‘There’s an Energy and a Love of What We Do That’s Just Unmatched’

Paramount employees celebrate Veterans Day by discussing the importance of authenticity in entertainment.

In Proud To Be, we highlight Paramount employees and their personal histories. In this installment, we spoke to members of the Paramount Veterans Network about the value of community and inclusivity.

At Paramount, we celebrate our nation’s veterans both on — and beyond — Veterans Day as part of our commitment to inclusion through the Paramount Veterans Network and Veterans Immersion Program. 

In honor of the holiday, we spoke with some of our employees who previously served about the power of community and camaraderie. Michelle Alban, Jim G., and Chanel Lamb, PHR discussed how their experience in the U.S. military informs the way they work, as well as the importance of creating a culture where all employees feel they belong.

On living your truth…

Jim Garrisi, Senior Director, Information Security, Paramount: When I first joined the Army, I was deployed to Iraq to do ground surveillance radar. I had a great team, a great platoon, a great squad. My last year of active duty was 2012, but I’ve remained a warrant officer in the Army National Guard since 2015.

Michelle Alban, Head of Communications and Social Impact in Latin America, Paramount:I joined the Air Force right after Desert Storm and spent most of my tour in AWACS aircrafts. What pushed me to return to civilian life was when I got pregnant with twins.

I knew I was going to have to pivot somehow because at that time I was out of the country about 260 days of the year. I was ultimately hired by a veteran who worked at Nielsen. I worked as his assistant for a few years, so that’s what kick-started my career in media.

Chanel Lamb, Senior Director, Human Resources, Paramount:  I served in the Army and was active duty for almost seven years. I was a 75H Personnel Sergeant, and essentially personnel is HR. I often say I’ve been in HR since the army.

“There’s a lot of skills you gain in the military that can be utilized outside of the military. Many people and many companies don't realize that.”

Garrisi: I joined the company in 2018, when it was legacy Viacom, because I needed a change after time working for the state and as a U.S. government contractor following active duty. SpongeBob was on the TV one night during dinner, and my oldest daughter, who was seven years old at the time, said: ‘Dad, you should go work at Nickelodeon.’ 

I initially thought 'What the heck am I going to do at Nickelodeon?’ But that night I looked at the careers site and dropped my resume for a position in information security. I got a call for an interview the next day. And, of course to this day my daughter will say: ‘Dad, you're there because of me.’ But my ability to pivot and still be successful was really aided by my time in the Army.

Alban: There’s a lot of skills you gain in the military that can be utilized outside of the military. Many people and many companies don't realize that, but Paramount values the qualities that I bring as a veteran, which means a lot to me. My time in the military has made me very goal-oriented in my work today. And importantly: It taught me how to work with a team and value teamwork. No one does anything and everything alone.

On the importance of fostering community…

Lamb: When I got out of the army about 20 years ago, being a veteran or being in the military was not the sexy thing. The transition was scary. I knew that I was marketable. I was confident in my skill set and in my work ethic, but I didn’t know if other people would see me the way I saw myself. 

One of the reasons why I love working at Paramount is because we have an entire community of veterans, and our value is celebrated. The dedication from Richard Jones, our chief veterans officer, and Betty Diaz, head of program and operations for the Paramount Veterans Network, is truly amazing.

Garrisi: Being a veteran, it's like you're in a special club. And to now be connected with all veterans globally across Paramount’s offices and divisions, it’s absolutely fantastic. When I first came to the company, I had no idea how many veterans were in the organization, but we have such a vibrant community at the company.

Alban: We all look out for each other! And it’s not: ‘Well, I’m in the Air Force and I only look out for other Air Force servicemen and women.’ In the military and in the veteran community, we’re all constantly looking out for each other.

“At Paramount, there’s an energy and a love of what we do that’s just unmatched.”

Lamb: The Army, the military is the type of family that you cannot pay for. And at Paramount, there’s an energy and a love of what we do, that’s just unmatched.  We really strive to have an inclusive culture here at Paramount. It’s a work in progress but we are moving in the right direction.  

Alban:  What really drew me to Paramount was the company’s focus on inclusivity. We do so much by way of BET, Nickelodeon, MTV Entertainment, and all other brands and divisions. And I always have the support of the Veterans Network.

If I need advice, I know where to go. If I have a question, I know I can reach out to our community and likely get multiple replies. Plus, we have incredible support from Bob Bakish and his leadership team. It’s so important to have a top-down approach to fostering belonging and community. 

On looking back to move forward…

Lamb: I don't think you ever lose what you learned in the military, but I do find that you become more accustomed to your environment afterward—and in some ways it’s for the better. In the Army, you’re taught to say: ‘Yes sir.’ But in the civilian world, I had to learn how to walk in a room and not always expect ‘Yes’ from myself or from others. I had to learn that it's okay to question things and it’s okay to disagree. 

Garrisi: When you're in basic training, initially nobody knows anybody. But you quickly form bonds from day one with not only people coming from all over the country, but from all over the world because a lot of folks join the military to become citizens. 

Even now, for me, it's all about the team. I have a great team here at Paramount, and I like to foster that kind of team spirit because I want us all to feel that we're working with a friend, not just an acquaintance.

Alban:  We naturally gravitate toward people who are like us, so we have to put ourselves in a place or position where we interact with people who may not share our experiences. It’s how we grow. It’s how we learn.