Updates, News and the McPherson Memo

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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.

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • Connecting with Lisa Sun

    09/14/2024

    Lisa Sun is the founder and CEO of GRAVITAS, a company on a mission to catalyze confidence. GRAVITAS offers innovative size-inclusive apparel, styling solutions, and content designed to make over women from the inside out.

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • McPherson Strategies Team

    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...

  • 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...

  • mcpherson-memo-summer-madness

    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...

  • 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...

  • McPherson-Memo-Keep-Marching

    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...

  • Baratunde-Thurston

    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.

  • The “Pulse on our Future” Edition

    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...

  •  The McPherson Memo: The Restore and Reset EditionThe Restore and Reset Edition

    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....

  • 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.’.."

  • The McPherson Memo: Stubborn Optimism Edition

    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...

  • Jane Hyun

    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..."

  • The McPherson Memo: The Get Down to Business Edition

    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...

  • Abigail-Disney

    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..."

  • The McPherson Memo: The Free Speech Edition

    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...

  • Tracy Gray

    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..."

  • The McPherson Memo: Traversing Darkness and Light Edition

    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...

  • Jay-Geneske

    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..."

  • The McPherson Memo: The Don’t Ban Equality Edition

    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...

  • Elaine-Lin-Hering

    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?..."

  • The McPherson Memo: The Time is Now Edition

    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...

  • Beth-Bengtson

    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..."

  • The McPherson Memo: The Year of Big Leaps Edition

    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...

  • April-Rinne

    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!..."

  • The McPherson Memo: Finding Balance in Constant Connectivity Edition

    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.

  • Alison-Omens

    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..."

  • The McPherson Memo: Doing the Work Edition

    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...

  • Emily Tisch Sussman

    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..."

  • The Stories That Get Told Edition

    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...

  • The Full Speed Ahead Edition

    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...

  • Nell Derick Debevoise

    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