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 Baudo Felter, VP of Social Impact at Okta.

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

I lead Okta’s Corporate Social Impact Initiative, Okta for Good, which directs our technology, employee and financial resources to mission-driven organizations around the world.

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

Investing in my professional relationships and network. There is no way my career could have grown in the way that it has without an intentional investment in these relationships. In particular in the small world of social impact, where the field is still emerging, being able to learn from – and with – my peers throughout the various stages of my career has been a game changer.

I’m not talking about going to a networking event once a quarter. I’m talking about building real relationships, investing in them, going out of my way to hop on the phone or answer a text or share a playbook.

The best part is that our field is full of wonderful, generous people aligned around a common goal of leaving the world a little better than we found it. That alignment has made my professional relationships much deeper and more fulfilling than I ever thought possible.

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

I’m just going to say it: imposter syndrome. I have had a textbook case of it for most of my career!

It helped me so much the first time I simply put a name to it. It helped even more when I started to lean into my curiosity about it. Two of my favorite reads about this topic are  The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It  and The Confidence Gap.

Recently, I’ve done some intentional work with more direct coaching and support to try and shed the imposter mindset once and for all. If you’re in the middle of that journey, you are not alone! Keep going. There is clarity and confidence on the other side, I promise.

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

I have never uttered the words “Would you be my mentor?” Yet, I feel I’ve had many mentors throughout my career. I believe mentorship has to develop organically and that you really can find it anywhere. You can find it in long-term relationships or in powerful moments and conversations; in leaders much more senior than you or in peers.

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

Be gentle on yourself! We are all our own worst critics. I spent the first 5 years of my early career obsessing over how far I was from where I thought I should be and feeling discouraged and lost.

The truth is, it does feel like that in the early days, but that’s because you’re building your experience, trying things and figuring out what sparks you. There will come a time when that knowledge, experience and confidence builds up and you suddenly realize you’re the expert in the room.

What woman inspires you the most? Why?

My aunt. She built a technology company in the 80s and took it public during a time where she truly was the only woman in the room. When I think about how we are all standing on the shoulders of those who came before us, I think of her.

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

I re-read Radical Candor recently. It is so solid when it comes to management books that resonate with the kind of leader I actually want to be. For fun (fun for an anthropology major), I’m reading The Ohlone Way which is a beautiful little book about the life and culture of the indigenous people of the SF Bay Area.

What’s something coming up that excites you?

This is a big year for Okta for Good. We’re growing our team and stepping into some new and deeper work in the areas we care about. In particular, we are expanding nonprofit technology enablement. Stay tuned for more details!

Originally posted: March 19, 2020

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?

Melynnie Rizvi, Director of Employment, Inclusion and Impact at SurveyMonkey.

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

As an experienced employment attorney, I develop strategic partnerships with HR professionals and executives in order to advise on employment law issues both domestically and globally.

As a CSR professional, I am responsible for the development and implementation of global Corporate Social Responsibility and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion programs.

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

Taking the opportunity to build a social impact and diversity, equity and inclusion strategy and program. I had never done it before when offered the opportunity.

I have learned so much and what I have learned has been an amazing compliment to the work that I do as an employment attorney.

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

Balancing my ambition and drive to grow and succeed while making time for myself and my family.

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

Yes, I have had mentors during my career and I have mentored others during my career. Mentorship is incredibly important. I have learned many valuable lessons from my mentors and having someone who will also champion my work has been incredibly important to my success.

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

Learn as much as you can about the business or industry that you work in and how what you do can add value.

It is not enough to work hard. You have to understand how what you do benefits the business that you are in.

Also, don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. The worst that can happen is someone says no.

What woman inspires you the most? Why?

My mom. She never had a career and raised me by herself and always struggled to do so. She always pushed me to have a better life than she did, to get an education and to be able to take care of myself and my family.

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

I am currently reading Know My Name, which is Chanel Miller’s memoir. She was the young woman who was sexually assaulted by the Stanford water polo player.

The way she tells her story of what she went through and the persecution she suffered because she came forward is so moving and impactful. It also makes me realize that we have so much more work to do in changing our mindset to support women and not judge them.

What’s something coming up that excites you?

I am excited for the continued opportunity to make an impact in our local communities and to help create a more equitable and just world for my 9-year-old son.

Originally posted: March 18, 2020

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?

Alexandra Gobbi, CMO at Code42 Software.

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

As CMO, I am responsible for the company’s global product marketing, brand development, corporate communications, demand generation, marketing operations and field marketing activities.

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

Be open to opportunities as they arise. My career path has taken me along roles that I would not have deliberately mapped out. However, looking back, they each contributed to shaping who I am today. Some roles have given me specific functional skills, others have taken me on geographic journeys. Most of all, each role has helped me define my leadership style and values.

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

I am very lucky that there are a number of female B2B tech CMOs and I feel well supported by this tribe.

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

I have been fortunate to work with and alongside some incredible leaders and have been exposed to career marketers along the way. Many have provided guidance and often unique perspectives that have helped me make better decisions. Sometimes it’s the most powerful questions and statements that make you reframe how you operate, like “You’ve got another run in you!”.

I think that is what mentorship means to me – the ability to reframe and refocus a situation and the surge of energy and support you need to get through.

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

Speak up. Coming from a European education, I was brought up to listen and engage only when called upon. I learned later in life that my perspectives, questions and insights were just as valid as those of others in the room.

No one has the answer, but together we can determine a better solution to a problem and it requires everyone to engage.

Women need to feel comfortable asking tough questions and advocating for themselves. The earlier you start, the easier it becomes.

What woman inspires you the most? Why?

There are many women across the world that have inspired me for their courage, authenticity and leadership. Specifically, the following come to mind. Debra Searle for her courage as she decided to row across the Atlantic solo and after her husband succumbed to open water anxiety. Also, Christine Lagarde, the current president of the European Central Bank for her global influence in the male-dominated financial sector.

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

I recently have started to run and love listening to various marketing (B2B Growth), leadership (Ted WorkLife) and neuroscience (Hidden Brain) podcasts while running. I’m currently reading The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg and am fascinated by the impact one small change can have on one’s life.

What’s something coming up that excites you?

My youngest son is graduating from high school this year and my husband and I will join the empty nesters club. I’m excited to see my kids spread their wings and find their passions. I’m also looking forward to fun weekend escapes with my husband.

Originally posted: March 16, 2020

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?

Janelle Crockett, Data Analyst at Zylo.

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

My primary responsibility is to identify and provide actionable insights on customer data. Utilizing my skills with SQL database structures and python coding, I ensure that the data is not only accurate, but provides high levels of utility for clients.

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

Take risks, pursue work that I am passionate about and push myself beyond what I think I am capable of. Through that, I can find out what I can truly do.

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

Yes. To me, mentorship is about finding some connection with, and receiving guidance from, a more experienced person in the field that you hope to move towards.

True mentorship involves some level of regularity. The best mentors have a buy in with the mentee. They are as invested in helping them grow as the mentee is in growing.

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

Don’t be afraid to take risks. Remember that whenever you come up short, use that as a learning opportunity. Life has no shortage of growth opportunities and it is up to you to pursue them.

What’s something coming up that excites you?

My background and experience is with philanthropy and I am increasingly fascinated by how for-profit companies like Zylo set time and funds aside to give back to the community.

Twice a year we hold Zylo on the Streets. Zylo on the Streets is where the full team takes the afternoon to volunteer at a variety of nonprofit organizations. It’s always a joy to see everyone so invested in the community. Seeing these afternoon sessions grow with each iteration is really special and touching.

Originally posted: March 13, 2020

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?

Julie Barker, VP of Talent at Zylo.

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

As our VP of Talent at Zylo, I lead all things people. This includes everything from recruitment marketing, to hiring the best talent that is able to provide the best experience to our customers, to talent programs and how we live out our values daily.

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

I always went in to roles with a plan to take on more. I would first prove myself in the one role, so it felt easy to add more. I always say master your current role first and mentor those while you are there. Then, you will be seen for the next opportunity.

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

Things I continue to hear is being advocates and sponsors for other women. The more opportunity we have to bring in our male sponsors and advocates into the conversations, the better.

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

Yes, it’s actually someone who has reported to me in the past. She challenges me in a great way, brings out other ideas and perspectives and also has the perspective of working for me. I learn from her a ton.

I have had several amazing mentors over my career and many folks I am currently mentoring. We constantly learn from each other. Mentoring has been the greatest leadership opportunity I have had.

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

Be authentic, pursue things you are not sure you are 100% qualified for and be intentional and genuine about the network you build.

I always say people will match energy. If you pursue something in your career and take ownership, the other person will at least match you. If you expect for a career to be created for you, you will likely be disappointed.

What woman inspires you the most? Why?

Right now it is my 8-year-old daughter. There are so many leadership qualities I see from her including taking risks, always bringing someone new into a group, helping classmates and not seeing color.

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

For Podcasts- Handle with Care: Empathy in the Workplace and How I Built This.

What’s something coming up that excites you?

On the personal front, a long weekend beach trip with my aunt and cousin. With Pledge 1%, we are working with them to bring the Indy Pledge 1% companies together for greater impact across the city.

Originally posted: March 13, 2020

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?

Kerrin Mitchell, Chief Development Officer at Fluxx.

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

I am responsible for the strategic direction and development of Fluxx. My focus is on the cultivation of revenue streams, fundraising, business development and client success, while furthering the overall mission of the organization.

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

I was never a 5-year plan person. While it is indeed inspirational to see that directive in folks, I opted for a less defined route. I tend to trust that each chapter will lead me to places where the sum of the parts amass into something bigger. In my career, I’ve been in finance/accounting, operations, client and even compliance roles. None of these were long-term goals of mine, yet all of those skills built an incredible and uncommon arsenal of capabilities for success at my current, and likely long-standing, role in sales leadership and business development. In that sense, the best decision I’ve made is to honor those learnings at each step as they are all immeasurably useful down the line.

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

You are in charge of your own well-being and need to go to the mattresses for YOU. Know your worth, fight for it and do not settle. Remember that you are needed and valued. Your role, stake and leadership in your company should reflect that. I believe that women have strength in creating a belonging culture; however at times, this can get in the way of acting independently and autonomously to ensure that value is recognized and rewarded.

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

I do not have a formal mentor, but I do have a few informal ones that I call upon as my personal “board” of friends and colleagues. I look at that cohort as not only mentors for work, but for my personal well-being as well. In that sense, I open the aperture of mentorship from a career lens to a life lens.

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

Know your superpower. You can read a million books to offer roadmaps on behaviors and approaches. Yes, some have value and can be empowering. However, the writer has a different skill set, personality and approach than you, so please don’t take those recipes verbatim and try to replicate it.

Authenticity is the thing that people gravitate towards naturally. That is what makes you successful in navigating your organization and career. By respecting your lens and your journey, you will find more meaning, joy and gravity in each step. You will be a better manager, leader and person as a result.

What woman inspires you the most? Why?

Ruth Bader Ginsberg. On the Federal Bench for over 25 years, RBG passed the most important legislation for human rights. Her work was a generation in the making and each step she took was an important pillar to build the future that she envisioned. I look to her as a warrior. She never blames her circumstances for a lack of performance or commitment. She remains unwavering in purpose, character, integrity and independence.

When did your company join Pledge 1%? How long have you been working on your impact program?

Fluxx is a mission-driven company. While we value and emphasize diversity, we have one fundamental thing in common, our commitment to giving back. I am proud of the fact that our entire team gives back to their respective communities individually, while as a company we come together to support our local nonprofits. These values are part of what made joining Pledge 1% such a no-brainer. We joined this incredible cohort in 2018. For us, Pledge 1% is a constant reminder to go above and beyond.

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

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. Count Rostov is a truly wonderful character who reminded me what grace, positivity and good manners can do. It was so beautifully written.

What’s something coming up that excites you?

In no particular order, emergent philanthropy trends, Mars exploration, and the 2020 elections.

Originally posted: March 12, 2020

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?

Meggie Dials, Senior Regional Vice President of Sales at Salesforce.

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

I lead two teams that sell into large, enterprise companies. We digitally transform companies via a suite of technology products, ensuring customer success and helping them create meaningful relationships with their customers.

How long have you been in your current position?

I have worked at Salesforce for over 10 years and have led teams for the past 6+. This year, I moved into a second-line leadership role.

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

I could easily point to the decision to come to ExactTarget/Salesforce. However, more specifically, when I started I made the decision to just put my head down and do good work. I was the first in the office, I dressed up more formally than my colleagues (dress for the job you want!) and I let my work speak for itself before I started raising my hand for promotions.

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

There are a lot of challenge facing women. From being taken seriously, to getting the same amount of airtime in meetings, to knowing when and how to address inequities in compensation, and finding mentors and the work/life balance.

Personally, the work/life balance is a constant struggle as a working mom of two young children married to a man that also travels for work. This is a demanding career and so finding the right balance between getting the job done and also being with my family is tough. Even when I feel like the time investment is balancing ok, the mom-guilt is never ending. I know working dads probably have similar struggles, but our society puts so much pressure on mothers that we often bear the burden at home.

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

I do! Both of my mentors at work are men and have helped shape my career by giving me space in their meetings and a seat at the table. They have invested in me and my development, given me candid feedback and celebrated my successes. In addition, I have my professional “board of directors” made up of great friends and colleagues who not only support me professionally, but also are my go-to when I look for advice.

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

Develop your brand and then own it. Be intentional about how you want your colleagues to view you and your body of work and then make sure that your presence represents that.

Meaning, your social media, how you interact with you coworkers inside and outside of work, etc.

What woman inspires you the most? Why?

Personally, my mother. She has dealt with such loss in the past four years and her strength is unmatched.

Professionally, my good friend Cindy. She has such courage not only in how she approaches her career, but also in how she communicates. She also moved to Tel Aviv for a year to take on a massive project at Salesforce. She constantly inspires me.

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

I’m currently listening to Epstein, Devil and the Darkness (I love investigative journalism podcasts!) and reading “G’morning, G’night” by Lin Manual Miranda.

What’s something coming up that excites you?

In the immediate future, I am going with my husband and children to Florida for 4 days! I can’t wait to see my children delighted by the ocean and sand!

Originally posted: March 11, 2020

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?

Kassy Morris, Head of Construction Education and Employee Onboarding at Procore Technologies.

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

I lead the awesome teams that develop and deliver a world class new hire orientation and long-term construction education for employees. The Construction Education Program focuses on practical learning experiences that help non-construction folks understand how construction works and how our company helps.

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

I made the very difficult decision to leave the traditional construction industry to step to the sidelines and drive positive change from the outside.

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

In a male-dominated profession, the number one challenge I’ve experienced is demonstrating competence. The burden of proof is on me as a woman, instead of having assumed competence as my male counterparts do.

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

Yes. I have several, both male and female. My mentors do many things for me. The things that come to mind are modeling the way, advocating for me and those around them, and providing direct feedback and advice in tough situations. They also tend to push my boundaries when I’m not doing it myself.

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

It is incumbent upon you to take your seat at the table. It is no one else’s responsibility.

If you are fortunate enough to have advocates for you and that support you, make sure you embrace them. We can’t do it ourselves, even though it does start with self-advocacy. Use your voice; your perspective is valuable.

What woman inspires you the most? Why?

At this time in my life, during the season of my life, a woman that I work with named Kelly inspires me the most. She is a leader with a strong but thoughtful voice. She believes in herself and speaks the difficult truths that drive success for her teams. She is a wife that supports her husband in all circumstances and she is a mother who has raised two strong, independent, successful children.

She’s done this all while developing a career of her own in which she is respected and sought after. She is objective but kind, resolute in her positions, cares fiercely for individuals in her life and models a work ethic that cannot be rivaled. She shows both dedication and selflessness in the things that she does, both personally and professionally. She does so in a humble way, without being boisterous. She does not expect others to drive her success.

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

I’m currently re-reading Measure What Matters, which speaks to the power of OKRs as a goal-setting methodology for business; however, I leverage them personally as well. I love good fiction as well and have fallen in love with Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter. I also enjoy NPR’s How I Built This podcast and Last Podcast on the Left as a guilty pleasure.

What’s something coming up that excites you?

I have recently been asked to share an idea I have on a TEDx stage in 2020 and to author a book about it. The topic is aimed at how the homeless can save the construction industry.

It will explore my hypothesis that we can leverage the able-bodied homeless population to supply the construction industry with trades people and knowledgeable workers. This will then reduce the severe labor shortage we are experiencing that threatens the future of our built world.

Originally posted: March 10, 2020