Darlene Gillard Jones

“[HER] notoriety flows not from being famous, but from a career spent in the backrooms and boardrooms where real power is found"

Darlene Gillard Jones has spent the last 20 years as the ideas to execution force behind some of the most well-known brands and a trusted advisor to a who’s who in politics, tech, entertainment, business, and fashion.

Known for her results-driven approach and ability to turn vision into reality, Darlene's journey began as an editor at publications like Women’s Wear Daily, Elle, W, and Essence Magazine, where she was first to feature (then-nascent) luxury brands like Christian Louboutin in the US market. Her time in leadership roles at media giants like Fairchild Fashion Media, Hachette Filipacchi Media, and Time Inc. cemented her reputation as a visionary and trendsetter.

She later founded Gillard Jones Agency, a PR, marketing, and event planning firm specializing in fashion and entertainment. For more than 10 years Darlene’s agency successfully generated media exposure, built strategic partnerships, and produced high-profile events for clients such as the WNBA, eBay, Condé Nast, Disney on Broadway and The International Downtown Association.

Darlene went on to become a co-founder of digitalundivided (DID), a social enterprise that fosters economic growth through the empowerment of Black and Latinx women entrepreneurs. In addition to providing executive co-leadership to DID’s staff and key stakeholders, Darlene played a pivotal role in expanding the organization to multiple cities where she oversaw community and partnerships (ranging from companies like Facebook to The Surdna Foundation)as well as marketing and events. She was an integral part of the leadership team behind some of DID’s signature programs including the BIG Incubator, the first tech incubator exclusively supporting Black and Latinx women founders of high-growth tech companies.

Today, Darlene is the founder and CEO of Copper Media Group, a consulting and strategic advisory firm that houses A Copper Production (which specializes in content development, production, and curated events) and Copper Films (a film and television production company).

As the Executive Producer of the Build The Damn Thing podcast and the short film "Athazagora," Darlene’s works have earned recognition, nominations and awards, including Best Screenplay at the Paramount Film Festival, the NY Screenwriters Awards, and The Webby Awards.

A sought-after public speaker, Darlene has been a featured speaker at the Grace Hopper Conference for Women in Computing, Georgia Tech and SXSW. Her impact has resulted in mentions in The New York Times, as well as appearances on CBS, and NBC’s Today Show. She has been quoted in TechCrunch, Inc. magazine, Business News Daily and Essence among other outlets.

Darlene continues to be a trailblazer and force to be reckoned with, shaping the worlds of media, technology, and entertainment behind the scenes, with her passion and vision for what’s next.