Aisha Glover joined Audible as VP, Urban Innovation in 2020, when Audible’s Founder Don Katz asked her to help lead our Global Center for Urban Development (GCUD). At the time, she’d been serving as president and CEO for the Newark Alliance and Invest Newark, working with Mayor Ras J. Baraka to oversee community-focused economic development initiatives for the city. Before that, Glover had led nationally recognized organizations focused on job creation, industrial development, and environmental justice and education.
With more than 15 years working to drive equitable progress at the local level, Glover was an ideal choice to help lead Audible’s efforts in Newark. Right away, she helped us launch the award-winning and nationally recognized Covid-19-relief effort Newark Working Kitchens (NWK), which has provided more than 1.5 million meals to food-insecure residents, keeping dozens of Newark restaurants open and operating and preserving hundreds of jobs. In 2022, she helped launch the Newark Artist Collaboration (NAC), which commissioned 20 of the city’s artists and art collectives to create large-scale public works in Newark’s downtown neighborhood. The program, which creates game-changing opportunities for local artists, has since been replicated in the UK and Berlin. These are just some of the many initiatives Glover and the GCUD team have been piloting in a tireless effort to serve our communities. Here she shares a little about herself.
What’s something you believe is essential to leadership?
Definitely maintaining a sense of humor and a bit of fun in your work. In general, work is hard and challenging and demands a lot of your time. I can’t imagine doing anything without finding the fun in it and being okay with laughing at myself or the hits and misses.
What’s a “super power” you have, as a leader?
I’ve been called a super connector. I find joy in connecting the dots between workstreams, people and opportunities. I love to find opportunities for deeper and more meaningful synergies; if something comes from a place of authenticity, then it will stick.
If electricity wasn’t an issue, what one piece of tech would you want on a desert island?
This is going to sound rather analog and not very high-tech at all, but a transistor radio. It’d be great to still have access to information, music, talk radio, and to feel connected to the wider world. Plus, the sound can help drown out the silence if there’s no one else on this island.
Who is your biggest inspiration, career-wise?
Arlan Hamilton and Carla Harris are tied. Arlan is the founder and manager of Backstage Capital, a VC that invests in start-ups led by underrepresented founders. Arlan went from being homeless and on food stamps to investing millions into more than 200 companies. I admire her grit and ability to build something from nothing. And I had the privilege of crossing paths with Carla Harris while at Morgan Stanley, and she is as down to earth and genuine as you can get. I admire how deeply steeped in her faith she is, especially as a Wall Street exec, and her commitment to service and mentorship.
Lightning round
- Coffee or tea? Tea all day.
- Morning person or night owl? Depends on the day of the week.
- Where are you working from currently? Hub (Newark) + Home, of course!
- How long have you been with Audible? Two and a half years.
- Dine in or take out? Dine in.
- Favorite hobby outside of work? Walking.
- Favorite Audible listen, go. How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith.
