About Justine Dharni
Justine Dharni has established herself as a distinguished and vibrant leader in the digital strategy sphere. Her career has spanned collaborations with top-tier companies like Google, Intel, Uber, American Express, and Sony Entertainment. Known for her exceptional ability to connect, she has enhanced customer experiences, fostered positive workplace cultures, and built lasting professional relationships. Her career trajectory includes key agency positions and substantial contributions to multiple social causes.
Career Journey
Digital Strategist and Creative Innovator
Justine's career began with a bold venture into video blogging on YouTube, which quickly led to a significant hosting and producing role on an international talk show for Sony Entertainment Television. This show, reaching audiences in over 150 countries and amassing 20 million subscribers, showcased a range of esteemed guests such as Vivek Ranadive (TIBCO), Naveen Jain (Viome), Blair LaCorte (XOJET), Michael Mina, and stars from the Indian film industry like Esha Deol and Hema Malini. Her journalistic talent also shone in Silicon Valley, where she took on prominent roles like moderating at TiEcon Youth and announcing the TiE50 awards.
With a rich experience that spans over 13 years, Dharni has expertly blended storytelling, creative thinking, and analytical insights to elevate numerous brands. As a Director of Digital Strategy, her strategic vision and leadership have been crucial in developing innovative marketing campaigns for various Fortune 500 companies across different sectors. She has also played a key role in launching successful influencer campaigns, strategic channel initiatives, partnerships, and research endeavors.
Workplace Belonging and Culture advocate
As a Workplace Belonging and Culture advocate, Justine leads with empathy and insight, focusing on inclusive storytelling within marketing strategies. This approach has helped secure significant deals and set new industry standards. She is adept at managing diverse teams, adapting to various learning styles, and prioritizing mental health.
Academic Achievements
A First-Generation Graduate with Notable Accomplishments
Dharni's educational journey is as noteworthy as her professional one. She is a first-generation UC Berkeley graduate with an MBA from Columbia Business School. Additionally, she is an IPEC Certified Energy Leadership Coach with a Cornell Diversity Certificate, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to learning and development.
Professional Distinctions
Justine Dharni's academic excellence includes being listed on the UC Berkeley Dean's List and receiving the Foresters Competitive Scholarship for community service. She also received the Strong Training & Coaching BIPOC Scholarship. She contributed professionally to Intel's "Brains Behind the Brains" series, earning a Shorty Award nomination. She was a finalist in ScreenCraft's TV Pilot Script Competition, working with industry leaders like WME Partners.
Expertise
Justine's expertise spans a wide range, covering strategy development, creative ideation, content strategy, multi-platform social media marketing, data analysis, business development, team management, influencer marketing strategies, partnership development, legal contract oversight, video production, scriptwriting, customer relationship management, budgeting, financial modeling, generative A.I., and research insights.
Unique Insight: Before joining Uber's marketing team, she drove over 1000 rideshare passengers, gaining direct insights from her audience.
Community Involvement and Volunteer Work
Dharni's commitment to community service began during her university days, including roles as a high school tutor and an AVID classroom counselor. Her volunteering spans organizations like Cycle for Survival, Asha for Education, Pratham, Random Acts of Kindness, Jagriti Foundation, and the U.N. Global Development Agenda.
Future Ambitions
She looks forward to graduating from Columbia Business School. She plans to continue her education at prestigious institutions like NYU and Stanford, underscoring her commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth.
Valued Colleague, Manager and Leader
Throughout Justine Dharni's career, She has consistently proven her value as a dedicated colleague, skilled manager, and sought-after team leader - a consummate professional with a commitment to collaboration and a knack for empowering teams with the tools and leadership they need to succeed.
Her work as both collaborator and manager has earned extensive praise from numerous colleagues throughout her career, a testament to her character and her ability to build winning teams that deliver results.
Below are just a few accolades received by Justine throughout her journey in the digital strategy space:
Jenn M
Vice President, Digital Strategy
"Justine was a core member of M Booth's digital management team and really excelled in that position in many ways.
It didn't take long for Justine to jump in and help the new business team secure new clients leading to $10M+ in growth for the company. She was quickly seen as a strong and organic mentor by the junior team members, which was crucial during the confusion and stress that came with an abrupt shift to remote work. When junior team members needed advice or support, she took it upon herself to help them directly and tap necessary agency resources to arrive at the ideal solution. Sometimes, that even meant jumping in on work that she wasn't directly responsible for if it meant helping the team and the business.
All of that was accomplished on top of her primary role of client management and digital strategy. She worked on many accounts across multiple industries, but we overlapped most while working with Google. She was responsible for working side-by-side with product and program managers on fast-paced launches, high profile events, and brand campaigns in the edtech space - all during the height of distance learning during the pandemic.
All in all, Justine has a lot to bring to the table and I would highly recommend her for so many reasons!"
Katharina M
Vice President, Research & Insights
"It has been such a joy working with Justine. She is a committed team player, ever-curious and thoughtful in her work and always interested in learning about new ways to solve a business challenge at hand.
While working together, it has been wonderful to watch Justine expand her knowledge of research and insights capabilities, including quantitative and qualitative methodologies, as well as earned and social media measurement. She quickly applied her knowledge to existing and new client work, consistently demonstrating her strategic thinking and data comprehension skills.
Justine is highly motivated, always eager to learn and grow, hard working and simply a joy to be around."
Layne H
Brand Marketing Director
"I had the pleasure of working with Justine on the Global Social Media and Content Marketing Team at Uber. She was a bright light in the office-not only was her positivity infectious, but she approached every single task with a can-do attitude. In our time together, she supported me in monthly editorial planning for the @Uber social program, as well as led all agency partner relationships.
I'd recommend Justine to any company looking to add a highly creative and equally organized member to their team!"
Howard T
Senior Vice President, Analytics
"I had the opportunity to work with Justine on the Intel account at mcgarrybowen! Not only was Dharni a pleasure to work with, she was instrumental in the ongoing success of the account.
Justine's social media prowess is second to none! Her social media content humanized the Intel brand while promoted the Intel brand image.
I'd welcome the opportunity to work with Dharni again in the future!"
Kevin C
Program Manager
"Justine is an amazing colleague and leader. In addition to her consummate professional and interpersonal skills, she's an incredibly passionate leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion. When I joined McGarryBowen, she was among the first to welcome me with open arms and make me feel comfortable and at home. As I got to know her better, I was continually amazed at the energy she puts not only into her work but her passion for DE&I, driving initiatives both at an office and network level, organizing events, and empowering and supporting colleagues in their professional and personal growth. At the same time, she delivered absolutely top-notch work, helping clients create engaging and insightful content. Anyone would be lucky to have her on her team, and I'm counting the days until I have that pleasure again."
Fun fact: forever a ‘hype person,’ Justine was voted Miss Congeniality by fellow participants of the Miss India Globe program, a badge she wears with honor.
Personal Interests
Outside her professional sphere, she is an avid analyst of T.V. and film, a passionate writer, and a self-defense enthusiast. Her hobbies include baking, culinary innovation, skincare, meditation, and exploring self-help literature, embracing a holistic approach to personal well-being.
Justine Dharni's career is a testament to professional excellence, academic commitment, and a dedicated approach to social impact, inspiring aspiring professionals. Her story exemplifies the power of combining passion, purpose, and a drive for positive change. As she moves forward in her dynamic career, her influence is expected to extend beyond digital strategy and workplace inclusivity, inspiring and guiding future creative talents.