International Women's Day

The Small Change Shauna Brook Made to Deepen Her Connections With Others

In her Thrive questionnaire, the SVP Marketing and Communications at Zegna shares the habit she changed to be more present and focused in her relationships.
Shauna Brook

Shauna Brook

3 Min Read

At Thrive Global, in honor of International Women’s Day, we’re inviting women business leaders to share how they Thrive. 

Thrive Global: What’s the first thing you do when you get out of bed?

Shana Brook: A quick glance at my e-mail for any pressing issues and I check on my son, John David, who is usually announcing his wakefulness at that time and wants to read a book. When you work for an international luxury brand there are many e-mails in the morning. When I started working at Giorgio Armani many years ago checking e-mail in the morning become a habit. The only difference is  it was a blackberry then and now an I-phone. 

TG: What gives you energy?

SB: My family.    

TG: What’s your secret life hack?
SB: Being organized.  When you are organized you really can take on the world.

TG: Name a book that changed your life.
SB: The Book of Awakening, Mark Nepo

TG: Tell us about your relationship with your phone. Does it sleep with you?
SB: I am very close with my phone and have been for many years. 

TG: You unexpectedly find 15 minutes in your day, what do you do with it?

SB: Read the news, maybe a section or article that I did not get to but have flagged


TG: When was the last time you felt burned out and why?
SB: I have to be honest, I have not felt burnout.  I have a passion for what I do and have always worked at incredible brand with talented people.  Although the work can be challenging and very busy, if you love what you do and work with people who share this passion it can be fun and rewarding. 

TG: Share a quote that you love and that gives you strength or peace.
SB: Life is a Journey, not a destination by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

TG: Tell us about a small change you have made in your life to improve the way you connect with others. What did you do, how long did it take until it became effective, and how you sustain this habit?

SB: When someone is speaking, really focus on listening to them. Many times people can be so focused on their comment or reply in a meeting that you lose the moment to listen to the person who is speaking.

TG: Tell us about a small change you have made in your life to improve your focus. What did you do, how long did it take until it became effective, and how you sustain this habit?
SB: Deep breathing

TG: What’s your evening routine that helps you unwind and go to sleep?
SB: Quiet moment of mindfulness to reflect on the day and set intentions for the next.  

Author(s)

  • Shauna Brook

    SVP Marketing & Communications at Zegna

    Shauna is an industry leader with extensive experience in marketing and communications at globally recognized brands including Giorgio Armani, David Yurman and Ermenegildo Zegna. Her expertise includes development and implementation of domestic and global marketing strategies to drive brand awareness resulting in sizeable growth. She has substantial experience building and leading cohesive teams at all levels.     Shauna received her Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Communications from Boston University where she began her career working in marketing at Giorgio Armani. She then spent a decade there eventually leading marketing and special events for Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani and Armani Casa before being tapped to run Global Marketing and Communications for David Yurman. Currently Shauna is the SVP of Marketing and Communications at Ermenegildo Zegna where she has worked for the past 6 years. Shauna is originally from Boston but now lives in NYC and Greenwich with her husband and son John David.