GENEDGE’s Post

Just had the extraordinary privilege of delivering the keynote speech at the 2024 Dreamweek Awards Luncheon, an event that celebrated a remarkable group of changemakers and the power of compassion. We had a truth telling conversation about the need to challenge the systems that perpetuate injustice. We must be in the compassion business, and not the complacency business. Compassion, as I said, is not just a sentiment—it's a form of activism, and it's needed now more than ever. With the 2024 elections now in full swing, it's crucial that we maintain clarity about the choices before us. This is the moment to reaffirm our commitment to justice and envision a world where compassion isn't just a concept, but a guiding principle that shapes our interactions, decisions, and policies. I urged the audience to become "compassion architects," visionaries who are committed to designing structures rooted in empathy, understanding, and kindness. Big thanks to Shokare Nakpodia for making Dreamweek possible, and for creating a space where compassion is contagious.

How do we define community? 👥 ✳ A quick Google search will show a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. In our interconnected world, community transcends geographical boundaries. It's about shared values, experiences, and journeys. We believe that community is about choice and empowerment. It's the freedom to connect with those who resonate with our individual paths and aspirations. At Mind the Gap Connect we're passionate about fostering these meaningful connections. As former international students turned founders, we intimately understand the power of community support. Our journey has been enriched by the solidarity of fellow founders and students. However, we've also witnessed the challenges and struggles that can arise along the way and the gaps in available support. It can be overwhelming and daunting to navigate the challenges alone. That's why we've made it our mission to give back. Through our work, we aim to bring together individuals who share similar journeys and empower them by providing resources to strengthen their communities and enhance their mental well-being. Join us in building a community where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported. Together, let's empower each other to thrive on our unique paths. #Community #Empowerment #MentalWellbeing Picture captured at the State Library Victoria's StartSpace Founders Fair by Carmen Zammit

When we work together we develop a understanding that is based on more than just our thoughts. Let’s support the Returning Citizens Conference and those who have created successful Reentry. #justiceforall #justicereform #inclusion #incarceration #equalrights #changingthenarrative #changinglivesforever

Trifecta complete! We are thrilled to share a little more about the 3rd panelist for our Tough Cookies Luncheon on April 4th at the Overland Park Convention Center. We are thrilled to have the INCREDIBLE Fahteema Parrish, BS, MA ITMgt, ENV SP, President & Founder from Parrish & Sons Construction Co be a part of this powerful conversation. Get to know more about Fahteema: 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡 As the Owner, President, and Founder of Parrish & Sons Construction, my journey is a colorful tapestry woven from childhood memories and the guiding wisdom of my father. Picture this: a little girl accompanying her dad on HVAC service calls to neighbors, friends, and community spaces. That was me—immersed in the world of fixing, teaching, and spreading goodwill. Despite an early nudge toward a different path, I embraced higher education, delving into Information Technology, embarking on a two-decade journey as a Software Engineer, steering global teams. Yet, amidst the tech whirlwind, the call to serve my community echoed louder. Drawing from my experiences, I found pride in failures, using them as stepping stones to smarter, more impactful work. My dad's advice to pursue education laid the foundation for a legacy—a business aimed at creating careers for many. This journey, rooted in lessons from a humble beginning, continues to shape my vision—to mentor, to build, and to leave a lasting impact on those around me. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬? We should always encourages girls to let their light shine bright, illuminating the way for others without ever dimming your own radiance. It's about creating those safe spaces where everyone's voice is not just heard but celebrated. It's in these spaces that challenges become conquerable puzzles, and solutions bloom from collective wisdom. So, let's ignite those sparks of inspiration and build a world where every light shines and empowers those around us! By joining us on April 4th, you will be able to hear this powerful conversation, network with other business and community leaders and join to advocate for more confidence-building opportunities for girls by supporting Girl Scouts. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/g5V2Xcr6 #girlscouts #breakingbarriers #womeninconstruction

Women in Tech networking and in my home state; how could I not share this post? Get out there Women In Technology in Jacksonville; we are always better together in IT! In Jax - Please share this post Women in IT!!

Been thinking about inclusive event structures lately, and am curious - for all my parents of young kids out there - what's the best event structure / day / time that would work for your schedules??? Specifically shorter, local, networking-style events. (Conferences and offsites are a whole other convo). Inspired by Marissa McNeelands's post about how many tech events lean heavily male, and some responses that point towards IRL events being harder for primary caregivers (esp. women) to attend. I'm a BIG believer that the medium is the message (ref - good old Marshall McLuhan's sociological theory) and know this applies to how we structure spaces, too. If events are always (e.g.) happy hours or late night drinks, it can be prohibitive to people who need to pick up kids from school, put kids to bed, etc. (Let alone the alcohol-free peeps, which I tend to fall into). How can we use the actual structure and timing of our events to increase inclusivity and diverse representation? Things I'm mulling over right now... 💭

A few days ago, I decided to bring my 7 and 3-year-old daughters to the WillDom office in Buenos Aires. I wanted them to understand where Daddy spends a significant part of his time and what the organization I work for is like. The experience was more than enlightening, and I want to share why I believe these experiences are crucial for the future of our companies and society. The highlight of the day wasn't the computers or the meetings but the valuable lessons we could draw about the impact we make on society. I explained to my little ones how each person at WillDom contributes to building something bigger than ourselves, something that improves people's lives. I couldn't help but notice the spark of curiosity in their eyes. However, what truly captured their attention was the tour of the facilities, and of course, the piano and guitar in the office! Kids are like that; they find magic in the most unexpected details. Those musical instruments became the bridge between my work world and their play, showing me that sometimes, the true essence of work life lies in those moments of simple joy. I would love to know if any other parent has had the experience of taking their children to the office. How did it go? What impact do you think it can have on the way children perceive work and its meaning in society? Let's share our stories and reflections on how we can build a future where our companies not only thrive but also inspire generations to come. #SocietalImpact #FamilyAtWork #BuildingBrightFutures

We are all human. We are all in this together, regardless of nation, societal status or creed. What does adopting a universal declaration of Human Rights mean to you? #humanrightsday It begins with values, for Obsidian Systems it means passion, respect, openness, family, integrity and trust. https://bit.ly/3hYJHQg

🌟 Exciting News for Tampa Bay! 🌟 Check out the latest NLT newsletter for fun Father's Day weekend activities, including family-friendly events, and outdoor adventures! Plus, explore hot job opportunities in Tampa to boost your career and stay updated with the latest tech news in our vibrant community. Celebrate dads while staying informed! 🚀 #TampaBay #FathersDay #JobOpportunities #TechNews #NLTNewsletter

Did you know that San Mateo County is the first and only in the US to declare "loneliness" a public emergency? As a 10+ year resident of Silicon Valley, I'm proud of the success we've achieved in technology and innovation. But there are other areas that we have not been so successful in recently. I've been curious why our cities have been disproportionally impacted, which led me to speak to others living here to understand their experience. I captured these conversations in a short film. If you're interested to learn more about the issue, and what can be done to improve it, perhaps this can be a resource: https://lnkd.in/gPY2rZpz. And I'd love your thoughts & feedback on my findings.