Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are paving the way for the next generation. While our featured leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, they are united in their efforts to promote equality for all women in the workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their journey to success, as well as lessons they’ve learned along the way.
What is your name and title?
Yasmin Grigaliunas, CEO & Co-founder at World’s Biggest Garage Sale.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
An entrepreneur of impact and a circular economy pioneer in Australia, driving this industry forward by innovating, collaborating, connecting and mobilising multiple stakeholders towards a shared vision, all while providing social good.
How did you get here? Please share any quick stories from past work experiences.
I am a doer. It excites me to build things and drive motion forward. I love the hard, the stretch, the impossible, not because I’m anything extraordinary, but because we’re all ordinary people capable of extraordinary things. We just need to believe in ourselves.
In your opinion, what’s the #1 decision or move you’ve made that has helped advance your career?
Mine was when Mark Sowerby (Queensland’s First Chief Entrepreneur) told me that my ‘hobby’ of running a once a year annual World’s Biggest Garage Sale, was actually 4 years of running a business.
The big question he asked me was could I afford to quit my job and go all in?
That was in 2017…. I quit my job less than a week later and haven’t looked back since.
It hasn’t been easy, I won’t pretend or portray that, but I wouldn’t make a different decision if I had the chance to relive that moment.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?
I was chatting (ok, perhaps ranting one day) with the team and I came up with this – to best describe our year
Effort + Execution = Evolution
What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?
The bias, it’s a real thing, although I never spend a great deal of time sitting in any negative about it. With less than 3% of VC funding flowing to female founded ventures globally, the issue is real.
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
Mentors are lifeblood. It’s important though to recognise, that mentors are only as good as the mentee – it’s always a bidirectional and circular relationship that has natural flow in all directions. The one word I think of when it comes to mentors is:
#Coachable (be coachable – it will serve you well in life – even when it hurts).
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
You are better than you think you are, exponentially stronger than you realise and you already have the capacity and capabilities to do what you sit and admire others for. Get out there and DO IT. Don’t wait for the perfect moment, the better situation, the ‘one day’ timing – there is no better time to shine than now. Start today……
What is one thing companies can do, big or small, to help create an environment that advances women into leadership positions?
Collaborate and Connect – but not because it sounds good….actually go deep in the ACTION stages, get your hands dirty and bring together diverse entities to multiply outcomes.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?
Scale, Scale, Scale.
We will accomplish a capital raise…..(but argh….I dislike even writing that, because it’s such a ‘game’ and I’m not a game player). I prefer HOT (Honest Open Transparent), even though it might burn at times. I’d much rather just fast track things so we can get on with it – but I know that it doesn’t work that way. Most importantly, the opportunity to scale our team, bring on new talent to provide jobs and expand our reach for People, for Planet and for Purpose.
Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?
The SDGs are the cause I care most about – driving action globally for a better world for all. I am not the type of person to be put into a box – I’d rather the ‘all-sorts’ so that there’s a little bit of something for everyone. Equity over Equality…..
Not my words – but – Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognises that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.
When did your company join Pledge 1%? What does your impact program mean to you?
We joined in 2018, back when I was in SF for a trip with the Accelerator we participated in. Impact is the very fabric of our business. If I’m going to be in business, it needs to be as a force for good. While being rich in wealth is what some desire, for me, I want to be rich in love, rich in life and I know that the circular and sharing economy has the capacity to even things out a LOT. I have often said that we need to evolve the P&L report to a PLI report, which records Profit/Loss/Impact. Now where are the new Fintech founders to solve this one?
What do you like to do outside of the office? Any interesting (or unique) habits or interests?
I am a 2x Ironman Finisher (that’s the brand name…not my doing) and as it turns out, I was pretty good at it in the day. It’s been a looonnnnggg time since I’ve raced, I will go back one day, but it’s expensive and time consuming, neither of which I have in abundance right now.
I’m also a runner – having completed 2019km in 2019 and more than 2020km in 2020. 2021 is a little stagnant, but I’m feeling out a new challenge. I also ran more than 650 consecutive days, including 110 days of 10kms a day! I love doing extreme things – just because it feels good to stretch.
Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite book or podcast!
I love 5AM Club by Robin Sharma AND Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins.
One is HARD and one is SOFT. These two bipolar forces will give you a taste of what life is like as a founder and entrepreneur. I love Audible and will have many books going at the same time, choosing a title based on what I think I need to energise me at the time of listening.
What’s been the one (or two!) things that have helped you navigate this past year? Any tips or tricks to dealing with remote work?
What’s helped us is transparency, authenticity and good old fashioned hard work. It’s been a challenge (for us all), but rather than whine about things we cannot change, our team focused on controlling what we could, which was ultimately our own capabilities and capacity – then we stretched and stretched and stretched. There were some little snaps along the way (as to be expected), but our trust and love (yes love) for each other, really meant that we made sure we would make it through.
In relation to remote work, I’ve worked remotely since giving birth to our first daughter almost 15 years ago. Being an early adopter, it meant that there wasn’t even a speed bump (for me or the team) when it came to adapting with flexible or remote work. I love to live life well outside of the comfort zone, and it’s only recently I recognised the comfort I now feel in this space. What it’s taught me is that when I think and feel the crazy stuff, then it’s highly likely something in it worth exploring.
Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are paving the way for the next generation. While our featured leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, they are united in their efforts to promote equality for all women in the workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their journey to success, as well as lessons they’ve learned along the way.
What is your name and title?
Beth Rustin, Founding Partner at Jamesbeck.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
I am a Founder and Partner of Jamesbeck, a retainer-based executive search firm that specializes in recruiting senior level talent for investment management companies. We employ fifteen people, of which twelve are in the US.
How did you get here? Please share any quick stories from past work experiences.
I began my career in banking but decided that I wasn’t a big company person. At the age of 25, I found my way to Institutional Investor, a top notch financial media company, where I learned so much about the industry that I currently serve. After seven years there, I went into executive recruiting and after seven years with a firm, co-launched Jamesbeck in late 2002.
In your opinion, what’s the #1 decision or move you’ve made that has helped advance your career?
I took a risk in starting my firm in the midst of a recession but we had conviction and starting in a slow period allowed my partners and me to get our processes and systems in place before the market turned. We were ready when that happened a year into launching Jamesbeck.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?
Breathe and be grateful for good health, family and supportive friends in life and business.
What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?
I work in a field where many male competitors socialize with their clients over dinner, drinks, sporting events, etc. I never felt comfortable doing that as a woman.
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
I had a mentor at Institutional Investor who is still a dear friend even though we see each other only a few times a year. She taught me how to be a strong woman in business and to not always agree with clients but to challenge them when appropriate. She showed me that having opinions and a voice is not disrespectful but that clients can benefit from my insights (as long as I could back it up!).
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Don’t leave the workforce to have a family. Do both and tell your employer that you are committed to your career even if it comes with a family!
What is one thing companies can do, big or small, to help create an environment that advances women into leadership positions?
Give them the flexibility to work from home when their children are little.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?
Take a real trip! I miss traveling!
Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?
I am passionate about philanthropy and give to many organizations but I am on the Board of Trustees for The Educational Alliance, a NY-based agency that serves a variety of underserved populations in lower Manhattan. A dear friend of mine brought me onto the Board when she was the organization’s first Chairwoman in 2013. Ed Alliance provides a lifeline and various educational programs for New Yorkers of all ages including seniors who often times fall through the safety net. I see the impact we have on ordinary New Yorkers and it feels very good to be a part of it.
When did your company join Pledge 1%? What does your impact program mean to you?
In 2018. It shows our entire team from Partners to Administrative Assistants that we are a firm that wants to give back and we have everyone in our firm select organizations to support.
What do you like to do outside of the office? Any interesting (or unique) habits or interests?
I love to eat, drink wine and hang with my family and friends. And I love SoulCycle and Forward Space for staying in shape!
Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite book or podcast!
I just finished a great book called Hidden Valley Road and I am a podcast junkie. Lately it is all politics, all the time, like Pod Save America and The New Abnormal.
What’s been the one (or two!) things that have helped you navigate this past year? Any tips or tricks to dealing with remote work?
I typically start my day taking a long walk and listening to The NY Times Daily. Having this routine has been calming and is a great way to start my day. I miss my colleagues so rather than call them, often times call them on Teams Video so I can actually see them while speaking!
Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are paving the way for the next generation. While our featured leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, they are united in their efforts to promote equality for all women in the workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their journey to success, as well as lessons they’ve learned along the way.
What is your name and title?
Lisa Cole, Director of Programming, K2I (Kindergarten to Industry) Academy at Lassonde School of Engineering, York University.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
Leading the K2I Academy at the Lassonde School of Engineering to create more equitable and inclusive opportunities for youth in Engineering, Computer Science and Earth & Atmospheric Science. K2I is working differently with innovative partners from kindergarten to industry with a shared purpose – to dismantle systemic barriers and to build sustainable programs that diversify representation in STEM professions.
How did you get here? Please share any quick stories from past work experiences.
I started my career as a secondary physics and science educator. I fell into teaching while finishing up my undergraduate degree in physics. I remember my conversation with Edith Engelberg in the halls of the Rutherford Physics Building at McGill at the time – a time when life circumstances sometimes takes you on a different journey – a journey not planned and unexpected. She said, “We need great physics teachers” and encouraged me to consider teaching. I guess this is where it started – 14 years in the classroom trying my best to figure out “teaching”. I think fondly about that time because I saw each of my students as my teachers – showing me how I should teach. I remember moments when I fell short as an educator and wish I could find them to apologize and make things right – and let them know that they have taught me valuable life lessons that I keep close to me now.
I bring what I learned in my physics degree to my work. I love understanding complex systems, dissecting apart its components, and thinking about the challenges we might consider tackling. I am forever curious and full of questions. I think this part of who I am brought me to new experiences that has eventually brought me to this work. My curiosity, questions, passion for STEM education, and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is what brought me to Lassonde to lead the K2I Academy work. My experience working Durham District School Board as a program facilitator in Science and STEM brought me insights to the needs of K-12 educators, elementary and secondary schools, and communities. Working at the Ministry of Education gave me insights into policies and government. I share this here because how I got here, has really been a journey and I am certain that the work we do at K2I Academy is shaped by this journey that brought me to this place at this time.
With an innovative Dean of Engineering, Jane Goodyer, bold enough to create the K2I Academy, I feel privileged to do this work alongside my role model and mentor.
In your opinion, what’s the #1 decision or move you’ve made that has helped advance your career?
My journey to where I am today is dedicated to the many people that I have had the privilege of working with. I would say my career is built on networks and the generosity of people and organizations that have fueled my curiosity and entertained my questions. I think the first time I reached out beyond the walls of my own classroom was when I applied to the EinsteinPlus Teacher workshop at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. The application was sent to me 1 day past the due date and it was by chance it was sent to me. I remember emailing Greg Dick (he may not remember that I did back then) to see if it was too late to apply. Thank you Greg for taking a chance and letting me submit my application. I think it was there I met mentors and collaborators which I still connect with today.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?
Being adaptive and flexible is so important. People first. Be actively listening and be ready to be responsive. Be kind. Be present. Be open.
What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?
There are lots of women in K-12 education. There are not many women, however, who would have studied physics and I have memories about that time – as a young adult trying to figure out who you are, what you might want to become, and feeling the pressures of academic performance and not finding the mentors you might need. Coming back to the present, what I do know is that holding a titled leadership role is an interesting space for women still. I am still new to this role and feel so fortunate to be surrounded by a team and community at Lassonde where I feel completely accepted for who I am. I think strong examples are needed and modelled.
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
I feel so fortunate to have met many people who I would name as mentors. I have colleagues who continuously support and provide guidance in the areas that they have expertise that I don’t hold. I have leaders who have always created the time and space to be my sounding board, to remove barriers and obstacles that get in the way of work, to create opportunities that push my thinking, creates the space to develop personally and professionally, and actively listen to provide thoughtful and meaningful feedback.
Mentorship is so important for professional growth. It allows people to develop skills with guidance and support. Creates the brave space where you confront tensions and ideas as a rehearsal before you must perform. Meaningful mentorship often is reciprocal. I have learned that the most rewarding and meaningful mentorship relationships are when you feel that you can also offer something in return. Becoming an advocate is also part of mentorship. To be willing to support behind the scenes but also publically when the mentee requests and/or needs it is also important. I only hope that I can become the kind of mentor that others have been for me.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Create a network of people around you. Reach out to people and connect with those who you are most curious about. Ask questions. Put yourself out there. Seek out advisors, advocates, and mentors that will support you as learn about who you are, what you want to do, and how you wish to pursue your goals.
What is one thing companies can do, big or small, to help create an environment that advances women into leadership positions?
As I build K2I Academy, we are designing onboarding processes that will be grounded in equity, diversity, and inclusion as a key component of the learning. It is important to teams to learn together that creates the culture we need. Anti-racism and Anti-oppression work starts with the individual but only becomes a part of the culture if this work is done together.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?
As we build K2I Academy, my colleague, Michelle Tsui-Woods, Associate Director of Operations and Development, will be building a team to work with innovative partners to address systemic challenges in K-12 STEM education. We are interested in seeking out innovative partners who will do this work with us.
Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in STEM will always be important to me. I believe that the complex challenges in our society need diverse people in STEM in order to create the innovative solutions our world needs. We know we need to do better and many have been doing this work – yet we still face challenges in certain fields of STEM. Creating more equitable opportunities will remove the system barriers to access STEM post-secondary studies. For this reason, I am committed to the work of K2I Academy. We will continue to work with educational partners to bring STEM to life in schools and create innovative programs including work-integrated learning programs that for underrepresented students in STEM, including Women, Black Youth, Indigenous Youth, 2SLGBTQ youth.
What do you like to do outside of the office? Any interesting (or unique) habits or interests?
I am a mother of two amazing kids and partner to a life partner for over 25 years. I enjoy knitting, drawing, and watching movies (especially with popcorn).
Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite book or podcast!
I have just finished reading, How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi and started to reread Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
What’s been the one (or two!) things that have helped you navigate this past year? Any tips or tricks to dealing with remote work?
I have learned to get to the things I can, become better are prioritizing, and learning to become more adaptive. I’m not sure I have really figured out the work-life balance many people talk about. My work and personal missions are so interconnected that I find it hard to disconnect at times – especially now when I know that the work I do could mean so much to others. I am fortunate to have a life partner and family who keeps me grounded and helps me to remember to take care of myself.
Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are paving the way for the next generation. While our featured leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, they are united in their efforts to promote equality for all women in the workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their journey to success, as well as lessons they’ve learned along the way.
What is your name and title?
Chastity Wright, Founder of Infiltron Software Suite.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
I am the founder and CTO of an IoT cybersecurity company that also mitigates risk for people of color and women for facial recognition.
How did you get here? Please share any quick stories from past work experiences.
My tech background started in the USAF as an aerospace engineer dealing with classified data and devices (cybersecurity). Once I left I bounced around to figure out which skill set from the Air Force I really want to pursue. I was fortunate enough to figure that out and start a business doing it.
In your opinion, what’s the #1 decision or move you’ve made that has helped advance your career?
Continuous learning. It’s what keeps you competitive.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?
That you can let a loss define you or strengthen you with wisdom.
What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?
Being seen as not knowing what I am doing, although I’ve been doing it close to 20 years now.
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
Yes, mentorship is so helpful. These people can help you navigate and avoid some of the pitfalls they experienced.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
If you have several interests, try them all and see which one resonates with you the most. Once you figure that out learn as much as you can about it and other skills that intersect with it.
What is one thing companies can do, big or small, to help create an environment that advances women into leadership positions?
Intentionally create diverse company culture.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?
To increase our clients.
Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?
Yes, leveling the playing field in tech for people of color, especially women.
When did your company join Pledge 1%? What does your impact program mean to you?
We joined in 2021. Our impact means that some voices that get lost will be heard.
What do you like to do outside of the office? Any interesting (or unique) habits or interests?
I like golfing and traveling to different places especially if there’s culture and a beach involved.
Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite book or podcast!
A Promised Land by Barack Obama and Success Affirmations by Jack Canfield.
What’s been the one (or two!) things that have helped you navigate this past year? Any tips or tricks to dealing with remote work?
Yoga and working out. Get up from your desk every hour for 10-20 mins to move around and get your eyes off of the screen.
Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are paving the way for the next generation. While our featured leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, they are united in their efforts to promote equality for all women in the workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their journey to success, as well as lessons they’ve learned along the way.
What is your name and title?
Amanda Rees, Cofounder & CEO at Bold.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
I’m the Cofounder and CEO of Bold, a digital health and wellness platform focused on disease prevention and healthy aging. Bold offers personalized and research-backed, on-demand exercise programs, to help our members stay active and healthy so that they can chase the life they want at any age.
How did you get here? Please share any quick stories from past work experiences.
Before starting Bold, I worked at The 11th Hour Project, a program of The Schmidt Family Foundation, managing the Renewable Energy portfolio. While there, I worked on many incredible initiatives with nonprofits focused on democratizing renewable energy and advancing environmental and economic justice.
During this time, I was also living with and caring for my grandmother. I eventually started Bold because my role as a family caregiver and my experience teaching fitness classes at retirement communities led me to realize there was a need to develop better tools for healthy aging.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?
Growing our team and business remotely has made it crystal clear that it’s essential to invest time and energy to develop clear communication and build trust in relationships that matter to you.
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
Yes – I have found a few incredible mentors that I can turn to when I need advice and feedback on how to evolve and grow as a leader. I’m incredibly grateful for their willingness to share their own experiences with me as a way to help me learn and find my own path forward.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
1. Surround yourself with people you respect and who share your values.
2. If an opportunity excites you, chase it.
What is one thing companies can do, big or small, to help create an environment that advances women into leadership positions?
Recognize diversity in leadership styles and don’t assume there is a “right way to think” about everything.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?
I’d love to get vaccinated
When did your company join Pledge 1%? What does your impact program mean to you?
Bold joined Pledge 1% last year because we’re committed to not only improving the lives of our members, but to supporting efforts that advance health equity and justice more broadly. I also love that our impact program supports community building within our organization too!
What do you like to do outside of the office? Any interesting (or unique) habits or interests?
Samba dancing
What’s been the one (or two!) things that have helped you navigate this past year? Any tips or tricks to dealing with remote work?
I believe health always comes first, and during a year that has been traumatic and stressful in many ways, I think it has been more important than ever to create a culture that values physical and mental wellbeing.
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?
Jen Bayford, Co-founder & Marketing Director at Growth Animals.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
My role at Growth Animals is to understand each client’s goals, situation, customers, challenges and opportunities. I work with each unique business to develop the best growth marketing strategy for that organisation, including identifying key ‘growth accelerators’ to focus the business on plans that will make the most difference.
How did you get here? Please share any quick stories from past work experiences.
I started my career journey 20 years ago with a marketing degree, and worked my way through growing several different beauty and luxury skincare brands, before moving to the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex to grow the motorsport businesses. That’s where I met my brilliant two business partners Chris Thornhill (our tenacious and clever CEO) and Jerin Micheal (our digital and content marketing wizard). We set up Growth Animals to drive our ethos of ethical marketing practices as we are determined to make marketing that informs, helps and inspires, rather than manipulates, the industry standard.
In your opinion, what’s the #1 decision or move you’ve made that has helped advance your career?
Hands down it was the decision to take voluntary redundancy during lockdown 1 (or was it 2?!) with Jerin and Chris, who were my two colleagues (from jobs at Goodwood we all loved I might add!) to start our own marketing company. I’ve learnt so much and have been able to make such a difference and help so many businesses grow.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?
I’ve learnt to embrace the at home working to create a work life balance and enjoy the flexibility. I’ve learnt that to make the most of that I need to be disciplined and have boundaries. I have always worked in house throughout my career, office-based in companies with standard ‘hours’ and therefore have relied on my parent’s support for helping me raise my son who is now eight. But now I feel I can proudly be both a mum and a businesswoman (although I would never call myself that!)
What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?
I am very lucky to have two business partners who I feel very much equal to and who both feel passionately about equality for everyone. We actively promote diversity and inclusion and have it as a core value to guide our business. I find it challenging to hold my own in certain older, male dominated networking settings and therefore gravitate towards more gender balanced opportunities. I therefore feel I am missing out on building relationships with more senior, exec level people who are often the decision makers within the businesses we aim to work with. I tend to leave this level of chat to Chris, knowing he can command more respect and have more “business” conversations. This is perhaps in my head, but I am not an unconfident person in other settings, so need to overcome this.
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
Yes I have a fantastic mentor, Sara Jamison, who was my first ever director back in my first marketing job. Sara has been an inspiration to me, I admire her business style and presence and she has helped me hugely overcome confidence challenges during my career. I have her to thank for the progress I’ve made where I’ve been gently encouraged outside of my comfort zone. We have met regularly for a good number of years and I appreciate her time and effort so much. I have started to give back by volunteering for Young Enterprise as a business advisor for an all girls school’s business studies cohort, with a view to empowering young females to know they can achieve what they want to in their careers.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Please be yourself. Identify your super strengths and dial them up. Pepper all your bios and profiles with your personality and what makes you brilliant and unique. Write these in a place you can see them and play to your strengths. I wish someone had told me this when I was starting out as I spent years being mediocre, trying to fit what I thought was expected of me. My career and progress really took off when I started to identify what I was good at, and sing that proudly, and turn up each day as me.
What is one thing companies can do, big or small, to help create an environment that advances women into leadership positions?
Creating a culture where flexibility is absolutely the norm for everyone and where trust is high. So that everyone can fulfil their role at home and in their work on their own terms. Working long hours or making unacceptable sacrifices should never be accepted or be considered a badge of honour. We should nurture each other to get to the position we want to get to, and not put obstacles of working hours, compulsory office working, guilt tripping and competitiveness in the way.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?
Our goal is to create a thriving business where we are helping our clients grow on an ongoing basis.
Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?
Myself and my fellow Growth Animals feel very passionately about ethical marketing. Our founding principle is to help businesses sell more, but the key thing is that we’re not willing to do that at any cost and to the detriment of others. Ethical growth marketing, at its core, is a mindset and process, tenaciously focussed on sustainable growth, in which everybody wins. It means that the growth we create for our clients is not short lived and instead creates the platform for long term sustainable growth, and that our activities are human first and our team is always conscious of choosing methods, media and partners that are socially responsible too. Ultimately it has to be Win, Win, Win, whereby our clients, their customers and society all win. We support marketing that is inspiring and informative, not manipulative or misleading.
When did your company join Pledge 1%? What does your impact program mean to you?
We’ve only just joined Pledge 1% in the last quarter. We were already considering donating our time to support not for profit organisations and the Pledge 1% gave us a way of focusing on that goal and celebrating each other’s efforts. It is extremely rewarding to use our marketing skills and experience to help organisations grow in order to create bigger impact in their chosen area, for example, dementia support, music therapy and young females in business.
What do you like to do outside of the office? Any interesting (or unique) habits or interests?
I love running and yoga. I have run three marathons and too many half marathons to count. But I’ve ditched my GPS watch and now run without agenda, focused on enjoying being outside in nature, moving my body and getting fresh air.
Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite book or podcast!
I listen to the AmazingIf podcast, created by two empowering women Sarah Ellis and Helen Tupper, who developed the concept of the squiggly career. They release regular content which discusses ways to grow, develop, overcome and thrive in our not-so-linear career paths. They are entertaining and leave me buzzing with inspiration and drive.
What’s been the one (or two!) things that have helped you navigate this past year? Any tips or tricks to dealing with remote work?
Yoga on Zoom. HotPod yoga thankfully put all their classes on zoom so we can all unite virtually from our own living rooms. It has been a god send and has helped me remove myself physically and mentally from my home office, making me a calmer, more focused mum, partner and Growth Animal!
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?
Carrie Kwan, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Mums & Co.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
As the Co-Founder and MD of Mums & Co, the movement empowering Australian business-owning mothers, I am a community leader, Mumbition Ambassador, commentator and mentor. With a focus on networking and upskilling, we equip working mums with the resources, emotional support and introductions to achieve their personal and business goals.
How did you get here? Please share any quick stories from past work experiences.
I started Mums & Co when I was pregnant in 2016, backed by Australia’s largest general insurer IAG, to create a safe online space for business-owning mums. I fit the bill, partly because I had successfully founded and grown the popular digital lifestyle guide, Daily Addict, partly because I was passionate about mentoring female business owners in the early days of their business journey.
In your opinion, what’s the #1 decision or move you’ve made that has helped advance your career?
I recognised that to be a successful business owner, learning the craft of pitching your business was a fundamental skill. I started my career in marketing and PR, so I understand the importance of leveraging brand exposure, the media and partnerships to share the important work we do.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?
At Mums & Co we call it “Digital Serendipity”. It’s achieved by using online introductions and networks to connect with people you wouldn’t normally cross paths with. This works well for so many women working from home, running their own businesses and juggling motherhood. Networking is so valuable but COVID has limited the chances to increase the size of your professional network. We need to embrace digital serendipity opportunities to find spontaneous connections, knowledge sharing and creativity.
What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?
Women shouldn’t have to choose between their families and their careers, however, the competing modes and time pressures of the equally demanding tasks of motherhood and business ownership are undeniably challenging. I’ve learnt to rely on routines and rituals and identify transferable skills in managing business and home life. I’ve learnt to ask for help and recognise the important role men, my family and my support network play.
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
I’ve had the fortune of some great mentors that have helped me along the way. Mentorship is a two-way street and a great mentor partnership allows both parties to contribute and continuously learn. Business-owning mothers are passionate about their product or purpose, but are not necessarily experienced in marketing and business operations. Mentorship can provide the helping hand they need to achieve their goals. At Mums & Co we have 35 experts that our members can access for immediate help, and to grow and learn.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
It is challenging and scary to establish a new business and it takes courage and determination to do so. You are unsure of the market, reception to your product and what lies ahead. I would like to say to aspiring business mums that you don’t have to choose between career and family, and just go for it! At Mums & Co, we label it mumbition: the unapologetic blending of motherhood and ambition.
What is one thing companies can do, big or small, to help create an environment that advances women into leadership positions?
A Mums in Business research report completed by EY Sweeny for Mums & Co found that flexibility was a key motivation for Australian mothers to consider alternatives to a corporate career and start their own business. Companies need to drive change around flexible working arrangement and entitlements, eliminate the culture of parental guilt, address childcare and other care responsibilities, and dissolve the gender pay gap.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?
We are excited for the return of our annual Be MPowered conference on 2 June, this year with a new format set to lead the future of events. The hybrid face-to-face and digital conference is specifically designed to suit working mothers and will be broadcast nationally in real-time.
Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?
At Mums & Co we advocate for women to harmonise their ambition, livelihood and wellbeing. We promote self-care and confidence to help women feel empowered and practice kindness and positivity as a mindset to achieve wellbeing.
When did your company join Pledge 1%? What does your impact program mean to you?
Since April 2018 if I recall correctly. Paying it forward has been ingrained as a way of being since my teen years and has echoed throughout my two businesses and pro bono mentoring work.
At Mums & Co, our team make their domain expertise available to small business owners through brief coaching sessions – we know that the vast majority of these women doing incredible work don’t have the dedicated support of big teams. We work hard every day to advocate for her specific needs and strongly believe that we all have a duty to make our families and communities stronger, and impact lives in positive way.
What do you like to do outside of the office? Any interesting (or unique) habits or interests?
If I have an opportunity for some time to myself, I love a good spa or massage. I enjoy skipping and have this routine that I do in my head involving a combination of speedy cross-overs. If I’m spending time with my family you’ll find us beach-combing for our shell collection jar. My youngest (4.y.o) loves doing our local trail walk together.
Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite book or podcast!
I recently started reading Maternal Optimism by US academics Jamie Ladge and Danna Greenberg. It’s filled with research and stories that support the notion of women owning and feeling confident in the choices they make, as they navigate a complex series of work and family transition. The Founder Coach with Dave Bailey podcast has some great interviews and insights I’ve found useful as a founder.
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?
During COVID, Mums & Co moved from about 75% digital to 100% digital. We introduced a Chatbot feature and monthly online events, like ‘Practice your Pitch’ and small-group member meet-ups. Many business mums work from home, work on their own, or have flexible work arrangements, so it’s important to find ways to stay connected, feel supported and build confidence.
All Pledge 1% members are warmly invited to join Mums & Co and experience the networking and business features via our free 14-day trial, it only takes a minute to sign up via www.mumsandco.com.au.
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?
Parul Nagpal, Director of Customer Success at DemandBlue.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
I work with customers on understanding their business needs and translating them to build effective technology solutions on the Salesforce platform. I act as an Advisor to ensure they are able to achieve tangible business value from the use of Salesforce & help improve customer adoption, engagement, growth and utilization of the platform to its strengths.
How did you get here? Please share any quick stories from past work experiences.
I was an SAP CRM Web UI developer, working from India. In 2015, when I moved from India to United States, I got the opportunity to be a part of a large Global CRM Transformation program. That’s when I almost stumbled my way into a career in Salesforce. Very soon I became the Subject Matter Expert for the CRM Business Processes that were to be built in Salesforce and the entire ecosystem with the integrations and associated apps.
I think that’s when my Journey in Customer Success began. I played Product Owner roles in various Salesforce implementations, including the ongoing development, optimization, and support of Salesforce. I also spent time doing change management, enablement, and adoption of the platform for end users in the organization.
In 2019, I officially switched to the Customer Success Manager role @DemandBlue. Since then, I have worked with a myriad of customers. My experience has been very enriching in terms of the variety of IT transformations, domains, apps and technologies that I have been fortunate to work with. It has been a very rewarding journey in terms of discovering my strengths in this career of Technology Leadership.
In your opinion, what’s the #1 decision or move you’ve made that has helped advance your career?
I believe it has been the decision to come and work in the United States and pursue a career in Salesforce, that has catapulted my career. The opportunities that I got in my career, as a woman leader of technology have been amazing. And obviously the decision to move forward as a Customer Success Manger, has been in line for what I envisioned for my career.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?
Being meticulous, organized, planning diligently, being nimble and laying a clear path for success for yourself and your team is critical for the success of any project or initiative.
Having a plan, a back up plan and a plan C, to make sure all paths lead to success is very important.
What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?
Working really hard to prove myself, breaking the barriers of cliched opinions about women has been the number one challenge. Dealing with people who think that women should simply do what they are told, won’t have an opinion, are not intelligent enough, initially took some time and patience to navigate through. It is very important to not get bogged down and just believe in yourself and your abilities.
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
My mom is my #1 mentor, she has always taught me to strive for excellence. It was her vision, her continuous encouragement that has helped me become what I am in my career and as a person today . She taught me how to work hard, how to be sincere at what I do & the meaning of being responsible.
I have had the opportunity of working with some great mentors , during the formative years of my career. These are the people who recognized my raw talent, showed tremendous confidence in my abilities, helped me hone my skills. I am thankful for their confidence in me and encouragement. Because it has helped me forge my career path every step of the way.
Mentors are invaluable for so many reasons. They are vitally important for the right guidance, helping you navigate through tough career calls and times when others don’t believe in you.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Be meticulous, stay focused, have realistic goals for yourself & stay accountable to your goals. Don’t judge yourself by the standards set by others, Create your own standards, compete with yourself. Figure out what you enjoy doing the most, figure out how to be efficient, and find your work life balance, understand the importance of your time, use it effectively.
What is one thing companies can do, big or small, to help create an environment that advances women into leadership positions?
A Gender neutral environment that is based on meritocracy and not driven by the fact that you are a man or a woman really important. Career progression should be purely based on talent and abilities of an employee and not their gender. Mentorship programs, leadership and career coaching programs are very important. Companies need to play fair, and judge people on their performances for what they are able to achieve in their normal working hours.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?
I hope to be able to build the stamina to lead and influence my teams by example. I want to mentor and support members of my team and help them navigate complex technology projects, by using frameworks & methodologies that work really well in my experience. Hopefully, help them be more efficient and reduce stress in their work life and offer my help wherever I can.
Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?
Increasing awareness about lifestyle diseases, and helping people manage them is a cause very close to my heart, since I have seen some really dear ones suffer from them. Eating right and spreading awareness about food choices are causes I really care about. It can go a long way into helping someone live a longer, healthier life.
When did your company join Pledge 1%? What does your impact program mean to you?
DemandBlue joined Pledge 1% about 6 months ago. Dedicating 1% of our product, equity and employee time for the betterment of nonprofits, and making the community a key stakeholder in every community is really important for us. Demandblue has always been dedicated for this cause and by aligning our efforts with Pledge 1%, we are really excited to officially join this network of founders, entrepreneurs and companies around the globe that are committed to giving back. We have recently launched our official Non Profit Practice for Salesforce at DemandBlue to further our cause for the Non Profits as well.
What do you like to do outside of the office? Any interesting (or unique) habits or interests?
I love to travel and I am a big foodie. I love to try out try out authentic local food in the places I visit. Love to paint, read books. I learnt to write in mirror images when I was young and I really enjoy doing that sometimes. Training myself to write in mirror images with my left hand when I get a chance.
Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite book or podcast!
Reading a book called Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari at the moment. It is a really interesting read on the evolution of our species. How homo sapiens survived and procreated and ultimately emerged the strongest race to survive the race of evolution. How the spread of the homo sapiens took them from Asia, from Siberia to Alaska, coming down the Bering strait, spreading into North America, Mexico and then South America. And in all of this, what an important role women have played in the evolution of mankind.
What’s been the one (or two!) things that have helped you navigate this past year? Any tips or tricks to dealing with remote work?
Don’t be shy to reach out to people. Frankly switching on your video during a meeting and encouraging others to do the same, helps build more effective relationships and reduce the distance one feels while doing remote work. Find your work life balance. Find time for yourself, have a schedule, find time to cook, run, spend time with your family, it’s not that bad after all, working from the comfort of your home!!
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?
Kathleen Egan, CEO & CoFounder of ecomedes.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
Growing ecomedes in a way that creates stakeholder value and transforms the sustainability of buildings and building products. I set our vision, strategy, and operate the execution plan to achieve our goals.
How did you get here? Please share any quick stories from past work experiences.
I have worked in retail tech for about 20 years – starting with early ERPs at Chanel and Calvin Klein in NYC. While getting my MBA at Harvard, I learned about startups and became addicted. I have worked at 7 startups prior to ecomedes, yielding four successful exits via acquisitions. I spent five years on the sales team at Oracle after ProfitLogic, a pioneer in price optimization was acquired. Being a women in software has not always been easy or comfortable. I spent much of my first 20 years extremely frustrated by conscious and unconscious bias. It has been like a second career birth to be in an organization free of that constraint.
In your opinion, what’s the #1 decision or move you’ve made that has helped advance your career?
To focus on people over anything else.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?
To block time for deeper thinking away from the screen by meditating, biking, and surfing.
What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?
The bias toward male CEOs in growth stage capital (i.e. Sand Hill Road allocates ~97% of capital to male led startups).
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
Tim Connors – Managing Partner at PivotNorth. He understands how many successful SasS companies have grown. He has an amazing ability to translate his broad knowledge into relevant factors for me to consider. He is incredibly encouraging and positive while being very direct and clear with constructive suggestions and targets. He is filled with endless ideas and creative approaches to our multi-persona marketplace market.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Find smart people who are ahead of you on a similar trajectory as you would like to follow in your career. Build a long-term relationship with them, help them, nurture the relationship.
What is one thing companies can do, big or small, to help create an environment that advances women into leadership positions?
Hire female CEOs.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?
Build a team and processes that are able to establish repeatability in our value proposition (and revenue) to a user segment that large enough to pave the way to our Series A. My current Focus is the manufacturer segment.
Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?
5 Gyres. They use science related to plastic pollution to drive policy and products. I knew the founders from the beginning of the plastic movement, and now serve as the Chairman of their BOD. I would love to add them to the Pledge 1% family, so they can benefit from corporate donations and help solve plastic pollution.
When did your company join Pledge 1%? What does your impact program mean to you?
Jan 2021. Sustainability is in our DNA as we strive to transform the sustainability of buildings. Our impact program allows us to donate time and software services to non-profits and trade organizations that need to digitize but have limited budgets. We also give every employee a day of service to be used at their discretion. The recommended activity is a beach or neighborhood clean up. I live at Ocean Beach in San Francisco and clean up the beach everyday, so this is already part of my life. It’s great to share this passion with my team!
What do you like to do outside of the office? Any interesting (or unique) habits or interests?
Eco-Art. I make mosaic artwork out of beach plastic that I recover from surf spots all around the Pacific. My retirement project will be to visit about 50 surf spots, collect plastic, and make an eco-sculpture.
I love to surf and ski, anything that changes the “channel” for your brain into adrenaline mode. I think that there is an unlock for this that all female leaders (and future female leaders) could benefit from. Someday, I’ll run a surf clinic for women to help teach them about calculated risks and control.
Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite book or podcast!
“The Brain That Changes Itself” by Norman Doidge. For podcasts, I love 20 Minute VC, NfX, and SaaSter.
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?
Family, advisors and getting outside!