Spotify’s Global Success:
A Journey Through Diversity
A live In-Person & virtual discussion with
Elizabeth Nieto
Global Head Equity & Impact
This event took place November 20th, 2023
Spotify has not granted permission for the release of the recording.
You can find the list of questions asked below.
Elizabeth is a dynamic Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Impact leader. She spearheads Spotify’s Equity and Impact efforts, overseeing Social Impact, Sustainability, Climate Action, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Her impressive journey began as Amazon’s Global Head of Diversity, where she collaborated with top leaders to shape and execute the DEI strategy.
Before her role at Amazon, Elizabeth served as MetLife’s Global Chief Diversity Inclusion Officer. Her influence extended to Strategic Talent Review and Succession Planning processes, working closely with MetLife’s CEO and Executive team. Before MetLife, she was the Global Head of Talent, Learning, and Diversity at Marsh, Inc.
With a diverse career spanning over two decades, she has managed global and regional organizations across the U.S., Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Elizabeth’s commitment extends beyond the corporate world, as she actively contributes to non-profit organizations dedicated to underserved youth and at-risk teenagers. She serves as a board member for The Opportunity Network, A Fair Shake for Youth, All Stars Project, and the Women’s Forum of N.Y.
Born and raised in Argentina, Elizabeth holds a master’s degree in educational sciences from the University of Buenos Aires. She has received numerous accolades for her significant contributions to diversity and inclusion, including recognition by Crain’s N.Y. and Latino Leaders Magazine. In 2022, she was inducted into Bloomberg Linea’s inaugural list of “Los 100 Latinos más influyentes.” Elizabeth’s career and commitment to social impact make her a distinguished speaker and advocate for diversity and inclusion.
The discussion will be moderated by George Benaroya Global CFO and Faculty at NYU SPS.
Questions asked
1.What does a Global Head of Equity do? What’s it like working for European companies? George Benaroya
2. As a premium Spotify user, I utilize podcasts on the app quite frequently in my daily life. How does Spotify decide with which individuals to create contracts, considering both profitability and cost-effectiveness within a specific budget? Jack Lin
3. How does Spotify build customer loyalty for college students since they lose their discount for Spotify Premium after they graduate? Kaitlyn Marer
4.Could you please share insights into how Spotify’s Equity initiatives strategically contribute to addressing market risks and challenges? Zhao Zhiyi
5. What are the most effective strategies you’ve seen for creating a lasting culture of equity and inclusion in diverse industries? Gonzalo Gatti
6.What strategic changes related to diversity made the greatest impact to Spotify in the past 5 years? Robin Stamenov
7. What’s the difference in strategies between different countries and cultures? Does Spotify have the plan to get into the Chinese market? Aries Miao
8. How does Spotify balance algorithm-based music recommendations with human curation to ensure a personalized experience for users, and what’s the role of AI in the future of music streaming? Hsin Lun Tiao
9. Can you share an example of how Spotify’s efforts in equity and impact have brought about an intersection of music and social change and influenced positive change or made a significant difference in the lives of artists or underserved communities? Naaz Parvaz
10. How did you adapt to the New York working environment as a Hispanic female, and do you have suggestions for girls aiming to enter tech companies regarding career and personal development? Tong Xinmiao
11.What advice would you give to your early 20s self? Would she be surprised about where you are today? Leeah Caple
12. As a leader, how do you ensure that each employee is heard and feels respected? Sandy Wu
13. Do global companies like Spotify benefit from hiring international students? Gonzalo Gatti
14. What would you recommend for someone who wants to join Spotify in the future? Maria Alexandra Reyes
Please submit your questions two weeks in advance here or to bg97@nyu.edu. The virtual session is open to the public. In Person access is restricted to the NYU community.
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All sessions are free and open to the public. No fees are ever required. Previous Speakers
Finance for Marketing Decisions
This is part of the Finance for Marketing Decisions class taught by Benaroya. In this class, students learn about Finance by choosing a company and acting as if they were the company’s financial executives. Each week, they decide whether to increase prices, reduce headcount, go public, and expand into new markets. Senior executives join as Guest Speakers to share how they make business and career decisions.
About the series
These talks are offered as part of the Leading Global Growth series from NYU’s School of Professional Studies, and managed in coordination with NYU SPS Integrated Marketing & Communications, within the Division of Programs in Business.