Meet the Woman Behind Some of the Most Game-changing Diversity Initiatives at Bloomberg

Kiersten Barnet, Deputy Chief of Staff to Bloomberg LP Chairman Peter Grauer, spent the first half of her 13 years at the company without a job title. While that may sound downright bizarre to most professionals, Barnet is grateful for this Bloomberg norm: “I actually think a linear career path is an outdated concept,” she says. “You’re not restricted by job titles at Bloomberg.”

Indeed, she has not been restricted in her career growth; rather, the absence of a predefined trajectory has allowed her to assume a leadership role in the company’s most cutting-edge projects. Today, Barnet oversees innovative and influential initiatives at Bloomberg, which arms investors around the globe with financial market data, news and analysis. This includes the company’s Gender-Equality Index (GEI) — a product that holds companies accountable for demonstrating diversity — as well as its involvement with the 30% Club, a group devoted to getting more women on corporate boards (When the club was established in the U.S. in 2014, members had an average of 21.7% women on their boards. Today, that number’s up to 30%).

Barnet spoke about how and why these initiatives exist, the most valuable lessons she’s learned from her boss, and how she manages to balance her work and family time.

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This article originally appeared on FairyGodBoss.com and is republished by Bloomberg with permission.