The 2020 global pandemic completely disrupted our way of work, creating exceptionally challenging futures for undergraduates and compromising nonprofits that were lifelines for affected communities.
There was a dire need for visionaries to brainstorm solutions; helpers to provide resources for the disenfranchised; leaders to guide teams through every unexpected roadblock, from start to finish. As a young professional seeking to break into a highly competitive industry, Mary Zhu took on all three roles to ensure a more hopeful future for herself and her colleagues despite a bleak job market.
Fast forward to our present day. Those familiar with the nonprofit and tech worlds may recognize Zhu as the Founder and Executive Director of Develop for Good, a platform that connects students seeking work experience with industry mentors for practical skills-building and nonprofits seeking high-quality digital services. Born during a time when isolation was at its peak, Develop for Good reminds us of the vital role that community and partnership play in collective success.
CCWomen wrapped up Women’s History Month by hosting a webinar with Zhu—also a Stronger Together magazine contributor and panelist—to explore her perspective as a young woman entrepreneur navigating a male-saturated space.
“I care deeply about representation in tech, as only 15% of startup founders globally are women, which is far from reflective of the world we live in,” said Zhu. “Leadership in an industry as critical as ours should mirror the diversity of the people it serves.”
As we discussed the early stages of her nonprofit, its various hurdles, and the network and courage that equipped Zhu to rise above it all, one point became clear. When choosing the narrow path in pursuit of a worthy cause, someone will always walk alongside you.
Here are Zhu’s top webinar takeaways on the future of women’s leadership in tech.
Develop for Good started as an idea and evolved into a fully fledged organization as it increasingly attracted student and nonprofit interest. But like all startup founders, Zhu had to weigh the risks of pivoting from a more traditional career plan. She explained:
“By the time I graduated, I had to choose between going straight into tech as a software engineer or committing all of my time to Develop for Good. It was a difficult decision, but I realized there was no problem I cared more about solving than equipping tech undergraduates and nonprofits, given the strong demand from both sides. It was an opportunity to bet on myself, and once I did, it felt incredibly freeing.”
There are plenty of circumstances that call for caution; leaders must actively practice it. But when addressing a problem with a clear solution—especially one fueled by deep conviction and passion—taking the plunge is worth the discomfort.
Some ventures fizzle out. We drop the ball and have to take accountability. There are times we miscommunicate and misunderstand, causing conflict. But imperfection is a part of the human experience, from executive to associate to entry-level. The quicker we embrace our setbacks, the better we navigate our futures with heads held high.
“I openly talk about my mistakes with my team to encourage boldness, transparency, and humility, and I hope to lead by example by doing so,” said Zhu.
With the ups and downs that come with founding a nonprofit, Zhu is no stranger to adapting and practicing self-compassion. By setting the tone for her work community, she encourages others, specifically rising women leaders, to learn and apply a growth mindset.
Zhu also noted:
“At Develop for Good, we see it as a positive sign when someone is aware of where they’ve fallen short, or where they could’ve prevented or improved a situation. A person’s trajectory is more important than anything. Our leaders and I always strive to create real change by demonstrating this core value for our students and the larger nonprofit sector.”
Fresh out of college, Zhu had to learn to raise funds, budget strategically, and, most importantly, lean on others for guidance. Her board of directors consisted of advisors from various stages of her career, but certainly didn’t come into existence randomly.
Driven by her vision for Develop for Good, she cold-emailed groups of leaders and introduced herself as an undergraduate seeking mentors to accompany her founding journey. Many didn’t respond, but the ones who did remain her greatest supporters today.
“My mentors open so many doors by either nominating me for opportunities like Forbes 30 Under 30 or introducing me to powerful stakeholders,” admitted Zhu, “Having access to an empathetic listening ear has been a game-changer for me.”
Inspired by those who nurtured her, Zhu invests her time elevating students through recommendation letters and forging personal connections with other like-minded founders. Helping others is not an obligation to her; constant collaboration creates a virtuous cycle that empowers everyone involved, making each win everyone’s win.
Zhu concluded her session by pointing back to the importance of community:
“Others’ success feels like my success, and I feel privileged to play a tiny role in it. I believe that you attract what you give off, so being a collaborative person who loves celebration is an attitude I want to continue growing.”
Don’t miss our next webinar—register now to save your seat!