Here’s What it Looks Like For Women Leaders to Drive Positive Change

Ever facilitated a DEI initiative at your company or raised awareness of an important cause? Everyone likes to make a difference, whether at work or in their local community. We all have the power to make a positive impact that ripples across people, teams, and organizations, creating a brighter tomorrow where empowerment has less barriers and can come into full fruition. 

At CCWomen, a community platform for women and allies, we believe our collective transformation is the key to creating a more equitable and inclusive future for all. (Want to be a part of our mission? Join our growing network of top customer contact leaders to see what we’re all about.) 

The business world moves quicker than we can think. Oftentimes, we need to pause and take the time to celebrate our accomplishments. When we witness others in action, it can inspire us to innovate within our own spheres of influence—and even within ourselves. 

Here, we platform stories from various women leaders who’d made the effort to drive positive change and reflect on their outcomes. 

Let’s dive in. 

1. Providing for communities in need 

As the owner of F&J Outdoors, an outdoor furniture cover store in Pennsylvania, Wendy Wang wanted to grow her business and give back to her community. Her solution? A campaign that fulfilled both goals. 

“...I spearheaded a local initiative called ‘Covered with Care’ to support families in need,” she explained. “For every furniture cover sold, we donated a portion of the proceeds to purchase essential items like blankets, warm clothing, and toiletries for those experiencing homelessness or financial hardship.” 

Not only did Wang receive an overwhelming amount of support, but she also recognized the power of collective action. As she continues to search for opportunities to empower others, she hopes to partner with those who share core values of compassion and care. 

“I believe that businesses have a responsibility to not just generate profits, but to also be a force for good in their communities,” she concluded. “Together, we can create a more equitable and supportive world, one small act of kindness at a time.”

2. Advocating for diverse leadership 

Sarah Levy-Lambert is the Head of Operations at Awning, a real estate investing platform. Being a woman in tech, she was troubled by the lack of female representation all across the board, but particularly in leadership roles. As a response, she decided to lead a DEI initiative that would change the narrative. 

“Our aim was twofold: to optimize our hiring practices ensuring they were not just inclusive but actively seeking out and valuing diversity, and to create a workplace culture where women felt empowered, supported, and equipped to ascend to leadership positions.” she stated. 

The fruits of her labor transcended mere metrics, though she still saw an incredible 40% boost in women leaders within a year, as well as improved job satisfaction. She noted: 

An anecdote that stands out in this journey involved a roundtable discussion we organized, where women from different departments shared insights and challenges unique to their experiences. 

This forum not only highlighted the unseen hurdles women face but also fostered a sense of community and mutual support that transcended professional boundaries.

What continues to inspire and motivate me is the tangible impact of these initiatives not only on our organizational culture but also on our bottom line. 

Companies that champion diversity and inclusivity don't just do the right thing socially—they also perform better. This dual impact keeps me driven, constantly seeking new ways to champion change, both within Awning and in the broader community…

3. Disrupting male-dominated spaces

Tech is notoriously saturated with men despite there being women talent who are more than capable of greatness. For that reason, Gisela Montes wanted to join GLASS and its efforts to challenge the status quo. 

“One of the factors that led me to choose GLASS as a workplace was precisely because it was led by a woman,” she added. “...75% of our team identifies as Latinx, 62% are women, and 38% are people of color.”

Now, as the Community Lead, Montes likes to contribute to the company’s hiring process. As she dove into the talent pool for one role in particular, she gathered her own insights that deepened her passion for diversifying the industry.

“Most of the applicants were women, young, and Latina. Even when I expanded the search and explored other regions, women continued to emerge as the best candidates for the position,” she said. “That's when I understood that, in front of me, I not only had the opportunity to add someone who met our criteria but also could give a woman the opportunity to join a tech company.”

4. Leading with compassion 

Sandi Hendry, owner of Minky Couture, is deeply committed to providing flexibility and growth opportunities for working mothers—and she wanted to put her values in action. After identifying areas of improvement and facilitating new hiring practices, she immediately saw an improvement in her company culture that allowed everyone to thrive authentically. 

“...We have a staff of around 300 and nearly 95% of them are women, and many of our first hires have grown into managerial or corporate roles,” she said. “This success drives home the impact of fostering an inclusive environment that truly values and utilizes the diverse strengths of its team.”

Furthermore, Hendry’s personal experiences with the NICU drove her to launch the Heart of Minky program, where Minky Couture donated thousands of blankets to families undergoing similar struggles. “Seeing the tangible difference these blankets make—offering a small piece of comfort when it’s needed most—has been profoundly rewarding,” she expressed. “It’s more than just a donation, it’s a way of wrapping families in love and support when they feel most vulnerable.”

5. Prioritizing charitable partnerships 

Jess Munday, Co-founder and People and Culture Manager of Custom Neon, sought to display her company’s commitment to social responsibility through partnerships with nonprofits. She shared: 

In order to demonstrate our dedication to social responsibility and community involvement, we started the "Signs of Change" project. Four specifically created LED neon signs that represent our guiding principles and our commitment to enacting systemic change in society are part of this program. These initiatives support charitable organizations greatly and are entirely in line with our core values.

One of our primary initiatives is our partnership with Black Girls Smile, a nonprofit organization devoted to supporting African American girls' and young women's mental health. We give this important organization 100% of the revenues from our "Signs of Change" collection. 

In order to help reduce the expense of mental health care, Black Girls Smile provides invaluable resources such as counseling scholarship programs, training in coping mechanisms, and seminars on mental health education. In places with limited access to mental health services, their job is extremely crucial.

Empower and be empowered with CCWomen.

Everyone deserves the opportunity to share their experiences. By listening to one another and building meaningful connections, we gather valuable insights and resources that empower us in our careers. 

If you’re looking to uplift yourself, your team, or larger organization, CCWomen is here with the tools you need to soar to new heights. 

Don’t wait—partner with us today!