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?

Claudine Emeott, Sr. Director of Impact Investments at Salesforce Ventures Impact Fund.

How did you get here? Please share any quick stories from past work experiences.

Impact has always been my career through-line. That North Star has taken me to some very different places and given me a range of experiences I am very grateful for. I began my career in economic development consulting, both in emerging markets and in the U.S. In 2011, I left a consulting job in Chicago to move to Kathmandu as a Kiva Fellow. This experience with Kiva opened my eyes to the power of technology to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. After spending a year in Nepal, I moved back to the U.S. for a full-time role with Kiva, working on a new impact investing initiative for social enterprises.

In my five years at Kiva, I loved working at the intersection of investing, impact, and technology.I knew that I wanted to commit my career to the field. When Salesforce announced a new impact investing initiative, I was really excited about the opportunity to work for a much larger, but still mission-driven company. I joined Salesforce in 2017 to lead the Salesforce Ventures Impact Fund.

In your opinion, what’s the #1 decision or move you’ve made that has helped advance your career?

I have always been open to taking a major leap when the opportunity on the other side has the potential to meaningfully shift my career – whether that was moving to Kathmandu with Kiva or making the transition to a large company like Salesforce. I welcome the chance to stretch myself.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?

Early on in the pandemic, I read something that strongly resonated with me — “We expect women to work like they don’t have children and raise children as if they don’t work.” In the chaotic transition to working, parenting, and schooling all happening at home, many women found themselves still fighting against that double standard in impossible circumstances. I personally had to combat the urge to apologize when one of my young children burst into a room while I was on a video call. I made the conscious decision to be candid with my immediate team about the very real challenges of juggling this stressful dynamic.

Sharing my own challenges paved the way for my team to open up about whatever they were encountering as well. Ultimately, this brought us closer together in a year of distanced working.

What is one thing companies can do, big or small, to help create an environment that advances women into leadership positions?

There are so many ways you can show up and speak out for gender equality. One thing companies can do is to close the pay gap. If you’re a hiring manager, take steps to close the gender pay gap at your company. Salesforce has invested more than $12 million to ensure that our employees are receiving equal pay for equal work. We conduct annual pay audits, evaluating by both gender and race. As a hiring manager, you can also examine your hiring practices to evaluate whether they are inclusive.

When did your company join Pledge 1%? What does your impact program mean to you?

Since the beginning, Salesforce has aspired to be a different kind of company — from our subscription-based software model, to our 1-1-1 giving model that put community service in the center of our culture. In 2014, leaders from Salesforce joined Atlassian and Rally to launch Pledge 1% and accelerate our vision to integrate philanthropy into businesses globally.

Our approach to the 1-1-1 model has evolved and expanded to address the needs of all stakeholders. The Salesforce Ventures Impact Fund, launched in 2017, advances social and environmental causes alongside strategic and business goals.

Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?

I started my career in international development, and this work has always been close to my heart. A couple years ago I joined the board of the nonprofit Project Concern International. Last year, PCI served over 20 million people around the world with programs that enhance health, end hunger, and combat hardship. PCI has a strong focus on supporting women and girls in particular. That really resonated with me as a woman and mother. It has been a great experience serving on the board of PCI, and now the transition board of Global Communities (which PCI merged with in 2020).

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?

Walk and talk alternative for some meetings — I think we can all agree that an old-fashioned phone call can be a nice break from Zoom meetings. It’s even better if we can get outside for a walk and fresh air!

In place of a commute, when I would listen to podcasts and read the news, I have had to develop a new morning routine. My morning workout is sacred, as is my first coffee of the day. I’ve also started using a paper journal every day to document gratitude, intentions, and top priorities. I find that using paper and pen is also a welcome change from my laptop. I’m still working to create other rituals to close the day.

Happy International Women’s Day! To kick off today’s celebration, our CEO Amy Lesnick will join a number of Pledge 1% female leaders at 9:30am EST to celebrate at Nasdaq. We are thrilled to be welcomed back for the second year in a row on International Women’s Day, and can’t wait to light up Times Square with a handful of the trailblazing female leaders within our community. 

But we aren’t just celebrating today! In honor of Women’s History Month, we kicked off our annual Women Who Lead series on March 1st, which shares inspirational stories of female leaders from a variety of backgrounds and industries. Today, March 8th, we will be sharing 8 of these stories with you each hour, starting at 12pm EST. Check out our Twitter feed and visit the blog throughout the day to follow along. 

At Pledge 1%, we believe that women should be celebrated every day. We are proud to support our members and partners working to advance equality in the workplace for ALL women, and look forward to sharing more stories of female leadership with you throughout the month!

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?

Chekesha Van Putten, Founder & CEO at Castango.

Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.

I am the Founder and CEO of Castango.com, an online job marketplace connecting talent with jobs nationwide.

How did you get here? Please share any quick stories from past work experiences.

I spent the early part of my career working in front of the camera as a professional spokesmodel, actress and dancer appearing in movies such as Austin Powers, American Beauty and Batman & Robin. I was also in commercial campaigns for Pepsi, Ross, Taco Bell and a Los Angeles Laker girl and choreographer for 2 years. Based on my experience in the industry, I saw how technology could streamline the casting process. I built Castango to create greater accessibility and more opportunities for talent to find work online nationwide.

In your opinion, what’s the #1 decision or move you’ve made that has helped advance your career?

Moving to Las Vegas was the greatest decision I made to advance my career. Originally from Los Angeles California, the move to Nevada brought with it great opportunity. I graduated from the Score Institute for Entrepreneurs through the Small Business Association where I found mentors to help me get started. Tony Hsieh, the late founder of Zappos, was also investing and developing the downtown area to attract the tech community at the time. I was able to gain access to resources that helped me build out my team and platform.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?

Creativity is the mother of invention. I also learned that staying in tune with what is going on in the world and providing a solution is essential. Being a tech based company, we have always been focused on the future of work. However, this year we accelerated our mission and learned that you must pivot when necessary.

What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?

Raising capital is definitely a challenge as a woman in the tech industry. Sadly only 3% of women receive venture capital funding. This number is even lower for women of color. It is still an uphill battle, but we are making great strides as more female focused funds are coming into play and women are taking on leadership roles.

Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?

I would not be where I am today without the many mentors in my life. As a young professional, I remember being afraid to ask for help. I made a commitment to surround myself with people who had experience and were willing to help advise me this time around. Two minds are better than one, and I am grateful for the many people that have helped get me to where I am today.

What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?

There is so much pressure early in your career to figure things out and reach your goals. It’s important to remember that it’s the journey not the destination, and that you have time! If you are always focused on the future, you will miss the moment and that is where greatness is built. One day, one relationship, one milestone at a time.

What is one thing companies can do, big or small, to help create an environment that advances women into leadership positions?

The first step is for companies to realize the inequities that exist and evaluate where they are and where they want to be. From there, they can make a commitment to diversify and level the playing field.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?

In the next year, I hope to build more brand partnerships and further expand our marketplace to create more job opportunities for women and people of color.

Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?

I currently sit on the Board of the Junior League of Las Vegas, which is an organization that promotes volunteerism, and develops the potential of women while improving the community. I wanted to find a way to give back to my community on a consistent basis. The Junior League has allowed me to not only do meaningful work with a variety of local non-profits, but also develop leadership skills to continue to grow as a leader in my community.

What do you like to do outside of the office? Any interesting (or unique) habits or interests?

Outside of the office, I love to dance, cook, hike the red rock mountains and travel.

Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite book or podcast!

I am obsessed with Podcasts from Wait What Productions including Masters of Scale and most recently Meditative Story. It’s inspirational hearing the stories of other people overcoming challenges and finding success.

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?

One of the most important things that I do to manage remote work is to get fresh air. When you are bound to your home & computer, going outside is a luxury. Whether it’s a brisk walk in the morning, afternoon run, or weekend hike, getting fresh air and oxygen in your lungs is a great way to manage this new lifestyle.

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?

Gabriela Crego, Social Impact Leader at Rock Content.

Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.

I am responsible for Rock.org, the social impact initiative at Rock Content. I created the program in 2019, and since then we have been doing our best to make education resources available for everyone in Brazil. We run a program called Rock’n’Grow an online development program that provides scholarships to Rock University courses. These courses are focused on developing relevant skills needed in the job market in four main areas: digital marketing, social media, sales and customer success.

How did you get here? Please share any quick stories from past work experiences.

I graduated with a degree in Production Engineering, but decided to take a more nontraditional path. Together with two friends, I founded a nonprofit called Naação in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The main goal was to leverage the impact of social leaders by sharing knowledge regarding financial suitability. To offset my low salary as a nonprofit leader, I decided to accepted an offer to work part time at the sales team at Rock Content. After 6 months working there, there was a huge opportunity to bring these two worlds together. The task was to create a social impact program within the company, from the ground up. Convincing the leadership team of the importance of this program was crucial to our execution.

In your opinion, what’s the #1 decision or move you’ve made that has helped advance your career?

It is hard for me to say my number one decision. I believe a path of right and wrong decisions have helped me get where I am today.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?

Remain optimistic, and learn to adapt and move quickly. To get through all of the challenges we faced last last year, we had to exhibit bravery. We had to think fast and bring different solutions. This was especially true as we were working with underrepresented students, many of whom did not have access to the digital world.

I also learned to focus on what make our team strong, and to never forget the core values and culture.

Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?

Not yet, but I always have that top of mind. It’s something I plan to cultivate this year.

What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?

Believe in yourself, trust your voice, and remain true to your values – then, go for it!

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?

Expand our program beyond Brazil and make it a global initiative.

Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?

Education and equal opportunities for everyone.

When did your company join Pledge 1%? What does your impact program mean to you?

We joined when we first created our social impact program, but more effectively in 2020. Pledge 1% was a huge opportunity for us to exchange knowledge with people working in the same area – facing similar challenges. It has been an amazing learning experience, and supported us with tools and resources to help us build.

What do you like to do outside of the office? Any interesting (or unique) habits or interests?

I have a dream to travel around in a trailer. So, I spent some time researching, and started building my own.

Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite book or podcast!

At the moment I’ve studying about ESG, so I follow a podcast called ESG agenda and news from Capital Reset (an independent Brazilian journal).

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 created an office outside my bedroom. That way I ensure I don’t spend 24 hours a day in the same room.

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?

Sneha Sheth, Chief Delivery Officer at Addteq.

Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.

I work as the Chief Delivery Officer at Addteq and I am a supporter of Pledge 1% and the Room2Read NJ/Princeton chapter. I have been a part of the Atlassian Community for the past 7+ years, with two Atlassian certifications under my belt. I spend the majority of my time talking to enterprises about the challenges of collaboration and building great software. In my current role, I lead the delivery of services and software for our customers.

Prior to being a part of the executive team at Addteq, I worked with several clients to deliver DevOps projects. The scope of those projects ranged from assessment for best practices and implementation, to providing extensive training. Around the same time, I also played the role of a project manager – with the primary goal being to keep the various project status healthy and motivating the team to achieve their deliverables within the agreed timeline.

In your opinion, what’s the #1 decision or move you’ve made that has helped advance your career?

Not giving up any and working smart (hard) has kept me going through the years.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?

Staying at home in the past year has made me realize that there is nothing is more important than your health and family. Life is fragile.

Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?

I have had several mentors through the different stages of my life. Mentorship for me is not just guiding me, but also inspiring and motivating me as an individual. Somebody who makes me realize my true potential as a person and makes me a better human is my ideal mentor.

What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?

Stay strong, determined and passionate. No matter how difficult the circumstances may be, you are capable of achieving everything you dream of!

What is one thing companies can do, big or small, to help create an environment that advances women into leadership positions?

The biggest motivation from any organization for an individual would be appreciation and recognition.

When did your company join Pledge 1%? What does your impact program mean to you?

I have been working with Addteq since 2013, and we joined the Pledge 1% program in 2015. I have always wanted to help the economically challenged. My grandfather used to tell me always help whenever you can. This mantra has been embedded in my heart. Doesn’t matter how small or large the help is – even a small contribution from each person in this world can make a very big difference.

What do you like to do outside of the office? Any interesting (or unique) habits or interests?

When not at work I like to read books, spend time with and cook for my family, and make DIY arts and crafts artifacts to decorate my house or gift my loved ones.

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?

Caitlyn Child, Sr. Director of Sales at Fireclay Tile.

Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.

I develop and implement the sales strategy for our organization to help us dominate the high end tile market. I also drive sales and growth, to help create opportunities for personal and professional development within our team.

How did you get here? Please share any quick stories from past work experiences.

I studied art and architecture at the University of Oregon and spent the first years out of college working multiple jobs in art museums and running a volunteer program through Americorps. This lead me into a decade long career creating meaningful development plans and spearheading advocacy groups for adults with developmental disabilities. I went back to school to focus on Universal Design – blending my passion for architecture and design with social justice causes.

While learning more about the industry, I discovered a company that was equally passionate about social justice causes and was introduced to the world of sales. I started at Fireclay Tile as a sales rep and quickly moved into management. In that role, I grew our commercial channel and eventually took on a sales strategy role.

In your opinion, what’s the #1 decision or move you’ve made that has helped advance your career?

For me, being willing to jump in to an organization big or small and learn every aspect has been critical. Also, being willing to open myself up to experiences outside of my job description – whether changing lightbulbs, mentoring team members from other departments, or taking on special projects.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?

Take and encourage time off, even if you feel like you don’t “deserve it” while already working modified hours. Mental health is critical during this time. It is important to check in and give yourself time for respite. When you have a team who has limited hours to work while juggling parenting, care providing, personal obligations and work, it is vital to identify the most critical functions and how to make those most successful. The best thing you can do as a leader is adapt.

What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?

Understanding that you can be a badass leader in your industry while setting boundaries around work life balance. It is important to set the tone and lead by example for your team and peers.

Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?

My greatest mentor is Sarah Noack, Brokerage Director at UCP Connections. She embodies all the qualities of a great mentor. For me, that means someone who sees the value you add to the table even if you haven’t discovered it yet. The most beneficial thing mentors can do is to listen to your objectives and help you develop them further by sharing resources and experiences. They need to be bright and open – not only sharing their wins, but also their learned opportunities.

What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?

Be willing to lean into what you don’t know, rather than remaining dependent on what you do know.

What is one thing companies can do, big or small, to help create an environment that advances women into leadership positions?

A leadership team should always learn from their teammates who are in entry to mid-level positions. These employees are innovating approaches in their job functions. Creating mentorship and cross training opportunities is also key. Forget about what is on someone’s resume and past experiences, and focus on their ability to take ownership of their actions and be personally invested in your company.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?

Next year, I have a very aggressive goal to double our business. However, the task I am most excited to accomplish is identifying opportunities of growth and development for my growing organization.

Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?

The Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence is a great advocacy group fighting the sex trafficking industry. Over my decade long career as a social worker, I served many vulnerable populations that were being targeted and experienced abuse. Having support and resources is critical to help save lives.

When did your company join Pledge 1%? What does your impact program mean to you?

Fireclay Tile has always been focused on opening our industry’s eyes around how much waste is created in the building industry. Our Founder, Paul Burns, used to dumpster dive to find recyclable packing materials. We were finally able to achieve our B-Corp status in 2015; and in 2017 we relaunched our glazed brick collection pledging to give back 1% to conservation efforts for National Parks. We continue to find ways we can do more – not just for different sustainability initiatives, but also social justice causes that are important to our team members.

What do you like to do outside of the office? Any interesting (or unique) habits or interests?

I love botany and learning about different ecology systems. I am part of the Oregon Native Plant Society and am currently transforming my yard into a bee paradise.

Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite book or podcast!

I just finished Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake. It speaks to the world of fungi and how interconnected it is with our ecology. It is definitely one of those books that you can’t wait to put on your sweats and get back into.

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?

As my team has adapted to remote work, we have become very efficient. It has been super important for me to pick up the phone and call people and not get left behind the Zoom screen. It is also important to keep that sense of connectedness – it is easy to fall into your own silo while working remote. Take the time to check in with folks. I guarantee you will discover you need it too!

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?

Phylicia Jones, Sr. Director, Talent & Organization Development at PagerDuty.

Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.

At PagerDuty, my role is to rethink, invest, and develop systems, people, and processes to help employees experience career making moments. I work to elevate the employee experience for everyone. While my title is Sr. Director, Talent Development, I care deeply about people doing the hard work that moves them forward.

How did you get here? Please share any quick stories from past work experiences.

I contribute a lot of my career journey to being a Girl Scout growing up, and playing team sports. These two pivotal experiences showed and taught me how to win and lose, how to be selfless, how to generate energy and pass it to someone else, how to be on a team, how to play on a team, and how to work as a team. It exposed me to what leadership looked like for women. When I look at my career moments assisting students as an Academic Center Supervisor at UC Berkeley, being a Human Capital consultant at Deloitte Consulting, and building talent programs at Veeva & PagerDuty, my team and the clients/customers I served taught me how to make my career about solving problems and caring about the people you are solving problems for.

In your opinion, what’s the #1 decision or move you’ve made that has helped advance your career?

When I was in undergrad at UC Berkeley, I applied to the Haas Business School and got accepted. What changed my trajectory was deciding to decline the offer and switch my major to American Studies – following my passion. The heart I put into my thesis helped me land the job at Deloitte in their Human Capital Practice. From this, I knew what it felt like to follow my passion vs. following the status quo and being unapologetic about it. It is very important to me that my career always ignite a fire in me – to make an impact and a difference in my mind and heart. If it doesn’t, I shouldn’t be doing it.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?

“If you want a seat at the table, bring a folding chair; and if you don’t want to use your voice, move away from the table.” I share this idea of a “table” as a metaphor to describe taking risks by using my voice (saying what no one else will). Especially, when I may not look like everyone else in the room. Just because that may be the case does not mean I don’t belong in the room.

Early in my career, I would be afraid to speak up in the rooms I found myself in. Not today. The past year, I found myself in many “Zoom rooms”. I had to consciously remind myself that I was meant to be there. Since we can’t physically occupy spaces right now, using my voice in ways to call people in, admit my mistakes, or seek to understand is how I’ve been able to connect with others to move forward together – even when we are physically separated.

What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?

I am a Black woman in tech teaching others how to be leaders. I did not have my first exposure to Black educators/teachers until I was in college. So being in tech with my job, I know that I might be someone’s first Black teacher ever in their life. I always think about that each time I stand on a stage – either entering the front of a classroom or leading a virtual session.

This is why I believe Black women make history every day. Resiliency is something we learn and need to have from a very early age as we face challenges everyday in comparison to our non-Black counterparts. Every day is a challenge, but I am always ready for it.

Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?

Of course! Today, my 3 mentors are my first manager when I was a summer intern, the first CFO I worked for, and my manager who gave me my first Talent Development gig. These three mentors are people who know me and have taught me that mentorship is a bond that includes brutally honest truth telling. The mentoring relationship includes an unspoken agreement between two people who challenge your thinking, so that you can always become a better version of yourself.

What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?

Grow your character everyday, and don’t chase titles. Find the work that fuels your energy and let your focus flow towards that. That will build your character and legacy more than a title. If you don’t, someone will easily tell you who you are supposed to be. If you want to have a career that means something, don’t waste your time pretending to do something you don’t love. Find the work you care about that serves a cause bigger than you. Then, do the work that advances that cause for the long-game vs. the short term.

What is one thing companies can do, big or small, to help create an environment that advances women into leadership positions?

Pay attention to it, and set goals and metrics around it. Companies need to hold people accountable to think about it and create a system to advance women. The companies who are leading the way are not just striving and measuring it. They are thinking of ways to advance women who represent URP/BIPOC and promoting women into roles not traditionally held by them.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?

I don’t necessarily look to accomplish something tangible each year, I just try to become a better version of myself. This year is about discovery, and expanding my impact and thinking. I have committed, using my PagerDuty volunteer time (VTO), to give back and deliver a leadership development experience for a non-profit management team at Beyond Emancipation over the course of 8 weeks in my Oakland community. I am also participating as a Founding Fellow for On Deck Course Creators to help find new and transformative ways to build impactful learning courses. Finally, I am involved in Dialogue’s 6 month Collective on the Future of Work. I am hoping these three investments will both inspire me and help me discover what my next career moment should be.

Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?

In 2011, I lost my oldest sister to Lupus. This unexpected moment of loss changed how I view and see life. In 2012, my family and I started Team JMJ (Jervonya Monique Jones) to honor her legacy. Each year, we kickoff fundraising in May (Lupus Awareness Month) and walk for the San Francisco Chapter in October for the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) in her memory. Over the past 9 years (going on 10), we have been one of the top teams and raised over $100,000 to help fund research working to find a cure for Lupus.

When did your company join Pledge 1%? What does your impact program mean to you?

PagerDuty joined Pledge 1% in September 2017, which was shortly before I joined the company. To me, this program reinforces that in tech we have the privilege and means to create societal change and address the gaps in education, equality, equity, and the economy. It also helps keep these issues top of mind as I not only try to improve the work that I do, but think of ways my knowledge and experience can impact the world and community around me. It’s the Girl Scout in me that instilled this “volunteer for life” mentality. PagerDuty gives me the time and space to leave this earth better for the next generation.

What do you like to do outside of the office? Any interesting (or unique) habits or interests?

I am a fitness enthusiast and enjoy my Bar Method and Ride Oakland Spin Communities, which are both women owned and operated businesses in Oakland helping other women strengthen their bodies through movement. I have been an active member for over 7+ years and this is what I do before and after my work day. I also pride myself on being a good cook, Auntie, and reader. I support the arts by seeing local plays and musicals (I can’t wait for them to come back). When I travel, you can usually find me on a food tour or taking a cooking class.

Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite book or podcast!

I love listening to and reading books, that’s my mind-jam! I am currently reading Adam Grant’s Think Again for work and for my book club we are reading Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams.

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?

Protect your time and your team’s time by setting, communicating, and agreeing to boundaries. Make it okay to subtract vs. add to people experience or life by constantly iterating and experimenting with simple changes and simplified processes.

Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are changing the world. Our leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, and are all doing their part to have an impact in their communities and at their workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their background and path to success.

What is your name and title?

Lynn Wood, Chief Idea Spy at IdeaSpies.

Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.

I’m the Founder of IdeaSpies, a global idea-sharing platform. Our purpose is sharing innovation to inspire action.

What’s the best decision you’ve ever made?

Deciding to found IdeaSpies after a travel guide said, “Promote what you love rather than bash what you hate”.

What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?

People underestimate me. However, that’s also a benefit.

Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?

My husband is my mentor. He challenges me when I ask for advice, and supports me when I need support. I believe a mentor helps you to see options and supports you when you make decisions.

It’s easy to be confident when you’re well prepared.

What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?

Seek independence, both emotionally and financially. My mother trained me to be independent.

What women inspires you the most? Why?

Former Australian PM Hon Julia Gillard- I loved the way she encouraged Australia to stand up to global cigarette companies so we could lead the world in legislating plain paper packaging on cigarettes. More politicians should focus on the public interest. You can learn more about their initiative here.

Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment?

I’m currently reading about learned optimism in preparation for a webinar. I highly recommend Learned Optimism -How to Change Your Mind and Your Life by Martin E.P. Seligman.

Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are changing the world. Our leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, and are all doing their part to have an impact in their communities and at their workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their background and path to success.

What is your name and title?

Ana Maria Vucinic, Head of Design at Humanitix.

Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.

I’m a User Experience and User Interface Designer. My role is to make our product intuitive and easy to use. Through research and feedback from our customer experience team and collaboration with our developers team, I’m trying to come up with the best user experience solutions.

I’m also involved in decision making for our impact program communication.

What’s the best decision you’ve ever made?

I started growing when I decided to ignore my fears of not being experienced enough in some areas of my job. I realized that just starting and trying to do new things was the only way up. I started saying yes to all the big challenges at work. We grow as we go!

Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?

When I was just starting my career, I had a mentor who helped me in many ways. Mentorship is very valuable. Getting advice from someone with more experience and getting feedback about your work is truly irreplaceable. I plan to find a mentor again. I believe that having a mentor at any stage of your career is like having the wind at your back.

What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?

It is okay if you are not sure that the career you have chosen is right for you. Give yourself some time to figure it out; it is never to late to change your path. Remember to never stop learning.

Try to find a job that has a mission that inspires you, after all you will be spending most of your time at work.

What women inspires you the most? Why?

Lindsey Vonn, a former American alpine skier who has 82 World Cup wins, 3 Olympic Games medals and 8 World Championships medals. She endured many injuries, but every time she came back she would again be at the top.

The Lindsey Vonn Foundation is supporting girls through scholarships, education and athletics.

What is something coming up that excites you?

I’m always very excited to see how much impact we have generated and distributed towards our Educational Projects. That number is growing each day. We’ll soon be celebrating our new milestone– $500,000 donated to our projects!