportive Work Environment 

Emily sees herself as the “connective glue” at 72andSunny, operating at the intersection of people and processes. She emphasizes the importance of getting to know the individuals she works with on a personal level. By understanding their challenges, work preferences, and projects, she can tailor processes to better suit their needs. 

Emily believes that understanding the people she works with fosters better connections between teams, across offices, and within different disciplines. This approach not only enhances collaboration but also promotes a supportive and inclusive work environment. 

At 72andSunny, personal growth and creative self-expression are central to the company’s ethos. Emily’s team is dedicated to ensuring that every employee experiences growth, mentorship, and skill development that will benefit them throughout their lives. She firmly believes that when individuals are thriving and growing, the organization as a whole thrives. 

By prioritizing the well-being and development of its employees, 72andSunny creates a culture where individuals feel valued, empowered, and inspired to reach their full potential. Emily’s commitment to fostering personal and professional growth reflects the company’s dedication to nurturing talent and driving success from within. 

Embracing Continuous Learning and Growth 

Emily champions a culture of innovation at 72andSunny, encouraging the team to explore what other organizations are doing and identify areas for improvement and innovation. She believes that by leading from a mindset of endless possibilities, the team can experiment, trial new approaches, and achieve remarkable results. 

To support innovation and create a great place to work, Emily advocates for offering comprehensive support to employees. This includes providing opportunities for learning and development, mentorship programs, access to resources and tools, and fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment where ideas are welcomed and valued. 

Emily’s hope for 72andSunny is that the company continues to evolve its programs, approaches, and offerings to push the boundaries of innovation for its employees. She envisions a workplace where continuous learning, growth, and iteration are embraced, allowing individuals to thrive and succeed. By maintaining a culture of innovation and support, 72andSunny can remain a destination where employees feel empowered to unleash their creativity and achieve their full potential.