Amy Wendel

Senior Director, Global Head of Corporate Responsibility, GoTo
Boston, MA, USA

If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why?
Steadfast.

Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact? If so, why?
Of course. Companies should prioritize social impact because it not only benefits society and the environment, but also enhances brand reputation, employee morale, and long-term sustainability.

Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?
Yes to both! Through GoTo’s Philanthropy and Volunteering program, GoTo Gives, we are out in our local communities each month. From India to Guatemala to Boston where we are headquartered, GoGetters across the globe serve others—whether that is planting trees, keeping senior citizens company or helping youth access STEM education.

My favorite organization in Boston is St Francis House, the largest day shelter in Massachusetts, where I serve homeless guests every year on Christmas.

And 14 years ago I founded Project MEMA, a grassroots nonprofit organization that supports education and healthy living for youth in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Giving back is a big part of my work life and personal life. Kindness matters.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
My first boss (you know who you are!) in French would tell me to “laisser tomber” and that has been with me for 20+ years. It can be hard when steadfast is your word—but knowing when to let it go is probably the single most important piece of advice I’ve heard yet.

It can be hard when steadfast is your word—but knowing when to let it go is probably the single most important piece of advice I’ve heard yet.

This year’s International Women’s Day themes are focused on investing in women and inspiring inclusion. What can we do to make today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive for women?
To make workplaces more inclusive for women, companies can implement policies that promote gender diversity, provide equal opportunities for career advancement, offer mentorship, sponsorship (this a great one and often more impactful that mentorship), and support programs, address unconscious bias, and create a culture that values and respects the contributions of women.

What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Think about how you can upskill each year and prioritize your communication abilities.

What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
So much! This International Women’s Day, I’ll be in Guatemala with Natün Guatemala, a wonderful organization that advances education, nutrition & health and economic development, through community-led initiatives which build on existing resources and knowledge. It will be my 4th trip to visit them and I can’t wait.

At GoTo, I’m excited to continue our work! I’m celebrating 10 years at the company this year which is hard to believe. Onwards!

Beyond that—more travel, yoga, golf, and time with friends, family and my very sweet nieces.

Eugenie Addison

CEO, Senzi.Me
Jamaica

If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why?
Visionary entrepreneur.

You should do something you are passionate about where can use personal deepest of losses can come the greatest of victories, and that hope and hard work can indeed change the world, one breath at a time.

Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact? If so, why?
Social impact creates opportunities that are otherwise unavailable to the minorities or underprivileged. Previous research has shown that racial and ethnic minorities and lower-income groups are at higher risk of premature death from exposure to PM2.5 air pollution than other population and income groups.

From a young age, I was intimately familiar with the harsh realities of airborne diseases. The loss of my father and aunt to chronic bronchitis left deep scars but also sparked a burning desire within me. I wanted to find a way to prevent others from suffering the same fate especially within minorities. This passion led me to do post-doctoral research about Airbourne diseases. I combined the love for science with the latest in technology, and Senzi.Me was born. This wasn’t just another tech gadget; it was a life-saving tool. Using artificial intelligence and nanotechnology, Senzi.Me could detect pathogens and bacteria in the air; even before people showed any symptoms.

Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?
Volunteering your time to support a cause you’re passionate about allows you to immerse yourself in your community. By connecting with people dedicated to bettering the world, you gain insights into how the world works.

This unique sense of purpose often extends to other areas of your life. Senzi.Me’s success story is about giving back to our community where we pledge each month to give necessary resources to children homes in Jamaica, we do not measure our success on the number of contracts it won or the technology it developed. It’s about the lives it touched. It’s the kind of impact that can’t be measured in dollars and cents.

As we grow and scale we plan expand and build an organization solely give back help more persons that are from Jamaica and other parts of the world.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
You should do something you are passionate about where can use personal deepest of losses can come the greatest of victories, and that hope and hard work can indeed change the world, one breath at a time.

Veronique Chayer

Director, Strategic Communications and External Relations, Previan
Quebec City, Canada

If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why?
I am driven! To me, that is the best word to combine my high energy and mu overall motivation. And I believe my drivenness is closely linked to my desire of creating impact: in mu personal life, in my professional life, in my community.

Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact? If so, why?
I believe there is a strong connection between social impact and vision/purpose. Down the line, our team members are willingly taking part in our activities because they feel connected to how we present ourselves to the world. Social impact, and the way we are intertwined with our people, our communities and our environment plays a big role in the big “why” we do things and why people chose to be on that professional journey with us.

Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?
Definitely! The Community Month is a not-to-be-missed event at Previan. Just last year, in September, over 30 volunteering activities were organized by my team throughout the globe. We’re talking parks cleaning, food banks, toy-drive, restauration of marshes. The Pledge 1% – Time Portion, is materialized via the Community Month and other volunteering activities that employee can decide to take part in. On my side, apart from the activities we organize, I donate blood and I do mentorship with younger women.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Be Kind. Be Fair. Be You. (in French, by a former boss)

This year’s International Women’s Day themes are focused on investing in women and inspiring inclusion. What can we do to make today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive for women?
It is a very wide thing, and a very important thing. Of course, it starts with the creation of safe and respectful work environments, with zero-tolerance policies (discrimination, harassment, etc.).

And, maybe a little bit of my best piece of advice could be applied: Be kind (family-friendly benefits, flexible work policies, foster culture of mentorship, etc.), Be fair (equal pay policies, gender diversity in hiring and promotion, development programs for women, etc.) and Be You (embrace diversity, create employee resource groups, etc.)

What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Probably forged by my day-to-day job, but I would encourage women starting their career to develop strong communication skills, as effective communication is essential in the workplace. And that communication is composed of verbal and written skills, of course, but that it also includes the capacity to listen actively and empathetically.

Be Kind. Be Fair. Be You.

What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
I am looking forward into continuing Previan’s journey with Pledge 1%, seeing all our efforts transform into a global movement and surpass our numbers overall (amount donated, hours of paid volunteered time off, overall impact on our communities), etc. And, on a more personnal level, as a mom of college-aged twin girls, having those conversations where they share with me all their dreams about what the future looks like in their eyes.

Ruth Cawdron

Marketing Manager, ProvenWorks
London, UK

Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?
I’m privileged to be able to go into schools and universities to deliver career guidance sessions on what it’s like to work in Marketing and in the B2B software industry. Having worked in the education industry previously, it’s incredibly satisfying to make the most of these opportunities to demystify the world of work and share actionable tips for young people thinking about their next steps.

This year’s International Women’s Day themes are focused on investing in women and inspiring inclusion. What can we do to make today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive for women?
One thing I’ve been reflecting on a lot recently is meetings.

Studies show that with the rise of hybrid working, we’re spending more of our work day in meetings – virtual or in-person. Yet the majority of us never receive any formal training on how to run or participate in successful meetings that facilitate contribution from a representative cross-section of the attendees.

A World Economic Forum article called out that almost half (45%) of US women business leaders surveyed in June said it was difficult for women to speak up in virtual meetings on platforms like Zoom, while one-in-five women felt they’d actually been ignored on such calls.  The answer suggested in the article is changing the environment in the (online) room – rather than changing women’s behaviour. Steps for progress here could look like:

1. Paying attention to who is speaking in your meetings – who is interrupting / who is being interrupted, who is answering questions first, who never speaks at all? These could also be open-ended questions you share with your team outside of your meetings.

2. Implement quick validations – researchers say positive interjections can be really valuable to encouraging people to speak up, and signaling their value to the rest of the group e.g. “That’s an interesting point”, “Thanks for pointing that out”.

3. If appropriate, acknowledge a lack of representation in a constructive way: “I’d be really interested to hear additional perspectives” – you’re not directly asking someone to speak, but you’re conveying that we all benefit from what more people have to say.

What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
My advice is to apply for the job.

There are plenty of studies that show women are less likely to apply for a job unless they match an incredibly high percentage of a job’s qualifications. In a job advertisement, the required qualifications and specifications are important and indicative of a level of experience, but they are often not as black and white as they appear.

Just as important in the hiring process is self-advocacy, relationships, and a creative approach to demonstrating expertise and experience that make you a good fit for the role.

All of this can overcome not having the skills and experiences outlined in the job qualifications. I’m not promising that it will, but it can.

So apply for the job.

What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
At work, I’m excited that ProvenWorks has partnered with Berkshire Community Foundation and I can’t wait to get involved with local volunteer opportunities. I’m also looking forward to travelling to the US for some Salesforce events later in the year. Nothing beats meeting people in person!

Outside of work, I’m training for the World Ultimate Championships where I’ll be representing Great Britain in Gold Coast, Australia during September. Lots of matches will be streamed on Youtube so you should check it out!

Geraldine Viji C. X

Managing Director, Clarium Tech Private Limited
Chennai, India

If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why?
Passionate Leader. As a Woman leader I have struggled to reach this level and I want to pave the way for other women to reach the corporate ladder by mentoring them. I have given opportunities for people who have to take career break due to kids. I am happy to say all these individuals have performed well and are working in higher positions.

Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact? If so, why?
Yes as corporate leaders we have a greater responsibility to provide to the society .Given our position as leaders we can create policies to provide opportunities and uplift the society in our own way.

Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?
As a team we identify students who are financially poor to help them study and take different courses so that they can be employed after their studies. We identify the right candidate who can study but have financial constraints.

One of the girls who was a school topper was not able to study further though she got admission in the top engineering college. We helped her financially and also provided support to cope up with her studies. She is now the topper and have got placed with a good salary. Currently we have identified few such good candidates and helping them complete their college.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
As long as you teach them how to fish you need not provide them with fish every day.

This year’s International Women’s Day themes are focused on investing in women and inspiring inclusion. What can we do to make today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive for women?
Women are born leaders however they struggle once they get married. Identify such women and give them freedom to work from home. This can be done during the initial days till the kids grow.

Women leaders have a greater responsibility to create other leaders so create an environment where they are felt inclusive, and their ideas are received well.

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

Be bold and speak your mind. Always keep learning and be ahead. Be knowledgeable in all areas so that you can socialize and be part of any interest group.

What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
Personally, I want to create more women leaders who can be equally competitive and can run their own divisions.

As long as you teach them how to fish you need not provide them with fish every day.

Norah Perez

Salesforce Practice Manager, VALiNTRY360
Orlando, FL, USA

If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why?
Advocate. My team of consultants, our clients, my executive leadership team (and heck, my family and friends) can all tell you that I strive to understand peoples’ goals, dreams, and motivations, and then work on how I can help advocate for them and support them in their journeys. Helping those around me reach their personal and professional objectives and potential has allowed me to establish authentic trust-based relationships, which in turn have positively impacted my life and career.

Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact? If so, why?
I think it’s critical for corporate leaders to prioritize social impact for a variety of reasons, not least of which is the fact that customers, clients, and employees are looking at the impact of companies they’re vetting to give their business to or work for, and making decisions based on whether the companies are forces for good in their broader communities or not.

Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?
VALiNTRY360 has a deep commitment to supporting the communities around us. Each year our team engages in different community service activities as a team and company, for example packing personal care and health packs for the local unhoused population, purchasing and donating bulk food essentials to the Second Harvest Food Bank, donating conference room space to a local non-profit board that supports local youth in the foster care system, etc.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
As a type A person, I’ve always liked to plan ahead and clearly envision my path towards professional growth.

However, early in my career I read a quote by Condoleezza Rice that recommended not holding too tightly onto a rigid plan for your future because some of the best growth comes from veering off of your expected path to seize an unexpected opportunity. Since then, I’ve made it a point to take unexpected opportunities, resulting most recently in leaving a 13-year career in higher education administration and entering into the world of Salesforce consulting. By being open to changing my path, I’ve found a career that I absolutely love, professional growth that motivates me every day, and a company that trusts and empowers me as a woman leader in the tech field.

Not holding too tightly onto a rigid plan for your future because some of the best growth comes from veering off of your expected path to seize an unexpected opportunity.

This year’s International Women’s Day themes are focused on investing in women and inspiring inclusion. What can we do to make today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive for women?
I feel that the most impactful way of making today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive to women is to promote and hire women into leadership roles in companies. By doing so women can finally see ourselves represented in leadership spaces, giving voice to our unique contributions as well as our critical perspectives, and increasing our ability to form impactful mentor and advocate relationships at work. I know that my addition as a Latina woman to the leadership team at VALiNTRY360 has brought an entirely new perspective to the executive spaces, helping our company increase awareness and support of issues faced by underrepresented members of our team and field.

What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Don’t let fear or insecurity get in the way of your success or of your choices. You are enough. You do have what it takes. That voice in your head that’s telling you that you aren’t and don’t is called Imposter Syndrome. It’s lying to you, and listening to it will keep you from reaching the heights you’re destined for.

What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
I’m looking forward to starting sessions with a woman-focused executive coach this year, as well as attending a Women’s Leadership Retreat later this year to help me hone my executive presence, set strategic goals to propel my team’s success, and build a network of women leaders who I can be in relationship with and call on in the future.

Mansi Busi

Head of Delivery & Engagement, TechForce Services
Sydney, Australia

If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why?
Passionate – I am passionate to really get to know the problem statement of my clients and prospects and provide them with the best solution fit.

Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact? If so, why?
Absolutely – Big companies have significant influence and resources, which can be used to drive positive social change. Prioritizing social impact allows big companies to fulfil their corporate social responsibility and contribute to the betterment of society in several ways. It enhances the company’s long-term Sustainability, reputation and employee engagement and retention.

Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?
Our Company is very passionate about making sure we are continuously working for social causes – we have worked in Foodbank Volunteering as a team activity (FoodBank is feeding everyday people in need throughout Australia), we have also done a 17kms walk to support Cancer research and St. Martins school. I personally invest a few hours every week on a Friday with my local meals on wheels packaging and delivering food for the aged care community in our council.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t be afraid of change, its only with change comes great possibilities!

This year’s International Women’s Day themes are focused on investing in women and inspiring inclusion. What can we do to make today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive for women?
Let’s make more leadership position open and more excepting of women.

For entry level positions let’s create a more encouraging environments for women starting in corporate world with more self development and also technical training in their field.

What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
It’s ok if you do not know something, there is so much information available today don’t be afraid to pick up something new and learn as you go.

What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
Yes, focus more of personal health and fitness goals and also getting some more salesforce certifications under my belt.

Don’t be afraid of change, its only with change comes great possibilities!

Mitul Patel

Founder & CEO, Creatique Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
Ahmedabad, India

If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why?
Curious – I am always curious to figure out what can I do to make my customers’ life better. I join in meetings to check-in with customers and resolve their issues and provide them innovative solutions that can help them in their day-to-day functions.

Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact? If so, why?
Yes, a Leader is successful when she can pass down the ladder and uplift the life of people in all possible ways.

Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?
We provide Free Virtual Salesforce Training to people – currently we are training 10 people. We enable them to become equipped in Salesforce so they get jobs!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t be satisfied with your success!

This year’s International Women’s Day themes are focused on investing in women and inspiring inclusion. What can we do to make today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive for women?
Lead by example – the company should have women leaders who practice inclusion along with other leaders within the company.

Women Leaders should be promoted within the company and their ideas should be appreciated in company-wide settings.

What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Do not stop Learning! Keep going – and you will always get better at what you are.

What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
So many – hiring at least 10 team members, travelling to Iceland, doing 30 Go-Lives!

A Leader is successful when she can pass down the ladder and uplift the life of people in all possible ways.

Neha Juneja

Co-founder, IndiaP2P

Mumbai, India

If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why?
Persistent. I am a serial entrepreneur having built large, social ventures. I see value in building scalable solutions to big problems and recognize that doing so takes time and overcoming many challenges along the way. All revolutions need tenacity and time.

Before starting IndiaP2P, I co-founded Greenway Grameen – India’s largest clean cooking enterprise with nearly 10 million users. Lack of access to clean cooking i.e. cooking on biomass & charcoal is grave health & climate concern and affects nearly 2.5 Bn people globally.

Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact? If so, why?
It’s almost critical for businesses to have a clear, positive impact today. I say critical because its essential to survival. Customers, employees and other stakeholders all expect the time and patronage they give to brands and companies should also lead to positive outcomes for society.

Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?
We run and impact driven enterprise. At IndiaP2P our founding thesis is that women business owners are the necessary lever for economic prosperity and social progress. As an organization we unlock capital for women and small business owners by enabling retail investors to invest directly in this asset class.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
To consciously try and imagine the future and see how you and your work can help make it better.

This year’s International Women’s Day themes are focused on investing in women and inspiring inclusion. What can we do to make today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive for women?
While it may seem a cliche but role models make a huge impact. Having women leaders and operators in the workforce automatically enables more women to join and thrive. Specifically with regard to investing in women owned ventures – I think a lot of work needs to be done for removing biases that exist amongst VC/PE operator.

What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Visualize your goals and seek help without hesitation.

What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
I am very excited about 2024 being the year where IndiaP2P scales to become the largest digital finance provider for women business owners in India.

Visualize your goals and seek help without hesitation.