NYWIFT Blog

By Maura Garnett

Welcome to NYWIFT, Gina Moore-Herring!

Writer, Filmmaker, and Digital Content Creator Gina Moore-Herring is a proud New Yorker and graduate of NYU where she studied Digital Communication & Media. Gina, also known as “G”, started her creative journey in the Fashion Industry in production, and as a designer. Her dream job with Calvin Klein led her to Gerber Technology where she worked for 10 1/2 years learning the importance of technology in global business. Her “can do” fearless approach allowed her to build lifelong business networks and travel the world. It is also the catalyst to spearheading her own consulting company, where she uses her business savvy skills to work with corporations, large and small, saving them time and money through her strategic, transformative thinking.

Gina is also a Certified Change Management Practitioner through the Prosci Organization. With over 25-years of consulting experience in Corporate America, Gina has brought about effective organizational change with sustainable solutions. 

Gina’s NYU education nurtured her communication, media, filmmaking, and marketing skills. Her writing, editing and directing style is unparalleled, and while being an actor was not something she aspired to be, her goofy, animated and full of life personality, alongside her passionate drive, pushed her to cultivate the artistic vision by getting in front of the camera. Her short films are a testament to her ability to creatively convey messaging for herself and others through image branding and engaging storytelling.   

Gina’s short documentary The Warmth of the Sun has received great praise. Her goal is to turn it into a full feature film. The documentary was created to provide a glimpse into the life of her sister, Brenda, who found a way to inspire others through tragedy.  This film will make you laugh and cry, while it educates and inspires, because this story, is not just another AIDS tragedy.

Let’s get to know Gina. 

 

 

How would you describe yourself in a brief elevator pitch? 

I’m a sustainable business transformation strategist with over 25 years of experience in corporate America. As a 2022 NYU graduate in Digital Communications & Media, I now thrive as a writer, filmmaker, content creator, and graphic artist.

My unique blend of creative and technical background fuels my advocacy for amplifying the voices of women and supporting feminist principles. Creating impactful content that entertains, educates, and inspires, is my dedication to fostering awareness and driving social change through the compelling narratives of women in the business world.

 

 

What brought you to NYWIFT?

A colleague recommended I apply for membership at NYWIFT, and I began my research on the organization’s mission and the benefits of joining. As a filmmaker passionate about advocating for women’s voices and our rights, I see NYWIFT as a valuable community for networking and professional development.

Their initiatives align with my values and career goals. I am particularly inspired by their commitment to fostering diversity to create opportunities for women to thrive in film. I also look forward to sharing the skills and knowledge I bring to the table in this partnership.

 

 

What is the best industry advice you received? 

The best industry advice I’ve ever received is to persistently pursue my goals while upholding loyalty and integrity. Despite the extreme competitiveness and oversaturation in my field, these challenges should not be deterrents. This guidance helped me develop a mantra: let passion and integrity be my guide, pushing forward even in the face of setbacks and challenges.

 

 

How did your early experiences in the fashion industry, including your time at Calvin Klein, shape your perspective on creativity and business?

Throughout my early years at Fashion High School and the Fashion Institute of Technology, my dream was to work for Calvin Klein. When I landed that dream job, I was fortunate to be mentored by Lisa Orofino, who introduced me to the complexities of supply chain. Under her guidance, I gained comprehensive awareness into the fashion business, from concept to production, and from technology to supply chain excellence.

Working in fashion for over 25 years has allowed me to express my vibrant personality. I learned that while fashion allows for creative freedom and expression, it is still a form of art and not every idea will result in success. Over the past decade, my focus has evolved towards sustainability and the environmental impact of the fashion industry. I’ve become an advocate for supporting creative expression in fashion while honoring my responsibility to the environment.

 

Could you share a specific instance from your 10 ½ years at Gerber Technology, where you witnessed the significant impact of technology in business?

Working at Gerber Technology for 10 ½ years provided me with firsthand experience in understanding the critical importance of automating processes in the supply chain industry, both in the United States and globally.

Technology’s impact on business, through the use of computers, process automation, global video conferencing, and artificial intelligence, has significantly reduced the time and effort required for communication and repetitive tasks. The result is employees are having more time to dedicate to working efficiently and sustainably, which not only saves time, money, and resources but also positively impacts the environment and society.

 

What motivated you to transition from a successful corporate career to start your own consulting company, and how has that journey been for you?

Transitioning from a successful corporate career to starting my own consulting company was a strategic part of my career plan, rooted in my entrepreneurial spirit since my teenage years. While my corporate career was fulfilling and allowed me to travel globally, my priorities shifted once I started a family. Being locally accessible to raise my children became more important than the glamour of my job and world travel. 

My entrepreneurial journey has been extremely rewarding in fulfilling my creative passions. The autonomy of being my own boss, making decisions, setting my own hours, and bringing my ideas to life has been invaluable, despite the demanding nature of balancing work and personal life. The financial uncertainties, fluctuating income, investment risks, and lack of a consistent paycheck can sometimes lead to financial stress. These challenges, however, are a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey and experience.

 

 

As a Certified Change Management Practitioner, how do you approach driving effective corporate change, and what role does strategic, transformative thinking play in this process?

As a Certified Change Management Practitioner, my approach to corporate change is rooted in core strategies. First, by gaining a deep understanding of the organization’s current state, including its culture, goals, and challenges. This understanding supports the development of the vision for future goals. A comprehensive plan is created and presented to leadership to secure buy-in and support for the timeline and next steps. Once approved, the plan is rolled out with determination, ensuring successful outcomes for all stakeholders and cross-functional teams.

My unique approach to change management is defined by my ability to connect with employees at all levels. By establishing these connections, I garner enthusiasm and support for corporate initiatives, providing individuals with clarity on how changes impact them personally.

 

 

Can you provide an example of a challenging situation you encountered in your consulting work and how you applied your “can do” fearless approach to overcome it?

One of the frequent challenges I face in my change management consulting work is individual resistance to change. My strategy has always involved getting to the root of resistance by connecting with employees at all levels and creating a safe space for exploration and discussion. Over time, I’ve assessed the common theme behind resistance, is often an employee’s fear of job loss, or a lack of the necessary skills to perform effectively under the new changes. My “can do” approach has been to support the needs of the employee while still achieving the end goal for the organization.  

At one client, a decision was made to automate processes within the design department. The designers were initially resistant as they feared the automation would stifle their creativity and hinder their ability to express themselves. I demonstrated how the technology could actually enhance their creativity and emphasized that automation would not only provide access to a wider range of tools at no cost, but also offer greater flexibility for creativity with quick edits, and live global communication capabilities. Additionally, I highlighted the cost-saving benefits in reducing the need for physical supplies and materials, which would ultimately benefit both the designers and the organization.

 

 

In your extensive corporate experience, how have you fostered cross-functional communication to bring about effective corporate change?

One of the best ways to ensure successful organizational changes is to make sure all departments and teams are aligned on the purpose of the change, benefits of change, expected outcomes of the change and how the change effects everyone individually. 

Cross-Functional Teams are not only encouraged, but required to collaborate, share insights, and work towards common goals. Creating and enforcing safe discussion spaces through luncheons, workshops and training will inspire cross-functional teams to discuss progress, share updates, and address challenges together.

 

 

What inspired you to become a filmmaker, and how does your background in writing and digital content creation influence your approach to filmmaking?

I have always been passionate about storytelling and animation, whether through writing short stories, poetry, journaling, or performing around the house as a child. My love for storytelling is what inspired me to become a filmmaker; it was a desire to evoke emotions through visual expression, live performances, and to convey messages through characters, especially strong women.

My background in writing and content creation, coupled with my formal education in Digital Communications and Media at NYU, has honed my ability to transform ideas into vivid scenes, plan detailed shots, and integrate visual effects that elevate my storytelling.

 

 

Given your global experiences and business networks, how do you navigate cultural differences and diverse perspectives when working with international clients?

I take the time to research the cultural norms, the values, and best business practices of my international clients. It’s necessary for establishing respectful relationships which includes understanding different communication styles, etiquette, and decision-making processes within the organization.

I also practice active listening with the patience to bridge any communication gaps and language barriers, remembering that cultural differences can sometimes lead to confusion, delays and misunderstandings.

 

 

Could you share a specific instance where your business savvy skills helped a corporation, either large or small, save significant time and resources through strategic thinking?

A major retailer client hired me to define and standardize their organization’s process and procedures when dealing with their overseas vendors. The goal was to first establish clear communication relationships with the vendors by surveying their concerns and pain points in dealing with the retailer. What I found was common responses from all vendors. This provided confirmation as to where the focus would be needed for improvement.

The project resulted in developing standardized operating procedural documents, making them easy to access and establishing a governance team to manage and keep them up to date. These documents provided clarity on the organization’s processes and procedures, as well as roles and responsibilities which ultimately led to improved communications domestically and abroad.    

 

 

As a founder, what values or principles guide your consulting company, and how do you ensure that these values are reflected in your team and the work you do with clients?

As founder of my consulting business, I continue to embody the same core values and principles that were essential in initially defining my services and ensuring consistency in my integrity of work. I work with honesty and transparency in all my business dealings while fostering trust with clients and within my team. And because I lead by example, I expect my team to always strive for the highest quality in all of the services and deliverables we provide.

 

Connect with Gina Moore-Herring on her website www.ginamooreherring.com and follower her on Instagram at @GinaMooreHerring.