Whitney came into my life as a client, a little bit over five years ago. She became a repeat client that ultimately led to a friendship, that ultimately led to us becoming best friends ! I cannot express my gratitude to have met her and developed such a strong bond! I have witnessed so much of her success over these past years so of course I wanted to share her with you all! She has become such an inspiring soul and I have learned so much from her.
For the past five years she has been a key member of Netflix’s legal team. Today, she is director of legal and business affairs for original series focusing on scripted shows developed or produced in the United Kingdom. On top of that, she’s an HEC Paris EMBA March track participant.
I wanted to be a touch more personal with my questions below , but of course if you would like to know more about her career and amazing future plans, her interview for HEC Paris - one of the most prestigious and selective business schools in Europe - reveals more : HEC Paris Interview
When did you start your career and tell us the story behind it?
I look at my career as a reflection of all of the jobs I’ve had because the transferable skills I use, such as discipline, organization, critical thinking and problem solving, were developed over time from various jobs, even the ones I had during high school working on ranches or on construction sites. When I graduated from college I worked for a technology start-up in New York City and it was that entrepreneurial experience that led me to pursue a law degree. I wanted to be better equipped with the knowledge and skills to understand and negotiate deals and run a business. After law school I found myself in another entrepreneurial experience helping to start an independent television studio and it was the skills I’d developed from the start-up role that really gave me the foundations for success in that role – and so on. So it’s been a near life-long journey!
Who or what inspires you to chase your dreams?
I am inspired by the opportunity to make a positive impact in my career, my community and on the people in my life. It sounds cliché but it’s true -- I am always thinking about what’s next and how I can build upon what I’ve learned and achieved to grow as a professional and in my personal life.
What is your dream-level goal?
I would love to be involved with a major arts organization – a gallery or foundation.
Talk us through what your typical day looks like.
I aim to get up by 6am or close to that. I like to have an hour for my coffee before the gym and usually don’t do much besides sit in bed with it. I get a workout in and then I settle in to work, either from home or at the office (I live just around the corner). I usually work about twelve hours during a weekday so I try to keep my evening plans during the week to one, max two, evenings. Currently the Royal Opera Ballet is in season so the ballet has been my choice activity lately. I am pursing my executive MBA degree at a school in Paris so every other week I am in Paris Thursday to Sunday, but my day looks largely the same just swap out work for school including on Saturday!
What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out?
Don’t lock yourself to one definition of happiness. At so many points in time my life has been completely different from what I envisioned for myself and yet I am so grateful for the life I have today.
What’s next for your business?
Such a good question and I don’t know but I am very open. I am excited to see where my mind is at and what opportunities present themselves after I finish my executive MBA. I am very fortunate in my current job and work with an amazing team. There is still a lot of growth opportunity for me as a leader and contributor so I’m in a great situation.
Where can people find you?
With my schedule I’m a bit like Waldo these days – but without the helpful red striped sweater.
Whitney Gore captured by Violeta Meyners.