Updates, News and the McPherson Memo
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The McPherson Memo: The Blue Sky Ahead Edition
11/22/2024
One of my favorite ice-breakers is “what was your favorite food as a child?” This simple question can tell us so much about each other, our families, our cultural heritage, the memories that shape…
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Connecting with Jarrid Green
11/14/2024
Jarrid Green co-designs and implements programmatic efforts for the Center for Business and Social Justice, an initiative of BSR which seeks to mobilize companies to take systemic and intersectional approaches to their social impact efforts…
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Connecting with Brooke Baldwin
10/31/2024
Brooke Baldwin is a TV host, award-winning journalist and bestselling author of Huddle: How Women Unlock Their Collective Power. This year, Brooke hosted The Trust, a social experiment show on Netflix. For more than a decade…
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The McPherson Memo: The Election Countdown Edition
10/25/2024
All eyes are on the election, but I must confess that I have one other fairly big milestone that will hit BEFORE Election Day and that is my 60th birthday (on Halloween). As you can imagine, I’m filled with…
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Connecting with Michele Malejki
10/17/2024
Michele Malejki is the Global Head of Social Impact for HP and Director of the HP Foundation. At HP Inc. and HP Foundation, she strives to accelerate digital equity for the organization through business as well as philanthropy.
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The McPherson Memo: The Reality Check Edition
10/11/2024
Excited to share that McPherson Strategies turns 11 this week and to celebrate we have launched our new website, with a refreshing new logo! It’s centered on our passion for connecting and finding all the ways we can support...
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Connecting with Ambika Gautam Pai
10/03/2024
Ambika Gautam Pai is the head of brand at TIAA and the host of Corner Office Breakdowns, a podcast that reconciles humanity and workplace. Prior to TIAA, she was the Chief Strategy Officer at Mekanism...
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The McPherson Memo: The Fearless Edition
09/13/2024
Campaigns, and movements, need constant injections of energy and excitement to thrive. As impact communicators, keeping up that steady drumbeat of engagement is at heart of so much of the work we do...
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Connecting with Jacqueline Novogratz
09/05/2024
Jacqueline Novogratz is the founder and CEO of Acumen, a global nonprofit impact investment fund. She is a member of The B Team and serves on the boards of KawiSafi Ventures and Species Unite...
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The McPherson Memo: Power of the People Edition
08/30/2024
Labor Day is a time of transition between summer and fall, a chance to rest and recharge for the season ahead. But it’s also a time to reflect on what it takes to create change, and a reminder of the power of workers...
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Connecting with Zara Mirza
08/23/2024
Zara Mirza is an award winning visionary marketer, skilled at transforming the way brands go to market across a variety of categories. Zara is currently the Chief Brand Officer at TIAA, as well as a member of the Advertising Council Diversity Board and a strategic advisor for The WIE Suite...
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The McPherson Memo: Answering the Call Edition
08/16/2024
As we gear up for the busy fall, we are excited to share the McPherson Strategies Climate/UNGA week Event Tracker. For those who work in social impact, the third week of September is essentially our annual homecoming...
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Connecting with Susanna Pollack
08/08/2024
Susanna Pollack is a cross-sector leader known for advancing ambitious social impact goals through traditional and interactive media. Susanna is the President of Games for Change, a global nonprofit and community...
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The McPherson Memo: The “Redefining Hope” Edition
08/02/2024
What a difference two weeks has made. Everything seems a wee bit lighter and, dare I say, filled with hope and optimism. We have a historic new candidate, Kamala Harris. A Black and Indian woman running at the top of the Democratic ticket...
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Connecting with Geraldine Chin Moody
07/25/2024
Geraldine Chin Moody GAICD is the Executive Director of One Blue Dot Advisory and the Non Executive Director at Future Group. In addition to her Senior Executive positions held at ASX-listed companies...
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The McPherson Memo: Summer Madness Edition
07/19/2024
We are mid-summer and hopefully many of you are taking much-deserved holidays away or staycations. I hope that you are maximizing those days off, as rest, relaxation and joy are absolutely mandatory for our health, our happiness and our professional success...
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Connecting with Alison Taylor
07/11/2024
Alison Taylor is a clinical associate professor at NYU Stern School of Business and the executive director of Ethical Systems.Alison is the author of Higher Ground: How Business Can Do the Right Thing in a Turbulent World...
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The McPherson Memo: “Keep Marching” Edition
07/03/2024
In the U.S., as we gather to celebrate the 4th of July, let us draw inspiration from the incredible courage and determination of the suffragettes, brought to life in the Tony award-winning Broadway sensation Suffs...
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Connecting with Baratunde Thurston
06/27/2024
Baratunde Thurston an Emmy-nominated host, producer, writer, and public speaker who tells a better story of us, weaving together threads of technology, democracy and climate.
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The McPherson Memo: The “Pulse on our Future” Edition
06/21/2024
When I opened McPherson Strategies almost 11 years ago at the age of 48, I thought it was a placeholder until I found my next job. I never imagined that it would grow to what it is today—a B-corp certified social impact strategy...
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The McPherson Memo: The Restore and Reset Edition
06/07/2024
By this time, it's quite apparent that there is an increasing assault on women’s rights in the U.S. Since Dobbs dismantled the constitutional right to abortion, we’ve seen state after state make access impossible....
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Connecting with Caroline Barlerin
05/30/2024
"My leadership approach is rooted in human connection and service first. Early in my career, someone told me the key to success is always remembering that ‘it ain’t about you.’.."
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The McPherson Memo: Stubborn Optimism Edition
05/24/2024
As those of us in the U.S. head into the Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of summer, I will keep today's opening note light. I just want to share a note of gratitude for the colleagues and clients we have the enormous privilege to work alongside...
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Connecting with Jane Hyun
05/16/2024
"During the times when progress seems slow, or when leaders seem to be distracted, I count on my “core connections” to be a source of encouragement and accountability..."
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The McPherson Memo: The Get Down to Business Edition
05/10/2024
t’s that time of the year again, Mother’s Day. Whether you are a mom, have a mom, have lost your mom, or have faced any of the challenges associated with motherhood or lack thereof, my heart goes out to you...
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Connecting with Abigail Disney
05/02/2024
"I try to bring a conscious intention to the spaces I walk into that offer the opportunity to make new relationships. Sometimes the people sitting around the edges of a circle are the most interesting people there..."
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The McPherson Memo: The Free Speech Edition
04/26/2024
As we near the end of April, aka Earth Month, I wanted to spread a bit of positive news. Here are three times in the past 50 years humanity has made meaningful progress on global environmental issues — progress that seemed impossible just 10 years ago...
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Connecting with Tracy Gray
04/18/2024
"The word “proud” doesn’t resonate for me regarding communities I connect with. I have such a broad network and am involved with so many communities. But if I have to be specific, it’s all the communities of people working for equity and justice in climate, the economy and policy..."
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The McPherson Memo: Traversing Darkness and Light Edition
04/12/2024
In the good news department, I wanted to share a film created and directed by my dear friend, Tanya Selvaratnam called Love to the Max. It highlights the Briggle family of northern Texas where Amber (a good friend) and Adam Briggle are raising their children Max, 14, and Lulu, 9...
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Connecting with Jay Geneske
04/04/2024
"Along the way, these relationships have provided me with rich and diverse insights into how others perceive the world and approach problem-solving. I've discovered there’s a certain kind of magic in how these insights can transcend fields or sectors..."
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The McPherson Memo: The Don’t Ban Equality Edition
03/29/2024
Hard to believe that it has been three years since I published my first book, The Lost Art of Connecting. It was 2021 and we were in the midst of the global pandemic; not a very rewarding time to be launching a book...
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Connecting with Elaine Lin Hering
03/21/2024
"Relationships bring the theoretical into the practical and test our commitment to our professed values. Each relationship is an opportunity to learn – what of someone else’s style we might want to try on, adopt, or be sure never to replicate?..."
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The McPherson Memo: The Time is Now Edition
03/15/2024
Sending greetings from the other side of the world as I make my way around the east coast of Australia, visiting dear friends, enjoying walks along the beach and attending a wedding in Melbourne...
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Connecting with Beth Bengtson
03/07/2024
"I remember being at a conference of business women years ago, and the speaker asked how many people in the room made time for others when they reached out and asked for help; the majority of hands went up. And then she asked, “How many of you reach out and ask for the help you need?” Far fewer hands appeared..."
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The McPherson Memo: The Year of Big Leaps Edition
03/01/2024
I would like to start off by posing the question: What would it look like if we paused women’s work for one day?
In honor of Women’s History Month, Paid Leave for All and partners are planning an important nationwide action... -
Connecting with April Rinne
02/22/2024
"For me, trusted, meaningful relationships are at the heart of… well, pretty much everything. Their importance goes far beyond professional development or leadership. Relationships are the essence of human flourishing and a well-lived life!..."
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The McPherson Memo: Finding Balance in Constant Connectivity Edition
02/16/2024
It can be hard to remember what life was like before the Internet. We use it at work to check emails, upload and download documents from the cloud, and read our news.
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Connecting with Alison Omens
02/08/2024
"One of my deepest held beliefs, and the focus of my own career, is that everyone should have dignity at work. That, first and foremost, means seeing each worker as a full person with hopes and needs, a family and community, and a whole, rich life..."
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The McPherson Memo: Doing the Work Edition
02/02/2024
As we begin Black History Month, it’s important for those among us who benefit from white privilege to learn about and appreciate the history and cultural heritage of the Black community, abolish the whitewashed structural...
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Connecting with Emily Tisch Sussman
01/25/2024
"The true essence of She Pivots is to prove to women that we can redefine success for ourselves. It might not look the way we originally envisioned, and there may be difficult times, but each of our experiences and decisions build on one another to who we are now - and that is enough..."
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The McPherson Memo: The Stories That Get Told Edition
01/19/2024
In the depths of January, I often find it challenging to experience joy and delight. Nevertheless, I wanted to share four upcoming books, each published by dear friends who I so respect...
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The McPherson Memo: The Full Speed Ahead Edition
01/12/2024
Congratulations — you've made it two weeks into 2024! This time of year, there’s much talk about commitments, rituals and resolutions, but I’m just grateful to be over the hump, and looking forward to new opportunities...
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Connecting with Nell Derick Debevoise
01/11/2024
"Build relationships based on shared action. If you do things together, you establish shared experiences and memories that endure, regardless of your location, stage in life, or job role..."
2023
12/21/2023 - The McPherson Memo: Fill Your Cup with Gratitude Edition
12/08/2023 - The McPherson Memo: The Season of Generosity Edition
11/22/2023 - The McPherson Memo: The Giving Thanks Edition
11/10/2023 - The McPherson Memo: The Spirit of Diwali Edition
10/27/2023 - The McPherson Memo: Finding Solace in the Mayhem Edition
10/13/2023 - The McPherson Memo: The Call for Peace Edition
09/29/2023 - The McPherson Memo: We Are Earth Shapers Edition
09/15/2023 - The McPherson Memo: The Called to Action Edition
09/01/2023 - The McPherson Memo: Dream Realized or Deferred Edition
08/18/2023 - The McPherson Memo: The Don’t Look Away Edition
08/04/2023 - The McPherson Memo: We’re In This Together Edition
07/21/2023 - The McPherson Memo: The Wonder of Nature Edition
07/07/2023 - The McPherson Memo: The Record-Breaker Edition
06/23/2023 - The McPherson Memo: Lift Our Voices Edition
06/09/2023 - The McPherson Memo: The Smoke and Mirrors Edition
06/02/2023 - The McPherson Memo: Dare to Include Edition
05/12/2023 - The McPherson Memo: You Are Seen Edition
04/28/2023 - The McPherson Memo: 100th Edition
04/14/2023 - The McPherson Memo: The Mayhem Edition
03/31/2023 - The McPherson Memo: Silence and Noise Edition
03/17/2023 - The McPherson Memo: The Quotables Edition
03/03/2023 - The McPherson Memo: The AI Renaissance Edition
02/17/2023 - The McPherson Memo: Putting People First Edition
02/10/2023 - The McPherson Memo: Uniting for Syria and Turkey Edition
01/27/2023 - The McPherson Memo: Black History is American History Edition
01/06/2023 - The McPherson Memo: Ode to Phoebe Edition