Untitled

[tuesdayknows]

It will be interesting to follow these predictions as we ramp up at Portfolia. Looking forward to being a part of this new industry.

[tuesdayknows]

Last day to vote on what panels get selected for this year's SoCap conference.  I am excited to hear that not only is this panel potentially on the docket but behind the scenes there is a more intentional effort to have women represented in the conversation.  I believe you can thank the women from the Gender Lens Investing and Women Effect Initiative for this!

I for one have decided instead of being so petulant and upset when I see once again an all male panel or a full venture day of male entrepreneurs that I am going to play a role in the solution.  Sure getting out the vote for a crowdsourced panel is one way.  Come this fall I will also be playing a role in the Women's Edition- Start-up Weekend.  

Until then...don't forget to vote.

[tuesdayknows]

You'll be happier and more productive. 

Let's Hope.

[tuesdayknows]

Bring on what scares you - exciting new opportunities!

I recently told a potential employer that what I am looking for in my next role is something where I can make a difference and that scares me a bit. He liked that so much that he hired me. (that and I was qualified for the role) I am now doing consulting for a well respected foundation and will primarily be finding ways to scale social enterprises in low resource countries. (this is the point where most of my friends who aren't in my sector begin to get glassy eyed)

Why is this so scary?

I am jumping into a space that requires having the curiosity and optimism of an entrepreneur, requiring the ability to not just see the potential but understand the macro impact of an organization reaching more people. It also requires humility and respect combined with seeing where the holes are and how we can fill them with talent, money and access. At the end of the day we will be a conduit for financial resources and entrepreneurs in the developing world. We will find ways to invest, donate, capitalize big ideas.

And of course I am looking for investors and donors who care about bringing healthcare solutions to poor families, who care about clean water and education for all. Know any? Are you one? Contact me, let's talk.

The scary bit comes with the notion that we will fail at times, I will have to say to a company we can't help you at times and that the speed of matching entrepreneurs with the kind of capital they need with be grossly off beat with the investors and donors desire to participate. It's urgency that scares me, excites me and propels me forward.

And then there is the "leaning back in" after being home with my baby for the last year. While I am not worried that my mad business skills have gone rusty, I am more scared or sad about this special time ending with daughter. But we both need to move to what's next. This summer my wife will be the stay at home parent and know how much fun it can be and I will rush off to work.

Come fall we both will be at work full time and another chapter will begin.

[tuesdayknows]

Robot and bear need to get their party on.

[tuesdayknows]

Different sizes of infinity

Trying to provide space in my life to ask and contemplate the big questions without them overwhelming my ability to take small actions. I wonder if this is some sort of midlife crisis?

Mostly it has been prompted by my post-baby job search. What kind of job do I want prompts the question why do we work? There is the obvious need for income to sustain a lifestyle and participate in society. But that prompts more questions about the constructs that I am a part of and those I build up.

Questions beget more questions and I must remind myself that to be present.

What is a guiding question that helps with the small day to day while keeping the bigger picture in perspective?

[tuesdayknows]

A great example of a high school girl fighting to have her voice heard. Not only benefiting herself but for others. When girls have the chance to stand up and be heard great things happen.

[tuesdayknows]

Some good advice from someone in the trenches.

[lifeadvicefrommachines]

Anonymous asked:  What difference can I ever make in a world of angry people who refuse to listen to what anyone has to say?

(image source)

[urbanubuntu]

“You basically have to build an organization that is always capable of acting like a startup when the time is right, but can run a large scale business simultaneously…

What happens to most organizations is that management gets further and further away from the actual...

[tuesdayknows]

Totally makes sense. How do you keep a sense of wonder and hunger as your organization grows?

[tuesdayknows]

Happy International Women's Day!

May we all stand together both men and women to ensure equality for all.

[tuesdayknows]

This article  illuminates a persistent problem in accessing capital for women.  The system has to change!

While towards the end Dave McClure (seed funder at 500 Startups) says that this is shifting but it will take time.  How much time do we need? When I was a venture fund in 2005, I spoke with an entrepreneur who had just pitched us her organic clothing line.  She remarked how refreshing it was to have women in the room while she pitched because we would "get" it.  That was in 2005 and we are still in the same place.

Its the old saying that like attracts like and the older white males are more comfortable investing in what they are used to - younger versions of themselves.

I applaud the women angel groups (like Golden Seeds, Astia, Pipeline Fellowship) and other equity providers that are led by women. We just need more of you!

[tuesdayknows]

Notice the AP Study guides.  English and History have girls on the front and  Calculus and Physics have boys.  Why does this have to be like this?

I love sociological images, they do a great analysis of gender (among other topics) in society. Hats off to Lisa Wade.

[amotherisborn-blog]

I’m miffed again about Marissa Mayer. The Yahoo CEO sparked online rage this week after announcing Yahoo would no longer allow employees to work from home. Last year, she pissed people off by announcing in a way that sounded rather cavalier that she would take “a couple weeks” maternity...

[tuesdayknows]

This is a good piece about Marrisa Mayer's controversial decision.  I wonder if we are blowing this all out of proportion and that Yahoo will return to a more flexible workplace once their house is in order?

[tuesdayknows]

So it begins

Welcome. This space is created to explore issues of 

Identity

Abundance

Professional Aspirations

Balance

As a new mom and mid-career professional I am at a point where my priorities have pivoted just as my career and the impact I can have, has come more into focus.

What is my new identify now and how will it evolve - mom, business professional, feminist, wife, lesbian, creative disrupter, perpetual work in progress.

 I am interested in how women are represented in the media, in the workplace and in our everyday lives.  I want to use my many identities to make a more gender positive world for both sexes.  For me the best place to start is with access to capital, who gets it and  what systems need to be in place to increase capital to women.

#genderlensinvesting, #missrepresentation, #feminc

and how can I lead from a place of abundance when personal financial security is uncertain.  our space in our apartment is rapidly shrinking with the new baby, hours sleeping are decreasing and my desire to create a better world is rapidly on the rise. Now more than ever.  In fear of there is never enough time, money, energy, resources, you name it, how can I change I flip that and come from a place of abundance?

More to come on these topics as I look to others and my explorations to help discover for myself what is next.