Stanford Brings In Bozoma Saint John To Speak On Reputation Management

Forbes

30-05-2025

Bozoma Saint John speaking to business students at Stanford.
Allison Kluger's Stanford Graduate School of Business class "Reputation Management: Strategies for Successful Communicators' hosted iconic marketing executive, author, and entrepreneur Bozoma Saint John for a conversation on "Reputation of a Risk-Taker, Survivor and Badass." In this class, students explore how they can effectively communicate to create, adapt and maintain their personal reputation as they navigate career decisions and interact with different professionals along their journey. The course is designed along three interlocking elements: reputation management literature, relevant case studies, and curated guest speakers. Students learn the fundamentals of strategic corporate communication and the risk of not managing reputation effectively.
Kluger shared why Saint John was the perfect leader to inspire her students, 'After eleven years teaching Reputation Management, I thought I'd seen every possible guest and perspective, until Bozoma Saint John joined our class this week, filled with 70+ graduate students. You could hear a pin drop as Bozoma shared impactful, hysterical, brilliant, and memorable gems with my students. Bozoma taught us the power of curiosity, going with your gut instinct, and living life urgently so we can scoop everything up and be the greatest version of ourselves.'
Bozoma Saint John speaking on reputation management and personal branding at Stanford Business ... More School.
Saint John began speaking on her personal brand during her marketing career, "My reputation as a cultural influence, as someone who sits right in the middle fluidly between any number of industries, is what has earned me the seat not just at the table but to control the table.' She also transitioned to emphasizing standing out rather than fitting in. "What is the point of being 'in,' if you can't make a difference? I take some lessons from physics. Yes, I'm a marketer but I also understand science. Matter is made up of molecules. You change one molecule and the matter changes. When I entered Apple, that matter changed. Why would I not be confident in my own presence? For me, anytime I've entered a new environment, I understand the power of my molecule and the fact that that environment will never be the same when I leave it," she explained.
Saint John is a dynamic and influential business leader who has consistently broken barriers and shattered glass ceilings throughout her career in various industries; including roles as the Global CMO of Netflix, CMO of Endeavor, CBO of Uber, Head of Marketing of Apple Music & iTunes and Head of Music and Entertainment Marketing at PepsiCo. Last year, she made her television debut on season 14 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and this fall, she'll take on a mentorship role as the Chief Marketing Officer on the new NBC reality series 'On Brand With Jimmy Fallon.' She has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, includinginduction into the Marketing Hall of Fame (2022), induction into the American Advertising Federation Hall of Achievement (2014), induction into Billboard's Women in Music Hall of Fame (2018); and has been included in Fast Company's Most Creative People (2013), The Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment Power 100 list (2018) and crowned as The World's Most Influential CMO by Forbes (2021). Saint John is also the founder of the beauty brand, Eve By Boz and creator of the online series, 'The Badass Workshop'.
Throughout her career and entrepreneurial evolution, Saint John has continued to show up as her authentic self. 'The choice —and it is a choice—to show up fully as yourself is not an easy one in any circumstance. It is not easy in this classroom, and it is not easy in the biggest conference rooms and corporations in the world. I don't walk into any environment and think I'm going to change anyone's mind about what they think about me. That's just too much work. It's too exhausting and it's too disappointing. Because it's painful and people are going to assume what they want of you. If you spend all of your time trying to convince them otherwise, you're going to waste your time. So I'd rather work on myself, making sure that I quell the fears of showing up as myself. "Never try to assimilate, just be yourself. I'd rather spend time working on myself than spend effort making others like me."
Bozoma Saint John and Stanford Business School students.
Saint John left a lasting impression on Stanford students, energizing them to elevate their personal brands with purpose and confidence. One student, Tess Hartigan, shared the impact Saint John's lecture left on her: 'Having Bozoma Saint John in class was sensational. I was brought to laughter and tears. Her gumption and shine were evident in every word. It was a master class discussion of eloquence, grit, and grace.'