Alessandra Millican | Transformational Women Leaders to Follow | Women History Month 2024

IN – FOCUS

IN-FOCUS WITH NICOLE BEAUCHAMP

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FATIMA HASAN CALLAHAN: AN EXCEPTIONAL TRAILBLAZER

TRANSFORMATIONAL

LEADERS TO FOLLOW WMEN O

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JENE PARK: DRIVING FASHION TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY

DYNAMIC LEADERS 2024

EDITORIAL NOTE

This March, we are proud to dedicate not just one, but multiple issues to the indomitable spirit, resilience, and achievements of women entrepreneurs and leaders across various industries.

Our decision to spotlight these incredible women stems from a deep-seated belief in the power of their stories to inspire, educate, and empower. Each narrative we've chosen to share reflects not only the personal triumphs of these leaders but also their significant contributions to reshaping their sectors and, by extension, our world.

Women have long been the backbone of innovation, creativity, and change, yet their stories have often remained in the shadows. It is our honor at Exeleon to bring these stories to light, celebrating the milestones achieved while acknowledging the hurdles that still exist. Our aim is not only to pay tribute to these trailblazers but also to foster a community that supports and uplifts women in their entrepreneurial and leadership journeys.

Through this series, we invite our readers to delve into the lives of women who have broken barriers, challenged the status quo, and set new precedents. From technology and science to arts and social enterprise, these women have carved paths of excellence, demonstrating what is possible when talent meets tenacity.

But let this not be merely a moment of reflection. Let it also serve as a clarion call for ongoing action and advocacy for gender equality and inclusivity in every sphere of life. The stories we share are beacons of hope and catalysts for change, reminding us all of the work that remains in ensuring that every woman has the opportunity to reach her full potential.

In closing, I extend my deepest gratitude to our readers, contributors, and the remarkable women whose stories we are privileged to share. Your support fuels our mission to not only highlight achievements but also to create a platform for dialogue, learning, and progress.

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DARYL YEUNG

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CONTENTS

CONTENTS

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MALIKA BEGIN

CONTENTS

GRACIE JONES

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a transformational leader in the renewable energy space, Alessandra Millican's commitment to driving sustainable change has positioned her as a thought leader in the industry.

With a background rooted in resilience and a passion for solving complex problems, Alessandra has dedicated her career to advancing sustainable solutions and promoting a greener future.

As the Managing Director of Client Success at LandGate, she plays a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the company, ensuring that its innovative platform empowers landowners, real estate agents, and investors to harness the value of natural resources.

Featuring as the Cover of our Transformational Women of 2024 issue, we look into the journey and professional career of Alessandra Millican.

EARLY RESPONSIBILITIES

Growing up in a single-parent household, Alessandra learned the values of hard work and leadership from her mother, which laid the foundation for her future endeavors. She recalls, “My mom served as the perfect example of a leader, who put her all into making our family's world better through hard work.”

As the eldest sibling, she took on responsibilities

from an early age. This helped Alessandra cultivate a sense of discipline and instilled within her a proactive approach to problem solving. She mentions, “As the older sibling, I embraced a leadership role within our family dynamic, and these early experiences not only honed my ability to make decisions under pressure but also inculcated a deep sense of empathy and understanding.”

ENTERING THE ENERGY SECTOR

As a child, Alessandra was unable to ind answer to the question – “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

However, amidst all her professional confusion, she remained focused on her one true passion: solving complex problems and making the world a better place. As she researched more to ind possible career directions, she found a connection between her interests and the energy sector.

She started her career as a geologist in the oil and gas industry and gained valuable experience and connections during her tenure.

Alessandra's transition to renewable energy was driven by her passion for sustainability and her ambition to contribute to an industry that aligned with her professional and personal values. She

recognized the potential of renewable energy to provide sustainable solutions and decided to redirect her skills towards this growing sector.

“Transitioning my career relected a commitment to making a positive impact on the future and society by contributing to the foundation and rapid expansion of renewable energy,” Alessandra mentions.

She also recollects, “Funny enough, on cross country road trips as a kid, my mom would always pull over at wind farms so we could peer up and marvel at the towering, energy-producing turbine giants, so it truly feels as if I've come full circle.”

A TRANSFORMATIVE APPROACH

As a transformational leader in the renewable energy space, Alessandra is not only focused on driving substantial change but also on elevating and inspiring others to reach their full potential. She believes transformational leaders have a remarkable and often widereaching impact by encouraging collaboration and facilitating open exchange of ideas.

She further adds, “At the core of their traits, transformational leaders are inspirational, empowering, visionary, and embody a passion and commitment to drive substantial change.”

Her journey thus far has been inluenced by the guidance and support of colleagues and mentors who have exempliied transformational leadership. These experiences have shaped her understanding of effective leadership and have instilled in her a desire to create a similar impact on others.

Her goal is to inspire those around her to reach their full potential, to think beyond conventional boundaries, and to embrace the endless possibilities that the future holds.

THE FUTURE OF ENERGY

As a thought leader in the industry, Alessandra is optimistic about the future of renewable energy. She explains, “Much like how the energy industry has evolved in the past, I know the future of energy will be characterized by a dynamic shift involving sustainability and innovative solutions.”

This shift, according to her, will involve a combination of digital transformation, advancements in technology, and increased eficiency to help ensure that renewable energy is not only a sustainable option, but also an economically viable one.

For companies looking to tap into the potential of renewable energy,

Alessandra emphasizes the importance of embracing innovation, staying adaptable, and being proactive in aligning strategies with the evolving energy landscape. “It's always important to stay informed of industry trends, anticipating changes, and proactively adjusting strategies to align with the shifting energy landscape,” she says.

The Importance of Mentorship for Female Leaders

In today’s dynamic and complex professional landscape, mentorship shines as an inspiration, guiding individuals toward success and nurturing their growth. It also gives them a competitive advantage if pursued strategically. Amidst the intricacies of modern workplaces, mentorship isn't just advantageous; it's essential, especially for female leaders breaking barriers and challenging societal norms.

As the Founder and CEO of Begin Development, I've personally witnessed the profound impact of mentorship on female leaders' journeys. I've built mentorship programs at multiple organizations because I believe in and see irsthand the impact on junior and mid-career employees.

Transitioning from a contributor to establishing my own women-led irm, I'm committed to cultivating a

thriving career in people development for myself and others. Mentors and mentorship communities have played an invaluable role in this success.

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH

One of the primary functions of mentorship is to create growth opportunities through guidance and wisdom. Female leaders face complex challenges in the workplace, ranging from gender bias, work-life balance, mental load, and lack of representation.

A mentor can serve as a guide, offering support and perspective during crucial times. At one point in my career, I was a prime candidate to leave the workforce due to my age, gender, and newly added children. My insightful male boss allowed me to have a lexible

schedule and work from home as a working mother. When he retired, the company no longer allowed this policy. Though, I didn't want to leave, I changed my trajectory to move on because it was dificult to imagine being the kind of mom I wanted to be with the commute, travel, and long hours.

This led me to start my own company, Begin Development. I had a key female mentor at that pivotal moment that encouraged and enforced me to make that leap of faith.

Moments like these illustrate the possibilities when women have great mentors by our side versus when the corporate structures continue to promote gender inequality within the workplace.

Even as I started on my entrepreneurial journey, I

continued to utilize the power of mentorship. I was able to navigate the obstacles of entrepreneurship more effectively and develop the conidence to pursue my ambitions as a Founder.

With effective mentorship, women can continue to thrive and grow, progressing on the same earning potential path as others while also providing a space to champion other women in the workplace.

BREAKING THROUGH BARRIERS AND STEREOTYPES

In male-dominated industries, breaking barriers and stereotypes is an ongoing battle for female leaders or women working their way up the leadership ladder. Mentorship provides a platform to challenge the norms and carve out a space for women at the table.

By connecting with mentors with challenges like mine, I've been exposed to a wide range of expertise. show that Studies mentorship increases conidence levels among female mentees,

helping them navigate challenges with resilience and self-assurance.

According to two studies by the Harvard Business Review, employees with mentors are more likely to receive promotions and salary increases compared to those without mentors.

Around 71% of executives choose to mentor employees of the same gender or race. Therefore, mentorship, self-awareness, conidence, and positive self-talk foster a culture of inclusivity and diversity, further helping pave the way for greater representation of women in leadership roles.

PAYING IT FORWARD: MENTORSHIP AS A CATALYST FOR CHANGE

As female leaders progress in their careers, we must pay it forward and mentor the next generation of aspiring leaders. A study by Catalyst found that female employees with female role models were likelier to aspire to leadership positions and stay in them. Mentorship creates a

About the Author

Malika Begin is a people and organization development leader and the founder of Begin Development—a business consulting irm that works with companies to build strong, healthy cultures. Built over a decade of experience in the people development space, Malika's signature style and dedication to team health are powered by her belief that leaders who invest in their employees, excel in conlict and communication

ripple effect, catalyzing positive change within organizations and communities. By serving as mentors, we as women can empower others to reach their full potential.

CONCLUSION

United, women, and men can dismantle outdated norms and relentlessly pursue the obliteration of glass ceilings hindering women in the workplace. With more advocating for better systems and lexible ways of working, we create more opportunities for talent, especially women.

Mentorship emerges as a formidable instrument to chart our course forward. It transcends mere ascent to leadership; it embodies the ethos of uplifting others on our journey. The time has come to embrace mentorship as an indispensable cornerstone for cultivating the future generation of women leaders, paving the way for a more radiant, inclusive tomorrow for everyone.

skills, and foster collaborative teams are the biggest asset to a successful organization.

Malika's work spans that of startups and brands in tech, media, marketing, and entertainment, and her client set includes a breadth of companies from Magnite, BOND, and CreatorIQ to SKIMs and Good American, and even Delta Airlines and YPO.

Lioness Games, a new entrant in the board game industry, has made a remarkable debut with its irst game, Biome which has raced to over $200,000 in orders on Kickstarter within days of its launch. The game, inspired by the founder's passion for board games and nature, was funded in a mere nine minutes, attracting over 3,500 backers from more than 20 countries.

Biome is a nature-themed strategy game with 120+ different plants and animals. The game is for 1-4 players, emphasising card

placement and tableau building. Players navigate through the four seasons, each impacting their biome differently, as they strive for biodiversity and activate unique abilities of lora and fauna to win. As players progress through the game's four seasons, they must adapt their strategies to the changing conditions, making for a dynamic and engaging gameplay experience. For example, each Spring, players place baby animal tokens in straw nests and in Summer time, they must protect their baby animals from their opponent's predators by playing

plant cards. The unique wooden components and player interaction make for a dynamic and engaging game gameplay experience.

Leonie Grundler, the founder of Lioness Games, former tech industry professional and a longtime board game enthusiast. She worked at Airbnb in Germany and found inspiration for Biome during her time spent in board game cafes in Berlin. "Living in Berlin is where my love for board games went from being just a hobby to a passion” recalls Leonie Grundler . After nearly 18 months of development, Biome is ready for people to enjoy.

Kickstarter has proven to be an invaluable platform for small game publishers, with games being the largest category, accounting for 30% of all money raised. The success of Biome highlights the importance of building a community of followers months in advance of launching a game on Kickstarter.

Despite the board game market being a $14 billion industry, less than 4% of top board game designers are women and Lioness Games aims to bring a fresh perspective to the industry. Leonie Grundler added: "I never thought I would make a board game or run a

Kickstarter campaign, but here we are, a few days in and $200,000+ in sales. I love nature and board games, so it was natural that my irst game would be nature, speciically biodiversity, themed. At Lioness Games, we're changing that narrative by creating games that resonate with a broader audience. Our lagship game, Biome, is a testament to this, offering a unique blend of strategy and environmental education.”

The game's engaging mechanics and educational value have already garnered praise from nature lovers and gaming enthusiasts alike.

Jamie Williams, who runs the TableTopTikTok channel on TikTok remarked: “I have not been this excited about a game in so long. This game scratched every itch I could possibly have! It is so

thematic and the pieces are incredible. This game is phenomenal.” While the designer of the board game Dusty Droz, cofounder of Dux Somnium Games and the creator of Botany , added: “I absolutely love how Biome's art and gameplay make your habitats come to life as you play through the game. You can imagine your birds nesting in the tree cards, your opponents' predators slithering across the table, and your giraffe ambling across your board. If the immersion by itself wasn't enough, the way you use your cards and their positioning to build miniengines and combos throughout the game is just plain fun”.

Looking ahead, Lioness Games is committed to designing unique games that spark joy, facilitate connection, foster strategic thinking, and drive wonder among

players. In line with the game's theme, Lioness Games is committed to giving back to nature. A portion of Biome's proits will be donated to the Wildlife Conservation Network to support their mission of protecting vulnerable wildlife

Paul Thomson, Senior Director of Conservation Programs at Wildlife Conservation Network , commented: "Biome is so rewarding! Its beautiful cards and pieces, the objective of creating a diverse and resilient environment -it has us hooked. Our team at the Wildlife Conservation Network loves how the game helps you strategize how to protect the species. It's perfect for nature lovers and game enthusiasts alike.”

For more information about Biome and to support the Kickstarter campaign, visit: Kickstarter Page

Arecent survey conducted by Axios/Morning Consult has highlighted signiicant gender disparities in attitudes towards artiicial intelligence (AI), with a majority of women expressing concerns over its impact on their children and personal well-being. The survey found that 53% of women would not allow their children to use AI products, compared to only 26% of men. Additionally, only 4% of women were open to letting their offspring use AI chatbots, while 31% of men were comfortable with the idea.

These indings are consistent with research from the Pew Research Center, which indicates that women are more apprehensive than men about the use of AI in medical diagnoses and treatments.

Experts believe that this gender gap in AI perception can be attributed to three main factors: fears about economic security, personal security, and the disruptions caused by rapid technological change.

Economic concerns are particularly pronounced among women, who are worried about the potential job losses and transformations that AI might bring. Research from the McKinsey Global Institute suggests that AIinduced job cuts will disproportionately affect women without college degrees, who are overrepresented in entry-level positions most vulnerable to automation.

Personal security fears are also prominent, with the rise of "fake

nude" and "revenge porn" incidents primarily targeting women. The digitalization of crime has led to an increase in online inancial fraud, identity theft, and harassment, further exacerbating women's concerns about their safety in the digital age.

The disruptions caused by megachange, including shifts in business models and organizational structures, add to the unease. Women worry about the potential negative consequences of these changes on their well-being and that of their families.

In response to these concerns, experts are calling for proactive measures to address women's fears about AI and other emerging technologies. This includes improving women's representation in science and technology ields, enacting laws to protect against gender-speciic digital crimes and ensuring equitable workforce policies to mitigate the impacts of technological disruptions.

As AI continues to shape our world, it is crucial for policymakers, business leaders, and tech innovators to take women's concerns seriously and work towards creating a more inclusive and secure digital future.