What is your name and title?
Candice DeVille – Co-Founder and Executive Director of
CoPilot Crew
Briefly describe your role at your company?
I’m the GSD person. I move quickly and am always looking for new ways to improve results, process and productivity. I’m also the eternal optimist who finds the silver lining in every lesson.
How long have you been in your current position?
We founded CoPilot Crew a year ago after my 13 years as a perpetual entrepreneur.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Always be reading. Everything is an opportunity for further education. When you learn how to learn, you will uncover more talents than you though you had and start seeing the kind of future you want.
Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?
Education for girls and women, particularly financial education. Having control of your financial future is key to personal independence and making better decisions.
Growing up, my father ran his own business and always encouraged us to think divergently when it came to making money. I developed a mindset that sought opportunities and ways that I could solve my own challenges.
Do you serve as a mentor? If so, what does mentorship mean to you?
Yes, both for my daughters and to other women seeking to make it on their own for the first time.
To me, being a mentor means being the kind of person I wish I’d had by my side when I first started out. Someone who tells you the truth even if it’s not what you want to hear, and helps you learn the tools to move from where you are to where you want to be.
What’s the one piece of advice you would give to yourself 5 years ago?
Don’t second guess yourself. Don’t bury those instincts or bend to outside pressure that doesn’t sit well with you. Your gut tells you things for a reason.
Are you reading anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite read!
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. We each have incredible power to change our version of reality. This book provides some simple insights to help you action that change.
If you could sit down with three women (living or dead) for dinner, who would those three women be (and why!)?
Hedy Lamarr – The talented old hollywood actress whose invention helped enable Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth. Proving beauty and brains aren’t mutually exclusive.
Arianna Huffington – I saw a recent speech she gave in which she said that everything great that happened in her life came after a (particular) man wouldn’t marry her.
Elizabeth Arden – she was one of the key players in bringing cosmetics and beauty to the mainstream, removing the social stigma attached to it’s use and creating the industry we know today.
What’s something coming up soon (personally or professionally) that super excites you?
Growing our company is exciting to me. Everyday I set myself small goals that contribute to our larger vision, so seeing those take shape is incredibly exciting and rewarding.
Please share your Twitter handle (if applicable):
Originally posted: March 20th, 2019
What is your name and title?
Briefly describe your role at your company?
I lead our Giving Back programs for Hyderabad, our largest office in India and also support other APAC regions. My role involves fostering non-profit relationships, investing in education and workforce development programs that help level the playing field for youth in underserved communities, inspiring employees to give back and creating opportunities for employees to volunteer meaningfully.
How long have you been in your current position?
8 months.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
While many classrooms see girls at the top, not many boardrooms do. Once out of college, most women give into societal gender roles and stop aiming for the stars. Don’t give in. Find women mentors who made it up the ladder and soak in their inspiration. Keep caring for yourself and your dreams.
Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?
Education is the cause I am passionate about. I believe that building a well educated society is the only sustainable solution to all the problems we talk about. I started my journey in education 9 years ago as a teaching volunteer in a low-income school for tribal children. After graduation, I became a Teach for India fellow teaching 81 children in an under-resourced government school and have continued to be associated with the cause.
What’s the one piece of advice you would give to yourself 5 years ago?
It is ok to say ‘NO’. Women especially are sub-consciously conditioned to be nice and obedient. We tolerate unpleasant situations and push ourselves too much before we say no. I have realised that being able to say NO is important. It not only saves our time and energy but also builds our confidence.
Are you reading anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite read!
I am reading ‘Becoming’ by Michelle Obama at the moment and it is a story many self-made women will relate to.
If you could sit down with three women (living or dead) for dinner, who would those three women be (and why!)?
Michelle Obama: For being an epitome of a rare combination of Grace and Confidence
Sunitha Krishnan: For inspiring me to travel the road less taken
My mother: For teaching me that strength and courage often lie at places we seldom look for them – in silence, in letting-go, in tears, in sacrifice
What’s something coming up soon (personally or professionally) that super excites you?
I am currently pursuing an Executive Program in Social Impact Strategy from University of Pennsylvania. I am totally looking forward to applying the aspects of this program to my work and creating better impact.
Originally posted: March 14th, 2019
What is your name and title?
Tracey Welson-Rossman, Founder, TechGirlz.org
Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your role at your company?
As Founder of TechGirlz, a non-profit that inspires middle schools girls to choose technology as a career path, I drive the vision and execution of strategy which has guided over 15,000 girls across the country towards becoming technologists.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
It is never too early to start your life-long network of support. Your network is comprised of people from all parts of your life – work, friends, outside interests – and you will be amazed at how often those intersect. Sometimes you will help your network and sometimes they will help you. My network has been invaluable in my journey as a leading advocate for women in technology.
Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?
Seeing a dearth of women in technology led me to build TechGirlz. The non-profit inspires, teaches, nurtures, and networks girls and women at every stage of their lives to ensure they remain passionate, skilled and supported technologists. To date, the program has reached more than 15,000 girls and has plans to reach 20,000 more by 2020. Its success has challenged leaders of industry to consider how workforce diversity is better for their bottom line and how investing in girls is an investment in their future.
Women in technology is more than a headline or political hot button, it’s a competitive business issue for companies of all types and sizes. Technology is much more than coding and has permeated every industry and nearly every type of job. But America’s technology-enabled workforce is forecast to be short of 1 million employees by the year 2020. Even worse, studies have shown that companies are more competitive and profitable with diverse workforces and leadership. Bringing more women into the technology workforce helps solve for all those challenges. It will produce a more competitive business environment firing on all cylinders and at full capacity.
Do you serve as a mentor? If so, what does mentorship mean to you?
Yes, mentorship is key to success for women in their careers. We built TechGirlz around the notion that mentorship, relationships and networking are key to continued growth and success for females in tech. I also founded the Women In Tech Summit which offers women, with existing careers in tech, an opportunity to mentor others or become mentees. But, mentorship is not always about structured meetings over set periods of time. To me it is simply about availability and open door policies. I make it clear to people who seek me as a mentor that my goal is to share my knowledge, offer support; and, most importantly, access to my network.
What’s the one piece of advice you would give to yourself 5 years ago?
Everyone has capacity limits — including me. It took me a long time to learn that cloning isn’t possible and that “no” needed to be a part of my vocabulary. No is not a dirty word and goes a long way in helping you balance everything that life brings your way.
Are you reading anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite read!
“Non-Obvious 2018: How To Predict Trends and Win The Future” by Rohit Bhargava. Rohit has changed how I understand trends, connect the dots and realize the entire “playing field.” He has also helped me understand how I can better communicate about trends I’m seeing so that I impactfully convey the importance of the work we are doing at TechGirlz to greater audiences.
If you could sit down with three women (living or dead) for dinner, who would those three women be (and why!)?
My husband and I play a game called “Fantasy Dinner Party.” At the moment, we are seating twelve. But if I had to choose just three, I would choose Amy Poehler, Tina Fey and Maya Rudolph. Humor is very important to me. Not only would I be laughing through the entire meal, I would love to hear the individual stories of how they broke through comedy’s glass ceiling and some of the lessons learned along the way. Plus, I just really appreciate spending time with smart women who have varied interests similar to mine.
What’s something coming up soon (personally or professionally) that super excites you?
Just today (March 5) TechGirlz made a very exciting announcement. TechGirlz was acquired by our largest funder, Creating IT Futures. It is truly what you would call a win-win. We get to keep all the things we love, hand off the things we don’t love to someone else, and plan for much, much bigger things together.
TechGirlz will continue to operate as a unique brand with our team and headquarters in Philadelphia. We will still create, share and manage TechShopz around the country. And we will still be a critical part of the tech lives of middle school girls everywhere.
But we will begin dreaming much bigger. With Creating IT Futures’ institutional support, we no longer have to manage the day-to-day operations of the organization, freeing up our teams to focus on what they know and love. At the same time, Creating IT Futures will help us scale even faster by taking over our fundraising campaigns and lending operational insights and support.
Please share your Twitter handle (if applicable):
@twelsonrossman
Originally posted: March 13th, 2019
What is your name and title?
Jaylena D Lomenech, Customer Success Specialist, Salesforce
Briefly describe your role at your company?
My role is focused on delivering solution based customer support that enables our customers to use Pardot at Potential. I drive adoption through demonstrations of our product and strategy recommendations.
How long have you been in your current position?
1 year 8 months as Customer Success Specialist 3 years 4 months total at Salesforce
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Remain driven and focused. See every moment as an opportunity for growth. Keep track of your ideas, your dreams and goals. Keep a small notebook nearby to jot down those moments of “aha” or “ooh that’s a great idea.” Once the moment pases, you’ve lost the opportunity, so take control and take action.
Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?
Whoa this one’s a doozy. I am passionate about equality and the arts. I am wrapping up a successful term as the Vice President of BOLDforce (Black Organization for Leadership and Development) our Employee Resource Group at Salesforce. Our team is focused on mentorship opportunities, employee retention and leadership opportunities for career development.
My undergraduate degree is in History so I have a strong affinity toward art + history. Through various art institutions, most recently as the Vice President of MoAD (Museum of the African
Diaspora) I have focused on driving educational opportunities in the community. Specifically focused on underserved demographics where access is limited or interest is.
Do you serve as a mentor? If so, what does mentorship mean to you?
Yes. Mentorship to me means partnering with my mentee to ensure they are focused not only on professional growth but also mental and emotional strength. It is not an easy task to be successful in in all things. There will be times where plans go well, and other times where everything comes crashing down. Ensuring that they are mentally prepared to respond and manage both scenarios is key in how they will define themselves as a leader.
My role is to ensure that my mentee develops confidence in their skills and inherent abilities. What is written on paper is only a fraction of what one has to offer. I focus on developing my mentee so that they bring their whole self to a project, discussion or task. As a mentor I focus on ensuring my mentee is cultivating relationships that create a support that will drive success. This will allow him or her to learn about career paths at different levels in the company.
What’s the one piece of advice you would give to yourself 5 years ago?
Do not allow fear, lack of knowledge or understanding to turn you away. It is normal to have fear, how you respond to that will determine what happens next.
Take time to reflect. What is the lesson, what is the opportunity. This is how growth happens.
I was born in the month of August, so I am a very proud Leo. I have surrounded myself with a pride of successful, engaged, driven women over the last few years. Continue to build your network. Advisors, mentors, sponsors and cheerleaders will come from various fields, in different industries across a range of ages. Each one offers something unique that will benefit you as a person. Just listen.
Trust your instinct. It has led you on the right path thus far, continue to listen.
Continue to lead with grace and execute in style. Never shy away from what makes you unique.
Are you reading anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite read!
Brave Not Perfect by Reshma Saujani
Circe by Madeline Miller
If you could sit down with three women (living or dead) for dinner, who would those three women be (and why!)?
Queen Hatshepsut of Egypt – She became the first queen to take on the title of pharaoh, essentially embodying the role of a man, which carried more weight and responsibility than the role of a queen. Wow! The audacity, the bravery, the confidence needed to understand the importance of her position and recognize her own significance and what should could contribute as a leader to her people.
Josephine Baker – I find her story fascinating! She left her home country for another and found tremendous success there, during a time where the way of life for many African-Americans was less than desirable. Among her many contributions, including her role as a resistance fighter, I am fascinated mostly with her rainbow-tribe; the group of children from across the globe whom she adopted. As a leader in our Employee Resource Group BOLDforce (Black Organization for Leadership and Development), I focus on cultivating Equality in the workplace. Creating an environment where people from different racial, social and financial backgrounds can come together with respect and support of one another. Her rainbow tribe is what society should aspire to be – a loving family.
Rihanna Fenty – I am a huge fan of her music! As her albums have released, she continues to evolve and use her platform for good. I respect her openness about difficult life choices she has made and how she has grown from them. She is one of a few artists that is 100% committed to giving back to her people. The country of Barbados continues to benefit from the tremendous contribution she provides. They in turn have honored her in numerous ways, including an honorary Ambassador title. She plays an important role in philanthropy and what a philanthropist looks like. For the young people of color to see someone that looks like them in a philanthropic capacity, is fundamental for the development of the next generation of Philanthropists.
As an Ambassador for the National Museum of African American History & Culture I consider myself a philanthropist. It is important that the next generation of leaders have representation.
What’s something coming up soon (personally or professionally) that super excites you?
My graduation ceremony from Saint Mary’s College of California. I am the first in my family to graduate from university with an advanced degree. My entire family is planning a big trip from Los Angeles to attend. I’m pretty stoked!
Originally posted: March 12th, 2019
What is your name and title?
Ruchi Saxena, Team Lead, Ceptes.
Briefly describe your role at your company:
My role is to provide direction, instructions, and guidance to my team to achieve a certain goal:
Develop a strategy the team will use to reach its goal.
Provide any training that team members need.
Listen to team members’ feedback (I always prefer to spend some time with each of my team members individually on a weekly basis).
Manage the flow of day-to-day operations.
How long have you been in your current position?
3 years
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Be focused and confident.
Have a vision, a purpose in professional life and set your goals straight.
Focus towards what skills you need to achieve your goals and work towards it.
It’s always better to say NO than regret. Learn to say “No” to what you are not committed or ready for.
Don’t afraid to discuss your past achievements. Learn to apply your college experience in career.
Good thing comes to those who work towards it. Don’t procrastinate.
Build the ability to speak about your success.
Do you serve as a mentor? If so, what does mentorship mean to you?
I am leading a team of 5+ highly trained professionals. I believe in hiring people smarter than me and encourage them to bring their best forward to the table.
Leadership doesn’t need any title, one has to earn it. I strongly believe being a true leader means to lead by example. I set the goals, define actions, ask for accountability thereby drive the results.
I don’t micromanage team instead transfer the sense of responsibility to an individual for greater contribution and ownership.
Lastly, I share the “Wins” with the team and “Owns” the failures.
What’s the one piece of advice you would give to yourself 5 years ago?
That is the time when I start my career, I was always giving excuses to myself,
Stop procrastinating
Believe in yourself
Have a vision
Don’t wait for change, be the change
Learning is a journey, not a destination
Be the person you want your daughter to be.
Lastly, be persistent and discipline. The only factor that will differentiate you from others.
Are you reading anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite read!
“The Magic of thinking BIG” by David Schwartz. I would suggest everyone to read this book at least once. This is a complete package to refrain you from so many things which are hurdles in your life.
Originally posted: March 10th, 2019
Q1: What is your name and title?
Cathy McCabe, CEO Proximity Insight
Q2: Briefly (1-2 sentences) describe your role at your company?
Following a diverse 30-year career in retail moving from shop floor to shop tech I am now the CEO of an innovative retail tech startup – I work with an awesome, global team who are passionate about helping brands to get closer to their customers. My role varies every day encompassing sales, marketing and product vision and I love the variety of working with leading retail brands and great visionary people. It is a tough but hugely rewarding role.
Q3: How long have you been in your current position?
18 months
Q4: What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
I have been lucky to enjoy a diverse career. Finding your path and enjoying what you do is really important and I often put my hand up to work on something that no-one else wanted to do. So never be afraid to try new things.
You absolutely have to work hard, take risks and lead by example but don’t let your career consume you.
My Mum always said “You can never make a bad decision. If something does not work out you simply change track and move forward onto the next path”
Q5: Is there a cause that is particularly close to you? If so, why this cause and how did you get involved?
I am particularly drawn to Africa after visiting my son in Uganda where he was working with a youth trust helping to train young Ugandans to construct water tanks and school buildings with eco-friendly bricks that are sustainable and do not require firing with wood. It was an inspiring and thought-provoking journey in a very beautiful country. I want to continue exploring ways to help out with causes in Africa and I am hoping to join a Building Blitz with Mellon Educate in November 2019.
Q6: Do you serve as a mentor? If so, what does mentorship mean to you?
I love mentoring and I currently mentor a variety of different people – it provides me with a simple way to give back, to help, to guide and to continue to learn about myself and new ways of working.
Q7: What’s the one piece of advice you would give to yourself 5 years ago?
Don’t chase a title or the money – in the end the title and the salary does not mean that much. It is more important to keep learning and trying new things.
Q8: Are you reading anything interesting at the moment? Please share your most recent favorite read!
Super Engaged by Nikki Gatenby – absolutely fabulous book about how to transform business performance by putting people and purpose first – great nuggets that any business can use regardless of size.
Q9: If you could sit down with three women (living or dead) for dinner, who would those three women be (and why!)?
Gosh this is a tough one – so many women I admire for lots of very different reasons!!!
Angela Ahrendts – an amazingly strong, astute woman, ahead of her time and yet super approachable and a great leader. Angela leaves a footprint on your life and the time I spent with her as part of the leadership team at Burberry was truly inspirational.
Mary Portas – I love her frankness, openness and her downright pragmatic approach to revamping retail and her wacky confidence and ability to be just so utterly true to herself.
Jose Powell – my maternal Grandmother – a working woman with four children who had a strong work ethic and amazing family values – she taught me to be strong, inspired me to travel, to read and taught me to be kind and thoughtful. A woman who grew up in the 1930’s and continued to travel until her 80’s passing away in when I was only at the very start of my career.
Q10: What’s something coming up soon (personally or professionally) that super excites you?
Personally, I am writing a book about the future of retail which provides me with my space to reflect and develop my own perspective. It can be a struggle to fit in the research and writing time but the moments I find to take stock and breathe help me to think about how the real principles of retail have not changed yet the purchase path has changed incredibly in the last 10 years.
Professionally we are about to embark on our first round of funding and that will be a completely new and important learning journey for me – a pivotal and exciting moment in my career!
Please share your Twitter handle (if applicable):
@cathymccabe
Originally posted: March 7th, 2019
This profile is published as part of Pledge 1%’s Women Who Lead series, which celebrates women in the Pledge 1% community who are creating change within their workplace and communities.
Leigh Christie is the Executive Director of the Entrepreneurs Foundation. In this role, Leigh oversees the daily operations of the organization; leads member company programming and events; manages the philanthropic contributions for realized equity donors; directs the corporate community involvement programs for member companies; and supports the organization’s leadership projects.
Leigh is a lawyer by trade and has more than 20 years experience in program development and operations. Building and supporting strategic and impactful collaborations to address community needs is her greatest strength and joy.
She is a graduate of the Leadership Austin Essential Class, the Acton Leadership Edge Program , the AISD UpClose Program, and a sustaining member of the Junior League of Austin. Current roles include: Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, Board Member; City of Austin, Corporate Engagement Council, Member; Austin Gives, Executive Council Member; and SXSWedu Advisory Board Member.
Leigh was named one of the 2016 Austin Business Journal’s Profiles in Power & Women of Influence Finalist. She’s also getting geared up to complete her 4th and 5th marathons in 2017 and 2018.
Originally posted: May 17th, 2017
This profile is published as part of Pledge 1%’s Women Who Lead series, which celebrates women in the Pledge 1% community who are creating change within their workplace and communities.
Adhamina Rodriguez is the founder and CEO of AR Green Consulting, a boutique sustainability consulting firm based in San Francisco that strives to change the World one building at a time.
Adhamina brings over 20 years of experience in the construction industry managing interdisciplinary teams to improve sustainability in buildings and organizations. In her roles of Director of Sustainability, Project Executive, and Senior Project Manager for large corporations, Adhamina has managed hundreds of complex projects from beginning to end, has established strategic sustainability policies, and implemented green building design and construction to deliver healthier and better performing buildings.
Adhamina has served in the Board of several Energy and Sustainability Committees, is an official instructor in sustainability at U.C. Berkeley and has lectured at Stanford University since 2001. Adhamina is an Architect/Civil Engineer from the University of Seville (Spain), and has a Master’s Degree from Northwestern University’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. In 2011 Adhamina was recognized by Engineering News Record (ENR) as one of California’s Top 20 Under 40.
Read the full interview below to hear Adhamina’s ideas for leadership and how to have an impact in the workplace.
Q1: How long have you been in your current position?
2 years. Before that I worked for almost 17 years for a large corporation as Director of Sustainability and Project Executive.
Q2: What inspired you to work in this industry?
I am Architect and a Civil Engineer with a Master in Project Management. I was drawn to the building industry because of its unique combination of art and technology, and the enormous impact that buildings have on our environment and on our every-day life. We spend 90% of our time indoors, buildings are our habitat.
Q3: What would you tell women who are looking to work in tech? Any advice on how they can build their career?
Technology surrounds us, it is in every aspect our life, but even so, there is so much that we still can improve. There are traditional industries, like construction, that take longer to adapt than other industries like transportation or manufacturing. I encourage women to take on the challenge of transforming traditional men-dominated niches into progressive markets that help us close the gap towards a sustainable future.
Q4: Is your company a Pledge 1% member or do you personally give back to your community? If so, how do you give and to what cause?
Yes, my firm is a Pledge 1% member from day one and I have personally given back to my community during my whole career. I have a passion for sustainability, protection of the environment, and children, as they are our future. I have volunteered hundreds of hours to my local community educating and feeding people in need, and worked pro-bono to create a new playground in the City, and community centers in low-income areas. I have also volunteered as a role model in organizations that strive to close the gender and minority achievement gap in the STEM field including: “Techbridge Girl”, “Scientific Adventures for Girls”, and “Tech-women” ( a program managed by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to mentor to young women from Africa and the Middle East through exchange).
Q5: Do you serve as a mentor? What does mentorship mean to you?
Mentoring to me means teaching and coaching. I strongly believe that if we allow others to build on our foundation of knowledge, we will reach higher levels of sustainability from which we will all benefit. I have been a mentor and lecturer on green design and construction at Stanford University for the past 17 years to students from all over the world, and I am an official instructor at UC Berkeley Extension since 2009. My mentorship to many students has continued to date through email, and in person with some that followed me throughout my professional career as new employees.
Q6: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received to help you with your career?
Always move forward. Do not set yourself back, not even to get impulse!
Do not give up, work hard, and show confidence. If you do not believe in yourself, none else will.
Q7: What’s the one piece of advice you would give to yourself 5 years ago?
Do not be afraid to explore new possibilities. It took me many years to venture into opening my own firm, and now I could not be happier with my decision. Yes, managing your own company takes a lot of work, a learning curve, and making some mistakes. Learn from them and move on!
Originally posted: May 10th, 2017
This profile is published as part of Pledge 1%’s Women Who Lead series, which celebrates women in the Pledge 1% community who are creating change within their workplace and communities.
Meredith Finn is a Director for
Salesforce Ventures focused on leading strategic investments in enterprise SaaS companies that complement Salesforce’s ecosystem.
Meredith has led over 35 strategic investments on behalf of Salesforce including Twilio, Anaplan, Optimizely, Pendo, Cogito, CloudCraze, and Workfit.
Before joining Salesforce Ventures, Meredith worked in finance at Twitter and Google, and as a technology and media investment banker at Evercore Partners and Citigroup. Her experience includes venture investing, buy-side and sell-side M&A, LBO, IPO, and strategic corporate finance and advisory roles. Meredith has an AB in Economics from Harvard University and an MBA with Honors from Columbia Business School.
Originally posted: May 3rd, 2017
