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.
Sarah Lacy
CEO, ChairmanMe
San Francisco, CA
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
I help underrepresented folks gain equality at work and in life through a results based online learning community
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?
You need to solve the problem where it starts: At the first manager promotion level. We’ve developed a dozen+ courses that give everyone real actionable tools to level the playing field at an unfair game. It’s also about intersectionality. There’s too much white women benefitting from equity.
Do you have any mentors or role models who have helped you on your personal journey?
So many!! Marc Andreessen to Ann Lai. I’ve been very fortunate to have a huge number of diverse people help me out!
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Don’t make decisions based on money.
The past few years have brought many new and unprecedented challenges. What keeps you motivated or inspires you to stay optimistic?
I’m changing thousands of underrepresented people’s lives everyday. That’s pretty inspiring!!
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?
Everyone with privilege has a duty to pay that forward. For example, we built our new media mastery course to deliver what I spent $50k+ on for just $2k. Our whole mission is using technology to give ANSWERS for folks who aren’t being treated fairly.
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
Badass. I break down walls for myself and others fearlessly.
Do you have any unique or useful life hacks to help get through your day?
Not falling for the stories your survival based brain serves you!! Examine if they are true!!
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
I’d love to get my company profitable.
