DIVAS IN THE BUSINESS WORLD

ExecutiveCoaching

CoverStory

theirparents’money,shedecidedtofulfillher dreamsandsatisfyher

Shetold:

“Ifthereisanobjectiveanindividual clientoranorganizationwantsto meet,IuseeverytoolIhavetomake suretheymakeitthere,” whichspeaksalotaboutherpersonality,and workethic.

Problemsolvingcapacity What’sprettyimpressingabouther,isher problemsolvingcapacityconspicuousinher answertotheimpactofCovid-19,shefathoms thereality,worksonit,andbelievesthatifneed be,oneshouldgathertheteamagain,andmake useofwhateverresourcesonehas,anddesign anotherwayout.“Dustoffthatstrategicplan, callyourteamtogetherandhittheboardroom orshouldIsayZoominterfaceanddon’tforget tohireaConsultingPsychologist”shetoldus.

Anothereventwhichintroducestoher‘never giveup’attitudeiswhenshegarneredcourage andmovedoutofadestituteareatoBowling GreenStateUniversityalongwithherdaughter. Shewentontofulfillherdreamofgettinga doctorateandsimultaneouslyworkingasa qualitydirectorundertheumbrellaofFortune 500company,butasmuchassheenjoyedher job,itdidn’tsatisfyherthewayshewanted. Henceshetookherleapoffaithandwentonto openheragency,marketeditonherown,and thecatchissheneverthoughtshecouldmakeit, butshedidandtodayisatruediva.

Obstaclesfaced

Listing

Nameof Organisation Description

DebbieReynolds DebbieReynolds Consulting,LLC

DebraRuh

RuhGlobalIMPACT

DebbieReynoldsisaworld-renownedtechnologist, thought-leader,andadvisortoMultinationalCorporations forhandlingglobaldataprivacy,cyberdatabreach response,andcomplexcross-functionaldata-driven projects.

RuhGlobalisStrategicCommunications&Digital Marketingfirmhelpingcorporationsstrategicallyinclude PeoplewithDisabilities(PwD)

DorcasTan RecruitIncPteLtd.

RecruitIncisaOne-StopHRSolutionsCompany,for organizationsto“PartnerRightfortheRightPeople”. Ourvalue-addedservicescoverthefullspectrumfrom headhunting,HRConsulting,InternationalRecruitment andProjectManagement.

EwaPasewicz CausewayBridgeto InnovationLLC

CausewayBridgetoInnovationisagroupof experiencedandtalentedpeoplewithdeepknowledge aboutITEuropeanmarketsatthesametimebeinglocal ontheUSmarket.

Onlinecoaching/consulting/service. HelpingCoaches,Consultantsandcourse creators

MelissaL.Meeker

TheWaterTower

TheWaterToweriscreatingacampusandan ecosystemtoreimaginethefutureofwater–withthe publicandprivatesectorsofthewaterindustry–via appliedresearch,technologyinnovation,workforce development,andcommunityengagement.

TheCollaboration VectorInc.

TheCollaborationVectorIncoriginatedanevidencebasedapproachtobuildingcommunityprogramsthat movesstakeholderengagementfromtransactionalto transformative™,deliversmulti-dimensionalbusiness andsocialimpact,anddifferentiatesyourCorporate SocialResponsibilitystrategy

Searchieisavirtualvideointerviewplatformwhichwill cutdownyourtimeandcosttohireby80%.Searchie helpsemployerstovirtuallyinterview,screenand shortlistcandidates.

LyftBrandsGroupisabrandacquisitionand managementcompanythatfocusesonbranded operatingcompaniesinthepremiumapparel,footwear, andaccessoriessectors.

LaurenTickner

The

Team

AssistantEditor-AbigailBrown

DigitalMarketingHead-JohnMiller

DistributionHead-StacyDavis AssistantDesigner-TonyMoor

Contactus

DebbieReynolds

DebraRuh

“FOLLOWYOURPURPOSE ANDLISTENTOOTHERS BUTLISTENTOYOUROWN INSTINCTSMORE.DONOT LETANYONETELLYOU THATYOUCANNOT ACHIEVEYOURGOALS.

DebraRuh

PurposeDriver,Authentic,GlobalCitizenandBeliever

DebraRuh,CEOandFounderof Ruhglobal

IMPACT startedhercareerinthetechnology andbankingindustries.Shebeganhercareerat AT&Tasanoverseasoperatorhelping customersconnecttointernationalcallsand helpcruiseshipsmakephonecallsalloverthe world.

Itwasinterestingbutshehatedthestrictwork environmentsosheleftthatwellpaidpositionat 19andbecameawaitressandworkedherway throughcollege.Gotapositioninatbanking/ financialorganizationasasystemadministrator andtechnicaltrainerwhichlastedforabout25 yearswhichlateradvancedtoapositionofa VicePresident.In2000,shedecidedtobecome anentrepreneurinspiredbyherdaughterSara bornwithDownsyndrome.Asatechnologist, shedecidedtocreateatechcompanythat employedpersonswithdisabilitiescalled TecAccess and85%oftheteamwere technologistswithdisabilities.Shegrew TecAccesstoamultimilliondollarfirmwith majorcorporateclientsallovertheworldand thensupportedclientsbyhelpingthemassure theirwebsites,softwareandhardwarewere accessibletopersonswithdisabilitiesand compliantwithlawslikeSection508ofthe RehabilitationActof1973andtheAmericans WithDisabilitiesAct(ADA).Sheusedallher savings,putherhouseupascollateral,In2010, thebankthattheybankedwithinVirginiafailed duetothefinancialcrisisandinearly2011–theycalledher$200,000banknoteandtwo weekslatersentherabillfor$20,000forlate feesandpenaltiesfornotpayingthebanknote offwithnonotice.Sherealizedthatshehadto saveheremployees.Soacompetitorofferedto doanAssetBasedPurchase–thatsavedher employeesbutherinvestors(mostlyfriendsand family)andherfamilylostalotofmoney. However,shewasabletosaveheremployees,

after18months,sheleftthatfirmandcreatedRuh GlobalIMPACTinlate2012.

RuhGlobalIMPACTalsoemployeesmany personswithdisabilitiesover90%oftheteamand talentedtechnologistsandmarketerswith disabilities.Theyworkwithmultinationalfirms tohelpthemfocusonsocial,goodviatech4good, tech4all,AI4Good,DigitalInclusion,and InclusionofPersonswithDisabilities,Ageing SocietyandotherintersectionalityofInclusion.

Strugglesandsuccesses

Whenshebecameatechnicalentrepreneurand madeadecisiontobeasocialentrepreneuras opposedtoopeninganon-profit–shelearned quicklythatshewasinaman’sworld.Shehad onemantellherthatifawhitemalewasnotthe CEOofherformercompany–shewouldneverbe successful.Heofcourse,offeredhimselfasher CEO–butshedeclined.Timeshavechangedalot sinceheradventureintotheentrepreneurial worldandshehasalwayssupportedwomenofall agessotheydonothavethebarriersthatshefaced asshebecameasuccessfulentrepreneur.

Shefeelsitisanaccomplishmenttohavethis impressiveteamcomprisedontechnologists withdisabilities.ShehasalsosupportedUN activitiesincludingherbeingaskedtospeakfor theUNConferenceofStatePartiesbytheUN President.Shehasalsosupportedmanyother UNactivitiesincludingcreatingpoliciesand programsaboutaccessibilityanddisability inclusion.Proudofsupportingmanyglobal multinationalstocreatetech4goodprograms andinclusionprogramsallovertheworld.Her twoshowsarealsoanachievementwith AXSChatatweetchatthatwascreatedby3 peopleincludingher–whichhadover8billion tweets.Plushershow–HumanPotentialat Workhasanaudienceofmorethan100,000 listenersfrom86countriesand113regions.

Whenaskedforadvicetobuddingentrepreneurs Shereplied

“

FollowyourpurposeandlistentoothersBUTlisten toyourowninstinctsmore.Donotletanyonetell youthatyoucannotachieveyourgoals.Ialso believethatitiscriticaltofocusonprojectsthathelp others.Thetimeofonlyfocusingonprofitsatthe expenseofeverythingelse–isnotgoingtobeviable inthefuture.Alsocollaboratewithother entrepreneursandtakethetimetolearnhowto manageeveryaspectofyourbusiness.Ihavehad entrepreneurssaytheydonotunderstandtheir businessumbersorelyonothers–thatisdangerous. Takethetimetolearntobecomeagood entrepreneurbutonceagaintrustyourinstincts.”

DORCASTAN

times,youjusthaveto pickyourselfupand

Ittakesalotofgritand determinationplus perseveranceandthere willbemanyoccasions whereyouwillbe

Headhuntingwasbornoutofadream.After 20yearsworkinginthecorporateworld,she wantedsomethingnew,somethingofherown andsomethingshewouldbeproudof.Shewas intheHumanResourceandRecruitment industryfromtheearlydaysofhercareer.In school,shehadalwaysbeenacompetitive athlete,winningnumerousmedalsforher schoolinlongdistanceraces.Shecarriedthis competitivespiritwithherselfaftersheleft schoolforthecorporateworld.Therecruitment industrywashighlycompetitiveandthe transitionsuitedherperfectly.Itdidn’ttakeher longbeforeshebecamethetoprookie recruitmentconsultantinhercompanythough shewastheyoungestconsultanttheyhired. Successseemedtocomefastandfuriousforher andbythetimeshewas24yearsold,shewas alreadymanagingarecruitmentbranch.The birthofherfirstchildattheageof27yearsold didn’tseemtoputthebrakesonhercareer.The companygaveheragoldenopportunitytoturn aroundabusinesswith5brancheswhichshe gladlytookonandstarteda6th branchwithover 30recruitmentconsultantsunderhercharge. Fromthenon,hercareercatapultedfurtherand sheneverlookedback.Bythetimeshereached herlatethirties,shehadmovednumerousroles andthelastwasleadingateamofmorethan 700servicepersonnelforTheWorld’sBest Airport.Despiteherachievements,therewasa void,aninklingfeelingthatsomethingwas missingastherewasnothingshecouldcallher own.Soshemadeaverybigdecisiontotradea comfortable,well-payingjobtostartupherown recruitmentbrand,RecruitInc.Shebeganwith onlyhermobilephoneandhadtodigdeepinto hersavingstorentashoeboxofficeintheCDB. Fromthatday,sherealizedthatwithhardwork, itwaspossibletoturnadreamintoareality.It hasbeenmorethanfiveyearsandnotatingeof regret.

RecruitInc.isaonestopHRsolutioncompany thatpartnersclientsinthesearchfortalent acrosstheglobe.Theyhavetherecruitmentand headhuntingpermanentplacementarm,a temporarycontingencyworkforceproject managementarmaswellasaHRconsultancy armforclientswhoneedHRadvisoryservices.

Strugglesandsuccesses

Headhuntingisacomplexandchallenging industryasitdealswiththemostimportant

assetofaclientcompany,itspeople.Thereare alwaysoptionsbuttofindthecandidatewiththe rightfit,toengagethecandidate,tohirethe candidatefast,withincostandtoensureagood candidateexperiencethroughafairandefficient processtakesmorethanjustskillsand knowledgeasitisbothanartandascience.In ordertosurvive,aheadhunterneedstohavea goodgraspofallthe“orders”orvacancies,to knowwhateachroleentailsrighttothelast detailaswellasnavigatethenatureofbusiness andcomplexitiesofeachindustry.Theyare livinginacandidate-drivenmarket,with demandtofillopenpositionsforoutstripping supplyinmanydifferentindustries.

Butlikeeveryonegetstheirfruitoflabour,she laterbecametheyoungestseniorcountry manageratage27yearsoldinGMPgroup, achievedtopdivisionawardsfor3consecutive yearsandalsotheYoungestTalentAcquisition DirectorforSingaporeSportscouncilattheage of32.Shealsoledateamof700service personnelattheageof37andhelpedwonthe World’sBestAirportherlistofachievements wouldbeincompletewithoutmentioningthat shesetupherowncompanyattheageof39and wontheHRVendorsoftheyear2017-Best RecruitmentFirmfornon-managementroles (Bronze).ShewasalsoawardedtheHRM Readers’ChoiceAwards2016-Bestrecruitment Firm-BoutiqueAwardandHRVendorsofthe year2016-finalist-forBestRecruitmentFirm.

Advicetotheemergingentrepreneurs

Herwordsofwisdomtothebudding entrepreneursare

“

Asanentrepreneur,youwillfacealotof issuesthatrequirequickdecisionswhereyou willhavenoonetorelyonexceptyourselfto justfigureitout.Ittakesalotofgritand determinationplusperseveranceandtherewill bemanyoccasionswhereyouwillbeknocked down.Inthesetimes,youjusthavetopick yourselfupandmoveon.Believeinyourself andneverlookback.Stayfaithfultoyour dreamandyourgoalanddonotletnaysayers detractorderailyou.Stayengagedwithothers onthesamejourneysothatyouknowyou’re neveralone.”

EwaPasewicz

Mergingtwoworlds

EwaPasewiczstartedinfinancial sector(Citigroup)andatthesametime shewasstudyingatWarsawSchoolof EconomicsinWarsawonQuantitative MethodsandInformationSystemsin Economy.AfterCitishestartedhercareer inIT,atthebeggingitwas commercializationofmobilepaymentsat PolishSecurityPrintingWorks,then workatintegratorsystems-MCX.She recognizesasaveryimportantstepinher careerwasherexperienceatIBM.Itwas alsotimewhenshewasfinishingMaster degreeatWarsawSchoolofEconomics (SGH)withspecializationinBusiness InformationTechnology.Allofthatgave herachancetobemoreindependent whenshewascreatedbankingsectorat IMPAQorwasresponsiblefor commercializationprocessasVice PresidentateSecure.Thefirstonewas aboutsecuritysolutionsforfinancial sectorandthesecondonerefertocybersecuritysolutionlikeSecurity OrchestrationAutomationandResponse,

knownasSOARorSIEMgroupof products.After16yearsofexperiencein ITinEuropeshehasdecidedwithhis familytomovetoUS(Florida)andlaunch herowncompany,CausewayBridgeto InnovationLLC.

Theymergetwoworlds-Europeandthe UnitedStates.Theseexperiencesallow themtohaveanopenmindandtonotice, toodifferentiate,tofindconnectionsand torespondtoneeds,togaps.Thisreview allowsthemtohavedistanceandsee whereandhowademandcanbemetin thefastestandmostinnovativeway possible.Theyliketosay—theyare PolishbybirthbutwithAmericansoul. TheydeeplyunderstandITbutalso businessperspective.Timetomarketis asimportanttothemasitistotheir clients.Theyarelocalbutatthesame timetheydeeplyunderstandEuropean marketfromformalandbehavioral perspective.

Strugglesandsuccesses

Theindustryisinnovativeandvery changeable.That'swhyonehastobe

creativeandinterestingallthetime.One hastoliketolearn,listentothemarket, especiallythecustomers,theirneeds.It's thebestwaytolearnwhat'sneededandto reacttochangingrequirementsasquickly aspossible.Theyfindthisfascinating,but theyrealizethatitcanbeachallenge.

Thefoundationofthecompany's existenceislaidinthecontextof cooperationwithpartnersinPoland,as wellascooperationwithlocalclientsin theUS.

It'sjustworking—theyhavegreat customers,theylovewhattheydo,they expandinsoftwaredevelopment,cyber securityandmanagedservices.They supportlocalstartupsandalsohuge Americancorporates.Theydelivervalue, theyareproudthattheycanbepartof theircustomer'ssuccess.Theywillalso createnewstartupandhiremorepeople inthenextfewmonths.Theyarethrilled thattheycandowhattheydo.Theysmile everydaywhentheystarttheirwork.

Futuregoalsandadvice

Theirgoalsforthefutureistoexpand theirserviceswithrespecttotheirvalues. Theywillhiremorepeopleandtheywill launchnewstartuptosupport relationships.

Heradvicefortheemerging entrepreneursisto

“Alwaystrustyourfeelings.Ibelieve thatyoucannotdothebusinesswiththe peoplewhoyoudon'tlikefromthevery beginning.Alsolearningnewthings everydayisveryimportant.Youwillbe surprisedhowquicklyyoufindthatas valuable.Bepreparedforhardworkbut alsoforfreedomandalwaysremember givetimetoyourselftofindyour creativity.Sometimescloseyour computerandgoforawalk.Evenwhen youthinkthatyoudon'thavetimefor that.Youwillsurprisedhowmany challengesyouwillsolveafter30 minutes’walk.”

BEPREPAREDFORHARD WORKBUTALSOFOR FREEDOMANDALWAYS REMEMBERGIVETIMETO YOURSELFTOFINDYOUR CREATIVITY.SOMETIMES CLOSEYOURCOMPUTER ANDGOFORAWALK.

THATYOUDON'THAVE TIMEFORTHAT.YOUWILL SURPRISEDHOWMANY CHALLENGESYOUWILL SOLVEAFTER30MINUTES’ WALK.

LaurenTickner

AdrivenWoman

existingexperienceandknowledgeintoonline coaching/consulting/servicebusinesses.

Whilestillinschool,sheknewshewantedtobe successful.Shejusthadthisdriveinher,andloved theideaofputtingonasuiteverydayandworkingin finance. So, atage18,shebeganresearchingfor placementstodorightaftershefinishedherexams. Afteraloadofinterviewsandassessments,battling againstgraduateswithmaster’sdegreesin investment,shemanagedtogetapositionatoneof theUK’stopfinancialfirms,andwasseenas “successful”formtheoutside.

Yet,afterthehoneymoonperiodhadwornoff,she realizedthatthisworldwasn’tforher.Shewasdeeply unhappy,andwokeupeverydaydreadinggettingout ofbed.

Shewassounsureofwhattodo.Sheknewthat stayinginthatjobwouldputheronthefast-trackto a6-figureincome.Butshealsohadaplaceat Universitywaitingforher.Andwhileshewasworking there,she’dstartedpostingmorefitness-related contentonsocialmediaandwasgettingsuchagood response,shealsostartedonlinepersonaltraining (onlinecoaching).Atfirst,shehadnocluewhatshe wasdoinganditfeltlikeabitofsidecashratherthan somethingwhichwouldevergoanywhere.Butshe lovedlearningaboutbusiness.Sothen,shewentto studyontheUK’snumber1businessdegree.But,it madenosensetoher.Whatshewaslearningwasn’t directlyapplicabletoheronlinebusiness.Soaftera yearandabit,shequit.

Throughouthercareersofar.youmayseehowshe doesn'tkeepatsomethingjustbecauseshealready gotthatfarin.Ifit’snotworking,shepivots.Thatwas whenshewentevenmore‘allin’oneverythingshe wasdoing,andhiredherfirstcoupleofteam members.Fromthere,peoplebeganaskingherhow shebuiltanonlinebusiness,andshewastryingto helpsomanypeoplethatitwasgetting unmanageable.

ThatwaswhenherideaforImpactSchoolwasborn: Sherealizedthatshewasgreatatbuildingonline businesses,soshewantedtohelpothersbuildtheirs. Andnow,withover30teammembers,sheisgrateful thatshegetstohelpaspiringentrepreneursturntheir

StrugglesandSuccesses

Whenshewasstartingoutintheonlineworld,she overcomplicatedeverything.Shesawwhatbig businessesweredoing,andtriedtodothesame.She investedmoneyinthewrongthingsandpeople.It tookmanymistakes,mostlytrialanderror,tofigure outwhatsheneededtodotobuildasuccessful businesswithinthecomplexitiesofthe entrepreneurshipworld.Mostpeoplethoughtshe wasthrowingeverythingawayandgivingupbecause shechosetoleavea“successful”job,whereshehada safecareerprogressionlaidoutforher.Online coachingwasnotaspopularbackthenasitisnow,so peoplegossipedaboutherforquittingherjobinasset managementandherfamilyplayedtheguilttrickon herformonths.

Butwithconstanthardworkanddetermination,she managedtomakeitbigandwasawardedthe followingaccolades:

•Over1,800successfulclientsinjustthe past2years.

•Forbestop10entrepreneur.

•ImpactSchoolPodcastFeaturedInTop10 InTheWorld.

•LondonStockExchangeTop5 Entrepreneur.

Advicetothebuddingentrepreneurs

Whenaskedforhervaluableinsightforbudding entrepreneurs,shetoldthetycoonmedia

“Studyandlearnfromthepeoplewhohavegone fromwhereyouarenowtowhereyouwanttobe! Withtherightguidanceandknowledge,youcan buildabusinessyou’veonlyeverdreamedof.

Secondly,betonyourselfandunderstandthatit’s possible.Therewillbenaysayersanddoubters,but staytruetoyourselfandwhatyouwanttodoinlife andinbusiness.Regretismorepainfulthanfailure.

“

Betonyourselfand understandthatit’s possible.Therewill benaysayersand doubters,butstay truetoyourselfand whatyouwanttodo inlifeandin business.Regretis morepainfulthan failure.Itrulybelieve thatyouneverlose, youlearn.Andthat yougettomakeyour ownluck.

Itrulybelievethatyouneverlose,youlearn. Andthatyougettomakeyourownluck.

Finally-rememberthisquotefromLesBrown

“Thegraveyardistherichestplaceonearth, becauseitisherethatyouwillfindallthehopes anddreamsthatwereneverfulfilled,thebooks thatwereneverwritten,thesongsthatwere neversung,theinventionsthatwerenever shared,thecuresthatwereneverdiscovered,all becausesomeonewastooafraidtotakethat firststep,keepwiththeproblem,ordetermined tocarryouttheirdream.”

MELISSAL.MEEKER

ManagingWater,OneDropaTime

Naturalresourcesareindispensable, especiallyinthiseraofsustainabledevelopment andincreasedfocusonreducing industrialization. MelissaL.Meeker,the CEO and Founder of TheWaterTower, is creatingawaterinnovationecosystem in GwinnettCounty,Georgia,focusedonhelping utilitiesaroundtheworldbecomemore progressive.TheWaterTowerisan entrepreneurialorganizationthatworkswith thepublic,private,andacademicsectorsinfour integratedareas-includingappliedresearch, technologyinnovation,workforcedevelopment, andcommunityengagement-to helpwaterand wastewaterutilitiesreimaginethefutureof water.

Thenonprofitfocusesonappliedresearch conductedthroughpartnershipswithutilities anduniversitiestomaketheirwaytoreal-world solutionstooperationalchallenges.Andhowdo theydothat?Itbeginsfromtreatmentand monitoringtechnologies,smartsoftwarethat turnsdataintoguidance,andsocialscience researchonthemosteffectivewaysto communicatingcomplexinformationtothe public.“Asanexample,oursocietyisconstantly bombardedwithpushnotificationsontheir mobilephones–tothepointwhereitbarely registers.Howcanwebestnotifythepublicin floodproneareasthataseverestormisheaded theirway?Whatinformationwillactuallymake themactandprotecttheirfamily?”saysMelissa. ThegoalofTheWaterToweralsoincludes workforcedevelopmentandtraining,andpublic engagementthrougheducationonwater stewardship.Theuniquecombinationand integrationofthesefourcoreareasoffersan

ecosystemofinnovationandanopportunityfor alltypesoforganizationsandindividualsto thrive.

TheriseofTWT

ThecreationofTheWaterTower,whichis unconventionalyetrevolutionizing,inaddition toherpastrolesrunningwaterdistrictsand researchfoundations,hasprovidedMelissawith interestinginsightsintowatermanagement. “Oneofmyfavoritewaterrelatedpodcasts alwaysaskstheirguestsiftheychosewaterorif waterchosethem.Inmycase,waterchoseme. ForaslongasIcanrememberIwasinvolvedin water–fromswimmingandbeachcombingasa childtoamultitudeofjobsinthewatersector,” shesays.Followingherloveofwaterasachild, Melissastartedworkinginpublic,privateand nonprofitworldswhereshedelveddeeperinto waterresourcemanagementandrestoration. Sheadded,“Ibelievemyabilitytodrawonallof thatexperiencehasplacedmeinaunique positiontolaunchTheWaterTowerandcreate anintegratedenvironmentthatwilladdress multiplecomplexchallengesinwater.The knowledgethatwaterislifeisahugedriver. Literallynothingwouldexistwithoutit.So anythingwecandotobringnewideas,foster innovation,andbuildexcitementaround careersinwater-areallthingsthatcanhavea positiveimpactonourqualityoflifeand increasecommunityresilience.”

Strugglesandsuccesses

Similartoengineeringandconstruction,which aremaledominatedprofessions,itisoften difficultforwomentoriseatthesamelevelin thewaterindustry.Melissahaswitnessed

www.thetycoonmedia.com

situationswhereminoritieshavehadchallenges establishingthemselvesasthoughtleaders. However,thewaterindustryworkforcehas transitionedoverthepastfifteenyearsandshe canforeseethattheindustryisripeforinclusion andadvancementintermsofdiversity.

Bureaucracywithinlocal,stateandfederal agenciesthatlimitedabilitiestobreakdown silosandmakebetter-informeddecisionsalso posedchallenges.However,sheovercamethese challengestimeandtimeagain.Melissahas accomplishedagreatdealinhercareerthusfar andTheWaterTowerisaculminationofher hardworkandserviceforthewaterindustry. UnderMelissa’sleadership,TheWaterTower hasdevelopedasoundbusinessplan, establishedastrongBoardofDirectors,and garneredsupportfromnumerouspublicand privateentitiesnowcommittedtoseeingit succeed.TheWaterTowercampusiscurrently underconstruction,howeverprogrammingis alreadyunderwayinthefourkeyareasof appliedresearch,technologyinnovation, workforcedevelopmentandcommunity engagement.

Wordsofwisdom

“Continuetobuildyournetwork.I’vebeen amazedattheconnectionandsupportI’ve receivedjustfromsomeoneintroducingmeto someoneelse,”Melissaadvises.

“Mostimportantly,don’tgiveup–youwillhit barriers,butkeepatit!Thereisawaytomeet yourgoals.”

LearnmoreaboutTheWaterTowerat www.theh2otower.org.

Don’tgiveup –youwillhit barriers,but keepatit! Thereisaway tomeetyour goals ”

“

SabrinaEl-Chibini

SabrinaEl-Chibini isCEOandfounderof TheCollaborationVectorInc.andoriginatorof aunique,evidence-basedframeworkformoving corporatecommunityinvestmentfrom transactional totransformational.The CollaborationVectorInc.hasdifferentiated itselfbyworkingwithcompaniesandtheirnonprofitpartnerstobuildcommunityprograms thatgenerateinnovative,long-term,sustainable solutionstosocietalchallenges.

Companiesbuildimpactfulrelationshipswith stakeholdersastheydevelopandretaintheir leadersthroughpurpose-filledprogramsthat arebothcentrallyalignedandlocallyexpressed. Theyarenaturallyfindingtheir “sweetspot” of communityinvestmentleadingtoefficiency, spurringbusinesssuccess,andconsistent innovation.

Theriseofthecompany

Longbeforeconversationsaboutcorporate socialresponsibilitybecamemainstream, Sabrinalearnedthatwhenpeopleateverylevel inanorganizationfeelengagedinacommon socialmission,magichappens.Shehadthe opportunitytohelptwoindependenthospitals workmorecloselytogetherforthebenefitof theircommonpatients.Workingwith executivesandhealthcareteamstosimplify processesandensurecontinuityincarewhen patientstransferredfromonehospitaltothe other,Sabrinalearnedthatsucceedingin improvingcarehadeverythingtodowithdeeply engagingpeople.

Thisheldtrueineverysectoroftheeconomy. Whenpeoplebecameengagedthroughpurpose, notonlydidtheydevelopinrichand meaningfulways,butinnovationand creativity flowed.Whilefurtherdevelopingthisnotionin thepublic,private,non-profitsectorsandin

mandateswiththeUnitedNationsDevelopment Programme,itbecameclearthatsomeofthe greatestopportunitiesfordevelopingpeople, growingandinnovatingwouldbecatalyzedin theintersectionbetweenbusinessandsociety.

Forthebusinesssectorspecifically,deeply engagingwithemployeesandexternal stakeholdersaroundacommonmissionof solvingsocialproblems,couldverypossiblyhold

programsthatwerefoundedandbuiltonsolving socialproblems.Long-termcommunity partners,supportedbylong-termbusiness partners,collaboratedefficientlytoenablenonprofitstoadapttheirservicemodels.Manynon-

“Innovatinginsocialandbusinessgrowth,throughdeeprooted,authenticcollaborationbetweenpeople”

SAHIQABENNETT

CEO&Co-Founder–Searchie&Mediscreen

Journeysincethebeginningofcareer. Startedmycareerasateenagerwhocouldn’twait towork,butitwassohardtogetachance.That’s whatIrememberclearly,Igotrejectedtimeafter timeduetonothavingexperience,butIthought howcanIhavepreviousexperienceifI’monly17 yearsold?Thefirsthalfofmycareerwassuper tough,takinglowsalaries,workingalotandthen Igotmybigbreak.IstartedaroleatDowJones andworkedintheVentureCapital&Private Equityteamandthatwasamazing.Iwasableto transfermyskillstoanewindustryandthe learningcurvewassteep.TothisdayIremain gratefultomyamazingmanagementteamGuidoSchenk,RobertHughes&BillYong.They wereincrediblysupportiveleadersandgaveme theopportunityIlongedfor.Iwishmore Managerswereasempoweringastheywere,if you’rereadingthis..THANKYOU.

Sourceofmotivation

IhaveseentheplaceIwasborninand opportunitiesarelimitedandpeoplearein poverty.Thankstomygrandadanddadgetting ajobintheUK,ourliveschangedforever.This wasnotjustajobtothem,itwasalifelineand thankstothis,generationshavebeenchanged. Noteveryoneisluckytogetanopportunity,so myjobistocreatethesechancesforothersand givebackandcreatedignifiedworkandhealth. Technologyhastheabilitytocreatescalable equalityinsociety.

Challengesfacedtowithstandthe complexitiesoftheindustry.

WheredoIstart?Therehavebeensomanyand continuetobe.Beingawomanleaderintech fromtheMiddleEastisharderthanIthought.At somepointyoutalktoinvestorsandthat’sa mainlyamaledominatedworld(globally,not justintheregion).Idon’tfittheideaofwhatan entrepreneurlookslike,throwacoupleof childreninandthatenforcesthejudgementeven more.Butitcouldn’tbefurtherfromthetruth,as

amumyoujugglealotandI’musedtoworking allhours,mystartupsarelikemychildrentoo. Somepeoplehaveneverrunastartupbefore,I haveforyearsandit’smywayoflife.Mychildren inspiremeandwheneverwelaunchanynewAI poweredvideoproduct,theyarethefirstonesI testiton.Afterallithastobesimpleenoughfor a5yearoldtounderstand!Youhavetofocusand notbedistractedbythenegativeenergy.The moresuccessfulyoubecome,themorepeople wanttotearyoudown,thisissomethingIdon’t understand.Butyoudogetstrongerovertime andjustneedtofocusonrunningforwardat speedandasawoman..inheels!

Detailsaboutyourcompanyandits uniqueservices/products.

Searchieistheoriginalcompanywedevelopedin 2018,whichisanAIpoweredvideoplatformfor thosewhoareapplyingforjobs.Itisalsobeing usedtoevaluatecompetenciesofexistingteams. Morefocusneedstoshifttopersonalityand untappedpotentialnothistoryofwhatpeople havedone.We’reallowingcompaniestofocuson thefutureandpotentialofeachperson,all throughremotescreeningtools-somethingof hugevalueforthesedays.

InMarch2020wepivotedandlaunched Mediscreen–thisisavirtualvideopowered triagetohelpdoctors,governments,employers andhealthauthoritiesprescreenonscale.It’s beingusedforCOVID-19andsomedoctorshave alsostartedusingitforVirtualCardiac prescreeningtoo.Itisalsohelpingemployers phasebacktoworksafelyorhelpsafeguard employeesthroughregularchecks.Thiswill changethefaceofhealthcareforeverandCNN andCNBChavealsofeaturedit.Intheeraof virtualworkandhealthwearestrongly positionedtoleverageboththroughour businesses.Timingiseverythingandweare fortunatethatwewereabletobuildsolutionsfor currentchallengeswhichwecouldnothave predictedayearago.

www.thetycoonmedia.com

Currentindustryscenariofromyour perspective.

WelltheHRindustrywillhavehugechallenges, theunemploymentrateisveryhighandwill continuetoriseglobally.Companieswillreceive muchmoreapplicantsperrole–thisistheexact problemwearefixing–ourAIcaninterview everysinglepersonandgivethemachancetoall beassessedinthesameway,regardlessof gender,age,nationalityandstatus.The employerswillthengetthetop5.Fullprofiles withvideos,personalityreportsandCValldigital inoneplace.Thisiscreatingdiversityand inclusion,wearehelpingfixbiasinthe recruitmentprocess.

WithregardstotheHealthcareindustrythereis amassiveopportunity.Everycountryislooking todigitiseandcreatemoreefficientvirtual healthcare,Mediscreeniswellpositionedtotake advantageofthisshiftandassistinthe transformation.Itisestimatedthat$11.7trillion dollarswillbespentinhealthcarebetweennow and2022and$670billionwillbegeneratedin 2020,fromAIpoweredsystems,thesearethe sortofnumbersweliketosee!

Majorachievements

Searchiewasvotedas1ofthetop10companies shapingtheFourthIndustrialRevolutionin 2019bytheWorldEconomicForum.Wewere flowntojoingloballeadersandhavediscussions withProfessorKlausSchwab(Chairmanof WorldEconomicForum)whoisaremarkable person.

Mediscreenwasdevelopedin14daysand launchedduringCOVID-19andhascustomers globallyandgrowingfast,pivotedintohealthcare hasbeenagreatmove.

FuturePerspective.

Wearefocusingonensuringourplatformcan handlehugescale,acrossmanycountries.Our goalistobecomea$100milliondollarcompany byJuly2021.

Advisetothebuddingentrepreneurs.

Areyousureyouwanttodoit???Youhavetobe obsessed,toughandhardworking.Pleasedon’t thinkyoucanworkthehoursyouwantand that’stheonlyreasonyouwanttobean entrepreneur.Youwillworkmorehoursthan youcouldeverimagine–ifyoustillwanttodoit anddon’tmindsleeplessnights,sacrificing comfort,holidays,weekends,lifestyle…thendo it!Butdoitwithyourwholesoulvestedintothe ventureanddon’tgiveupatthefirsthurdle.

Youwillbreakandfallaparttimeandtime again,butwow…..thehighsareoutofthisworld! Youwon’tgetthissamekindoffeelinginany corporatejob.Nothingcomesclosetothat feelingofbuildingsomethingfromscratchand seeingitgrowintoaimpactful,successful,global company.

SaraFernstrom

Conceptual,creative,andunrelentinglyhonest

Likemostjourneys,thisjourneyofathousand milesalsodidbeganfromasinglestep, Fernstrominherfinalyearofcollege interned full-timeforCNBCandtheNBCTodayShow whichhelpedhergetherfirstjobinthe prestigiousNBCUniversalPageProgram.From therehercareeraccelerated,aftertwoyears workingatNBC,withagoodnetworkof contactsandanunderstandingoftheinner workingsofHollywoodandconsumerproducts, NBChelpedhergetthroughthedooratCreative ArtistsAgency(CAA).

AhighpowerHollywoodagency,inspiredher andwastrulylifechanging,shetrulythrivedin thisenvironmentsurroundedbyinnovation andthemostbrilliantmindsoftheindustry wheretheground-breakingideaswereformed anddevelopedintomultimillion-dollar business.AftertenyearsofworkingatCAAand laterUTA,shethendecidedtopursueherlongtimedreamwhichwastostartherown company;whichgavebirthtotheLyftBrands Groupin2015.LyftBrandsGroupisabrand managementcompanytargetingtopquality brandswithstrongawarenessandpotentialfor long-terminternationalgrowth.

Strugglesandsuccesses

PartofLyftBrandsGroup’sstrategyis providinganalternativebusinessmodel creatingmorecostefficientandprofitable businessesforbrands.Onewaythecompanyis abletoquicklyconvertunprofitablebrandsto profitablebusinessesisbyidentifying inefficienciesoftenrelatedtobrandsglobal operationalstructurewithhighcostsinfor exampleinventorymanagement,storeleases andstorestaff,localsalesteamsandbuyers, globalimport,export,anddistributioncosts. Bylicensingoutoneormoreproduct categoriesandterritoriesinternationallyto licenseesthatareexpertswithintheirterritory

andwhocanspreadthecostsacross multiplelicensedbrands,thecompanyis ablemaintainthecontrolofthebrandsby workingcloselywitheachlicensee,ensuringthe brandlooksandfeels thesameineverycountry yetwithstandsignificantoperationalcosts requiredwhenrunningabusinessacrossthe globe.

They’vealsoseenalotofsuccessesandoneof thosewasworkingwithBenShermanwhich resultedinanincreaseinsalesof400%inthe initialthreeyearswithglobalexpansionto52 countries.

WordsofWisdom

Whenaskedforherpieceofadviceforthe young,buddingbusinessminds,shereplied Myadvicetobuddingentrepreneurswouldbe thatifyouhavesomethingyouarepassionate aboutandbelieveintaketheleapandpursueit.

Thereisnothingmoregratifyingthanfulfilling yourdreams.

Withthatbeingsaid,therewillbechallenges andhurdlestoovercome,buttakeeachoneas theycomeanduseitasalearningexperience tofurtheryourbusinesspath.Believeinyour instinctsbutlearntolistenwell.

Alsoalwaysbeopentoadvicefrommore experiencedindividuals.

Youneedtoconstantlybeatthetopofyour gameandunderstandtheinsandoutsofyour industryasyoursuccessreliesonyou.

DuringmytimeatNBCUniversal,eachPage wasabletosetup30-minutepersonal informationalmeetingswithanyNBCStudio executive.TothisdayIstillthinkbackonallI learnedfromthesesuccessfulindividuals.

Therefore,belief,perseveranceandpassionis definitelygoingtotakeyouplaces.

Ihavealways surroundedmyself withmuchsmarter peoplethanmyself thatcanbringnew ideastothetable andpushmetodo betteraswell. ”