The 2016 Matrix Awards were held in NYC on April 25th to honor 8 women who connect the world in the communications industry. There’s an event recap here and below are some words of wisdom from speakers at the event:

• “It’s important to know how to tell a story. It doesn’t matter how great your product is if you don’t know how to tell the story.” Nancy Gibbs, Editor, TIME
• “Find comfort in discomfort. In a time of incredible change in our industry and in the world, having the ability to find comfort in discomfort will make the difference between the winners and the losers.” Nancy Dubuc, President & CEO, A+E Networks
• “Beauty is universal and beauty has the power to connect people.” Carol Hamilton, Group President, L’Oreal Luxe USA
• “Take the passionate, not the practical step forward.” Linda Boff, Chief Marketing Officer, GE
• “If you’re in PR, and if you’re really, really good…sometimes, you are invisible. Your speeches flow from others lips, your ideas spring forth seemingly from their foreheads — you write it, they say it, you think it, they do it, you applaud, they bow. You must stay ahead of the curve. You must have everyone’s back. And you must stand in front, only to catch a speeding bullet.” Debra Shriver, presenting to Liz Kaplow
• “Each of you has your own story, and as it continues to unfold, remember there is no GPS or absolute roadmap. As you move forward in life’s journey, keep being inspired and make your roadmap your own.” Liz Kaplow, Founder & CEO, Kaplow Communications
• “I feel so passionately to be doing the work of being female right now. I feel so lucky to be among these women and to be redefining what that means for us, to be continuing the work of Gloria Steinem and her peers, and to be looking ahead at what needs to be done to preserve rights that should already be intact, and to also carve out new areas that we never even imagined were possible for us.” Lena Dunham, Creator & Star, HBO’s “Girls”
• “You don’t have to be perfect to be great.” Gloria Steinem, presenting to Lena Dunham
• “Being an outsider. Even though I’m very good at pretending I’m not, it made me a better listener, a more empathetic and sensitive person, and an editor who can observe others and tell their stories like no one else can, in my own way. Instead of thinking of yourself as weird on those off-days, think of those kooky, embarrassing traits of yours as your differences and, largely, your strengths.” Janice Min, Co-President & Chief Creative Officer, The Hollywood Reporter – Billboard Media Group
• “I think the world would be a better place if we were all unapologetically original. Especially women and minorities, who are so often expected to conform. Let us accept our uniqueness while celebrating the uniqueness of others.” Mellody Hobson, President, Ariel Investments

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