You know, you really shouldn’t be here.
When you arrived in 1980, this place wasn’t made for students like you. A woman at a school still getting comfortable with co-education. A first-gen kid at a school still building its commitment to access. Someone who waitressed in the summers when other people took vacations.
I have heard the amazing story of your first visit to Williams, which I hope you will share in your remarks. Because it says so much: You made Williams your home. You didn’t always find it that way. But you sure made it so.
After four years here as a psychology major (appropriately enough), a member of the women’s hockey squad, a JA and as a Lehman Scholar, you returned to New York.
But true to form you didn’t head for the cozy familiarity of home. You chose another world that wasn’t ready for you. In the 1990s, the New York marketing and advertising world wasn’t Mad Men anymore. But it was still an awfully tough business for a young woman from the Bronx.
And yet again, you made a home for yourself, and also created change in your wake. At Deutsch you worked your way up to become one of the most influential players in what’s now a $2 trillion/year global industry. You were described as the “engine” of success after Deutsch was named number 2 on Advertising Age’s “Agency A-List,” and also won repeated recognition as a Best Place to Work.
Understanding the connection between those two honors—between external success and internal culture—became your hallmark. You became famous for your positive leadership style and analytic skills. You earned a reputation for organizing teams that wove together the many aspects of taking a brand to market, making a huge impact on the success of clients including Johnson & Johnson, IKEA and Reebok. When Adweek named you a “Woman Trailblazer” in 2019, the only question was… why not just “Trailblazer”?
Anyone who knows your story realizes that business success is only part of your story. You have become equally respected for using your position to help others. Whether that involves diversifying the ad and marketing world or creating space for adventurous new voices in the theater, enabling LGBTQ youth to connect with mentors or helping homeless mothers and children build independent lives, you have devoted your life to creating spaces for others.
You’ve also given your extraordinary love and labor to Williams: over the course of your career you’ve hosted more than 150 students for internships, Career Treks and other career exploration programs. Not to mention the many more you’ve counseled informally. You’ve served as vice chair of the Alumni Fund and as class agent or associate agent continuously since graduating in 1984. You were elected class president from 2004 to 2009, and served class treasurer for 10 before that. And now, of course, you are here as a Williams trustee. On a board that for the first time in history is more than half women, led by the college’s first woman chair, working with the first woman president. On the board you are helping drive conversations about access and inclusion, as well as college relations. The Williams you are helping shape has come a long way from the one you found in 1984. And with your help we will push even further.
Wherever you’ve gone, you’ve made a place for yourself. And in the process you’ve changed the places you’ve been and cleared space there for others. You’ve done it with what the New York Times called Bronx “street smarts,” mixed with what we call Purple Passion. A strong backbone and a sharp mind, a mischievous smile and a big heart.
You’ve been many places in the world that weren’t made for you. But thank goodness you showed up anyway. Thank goodness you are here today.
Valerie DiFebo, in recognition of your distinguished achievement in compassionate corporate leadership, Williams College is proud to honor you with its Bicentennial Medal.
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