Debra Langford

Executive Director/Strategic Sourcing and Talent Management
Time Warner

As Executive Director of strategic sourcing and talent management for Time Warner, Debra Langford is in the unique role of a matchmaker…bringing individuals together in a match made in corporate heaven. Langford considers her role as that of a connecting force, someone who is constantly building bridges, connecting people with opportunities and connecting people to people. She is in the enviable position of introducing superstars to Time Warner executives.

Langford built and leads TimeWarner’s Strategic Sourcing practice, which identifies top-tier executives, both internally and externally, for all units of Time Warner globally. By leveraging near and far-reaching relationships and partnerships, she has single-handedly created an extensive diverse network of high-caliber, high-achieving megastars to strengthen Time Warner’s executive teams, each poised to spearhead the company’s success and future growth. “I’m fortunate to be playing such an important role in bringing together individuals with amazing talents to our teams,” says Langford.

So, how would someone catch her attention? Don’t get trapped in the “what’s the salary?” and “what’s in it for my career?” mindset. Instead, show her you are a team player and ask what you can do for the company. She’s looking to see what is important to you because it’s not only your resume or the specific job you are looking for that will catch her eye. “There are so many people outside of this industry who are successful with transferable skills” says Langford. A resume, according to Langford, doesn’t highlight other important attributes and characteristics essential to Time Warner’s business success.

“If you’re a superstar,” says Langford, “then you will exceed your own expectations.” Cool and sound advice, coming for this megastar, whom Black Enterprise magazine featured on its cover last year as one of four top African American women in corporate America.

Job Title: Executive Director of Strategic Sourcing and Talent Management
Employer: Time Warner
Location: Burbank, CA
Last book read: Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell & Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
Like to brag about: How great Time Warner is, really!
Like to do for fun: Photography
Other hobbies: Enjoys traveling and fresh flowers
Last vacation: Puerto Rico
Next vacation: Someplace where the Blackberry doesn’t work
Hometown: Los Angeles
First job: Director of Marketing, Public Relations and Advertising for Golden Bird Fried Chicken
Last job (before current): Senior Vice President of Development and Production with Urban Entertainment

FAVORITES

Food: Mexican Restaurant: Rosa Mexicano in New York
Place on Earth: Home
Radio Station: 94.7 Smooth Jazz
TV Show: Anything on CNN—I’m a news junkie!
Song: Always by Stevie Wonder
Sports Team: Hopefully, the Lakers again one day. Yikes!
City: New York
Foreign City: Montego Bay, Jamaica
Best Professional Moment: Being acknowledged by Dick Parsons for doing a great job in bringing top talent to Time Warner during his leadership.
Favorite Quote: “Be still and know” Psalm 46:10

Profile by Garbo Cheung-Jasik, October 2005