Like most kids, Nicolet Lewis had dreams of what she wanted to be in life. For Lewis early on, it was a figure skater. Or a doctor.
She never made it onto the ice or into an operating room. But Lewis has successfully made it into a lot of board rooms. Lewis has crafted a career that has seen her take leadership positions in the banking industry (as senior human resource business partner for Flagstar) and the retail world (as a human resource business partner for Target).
Now Lewis, who holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a master’s degree in integrated marketing and communications, both from Eastern Michigan University, serves as the Chief People Officer for the Detroit Pistons, the latest rung she’s climbed on the corporate ladder since joining the Pistons in 2019.
How has all of that shaped her career?
“The unique thing about my career journey is that I have an operational background,” Lewis said. “I understand how to build and run a profitable and sustainable business. From there, I can shape the strategy around team dynamics and performance.”
As the Chief People Officer, Lewis oversees all aspects of the team’s Human Resource management, policies, practices, and community and social responsibility.
For a Detroit native, the position seems like a natural.
“When the position opened, it was the perfect fit and timing for me,” she said. “Detroit is my hometown. I was eager to come back and give back to the city that made me.”
So how does it feel being a woman helping lead in an arena that, at least from the outside, appears to be a male-dominated field?
“I feel moved to inspire other women,” Lewis said. “I think too many times we feel that we have to be the only ones. When I joined the team, I was the only woman at the Senior Leadership table. Four years later, I sit side by side with a woman CFO and a woman CMO.
“As a leader, we help mold teams,” she added. “I have embraced this challenge and I’m proud to make room for other women.”
Lewis shared her perspective on a variety of issues:
Corp! Magazine: The Pistons are one of our Diversity Focused Companies award winners. How does having success in the DE&I space help the organization?
Nicolet Lewis: It was an honor to be selected as a Diversity Focused Company award winner. Diversity, equity and inclusion is an essential in business today. It is imperative to have a healthy variety of people from different backgrounds and cultures to provide a balance of voices and thought.
Corp!: Studies are showing that prospective employees, particularly younger generations, are eager to join an organization with a strong DE&I program. Do you find that to be true? Why do you think that is?
Lewis: Yes, I find this to be true. DE&I are important factors that candidates look for when accepting a job offer. Those that see that your business has people from all backgrounds will more likely accept the job offer and feel more welcomed. This will allow organizations to hire the best talent, too.
Corp!: Who was your mentor in life?
Lewis: Throughout my career many people have mentored me. The person that has been most influential in this season of my life was my college professor, Lolita Cummings Carson. She was tough on me, but it always came with a lesson. One lesson that I have built into the fabric of my leadership is, “To whom much is given, much will be required.” For me, it means that I am held responsible for what I have, and it is expected that I help others.
Corp!: What is your ongoing goal? What goal(s) do you still strive to achieve?
Lewis: I simply want to be the very best version of myself.
Corp!: What is the best advice you can offer to others?
Lewis: The road to a career you love is not easy. It entails saying no, taking risks, and sticking to your values. But as a result, you’ll be doing the work you’re passionate about and building a life that works for you.
Corp!: What is the most important lesson you have learned in business?
Lewis: One of the most important lessons for me is that IQ alone will not make you successful. I know great leaders don’t believe that they have all the answers. It’s about having the humility to know yourself and what you can and cannot do. Personally, being a leader is about finding the vision of what winning looks like, the steps needed to get there and who do I need on my team to make it happen.
Corp!: What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
Lewis: My first job was a figure skating coach, I learned an immense amount of patience.
Corp!: What is your greatest passion in life?
Lewis: My greatest passion is that I am unapologetically a mom first.
