Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are paving th e 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.
Julie-Anne Mizzi
Managing Partner and CEO, Plenary Funds Management
Sydney, NSW, Australia
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
As the inaugural Managing Partner and CEO of Plenary Funds Management, I am responsible for creating an investment management business that invests in sustainable social infrastructure assets.
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
Starting with a blank sheet of paper means we have this incredible opportunity to create the fund management of the future. We have unleashed the innovation potential within the team that has revolutionised a fund manager’s typical interaction with investors, sustainability approach and even our corporate philanthropy program.
We’ve all faced personal and professional challenges, especially during these past two years – what motivates you to keep going?
Creating a business that will permanently change the industry for the better.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
We all have to do boring things in our job but we don’t have to do it all the time. So take joy in the things you love doing, but even as a CEO I have to do the boring bits too!
What does generosity mean to you?
Recognising that I have been lucky and helping others who aren’t in the same position.
How do you feel businesses can play a larger role in solving today’s biggest challenges? Do you have any specific stories or examples from your work or colleagues you can share?
Join Pledge 1%! It’s a great way to leverage your giving as you grow. At Plenary Funds Management we are giving away 1% of our product which means up to 1% of our fund is available for charities to invest fee-free. We don’t want charities’ hard earned dollars in fees, we want to support them in using their funds for good.
We also have strict ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) criteria for every investment with a strong focus on reducing the carbon footprint in all our assets. We believe that we should act with purpose and meaning in everything we do.
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
Interested – I find people and ideas fascinating and always looking for new things to learn
If you could pick a song to guide you through 2022, which song would it be?
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
Launching our flagship fund which is no mean feat!
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.
Eugenia Maria Messeri
HR Manager, Xcc-eXpericence
Roma, Lazio, Italy
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
HR Manager – I manage all HR process such as Talent Acquisition, Talent Development, Employer Branding and Company Branding.
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
The best part of my job is people, I love to work for them and with them in order to create best enviroment and support employee in their professional growth.
We’ve all faced personal and professional challenges, especially during these past two years – what motivates you to keep going?
The first motivation, in this challenging moment, were my family and the people I worked with. From a professional perspective I asked myself “How this situation is impacting me? How I feel and how can I give my support to my team?
Is what I want for me and my needs the same for my team?”
I found a different way of communicating, tried to understand different feelings and a different point of view to support and spend more time with my team.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
During my life I received lots of good advices – but the one that I use in this moment of my life is “You are human too” and it is true – I am human.
What does generosity mean to you?
In my opinion generosity is any gesture, even the smallest one done for the purpose of making someone else feel good
without having something in return.
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
I’m a positive person because I always try to see the best in each situation, accepting some mistake and improving myself always.
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.
Tiff Ng
Founder, The Social Story
Sydney, NSW, Australia
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
I’m the founder and chief storyteller at The Social Story – a social media agency helping purpose-driven brands share their impact. Our mission is to empower people to demystify social media and utilise its power as a force for good.
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
It is easy to get frustrated with the perils of social media. And yet I remain innately optimistic about its potential to create social change. Being able to combine both my passion and excitement of the dynamic platform while also doing something that leaves a positive impact on the world is truly fulfilling. I feel lucky to be able to use my years of skills and experience in this way and putting my purpose first. And being able to share that beyond and see the impact our clients are able to make is just the cherry on top.
We’ve all faced personal and professional challenges, especially during these past two years – what motivates you to keep going?
It definitely has not been easy to stay afloat as a small business during the pandemic. And with social media, it’s definitely been a rollercoaster! But I’m motivated by my mission and the opportunity to pursue it, however many pivots we need to make. Impact, empathy and communication remain salient and I’m proud to see them take a greater role in the public consciousness as we all move to more sustainable and positive practices.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Be brave enough to look at the people who say things can’t be done and say ‘watch me’
What does generosity mean to you?
Generosity means giving without expectation of return. That could be giving your time, your expertise, your money or whatever you have to offer. But it is mainly around the intent – to share what you have with the world, help and inspire others and not for something in return.
How do you feel businesses can play a larger role in solving today’s biggest challenges? Do you have any specific stories or examples from your work or colleagues you can share?
In making moves towards a better world, evert step counts. Not just in the small actions we can make but a conscious mindset to think about how we do things differently to make it better. Whether that’s in our personal habits or how we run a business, we have an opportunity to take steps towards a better world. For us as a business, that was from every decision we made as we were building – from the bank that we chose to the partners we bring on. But also in how we position ourselves and are unwavering in our conviction to do things different for our clients as well. It hasn’t been easy to shift through all the information and, as a small business, go for the more convenient option. But taking on the advise of like-minded advisors, we were able to devise a business plan that made the most sense for where we are as a business but also in our place in the world to be as progressive and sustainable as possible.
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
Idealistic – in the best sense of the world. I see what our world could be like, whether it is in how we operate our businesses or how we share on social. And it might overlook some of the crucial flaws in our society to count on the inherent kindness of people, but it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t constantly be striving towards it.
If you could pick a song to guide you through 2022, which song would it be?
Lights Up by Flight Facilities (ft. Channel Tres). It’s really just the soundtrack of my life. After a crazy couple of years, it’s the exact vibe of groove, excitement and goodness to inspire me to pick ourselves back up, have a little dance and keep going!
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.
Briany Kalms
Chair of the Envato Foundation and Customer Success Director, Envato
Melbourne, Australia
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
Established as Envato’s philanthropic arm, the Envato Foundation is focused on opportunity creation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. As chair, my role is to help drive and shape the direction of the Foundation, along with managing our charity partnerships. I also look after the global support function for Envato managing a team of ~40 people across 7 countries.
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
I love being able to connect with people from different organisations and locations and learn about their experiences and how they’re making a difference. It helps me to learn and grow.
We’ve all faced personal and professional challenges, especially during these past two years – what motivates you to keep going?
Knowing that every day, even the ones that aren’t great, is an opportunity to reflect and come out stronger and wiser. It’s not always easy but when I get those “aha!” moments of clarity it really does spur me on.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. I’ve certainly learned this the hard way over the years but I’ve also learned to do a much better job of listening to my gut. I still don’t always get it right but it’s a piece of advice that has always stuck with me and I find it a grounding thing to come back to.
What does generosity mean to you?
Generosity to me is about more than just money. It’s also about time and empathy. I think being truly generous means putting in the time to listen and really understand the heart of a problem before you rush in to solve it.
How do you feel businesses can play a larger role in solving today’s biggest challenges? Do you have any specific stories or examples from your work or colleagues you can share?
Lead by example and be deliberate about it. The more it becomes normal for businesses to have a dedicated philanthropic focus the more that businesses who don’t will start to feel left behind. This helps create a movement and a community towards a greater good.
The establishment of the Envato Foundation is an excellent example of this. We’re a company that’s built on values and we wanted to take a more coordinated approach to how we supported causes we believed in. Opportunity creation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities, especially through the development of children and youth, is a pressing need in Australia. We honed in on this issue because we know completion rates across primary, secondary and tertiary education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth is far below those of non-Aboriginal children. We believe that early intervention is pivotal and that we could play a role in supporting organisations that are doing great things to empower the next generation.
There wasn’t an obvious way to do this through our day-to-day business, so the Envato Foundation was born to facilitate support of this mission.
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
Real. What you see is what you get. I don’t try and pretend to be someone I’m not – warts and all.
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
I’m really excited about the work for the Envato Foundation this year and continuing to see it grow and evolve. I’m also looking forward to becoming more involved in the Pledge 1% community and how we can come together to really pick up the momentum.
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.
Sabre Leek
CEO, Sleek Consulting LLC
Kingston, NH USA
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
Lead our company with Sales, Marketing and Operations to deliver Salesforce Quick Start Suites for Fundraising and Engagement. My team does most of the work, however, I just provide a bit of leadership here and there.
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
My favorite part of my job is watching my amazing team grow and change and take on the responsibilities that are critical to deliver a quality implementation. They really are the heart of our organization.
We’ve all faced personal and professional challenges, especially during these past two years – what motivates you to keep going?
We have a great economical solution for getting into Salesforce. We cannot let our customers down. Some days this is the best reason to get up and jump into my day.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
When you are delivering a training and/or consulting session – you don’t need to have all of the answers to the questions that are posed. That is an unreasonable expectation. You just need to be able to find the answers quickly and always follow up.
What does generosity mean to you?
Everyone can contribute to a cause when it motivates them. Generosity is sharing your time, your talent, or your resources to help another person or organization be successful.
How do you feel businesses can play a larger role in solving today’s biggest challenges? Do you have any specific stories or examples from your work or colleagues you can share?
My opinion is that our world is tougher to navigate than ever before. It is changing rapidly and this causes many people anxiety, including employees, employers and customers. Businesses need to recognize that people are being stretched in ways that they have never encountered before. Providing the flexibility and support to customers and employees and your leadership team is critical. I love how Salesforce provides some random Fridays off to their team to let them invest into their personal lives and recharge…
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
Metamorphosis. Our butterfly logo is not by chance. Personally and professionally I have changed so much since starting my career. Being able to adapt is critical when you are dealing with technology and personal crisis. I feel that my focus on being agile has been my secret to success. You never know what life will serve up next and you need to be able to take it on.
If you could pick a song to guide you through 2022, which song would it be?
Wow – what a great question! Music is a pivotal part of my life. I have so many songs that guide me in the moment but I think the best one for 2022 is Gene Wilder’s Pure Imagination. I do sincerely believe anything is possible if you want it enough.
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
Of course – I am excited to see how customers embrace Salesforce to change 21st Century Fundraising. And I am also excited to get our non-profit off the ground this year – Tame the Beast Foundation. Removing the stigma from mental health is so important in this world.
Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are paving the way for the next generation. While our featured leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, they are united in their efforts to promote equality for all women in the workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their journey to success, as well as lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Stephanie Maharjan
Operations Leader, WELLReceived
Portland, Oregon, USA
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
Operations Leader. Responsible for leading overall brand growth for WELLReceived, a 24/7/365 live medical answering service.
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
The best part of my job is helping others grow. As a former preschool teacher turned business woman, guiding and empowering is at the heart of everything I do. I love being able to work with my team not only to grow our business, but to help them achieve their personal and professional goals as well.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
You don’t have to compete with anyone else. Compete with yourself everyday to be the best version of yourself that day.
We are not human beings, we are humans “becoming” – this means that we are ever-evolving. If we focus on being just 1% better everyday, the power of compounding will give you drastic results over time.
How do you feel businesses can play a larger role in solving today’s biggest challenges? Do you have any specific stories or examples from your work or colleagues you can share?
Prioritize employee (physical, emotional & mental) health and wellbeing
Giving back initiatives
Work Anywhere – benefits to employees, employers, and our world/environment
If you could pick a song to guide you through 2022, which song would it be?
Kacey Musgraves – Rainbow
Lyrics speak to long-term struggles (like most of the world has held on their shoulders the last 2 years). It can be hard to see that the weather has shifted if we’re so focused on the pain of the past. Speaks to moving forward in the midst of feeling held back, holding on to gratefulness, and allowing the light back in.
Emmy Meli – I Am Woman (overplayed but I still love it)
Now, more than ever, women are speaking out and supporting each other in so many industries. Knowing your worth and finding your confidence can make all the difference.
Emmy – Stupid Big Teeth
This song is about putting in the work to improve yourself without worrying about others’ opinions. If we’re not changing, we’re not growing. Small changes over time lead to big results.
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.
Ruth Cawdron
Marketing Manager, ProvenWorks
Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
I oversee the growth of the ProvenWorks brand, communicating a clear and cohesive message to as many people as possible.
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
Meeting people from across the globe: from talking on a panel for the Johannesburg, South Africa Salesforce Developers Group, to being part of a small ISV Marketing accountability group run by someone in Colorado in the United States. The Salesforce ecosystem is incredibly diverse and unbelievably friendly.
We’ve all faced personal and professional challenges, especially during these past two years – what motivates you to keep going?
Externally, motivation comes from good leadership. Our Managing Director is not micromanagerial – he trusts us to make decisions and get on with the job. That motivates me because I feel valued and respected. My line manager is incredible. She is a total inspiration for me and it’s so special working with a friend every single day.
Internally, my ambition drives me to succeed. I don’t come from a tech background. I stopped learning anything computer-related when I was 14 years old and did a humanities and arts degree at university. I wanted to prove to myself that I could learn something new and succeed in a new industry starting from scratch. Within a year I had spoken on panels, had a piece published by Salesforce and passed the Salesforce Administrator Exam.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Listening validates how a person is feeling so much more than talking. Don’t feel obligated to try and offer a solution. Sometimes that’s not what people want or need.
What does generosity mean to you?
Generosity manifests in lots of different ways – in the giving of gifts and the giving of time, but also in the giving of honesty and candid emotion. I think when someone is vulnerable in front of you, that’s the ultimate gift of generosity.
How do you feel businesses can play a larger role in solving today’s biggest challenges? Do you have any specific stories or examples from your work or colleagues you can share?
Businesses must recognise that they exist in a wider context; they are not their own self-perpetuating ecosystems. I think it’s dangerous for businesses and industries to become echo chambers. Whether it’s through getting involved in local community initiatives or something much larger, it’s crucial for business leaders to have perspective and recognise context. It might be as simple as approaching a local organisation and asking “how can we help?”. Other people will know more than you. And that’s okay. At ProvenWorks, we worked with a tiny nonprofit going through a really rough time through no fault of their own. They were struggling when their renewal was due. So we gave them our solution for free. Sometimes it’s not about us and our own goals. It’s about seeing the bigger picture.
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
Genuine. My partner tells me I’m exactly the same with everyone I meet, whether that’s meeting his senior colleagues, or relaxing with my own family. I like to think that I’m consistent in giving everyone the same attention and value.
If you could pick a song to guide you through 2022, which song would it be?
Don’t Lose Sight by Lawrence. To me, it’s an internal dialogue that no matter how cynical and self-doubtful you feel, you don’t give up.
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
This July I’m heading across the pond to Cincinnati, Ohio to compete to represent Reading Ultimate in the World Ultimate Club Championships. It’s my first World Championship and preparation is my main focus outside of work right now. I’m stoked!
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.
Ashley Irene
Culinary Garden Designer + Founder, Heirloom Potager
Santa Ana, CA, USA
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
I am the lead garden designer, resident soil mover, and part-time plant grower for Heirloom Potager, an edible garden company that designs, installs, and maintains four-season culinary gardens for restaurants and food enthusiasts in Orange County, CA. As the owner of a growing business, my role varies by the day, but they all add up to creating something wonderful for the community.
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
I love helping clients connect with their food and nature. Over a relatively short period of time, we’ve lost touch as a collective society with understanding the care and importance of being environmental stewards, not only for places like public parks and wildlife sanctuaries, but for our own yards. In my work, I’m allowed to express my love of nature and creativity by designing garden spaces that feel like a warm embrace – full of healthy, organically grown food. A hands-on place for learning, developing new skills, and growing an appreciate for how we nourish our mind, body, and soul.
We’ve all faced personal and professional challenges, especially during these past two years – what motivates you to keep going?
I founded Heirloom Potager after the loss of my mother. It was her last wishes that I create a future that brought joy into the world – however that might look. There is nothing more joyous (to me) than an edible garden. My fondest memories have been so often spent around a table sharing stories, creating memories, and simply enjoying life through great food. To be able to create that for our clients is simply the most amazing way to honor my mother and create a better future for the next generations.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received is really a way to interact with the world. On the other side of every email, phone call, and social profile is a person – with their own lives, stresses, and dreams – that is trying their best. I try to treat others the way I would like to be treated. To remind myself that if we treat each other humanely, with grace and dignity, that any problem in business can be resolved.
What does generosity mean to you?
To me, generosity is the responsibility of giving the best of you whenever you can to those in your community. Gardening is one of the most generous acts I can think of. Gardens create a home for nature and people. A space that brings life into the world to nourish, grow, and reflect. Generosity is also defined as abundance – which is the best word to describe a garden. An abundance of life, food, nature, and joy.
How do you feel businesses can play a larger role in solving today’s biggest challenges? Do you have any specific stories or examples from your work or colleagues you can share?
I believe businesses are the solution to today’s biggest challenges. We have the resources and the responsibility to help be that solution that celebrates and prioritizes the well-being of our communities. Caring for our community is at the heart of what we do for Heirloom Potager. Designing edible landscapes with organic methods is rewarding for people and planet. We’re honored that so many restaurants, businesses, and homeowners believe in our mission and a future where landscapes are delicious and beautiful.
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
We’re looking forward to working on some amazing client projects, but we’re most excited about continuing to support the hands-on learning experiences with local high school students teaching them about organic gardening, growing your own food, and the importance of saving heirloom seeds. Helping these future leaders tend to their gardens, harvest what they’ve grown, and teaching them how to cook healthy meals for their families is generosity in action.
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.
Jennifer Fisher
Co-Founder, Paq Logistics
Denver, CO
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
Co-founder of an early stage start-up. I guess my role should be CEO (Chief Everything Officer) since we do not have a complete team yet.
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
The best part of the job is knowing that you are working on something that is going to have a positive impact on sustainability long term. I love solving problems, and I get to come to work every day and do that.
We’ve all faced personal and professional challenges, especially during these past two years – what motivates you to keep going?
Motivation comes when you truly love what you are doing. That’s how I know if it’s time for me to move on from a role…when it’s hard to motivate yourself then your mind is telling you that it needs something new to stimulate it.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
“Don’t be afraid to fail, if you are failing then you are learning”. This came from Harvey Bierman who has been an incredible mentor and advocate for me throughout the last 10 years.
What does generosity mean to you?
Generosity is ANYTHING that you can give….advice, money, help with a project..but the best thing you can be generous with is your time. When you give someone your time, that is more valuable than anything else.
How do you feel businesses can play a larger role in solving today’s biggest challenges? Do you have any specific stories or examples from your work or colleagues you can share?
I think it is very important for businesses to listen to their consumer and employees when it comes to solving some of the biggest challenges. The most innovative solutions come from people on the front lines, so who better to consult than those individuals.
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
Curious
If you could pick a song to guide you through 2022, which song would it be?
“I stand in awe” by Chris Tomlin & Nicole Serrano
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 to launching Paq and starting the journey that will transform how eCommerce operates in the future. And as far as experiences, I am ready to TRAVEL…just trying to nail down where my first adventure will take place.