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.
Amanda Lenaghan
Head of Social Impact, Cruise
San Francisco, CA
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
In my current role as head of social impact at all-electric, autonomous vehicle company Cruise, I’m responsible for the overarching vision for Cruise for Good, our signature social impact program and building the social impact function at Cruise from the ground up. I love that my work is heavily centered on partnering with leading nonprofits and tapping into how Cruise’s core business can build their capacity to address some of our communities’ biggest challenges.
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
All aspects of my work are done through relationships and partnership. As such, my favorite part is the people I work with – the nonprofit leaders who inspire me daily (including female CEOs Tanis Crosby, SF-Marin Food Bank & Lenore Estrada, SF New Deal), my amazing colleagues at Cruise, my extended network of peer ESG leaders – we can only do so much alone, but together we are a force for good! I’d have to say, the opportunity of getting to work on how we meaningfully bring an entirely new resource to the nonprofit sector is a very close second.
We’ve all faced personal and professional challenges these past two years – what motivates you to keep going?
I’m intrinsically motivated to want to do what I can personally to make a positive impact on the world – “to whom much is given, much is expected” has been a personal mantra of mine. My personal and professional lives are intertwined in that way, and my career in social innovation is intentional, so I continue to find motivation despite the challenges we’ve all faced over the last two years. In my case, I had to juggle two young school-aged children with my husband working tirelessly on the front lines in emergency medicine – I am fortunate to work for an amazing leader in Rob Grant, and my company and leadership gave me flexibility when needed. It’s all worth it when I hear my kids explain what I do – “using robot cars to help people” – how cool is that?
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Walk before you run. As a collegiate runner, maybe it has extra meaning for me, but it’s practical advice to simply take the first step in order to create momentum toward a large goal – and that can be helpful when tackling large societal challenges.
What does generosity mean to you?
True generosity is giving wholeheartedly – not simply giving from a place of plenty. The most generous people I’ve met invited me into their one-room cane houses, opened their lives, hearts, and kitchen tables to me when I lived and worked in an impoverished neighborhood in Ecuador. To be generous is an act of sharing yourself in addition to your resources (beyond cash, think expertise, social capital, and simply being fully present) with others.
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?
Companies today have an intentional choice to make to ensure their business has a positive lasting impact on their community and key stakeholders. At Cruise, we saw that the best way to support sustained, meaningful impact was to forge long-term partnerships with trusted local nonprofits, supporting their work and capacity to deliver critical community needs. We believe that innovation can’t simply be for its own sake, which is why we have pledged to dedicate at least 1% of our fleet to serving the needs of our local communities and we’ve turned to our nonprofit partners to guide us. This type of sustained, community-rooted commitment is how emerging tech like Autonomous Vehicles can serve the public good.
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
Resourceful – I have an ability to make things happen when I feel it’s the right thing to do.
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
Connecting in person after two years of remote life! I look forward to speaking at the Social Innovation Summit in DC in June, and reconnecting with many friends and colleagues. This is also a big year for Cruise as we begin to commercialize and I’m excited to continue to build social impact in lock step with our business.
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.
Natalie Rekstad
Founder & CEO, Black Fox Philanthropy, B Corp
Boston, MA, USA
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
Orchestra Conductor of epic consulting talent within my company. This ensures that our global NGO clients have the fundraising support needed to fulfill their missions.
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
The Depth of Connection among the team. We’ve seen each other through a great deal these past two years, and the feeling that we have each others’ backs is part of our culture.
We’ve all faced personal and professional challenges these past two years – what motivates you to keep going?
The leaders and missions we serve around the globe. Their success is paramount because the stakes are so high around the globe. Fortunately our role in their success is deeply sacred work that we love.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
The Impossible Just Takes Longer.
What does generosity mean to you?
Leading with curiosity and question ‘How can I help?’ And mean it.
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?
Black Fox Philanthropy is a B Corp social enterprise so our entire DNA is centered around business as a force for good.
Businesses can play a larger role in solving today’s problems by Living their stated values. For example, part of a B Corp’s DNA is to have diversity as a core value. That’s important on a number of levels, including the fact that companies who DEI perform better financially and have greater employee retention and morale. A specific example of how we walk tis talk is funding Black Fox Fellows. Launched in 2019, Black Fox Philanthropy funds Black Fox Fellows to help accelerate the pace in which institutional racism is dismantled by supporting women of color in philanthropy in achieving ever-higher levels of influence. We underwrite all registration costs for Fellows to attend the Opportunity Collaboration (OC) annual convening.
So much more to say! One more aspect to do with how companies can play a larger role is to listen to the consumer and the workforce; that is where the true power lies. 1). If we are holding businesses accountable with our consumerism or vendor choices, then harmful business practices cannot be sustained. 2) Well-being and well-doing will need to be increasingly intentional among businesses as the rising workforce is no longer willing to invest their lives in anything less and refuse to participate in systems that are in direct opposition to their values, and the wellbeing of the whole.
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
My mainstay word throughout my life has been “grit.” Without grit, I can’t imagine where I’d be today given the early messages I received about my worth. But we evolve, and our words evolve with us.
My word now is “connection.” On the heels of leaving my unhealthy marriage, I experienced severe PTSD. During a time of abject terror, the support of my close friends, parents, and family taught me that being vulnerable and asking for help was actually safe, sacred, and profound. After decades of considering myself (and being seen as) strong and resilient, I allowed others to experience me as lost and terrified. What I hold most dear is the depth of connection to others I now feel as a result of that time. This gratitude and awe bring me to my knees. All else pales in comparison.
If you could pick a song to guide you through 2022, which song would it be?
What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong and Rise Up by Andra Day.
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
This is my ‘Year of Yin’, embracing flow. And launching Black Fox Brief 2.0. Building community in Paris!
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
If there is one thing I could change it would be to release everyone from false beliefs about their worth. So many of us ingest thousands of messages about who we are and our worth as part of our “somebody training” by well-meaning families, but also by our culture.
If we could be in touch with our divinity — our power — and remember who we truly are, we would show up differently in a world that needs us to own our worth, take our full space in the world, and bring our very necessary voices to the table. But that voice needs to be informed by inner knowing and that can only come through awakening and healing. We can’t lead while we are bleeding and broken. We can’t have a voice infused with power without trusting our own inner wisdom. While we can acknowledge today’s reality, we can also hold a vision for what can be, and strive, together, to usher in a new era of possibility.
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.
Jessica Lindl
VP Social Impact, Unity Technologies
San Francisco, CA, USA
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
Empowering employees and creators to foster a more sustainable, inclusive world.
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
Working with all of the Unity creators and customers in almost every country in the world to solve hard problems so they can change the hearts and minds of their audience. The shared power of creativity transcends cultures, boundaries, and differences.
We’ve all faced personal and professional challenges these past two years – what motivates you to keep going?
The generosity of the human spirit – for example, we had a lean team of Unity employees who worked tirelessly for 7 months to move 3 Afghan refugees out of Afghanistan to the UK to work at Unity.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Assume best intent.
What does generosity mean to you?
Personally, pro-actively sharing our talents, time and tender to leave the world in a better place than we found it – even when it means personal sacrifice.
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?
At Unity, our impact strategy is focused on supporting the millions of creators who reach billions to shift their hearts and minds – fostering a more sustainable, inclusive world.
For example, Lual Mayen – For 22 years of his life, Lual Mayen lived in a refugee camp in northern Uganda. His parents fled from South Sudan and its decades-long civil war. His mother saved $300 as the refugee camp seamstress and gave him a laptop, he made a mobile game about peace, and it was his ticket to a new life. He migrated to Washington, D.C., and became a game developer. He started the Lual Mayen Foundation, to empower refugees with technology. With a grant from Unity, Lual Mayen Foundation is working to train displaced young refugees in Uganda and Kenya through a 12-week training program focused on 3D Art and Design, and evaluate the efficacy of the program. Each cohort consists of 125, with the aim of 500 young people.
For digital health and well-being, consider Level Ex – Doctors and other medical professionals need continuous learning and certification, usually happening in large conferences costing billions of dollars and carbon to re-skill and certify. Level Ex certifies at scale in a gamified platform built on Unity – saving $, time, and carbon with a way more engaging experience.
On the civics front, iCivics – Nationalism, fake news, and tribalism is on the rise. But there’s a proven way to fix it: invest in civic education. iCivics is a Unity experience that provides educational online games and free lesson plans to promote civics education and encourage students to become active citizens.
There are many sustainability examples – Zutari is a strong example from Africa, their mission is to co-create innovative engineering solutions that deliver real impact and enable environments, communities, and economies across Africa to thrive. Zutari is now using Unity to change the way large-scale renewable energy sites in South Africa are designed, created, and operated.
Finally, Breonna’s Garden – Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police officers in 2020. Lady PheOnix, in partnership with Breonna’s sister Ju’Niyah Palmer, wanted to create a safe space for family, friends and a larger community to both mourn and celebrate Breonna’s life. Breonna’s Garden is a sacred space for anyone who wants to share a message of hope for Breonna’s family.
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
Purpose-driven – I believe in the potential of the human spirit to overcome any obstacle, and most of all when our spirit is aligned with our purpose. I see business the same way, when a company’s purpose is deeply intertwined with the business model, it creates unstoppable momentum.
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?
Visiting grantees in Africa, Europe and Americas – hoping to see their life-changing impact in person, up close. Also, spending time with my family building a school in Senegal with a village through BuildOn.
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.
Kasey Lundquist
GP, Rise Together Ventures
Santa Barbara, CA, USA
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
I am pioneering an integrated approach to venture and philanthropy investing through my fund, Rise Together Ventures. We pair each for-profit investment with a philanthropic budget in alignment with the company’s mission.
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
I’m lucky to work at this amazing intersection of venture and philanthropy, which allows me to meet the most amazing and inspiring people who are innovating in their fields to create fast change. The entrepreneurs in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors give me so much hope for the future of our world.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Find both a mentor and a sponsor. They are different: while mentors may help you network, sponsors will actively include you in their networks. They fulfill different purposes, but are equally important.
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?
Increasingly, businesses are playing a larger role in solving today’s biggest challenges, more than any time in the past; and I strongly believe that entrepreneurs are best suited to become the change agents of our society. That belief is core to Rise Together Ventures, and we look to back founders whose missions go far beyond revenue. Ryan Peterson of Flexport is a great example of an entrepreneur who is simultaneously disrupting an archaic industry – global trade – while leveraging his business’s core capabilities to deliver impact throughout the world via Flexport.org.
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
Curious – in fact, that word has appeared on every one of my performance reviews! I find great energy in learning about people’s backgrounds, what challenges them, and what motivates them.
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.
Kayla Cartwright
Executive Team, ADAPTOVATE
Florida, USA
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
As one of the first ADAPTOVATE employees in the US and the first woman on the North America Executive Team, I have been grateful to help grow the firm’s presence and impact in the Americas. We have nearly quadrupled in size in the past two years and have done so while maintaining high employee engagement ratings and being certified as a “Great Place to Work” (c) in 2021.
As a lead for our client engagements, I lead teams of consultants & coaches in order to drive transformation for our clients. As a trusted advisor for senior executives, I leverage my skills in relationship building, diplomacy, facilitation, and operationalization to serve as a guide through ambiguous periods of transformation.
At ADAPTOVATE, we support the transformation of traditional organizations and teams into Agile organizations through a culture and mindset change. We do this by coaching teams, managers, and senior executives to make their organization deliver better outcomes, faster. We support the building of learning cultures by facilitating training in a practical and engaging way to make change sustainable.
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
The best part of my job– the part that brings me energy–is working 1:1 via coaching conversations with both clients and internal team members. I’ve spent my entire career coaching, and I love nothing more than being able to help others envision what is possible for themselves and their teams, and to unearth assumptions that might otherwise block them on their path to achieving what is possible. Each individual has unique strengths and identities that, when considered deeply, can allow us to unleash our fullest potential for ourselves, our organizations, and society at large.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Listen. Check for understanding.
What does generosity mean to you?
To me, generosity means that you are generous in whichever way you are able– by sharing your time, talents, treasures in ways that others truly need. I believe in being generous with my feedback, energy, and ears–I love being a sounding board for others and helping people get specific about what is working for them and what they should do to evolve.
Community engagement is important to me. I grew up watching my grandparents volunteer their time as union presidents and volunteer coaches. My mom volunteers her time and energy on various community boards and is generous with her coaching of others in her field. I volunteer and lead in a variety of community organizations across Miami and am grateful that ADAPTOVATE is generous with its time, talent, and treasures via the Pledge 1% Initiative and our pro bono consulting and coaching engagements.
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?
Absolutely. Businesses, especially large enterprises, provide employment and goods/services for hundreds of millions of individuals within the US, and impact our daily existence in countless ways. Given their impact, what businesses say, and more importantly, DO, can directly impact today’s biggest challenges. One example that comes to mind is the role of business in encouraging democratic institutions. If businesses are vocal about the importance of encouraging civic engagement (voting), and back it up with action (giving paid time off and transportation to voting sites), then employees, customers, and communities will bear witness and act. If businesses follow their values when deciding where to open new offices or locations, then they can convince political leaders to lessen legislation that negatively impacts communities. Businesses and business leaders help set the tone in society, and their investment, voice, and actions are critical to solving today’s biggest challenges.
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
My one word would be “adaptive”.
As I thought about this question, I asked one of my team members for his take, and he said “adaptive” is the first word that came to mind, and I wholeheartedly agree. I believe my strength is my ability to navigate a variety of different cultures, environments, and situations quickly, and to be able to add value and learn with ease. I’ve worn dozens of different hats across my career, lived/worked in 4 countries and partnered with thousands of individuals across the globe, and as a student of anthropology, have learned about many cultures; I apply this context in whatever interaction I am in to make others feel comfortable and drive impact.
It’s also notable that our company name, ADAPTOVATE, is a mashup of the words “Adapt” and “Innovate,” so I’m grateful to work with a team that takes adaptation and innovation seriously and allows me to bring my strengths to work.
If you could pick a song to guide you through 2022, which song would it be?
I love this question! I’m opening my Spotify to see my “On Repeat” algorithm playlist.
“Keep it light” by Jack Harlow is one of my most-played so far in 2022, and I think it will continue to guide me through 2022. I’m committed to shining a light on others, hearing feedback without taking it personally, and trying to bring good energy to any situation I am in, even as I continue to push for more. The end of the track also features a sample of Jack’s mother encouraging him to pause and reflect on the impact he has already made on people’s lives. My mom gives me the same advice frequently, so it’s a good remind to just enjoy the moment and the journey:
“Take some moments today during the shoot to look around
Look at the faces of all the people you’ve brought together
Watch their reactions
Look at the joy on their faces
Take a moment to really absorb what you’ve created
What you’re creating
And try to savor it”
-Maggie Harlow voiceover on “Keep it Light” by Jack Harlow
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
If you’d like to connect, my email is kayla.cartwright@adaptovate.com.
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.
So-Young Kang
Founder & CEO, Gnowbe
Singapore and the US
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
I’m the “Chief Energizer” so my main role is to energize our team, clients, partners, investors and broader ecosystem to catalyze everyone to create interactive social experiences online.
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
Seeing my team stretch and grow into their potential. I love seeing people awaken to new possibilities for themselves and the amazing creators we design Gnowbe for.
We’ve all faced personal and professional challenges these past two years – what motivates you to keep going?
This crazy idea that we can really make a difference in changing how people create and engage with content in more human ways – social, interactive, reflective.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Breathe. It’s so important to stop, pause and breathe to take it all in. One day at a time.
What does generosity mean to you?
Giving of yourself (time, resources, expertise) even when no one is looking.
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?
One of the biggest global challenges we are facing is a rapidly increasing mindsets and skills gaps. At Gnowbe, we understand that one key way to address this is by empowering creators – trainers, educators, coaches and thought leaders – with next gen authoring tools to design learning experiences that can actually shift mindsets, develop behaviors and build skills. This has been a huge gap so it’s exciting to be able to stand in the gap.
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
Catalyst. I’m very purpose-driven and have made it my life-mission to try to solve really large global issues and bring as many people as I can towards making a positive impact.
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
Launching a $10M Scholarship to empower anyone to develop micro-learning instructional design (MID) skills to design more engaging, effective shared digital experiences.
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.
Eja Batbold
CEO/Cofounder at Tomyo Edtech
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
I oversee the operations and fundraising side of the business. Now the company has 23+ employees so it is nice to see other people step up and take over some of my plates.
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
When we receive messages to our social accounts, comments on our pages from customers/students who demand the next courses and more content on our educational platform. Such comments make our work so worth it to actualize the impact and see our product is reaching rural parts of Mongolia.
We’ve all faced personal and professional challenges these past two years – what motivates you to keep going?
Online education has never been this relevant and due to pandemic, our technology and product played critical role in closing the gap in educational content delivery to both urban and rural students. We saw in increase in our products from 50K to 350K users in the past 2 years. That’s real impact, that’s what motivates me.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
If you think you cannot, you never will.
What does generosity mean to you?
Sharing the knowledge and opportunity to those around you.
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?
We initially started as a mobile app platform for educational content creator to share and teach anyone. We saw great traction and special demand from rural parts of Mongolia because it was not something they had access physically in their small towns. And then year 2, other educational institutions such as Asia Foundation, Women Business Center, Memory Words, Science of Yoga started using our core technology to service their communities digitally too. Now, we have launched more than 10+ platforms white labeled and each serving their communities and providing information instantly across the country, actually all over the world (Mongolia, Korea, Japan, US)
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
My name is Eja Batbold, and I really like my last name Bold. I have social media handles as “theboldstory”.
If you could pick a song to guide you through 2022, which song would it be?
Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen.
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
This year, we got investments from US based VC and I am now in LA, USA expanding our operations in the land of opportunity. I am excited about our first 2 US clients apps that we launched for them and also some deals we are progressing in the pipeline. It is an exciting year to be here.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
It is such exciting times that now kids in Mongolia and likewise kids in the US are watching the same YouTube content and they are getting instant information. If we can double down on the educational content aspect with such powerful technology, we can help millions of people to reach their full potential despite their economic/country status.
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.
Jessamine Chin
Sr. Director Social Innovation, ESG Office, VMware
San Francisco, CA, USA
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
As Senior Director of Social Innovation in VMware’s Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) Office, Jessamine drives social impact strategy that progresses towards a more sustainable, equitable and secure digital future for all.
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
Over the past 10 years at VMware, I’ve had the opportunity to imagine and build initiatives that serve VMware’s stakeholders from employees to customers to the broader community. Not a single day has been the same and I am continually learning and growing in the process.
We’ve all faced personal and professional challenges these past two years – what motivates you to keep going?
These past two years have brought many challenges, especially with a family with small children – and what keeps me going is both them and the recognition that I and my family has much to be grateful for.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Create your own door.
What does generosity mean to you?
Generosity means recognizing where one has abundance in their life and sharing it with others.
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?
Today’s biggest challenges are systemic and require action from all stakeholders, especially business. I believe that when a company takes into account environmental and social factors into their business strategy, it creates more long-term and sustainable value. For example, at VMware, sustainability has long been inherent in our technology solutions. As companies virtualize their digital operations, they benefit from lower costs, increased flexibility, and more resilience—but also a reduced carbon footprint. VMware has helped its customers avoid more than 1.2 billion metric tons of carbon emissions to date. (“Enabling More Agile & Sustainable Business through Carbon-Efficient Digital Transformations,” August 2020. ). We know the world needs more – and as VMware drives towards the outcome of a more sustained digital future, we are further integrating efficiency and decarbonization into the products and services we create.
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
Compassionate perseverance (I know, it’s two words!). I value how things are done and the intention behind them; it’s about taking into account the needs of others while striving towards a difficult or sustained goal.
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
I’m currently in the Aspen Institute’s First Mover’s Fellowship program – each fellow is focused on a project with both business benefit and positive societal impact. My project is focused on the intersection of building people’s digital capabilities and product sustainability as a unique talent differentiator. I have been reinvigorated both personally and professionally by the Fellowship, especially by how it’s refreshed my own capabilities in addressing new challenges.
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.
What is your name and title?
Kath Harris, Director, People & Culture at Destined 4 Pty Ltd.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
I care and look after people. Importantly I help others to grow, by enabling and empowering people to realise their own potential and shine in their careers. I do this by developing relationships, sharing my skills, knowledge and experience to help make the organisation a great place to jump out of bed in the morning and come to – in person or now virtually!
How did you get here? Please share any quick stories from past work experiences.
One of my favourite career experiences was with ‘birdsnest‘ based in the country town of Cooma in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales. Each day I worked with up to 100 women who loved and supported each other to thrive in whatever their role was. Being aligned with an organisations values is a top priority for me. I was grateful for the opportunity to work with Jane Cay the founder and CEO. I really believe in what birdsnest stands for which is “We are focused on nurturing and inspiring you, our #birdsnestgirl, to be confident in the skin you are in, no matter what age or body shape.” At birdsnest I felt I was accepted and loved by the team for who I was. It didn’t matter where I came from or what I looked liked. I was embraced for the special qualities I brought to the team and this was a key attribute of the entire workplace culture. There was not one day that went by that I didn’t receive a hug from someone at the nest!
In your opinion, what’s the #1 decision or move you’ve made that has helped advance your career?
The decision to trust myself and the decisions I make at the time. Every decision I’ve made in my career has helped me to learn and understand more about myself, my strengths and my challenges. I’ve learnt to accept I have areas where I fall down sometimes and I make mistakes. It use to be a lot tougher to admit there were things I needed to change. Now I see it as an opportunity to learn more about myself and importantly to empathise and understand others.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?
It has been a tough and uncertain year for us all. What came to mind straight away was a quote surprisingly in one of my kids’ favourite movies “Croods: A New Age.” “Perhaps the window by which I view the world is flawed.” – Thunk
The most important lesson for me this year has been the self-awareness of what window I choose to view people, life and situations through. I’ve learnt that I need to be more conscious of the window I view others’ through. That it’s important to seek information, be more curious, ask questions and then consider all of those factors before making recommendations or forming a view. It’s ok to be flexible, acknowledge when you haven’t looked at all factors and then choose to look through another window.
What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?
The low percentage of women in key leadership positions. This impacts the workplace culture in many different ways, however especially bringing diversity in thinking and relating to others. I believe this significantly impacts decision making and innovation in the business. Women progressing in their careers are also looking for inspirational female role models in leadership positions to act as advocates, mentors and coaches for them.
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
Yes, I’m very grateful for the mentors I have now and have had throughout my career. For me time and active listening are the key qualities of an effective mentor. Having a mentor who listens without judgement, gives you their time and who is open in sharing their own experiences that you can learn from is invaluable. My mentors have greatly contributed to my growth not only in my career, but as a friend, wife and parent. And I would also say in helping to be kinder to myself.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
To believe in yourself and the unique skills and qualities you bring to your chosen profession and organisation. I believe it’s important not to compare yourself with others and not measure yourself against what other people have achieved. Hold true to your own values, goals and dreams. I also recommend making connections with people and establishing a diverse network. 80% of all my roles I’ve found not through job advertisements or recruitment agencies but through talking with my network and being open about my career goals and the workplace environment I want to be apart of.
What is one thing companies can do, big or small, to help create an environment that advances women into leadership positions?
Brene Brown talks about being clear is being kind. Be brave and provide feedback that is going to help women to grow and reflect on where they may be stumbling. I’ve found my greatest development has come from the feedback and insights I’ve received over the years from my managers or colleagues who’ve had the courage to tell me when my behaviour has hurt them or others. Have real conversations with women even when the message is tough.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?
My goal this year is to give more time to my family and friends, especially to my husband and two children, listening and being present with them. Relationships are a huge part of my work and ensuring I’m nurturing these at home is also so important. For me working from home has brought with it the challenge of having boundaries. It’s really important to switch off from work and enjoy our time with the treasured people in our lives.
Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?
There are two organisations that I support in Australia. “Fitted for Work” and “Share The Dignity“. Both these charities make a difference in the lives of women who may be experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or doing it tough. They do this in different ways. Fitted for Work helps Australian women experiencing disadvantages get work, keep work and strive at work. Share the Dignity distributes period products to those in need and work to end period poverty here in Australia. Through my workplaces I’ve partnered and driven donation initiatives to help support both organisations to achieve their goals in helping women in need. At Fitted for Work, I’ve also been able to support mentoring and training initiatives for women experiencing difficulties getting back into the workplace.
When did your company join Pledge 1%? What does your impact program mean to you?
Destined joined Pledge 1% three years ago. Our program means we have time and resources to help others and give back to our communities. We give back to our local communities by providing time through volunteering for group initiatives and we also importantly provide our knowledge, skills and expertise in Salesforce. Giving back by supporting not for profit organisations that are making a difference to people and our planet is really important to Destined as a Salesforce Partner.
What do you like to do outside of the office? Any interesting (or unique) habits or interests?
I love being outdoors and active in the environment whether it’s on the beach or amongst trees enjoying the mountains. Two of my favourite activities are mountain biking and hiking. Just before COVID lockdown in Australia I travelled to New Zealand and completed the “Kepler Track” in the Fiordland National Park. This was a huge achievement and really a bucket list item for me. The four day walk and scenery were beyond anything I could have ever imagined, however I’m grateful to the support of the seven women who inspired me to keep going when I questioned whether I had the courage to finish it.
Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite book or podcast!
‘Bet on Talent‘ by Dee Ann Turner and ‘Dare to Lead Podcast‘ with Brene Brown – both amazing women who I admire.
What’s been the one (or two!) things that have helped you navigate this past year? Any tips or tricks to dealing with remote work?
Keeping a routine has been really important especially working and managing two kids who had to home school for a short time. Getting dressed for work was also really important to help my mindset to separate work and home commitments. Lastly, as a person who loves time with people face to face, keeping connected with others was so important for my mental health. Daily video huddles and google chats have been great for me to feel I’m not losing contact with people.