For Google’s Shea Jackson McCann, Self-care Is Key to Avoiding Burnout

Featuring a broad cross-section of women who have distinguished themselves across a rich variety of careers, our Portraits of Power series is a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Black Enterprise, and of Black women. It’s a place for today’s businesswomen to share their own favorite images and their own stories, in their own words. Today’s portrait is the Google Brand Marketing Manager Shea Jackson McCann.

Shea Jackson McCann

Brand Marketing Manager / Creative Strategist, Google

Nickname: Shea-Jay

My first job was Assistant Account Executive, Nike Wieden+Kennedy Portland

My big break came when I got my dream job right out of college! Wieden+Kennedy commercials made me fall in love with how advertising can move people, and the network I’ve built there has carried me throughout my career as I’ve moved between jobs.

I’ve had to work hardest at avoiding burnout especially when I’m so personally invested in the work. I’ve learned that prioritizing self-care and a healthy mindset is a necessary element of staying at the top of my game.

I never imagined I would have had the opportunity through marketing to leverage Google’s scale and influence for good. (The $3M Google.org grant to the NAACP ACT-SO program for the Most Searched Black History Month campaign is something I’m immensely proud of).

I’ve taken quite a few risks, including moving to three cities (Portland, New York, and San Francisco) where I barely knew anyone. My husband has “risk” tattooed on his wrist if that tells you anything, so I don’t think I have any risks I regret not taking .

If I could design my fantasy self-care day, it would be spent starting the day with a hike with my dog in Marin and then heading to the spa for a back-to-back facial plus massage and any other treatment I could fit in.

The state of our world, from climate change to gun control, keeps me up at night. I want to believe in an optimistic future for my (unborn) children and that we have the power to change our trajectory.

When I’m struggling, I say to myself, just focus on the immediate next step and it will all come together.

I am unapologetically straightforward.

Portraits of Power is a yearlong series of candid insights from exceptional women leaders. It is brought to you by ADP.