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Gen Blog | Innovation

WRITTEN BY Kirsten McMullen Global Privacy Compliance Program Manager

Everything you do online generates data. Every time you shop, click, scroll, like, message, play and more, you are generating data. This personal information has tremendous value to businesses. The landscape of privacy and data protection laws and regulations continues to grow more complex. Companies with global operations that wish to advance the privacy rights of individuals and enable innovative products and services must comply with these laws and deliver meaningful data security to their customers; this can be challenging for many companies and difficult for people when trying to figure out if the apps and companies that hold their data are keeping it safe.  

How We Help People Protect Their Digital Lives  

For Gen, empowering people to take control of their digital lives is in our DNA. Security, transparency, and accountability are built into everything we do, and products like Norton Secure VPN protect a person’s online privacy by hiding the computer’s address from websites visited from any device. Norton, a part of Gen, also offers Norton 360 Deluxe, which can prevent activity or location tracking, as well as information theft, installation of malicious programs and uninvited changes to devices. We recently launched a product donation pilot program, donating up to 5,000 of these free product licenses to survivors of domestic violence to help them recover from financial or technological abuse. These products are also donated or discounted to nonprofits through our partnership with TechSoup. 

In addition to product donations, we work regularly with nonprofits like Discovery Education and the National PTA to help children and families learn about keeping their information private.  

Five Ways We Help Keep Customer Data Safe 

We focus on five essential elements to help keep customer data safe. Check for these key practices: 

Accountability. At Gen, we hold ourselves accountable by defining our principles, conducting internal and external audits, empowering employees at all levels of the company to proactively consider privacy and data protection, engaging in continuous improvement processes, and constantly scanning for new risks and opportunities. For more details on Gen’s Privacy Operating Model, see page 34 of our 2023 ESG Report. Security. We secure personal data using appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect integrity, confidentiality, and availability. Our security monitoring alerts us to suspicious activity, and we have a robust incident response program. Essential rights. We take a principles-based approach, going beyond regional data protection laws to provide essential rights to our customers, such as access and deletion, regardless of whether there is a law requiring it. Transparency. Privacy policies are often difficult to read and understand. We work to make our policies as clear and detailed as possible. We provide additional support articles and easy access to contact information to make it easy for customers to exercise their privacy rights and get their questions answered. Customer-First Privacy by Design. In everything we do, we strive to anticipate, identify, and prevent invasive events before they happen. Privacy measures should not be add-ons, but fully integrated components of the system. We only collect personal data for specified, clear and legitimate purposes. And, we only collect as much personal data as we need to achieve those purposes.

We encourage you to do a quick review of the companies and apps that have your information. Do they have systems and policies in place to keep your data secure? Will they let you delete your data? Are they explaining what personal data is collected and why? Do they respect your rights to control how your data is used? 

Remember, it’s your data and it has value. Be selective about who you choose to do business with and thoughtful about what information you are providing – you have the power to exercise your rights to safety and privacy. 

As member of Trane’s indoor air quality portfolio team, I have witnessed a significant shift in attitudes toward indoor air quality management in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic increased awareness of the importance of clean air and the pollutants that can be present in our indoor environments. Last summer, wildfires turned the fresh air outside into dangerous conditions driving people back indoors looking for refuge.  

Shifting priorities

While mitigating the presence of viruses and bacteria may no longer be the chief concern, there is still a strong focus on pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other gases that can impact our well-being. The variability of these conditions and influencing factors is why it’s so important to understand the significance of monitoring and reacting to these pollutants to maintain a healthier indoor environment.

Monitoring and response

Having the ability to monitor air quality and respond accordingly is vital – and it starts with ensuring your system is ready with the necessary capabilities. By increasing filtration, utilizing controls and sensors, and detecting rising CO2 or VOC levels, we can initiate ventilation and introduce clean outside air while exhausting contaminated air. 

However, it’s essential to consider regional factors and the quality of outdoor air. While clean outside air is advantageous in most cases, certain regions with heavily contaminated outdoor air may require alternative approaches. Implementing the right sensors and controls is crucial for making informed decisions about ventilation strategies, preventing the unintentional introduction of additional pollutants.

In either case, actively monitoring and automating mechanical responses is the best way to ensure optimal air quality for occupants.

Balancing efficiency, air quality and cost

A common concern raised by facility managers is the perceived inefficiency of increased ventilation rates. In extremely hot or cold climates, heating or cooling outside air to achieve comfortable indoor conditions can be energy-intensive and costly. However, in regions with favorable outdoor conditions, introducing outside air can be highly efficient. Striking the right balance between air quality and energy efficiency requires careful consideration of daily and regional requirements.

Control systems empower building managers to optimize both air quality and energy efficiency. And technologies have evolved to address the growing awareness of different contaminants. By comparing indoor and outdoor air quality values and automating decision-making processes, control systems enhance HVAC system efficiency, leading to improved air quality and reduced energy consumption.

The future of indoor air quality

Looking ahead, I envision a future where large-scale implementation of transformative technologies revolutionizes indoor air quality. Efforts to control outdoor air pollution will be coupled with increased adoption of energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) in both commercial and residential spaces. By incorporating innovative technologies into indoor environments, we can ensure clean air, minimize energy consumption and work towards a healthier and more sustainable future.

Hear more from Jeff in Season 3 Episode 1 of the Healthy Spaces podcast: Clearing the Air. 

As member of Trane’s indoor air quality portfolio team, I have witnessed a significant shift in attitudes toward indoor air quality management in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic increased awareness of the importance of clean air and the pollutants that can be present in our indoor environments. Last summer, wildfires turned the fresh air outside into dangerous conditions driving people back indoors looking for refuge.  

Shifting priorities

While mitigating the presence of viruses and bacteria may no longer be the chief concern, there is still a strong focus on pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other gases that can impact our well-being. The variability of these conditions and influencing factors is why it’s so important to understand the significance of monitoring and reacting to these pollutants to maintain a healthier indoor environment.

Monitoring and response

Having the ability to monitor air quality and respond accordingly is vital – and it starts with ensuring your system is ready with the necessary capabilities. By increasing filtration, utilizing controls and sensors, and detecting rising CO2 or VOC levels, we can initiate ventilation and introduce clean outside air while exhausting contaminated air. 

However, it’s essential to consider regional factors and the quality of outdoor air. While clean outside air is advantageous in most cases, certain regions with heavily contaminated outdoor air may require alternative approaches. Implementing the right sensors and controls is crucial for making informed decisions about ventilation strategies, preventing the unintentional introduction of additional pollutants.

In either case, actively monitoring and automating mechanical responses is the best way to ensure optimal air quality for occupants.

Balancing efficiency, air quality and cost

A common concern raised by facility managers is the perceived inefficiency of increased ventilation rates. In extremely hot or cold climates, heating or cooling outside air to achieve comfortable indoor conditions can be energy-intensive and costly. However, in regions with favorable outdoor conditions, introducing outside air can be highly efficient. Striking the right balance between air quality and energy efficiency requires careful consideration of daily and regional requirements.

Control systems empower building managers to optimize both air quality and energy efficiency. And technologies have evolved to address the growing awareness of different contaminants. By comparing indoor and outdoor air quality values and automating decision-making processes, control systems enhance HVAC system efficiency, leading to improved air quality and reduced energy consumption.

The future of indoor air quality

Looking ahead, I envision a future where large-scale implementation of transformative technologies revolutionizes indoor air quality. Efforts to control outdoor air pollution will be coupled with increased adoption of energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) in both commercial and residential spaces. By incorporating innovative technologies into indoor environments, we can ensure clean air, minimize energy consumption and work towards a healthier and more sustainable future.

Hear more from Jeff in Season 3 Episode 1 of the Healthy Spaces podcast: Clearing the Air. 

“It’s not okay, and we need everyone at the table to help.”

Late November to mid-December marks an important annual period to renew commitments to end gender-based violence, a collective issue that the YWCA Edmonton wants people to know will take more than just awareness to build equity for affected women and girls.

“We know this is a problem that is preventable and solvable, but we cannot do it alone,” says Christine McCourt-Reid, Director of External Relations at YWCA Edmonton. “We could see significant change in our lifetime – but we need to be working together.”

The Rose Campaign is a national advocacy campaign that began on Nov. 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and ends on Dec. 10, World Human Rights Day. In Canada, Dec. 6 also marks the anniversary of the 14 young women who were murdered at l’Ecole Polytechnique, adding to the importance of this critical campaign period each year.

The Rose Campaign began in 1991 as part of the global 16 Days of Activism and is also the YWCA Edmonton’s largest campaign of the year, raising unrestricted funds for programs where support for women is needed most.

“This is the hardest type of fundraising for a non-profit to do,” says McCourt-Reid. “Instead of program-specific donations that can often sit unused for some time, we want people to recognize that sometimes the area of greatest need is greater than any specific donation.”

The YWCA Edmonton piloted its Equity Fund last year with the specific purpose of allocating funds where they are needed most.

Enbridge has supported the YWCA Edmonton since 2021 through an annual $25,000 Fueling Futures donation to the Equity Fund as part of our commitment to build vibrant, sustainable communities near our operations. The funding allows the YWCA to allocate funds to programming that is in most need throughout the year, including counselling services, advocacy, disability supports and youth programs.

On Dec. 5, Enbridge employees also attended the Rose Breakfast in Edmonton, where we provided a $5,000 sponsorship.

“We are so grateful for organizations that see the value in what we are doing and invest in change,” says McCourt-Reid. “The funding is significant for us—it makes a real difference in what we are doing.”

The YWCA Edmonton has been leading social change and progress for women since 1907. During this year’s Rose Campaign, supporters can continue to educate themselves and take action through YWCA resources and continuing the conversation year-round.

“It’s tough to put into words the feeling of seeing the transformation that people make on their journeys – I’m so proud to be part of an organization that does this work.”

(TOP PHOTO: YWCA Edmonton board member Michelle Okere, who is also the chair of its Truth and Reconciliation Committee, speaks during the annual Rose Campaign Breakfast on Dec. 5.)

We enhance consumer satisfaction by delivering purpose-driven and personalized brands, creating more engaging innovation platforms and providing improved shopping experiences. With an innovation focus that extends beyond our products to our supply chain, packaging and business models, we’re tapping technology for better insights and agility and to deliver frictionless brand experiences.

FY23 HIGHLIGHTS

Introduced innovation across all major brands, including Clorox, Fresh Step and Glad, that meets consumers’ needs and supports their well-being.Nearly reached our 2025 goal of knowing 100 million consumers, helping us gain better insights and improve marketing ROI through greater personalization.Launched partnership innovations with Hamilton Beach Brands Inc., including Clorox Air Purifiers that help remove particulates in the air and Brita Hub Countertop Water Filtration Appliances designed to reduce over 70 contaminants* to deliver superior hydration in an innovative and convenient format.Unveiled first-ever direct-to-consumer site at Clorox.com that simplifies shopping for the next generation of consumers, while providing data to personalize consumer experiences, gathering insights to deepen brand loyalty and increasing consumer spending in national scaled marketing and promotion efforts.Increased participation on Amazon and Walmart.com to offer a wider assortment of products directly to consumers.Achieved 88% of our 2025 circular economy goal for 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging by rolling out more products that enable consumers to easily remove nonrecyclable labels that inhibit recyclability of packaging, including bottles, closures and triggers.

* Visit www.brita.com/performance-data for more details. Substances reduced may not be in all users’ water.

AMPLIFYING SELF-CARE & LOVE 
Burt’s Bees strives to provide naturally sourced, sustainable products that consumers can feel good about. That’s why the brand teamed up with author and poet Cleo Wade to create a curated gift collection born out of a mutual appreciation for self-care, empowerment and a deep love for people and the planet. Available exclusively at Target, the program reached an important multicultural, NextGen consumer and resulted in a 20% year-over-year increase in sales for the brand’s Target Holiday Program.

View the full 2023 Annual Report. 

​A total of 49 per cent of respondents from Asia who took part in The 2023/24 Sustainability Census expressed a desire to acquire specialised skills as the sustainability domain continues its rapid growth.

This section of the survey looked at where ideal increased spending budgets for each region should be directed, with the data highlighting Asia’s significant variations in preferences compared to North America and the UK.

These professionals were asked “If you had an increase in budget for sustainability/ESG/impact within your business, where would you want to focus your spend to deliver the most impact?”

Despite these diversified spending preferences, a common denominator among organisations across the globe was the aspiration to invest in specialised skills, demonstrating the acute awareness of the expanding sustainability landscape.

Pat Dwyer, Founder & Director, The Purpose Business, contributed her insights for this section of the report (p. 18), noting: “Most tellingly, 49 per cent of respondents have also expressed a desire to augment their teams with specialised skillsets. Clearly then, there’s a greater need than ever, for continued sustainability resourcing. But, how? What is the optimal way of skilling up, when we have to right-size it for an organisation?

“There’s no ‘one size fits all’ to capacity and skills-building. Get the right help at the right time. Make it local – and demand value from your partners.”

Paddy Balfour, Executive Director, Acre APAC, said: “We have undoubtedly seen an evolution from first-generation generalist sustainability hires to a focus on specialists with the ability to add value in a more sophisticated corporate sustainability landscape.”

For further information about this and other findings from the sustainability survey, including how 65 per cent of organisations worldwide have made public commitments to sustainability, please click here to download a free copy of the full Acre Census 2023 report.

About Acre

At Acre, we work with the most aspirational businesses with potential to make real change; from those who are just starting out to those who are well on the journey to crafting a legacy.

Our 18 years’ experience in sustainability recruitment, combined with our extensive global network, enables us to provide talent solutions that are designed to deliver this change.

Through our unique behavioural assessment technology, we understand the types of people, skills and behaviours required to create impact. We can develop these qualities within your existing teams too.

We find talented people and develop their skills to ensure they make a true impact in ambitious, progressive organisations.

Acre. Making companies ready for tomorrow.

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) professionals play a pivotal role in maintaining workplace safety, often navigating complex regulations and hazardous environments to protect others. When workplace accidents occur, EHS professionals not only grapple with the immediate logistical challenges but also face profound emotional repercussions.

The aftermath of these incidents can lead to feelings of guilt and anxiety as well as long-term stress. As an EHS leader, understanding these emotional challenges is crucial for developing strategies to support yourself and your team, ensuring everyone’s well-being as they safeguard others in the workplace.

The Weight of Responsibility on EHS Shoulders 

“Acknowledging your emotions is a powerful part of the healing process. If we allow ourselves to feel our feelings, they will guide our future decisions.” – Nicole Stempak, EHS Today Managing Editor

EHS professionals shoulder a substantial responsibility in ensuring a safe and compliant workplace. Your role spans a wide range of tasks, including conducting risk assessments, providing safety training, and implementing compliance protocols and emergency plans.

Yet, the effects of workplace accidents go far beyond immediate response and remediation. Such incidents can profoundly impact both your personal and professional life. You may wrestle with feelings of guilt or anxiety, pondering if more could have been done to prevent the accident. Professionally, you face increased scrutiny from management, regulatory bodies, and peers, coupled with the responsibility of leading investigations and devising corrective measures. This dual burden can lead to stress and potential burnout if not properly addressed.

Mitigating Emotional Stress in EHS Employees 

In your role as an EHS leader, recognizing and managing the emotional aspects of your team’s work is as vital as overseeing their physical safety.

Establishing protocols for post-incident emotional support 

A structured post-incident emotional support protocol should be in place, activating immediately after an incident. This can be incorporated into a site’s Emergency Response Plan or part of the incident investigation process. This protocol includes providing immediate support and counseling services to affected EHS employees. These services are critical in helping employees process the incident, mitigate stress, and recover emotionally.

The protocol should also encompass options for both individual and group debriefings, conducted by trained mental health professionals. These debriefings offer a safe space for employees to express their feelings and receive professional guidance. Group sessions can be particularly beneficial, as they allow employees to share experiences and support each other.

Furthermore, it’s essential to ensure that these support services are easily accessible to all employees, regardless of their role or the extent of their exposure to the incident. Accessibility is key in ensuring that every employee who needs support can receive it promptly and without obstacles.

Implementing these measures ensures your EHS team has the emotional support needed to bolster their resilience and well-being in the aftermath of stressful or traumatic incidents.

Training and awareness programs for recognizing and managing stress 

In order to effectively manage stress among your EHS employees, be sure to implement training and awareness programs. These programs should include regular training sessions specifically tailored for EHS roles, focusing on recognizing signs of stress and emotional burnout.

Another important aspect is fostering a workplace culture that openly discusses mental health and stress. This approach helps in reducing the stigma often associated with these topics. Encouraging open discussions and early intervention can create a more supportive and understanding work environment, where employees feel comfortable seeking help and addressing their mental health needs. Such a culture not only benefits individual employees but also contributes to a more productive and positive workplace overall.

Building Organizational Support Systems 

Much of the groundwork you do for the well-being of your whole organization will also positively impact outcomes for your EHS team. 

Maintaining open communication channels with management helps ensure the mental health needs of your EHS team and organizational workforce are being met. This openness allows employees to freely discuss their concerns and suggestions related to mental health in the workplace. It’s vital for employees to feel comfortable and safe when sharing their thoughts and challenges with their supervisors or HR representatives. This open dialogue not only aids in addressing immediate concerns but also contributes to a culture of transparency and trust within the organization, promoting a healthier, more inclusive workplace.

Another way to foster a supportive work environment is through Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). These programs, generally managed by Human Resources of a company, encompass a variety of services, including confidential counseling, which helps employees address issues like stress, family difficulties, psychological disorders, and substance abuse. Additionally, these programs offer referral services to guide employees to specialized external resources when necessary, and follow-up services to ensure ongoing support.

Preventative Approaches 

Taking preventative measures to safeguard personal mental well-being is up to each individual, but teaching and encouraging good self-care techniques can go a long way to help mitigate risk. 

Consider implementing the following personal preventative measures to support your team’s mental well-being:

Mindfulness and stress reduction techniques: Encourage practices like mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing exercises to help reduce stress and sharpen focus.Regular physical activity: Promote regular exercise as a proven method to alleviate stress and anxiety symptoms.Adequate rest and sleep: Emphasize the importance of sufficient sleep and rest to rejuvenate both mind and body, enhancing resilience to workplace challenges.Professional counseling: Advocate for the use of professional counseling services, providing an external perspective and effective coping strategies.Hobbies and interests outside work: Encourage your team to pursue activities outside of work that offer relaxation and enjoyment.

Make EHS Well-being a Priority 

Encourage your organization to adopt practices that support both the physical and emotional aspects of workplace safety, ensuring a more resilient and sustainable work culture for everyone involved. 

Remember, a safer workplace is not just about preventing physical incidents – it’s also about nurturing the mental well-being of those who work tirelessly to keep everyone safe.

Learn how Atea Group can help lighten the load for your EHS team with our Health & Safety (EHS) Consulting.

PHILADELPHIA, January 29, 2024 /3BL/ – Aramark (NYSE: ARMK), a leading global provider of food and facilities services, with operations spanning the education, healthcare, business and industry, sports, leisure, and corrections sectors, today published the 2023 Be Well. Do Well. Progress Report, which provides updates on its global responsible business practices and performance. In the report, Aramark shares progress on its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts, including diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments, and community building, climate, food and worker safety, responsible sourcing, and waste reduction programs, among other topics.

Introduced in 2019, Be Well. Do Well. articulates Aramark’s purpose and directly connects to the company’s mission: Because we’re rooted in service, we do great things for our people, our partners, our communities, and our planet. The platform’s interconnected people and planet goals focus Aramark’s efforts and inspire its organization, strengthening the company’s core foundation and long-term value proposition.

“Aramark is a company committed to a culture of hospitality. It’s how we support our people, our communities, and the planet,” said John Zillmer, Aramark CEO. “We have made some significant commitments in these areas, and the annual Be Well. Do Well. Progress Report provides a comprehensive view of our ongoing efforts. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far and of who we are as a company, as a responsible business, as a partner, and as a neighbor.”

In July 2023, Aramark achieved a key milestone in its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by securing SBTi validation of its global near-term and net-zero enterprise-wide science-based targets. Other highlights from 2023 include:

Building local communities – supported more than one million students, families, and individuals globally. Support includes, but is not limited to, serving a meal, providing a meal, snack, toiletry, or other kit, giving a backpack or collection of school supplies, facilitating nutrition education, funding scholarships, creating educational or employment readiness opportunities, leading workshops, or demonstrations.Embedding circularity – launched a new five-year strategy to eliminate, or substantially reduce, reliance on single-use plastics and other disposables across its operations.Empowering healthy consumers – increased the percentage of vegan, vegetarian, or plant-forward[1] main dishes and sides offered in U.S. Workplace Experience Group, Collegiate Hospitality, and Healthcare+ to 39% (up 1% from 2022).Engaging employees – increased the percentage of U.S. managers and/or salaried employees who are female to 46% (up 3% from 2022) and who are people of color to 33% (up 2% from 2022). New membership in employee resource groups grew more than 20% from 2022.Sourcing ethically and inclusively – increased spend with local, small, and diverse businesses in the U.S. by 18%. This includes $157 million spent with local farms and producers, a 60% increase from 2022.

To learn more about Aramark’s responsible business practices and progress from last year, please read the 2023 Be Well. Do Well. Progress Report at https://www.aramark.com/environmental-social-governance.

About Aramark 

Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves the world’s leading educational institutions, Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, prominent healthcare providers, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 15 countries around the world with food and facilities management. Because of our hospitality culture, our employees strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and the planet. Aramark has been recognized on FORTUNE’s list of “World’s Most Admired Companies,” Fair360’s “Top 50 Companies for Diversity” and “Top Companies for Supplier Diversity,” Newsweek’s list of “America’s Most Responsible Companies 2024,” the HRC’s “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality,” and earned a score of 100 on the Disability Equality Index. Learn more at www.aramark.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram.

[1] Plant-forward is a style of cooking and eating that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains but may contain a small amount of animal protein.

Originally published on Built From Scratch

In early 2016, a couple of months into her deployment in Bagram, Afghanistan, U.S. Army Specialist (SPC) Maggie Bilyeu was critically injured. She sustained multiple shrapnel wounds to her chest and torso, a broken leg and numerous internal injuries as a result of a bombing.

After returning to the U.S. for care, Maggie was diagnosed with TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), loss of hearing and tinnitus. She also lost her left leg below the knee as a result of the attack. Since then, Maggie has been working hard at her rehabilitation.

The Home Depot Foundation partnered with Tunnel to Towers to present Maggie and her wife with a mortgage-free smart home that is specially adapted to her accessibility needs. The house is outfitted with automatic doors, oversized doorways and wider hallways. Every feature of the home can be controlled through a tablet or a smart device.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Smart Home Program helps our most catastrophically injured veterans and first responders reclaim their day-to-day independence. These homes come with high-tech features including automated doors and lighting, special showers to accommodate wheelchairs, automatic door openers and more.

Giving back to veterans is personal to The Home Depot, as more than 35,000 of the company’s associates are veterans or military spouses. Since 2011, The Home Depot Foundation has partnered with Tunnel to Towers to build more than 100 smart homes for combat-wounded veterans and invested more than $500 million in veteran causes. This ensures more of our nation’s heroes have a safe, comfortable home that fits their individual needs.

Keep up with all the latest Home Depot news! Subscribe to our bi-weekly news update and get the top Built from Scratch stories delivered straight to your inbox.

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your role.

I’ve been with GoDaddy for almost six years, and I’m currently an Account Manager Lead. In this role, I assist clients with their Marketing Services Premium package. The goal of the role is to have someone who is versed in marketing and our tools. This way, we can take a more hands-on approach to helping small businesses achieve their goals.

What’s the most challenging yet rewarding thing that you’ve worked on at GoDaddy, thus far?

Change. Change can be both positive and negative, depending on the perspective. I was part of company that GoDaddy acquired in 2018. The transition was fairly intense but fruitful long term with the addition of features and a baseline change in the program. The hardship was communicating these changes in mass. With a lot of hard work and a little luck, our team was able to navigate these changes with minimal turbulence. The transition allowed for growth not only personally but also for my clients, not to mention some shiny new bells and whistles!

You are involved in Empower by GoDaddy. Can you share more about the program and its impact?

Empower by GoDaddy is our way of giving back to the people who rely on GoDaddy – the small business owners. We put together hands-on classes that are specific to the business at hand and open forum for entrepreneurs to receive feedback, ideas, and help! One of the most satisfying things about this program is that you get to see people light up when they learn something new or see a different perspective.

Could you elaborate on your volunteer experiences with GoDaddy?

I’ve been fortunate to do extensive volunteering through Empower by GoDaddy. I’ve conducted over a dozen sessions with hundreds of business owners and taught in-house classes on small business marketing. Seeing people’s faces light up as they scribble notes is truly endearing and brings a full sense of accomplishment. It reinforces the fact that we’re here to help. I also can’t forget the experience from Season Four of the Made in America series. If you haven’t checked it out on YouTube, I highly recommend it.

How do you feel that GoDaddy supports you to do things that are important to you?

GoDaddy has given me several opportunities to work on programs across the company. One of my desires is to give back to the local community and protect our green spaces. With our “Volunteer Days”, I was able to be a part of a park clean up, helping the local community in a huge way with the support of that donated time!

What’s your personal mantra?

“Reasonable and attainable goals.” I had a mentor years ago say this to me when I would bite off more than I could chew and it just stuck. Whenever I’m creating a plan or a course of action for myself or anyone, I set these goals with this mantra.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside of work, I’d classify myself as a social butterfly. Living in Austin, TX, there’s never a shortage of things to do. From live music to physical activities, there’s always something to keep me busy. If I’m not out and about, I’m likely at the gym or on my motorcycle.

*Bonus: My secret talent is heelying*

Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.

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