Communicator Spotlight: Una Pulizzi of Kyndryl
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Photo illustration: Axios Visuals. Photo: Courtesy of Kyndryl
Una Pulizzi joined IT services company Kyndryl as global head of corporate affairs shortly before its spinoff from IBM in 2021.
Why it matters: Since then, Pulizzi and her team have been working to execute the new strategy, establish a sense of corporate culture and build the brand.
What she's saying: "We as corporate affairs professionals are really focused on bringing context to the company," she told Axios.
- "We are well aware of what's going on in the policy regulatory space. We're very aware of external polling, where trust is or where our own employees are. We are equipped with a perspective that enables us to help shape reputation, build and protect the reputation of the company."
How she got here: Earlier in her career, Pulizzi worked for the U.S. Treasury Department before holding various communication and corporate affairs roles at Citi and the World Bank.
- Most recently, Pulizzi served as global director of public affairs at GE before joining Kyndryl.
How it's structured: Pulizzi reports to Kyndryl CEO Martin Schroeter and oversees the global team responsible for external, internal and financial communications, government affairs and policy, sustainability and social impact — including the Kyndryl Foundation.
- "It is not only talking about what we're doing, but I have a team that really focuses on building and executing on our commitments," she says.
Trend watch: How corporate affairs teams can take advantage of generative AI to work more efficiently.
De-stress routine: Pulizzi is a classically trained violinist who began playing at 3 years old.
- "I was one of those Suzuki kids," she says, referring to the Japanese method of learning music. "I've continued [playing] and it's an outlet that's a little different."
Best advice: Get into the motion of speaking up and challenging yourself.
