Women Driving Impact

Nonprofit organizations face unique challenges when it comes to technology. Tight budgets and lack of expertise at the senior level result in what some organizations perceive as an inefficient use of tech. In fact, Stanford Social Innovation Review’s recent study of 80 advocacy-oriented nonprofits showed that only 11% of those organizations surveyed thought that they were highly efficient at managing technology. So how can nonprofits benefit from technology and focus on their missions at the same time? Rebecca Masisak, CEO of TechSoup, talks to Nicole Jones about bridging the tech divide for nonprofits, living your values as a leader, and how to balance a need for economic return with social missions. TechSoup is a nonprofit and social enterprise that equips changemakers with transformative technology solutions and skills they need to improve lives globally and locally. While most known for its NGO tech marketplace, which provides eligible organizations with donated and discounted software and training, Tech

As a movement, “Mindfulness” is gaining traction as an effective form of self-care, used for balancing balancing work/life stressors and strengthening emotional resilience. But how can businesses promote mindfulness in the workplace, in order to boost productivity and morale? Janet Fouts, CEO of Tatu Digital Media, talks to Nicole Jones about how to create effective human-centric strategies for leadership and relationship management to live a more fulfilling life at work and at home. Janet Fouts is an executive coach, speaker, and corporate trainer who believes deeply in the value of emotional intelligence at all levels of business. She's listed as one of the Top 50 Marketing Thought Leaders over 50 by Brand Quarterly magazine, and one of the Top 100 Giving Influencers on Twitter by Give Local America. She's been quoted in USA Today, Forbes Magazine, and Thought Leader Life, and her writing is syndicated on several business-to-business magazines online, including Business 2 Community and Social Media Today. J

One of the challenges facing women in the modern workplace is claiming credit where credit is due. Not being given credit for your work - or worse, having credit for your ideas stolen - affects not only your confidence, but it can have a measurable effect on your career as well. So how can women take a proactive role in ensuring that they get proper credit? And how can women support their female colleagues to do the same? Heather Johnson, compliance officer for Conrad industries, talks to Nicole Jones about how to bring more women into science and tech industries like manufacturing, the art of claiming credit where credit is due, and balancing work with new life changes. Conrad Industries is a division of A-B Emblem, which is a custom manufacturer and distribution company that produces emblems and patches for companies around the world. This 126-year-old family-owned corporation boasts thousands of clients including NASA, REI, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America, and more. A self-proclaimed “Jane of

There’s no "one size fits all" approach when you’re trying to make your company more inclusive. The challenges of diversity and inclusion go beyond just ticking boxes and fulfilling metrics. So how do you work towards an organization that better reflects its customers, using strategies that encourage psychological safety in the workplace, while also driving performance with positive leadership? There are things you can do at every level, whether you’re a senior manager or just starting out. Emmy Negrin, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Adidas, spoke to Nicole Jones about how she's driving inclusive company cultures, while ensuring companies make services and products that reflect the community it serves. They discussed the traits that great leaders possess, how being a queer woman impacts Emmy’s leadership style, and tips for advocating for marginalized groups. Emmy is a social entrepreneur focused on building purpose-driven and inclusive workplaces. In her current role, she's creating a diversity and i

Creating an inclusive workplace based on respect, belonging and empowerment may not be top of mind for many organizations, but the research and business benefits present compelling reasons for making it a priority. Organizations with inclusive cultures are two times as likely to meet or exceed financial goals, three times as likely to be high-performing, six times as likely to more innovative and agile, and eight times more likely to achieve business outcomes. A recent survey found 83% of millennials say they are more engaged at work when they believe their company fosters an inclusive culture. Diversity has been linked to more creativity and innovation in the workplace, and it’s no surprise why. When people with different skill sets, backgrounds, and experiences are brought together in one workspace, it leads to more effective problem-solving. Dr. Carol Langlois, a lifelong educator who ran the MBA programs at University of San Francisco, spoke to Kintone’s Marketing Director Nicole Jones about women’s leade