Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are changing the world. Our leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, and are all doing their part to have an impact in their communities and at their workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their background and path to success.
What is your name and title?
Lynn Wood, Chief Idea Spy at IdeaSpies.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
I’m the Founder of IdeaSpies, a global idea-sharing platform. Our purpose is sharing innovation to inspire action.
What’s the best decision you’ve ever made?
Deciding to found IdeaSpies after a travel guide said, “Promote what you love rather than bash what you hate”.
What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?
People underestimate me. However, that’s also a benefit.
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
My husband is my mentor. He challenges me when I ask for advice, and supports me when I need support. I believe a mentor helps you to see options and supports you when you make decisions.
It’s easy to be confident when you’re well prepared.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Seek independence, both emotionally and financially. My mother trained me to be independent.
What women inspires you the most? Why?
Former Australian PM Hon Julia Gillard- I loved the way she encouraged Australia to stand up to global cigarette companies so we could lead the world in legislating plain paper packaging on cigarettes. More politicians should focus on the public interest. You can learn more about their initiative here.
Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment?
I’m currently reading about learned optimism in preparation for a webinar. I highly recommend Learned Optimism -How to Change Your Mind and Your Life by Martin E.P. Seligman.
Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are changing the world. Our leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, and are all doing their part to have an impact in their communities and at their workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their background and path to success.
What is your name and title?
Ana Maria Vucinic, Head of Design at Humanitix.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
I’m a User Experience and User Interface Designer. My role is to make our product intuitive and easy to use. Through research and feedback from our customer experience team and collaboration with our developers team, I’m trying to come up with the best user experience solutions.
I’m also involved in decision making for our impact program communication.
What’s the best decision you’ve ever made?
I started growing when I decided to ignore my fears of not being experienced enough in some areas of my job. I realized that just starting and trying to do new things was the only way up. I started saying yes to all the big challenges at work. We grow as we go!
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
When I was just starting my career, I had a mentor who helped me in many ways. Mentorship is very valuable. Getting advice from someone with more experience and getting feedback about your work is truly irreplaceable. I plan to find a mentor again. I believe that having a mentor at any stage of your career is like having the wind at your back.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
It is okay if you are not sure that the career you have chosen is right for you. Give yourself some time to figure it out; it is never to late to change your path. Remember to never stop learning.
Try to find a job that has a mission that inspires you, after all you will be spending most of your time at work.
What women inspires you the most? Why?
Lindsey Vonn, a former American alpine skier who has 82 World Cup wins, 3 Olympic Games medals and 8 World Championships medals. She endured many injuries, but every time she came back she would again be at the top.
The Lindsey Vonn Foundation is supporting girls through scholarships, education and athletics.
What is something coming up that excites you?
I’m always very excited to see how much impact we have generated and distributed towards our Educational Projects. That number is growing each day. We’ll soon be celebrating our new milestone– $500,000 donated to our projects!
Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are changing the world. Our leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, and are all doing their part to have an impact in their communities and at their workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their background and path to success.
What is your name and title?
Courtney D. McWilliams, founder/owner of MaryMac’s Doggie Retreat.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
I like to refer to myself as the Canine Emotional Officer (CEO).
What’s the best decision you’ve ever made?
This is a very big question! I left my career as a Master’s level social worker to open a doggie retreat. I must say, I would have never thought in a million years that I would be working with animals.
What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?
For me, it’s more than just being a woman that’s a challenge- the biggest challenge is being an African American woman in the Caucasian male driven field of pet care.
There’s no one who looks like me in this line of work OWNING a doggie day care/doggie boutique. As a result, it’s difficult to gain respect as a black, female owned pet care business. I could not use the traditional route of getting business or referrals from veterinarian companies or any other pet companies. I had to think outside of the box with marketing in order to generate revenue and clients.
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
I do have mentors, but not in the traditional sense. They do not even know that they are my mentors.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Do not take no for an answer. Do not allow people to tell you that your dreams are stupid or invalid because they do not understand them. Do not allow your FEARS to STOP you.
Sometimes you just have to close your eyes and rock out with your hair down to overcome your fears.
What women inspires you the most? Why?
Lisa Nichols, Ming Lee, Oprah, and Tracy Ellis Ross.
Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment?
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne is the most recent book I’ve read. If you have not heard of it, it focuses on the law of attraction. It’s helping me work on being more purposeful in what I say, hear, and do.
What is something coming up that excites you?
My cousin recently had twin boys which I am super excited about. I am focusing more on family and being present, as well as continuing to grow my business. I am learning to prioritize things so that is exciting as well.
Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are changing the world. Our leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, and are all doing their part to have an impact in their communities and at their workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their background and path to success.
What is your name and title?
Purnima Sreenivasan, Founder and CEO of mihygge.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
I manage all the operations and wear many hats. My main job is empowering the team and getting to know the future customers as we work to launch the product b2b, and then the entire product, in a few months.
What’s the best decision you’ve ever made?
Leaving the bullies behind and finding people who will help me grow. Personal intuition is powerful. I’ve also learned to cherish customers and staff equally and empower everyone for a win-win. When you create something that people love, they will never leave you.
What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?
Racism and ageism. I am a second time founder (well educated with 5+ credentials ) and a no nonsense Asian female leader who believes honesty is the best policy.
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
Yes. Mentorship is a two way exchange. Every living being is both a teacher and a student from conception to death.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Be brave, take the leap and go for it. Find your path, be an ever learner and create your niche so well that no one can ever copy you.
What women inspires you the most? Why?
Mother Earth. She is the stage where we all act and play our part. When we leave and our acting is over, she doesn’t judge.
Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment?
I love listening to a meditative story podcast, as well as reading gardening books. I also read a lot of classic English fiction which has taught me many things that are deliverable in my own business. My favorite books are by the Bronte Sisters and Jane Austen.
What is something coming up that excites you?
The launch of our product and beginning the process of signing up paying b2b customers. I am excited to receive feedback and have an open dialogue with our customers so that we can work to empower them.
Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are changing the world. Our leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, and are all doing their part to have an impact in their communities and at their workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their background and path to success.
What is your name and title?
Modika Fembe Hilda, Co-Founder of SCECYDPs (Social Change and Establishment Center for Youths and Disabled Persons). I am an advocate fighting against marginalization, discrimination, violation of human rights and exploitation of persons living with disabilities. In addition to my work at SCECYDPs, I am a Global Peace Chain Ambassador, UNESCO Peace Ambassador and an African Change Maker.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
I supervise the running of Social Change and Establishment Center for Youths and Disabled Persons (SCECYDPs) activities, manage the calendar, give out scholarships for vocational training to unemployed youths and disabled persons, and advocate for the rights of persons living with disabilities.
What’s the best decision you’ve ever made?
Staying positive on my vision and avoiding people who were distractions to my personal growth and development.
What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?
Trying to get big personalities to do me a favor vs. putting me to bed is the greatest challenge I have faced as a woman.
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
Yes I do. I have mentors in my spiritual, organizational and career life. Rev Samuel Tanyi, Mr. Ngale Foretia Henry, Mr. Samir Saran, Mukete Tahle Itoe, and Manna Dabholkar.
Mentorship is very important to me because it gives me directives on how to go about my life and career from people who have had similar experiences. It is helpful to be able to understand their challenges and how they were able to overcome, as well as their greatest secrets of how to succeed in life.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Never give up on your dreams or vision because of what people say.
Always stay around people who can take you where you see your dreams in years to come. Challenges will always be there. The difference will be how you are able to manage yourself during the crisis and emerge victorious as a role model in society and mentor to others.
What women inspires you the most? Why?
Manna Dabholkar. She is an International Human Rights Advocate for children and disadvantaged families all over the globe. She has developmental programs that ensure children are prepared emotionally, mentally and physically for their future. These kids will become the future leaders of tomorrow based on what they have learned, and will be able to transform the lives of others.
Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment?
Purpose by Rev Samuel Tanyi. This book enables you to discover and walk with purpose and I believe everybody should read it.
What is something coming up that excites you?
My soon to be released book, Accept and Live with It.
Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are changing the world. Our leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, and are all doing their part to have an impact in their communities and at their workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their background and path to success.
What is your name and title?
LaShawn McGhee, Co-Founder | CPO of Revry.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
As Chief Product Officer, I oversee the development and maintenance of our applications. I also manage the physical acquisition of Revry’s content from delivery through distribution.
What’s the best decision you’ve ever made?
Continuing to educate myself on best practices and trends in the streaming video space.
What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?
Being heard, especially by people who have “more experience” than I do.
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
Yes, mentors are essential. You need someone who can help you navigate things. I have both corporate and technical mentors.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Learn everything you can about your chosen field and reach out to people who do the job you want to do.
What women inspires you the most? Why?
Bozoma Saint John. She commands the rooms, she’s in demand, and she is authentically herself in every environment.
When did your company join Pledge 1%? How long have you been working on your impact program?
Revry joined Pledge 1% in March of this year. We have been committed to impacting our community since Revry’s launch and one of the ways that we contribute is by participating in Mayor Garcetti’s Internship program call Evolve.
Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment?
I’m a huge fan of the podcast Masters of Scale with Reed Hoffman.
What is something coming up that excites you?
We are launching a new set of features for our owned and operated applications. I can’t wait to share it with the world!
Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are changing the world. Our leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, and are all doing their part to have an impact in their communities and at their workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their background and path to success.
What is your name and title?
Holly Copeland, Senior Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability & Impact at Horizon Therapeutics.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
My role involves creating, building and executing our CSR, Sustainability & Impact strategy while also managing the philanthropic portfolio of the company.
What’s the best decision you’ve ever made?
To be intentional and authentic when connecting with others, regardless of their position or status.
What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?
Effectively communicating the value of impact work relative to the business and bottom line.
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
Yes. Mentorship involves having someone in your life that has your best interests in mind and can help guide you with sound advice through a particular situation or time in your life.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Take as many 1:1 introductory meetings as possible. Buy them a coffee and ask great questions. Listen. Take notes. You can learn something from every encounter, even the bad ones.
Cultivate the good ones over time. Before you know it, you’ll have a solid network that you can leverage when needed.
Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment?
Poor Economics: A Radical Rethinking of the Way to Fight Global Poverty by Abhijit Banerjee & Esther Duflo.
What is something coming up that excites you?
The 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment!
Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are changing the world. Our leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, and are all doing their part to have an impact in their communities and at their workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their background and path to success.
What is your name and title?
Erin Michelson, Founder & CEO, Summery.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
As a sole, female founder, I oversee every aspect of our business—product development & delivery, sales, marketing, & customer success, operations. Of course, I’m simply the point person representing the hard work and dedication of our amazing team at Summery. We’ve been able to build and expand so quickly because of our culture of shared values that enables us to operate at the highest level.
What’s the best decision you’ve ever made?
My best decision was to truly believe that we could help individuals be more personally and professionally fulfilled by providing the tools to measure, assess, and activate individual values. By taking this risk and recruiting an incredible team of behavioral, cognitive and data scientists, we are now working with startups and Fortune 500 companies like Salesforce, global foundations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and higher education organizations around the world.
What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?
There are countless studies showing that despite out-performance, women business owners only receive about 2% of all venture capital.
In our case, this lack of available funding translated into a determination to prove product-market fit and an early focus on generating revenue. Not taking capital early on turned out to be the best way to prove our model and grow our client base.
When did your company join Pledge 1%? How long have you been working on your impact program?
Summery joined Pledge 1% within months of launching because the framework—donating 1% of our time-product-profit—is so easy to implement and aligned with our mission. The primary way we meet our commitment is to open our flagship product to the public: The Kind Quiz, which enables individuals to better understand and activate their social impact values. Upon completing the 5-minute quiz, you receive a 3-page Kind profile and are matched with like-minded celebrities. Summery then makes a donation to a nonprofit organization that reflects your collective values.
What is something coming up that excites you?
We are launching The Kind CoLab, a global community designed to engage, educate, and empower individuals who seek to discover and activate our unique kindness through curated content, activities & events. Join the fun at www.summery.ai.
Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are changing the world. Our leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, and are all doing their part to have an impact in their communities and at their workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their background and path to success.
What is your name and title?
Lauren Duffield, Strategic Partnerships & CSR at xocial.
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your current role.
I am the CSR leader at xocial, and spend my days forming strategic partnerships for world-changing campaigns!
What’s the best decision you’ve ever made?
Attending Tony Robbins Business Mastery!
What’s the number one challenge you face as a woman in your industry?
Being told to take the emotion out of it.
Emotion and empathy is our competitive advantage as women!
Do you have any mentors? What does mentorship mean to you?
Yes. I have had 2 mentors in the past and continue to keep in touch with them both. Mentorship has been, and always will be, a major part of my career. I love learning from people have already experienced what I am going through. I also follow Tony Robbins and Rachel Hollis closely. They will always be my digital mentors.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
This statement is becoming cliche for a reason; fail to learn. Just do it. You can only plan so much. A-B test. There is no one way of doing anything!
What woman inspires you the most? Why?
Rachel Hollis. She is the most authentic, public facing female leader I know. She built her business from the ground up and was an average Jane. One of my favorite quotes of hers is, “Don’t play small to make others feel comfortable.”
Are you reading/listening to anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite book or podcast!
I am currently listening to Dean Graziosi’s Millionaire Success Habits.