International Women’s Day with Jennifer Dulski, Rising Team

Why do you think it’s important to celebrate International Women’s Day?

International Women’s Day is a way to shine a light on the remarkable intellectual, social, economic and cultural contributions of women everywhere, from inspirational leaders to everyday heroes. Days like this may seem like just an event to put on the calendar, but I believe it’s more important than ever that we take the time to show our commitment to equality and amplify female voices around the world so that we can all rise to a brighter future.

What motivates you to be a leader in your industry?

Since the early days of my career when I was a high school teacher and non-profit founder, I have been motivated by a purpose to empower others and help them reach their goals and ambitions. That purpose has continued throughout my career in tech, creating empowerment and impact at scale at companies like Google and Change.org. And this drive to empower people has culminated in my role as founder and CEO of Rising Team. At Rising Team, our vision is to create a world where everyone in the workplace feels deeply understood, supported and able to achieve their goals. If our tools can help managers be better at coaching and supporting their teams, then we can make that vision a reality.

Are there any female leaders that have inspired you throughout your career?

I’m inspired by extraordinary women all around me, ranging from authors and academics to business leaders, athletes and activists, as well as many of my own family members, friends and colleagues. One person who gives me extra inspiration is author and Good Morning America news anchor Robin Roberts. She is a glowing example of strength, resilience and optimism, and her book Everybody’s Got Something is one of my favorites. While navigating major health issues, she managed not only to survive but also to continue thriving in her own life and to inspire others with her story. As she says, quoting her mother, “Make your mess your message.” The lessons she shared about her own experience made me think differently about challenges in my own life. Robin’s unique brand of vulnerability combined with positivity has made an enormous impact on countless lives, including mine.

What advice or message would you share with young women who are looking to build their careers?

When I was writing Purposeful, I interviewed movement starters and entrepreneurs around the world – people who have made an incredible impact and had very successful life journeys. One of the things they all have in common is that no matter how large or impressive their accomplishments are, they all began with a relatively small, single first step. The steps were different, sometimes a draft of an idea they showed to friends, sometimes a small event or an email reaching out to someone for a meeting. In every case, the first step led to another, and so on. The advice I have for young women is not to be afraid of dreaming big and to remember that even big dreams start with that first step. If something feels daunting, just take it one step at a time, and ideally walk alongside others you trust on the path.

Read the rest of our International Women’s Day blog series here.

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