In this week’s Fair Play Talks interview Alexis Cepeda Maule, Managing Director of UK and Europe at Reformation – a sustainable US-founded women’s brand – shares why companies need to do more to address discrimination and promote racial equity in the workplace, to create that real sense of belonging and inclusion that benefits all employees, irrespective of their background.
The finalist of this year’s Black British Business Awards also shares some of the challenges she faced on the way to the top of her career and how this inspired her to support Black talent and champion racial equity as a leader and role model.
Fair Play Talks: Can you briefly tell us about your career journey to date?
Alexis Cepeda Maule: My career journey has been quite exciting and fulfilling. I started my career in finance after completing my undergraduate degree from Harvard. I worked as an Investment Banking Analyst at Credit Suisse and was promoted to Assistant Vice President in the CFO Office before heading to Stanford Graduate School of Business for my MBA. At Stanford, I fell in love with the union of technology and consumer goods and began as an intern at Amazon and B5M, an e-commerce platform based in Shanghai. After graduation I moved to Milan and worked as the right hand to the CEO of Yoox Net-A-Porter, working my way up to the Luxury Division Lead of NET-A-PORTER and MR PORTER’s New York Office with responsibility for sales across North America.
In 2021 I joined Reformation, the sustainable women’s brand, as their Managing Director of UK and Europe, where I am a member of their Senior Leadership Team and focus on daily operations, strategic international expansion and head up the team I recruited in a new, UK-based Reformation office. Additionally, I serve on the Advisory Board of ReboundWear and Nold, the Advisory Council of Alumnae-i Network for Harvard Women (ANHW), and I am an Ambassador for the Retail Week Future Leaders Be Inspired programme. I am proud of my journey and the growth I’ve achieved working internationally.
Fair Play Talks: What specific challenges did you encounter along the way to the top?
Alexis Cepeda Maule: Along my career journey, I faced several challenges that have helped shape my professional growth. One of the significant challenges was breaking into the hi-technology industry without an engineering background or product management experience. Throughout my career I have sought operational projects and worked closely with technology teams, becoming instrumental in the technology roadmap process. Additionally, I encountered obstacles related to navigating workplace dynamics working in a different country from headquarters and building strong relationships overseas. However, I believe these challenges have made me more resilient and adaptable, and I’ve learned valuable lessons from each experience.
Fair Play Talks: In your opinion, are there any specific challenges that Black professionals face on their journey to the top that White/other groups do not face in your industry?
Alexis Cepeda Maule: I believe black professionals face unconscious biases that may limit opportunities, a lack of diverse representation in leadership roles, and the need to constantly prove oneself in environments where diversity is scarce. These hurdles can create additional obstacles on the path to the top that may not be as prevalent for other groups, especially within fashion and technology.
Fair Play Talks: Are you involved in promoting Black talent, race equality or other diversity initiatives?
Alexis Cepeda Maule: Absolutely, promoting diversity and inclusivity is a personal and professional commitment for me. I actively participate in various initiatives within my company and industry to support Black talent and promote racial equity. This includes mentoring aspiring Black professionals, advocating for diverse hiring practices, and engaging in diversity-focused workshops and training sessions. Additionally, I have championed external organisations that work towards promoting racial equality and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities such as Fashion Minority Alliance and 10,000 black interns in the UK.
Fair Play Talks: In your opinion, are companies doing enough to stamp out discrimination and what more could they be doing to promote racial equity in the workplace?
Alexis Cepeda Maule: While some progress has been made, I believe companies can still do more to address discrimination and promote racial equity in the workplace. It starts with fostering a culture of inclusion, where diverse voices are not only heard but actively valued and considered in decision-making processes. Companies should prioritise diverse hiring practices, implement bias training for employees, and establish clear paths for career advancement for underrepresented groups.
Fair Play Talks: Given the focus on diverse talent, what more can organisations be doing to attract Black/minority talent, as well as retain them?
Alexis Cepeda Maule: To attract and retain minority talent, organisations should adopt proactive strategies. They should establish partnerships with diverse educational institutions and communities to build a pipeline of talent. For retention, they should provide opportunities for skill development and career advancement to enhance engagement and loyalty and work to build an inclusive workplace culture where people feel valued and respected. It is also important for organisations to measure diversity metrics – regularly tracking and analysing results to evaluate the effectiveness.
Fair Play Talks: In your opinion, can organisations promote equality and fairness to enhance belonging and inclusion that will resonate with all groups?
Alexis Cepeda Maule: Organisations have the power to promote equality and fairness by prioritising diversity and inclusion in all aspects of their operations. This involves creating policies that prohibit discrimination and biases, establishing clear pathways for career growth, and implementing inclusive hiring practices. Reviewing promotion and advancement processes is also important to ensure that they are fair and transparent, offering equal opportunities to all employees based on merit. Organisations should also encourage open communication, embrace diverse perspectives, and celebrate the contributions of individuals from all backgrounds. By doing so, they can foster a sense of belonging and inclusion that benefits all employees, irrespective of their background.
Fair Play Talks: Can the Black and other minority communities be doing more to promote race equity?
Alexis Cepeda Maule: The Black and other minority communities can play a vital role in promoting race equity by actively supporting and uplifting each other. This can involve mentoring and sponsoring younger generations, creating networks and resource-sharing platforms, and participating in advocacy efforts. Additionally, fostering partnerships with organisations and allies that share similar goals can amplify the impact of their initiatives. By working collectively, these communities can drive meaningful change and create more opportunities for racial equity.
Fair Play Talks: What was your reaction when you heard that you’re one of the 2023 Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards) finalists?
Alexis Cepeda Maule: I was excited and honoured when I received the news that I am one of the finalists for the 2023 Black British Business Awards. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication I have invested in my career, as well as the impact I have made in my industry and community. Being recognised among such talented and accomplished individuals is a humbling experience, and I am looking forward to celebrating this achievement with my peers.
Fair Play Talks: How important are awards and organisations like The BBBAwards in the UK to promote Black/minority talent and Black role models?
Alexis Cepeda Maule: Awards and organisations like The BBBAwards are immensely important in promoting minority talent and role models in the UK. They serve as a platform to celebrate the achievements of underrepresented professionals and highlight their contributions to various industries. By showcasing diverse talent, these awards inspire and motivate others to pursue their aspirations, ultimately breaking down barriers and promoting greater diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Fair Play Talks: What advice would you give to young Black/minority youth to encourage them to pursue their dream job or business venture?
Alexis Cepeda Maule: My advice to young minority youth would be to recommend that they work hard and believe in themselves and their abilities. They should not let any challenges or setbacks discourage them from pursuing their dreams. Instead, they should seek out mentors and role models who have achieved success in their desired field and learn from their experiences. They should be persistent and proactive in pursuing opportunities and be willing to step outside their comfort zone to grow professionally and personally. Also they should make sure to seek work environments where they can thrive and make the most impact.
Fair Play Talks: Who is your inspiration/role model in the DE&I space?
Alexis Cepeda Maule: My inspiration in the DE&I space is my mom Adela Cepeda, who is based in Chicago. She is a business, finance, and capital markets leader and a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion [DEI] initiatives. She applies her expertise to provide emerging Hispanic-owned and other minority-owned companies with funding through Angeles Investors, a venture capital group she co-founded in 2019. Adela has demonstrated exceptional leadership in promoting diversity and inclusivity, challenging systemic biases, and advocating for underrepresented communities.
Fair Play Talks: What podcast/vlog/book would you recommend to help other Black professionals get ahead?
Alexis Cepeda Maule: I highly recommend the podcast How I Built This with Guy Raz. It provides valuable insights, strategies, and success stories from entrepreneurs who have overcome various challenges and achieved significant milestones in their careers. Listening to their experiences and learning from their wisdom can be incredibly empowering and help other professionals navigate their own paths to success.
RELATED ARTICLES
The Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards) have announced this year’s finalists ahead of their 10th Anniversary ceremony in October this year.
The Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards) reveals 2022’s winners.
Sign up for our newsletter
