Celebrating the life of
Janet Riccio
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Jim Heskett In Memory of Janet Riccio Our faculty at Omnicom University might, under normal circumstances, have had some trepidation about this new Dean for the programs. After all, she was following the founder of the University, someone who had become a legend around the place among the hundreds--no thousands--of “students” who had worked and played hard under his demanding eye. But we knew, and knew about, Janet Riccio before she stepped up to fill some big shoes. After all, we had had her in class; we knew from whom we could get the kind of direct and acerbic comment we needed at a critical moment in our discussions. We had sat with her in the “skydeck” during several later visits she made to the classroom and heard her reaction (under her breath) to a vapid student contribution. Our faculty is a pretty hardened crew as teachers go; they’ve seen almost everything--from a lot of time spent with senior business executives all over the world to their own time practicing in the real world. We can sense a phony a mile away. And we all knew that Janet was the real thing. Omnicom University would be all right under her leadership. When I learned of Janet’s affliction, I contacted her immediately, not to commiserate but to tell her I knew she was fighter and that she would be fighting this with everything she had. She was a fighter, but sometimes the fight is impossible to win. She would say the same thing were she alive. Then she would say, “That’s a tough one to lose. Let’s pause to remember a friend, a trusted colleague, and a highly accomplished person. Then let’s get back to work.” -- Jim Heskett, Professor Emeritus, OmnicomUniversity Photo -- Janet's first year as Dean - June 2012
Sharon Gordon Janet signing the check, something she did often! Nonno Cet - 2012
Sharon Gordon At Jim Heskett's retirement dinner, with Tom Watson - June 2013
Sharon Gordon Jim Heskett's retirement party at Babson.
Brian Curran One of those rare momenets when the entrire Omnicom University faculty could "relax", away from the intensity of giving our super smart "students" a life changing and career boosting experience at Babson. This was actually a dinner to mark the retirement of Jim Heskett as Head of Faculty.....but we were all there....professors, Omnicom faculty (Tom, Janet, Brian E, Sharon and me) , and of course the Dans. A wonderful evening....proud of what Omnicom Universoty had become and had achieved, and excited by the possibilities for the future. Janet has now sadly passed, but her many legacies will live on to change other peoples lives for the better for many years to come.
Sharon Gordon Don't think I ever laughed as hard as when I was with Janet. She used to fire me once a week. And pretended to be upset when I kept coming back! Babson 2017
Sharon Gordon Janet and her partner-in-crime, Associate Dean Brian Emsell. June 2017
Sharon Gordon Summer photo from Babson 2017
Sharon Gordon Janet's 60th birthday celebration in Milan
Ali Pulver Janet preferred the term ‘sponsor’ over ‘mentor’ but she was both to me. Her holistic spirit of generosity and her commitment to paying it forward inspire me to do the same. Here she is Helping us launch the Omniwomen NY Chapter in 2018.
Sharon Gordon Well wishes from Babson while Janet was in New York getting treatment. Postgraduate Class of July 2018.
Sharon Gordon Janet, Marco & me at Nonno Cet in Vimercate - October 2018
Sharon Gordon OU team at our favorite restaurant in Vimercate - Nonno Cet
Sharon Gordon Project ALS Fundraiser - Women & the Brain
Sharon Gordon One of my favorite photos -- #VALUABLE
Sharon Gordon Our team - celebrating 25 years of OU. June 2019
Sharon Gordon Girl squad -- SMP Postgraduate Program
Janet Riccio EVP, Omnicom Dean, Omnicom University Founder, Omniwomen Janet Riccio, EVP and Dean of Omnicom University, died Tuesday, July 30th at her home in Manhattan. A passionate champion for women both at work and in her private life, Janet leaves behind an unparalleled legacy of advocacy. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Janet attended Ca...
Elizabeth Cornish From Rita Rodriguez
joanne trout
There will never be another woman like Janet. The world is a little less bright with her passing, but the heavens are a little bit shinier. Her light, her kindness, her wisdom, wit and grace, will stay with us always. We are all grateful for the gift of her friendship. I am blessed for having worked with her for ten years and for having loved her...
Sharon Gordon This dedication appeared on the front of every folder in our September-November OmnicomUniversity programs.
joanne trout Janet made the world a better place from helping those with disabilities to empowering women
Sharon Gordon Janet's Memorial Page in OmnicomUniversity folders.
I miss her terribly.
Love you, Janet.
Janet was one in a million. She was blessed with an abundance of talents and did not take any for granted. In the short time that I knew, Janet, I was immediately drawn to that special light that she carried with her, her warmth, her humour and her humility. Janet touched my heart and I will be forever grateful for that. May you rest in peace, ...
Luis Huete I was blessed to show my gratitude and love to Janet in late July
While I only met Janet a handful of times it truly struck me what a warm and inviting person she was. The first time she met me, @ Omnicom University she and I spoke for a few minutes. Even though there were many who wanted to speak with her she made you feel like you were the only one in the room. The next day she remembered my name, what we had ...
Janet was a mentor and friend. She will be with me always.
Janet was my mentor and I miss her. She had wisdom, balance, humour and gave me great counsel. I worked with Janet on a couple of projects and she was generous with her time, smart with her delegation and above all a kind women. To find all the attributes that Janet had in one human being is nigh on impossible, her family and loved ones must be ...
It was a privilege share thoughts with such an amazing woman at Omnicom University. A significant loss for the industry.
More than 20 years ago I met this amazing woman who was singlehandedly managing the unruly client called McDonald's for DDB. We first met at a Convention and then worked together to grow McDonald's and DDB in Central Europe. Oh what fun when I moved to New York and we got to hang out way more. Janet, I miss you tons and will always love you. Karen
Hitesh Kakkar Janet has touched so many of us in different ways in our life, she will always live within each student of OU. Here is a souvenir that is so precious from our class of 2018, in honor of the beloved Dean
If it wasn't for Janet I don't believe our women's initiative at GMR would exist. GLOW, which stands for Growth, Leadership, and Opportunity for Women, is our version of Omniwomen. Omniwomen was our inspiration for GLOW. Janet's leadership, compassion, and humor will certainly be missed at Omnicom but she will not be forgotten! Her impact on ot...
Such a privilege to have met you even though for a short time and to benefit from the years of effort you put put into Omnicom University programs. Rest in Peace. Jeremy
Rarely in life do you meet someone who is as effortlessly 'together' as Janet was. I loved everything about her - her wisdom, warmth and wit shone a light on how to be a cracking human. She was my boss at Omnicom University and I will forever be grateful for her invitation to 'trial' as Assistant Dean that led to 5 brilliant years sitting to her...
Grateful to have been under Janet's inspirational spell since day one in 2014 at Omnicom University. Nothing beat her punch lines when addressing the class! Thank you...
I was hugely fortunate to see and meet Janet a few times - at SMP and at Omniwomen and had the privilege of seeking her wise counsel on a couple of occasions. Her memory has truly inspired me to try to be better and make just one millionth of the positive impact on others that she made. Thank you Janet.
I met Janet for the first time more than 20 years ago, when I was in-house at McDonald’s and Janet was our global client leader. Together we weathered many marketing challenges in Central and Eastern Europe. When we moved to New York, she welcomed us with open arms and our friendship grew stronger every year. I’ll never forget all of the drinks, di...
I met her once at SMP and was enough to know the bright and kind person she was. Her soul will shine forever.
Janet, I was your biggest fan and you were my constant champion. I miss so much about you, your passion for advancing women, your contributions to OMC U, and most of all your friendship. Lori Almeida
I have relatively recently joined Omnicom but I have already been to Omnicom U twice. Janet was such a great Dean of OU and she made me feel so welcome. She was kind, approachable and her wisdom shone through for all to see. She was a visionary who led so many important initiatives. We will all miss her.
As her 'partner-in-crime' at Omnicom University we worked together as Deans for 10 years. We enjoyed hard work , a lot of laughs, and quite a few Negronis together in that time! She was a very special, inspiring , and loyal person. And the OU team will miss her dreadfully. It's hard to believe I put her in a limo at Babson on July 21st ! RIP darlin...
Janet was one of THE reasons my Omnicom University experiences were so meaningful. OU was an intimidating, awe-inspiring environment. Surrounded by incredible faculty and the best talent Omnicom has to offer, she took a personal interest in reassuring me that I did belong, that it was ok to be vulnerable and that being my authentic self was more t...
Ali Pulver
Janet led and attended full time our SMP in June 2019. It was a great chance for us, I will never forget you. Thank you Janet.
I first met Janet when we were both freshmen at Boston University. Her dorm room was a few doors down from me and I can't tell you how much I heard her laughing in the hallway and as she entered her room. Janet found humor and joy in everything she did. After college, we shared an apartment on the Upper East Side for a year and I got to hear one hi...
A true inspiration to all the female leaders out there. Thank you Janet for being 'you' and for all your support and guidance. We will miss you. Rest in Peace. Lou x
I had the honor of meeting Janet twice at SMP and had the chance to spend time with her. She was an incredible light to all of us, men and women. Her witty one-line responses made us all laugh, her energy was like a flame that drew us in, and her clarity was awe inspiring. I was at SMP in June of this year and even though ALS had affected her body,...
Janet was an incredible inspiration to me. A great voice of reason and comfort. In the few times we met over the years, she made a huge impact on my life. She will be missed, but her wise words and loving attention will forever be with me. RIP
Audrey Melofchik Janet was a role model to me at Omnicom when there were not a lot of women in our industry to look up to. She was focused and smart, kind (but far from a pushover) and classy. Every morning I walk my dog past Janet's apartment, pause and say a silent hello to her. At Sharon's urging, I chatted up her doorman who offered that Janet was wonderful and how much they miss her. So now I have a new friend and hopefully soon, some new Janet stories.
Janet was someone who always seemed to have time for everyone. Whenever I had a question about any number of topics she was so generous with her time. You could feel her smile on the phone as much as you could feel it when you were with her face to face. She was strong, attentive, present, intelligent, warm, funny and humble. Qualities we should a...
I met Janet first when she hosted a group of Omnicom leaders who would deliver proactive innovative thinking to one of the company's biggest clients. We would reunite a year later at Omnicom University and I would spend the next two years getting to know her, being inspired by her, and growing to become her friend. Janet was a beacon of positive ...
Elizabeth Cornish from Rita Rodriguez
Elizabeth Cornish From Rita Rodriguez
To my dear and brave, friend and colleague, Janet. Your generosity of spirit, infectious laugh, and dogged determination and support will be sorely missed by all that had the privilege to meet you. With love and gratitude for our many years of collaboration and friendship.
Barri Rafferty
Crystal Riccio
Janet picked up the phone the minute she got my email. I was new to FleishmanHillard, in need of sisterhood, and keen to be involved. It was January 2016, and we thought by the end of the year we might have a woman President, a woman head of the UN, and a woman at the helm of the IMF. Well, we got the latter and that was and is brilliant. Our lives...
Kristin Reagan Janet taught me the importance of supporting other women. Many women preach about supporting other women, but Janet actually did it. Only two people have literally (and figuratively) given me a seat at the table over the years. Janet was one of those people . . . I feel so blessed to have been able to call her mentor and friend.
Oh Janet - you super super star. You will be sorely missed but your legacy moves forward x
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Family and friends