Essie Calhoun- Picture-Perfect Success

photo by steed media service

VP, Chief Diversity Officer and Dir. of CommunityAffairs, Eastman Kodak Company

“Success
is a journey, just like everything else,” says Essie Calhoun, chief
diversity officer, director of community affairs and vice president of
Eastman Kodak Company. Starting with the company as a sales rep, and
progressing to director of community affairs and community relations
before being promoted to her current position, Calhoun applies that
philosophy to her own career, and it’s proven effective. With her
finger on the pulse o the community, Calhoun, who has been with Kodak
for 27 years is happy that her position allows her to interact with the
people that Kodak serves.

“I go from working on the details
[of our plans] to going out and being a spokesperson on behalf of the
company,” says Calhoun, who reports directly to the CEO, of her daily
tasks.

” While Calhoun has certainly benefited from the fruits
of her labor over the years, her success has not come without
challenges. As Kodak made the difficult transition from being a film
and camera business to becoming digital, Calhoun has had to incorporate
innovative strategies to accommodate the change. She advises anyone
looking to advance, particularly during these trying economic times, to
seize opportunities as they arise and of course, network.

”
“As opposed to thinking vertically, you might have to think
horizontally, you might have to make some lateral moves,” she advises.
“But if you are making a lateral move, think about what is in it for
you. How can you better yourself and grow while taking this
opportunity?”

” And perhaps most important, Calhoun says
flexibility is key. “You have to be open to change,” she says.
“Understand that even though a lot of us don’t like change, change is
the only thing that is constant.” –j.h.