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Discover how Gina Jacobson, a stage 4 cancer survivor, is revolutionizing workplace support for cancer patients. In this powerful episode of Inspiring Women, Gina shares her personal battle with colon cancer while managing a high-stakes career. Learn about the Working With Cancer initiative and how its breaking down stigmas, fostering organizational empathy, and creating supportive work environments.
Gain valuable insights on:
- Navigating a cancer diagnosis in a professional setting
- The surprising desire of many cancer patients to continue working
- Practical steps for companies to support employees with cancer
- Building organizational empathy that extends beyond cancer support
Whether you’re a cancer survivor, caregiver, or business leader, this episode offers essential perspectives on transforming workplace culture. Join host Laurie McGraw for an inspiring conversation that will change how you think about cancer in the workplace. Consider signing up for, sharing or making your workplace a part of the Working With Cancer Pledge. The Working With Cancer initiative is transforming company cultures, creating safe spaces for difficult conversations, and positively impacting health outcomes for employees facing cancer. Learn how you can join this global movement and make a difference in your workplace.
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About Gina:
As one of the founding forces behind Publicis Groupe’s Working with Cancer initiative, Gina creates and oversees the programs associated with delivering against the WWC Pledge internally. She’s committed to creating a multi-faceted, best-in-class example of supporting employees impacted by cancer—whether directly or as caregivers—through individual and group coaching, training, and community engagement. Using this foundation, she also recruits and guides other companies to take and activate the pledge.
Gina’s previous title at Starcom was Chief Growth Officer, but she always preferred to think of herself as more of a “Chief Potential Officer.” In that role, she oversaw both new business and organic growth, uncovering new opportunities and inspiring companies and colleagues to pursue what’s possible—an experience that prepared her perfectly for her current role.
Over the past (nearly) three decades, Gina has thrived in a broad range of roles within Publicis Group—including overseeing media at Starcom and creative development at Leo Burnett. She is known for her critical strategic thinking, digging into her clients’ business, and having a passion for building and nurturing teams who deliver engaging, strategic work.
During her tenure, she has led results-driving and award-winning work across categories as diverse as hospitality, insurance, CPG, tech, toys, retail, and mobile—and across clients including Four Seasons, Beam Suntory, Esurance, Kraft Heinz, Kellogg, and Nintendo—among many others.
In the Fall of 2018, Gina was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. She’s outlived her initial prognosis by several years and intends to keep living a joyful and purposeful life, while helping others recognize and realize their full potential.
You can read about what she’s learning from the best-worst thing that ever happened to her through her blog, weareallmadeofstars.net, and via her Strive for Five Substack, a look back at her 4+ year journey as she approaches the 5-year survival milestone.
Connect with Laurie McGraw – Inspiring Women:
