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Anna Gudmundson listed by Worldu2019s Leaders Magazine under Worldu2019s Inspiring Businesswomen Making A Difference, 2023
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Vol. 08 | Issue 17 | August 2023 www.worldsleaders.com W o r l d ’ s I n s p i r i n g Businesswomen Making A Difference, 2023 A Tech Savvy HR Leader with Extensive Work Experiences PG. 40 Empowering People through the Magic of fragrance PG. 54 Anna CEO & co-founder Sensate Redefining Stress Relief with Technology and Innovation Gudmundson
World’s Inspiring Businesswomen Making A Difference, 2023 Creating New Standards of Business Success There are many names in the queue of business leadership who are famous and inspirational, but what makes a leader inspiring? To be an inspiring business leader, one has to dedicate oneself to achieving a common goal that inspires many and pushes others' growth as well. In the corporate sector, there is no gender-specific leadership remaining today. As we can see, both men and women are making equal efforts to be the best in their respective sectors. combines infrasonic waves with specially composed hemispheric audio, creating a harmonious experience that promotes relaxation and well-being from the very first session. Anna's unwavering belief in the power of technology to positively impact human evolution has propelled her on an extraordinary journey of exploration and transformation. However, women's leadership is getting more voice than its counterpart. They are exceptionally making strides in the business sector, where they are transforming work culture, improving processes, and going ahead of traditional norms. We praise such business leaders and try to bring their stories in front of the world so everyone can learn, get inspired, and believe in their own vision. These inspiring individuals are light bringers for future visionaries. With a rich professional background in exponentially growing technology fields, Anna brings a wealth of expertise to her role. From her early contributions to mobile features and products at Lucent Technologies to her involvement in startups and innovation in diverse areas such as big data, social media tech, luxury tech, and wearables, Anna's passion for technology's potential knows no bounds. World's Leaders latest edition “World's Inspiring Businesswomen Making A Difference, 2023” has curated a list of the women business leaders that have been successful in leading some of the top organizations working in industries as diverse as healthcare to consumer goods. Also, while you flip through the pages, don't forget to read the articles created by our in-house editorial staff and industry experts. The cover has Anna Gudmundson, CEO and co-founder of Sensate who has emerged as a visionary leader at the forefront of technological innovation in the wellness industry. Sensate, with its groundbreaking device and app, offers a unique approach to soothing the nervous system and enhancing stress resiliency. The patented technology Have a lovely read!
CREDIT PAGE Editor-in-Chief Steve Sanchez Managing Editor Jagdish Chincholikar Executive Editor Nicole Williams Assistant Editor Gayatri Bhujbal Art & Design Director Jack Anderson Business Development Manager Mia Oliver Business Development Executive Natalie, Jerrey Associate Designer Kevin Rust Digital Marketing Manager Victor Clarke Sales Manager Casey Simpson, Irfan Shekh Marketing Manager Tom Swann Technical Specialist Barry Jones Circulation Manager Danny Parker AUGUST 2023 3296 Westerville Rd #250, Columbus, OH 43224, USA Copyright 2023 WORLD’S LEADERS Media Tech LLC, All rights reserved. The content and images used in this magazine should not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from WORLD’S LEADERS Reprint rights remain solely with WORLD’S LEADERS. Follow us on :
Cover Story 08 Redefining Stress Relief with Technology and Innovation Anna Gudmundson
Bev Moore 18 22 Chaitra Vedullapalli 26 Mariza Fotiou Missy MacKintosh 32 Nicole Carter 36 Nita White-Ivy 40 Pooja Bali 46 Samantha Rincione 50 Sue Phillips 54
Redefining Stress Relief with Technology and Innovation 08 | AUGUST 2023
on an extraordinary journey of explora?on and transforma?on. With a rich professional background in exponen?ally growing technology fields, Anna brings a wealth of exper?se to her role. From her early contribu?ons to mobile features and products at Lucent Technologies to her involvement in startups and innova?on in diverse areas such as big data, social media tech, luxury tech, and wearables, Anna's passion for technology's poten?al knows no bounds. the modern, fast-paced world, stress and anxiety have become ubiquitous challenges, affec?ng individuals across the globe. Recognizing the need for effec?ve stress management solu?ons, Anna Gudmundson, CEO and co-founder of Sensate, has emerged as a visionary leader at the forefront of technological innova?on in the wellness industry. Driven by a deep desire to create meaningful change, Anna seeks out opportuni?es to collaborate with cu?ng- edge technologies that not only possess commercial viability but can also scale effec?vely. Her visionary leadership at Sensate is rooted in the belief that technology can be harnessed to cul?vate a be?er future for humanity. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Anna's journey is characterized by her commitment to personal growth and her belief in the power of collabora?on. She fosters a team culture that values transparency, innova?on, and con?nuous learning, enabling Sensate to flourish and redefine the wellness landscape. Sensate, with its groundbreaking device and app, offers a unique approach to soothing the nervous system and enhancing stress resiliency. The patented technology combines infrasonic waves with specially composed hemispheric audio, crea?ng a harmonious experience that promotes relaxa?on and well-being from the very first session. Anna's unwavering belief in the power of technology to posi?vely impact human evolu?on has propelled her 10 | AUGUST 2023
The Company 83% of US workers, experiences work-related stress, with 25% considering their job as the primary source of stress in their lives. Furthermore, workplace stress has been reported to affect personal relationships by 76% of US workers (*The American Institute of Stress). Sensate serves as a powerful life tool that empowers individuals to effectively manage and overcome the daily stresses and anxieties that arise in today's fast-paced world. By enabling users to regulate their body's natural response to external stressors, Sensate helps them shift their state from one of tension and overwhelm to a state of calm, relaxation, and clarity. The patented technology utilized by Sensate involves the use of infrasound played against the sternum, combined with proprietary audio soundscapes experienced through headphones. This unique audible and tactile resonance experience has shown remarkable potential in calming both the mind and body. Sensate's mission is to help millions of people enhance their stress resilience and become even more remarkable individuals, equipped to navigate the challenges of our times. By empowering individuals with the tools and techniques to effectively manage stress, Sensate aims to improve their overall well-being and enable them to thrive in their personal and professional lives. Through its innovative technology and commitment to making a positive impact, Sensate strives to be a catalyst for personal growth and resilience, ultimately helping individuals lead more fulfilling and balanced lives. Stress is an inherent part of life, but how we respond to it and build resilience determines whether it has a negative impact on our well-being and those around us. Studies have shown that a significant percentage of the workforce, with 12 | AUGUST 2023
Transforming the Wellness Landscape Over the past three years or more, Sensate has undergone significant transforma?ons as a company and as a team. The core long-term team has experienced substan?al growth and evolu?on, while new members have joined at different stages of the journey to fulfill specific needs. With a strong background in technology, it has been deeply ingrained in the business culture to leverage tools, data, and tech to support and accelerate various aspects of the business. Sensate is not solely a wellness tech company focused on innova?on and technology development; they also explore how other innova?ons can enhance their opera?ons, delivery processes, and support their people. The team ac?vely explores and tests a mul?tude of new AI- powered tools, incorpora?ng them into different processes and business domains where applicable. As for the product itself, Sensate will con?nue to evolve through ongoing research and refinement of the system. There is a growing number of individuals worldwide who require a simple and effec?ve means to relax, alleviate stress, or quickly recharge in just 10 minutes. The feedback received from users globally is invaluable, and Sensate eagerly an?cipates how their con?nued technological innova?on and research will drive the future evolu?on of their product. Sensate remains commi?ed to providing an easy and accessible solu?on for individuals seeking relaxa?on and stress relief, and they are enthusias?c about the posi?ve impact their technology can make on people's lives. From Advisor to CEO Once Anna committed to the role, she never looked back. What continues to drive her every day is witnessing the life- changing impact that Sensate's products have on users, the incredible team she works with, and the continuous personal growth and learning she experiences along the way. These factors serve as a constant source of energy and motivation, reinforcing her dedication to the mission of Sensate and its transformative effects on individuals' lives. Anna's decision to embark on her journey with Sensate was driven entirely by a strong sense of mission. Initially, she had no inclination towards taking on a startup CEO role. Her involvement began as an advisor, supporting Stefan, the co-founder and Integrated Healthcare pioneer, in bringing the first prototype to market. As she transitioned into roles such as Board Director and Consultant, her focus was on facilitating product launch, sales, marketing, and gathering valuable data. Role as CEO After a few weeks, Anna observed adoption and retention numbers that exceeded her expectations, indicating the product's potential for global impact. It was at this point that she recognized the significance of the opportunity and made the leap of faith. Despite having prior experience in tech startups and CEO roles encompassing consumer hardware and software tech, Anna was well aware that the startup journey is an arduous one, marked by numerous challenges and 'near-death' experiences in the early stages. It requires immense determination, resilience, and motivation to navigate through daily obstacles and find the energy, solutions, and courage to move forward. As an early-stage co-founder and CEO, Anna feels it can sometimes feel like absolutely everything is your direct responsibility. She states, “We're at a stage now where we're transitioning to a slightly more process driven and less informal way of working. We've brought this transition right to the surface and it was actually a big part of our OKRs (Objectives & Key Results) for the last quarter.” As Sensate grows, Anna's role evolves from being a "Chief Doer" to focusing on strategic growth, team building, and organization development. Fundraising remains a significant part of her job, which she enjoys and actively engages with investors. Prioritization becomes crucial due worldsleaders.com | 13
Embracing Personal Growth and Empowering Leadership Anna embraces a growth mindset, perceiving challenges as opportunities for personal development and inner exploration. She recognizes the importance of self-care, including practices like meditation, visualization, and maintaining her mental and physical health, to prevent burnout. Having experienced near-burnout in the past, Anna has gained valuable insights from those experiences. She strongly believes that women leaders can thrive by focusing on their inner work, tapping into their strengths and unique gifts. Rather than emulating the authoritative leadership models of the past, she sees personal growth and self-discovery as catalysts for becoming exceptional leaders. Anna is a staunch advocate for personal growth and coaching, having immersed herself in numerous books and diligently implementing suggested exercises. She has also sought guidance from skilled coaches across various areas of her life and actively participated in retreats and workshops. to limited time and resources, and embracing the journey becomes essential. that fostering an environment of innovation involves investing in experimentation, even if it may not always result in commercially viable products or features, especially during the early stages of the company. She believes that without the freedom to explore and experiment, it becomes challenging to nurture a culture of innovation. As Sensate grows, the management is looking forward to increasing its investment in innovation, while continuously iterating on a smaller scale in the meantime. Fostering Collaboration, Innovation, and Growth Sensate management firmly believes in the power of collaboration, considering it to be more effective than competition as a team culture. Anna recognizes that in order for collaboration to thrive, transparency within the business is crucial. She encourages different opinions and debate, as it ensures alignment and cohesion in working towards shared objectives. By fostering visibility and providing an integrated understanding of the strategy and objectives, the management aims to enable teams to collaborate freely without being restricted by top-down gatekeepers. Through her commitment to continuous learning and self- improvement, Anna strives to enhance her leadership abilities and bring her best self to her role. By prioritizing personal growth, she believes that leaders can cultivate a more authentic and empowering leadership style that positively impacts their teams and organizations. Another core value at Sensate is growth, both professionally and personally. The management embraces a growth mindset and prioritize learning and self-challenge. Testing and learning are deeply ingrained in the company's culture, and it actively strives to improve communication and interpersonal relationships, particularly as it operates as a distributed remote- working team. In a rapidly expanding company like Sensate, constant change is the norm, and it recognizes the necessity of embracing it. Expanding Reach and Future Plans According to Anna, Sensate has made a remarkable entry into the market with an exceptional product that is already making a positive impact on numerous individuals worldwide, spanning across more than 50 countries. To cater to the significant number of frequent users, it has introduced an optional subscription Innovation is highly valued at Sensate and is viewed as a mindset that the management team actively seeks to cultivate within themselves and their respective teams. Anna understands 14 | AUGUST 2023
service called Sensate Plus, while also having a roadmap for the development of additional products and services. In today's world, the challenges and uncertainties surrounding us can easily lead to feelings of overwhelm. Anna and her team recognize that the ability to overcome stress and anxiety lies within each individual. By leveraging the power of Sensate, people can tap into their innate capacity to regulate stress and anxiety, ultimately creating a ripple effect that extends from individuals to their communities and beyond. To fulfill their mission, Sensate team is dedicated to expanding the reach of their current products, ensuring that they are accessible to as many people as possible. Securing their next round of funding is crucial in order to continue reaching and benefiting more individuals who are in need of their products. Looking towards the future, Sensate envisions deepening their relationship with their customers and followers. They plan to offer a comprehensive suite of products, services, and relevant content to a vast number of individuals seeking effective stress management, improved sleep, and easy access to a sense of inner calm. Sensate recognizes that a solid foundation of inner calm is essential for overall well- being, and they are tremendously motivated by this mission. worldsleaders.com | 15
Founder CuriousIQ Social Entrepreneur 26 | AUGUST 2023
continents: NY, US and London, UK, eventually leaving as Chief Operating Office in digital. This role exposed me to the technical aspect of product creation. I possessed the necessary skills and could apply them to any industry. As COO, I received a completely different perspective on all facets of running a digital organisation. In 2020, I decided to change industries and joined BP. Here I lead the organisation's specialised digital product development teams to efficiently construct new digital services. Digital is one of the most vital skills to have if you want to make a difference in today's world. My role can be divided into three main themes: team leadership, strategic management, and partnerships. Each one has its own set of challenges. I create active citizen involvement and favourably impact the rate and reach of our objectives. I transform the vision into action through the identification of the right partnerships that can help us meet our goals and expand our reach. Fundraising is a big part of my role, something that I find critical for the successful execution of the program. It would be really difficult to achieve results without stability of resources. However, a founder, besides being a visionary, should also be self-aware and capable of learning and self- developing. And this is the part I enjoy the most about my work, as it helps me to continue to grow as a person. Mariza Fotiou is the founder of CuriousIQ, a Digital learning platform and employment support organisation for people in need. Mariza’s working experience expands over 16 years across financial services, technology, energy and philanthropy. Over the years she directed global, complex, strategic transformation initiatives involving organizational, investment products, process, and technology changes in multinational corporations. Her drive and passion about philanthropy led her to what she believes as her mission of being of service to others and helping improve people’s lives. What was the idea behind starting CuriousIQ? Social mobility is a real issue of our time. With all the increasing geopolitical unrest, more and more people will be in need of integration. The other gap I see is that digital skills will only continue to drive demand for tech talent in the years to come. The second thing is that digital skills will only continue to drive demand for tech talent in the years to come. These two parameters, and my strong drive to help those in need, led me to create CuriousIQ. I strongly believe that social entrepreneurship brings the evolution the world needs and boosts inclusion. So, I found a way to combine and apply my skills to make a difference. CuriousIQ was founded in response to an unjust and ongoing situation in Greece, a country with enormous potential. For every marginalised person who lives on the edges of society. The goal is to upskill underprivileged people in digital skills and advance their employability by helping them find a job in the market. How do you balance work and life responsibilities? I prioritise my mental health because it makes me a better person and better at my work. Also, exercise is very important for me. I need to keep moving, otherwise I lose my energy. I can fit it in no matter what. I know that if I don't, I will not be as happy and as productive as I want to be. Lastly, I make time for my friends and family. It is very easy for me to get lost in my work because I get a lot of satisfaction when things progress. But I make a conscious effort to stop and spend time with people I love because it is very important. Below are highlights of the interview conducted between World's Leaders and Mariza Fotiou: Brief our audience about your journey as a business leader. Tell us about your background and what did you do before you started/joined the CuriousIQ? My career started in the US, where I moved after graduating from my bachelors in Greece. I then pursued a Masters in Finance, which I graduated in 2009 from Baruch College in New York. After graduating, I joined HSBC Private Bank and worked there for about 10 years. I moved a lot within the bank and had some amazing roles that kept me growing professionally. I also gained exposure from working in two Tell us about your vision for the company. How do you ensure a culture of integrity and innovation in the company? CuriousIQ's vision is to improve the lives of those who live in underserved communities while also As a Founder of CuriousIQ, what are your major roles and responsibilities? worldsleaders.com | 27
involving them in the design, implementation, and execution of its projects. As a result, we not only have a reliable, in-depth understanding of the needs, but we also ensure that the communities are prepared to take on future initiatives on their own. The world is currently undergoing an ethical revolution. Many times in my carrier and most recently as a founder I have openly addressed discrimination. It is true that we do not live in an equal world. In CuriousIQ equality, transparency, integrity and inclusivity are part of our moral compass, part of the culture. I approach the team as equal players by always listening to their ideas, concepts, and future plans. Based on my professional experience, these humble beginnings serve as the cornerstone for a solid foundation, where the team quickly learns the principles of experimentation, innovation and empowerment which are then positioned as the fundamental pillars of our culture. What advice would you give to the emerging entrepreneurs and enthusiasts considering a career in an industry? My advice is to remind themselves daily of their ''why''. Why - they do what they do. If what you do is your purpose in life or what people call your ''calling'', you have more strength to keep going and more chances to succeed. We all know that starting a business is hard. That it takes emotional, psychological and financial strength to get through. And by being a founder you stretch (and sometimes brake) all three. So believing in what you do will help you get through hardship and eventually shine and succeed. worldsleaders.com | 29
issy MacKintosh is the M Cosmetics, a beauty product company that aims to redefine the cosmetics industry by combining the high-quality application with ethical and ecological manufacturing. Missy MacKintosh built MisMacK from the ground up in her basement in small- town Canoe, BC, Canada. She personally has never met or knew of anyone who had built a Makeup brand before. She had to learn all of it on her own. However, she has been in the industry for over 25 years and 16 years of that as a Professional Makeup Artist, and her work has been internationally published, and she has worked in Management for companies such as MAKE UP FOR EVER, and Nars. She says, “As someone who eats, sleeps, breathes makeup on a daily basis, I know what works and what doesn't.” According to Missy MacKintosh, she had the vision of MisMacK in her head for a long time. “In 2017, it was time to bring my plan to action,” says Missy MacKintosh. world into one unique amazing brand. I understand that makeup is not a passive sale. It takes education and getting our clients into our chair to experience it firsthand. At our MisMacK stores, we offer Complimentary Pampering Sessions all day every day to give our clients exactly that. We are also the only brand that offers private one on one makeup lessons where you become the student and learn as you're doing your makeup with our guidance. We make you write each step down, so you have that to take home with you. Because really, where can you go to learn without someone trying to sell you a trend. We teach based on a technique that I call the Natural Guides to a face. These are taught in our MisMacK Artistry education modules for future Makeup Artists wanting to learn and become professional makeup artists. Founder and CEO of MisMacK Clean Below are the highlights of the interview conducted between World's Leaders and Missy MacKintosh: Describe MisMacK's offerings that address the need of your customers. MisMacK is one of the first Professional Performing Clean Makeup Lines on the Market. In 2016 I was introduced to Clean Makeup, but they all had the same issue – lack of performance and pigment. Trying to find products that held up to my picky pro standards just didn't exist. So I created them working directly with a Female Canadian Chemist who specializes in Clean beauty. MisMacK merges both the Mainstream the Clean and the Pro 34 | AUGUST 2023
Enlighten us on how you have made an impact in this industry through your expertise in the industry. MisMacK provides fun and safe products packed with pigment and perform better than mainstream. I understand how products sit on the skin and work with my Chemist to create them, so they are easy for consumers to apply and blend. The technology we're using is incredibly unique in the cosmetic world. We're truly pushing the industry forward in more ways than one. Our impact is also around education. We are passionate about educating the Pro world of Makeup Artists and the everyday consumer that your body is your largest organ. It only takes 28 seconds for a toxic ingredient to hit your bloodstream. Yes, your body is good at getting rid of it but when we're marinating in these products since before we are born our systems tap out. We start seeing allergies, and a lot of these ingredients are hormone disruptors that can contribute to fertility issues. We're providing makeup and tools that allow everyone to ignite their creativity, push their limits, and work flawlessly in a safe way not only for all humans but also for our environment. complimentary pampering sessions all day every day at our MisMacK stores; educating our clients on product placement and how to use our unique products. We believe less is more and learning how to use our products in multiple ways. Our tag is 'we're Small but Mighty and the Masters of Multi-Purpose products'. Eliminating wasteful packaging and the overwhelming guilty feeling you have when you open up an over- packed makeup bag. We teach that “Makeup does not define you; it's merely a tool of Empowerment” Dany Sanz the founder of Makeup Forever is my biggest idol. Our stories are incredibly similar, and a super cool thing is that we now have her full support and her using MisMacK in her pro kit. My time favourite book is the 5 am Club. Taking into consideration, the current pandemic, and its impact on global economies, how are you driving your organization to sustain operations and ensuring the safety of your employees at the same time? Where do you envision yourself to be in the long run, and what are your future goals for MisMacK? Safety is of utmost importance here at MisMacK. As a pro makeup artist sanitation is our number one priority. Being in a small boutique shop that's a small batch, we're able to easily manage quality and safety control. We always make sure our team is happy and healthy. What are the challenges you and your team at MisMacK come across in your day-to-day operations? I envision MisMacK being a trusted Global Brand. My goal is to have about 5 stores across Canada, one in London, one in Paris, New York and LA. 9. What would be your advice to budding entrepreneurs? Fail into your flow. Failure is where growth happens. I say if you're not failing you're not growing. Everything is also figure-out-able. If you want it bad enough you will figure out a way to make it happen. Well to be quite honest, we do all the things here at MisMacK HQ including shipping, receiving, and labelling. And getting our labels on straight is truly a daily challenge lol. Describe in detail the values and the work culture that drives MisMacK. What people, what books, what life factors have influenced and impacted you? We value education, customer service, customer experience, and fun. Makeup is fun. We offer worldsleaders.com | 35
Chief Human Resources Officer BlackBerry NITA WHITE-IVY A Tech Savvy HR Leader with Extensive Work Experiences 40 | AUGUST 2023
O analytics, HR operations, support and services, and strategic programs. being a new immigrant to the U.S. and living with the sole purpose to provide a good life for her son as a responsible parent. She set out her “to get the proper academic preparation” to be able to compete in the job market and qualify for a good job and pay. It was an unwavering goal for her to secure a stronger future for both of them (for her and her child.) The challenges of not having friends or family members to assist her, working full-time while going to school full-time, did not derail her from the goal. Nita considers that the reason she is thriving and feeling strengthened in the sector is because of being an active participant and contributor in a turn-around organization. BlackBerry is the third turn-around company that she had been fortunate to join. There is the ultimate reward and the sweetness of success when the company succeeds in achieving its transformation objectives. She deems, “Employee morale, performance and retention, recruitment of talent, and company stock price all get the positive boost just to name a few.” The Beginning Nita considers her entering the high technology industry as HR manager of professional employment and compensation for a notable mainframe computer company was the true beginning of her HR career. Prior to joining BlackBerry, Nita spent 15 years as the head of global HR with Sybase Inc., until it was acquired by SAP. She says, “We became part of SAP and I concurrently served as Chief People Officer for SuccessFactors (another SAP-acquired company) until I joined BlackBerry.” Operating an efficient business requires effective communication, a skilled workforce, and effective work culture. These all can be achieved by having a proficient HR team that is also responsible for moderating errors, increasing employee engagement, forming the foundation for better client relationships, stimulating innovation and creativity, and helping in building a positive culture. Meet Nita White-Ivy, Chief Human ResourcesOfficer at BlackBerry, who holds on experience in best-in-class global HR practices/management and interface with the compensation committee of company's board of directors mostly in the areas of officers' and board of directors' compensation, incentives, and benefits. At the beginning of her career, she was termed “the feisty” and “most productive recruiter” for developing and driving successful university relations and recruitment programs which accelerated recruitment of top- notch college graduates to fill engineering and development employment requisitions. Nita was also fortunate to be selected at that time as one of the high-potential employees for the company thereby receiving a promotion to the next grade every 15 to 18 months. She asserts, “It was my desire to be in high demand, energized, and forward-looking-industry and work environment. I always aspire to be where technology addresses current global requirements plus the foresight for the future.” For Nita, success is having a strong purpose to achieve with focus and perseverance, overcoming challenges, acknowledging any fear of failure, and managing it until the completion of what one sets out to accomplish. Thriving in Male-Dominated Sector At BlackBerry, Nita is responsible for leading the HR team to design and deliver global programs, initiatives, partnerships, solutions, and services in all facets of HR, to support the achievement of the company's operational goals and strategic objectives. This includes HR business partnerships, talent development, talent acquisition, total rewards, employee relations & compliance, DE&I, HRIS/HRIT & A Woman of Persistence Nita states, “Challenges, setbacks, roadblocks, and the lessons we learn from them do make a person Nita was a single mom at a very young age. Then, she was taking the responsibility alone for the child, and worldsleaders.com | 41
AWARDS stronger.” From her journey experiences, she points that as a woman, and a minority, entering the high-technology world and succeeding in it was most challenging, to say the least. needs/requirements: and. (3) Balance mind and heart when leading and developing your team members. Accept that there will be some failures and disappointments, but witnessing mentees grow, and blossom professionally are the precious rewards to savour. The Brand; BlackBerry in the last 20+ years has its own set of challenges. But they are just that - challenges to overcome and to navigate with purpose and determination for one to succeed and make a difference.” The biggest lessons of Nita's professional journey are: (1) Ability to juggle, prioritize and re-prioritize what needs to get done as days usually do not go as planned: (2) Understand, keep up to date, and deliver to the company's business Nita recalls that she worked doubly hard every step of the way, did her “homework” to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency, and earned professional respect accordingly. She asserts, “Being a corporate officer for three companies BlackBerry is delivering the next generation of cloud-based, AI cybersecurity solutions to address 42 | AUGUST 2023
today and tomorrow's cybersecurity threats and ensure organizations of all sizes remain safe trust it to secure their most sensitive information. “Each day begins by focusing on our customers first and being as responsive as possible to their secure communications needs.” employees and maintaining ongoing and close HR communication with the people leaders and employees. Furthermore, the team is also keeping abreast of local government and health authorities' directives/mandates and ensuring company compliance. BlackBerry is poised to extend this position by accelerating the adoption of emerging automotive connected services with its BlackBerry IVY platform, co-developed with AWS, as well as by expanding its footprint in safety-critical connected endpoints found in industries such as transportation, medical, manufacturing, and robotics. as well as by expanding its footprint in safety- critical connected endpoints found in industries such as transportation, medical, manufacturing, and robotics. Accountability: The teams are knowledgeable, fully engaged, and accountable. “By cultivating and rewarding individual passion, creativity, and achievement, we meet and exceed our commitments to our colleagues and the business.” As a Leader Nita sees herself as a 'tenacious' leader. Prioritizing, being resilient, and taking time to recharge including taking a 'mental health day off' is her mantra of having a balanced life. Teamwork and Mutual Respect: All employees work as one team, united behind the same goals, and always with respect for each other as professionals. “We have each other's backs and do whatever we can to support each other, including colleagues in other workgroups.” At the company, she keeps everyone motivate by having and sharing a common purpose and focus, maintaining ongoing communication and collaboration, and recognizing team members for their contribution and support of each other. She asserts, “I am committed to seeing, and be a part of, the completion of BlackBerry's successful turnaround.” The Roots of BlackBerry According to Nita, integrity and innovation are fully embedded in BlackBerry's core values, which are well communicated to its global employees and posted on the internal website as shown below. She says, “HR models these Core Values in everything that we do.” Ensuring the Company Leads with Best Work Practices The pandemic has altered the “normal” or regular workday. Nita leads the HR team to ensure the company delivers what is best practice in the industry in terms of programs, systems, processes, and policies to serve the business needs of the companies and in compliance with the employment laws of the countries where BlackBerry does business. She mentions that due to COVID-19, there is no “best-practice box” to draw from for HR practitioners to meet and solve the challenges, uncertainties, and issues each day brings. At this time, and until the teams return to a near- normal or normal company operation, she is leading the HR team in protecting the health and safety of A Note for Young Leaders “Have a sense of purpose that is strong enough for you to not yield to challenges, roadblocks, and setbacks, each of which carries a lesson to be learned for future reflection and draw from as a useful tool,” says Nita. She further suggests that do our best to achieve a balance between mind and heart. She thinks, “Applying emotional intelligence, especially in today's world of pandemic fatigue and mental stress, will connect you positively closer to your colleagues and customers. Innovation: The Company leads in its chosen markets by constantly innovating. “We learn equally from our successes and failures, and never rest on our laurels.” Integrity: The business is based on the trust customers place in BlackBerry to secure their most valuable information. “We conduct ourselves at the highest level of business ethics by complying with our internal controls and procedures.” Customer Focus: BlackBerry is successful because customers worldsleaders.com | 43
