#USA #New York #Horizon Media #Aleksandra Novikova #Fatima Winfrey

Horizon Media Holdings Enhances Leadership for Workforce Transformation

Horizon Media Holdings, the privately-held firm and parent company of Horizon Media – recognized as the largest media agency in the U.S. and globally independent – has recently introduced significant leadership advancements aimed at driving its transformation from a traditional media agency into a dynamic growth partner for its clients. These appointments come as part of a broader strategy to revamp its talent acquisition and development practices to better align with the shifting landscape of media and client needs.

In this initiative, Aleksandra Novikova has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Talent Acquisition and Learning, while Fatima Winfrey reenters the company as Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Belonging. Their combined expertise is expected to forge a more inclusive workplace environment and enhance Horizon's approach to recruitment and employee development – two critical elements that will support the company’s goal for long-term expansion and stronger partnerships with its clients.

Aleksandra Novikova's new role will see her taking charge of enterprise-wide talent acquisition strategies, employee professional growth, and development initiatives. This promotion from her previous position as Vice President reflects not just Novikova's capabilities but also the company's commitment to adopting a more integrated approach to managing its workforce. As she steers the direction of recruitment and employee training efforts, Novikova's leadership will be pivotal in streamlining processes that can help anticipate skill gaps and adapt to evolving industry trends.

One of her main focuses has been developing an innovative AI upskilling program centered around Blu, Horizon’s proprietary marketing intelligence platform. This initiative aims to embed artificial intelligence education into the company’s training infrastructure, thereby equipping employees with the skills necessary to excel in a digital-first environment. Furthermore, her collaboration with the selected AI enablement partner, SectionAI, signifies Horizon’s focus on enhancing company-wide education and capability building, ensuring a workforce that can meet the diverse challenges posed by modern marketing landscapes.

On the other hand, Fatima Winfrey comes with 17 years of experience in the media sector and is ready to augment her leadership as she directs DEI initiatives. Under Winfrey's guidance, Horizon has achieved a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index for two consecutive years and has been recognized as a leader in LGBTQ+ inclusion. Her experience in creating measurable, data-driven DEI strategies is expected to bring a significant impact to the company’s performance and culture.

Winfrey’s leadership will ensure that DEI practices are not just a company policy but embedded in the very fabric of Horizon's hiring, development, and advancement processes. By working closely with Employee Impact Groups and business leaders, Winfrey is poised to transform workforce insights into actionable strategies that cultivate a culture of belonging and innovation.

The partnership between Novikova and Winfrey reflects Horizon’s commitment to addressing the interconnectedness of talent and business performance. Their alignment of recruitment processes, learning pathways, and DEI practices will ensure that the insights gathered from market demands inform the training strategies, keeping them in sync with the ever-evolving dynamics of the media industry.

As Nancy Galanty, Executive Vice President of Talent and Culture at Horizon Media states, “These promotions reflect our conviction that business performance and people strategy are inseparable.” This sentiment underscores the company's vision of developing a workforce model that is resilient, adaptable, and prepared for the challenges ahead in a highly dynamic media environment.

Overall, the leadership changes at Horizon Media Holdings are not just a response to the current marketplace but a strategic positioning for the future. By investing in talented female leaders and fostering a culture of belonging, Horizon aims to build a robust organization capable of not only meeting but exceeding the evolving needs of its clients and the industry at large. This strategic focus is expected to create pathways for continued growth and innovation, solidifying Horizon's place as a leader in an ever-changing media landscape.