Pledge 1%'s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are paving the way for the next generation. While our featured leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, they are united in their efforts to promote equality for all women in the workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their journey to success, as well as lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Noa Ries
Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Kahilla
Ketchum, Idaho
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
As Co-Founder and Co-CEO, I oversee our business development efforts as well as our communications strategy for our clients and members. Together with my Co-CEO, I also oversee our people development and people operations for our distributed team.
This year's International Women's Day theme is "Embrace Equity." What does this mean to you? How can we build workplaces that are more equitable and inclusive?
Leadership development is a catalyst for career advancement and the benefits of leadership development compound over time. Organizations can build workplaces that are equitable and inclusive with senior leadership more representative of the world we live in by providing access to leadership development through equitable selection processes.
Do you have any mentors or role models who have helped you on your personal journey?
My aunt Judy Olian and my friend and mentor, Amy Philbrook at Robinhood Financial.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Start before you are ready.
The past few years have brought many new and unprecedented challenges. What keeps you motivated or inspires you to stay optimistic?
As the granddaughter of a holocaust survivor and the mother of two young daughters, it is both my history and my legacy that keeps me motivated to do this work. I believe it is my duty to do my part to make the world a better place and to ensure everyone is able to live to their full potential.
Pledge 1% helps companies of all sizes and stages leverage their assets for social good. Why do you think it's important that companies prioritize social impact? Do you have any specific stories or examples from your work or colleagues you can share?
At Kahilla, we donate 1% of our profits and 10% of our annual memberships to non-profits similarly commited to seeing equity in the world. In 2020, we partnered with the National Commonwealth Fund based in Boston to provide both a financial donation as well as transformative leadership development to some of the women from the incredible grassroots organizations they support.
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
Resilient. I am both hopeful and persistent and when in pursuit of a goal this meaningful, I am capable of bouncing back after setbacks and challenges.
Do you have any unique or useful life hacks to help get through your day?
I wake up every day at 530am to have 90 minutes to myself to read the news, get my priorities set for the day and workout. This me-time ensures I am as energetic and focused as possible during the day and present for my team and my family.
Do you have any go-to apps or tools use love to use?
Currently I love using the kanban feature on Monday.com to organize my day by priorities.
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
I am excited to cross the threshold into a new decade!
