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?
Jiordan Castle, Director of Marketing at Atrium.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
I do marketing for a technology consulting services company focused on AI and machine learning… which means I get to ensure we’re telling great stories, supporting our customers and partners in meaningful ways, and getting our name out in the ecosystem!
How did you get here? Please share any quick stories from past work experiences.
I’ve worked for a number of Salesforce partners over the years in a full-time capacity and ultimately started my own brand and content strategy business in 2020. I ended up being offered this position with Atrium after they’d been my biggest client for several months! I’m also a professional writer outside of my corporate role, which has informed many of my relationships along the way.
In your opinion, what’s the #1 decision or move you’ve made that has helped advance your career?
In a lot of ways, getting my MFA in poetry has actually bolstered my corporate career in marketing. Creativity isn’t for any one industry; it’s for all of them. And learning how to inject creativity in unexpected ways into more traditional roles or ventures has helped me stand out and support others around me.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?
Leave room for error and leave room for change! Both allow for growth.
What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?
It can be lonely, sometimes being the only person who looks like me in a meeting with several others. That can feel like an echo chamber if you don’t push outside of yourself and talk about that exact issue with others at your company.
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
I do! Most of my managers have been wonderful, thoughtful, completely different thinkers – and I can (and do!) call on many of them to be a sounding board, to offer specific guidance, or simply to learn more about their path (the good, the bad, and the confusing!). Mentorship, to me, means providing guidance from a combination of heart and experience.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
How much time do you have?! If I had to narrow it down, I’d say… find a few people you can be yourself with at the company and ask them what you deem stupid questions (honestly) so that you can grow more comfortable with people in higher positions, partners, customers, etc. Trust your own instincts, but let the data – the truth without emotion – be a close guide as you get going at the beginning of your career.
What is one thing companies can do, big or small, to help create an environment that advances women into leadership positions?
Set up mentoring programs, certainly, but also simply: be explicit about your efforts to bring women to the forefront, to the top. Make your hiring intentions clear. You’ll get more raised hands and applications if you make it known that this is intentional, purposeful, and important to the business.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?
I hope we see marketing influence a lot of pipeline! That’s vague, but basically, I hope to help more people see what marketing means to a bottom line – that creativity pays off.
Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?
There are a lot of women- and minority-led groups I’m passionate about, but one I’m particularly HOPING to get involved with in the future is Girls Write Now. (I’m a writer! This is how I can help others hone their skills.)
When did your company join Pledge 1%? What does your impact program mean to you?
We joined in 2020, but I’ve worked with Pledge 1% at other companies in the past and I love that we can not only help make a difference but learn from other companies who are leading the way in dedicating time and resources to organizations most in need.
What do you like to do outside of the office? Any interesting (or unique) habits or interests?
I have a published poetry chapbook out in the world and I’m working on my first full-length book!
Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite book or podcast!
A book I loved recently that everyone should read is “For Black Girls Like Me.” I also love the now-ended (I think?!) podcast “The History of Fun.”
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?
Yoga, my dog, my husband… a lot of coffee and a lot of reading to get me outside of myself and into new worlds, new ideas. Logging off at a certain time and not returning.
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?
Bárbara Corvacho, Salesforce Consultant at cynqed.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
I’m a Salesforce Consultant. Basically, I help companies reach their full potential with the help of Salesforce.
How did you get here? Please share any quick stories from past work experiences.
Despite being young, I already have different work experiences in very different companies. Soon as I finished my bachelor’s degree, I went to live in Prague and worked there. Then, came back to Portugal, worked in one of the biggest Portuguese companies, moved to a Big4 and then joined a start-up. All of this in 5 years.
In your opinion, what’s the #1 decision or move you’ve made that has helped advance your career?
Never settle. Don’t settle for a job you don’t like, a job that gives you a zero percent chance of growing or a job that doesn’t suit you. And the same goes for the company you work in. It is very important to be aligned with the company’s values and policies. Nothing worse than waking up and dreading to go to work because you don’t like it there.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?
It’s really important to be in a job that you like and a company where you can be yourself and speak your mind. Working for a company that I had to change so I could fit in was one of the worst experiences I had in my life.
What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?
There is a lack of representation of women in the tech industry. Tech is mostly a male-dominated company, whether we’re talking about the workforce or the executive ranks.
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
I had one mentor that made me realise there is nothing wrong with speaking my mind and saying what needs to be said. And that was one of the best advice I’ve gotten so far.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Be bold and fierce. Don’t be afraid to stand out and speak your mind. And don’t apologise for having your own opinion and sticking to it. Speak with assertiveness. In the work place, women speak in a different manner compared to men so they can be considered friendly — don’t do it. You can be both friendly and assertive. Do not let people belittle you and think less of you for being a woman.
What is one thing companies can do, big or small, to help create an environment that advances women into leadership positions?
Create an environment where women feel comfortable. Give the same opportunities to men and women, the same salary. Once, my mentor told me that women don’t ask for pay raises, they simply find a new job thus, avoiding the confrontation. While men, even if they aren’t qualified, they ask for a raise. It is important to have the same openness to men and women. Let women lead, assign a female mentor to the women that just joined your team so they can share experiences and advice. Give women an opportunity.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?
I want to raise awareness of mental health issues within my company. Together with a teammate, I’m working on a plan where we will have different team activities each month, with a different topic but mainly related to mental and physical health.
Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?
I don’t have a particular cause close to me. However, if I had to choose one I’d say the LGBTQIA+ rights since it still shocks me regarding the prejudice felt by the community.
When did your company join Pledge 1%? What does your impact program mean to you?
My company joined Pledge 1% last year. I’m very proud to be a part of a company that cares so much and is willing to donate a part of their time to non-profit organisations. I’ve done some volunteering work whilst I was studying and everyone should do it. People should open their eyes to the difficulties other people live with and try to help. We shouldn’t turn a blind eye.
What do you like to do outside of the office? Any interesting (or unique) habits or interests?
I love to bake. Last year, in the pandemic I created an Instagram page @Happeameals_ where I share all my recipes and I sell cakes. Apart from baking, I try to travel as much as I can.
Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite book or podcast!
I love detective novels, so for anyone who likes them, I suggest reading the whole series by Camilla Läckberg and Jo Nesbo. Last year, I also read “The Colour Purple” and “I Know Why the Caged Birds Sing” and I believe anyone should read them to really understand what it was like to be a woman of colour in the United States. And lastly, Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi was one of the best books I’ve read. It portraits the life of slaves and the repercussion throughout the generations.
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?
Don’t focus just on your work. When you don’t have anything else to do for work, just close your laptop and enjoy your time. Find a hobby so you can be entertained. Take breaks, do your lunch break entirely without always checking your email. Call your loved ones in your breaks, enjoy the company of your family and/or pets.
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?
Linh Judin, Founder and Managing Director at Open Lock Marketing.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
My main role is to grow revenue and profit by creating, developing, and executing robust digital marketing strategies for new and existing clients. Working with both B2B and B2C clients worldwide, I’m responsible for managing my global staff to ensure all projects are successfully delivered.
How did you get here? Please share any quick stories from past work experiences.
Determination, luck, and support – that’s how I got where I am now. I say “luck” because I realize that I’ve been blessed with meeting people who believe in me and gave me a chance to succeed.
In your opinion, what’s the #1 decision or move you’ve made that has helped advance your career?
The #1 decision I’ve made that has helped me advance in my career is believing in myself. There are things that can be taught and learned but knowing your self worth and valuing your own time are two things you have to figure out on your own.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?
The most important lesson I’ve learned this past year is the importance of balancing work and life. When things get busy or when there are a handful of projects with overlapping deadlines, it’s easy to get caught up in work. As a mother of 2 young children, I struggle with my own guilt of not being ‘present’. This past year taught me the importance of prioritizing and delegating tasks so that I could balance my work and life better.
What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?
Not being taken seriously.
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
I have a handful of mentors that are near and dear to my heart. To me, mentorship means a mutually respected relationship where both parties are learning from one another. Typically, the mentee seeks advice from the mentor (who is generally more knowledgeable or experienced) but I find that there are times where the mentor learns new things from the mentee — things such as patience and perspective.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Knowledge is key. Immerse yourself in whatever field it is that you’re passionate about so that you can bring the information, your opinions on the matter, and your value to the table.
What is one thing companies can do, big or small, to help create an environment that advances women into leadership positions?
To help create an environment that advances women into leadership positions, companies can lead by example and have women in actual leadership positions.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?
One thing I hope to accomplish in the next year is company growth. I’d like to see our team grow by 25%.
Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?
There are so many different causes that are close to me! Prison reform, professional development, and children education are all causes that are particularly close to me. I used to volunteer with Year Up, Reading Partners, and Students Rising Above because I wanted to leave the world in a better place through our children.
When did your company join Pledge 1%? What does your impact program mean to you?
I started the application in 2019 but didn’t get a chance to ‘activate’ the membership because I couldn’t find a time (within my timezone) with the interviewer. I’ve always admired Pledge 1% and what it stood for. Even though Open Lock Marketing is not “officially” part of Pledge 1%, we’ve been donating 1% of our time to help local communities get more brand exposure by helping them create and execute campaigns.
What do you like to do outside of the office? Any interesting (or unique) habits or interests?
I find new ways to entertain my kids and I’ve also started an e-commerce website selling baby toys.
Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite book or podcast!
Permission Marketing from Seth Godin
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?
If you have to share an office, invest in some noise cancelling headphones
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?
Melissa Frugé, Chief Legal Officer & Executive D&I Sponsor at FinancialForce.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
I am responsible for all legal, risk and compliance matters worldwide. I also serve as the executive sponsor to our Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
How did you get here? Please share any quick stories from past work experiences.
I have a wonderful career journey starting with supporting a mix of start ups to public companies in the corporate group at DLA to serving as the General Counsel of high tech companies. I partner with phenomenal execs and Boards to scale companies effectively through smart organic growth, acquisitions and IPOs.
In your opinion, what’s the #1 decision or move you’ve made that has helped advance your career?
Going in house to work with a supportive team that enabled me to grow as a professional and strategic, pragmatic legal counsel.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?
This year has been a continuous reminder that we are resilient and can grow and succeed in a variety of ways by getting creative and exercising grit.
What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?
Effectively overcoming the various obstacles and biases that most men simply don’t have.
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
Yes! I’ve always been active in having both mentors who provide meaningful advice and empathy and sponsors who actually help to open doors. These people have helped use their experiences and connections to help me and I always try to do the same for others.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
View your career as an ever evolving journey, never a destination, and be open to the various paths forward that can present themselves, or which you can create. Welcome those twists and turns you didn’t expect. Lean in to learn and grow stronger from the hills along the way.
What is one thing companies can do, big or small, to help create an environment that advances women into leadership positions?
Actively educate the workforce on the power, need and impact of a diverse environment. Nurture and grow the diverse employees you have to make everyone feel welcome. Lead from the top and then ensure this happens at all levels.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?
I set intentions at the start of each year instead of resolutions. At the end of the year, I strive to be able to say I confidently stayed true to them during the year. A couple of the key ones for me are to pursue excellence and integrity in everything I do and in all facets of my life.
Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?
Diversity & Inclusion. I have a mixed family and these issues are dear to my heart, so I have always volunteered in my professional career to contribute as well.
When did your company join Pledge 1%? What does your impact program mean to you?
A few years ago as an example of our commitment to doing the right thing.
What do you like to do outside of the office? Any interesting (or unique) habits or interests?
I love meditation and yoga to stay grounded. I love travel and learning about various places, cultures and ways of living — and I hope to get back to my travels soon!
Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite book or podcast!
Yes, always and way too many to share. One of my long time favorites is The Alchemist by Paulo Cuelo.
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?
A consistent practice of gratitude. I always have things to be grateful for and it is an easy way to shift your perspective to a positive one.
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?
Yasmin Grigaliunas, CEO & Co-founder at World’s Biggest Garage Sale.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
An entrepreneur of impact and a circular economy pioneer in Australia, driving this industry forward by innovating, collaborating, connecting and mobilising multiple stakeholders towards a shared vision, all while providing social good.
How did you get here? Please share any quick stories from past work experiences.
I am a doer. It excites me to build things and drive motion forward. I love the hard, the stretch, the impossible, not because I’m anything extraordinary, but because we’re all ordinary people capable of extraordinary things. We just need to believe in ourselves.
In your opinion, what’s the #1 decision or move you’ve made that has helped advance your career?
Mine was when Mark Sowerby (Queensland’s First Chief Entrepreneur) told me that my ‘hobby’ of running a once a year annual World’s Biggest Garage Sale, was actually 4 years of running a business.
The big question he asked me was could I afford to quit my job and go all in?
That was in 2017…. I quit my job less than a week later and haven’t looked back since.
It hasn’t been easy, I won’t pretend or portray that, but I wouldn’t make a different decision if I had the chance to relive that moment.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?
I was chatting (ok, perhaps ranting one day) with the team and I came up with this – to best describe our year
Effort + Execution = Evolution
What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?
The bias, it’s a real thing, although I never spend a great deal of time sitting in any negative about it. With less than 3% of VC funding flowing to female founded ventures globally, the issue is real.
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
Mentors are lifeblood. It’s important though to recognise, that mentors are only as good as the mentee – it’s always a bidirectional and circular relationship that has natural flow in all directions. The one word I think of when it comes to mentors is:
#Coachable (be coachable – it will serve you well in life – even when it hurts).
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
You are better than you think you are, exponentially stronger than you realise and you already have the capacity and capabilities to do what you sit and admire others for. Get out there and DO IT. Don’t wait for the perfect moment, the better situation, the ‘one day’ timing – there is no better time to shine than now. Start today……
What is one thing companies can do, big or small, to help create an environment that advances women into leadership positions?
Collaborate and Connect – but not because it sounds good….actually go deep in the ACTION stages, get your hands dirty and bring together diverse entities to multiply outcomes.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?
Scale, Scale, Scale.
We will accomplish a capital raise…..(but argh….I dislike even writing that, because it’s such a ‘game’ and I’m not a game player). I prefer HOT (Honest Open Transparent), even though it might burn at times. I’d much rather just fast track things so we can get on with it – but I know that it doesn’t work that way. Most importantly, the opportunity to scale our team, bring on new talent to provide jobs and expand our reach for People, for Planet and for Purpose.
Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?
The SDGs are the cause I care most about – driving action globally for a better world for all. I am not the type of person to be put into a box – I’d rather the ‘all-sorts’ so that there’s a little bit of something for everyone. Equity over Equality…..
Not my words – but – Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognises that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.
When did your company join Pledge 1%? What does your impact program mean to you?
We joined in 2018, back when I was in SF for a trip with the Accelerator we participated in. Impact is the very fabric of our business. If I’m going to be in business, it needs to be as a force for good. While being rich in wealth is what some desire, for me, I want to be rich in love, rich in life and I know that the circular and sharing economy has the capacity to even things out a LOT. I have often said that we need to evolve the P&L report to a PLI report, which records Profit/Loss/Impact. Now where are the new Fintech founders to solve this one?
What do you like to do outside of the office? Any interesting (or unique) habits or interests?
I am a 2x Ironman Finisher (that’s the brand name…not my doing) and as it turns out, I was pretty good at it in the day. It’s been a looonnnnggg time since I’ve raced, I will go back one day, but it’s expensive and time consuming, neither of which I have in abundance right now.
I’m also a runner – having completed 2019km in 2019 and more than 2020km in 2020. 2021 is a little stagnant, but I’m feeling out a new challenge. I also ran more than 650 consecutive days, including 110 days of 10kms a day! I love doing extreme things – just because it feels good to stretch.
Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite book or podcast!
I love 5AM Club by Robin Sharma AND Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins.
One is HARD and one is SOFT. These two bipolar forces will give you a taste of what life is like as a founder and entrepreneur. I love Audible and will have many books going at the same time, choosing a title based on what I think I need to energise me at the time of listening.
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?
What’s helped us is transparency, authenticity and good old fashioned hard work. It’s been a challenge (for us all), but rather than whine about things we cannot change, our team focused on controlling what we could, which was ultimately our own capabilities and capacity – then we stretched and stretched and stretched. There were some little snaps along the way (as to be expected), but our trust and love (yes love) for each other, really meant that we made sure we would make it through.
In relation to remote work, I’ve worked remotely since giving birth to our first daughter almost 15 years ago. Being an early adopter, it meant that there wasn’t even a speed bump (for me or the team) when it came to adapting with flexible or remote work. I love to live life well outside of the comfort zone, and it’s only recently I recognised the comfort I now feel in this space. What it’s taught me is that when I think and feel the crazy stuff, then it’s highly likely something in it worth exploring.
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?
Beth Rustin, Founding Partner at Jamesbeck.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
I am a Founder and Partner of Jamesbeck, a retainer-based executive search firm that specializes in recruiting senior level talent for investment management companies. We employ fifteen people, of which twelve are in the US.
How did you get here? Please share any quick stories from past work experiences.
I began my career in banking but decided that I wasn’t a big company person. At the age of 25, I found my way to Institutional Investor, a top notch financial media company, where I learned so much about the industry that I currently serve. After seven years there, I went into executive recruiting and after seven years with a firm, co-launched Jamesbeck in late 2002.
In your opinion, what’s the #1 decision or move you’ve made that has helped advance your career?
I took a risk in starting my firm in the midst of a recession but we had conviction and starting in a slow period allowed my partners and me to get our processes and systems in place before the market turned. We were ready when that happened a year into launching Jamesbeck.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?
Breathe and be grateful for good health, family and supportive friends in life and business.
What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?
I work in a field where many male competitors socialize with their clients over dinner, drinks, sporting events, etc. I never felt comfortable doing that as a woman.
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
I had a mentor at Institutional Investor who is still a dear friend even though we see each other only a few times a year. She taught me how to be a strong woman in business and to not always agree with clients but to challenge them when appropriate. She showed me that having opinions and a voice is not disrespectful but that clients can benefit from my insights (as long as I could back it up!).
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Don’t leave the workforce to have a family. Do both and tell your employer that you are committed to your career even if it comes with a family!
What is one thing companies can do, big or small, to help create an environment that advances women into leadership positions?
Give them the flexibility to work from home when their children are little.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?
Take a real trip! I miss traveling!
Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?
I am passionate about philanthropy and give to many organizations but I am on the Board of Trustees for The Educational Alliance, a NY-based agency that serves a variety of underserved populations in lower Manhattan. A dear friend of mine brought me onto the Board when she was the organization’s first Chairwoman in 2013. Ed Alliance provides a lifeline and various educational programs for New Yorkers of all ages including seniors who often times fall through the safety net. I see the impact we have on ordinary New Yorkers and it feels very good to be a part of it.
When did your company join Pledge 1%? What does your impact program mean to you?
In 2018. It shows our entire team from Partners to Administrative Assistants that we are a firm that wants to give back and we have everyone in our firm select organizations to support.
What do you like to do outside of the office? Any interesting (or unique) habits or interests?
I love to eat, drink wine and hang with my family and friends. And I love SoulCycle and Forward Space for staying in shape!
Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite book or podcast!
I just finished a great book called Hidden Valley Road and I am a podcast junkie. Lately it is all politics, all the time, like Pod Save America and The New Abnormal.
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?
I typically start my day taking a long walk and listening to The NY Times Daily. Having this routine has been calming and is a great way to start my day. I miss my colleagues so rather than call them, often times call them on Teams Video so I can actually see them while speaking!
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?
Lisa Cole, Director of Programming, K2I (Kindergarten to Industry) Academy at Lassonde School of Engineering, York University.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
Leading the K2I Academy at the Lassonde School of Engineering to create more equitable and inclusive opportunities for youth in Engineering, Computer Science and Earth & Atmospheric Science. K2I is working differently with innovative partners from kindergarten to industry with a shared purpose – to dismantle systemic barriers and to build sustainable programs that diversify representation in STEM professions.
How did you get here? Please share any quick stories from past work experiences.
I started my career as a secondary physics and science educator. I fell into teaching while finishing up my undergraduate degree in physics. I remember my conversation with Edith Engelberg in the halls of the Rutherford Physics Building at McGill at the time – a time when life circumstances sometimes takes you on a different journey – a journey not planned and unexpected. She said, “We need great physics teachers” and encouraged me to consider teaching. I guess this is where it started – 14 years in the classroom trying my best to figure out “teaching”. I think fondly about that time because I saw each of my students as my teachers – showing me how I should teach. I remember moments when I fell short as an educator and wish I could find them to apologize and make things right – and let them know that they have taught me valuable life lessons that I keep close to me now.
I bring what I learned in my physics degree to my work. I love understanding complex systems, dissecting apart its components, and thinking about the challenges we might consider tackling. I am forever curious and full of questions. I think this part of who I am brought me to new experiences that has eventually brought me to this work. My curiosity, questions, passion for STEM education, and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is what brought me to Lassonde to lead the K2I Academy work. My experience working Durham District School Board as a program facilitator in Science and STEM brought me insights to the needs of K-12 educators, elementary and secondary schools, and communities. Working at the Ministry of Education gave me insights into policies and government. I share this here because how I got here, has really been a journey and I am certain that the work we do at K2I Academy is shaped by this journey that brought me to this place at this time.
With an innovative Dean of Engineering, Jane Goodyer, bold enough to create the K2I Academy, I feel privileged to do this work alongside my role model and mentor.
In your opinion, what’s the #1 decision or move you’ve made that has helped advance your career?
My journey to where I am today is dedicated to the many people that I have had the privilege of working with. I would say my career is built on networks and the generosity of people and organizations that have fueled my curiosity and entertained my questions. I think the first time I reached out beyond the walls of my own classroom was when I applied to the EinsteinPlus Teacher workshop at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. The application was sent to me 1 day past the due date and it was by chance it was sent to me. I remember emailing Greg Dick (he may not remember that I did back then) to see if it was too late to apply. Thank you Greg for taking a chance and letting me submit my application. I think it was there I met mentors and collaborators which I still connect with today.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?
Being adaptive and flexible is so important. People first. Be actively listening and be ready to be responsive. Be kind. Be present. Be open.
What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?
There are lots of women in K-12 education. There are not many women, however, who would have studied physics and I have memories about that time – as a young adult trying to figure out who you are, what you might want to become, and feeling the pressures of academic performance and not finding the mentors you might need. Coming back to the present, what I do know is that holding a titled leadership role is an interesting space for women still. I am still new to this role and feel so fortunate to be surrounded by a team and community at Lassonde where I feel completely accepted for who I am. I think strong examples are needed and modelled.
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
I feel so fortunate to have met many people who I would name as mentors. I have colleagues who continuously support and provide guidance in the areas that they have expertise that I don’t hold. I have leaders who have always created the time and space to be my sounding board, to remove barriers and obstacles that get in the way of work, to create opportunities that push my thinking, creates the space to develop personally and professionally, and actively listen to provide thoughtful and meaningful feedback.
Mentorship is so important for professional growth. It allows people to develop skills with guidance and support. Creates the brave space where you confront tensions and ideas as a rehearsal before you must perform. Meaningful mentorship often is reciprocal. I have learned that the most rewarding and meaningful mentorship relationships are when you feel that you can also offer something in return. Becoming an advocate is also part of mentorship. To be willing to support behind the scenes but also publically when the mentee requests and/or needs it is also important. I only hope that I can become the kind of mentor that others have been for me.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Create a network of people around you. Reach out to people and connect with those who you are most curious about. Ask questions. Put yourself out there. Seek out advisors, advocates, and mentors that will support you as learn about who you are, what you want to do, and how you wish to pursue your goals.
What is one thing companies can do, big or small, to help create an environment that advances women into leadership positions?
As I build K2I Academy, we are designing onboarding processes that will be grounded in equity, diversity, and inclusion as a key component of the learning. It is important to teams to learn together that creates the culture we need. Anti-racism and Anti-oppression work starts with the individual but only becomes a part of the culture if this work is done together.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?
As we build K2I Academy, my colleague, Michelle Tsui-Woods, Associate Director of Operations and Development, will be building a team to work with innovative partners to address systemic challenges in K-12 STEM education. We are interested in seeking out innovative partners who will do this work with us.
Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in STEM will always be important to me. I believe that the complex challenges in our society need diverse people in STEM in order to create the innovative solutions our world needs. We know we need to do better and many have been doing this work – yet we still face challenges in certain fields of STEM. Creating more equitable opportunities will remove the system barriers to access STEM post-secondary studies. For this reason, I am committed to the work of K2I Academy. We will continue to work with educational partners to bring STEM to life in schools and create innovative programs including work-integrated learning programs that for underrepresented students in STEM, including Women, Black Youth, Indigenous Youth, 2SLGBTQ youth.
What do you like to do outside of the office? Any interesting (or unique) habits or interests?
I am a mother of two amazing kids and partner to a life partner for over 25 years. I enjoy knitting, drawing, and watching movies (especially with popcorn).
Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite book or podcast!
I have just finished reading, How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi and started to reread Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
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?
I have learned to get to the things I can, become better are prioritizing, and learning to become more adaptive. I’m not sure I have really figured out the work-life balance many people talk about. My work and personal missions are so interconnected that I find it hard to disconnect at times – especially now when I know that the work I do could mean so much to others. I am fortunate to have a life partner and family who keeps me grounded and helps me to remember to take care of myself.
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?
Chastity Wright, Founder of Infiltron Software Suite.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
I am the founder and CTO of an IoT cybersecurity company that also mitigates risk for people of color and women for facial recognition.
How did you get here? Please share any quick stories from past work experiences.
My tech background started in the USAF as an aerospace engineer dealing with classified data and devices (cybersecurity). Once I left I bounced around to figure out which skill set from the Air Force I really want to pursue. I was fortunate enough to figure that out and start a business doing it.
In your opinion, what’s the #1 decision or move you’ve made that has helped advance your career?
Continuous learning. It’s what keeps you competitive.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?
That you can let a loss define you or strengthen you with wisdom.
What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?
Being seen as not knowing what I am doing, although I’ve been doing it close to 20 years now.
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
Yes, mentorship is so helpful. These people can help you navigate and avoid some of the pitfalls they experienced.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
If you have several interests, try them all and see which one resonates with you the most. Once you figure that out learn as much as you can about it and other skills that intersect with it.
What is one thing companies can do, big or small, to help create an environment that advances women into leadership positions?
Intentionally create diverse company culture.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?
To increase our clients.
Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?
Yes, leveling the playing field in tech for people of color, especially women.
When did your company join Pledge 1%? What does your impact program mean to you?
We joined in 2021. Our impact means that some voices that get lost will be heard.
What do you like to do outside of the office? Any interesting (or unique) habits or interests?
I like golfing and traveling to different places especially if there’s culture and a beach involved.
Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite book or podcast!
A Promised Land by Barack Obama and Success Affirmations by Jack Canfield.
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?
Yoga and working out. Get up from your desk every hour for 10-20 mins to move around and get your eyes off of the screen.
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?
Amanda Rees, Cofounder & CEO at Bold.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
I’m the Cofounder and CEO of Bold, a digital health and wellness platform focused on disease prevention and healthy aging. Bold offers personalized and research-backed, on-demand exercise programs, to help our members stay active and healthy so that they can chase the life they want at any age.
How did you get here? Please share any quick stories from past work experiences.
Before starting Bold, I worked at The 11th Hour Project, a program of The Schmidt Family Foundation, managing the Renewable Energy portfolio. While there, I worked on many incredible initiatives with nonprofits focused on democratizing renewable energy and advancing environmental and economic justice.
During this time, I was also living with and caring for my grandmother. I eventually started Bold because my role as a family caregiver and my experience teaching fitness classes at retirement communities led me to realize there was a need to develop better tools for healthy aging.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?
Growing our team and business remotely has made it crystal clear that it’s essential to invest time and energy to develop clear communication and build trust in relationships that matter to you.
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
Yes – I have found a few incredible mentors that I can turn to when I need advice and feedback on how to evolve and grow as a leader. I’m incredibly grateful for their willingness to share their own experiences with me as a way to help me learn and find my own path forward.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
1. Surround yourself with people you respect and who share your values.
2. If an opportunity excites you, chase it.
What is one thing companies can do, big or small, to help create an environment that advances women into leadership positions?
Recognize diversity in leadership styles and don’t assume there is a “right way to think” about everything.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?
I’d love to get vaccinated
When did your company join Pledge 1%? What does your impact program mean to you?
Bold joined Pledge 1% last year because we’re committed to not only improving the lives of our members, but to supporting efforts that advance health equity and justice more broadly. I also love that our impact program supports community building within our organization too!
What do you like to do outside of the office? Any interesting (or unique) habits or interests?
Samba dancing
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?
I believe health always comes first, and during a year that has been traumatic and stressful in many ways, I think it has been more important than ever to create a culture that values physical and mental wellbeing.