Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are paving the way for the next generation. While our featured leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, they are united in their efforts to promote equality for all women in the workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their journey to success, as well as lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Nivi Achanta
CEO, Soapbox Project
Seattle, WA, USA
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
I’m the self-proclaimed Party Sorceress at Soapbox Project. I’m the founder and only full-time employee, which means I do almost everything: write our newsletters, build community, host events, and make it easy for busy people to create environmental justice!
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
The community building piece, hands-down. I LOVE talking to our members and bringing people closer, whether it’s through our weekly virtual events or monthly in-person Action Hours. Social change is a long game, and it requires us overcoming the deeply entrenched ideas that business should be cutthroat and competitive. Building community shows me every day that this business isn’t about myself; it’s about the health and well-being of our planet and its people.
One fun recent win: we had a virtual event where two participants met for the first time, and within an hour post-event, they met up IRL at a local bar! This is the greatest metric of success I could have hoped for.
We’ve all faced personal and professional challenges these past two years – what motivates you to keep going?
Community keeps me going. This includes the Soapbox Project membership community, my community of close friends in Seattle, spaces I attend online with other women entrepreneurs, and the knowledge that we really are in this together, whether we like it or not. Zooming out and realizing the absurdity of being humans on a tiny spinning planet keeps me grounded in a strange way — I realize that if I fail, it does not matter, and if I succeed, it’s going to be beautiful and human-powered, with my community beside me.
What does generosity mean to you?
Generosity is actually one of my core values, so I think about the behaviors I demonstrate. At the heart of it, if it’s within my means to help someone in need, I must.
How do you feel businesses can play a larger role in solving today’s biggest challenges? Do you have any specific stories or examples from your work or colleagues you can share?
Businesses can play a HUGE role in solving today’s biggest challenges, but only if we step out of the mindset of “business as usual”. We have to think creatively about the core of what we’re doing, and this means rejecting VC money that doesn’t align with our values, bootstrapping even when it’s hard, giving up control, and putting impacted people in leadership positions.
At Soapbox, we’ve raised over $80,000 for environmental and social justice since 2020. This is a LOT of money for an organization led by one tiny person!
Additionally, one impact I’m proud of is our quarterly letter-writing to incarcerated people events. Since 2021, we’ve written over 1,000 letters to people in prisons, and we’ve changed the lives of our pen-pals on both sides. Our incarcerated friends have written to us saying that they finally feel “more like a human and less like a prisoner”, and attendees on the Soapbox side have had their entire perspectives changed on the US prison system, what compassion means, and how we’re unintentionally doing harm. Soapbox facilitates these events with tech companies and large corporations, and the employees we work with are finally seeing how much more they can do as workers.
If everyone in the business world just did 1% better and sustained that effort over time, it could truly change the world, as long as that 1% of effort and resources is coming from a place of seeking true change, instead of PR or external validation.
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
Vibrant
If you could pick a song to guide you through 2022, which song would it be?
Decide to be happy by misterwives
Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are paving the way for the next generation. While our featured leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, they are united in their efforts to promote equality for all women in the workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their journey to success, as well as lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Heidi Ridley
Co-Founder and CEO, RadiantESG Global Investors LLC
Danville, CA, USA
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
RadiantESG is a new company in a start-up situation, so roles are less defined and tend to be more broad. In my capacity as CEO, my main focuses are defining the vision and strategy for RadiantESG and to motivate and engage our team to successfully execute on our strategic plan. It’s also important that I lead our discussions with all key constituents, most notably the clients we serve. Finally, there is a strong advocacy role to play as a leader within my industry on key topics such as the role of investments in driving positive change on environmental, social and governance issues, diversity and inclusion.
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
The best part of my job is co-creating this new company with a group of incredibly talented people, whom I admire and respect. We worked together on average 15 years and I was truly honored that they decided to join me on this journey. I am really enjoying building something from the ground up, motivating by creating an organization that is really different and inspires others.
We’ve all faced personal and professional challenges these past two years – what motivates you to keep going?
A real sense of purpose and a strong desire to have a lasting positive impact on the financial services industry–both in terms of championing the important role capital markets can play in driving progress on environmental, social and governance issues and in helping to bring about a more inclusive mindset toward women and other underrepresented groups.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith and grow your wings on the way down.
What does generosity mean to you?
When you do something for which you are not the beneficiary.
How do you feel businesses can play a larger role in solving today’s biggest challenges? Do you have any specific stories or examples from your work or colleagues you can share?
The world’s biggest challenges need focused alignment between governments, businesses, and individuals. Private companies are often at the nexus of these three groups, benefitting from evolving priorities in government spending and acting as a conduit for buy-in from the public generally. In this way, private businesses have a unique role to play in transformational change. A good current example would be the emergence of smaller companies that will be key in driving a transition to a greener energy grid. To be sure, not every one of them will be a good investment, but as a group they help push technology forward, attract capital to where it is needed most, and influence individual preferences.
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
Determined. If I set my mind to something, I cannot be deterred. I genuinely believe that there is no challenge that can’t be overcome. I am willing to put in the work and my resilience knows no bounds.
If you could pick a song to guide you through 2022, which song would it be?
Footprints On The Moon by Gabby Barrett
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
On a professional level, I’m very excited about being able to meet with clients face to face again and look forward to what I hope will be a successful launch year for our firm.
On a personal level, the big development is preparing to be empty nesters. Our two older boys were married last year, our third son will be starting senior year at CU Boulder and our youngest son is graduating high school and will be off to college in the summer.
Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are paving the way for the next generation. While our featured leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, they are united in their efforts to promote equality for all women in the workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their journey to success, as well as lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Katrina Julia
Creator + CEO, FIT Life Creation
Nomad currently – since end of 2020 – will be based again in Atlanta, GA this year
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
I am a Multi-passionate entrepreneur who helps entrepreneurs and brands create + scale a life and business they love. This is done as the Creator and CEO of FIT Life Creation, all in one lifestyle brand with tips, tools and tech in wellness, business, marketing and travel. Think Amazon and Airbnb have a family.
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
The purpose, the growth, the learning, the challenge. I love it all!
We’ve all faced personal and professional challenges these past two years – what motivates you to keep going?
Passion, Purpose, People, Persistence. Faith + Focus drive me.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
You may be and do anything you want in this life- mom.
What does generosity mean to you?
Giving from an overflow because when you focus on gratitude there is always overflow.
Giving from your heart limitlessly even and especially when it is not convenient.
How do you feel businesses can play a larger role in solving today’s biggest challenges? Do you have any specific stories or examples from your work or colleagues you can share?
Yes, I absolutely AGREE!
Here is an article where I wrote Transformation is Required and solving problems like wellness, monetizing, ending homelessness, ending cancer, helping vets and battered women.
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
Limitless – there is no box – that is how I live my life.
If you could pick a song to guide you through 2022, which song would it be?
Jireh – Maverick City – helps keep me focused and grateful and aligned.
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
YES! Travel this year to Colombia and Panama right now and projects in Panama, next Portugal, The Cru, launches with influencer marketing, our mastermind with Creation Club + Lifestyle Brand Academy, CREATEIT Summit later this year and more!
Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are paving the way for the next generation. While our featured leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, they are united in their efforts to promote equality for all women in the workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their journey to success, as well as lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Sara Stender Delaney
Founding CEO, Sarilla
Asheville, NC USA
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
I lead our company’s brand development, community partnerships and Ask for Sarilla campaign. I invest in our farmer partnerships and help to create a new paradigm of conscious commerce.
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
I love team building, and sharing time with people who really get what we are doing.
We’ve all faced personal and professional challenges these past two years – what motivates you to keep going?
My purpose for being overpowers the challenges I face on a daily basis. I almost lost my life in my early twenties and it was a wake up call, so since then I have learned healthy coping tools to manage stress, social anxiety, and overwhelm. My time in Rwanda taught me that we are never alone, that someone else is going through what we are feeling too, and that it is really hard to heal in isolation. The importance of having a community support network is the topic of my last Ted Talk.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Move a muscle, move a thought.
What does generosity mean to you?
Being kind to ourselves and bringing warm energy to a room. Offering time to someone in need. Holding the mindset that there is plenty to go around and to be free with information and resources.
How do you feel businesses can play a larger role in solving today’s biggest challenges? Do you have any specific stories or examples from your work or colleagues you can share?
The big issues we are tackling include mental health, gender-based violence, poverty, climate change. It can be hard to focus on one thing since there are so many needs today, but our impact is greater when we do focus on what we know and which areas we can really effect change. For me that is ending sexual violence. We are tacking this with the Ask for Sarilla campaign, becoming the go-to alcohol-free social drink, and partnering with community organizations that help prevent alcohol-induced violence and assist women who have a history of trauma. We must look at the root cause of problems, and I believe that social enterprises are the future in terms of global change.
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
Resilient. I have overcome some experiences that others might say is their worst nightmare. I took it one step at a time and had help along the way. I have learned that it is important to share my story because it may help someone else, and today it is my mission to show others that no matter what you were born into, there are no excuses for staying stuck in a life that does not inspire you.
If you could pick a song to guide you through 2022, which song would it be?
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
I’m excited to travel back to Rwanda soon! I always get new inspiration and a sense of fullness when I spend time there and I miss the people. This year we are launching into a new channel and with a new brand look so I can’t wait to unveil that when the time is right.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Sarilla is currently accepting interest from social impact investors. Please contact me if you would like to review our deck.
Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are paving the way for the next generation. While our featured leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, they are united in their efforts to promote equality for all women in the workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their journey to success, as well as lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Donna Litt
COO, Uvaro
Waterloo, ON, Canada
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
Responsible for ensuring we have the systems and data practices in place to align, enable, and resource our team, so that we may deliver on our company goals.
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
Working collaboratively to help team members work through new challenges.
We’ve all faced personal and professional challenges these past two years – what motivates you to keep going?
Mindset. I have 24 hrs in the day to do 6 things: Move my body, eat good food, move my business forward, move my personal life forward, be good to my people, get a good sleep.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
All you ever need to do is the next one thing.
What does generosity mean to you?
The more you receive the more you have to give.
How do you feel businesses can play a larger role in solving today’s biggest challenges? Do you have any specific stories or examples from your work or colleagues you can share?
Businesses align and mobilize groups of people– employees and customers, primarily. Businesses are also in a position to dedicate significant resources to solving the problems their employees and customers care about. By being customer-centric and value-creation driven, businesses learn what their customers and employees care about, and can dedicate resources accordingly.
Uvaro got to where it is today by listening to our customers. We started as a technology company selling efficiency software to sales teams. In a few short years we’ve become the only community dedicated to our customer’s career success, from their first job to their last, and have helped hundreds of people gain confidence and find new success in the workplace.
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
Stubborn.
If you could pick a song to guide you through 2022, which song would it be?
Marie Davidson, Work It
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
Helping our team realize more of their potential.
Submitted by Goodera
We all know that being your authentic self is the only way to flourish and thrive in today’s world. Now imagine if you couldn’t. Not because you wanted to and didn’t know how, but because you were forced to do so. What if you had to add an extra layer to your life every time you went to work? What if you had to pretend to be someone else just to eat lunch in the cafeteria? What if you had to keep part of yourself hidden while meeting a client? How would you feel?
This is the ground reality across corporate America, where 40% of LGBTQ+ workers haven’t come out at work. Among out at work, 54% hide the fact from clients and customers, trading the closet at home for the cubicle at work. If the ‘New Normal’ has to live up to its reputation as the new era of fairness, equity and justice, we must create a more contemporary culture of LGBTQ+ inclusion.
An actionable plan for a more inclusive LGBTQ+ workplace culture can be whittled down to three basic tenets: empathy, understanding, and engagement. While these aren’t radical new approaches, their implementation is what sets them apart. The time for half measures and big promises eschewing affirmative action has passed. Instead, it is time to be bold, equitable, and proactive in our approach to LGBTQ+ D, E & I at the workplace.
- Let’s take a look at Empathy first.
To be more empathetic, we must understand that empathy and sympathy aren’t mutually interchangeable. In the corporate context, this translates to reviewing and creating new policies for LGBTQ+ individuals, especially if they are women, BIPOC, Latino, persons with disabilities, and/or AAPI.
For example, LGBTQ+ women comprise 2.3 percent of entry-level employees yet comprise only 1.6 percent of managers and even smaller shares in leadership positions. In such cases, LGBTQ+ inclusion cannot come at the cost of gender parity. So while we work to include one group, we mustn’t inadvertently exclude another.
Showing empathy also involves starting a dialogue that makes employees aware and sensitized to topics that affect the LGBTQ+ community that cis-gender and non-LGBTQ+ employees sometimes take for granted. Again, pronouns are a great place to start.
Using the appropriate pronouns such as they/them/theirs, she/her/hers, he/him/his, or even zie/zir/zirs across internal and external modes of communication can let LGBTQ+ and non-binary employees feel seen. Given the generational shift among the workforce that skews towards pronoun-conscious millennials and Gen-Z, this small step goes a long way towards building purpose and loyalty among new employees.
- You need to follow up empathy with Understanding.
Even among the LGBTQ+ community, queer and trans folx are some of the most misunderstood. According to a survey on global attitudes toward transgender people conducted in 16 countries, 30% of respondents worried about exposing children to transgender people. In addition, only 40% would use the correct pronouns when addressing them. With misconceptions and misunderstandings, inclusion will always be an uphill battle unless organizations encourage understanding and start a conversation among the ranks.
One way to achieve this is by investing in programs—such as affinity groups, LGBTQ+ networks, paid internships, or formal mentorship opportunities—aimed at LGBTQ+ employees. Even then, these conversations shouldn’t be confined only to Pride Month or LGBTQ+ History month; actual progress means inclusion, empathy, and understanding for every letter of the abbreviation 365 days a year. That is where engagement comes in.
- Using employee engagement to amplify understanding
More than 60 percent of LGBTQ+ respondents to a global survey reported needing to correct colleagues’ assumptions about their personal lives. Engagement, primarily through volunteering, can bring these conversations to the forefront in a safe space free of judgment. It also let’s new hires know that they have entered a culture of acceptance and tolerance, which can create a strong emotional anchor for retention and loyalty.
Goodera and its non-profit partners have created a host of meaningful activities supporting the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month 2022 as part of our #ShowSomeLove campaign. These opportunities cover in-person, hybrid, and virtual activities that teams of employees or ERGs can undertake to support local and global LGBTQ+ communities.
The benefits of a new culture of LGBTQ+ D, E & I speak for themselves…
In his book, ‘The Economic Case for LGBT Inclusion, economist and author M.V. Lee Badgett says that business hostility toward the LGBT community costs countries up to 1 percent or more of their GDP. So, of course, we cannot argue the economic sense of letting employees be their authentic selves at work but a culture of LGBTQ+ inclusion also comes with a few salient benefits.
- For starters, it fosters creativity as diverse teams show higher productivity, higher creativity, lesser groupthink, and even higher innovation potential than teams consisting of people with similar backgrounds.
- Diversity and Inclusion can open up business opportunities as organizations that employ LGBTQ+ employees will have an inherent advantage when designing products and services to cater to their niche needs.
- Diversity creates an environment conducive to networking. These networks eventually translate into an inclusive work culture and not just a diverse one.
Building empathy for LGBTQ+ employees, understanding them, and engaging the workforce to include them is no longer a metric of vanity but one of success. Research has shown that teams with greater diversity and inclusion experienced a 14.4 percent gain even when the S&P 500 saw a 35.5 percent decline in stock performance. So what would you rather have employees focus on in our increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world? Bringing out their best or hiding their authentic self? The answer to this question will determine our successes or failures in the new normal.
Happy Juneteenth!
Today, we celebrate this day of freedom and commemorate those who fight against racial injustice. While it’s important to recognize and help explain the importance of Juneteenth, we also know this isn’t a one-day event; it’s a reminder of a daily effort we all must make to build a more equal and inclusive world. As many of us observe this historic holiday, we want to ask our Community:
What can we do in our workplaces to meaningfully commemorate Juneteenth?
Over the past 19 days, we’ve been sharing tips, examples from Pledge 1% members, and resources on our social media. You can browse the full curated a list below, along with some actions companies can take to honor this day throughout the year:
- Last year marked the first celebration of Juneteenth as a Federal Holiday, but it was a long and arduous fight to achieve that recognition. Understanding the history of our youngest holiday is an important first step to commemorating it. This article by the New York Times breaks down the timeline from state celebration to Federal holiday.
- Working virtually has helped Black employees avoid microaggressions in the workplace. As companies return to in-person work, going back into the office has become a key topic in workplace inclusivity. PBS shares tips on transitioning back to the office.
- Investing and supporting Black-owned companies can help diversify both your company’s portfolio and Black entrepreneurs. This Mashable article covers how to find and support black business through investing.
- Do you have a Black employee resource group? Amplifying black voices in your workplace is a key way to engage and provide essential community spaces. Find examples like Salesforce’s BOLDforce to learn why employee resource groups are important and powerful.
- Being an authentic ally is a key way to dismantle structural racism and sexism in the workplace. According to the 2021 Women in the Workplace report “How gender and race inform the workplace” by McKinsey, Black women are more than 1.5x more likely to say they don’t have allies in their workplace.
- Corporations play a huge part in shaping societal values. By honoring Juneteenth, you encourage conversations around resources and advocacy needed to support Black employees. This article by Forbes provides actionable steps to dismantle racism in the workplace.
- A key way corporations can support Black employees is to make Juneteenth a paid holiday. Pledge 1% builders like Twilio and Yelp have already taken the initiative to build PTO for Juneteenth into their company culture. This article details why this step is important not only for corporate culture, but also for the broader community in general.
Are you celebrating Juneteenth? If you find these resources helpful, or would like to share your own, we would love to hear from you. Please post them in our Social Impact Forum or in the comments below.
Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are paving the way for the next generation. While our featured leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, they are united in their efforts to promote equality for all women in the workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their journey to success, as well as lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Angela Wilson
Founder, CEO, & Chief Vision Officer, Exploryst
Denver, Colorado, USA
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
I am responsible for setting the mission and vision, assembling a diverse team, driving profitability, and managing the company’s overall operations.
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
It is knowing that I am solving a problem that has not been addressed for over a billion people with disabilities worldwide.
We’ve all faced personal and professional challenges these past two years – what motivates you to keep going?
As the parent of a child with disabilities, this is a problem that my family and I will be facing for years to come and it has not been solved to our satisfaction.
Individuals and families should not be restricted from the transformational activities that become part of your soul when you experience new things and visit new places.
I want to share the world with my family, with all families.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Go slow to go fast.
What does generosity mean to you?
I have been generous by supporting and donating to causes and people beyond my comfort zone. It helps me grow and allows others the opportunity to grow.
How do you feel businesses can play a larger role in solving today’s biggest challenges? Do you have any specific stories or examples from your work or colleagues you can share?
Hiring for diversity is not only better for business outcomes, but it is also better for the workers and their communities as well.
“A Study Finds That Diverse Companies Produce 19% More Revenue”
Exploryst has instituted policies for diverse hiring – age, race, religion, color, sex (including breastfeeding and conditions related to breastfeeding), gender (including gender identity and gender expression), national origin, ancestry, family status, medical condition, sexual orientation, genetic characteristics and information, physical or mental disability, and military or veteran status.
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
Resilient. Starting a tourism industry business right before a global pandemic and sticking with it over the past two years is definitely resilience.
If you could pick a song to guide you through 2022, which song would it be?
Don’t Stop by Fleetwood Mac.
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
Professionally, my goals are to successfully fund raise for our seed round and begin to expand into other metropolitan areas around the country and the world.
Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are paving the way for the next generation. While our featured leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, they are united in their efforts to promote equality for all women in the workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their journey to success, as well as lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Angel Rich
CEO, The Wealth Factory
Washington DC, USA
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
I am the founder and CEO of The Wealth Factory. The Wealth Factory is a conglomeration of brands including WealthyLife, CreditRich, and CreditStacker. WealthyLife provides financial literacy education technology through games, curriculum, courses, and other FinTech products that walk users from birth to retirement in 12 interactive modules to exceed the personal finance common core standards. CreditRich rounds up account holders’ spare change to pay your bills intelligently and improve your credit score by using our machine learning, proprietary algorithm to optimize your debt payments, customize financial education, and get you more loans approved. CreditStacker allows users to swap credit pieces to pay debt, achieve a high credit score, and learn from the multiple choice questions. I am also an author of 2 books: History of the Black Dollar and Black Woman Politics. I do a lot of public speaking as well regarding diversity, black history, fintech, and a variety of other topics.
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
I love knowing that I am making a difference in my community and in the world. With my app CreditRich, I became the first Black American to partner with a major credit bureau. By making history this way, I am breaking down barriers for future generations to come behind me and do great things. Additionally, my business focuses on financial literacy because I want to be able to help people get the financial education they need to become more financially free.
We’ve all faced personal and professional challenges these past two years – what motivates you to keep going?
There have definitely been times that it has been tough, but I am a very resilient person. When I was young, I had a vision from God who laid out my whole life ahead of me. This vision, and knowing that I have God on my side, have helped keep pushing me forward. I have an amazing network of people who help me keep going every day, and that guide me through my challenges. I know that at the end of the day I am making a difference in the world and the work that I am doing matters, so no matter how hard things get I have to keep pushing and stay motivated to accomplish my goals.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
“Angel, there is no doubt in my mind you will be successful. But if you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together.” This advice honestly changed my life because it shifted my entire approach. It helped me understand the importance of using my network and taking things slow to ensure that I am doing it right. I want to go together and work as a team to go as far as possible.
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
One thing that I had really been looking forward to is getting married! I got married on February 2nd in Washington DC on Black Lives Matter Plaza at the St Regis hotel. It was so beautiful and definitely one of the best days of my life. With work, I am really looking forward to some of the things we have coming with my app CreditRich. Unfortunately, I can’t talk about a lot of it yet, but we have some really exciting things coming that I am definitely looking forward to sharing with the world.