Talent Champion – Eileen Benwitt

Talent Champion Spotlight

AEF Talent Champion - Eileen Benwitt

Eileen Benwitt
EVP, Chief Talent Officer 
Horizon Media

Eileen Benwitt is the architect and steward of Horizon’s culture. During Benwitt’s fifteen years at Horizon, she has accelerated change and transformed the company into a magnet for the industry’s best talent and a place widely recognized for the highest levels of commitment to inclusion, diversity and the professional and personal development of its people.

Benwitt has twice been named an HR Practitioner Superstar by HRO Today and is the first-ever HR practitioner to be recognized on the prestigious Adweek Media All Star list. In 2018, Benwitt was saluted for her extraordinary mentorship by the IRTS Foundation. Benwitt has helped establish Horizon as a perennial recipient of major industry awards recognizing culture and excellence. The agency has been named to more than 20 renowned best workplace lists over the years, including Forbes America’s Best Midsize Employers, Fortune 100 Best Places to Work for Women and AdAge Best Place to Work lists. During her tenure, Horizon has been named the #2 Best Place to Interview in the U.S. by Glassdoor.

Eileen is a co-founding member of “Limitless”, an internal program focusing on educating, motivating and inspiring female employees to identify and explore their own leadership potential.

What prompted you to get involved with the AEF and why are you passionate about the future of the industry?

I was impressed by Elliot Lum, his commitment and purpose towards wanting to make the industry more accessible to all; Elliot created a smart strategy and aligned the AEF with relevant and equally committed partnerships. The industry has afforded me the space to create, collaborate and foster tremendous relationships with amazing people. I want the same for others.

What is the best career advice you've ever received?

I love this question; one year, I was struggling making bad hires for my team. I was more focused on hiring for the team and the organization vs. hiring for me. A wonderful mentor told, if I hire for me, everyone else benefits. And, she was spot on!

Who was your favorite professor and why?

I work with a spiritual, executive advisor, like a coach, but different. He is a professor of sorts, a professor of levels of consciousness. Self awareness is the key to being an effective leader. As a result of this work, I have been able to show up as my best self for me and for those I work with.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Media attracts smart, creative, dynamic and passionate driven souls. Working for an agency, something I have done most of my career, isn’t for everyone. It’s intense but also allows for great work. I love the diversity of the challenges but most enjoyable is the diversity of the relationships my job affords me.

"Our future marketing and advertising leaders are not just looking for a job, they are looking for a meaningful career that will make a positive impact on society."
— Gord McLean, President and CEO at ANA Educational Foundation