It’s International Women’s Day, and this year's theme is Embrace Equity. We know gender equity doesn’t live on a single day, which is why we are standing together to celebrate the incredible women of Amperity.
Since announcing our pledge in 2020, Amperity has been committed to furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion. This month, we want to introduce you to the amazing women on our executive leadership team. Let’s start with getting to know Amperity’s Chief Marketing Officer, Megan McDonagh. 1. What advice would you give your 25-year-old self?
First, it is so important to own your own personal brand and understand the impact it has on perception across the organization. You need to be mindful of how you present yourself and always strive to show up consistently and authentically.
2. How important is it to have a mentor to grow as a leader?
Finding a mentor early on in your career, who is willing to dedicate time to provide guidance and dispense sage advice is critical. A mentor can also help you develop the necessary skills to manage key stakeholders and ensure people are on board by understanding their motivations and intentions.
Careers have their ups and downs, especially early on when you’re trying to navigate new processes, higher expectations, and different personalities. Having a person in your corner who has likely gone through the same experiences and that you can turn to for advice and be vulnerable, is so important to growing and learning. 3. What advice would you offer to a woman looking to start a career in tech? Here are the best pieces of advice I’ve received or picked up along the way.
Follow your passion. If you do that, you’ll find greater satisfaction and be more motivated to continue down this path. For example, if you have no interest in animals, you probably don’t want to work for Chewy, but if you love the power of social media, consider a job at Instagram or another up-and-coming social media platform. Leaning into your interests will lead you down a much more fulfilling career path.
Don’t be afraid to (respectfully) speak up. Getting comfortable in the uncomfortable will allow you to advocate for yourself and ask for what you want to advance in your career.
Lean into the challenge. Any job worth taking is worth working hard for, soaking in as much as possible, and growing to set yourself up for your next great job.
Focus your energy in the right places. The dynamics are different across every company. It’s easy to take things personally or make assumptions about a situation. Focus only on what you can control, not on the things you can’t.
4. Is it better to create leadership initiatives for both men and women to help raise awareness of the issue?
Regardless of gender, race, age, disabilities, or orientation, everyone deserves opportunities to participate in leadership initiatives to further their career. However, women need allies who will help make sure the opportunities are inclusive. Some industries or roles within companies need specific support for women, especially in technology and engineering, where there’s usually less female representation. 5. How do you balance your career, personal life, and passions? Is there such a thing as balance?
Balance is all relative. It’s not about doing everything equally but finding the right mix of work, personal life, and passions that work for your lifestyle. There will always be tradeoffs and sacrifices, but your decisions should be made with intention and aligned with your own personal goals and priorities.
What you want when you’re 25 is going to change, especially after life events like buying a home, getting married, or having a child. That’s to be expected, and precisely why it’s so important to revisit your goals and priorities so they reflect where you are in your life.
Fast 5 with Megan
Best business/career book you have read - “The Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell. I was fascinated with the science behind what impacts human behavior.
What is your favorite vacation destination? Anywhere with sun, a beach, and outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and swimming.
What was your first concert ever? Whitney Houston. I was in the 5th row, front and center. It was an amazing show that I’ll never forget.
What piece of technology can you not live without? I don’t have a good sense of direction, so I’d be lost without Google Maps or Waze to get me from point A to point B. Needless to say, I will never be selected to participate on the “Amazing Race.”
What is your favorite cause to support? Education can be an equalizer and opens up doors for many underprivileged children which is why I index towards causes that will provide tuition funding for underprivileged kids, access to education and technology in impoverished areas, and classroom supplies for teachers, etc.
Read more about Amperity's commitment to honoring diversity, equity, and inclusion.