When ELLE first launched its signature career column, Office Hours, the intention was to create a space where people in powerful positions could share their first jobs, worst jobs, and everything in between—the moments they took big risks, the snacks that power them through the day, and the behind-the-scenes mechanics others rarely get to see. Over the years, ELLE has featured an impressive portfolio of women, from Shay Mitchell to Jane Goodall, and on Wednesday night, the magazine partnered with The Standard, East Village to officially bring Office Hours live. The evening started with a panel moderated by ELLE’s deputy digital editor, Madison Feller, who was joined by Amber Asher, CEO of Standard International; Ah-Niyah Gold, founder of A Gold Consulting; Marjon Carlos, cultural critic, creative consultant, and host of the Your Favorite Auntie podcast; and Priya Krishna, food reporter and cookbook author whose children’s cookbook, Priya’s Kitchen Adventures, comes out April 30.
Madison Feller, Ah-Niyah Gold, Marjon Carlos, Priya Krishna, and Amber Asher
After the panel, guests headed downstairs for guided career vision boarding led by Margot Lee, founder of No Particular Order, using, what else, ELLE magazines, of course.
Margot Lee
Throughout the night, panelists spoke about their own, wide-ranging first jobs (Asher worked at a cider mill as a young teenager; Gold performed on Broadway as young Nala in The Lion King) and gave insights into their anything-but-standard careers, including how Gold launched her own business at 23 years old, and how Krishna employed scrupulous kid taste-testers to help bring her new book to life. (“Adults are too polite,” she says. “Kids are like, ‘This sucked.’ But then when they give you a compliment, you know they mean it.”) Asher also revealed what it was like to transition from being a lawyer to taking on the role of CEO: “I can do this, and I have to do it, because women need to see women in these roles. I have two daughters, and I have two sisters, so for me, I’m going to do this and hopefully bring people with me while I’m here.” And Carlos, an Office Hours alum and author of numerous ELLE cover stories, explained why she’s decided to carve out her own lane, including writing a book, hosting a podcast, and working as a consultant. Summing up the ethos of Office Hours, she told the crowd: “I don’t just want crumbs; I want the whole thing.”
See photos of the event, below.
