As Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Services at NextEra Energy, Deb Caplan is responsible for Human Resources, Corporate Real Estate, Security, and Aviation. She cultivates a fun, “people-first” culture that embraces diversity and inclusion, technology and thinking outside the box.

“At NextEra Energy, we take pride in our innovative approach to technology, quality, safety and customer impact,” says Deb. “People want to make a difference, which is why we’re always looking to empower our colleagues to think in future tense.”

As a result, Deb is always challenging the team to benchmark – ensuring the whole company is improving, leading and learning from other companies. Her focus on continuous improvement allows new ideas to flow from every business area regardless of rank – creating countless opportunities for employees to lead projects and initiatives and make a difference.

“At NextEra Energy, we never stop improving,” says Deb. “We are always looking for better ways to develop the skills and careers of our colleagues, and to better leverage data to streamline our processes, add revenue and drive cost out of the business.”

In addition, Deb’s team is instrumental in ensuring NextEra Energy sustains its culture of innovation and that employees never let their next “big idea” slip by. Every year, Deb sponsors internal events like the Innovation Summit with educators from Singularity University, as well as the company’s annual Shark Tank event, which gives employees a chance to pitch their big ideas to a group of executive “sharks” for project funding.

“These events are always a blast and always make our company better,” Deb says.

Deb also sponsors NextEra Energy’s Intellectual Property Program (IPP), which helps employees turn their ideas into patented innovations.

For another example of innovation, Deb points to a recent project where one of her teams reimagined a company workspace.

“We noticed the way we prize innovation was reflected in every area of our organization except our workspace,” Deb says. “We are always reimagining how we work and discovered it was time to also reimagine where we work.”

Under Deb’s leadership, the Corporate Real Estate team completely transformed one of their workspaces, which is now modern, packed with technology, filled with natural light and flexible enough to accommodate the way the teams work today and how they might work in the future.

Deb also co-sponsored the creation of 35 Mules™ – the company’s in-house innovation hub that provides early-stage startups with mentors, business services, and world-class facilities. When the second cohort graduates next year, 25% of the program’s graduates will have been female entrepreneurs.

According to Deb though, NextEra Energy’s most important value is safety. The corporate safety group works with safety reps and leaders across the business to keep the company’s “zero-incident” culture in effect every day. “We believe all injuries are preventable,” says Deb.

Deb is also quick to point out diversity remains at the heart of NextEra Energy’s collaborative and inclusive spirit. The engagement, diversity and inclusion team hosts several types of training sessions, so every team leads with an inclusive mindset. In addition, the company’s twelve Employee Resource Groups, including Women in Energy, help advance members’ careers by providing industry education and professional networking.

Beyond what Deb and her team do daily to advance diversity and inclusion, Deb is also a valued mentor for women and minorities through formal mentor partnerships, such as her work with Urban League-Palm Beach County. She also actively engages with female and minority talent through special mentoring programs – ensuring NextEra Energy benefits from a diverse and inclusive culture.

“One of the biggest breakthroughs in my career was when I realized success isn’t a destination,” Deb explains. “No matter the stage of your career, you are always learning and always growing. Even when you’re fortunate enough to be someone’s mentor, you discover the people you mentor have something to teach you too.”

However, if you had to take away just one lesson from Deb’s career, she hopes you’d take away this one: “Volunteerism and giving back play a major role in ensuring a long and fulfilling career and are a big part of my family legacy and one that I’m passing down too,” she said. “When I joined NextEra Energy, I was delighted my company shared my deep commitment to giving back.”

Cheryl Gravis Wipper, VP of Content and Communications, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, brings an interesting mix of strategic, analytical, creative, and operational capabilities. After all, a strategy without execution is only an idea. This means that she can think broadly, envision new ways of doing things, and achieve goals. Cheryl’s colleagues often say, “if you want something to get done, give it to Cheryl.” She’s a powerhouse who doesn’t let obstacles get in her way. She also listens with empathy and is compassionate about people’s experiences. While change drives her, she knows that change also causes disequilibrium and discomfort in others. So, she listens a lot and finds ways to Sherpa the staff up the impossible mountain. In 2021, she led a significant reorganization- one of the largest the organization had ever engaged in. Her team completely redesigned itself. Cheryl met with everyone on the 240-person team to hear their concerns and reinforce that they had a direct route to leadership. This lifted morale significantly and turned many change resisters into champions.

As an executive in a mid-size organization, Cheryl always takes time to mentor women in their advancement. “I know what it’s like to have to battle both overt and subtle sexism in the workplace, and I know what it’s like to be criticized for the same actions men are praised for,” she says. “I help women navigate those delicate and challenging situations. I share my experiences so others can learn from what I’ve done right and what I could have done better. I firmly believe that women need to support one another. There’s room for all of us at the top.”

The steadfast leader is keenly aware that her behaviors and actions as a female leader cast a light or a shadow on other women. For this reason, she embraces the power of positivity and the discipline it takes to continually rewire her brain- neuroplasticity- to think in more self-affirming and uplifting ways. “I was recently criticized for having a too positive response to change. I listened to the feedback, asked lots of questions and learned where this perception was coming from. I then explained that I set the mood in a room as a leader. If I walk in stressed and negative, everyone will pick up on that vibe,” elucidates Cheryl. “If I stay positive and realistic- this isn’t about a Pollyanna attitude- then I am helping others rise to a different perspective. There is very little we control in life; I can control my thoughts, emotions, behaviors and actions.”

Her strong advice to women leaders is, “The corporate environment can be unfair to women. Don’t take it personally. There are always ways to “win” despite society’s limitations and perceptions. I have found that focusing on what I can control is the best approach. I can learn from any situation, even ones that seem patently unfair. It’s about continually flipping the lens and asking what I need to know and what I can do that’s within my control.” With such a unique mindset, Cheryl has been taking the company to new heights.

Cheryl sees that almost every industry at the present moment is experiencing disruption due to demographics, societal norms, technology, and automation. Women must become technically and operationally proficient and stay ahead of their impact on day-to-day work. “One of the reasons I have been successful is that I have been able to spot trends way before they take effect. I was the first to implement marketing automation in my organization, and I was the first to implement enterprise-wide content strategy and content supply chain management.”

The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants has been able to stay ahead of change and implement new ways of working and new technology enablers. This has resulted in broadening the customer base and increased revenue. Six years ago, they achieved a significant merger that completely transformed the company’s global footprint. This commitment to transformation also applies to her personal life. “I am always looking for what’s next. In 2020, I started a personal blog based on a traumatic mother-daughter experience (www.walk-the-moon.com). Five years ago, I became a Jazzercise instructor. I am always embracing passions that round me out as a person and fill my soul,” says Cheryl. “Work cannot be our lives. We have to diversify. At work, I am leading four transformation initiatives. In my life, I am always looking for ways to stretch. Being at the forefront of change is so energizing. Rather than reacting to the future, I am creating it.” WL

AICPA

Management

Cheryl Gravis Wipper
VP at Association of International Certified Professional Accountants

Description

The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association) is combining the strengths of the American Institute of CPAs® and The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants®, we empower the world’s most highly skilled accountants — CPAs and CGMA® designation holders — with the knowledge, insight and foresight to meet today’s demands and tomorrow’s challenges. We drive a dynamic accounting profession that works every day to build trust, create opportunity and grow prosperity worldwide.

When Trish Barber incorporated 3 Ways Digital in 2011, it was based on customer demand for a senior digital marketer who could scale a company – without becoming overhead. She understood digital media, was adept at building and running teams and able to lay out a strategy that instills confidence in investors and board members . Trish also has a daughter who required a lot of medical care at the time, so the flexibility to be with her at doctor’s appointments was an important requirement. “It was a natural step to lend my services to growing companies needing to “look and act the part” while I functioned as an advisor/consultant maintaining control over my schedule,” says Trish. “As a very goal-oriented person, it was intuitive for me to start by collaborating around a company’s growth goals. I’ve found that after I work with a company it is usually ready to fly on its own within 18 – 24 months. And I’m ready to move on to the next challenge.”

While doing what she does best, Trish is also a mentor to women business owners. She spent several years volunteering with Women in Technology in the D.C. area, and it remains near and dear to her heart because of its mission to mentor women from the classroom to the boardroom. She participated on committees from 2010 – 2013, was a Board Member from 2013 – 2017, and then President from 2017 – 2018. According to Trish, WIT’s program framework is exceptional for women at all career levels. For example, WIT’s Girls in Technology programs support girls in grades 6 – 12 by exciting and inspiring them pursue STEM careers. WIT’s Mentor Protégé program links proteges with experienced professionals who can expand their knowledge and expose them to new opportunities. The Leadership Awards program recognizes women’s achievements, mentorship, and contributions to the community. “The Leadership Foundry helps women develop the core competencies needed to successfully serve on corporate boards. WIT has something for everyone, and it was great for me to find opportunities to give and take within those excellent WIT programs.”

Following WIT, Trish started working on a book that would support women differently. As the mother of three children who went back to work 12 – 14 weeks after each birth, Trish learned a lot about career transitions and family management. “Some of the chapters will focus on things like setting priorities (Including yourself), making trade-offs, asking for what you want, and being who you say you are,” she elucidates. “Being a leader has little to do with your title and everything to do with whether people want to follow. When I go into an organization, I look for the natural leaders who are sometimes different from those with the titles. You need to work with both groups to be successful. That collaborative approach is a characteristic often found in female leaders.” In general, great leaders demonstrate many characteristics one might classify as feminine. In addition to a leader being smart, fearless, and trustworthy, she respects those who are thoughtful, vulnerable, collaborative, and nurturing.

One of Trish’s most significant achievements occurred while working with a government contracting client going through a Foreign Ownership Control and Influence (FOCI) mitigation process. This becomes necessary when a company working with the federal government takes on foreign ownership and must protect their client information from any foreign government. . “It is rigorous and lengthy. As my client company has gone through this mitigation process, all of us on the senior leadership team has worked together to establish new independent systems. The data shows we have also created a strong reputation in the market that I’m proud of. This has taken lots of teamwork and agility which is exactly the kind of environment I thrive in,” she explains.

Today, Trish has reached the point where taking on a board position is of interest to her. “I’ve worked with so many companies of various sizes in b2b, b2g, b2c and non-profits and have always been tasked with growth. I think a board position is the natural next step. I’m also refining my exit strategy for my company,” she says. “I’m writing a book that should be out in the next year where I’m sharing many of my lessons learned as a woman in technology leadership who grew up during the tech boom. 3WaysDigital creates a very niche partnership with our clients and I’m always looking for new and interesting technology companies who need help moving to the next level.”

Jessica Thorpe joined gen.video in 2006 as their first marketing hire. She quickly distinguished herself through exemplary work and by stepping up with strategic ideas and initiatives that caught the attention and pushed the leadership team’s thinking. By 2015, she had risen to President and initiated an entire re-imagining of the company’s value proposition, product offerings, and branding. The only thing more impressive than the breadth of her strategic vision was taking on the enormity of the hard work and enormous faith to power through all the challenges associated with change management with limited capital resources. This makes her truly extraordinary, and she combines world-class strategic vision, tactical excellence, and determined consistency. Today, the company has been entirely transformed in line with its vision and is growing faster than ever on top of record revenues but is winning industry awards and has the highest client satisfaction ratings on G2 among enterprise clients for an influencer marketing platform.

Starting a business is hard, and many fail, regardless of gender, so the advice Jessica gives is tied to being a co-founder, not a woman. “The best support I can provide the community of female business owners is to not make it about gender at all, but provide perspective my experiences, how I navigated through challenging situations and the lessons learned along the way,” she says. “My contribution to the greater community of female business owners and career-minded professionals is to stand behind your purpose, passion, and ambitions unapologetically.”

As the story above indicates, just knowing Jessica’s background is inspiring for team members from the day, they join gen.video or encounter her at industry functions. Even more importantly, she wants to see other women and junior employees follow in her footsteps and rise up through the organization. As a mother of three young children, she champions work-life balance even as she encourages team members to focus on adding value to the organization and being personally accountable.

She spends 1:1 time with all members in her chain of command, purposefully arranging skip-level meetings and getting to know people personally and creating opportunities for anyone who indicates that they have the ambition to grow and rise professionally. Well over half of her time daily is spent mentoring, guiding and developing team members. It’s an extraordinary percentage given the breadth of her responsibilities. It would be more efficient for her to delegate with less development or handle some of the tasks personally. Instead, she leverages an infinite pool of faith that investing in people will pay off with a new generation of leaders capable of running the company and bringing credit to gen.video she developed personally.

The steadfast leader has been fortunate to have worked for and learned from some of the smartest, most passionate leaders across the technology and media industries. “Two life lessons that can be applied in your career at any point but are particularly important in leadership roles are advocate for yourself and lose the word sorry from your vocabulary. And if something you did advocate for didn’t pan out, don’t apologize. Learn, dig into why and find the learning that can be applied forward and move on. Some of the best ideas and biggest accomplishments might be right around the corner,” elucidates Jessica, who has been taking the company to new heights with this brilliant ideology.

gen.video is the premier performance-based influencer marketing platform that enables creative video storytelling to drive conversation and inspire eCommerce purchases. They are the only enterprise, all-in-one social media, influencer marketing and product video content platform providing shoppable media and eCommerce analytics under one roof. The company’s data-driven approach allows brand marketers to start exploring different partnership models when working with influencers. Introducing performance-based models is possible in the gen.video platform because they have already worked hard to integrate with global affiliate platforms, opening up one of the most comprehensive retail ecosystems to measure and monetize content at scale.

Being named #1 Highest Satisfaction Influencer Marketing Platform for enterprise on G2 is a significant achievement for gen.video. “Having the praise of some of the largest brands in the world is something that doesn’t come easy. It is a testament to the exceptional talent within the organization and the decade of experience that comes with sitting at the intersection of social media and eCommerce,” says Jessica. WL

Heather Fernstrom Border & Jennifer Stevens’ collective experience working in the consultant and investment management community was the driving force for launching Alliance Global Advisors. The Co-Founders & Managing Partners saw the void in the marketplace for a truly independent third party to advise the investment managers on best practices in the real assets industry. Alliance bridges the gap between the investor and investment management community. “We partner with our clients to provide strategic growth solutions, an informed, independent perspective, continued education and an innovative approach to attract capital in a competitive market,” says Heather.

Heather & Jennifer both started their careers in institutional real estate consulting in the early 2000s. “What we learned was that our journey provided direct access to the world’s premier thought leaders and investors in our industry. Consultants are under tremendous pressure to be a source of knowledge and expertise,” says Jennifer. “We were expected to provide independent recommendations backed by research, always creating unique investment opportunities for investors while managing downside risk. It took years of training, mentorship and “lessons learned” to develop the right dose of confidence in that role.”

The dynamic duo cultivated that confidence and created Alliance Global Advisors in April 2020. At Alliance, they help their clients accelerate organizational growth and are motivated by their clients’ success. Alliance clients continue to successfully land new investors, gain brand recognition and market share, develop a creative investment solution that resonates with the market, or reenergize their team due to their strategic guidance.

Being a female-owned firm, Heather & Jennifer’s mentors played a critical role in developing their careers. Because of this, giving back and paying it forward is at the core of everything they do. They are committed to giving back through education, professional development and mentorship.

“As part of our Alliance Gives Back initiative, we work with organizations such as Wellfit Girls whose mission is to empower and mentor teen girls through transformational leadership programs and the PREA Foundation,” adds Jennifer. “We are committed to empower each team member, while empowering the collective team.” Alliance provides resources to the team members in the forms of personal, professional and educational development. They foster a flexible learning environment, robust onboarding training, personal and professional coaching opportunities and team-building retreats. The steadfast leaders are committed to investing in their team so they have the opportunity to reach their potential.

Today, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) continue to be a primary area of focus for Alliance’s clients and the organization. Alliance spends approximately 25-30% of their time advising their clients on enhancing their ESG/DEI practices. “We developed our business with ESG in mind (our team includes individuals who have covered ESG as an area of expertise since 2007), and we recently expanded our resources in this area to better serve the needs of our client base,” says Heather. “This expansion of resources came by way of an exclusive real asset partnership with another female-led business focused on corporate ESG and Impact Advisory work.” In the same way they hope to bring brand recognition to their clients, one of their most significant achievements to date is the recognition of Alliance Global Advisors as a leading brand and thought leader in the industry. “Since launching the business, we led and participated in conversations on important topics at PREA, IREI, RELPI and NCREIF. We are active in the market and stay current on discussions with investors and investment managers, offering a differentiated suite of services and continuing to fill a void in today’s marketplace.”

The mission of Alliance Global Advisors is to expedite the growth of real asset investment managers through empowerment and the elevation of best practices. The firm-wide goal is to positively impact the institutional real estate industry by providing services that help their clients become best-in-class investment partners. Heather and Jen entered this partnership as friends based on their tremendous respect for each other. They look forward to growing the firm together, celebrating the successes of their client base and providing additional growth opportunities to their team. By doing this, they hope to make their mentors and families proud as well as leave a lasting impact on the industry. WL

Tara Paster Cammarata, President & CEO Paster Training, Inc. has led and inspired two business ventures over the past 20 years.

Her mission is to protect the global food supply and instill confidence in team members to serve and sell alcohol responsibly. One way this is achieved is with Instruis Publishing Company and creating several educational comprehensive series. This also includes producing training titles and support materials for the food and alcohol industries. As well as expressing her love in making education a fun learning experience!

Tara is an innovative business leader, the driving force, and the heart of her companies. She is an entrepreneur who started with humble beginnings with a $500 gift from her grandfather and was able to turn that into a multimillion-dollar company. She is an inspirational leader to her team by being results driven through our mission, determination, and successfully managing expectations. Tara states,“It is all about integrity! Do what you say you are going to do!”

“I support my team members and encourage them to become leaders. By supporting them often times, they grow within my organization or on their own in a thriving environment. I hope that by being a mentor this encourages our team members to make their own decisions and choose their own paths,” says Tara. “Letting team members feel free to fall forward and use their experiences and failures as a force to keep going! Always utilize the strengths of each other to lift our organization to the next level.” She’s inspired numerous female team members to start their own side businesses. “I have taken them under my wing as a mentor, given references, strive to be a role model, provide coaching when needed, and help with business advice. Personally, I am very proud to have our entrepreneurial team! It is all about inspiring each other over the years!”

Tara’s advice for everyone starting their entrepreneurial journey would be to hire and surround yourself with the right people, provide and be open to coaching, and embracing a positive mindset in order to raise your company to a higher standard. She also states, as a leader it is critical to drive change by educating, leading, and impacting, and being a complete package to enthusiastically take on each new adventure. Armed with this ideology, Tara has taken her companies to new heights!

Paster Training, Inc. is the authority in food safety and responsible alcohol management training, educating team members at all levels of industry organizations and operations on the premises, online and in the classroom. Their consulting services are specialized in many areas and use a targeted approach to help some of the industry’s leading organizations act smarter, quicker, and safer.

“Our unique combination of education and authenticity sets us apart from other consultants and trainers. We are serious about food and alcohol safety, but we understand that to achieve effective interaction, breaking through the current obstacles, practices, mindsets, and habits is critical,” explains Tara. “Customizable consulting solutions for your team and operations, we also offer more training options for course completion, more class availability, and more certifications. We are pioneers. I want to lead the marketplace, and we demonstrate that through our education and innovation. We do that by creating one-of-a-kind resources and best-in-class techniques and materials that are straight forward, clear, and interactive.”

The goals of Paster Training are driven by the needs of the marketplace and being able to quickly change and use innovative technology to achieve these goals. It is essential to look at the needs of our clients. “Really exciting times for our organization, we are rebranding from Paster Training, Inc. to CENZA, Inc., after 20 Years. Personally, for me I am really looking forward to the next 20 years of CENZA, Inc.,” elucidates Tara. “I am proud of the fact for being one of the few select people being recognized in the world for two things: One is the Industry Associate Member Award, given to me from being a long-term committed member in the Association of Food & Drug Officials, with active involvement in committee work, development of model codes, and demonstrated promotion of the objectives of the Association internationally. The second is being recognized as one of the top 30 Global Gurus for Hospitality for 6 years straight. This recognition is given to trainers, speakers, and thought leaders for originality, impact, and practicality.”

In closing, over the last 20 years, Paster Training has influenced, inspired, and educated over 31,000 companies, organizations, and government agencies including their team members and leaders worldwide. We at CENZA, Inc. are looking forward to serving our amazing clients with consulting and training excellence specifically for the food and alcohol industries now and in the future! WL

Anna Malhari, EVP & Chief Operating Officer, Veris Residential, began her real estate career in Prague and moved to London in 2011 to work in private equity real estate. In 2021, she joined what at the time was known as Mack-Cali Realty Corp. Established for decades as an industry-leading real estate investment trust with a $4.5 billion portfolio of office and multifamily properties in the Northeast, the company was in the midst of corporate transition when Anna joined the team. The thoughtful decision to rebrand the company to Veris Residential was made to clearly redefine its strategic direction; focus on its strengths in the multifamily sector; and position environmental, social and governance (ESG) values at the forefront of the company. Not only was the company successful in this transition, but Veris Residential was named a “Great Place to Work” in 2022, a certification that recognizes a company for its culture. The evaluating body found that 83% of Veris Residential’s employees believe the company is a great place to work, compared to just 59% of employees at a typical U.S.-based company— a major testament to Anna’s ability to implement significant changes without disrupting productivity or employee happiness—and, in fact, boosting it.

According to Anna, one cannot transform an industry with complacency. Everyone in an evolving company needs to aim high and push the boundaries of what is possible. “But I also believe that people come first in business. In my view, everyone within the company should be treated as a peer, whatever role they might have,” she says. “Kindness, empathy, and approachability are, in my opinion, key components to a winning leadership style.”

For Anna, supporting women goes beyond hiring and promotion policies; it requires creating conditions that support women in the workplace, including mentoring and other initiatives. “Early on in my work with Veris Residential, I co-founded our Women’s Network affinity group. We formed the group with the intention of providing strength for women in their roles within our company, as we push toward creating more equitable opportunities for all,” she explains. “Many of our benefits—including parental leave, hybrid work schedules, and enhanced healthcare—helped not only the women in our organization, but all of our employees to find a better work-life balance.”

How is Anna inspiring her team into future leaders? She leads by example. “If I’m not working to maximize my own ability to perform at my company, how will others be inspired to do the same? We also have an exceptionally strong set of ethics and values at Veris Residential. I challenge myself, as much as I do my staff and partners, to uphold these values every day.” She adds, “I also believe that trust is a big part of successful leadership. I could try to micro-manage and control all the activities that take place at my company, but I have learned that not only would I not have the bandwidth to manage the level of growth we need to achieve as an organization, but it would limit the growth of our employees.”

Her message to women in the industry is this: There is real value in what women bring to the table. A diverse workforce is a strong workforce. Every company needs to enhance its diversification of perspectives. And bringing women’s voices into important discussions helps to achieve this. Anna hopes to inspire other women to let their voices be heard in this industry, because their views matter.

“It is important for the industry to recognize that there are a lot of women in real estate, but they predominantly serve in property management and junior-level positions,” says Anna. There is a major deficit of women in the investment, capital markets, development and construction sides of real estate. And it’s essential to help correct this imbalance rather than say, “we need more women in real estate.”

To date, the company has accomplished some incredible things in ESG, including reducing energy consumption by 18% between 2019 and 2021, setting an ambitious target to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030, and introducing new technologies to its buildings to better measure and manage its carbon footprint. “We have a high-quality portfolio, 33% of which is green certified and all of our wholly owned multifamily assets are WELL Health-Safety certified. I am very proud of how all of our employees are embracing these initiatives and helping us limit the impact of climate change, while working to support our communities and residents.”

For the days to come, Anna plans to continue to simplify Veris Residential’s business, strengthen its balance sheet, and enhance its operational platform, transforming the company into a pure-play multifamily REIT dedicated to elevating the residential lifestyle and experience. She says, “We believe this adjustment will allow the company to perform from its greatest strengths on behalf of all stakeholders.” WL

In recent years, the pace of change has accelerated so fast that it has affected people’s energy. People feel burned out and disconnected in response to the barrage of emails, news cycles, and ads. According to science, humans are made of energy and are affected by the things that drain their energy – as well as the things that can help recharge themselves. While many theories support this, Einstein said , “Everything is energy and that’s all there is to it. Match the frequency of the reality you want and you cannot help but get that reality. It can be no other way. This is not philosophy. This is physics.”

Tabitha Scott, CEM, CDSM, CHTP states that 40% of the 67 million Americans who left their jobs last year cited burnout as a key reason: “Having experienced burnout myself, I expanded focus from helping businesses find energy solutions to helping the people within them power their potential. And last year, I joined forces with like-minded game-changers at Epic Pivot, where we help organizations with real, purposeful transformation.”

Whether leveraging technology to develop new business models that accelerate the adoption of renewable energy, working with communities to change consumption habits, or engaging stakeholders to develop net-zero energy communities, the work was about connecting to and using power wisely.

Tabitha also enjoys giving keynotes and leading workshops on topics like recovering from burnout, finding your flow, life lessons from animals, how to hear your intuition, and thriving in a hybrid-work culture. “I’m working on my second book now and feeling grateful to be doing work that helps others and makes me happy, too,” she said. And with this mindset, Tabitha is taking the company to new heights.

Epic Pivot has been a premier innovation, insights, and strategy firm for 15 years. During that time, it has completed hundreds of transformative, complex projects.

At Epic Pivot, Tabitha and her colleagues start by asking, “What makes transformations fail today? Why are people leaving their jobs in droves, and how can companies position themselves in an environment of accelerating change?” Their vision is guided by exploring and solving these enormous issues. It’s important that they help companies be authentic, take responsibility, and make the leap. Every organization must authentically own its outcomes, shadows, and actions, or risk extinction.

Given the many factors – the pandemic, impact investing, social and environmental equity and justice, people leaving the workforce in droves, professionals demanding meaning through work – the business world needs a reset. This team of thought leaders has developed the framework to help businesses of all sizes make an “epic pivot,” a purposeful transformation, and reframe how they create value in the world.

Such a vision aligns well with Tabitha’s contributions of leveraging innovation and technology to help create progressive business models, developments, and investments.

“It’s always an adventure engaging in innovation and design thinking across industries. One day, we’re working with a fast-growing tech company, and the next, we’re helping a large financial institution with CX or guiding innovative eco-friendly packaging solutions. Sometimes, we’ll help a small company find its inflection point to drive up value. Other times, we stitch together corporate stakeholders to discover and align around a more profitable future.”

Tabitha is proud of the Purposeful Transformation framework developed by the Epic Pivot team to help companies articulate and align with purpose. “I have also enjoyed working in the U.S. and traveling to APAC, the U.K., and the EU to work with companies on next generation ways to engage powerfully,” she adds. “Integration of diverse thinking types and machine technologies is critical for staying competitive in this environment of accelerating change.” Tabitha considers this one of several key offerings that has led to the company’s success.

Oprah Winfrey, Steve Jobs, and Elon Musk attribute their success to their intuition, Tabitha observes. “I’d advise leaders to listen more to theirs, because it serves as a compass to their purpose and connects us to the things that recharge us. If an activity, relationship, or role feels ‘off-balance’ for too long, that is what creates burnout.”

She adds, “In addition, take the risk to try your ideas. When deciding whether to take a risk, try to imagine the worst possible outcome, and let it play out in your mind. The ancient Samurai Warriors used this technique by imagining their death before a conflict, because it freed their mind of worry during the actual battle.”

“If you are still energized by the idea after imagining the worst possible scenario, then go for it!” WL

Tania Amar founded CXP Consulting after more than two decades of executive experience in the Corporate and Venture Capital worlds as Vice President of Marketing and CMO (Chief Marketing Officer). After such a long time working with multi-billion high-tech organizations, she felt a strong drive to serve start-up founders in their entrepreneurial journey, “as I believe I can have a significant contribution to their ability to succeed and make a major impact in their markets.” Especially during her VC experience she saw too many talented entrepreneurs and amazing startup ideas missing funding opportunities because they didn’t know how to tell their “stories” in a focused and compelling way. “Not everyone with a bright idea knows how to communicate it, so I set out to help them do it. There’s nothing worse than thinking about amazing ideas — ideas that could change the world, being left out in the cold because they weren’t communicated well enough,” adds Tania. The focus of CXP is to build a creative and impactful storytelling for tech companies, from the perspective of the outstanding customer experience that they generate.

“The focus of CXP is to build a creative and impactful storytelling for tech companies, from the perspective of the outstanding Customer Experience that they generate.”

The company’s name was inspired by Steve Jobs’ powerful insight. He said: “You have to start with the customer experience and then work backwards to the technology.”

Being based in Tel-Aviv, at the heart of the “Startup Nation”, CXP consulting helps startup founders to clearly and consistently shape their grand vision, which is essential to move from a concept to building and scaling a company (hiring talents, bringing partners, raising funds, signing up big clients, etc.). They help founders tell a bigger story. It requires a professional and highly-experienced external view to do that. “Our methodology combines in depth research into the companies’ markets, customers, partners, international business environments, deep understanding of the technology, and also creative storytelling methods and copywriting (a real art) to find the most accurate words, images and metaphors that will embody the message and make it inspiring and stand out.” explains Tania.

The methodology is extremely structured, based on research and active interaction with the internal teams and also interviews of the client’scustomers and partners.”The process also includes tailor-made workshops to foster an exciting and interactive atmosphere between the team members. It often allows to listen to each other and to create some internal alignment around what should be thecustomer-oriented “One Message” specifically adapted to the key buyer personas,” explains Tania..

In an instance, one CXP’s client Setoo—an Insurtech startup that emerged from the European-based Kamet, a Venture Capital firm—offering parametric insurance products to e-commerce players such as retailers or OTAs asked CXP to assist them in overcoming their challenges. Tania had the opportunity to first create the foundations of their strategic marketing tools: branding (including creating their name! Setoo is inspired by the French word C’est tout! to evoke simplicity), digital presence, sales presentations and the seed-round investor kit. After they raised their first round of 12 M$, CXP is regularly called in for special projects. “Until very recently, I have been involved with Setoo. I love working with the leadership team, happy to have gained their trust, and to come back every time they need me in key milestones of the company’s lifecycle,” adds Tania.

For the days to come, Tania through CXP is looking towards regional expansion outside Israel in other startup hubs in the world, including the UAE (United Arab Emirates) following the Abraham accords signed in October 2020 between Israel and the UEA opening a plethora of opportunities in the domain of innovation. She is also working towards the creation of a new venture called TrekFounders together with her partner, Yossi Dan, a serial entrepreneur and innovation “activist”. TrekFounders is an online platform that features the best of the Israeli innovation ecosystem (mentors, content per themes, investors, consultants, inspiring entrepreneurs) to support entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey (the Trek), from very early seed-stage to scale-ups. TrekFounders also helps global corporations with the creation and animation of packaged open- innovation and intrapreneurship bootcamp programs. Last November, TrekFounders hosted a 4-day online bootcamp for the Italian-based startup Lab of Unicredit, supporting 20 SheTech startups in their go-global and fund-raising strategies. CXP Consulting leaders were invited to mentor and guide these successful women entrepreneurs in creating a better, fairer, safer and more sustainable world for future generations.

Tania Amar is also actively promoting diversity at work through her activities as a Board Member of the NGO, Gvahim. “We are creating a win-win situation “ she says “for the Israeli economy to gain huge value from the constant flow of a highly-skilled immigration and for businesses to integrate these unique international talents into their ranks.” IE

CXP Consulting

Management

Tania Amar
CEO

Description

Our team masters the art of creating meaningful and memorable business stories that can be elegantly wrapped into a super esthetic look and feel to promote our clients’ company effectively to their well-defined target audiences.

For Sara Rossel, Founder & CEO of RapiFast, her Argentine roots have taught her a lot in her life, from trial and tribulations to success. Having been born in a country without economic stability and an uncertain future, along with her experience working in numerous different international markets, are today the key to Sara’s unconventional view when it comes to developing businesses, recognizing needs, and designing services based on innovation and prevention.

“Launched in 2018, RapiFast is a startup focused on Rapid Lab Solutions. With the challenge of the pandemic, we tapped into our biggest resource: our innate creativity.”

Sara never stops observing and creating. “I always ask, knock doors, build networks, and participate in events to learn from my peers’ stories, experiences, doubts, fears, whether I can relate to them or not,” explains Sara. “I search for certifications such as WBENC that promote diversity in business, and above anything else, I believe in myself. I want to thank each person and business that has entrusted us the care of their loved ones, crew and work teams. For us, their support means a lot and compels us to keep growing.”

According to Sara, today, we find ourselves in a great challenge at the global, financial, and personal levels. “I am convinced that we always learn when we leave our comfort zone, put ourselves to the test, and, why not, feel fear. We fear the unknown and there is where our strength is born: when we overcome our fear,” she states. “Today, I find myself in that level, having overcome fear, with the certainty that we are doing an excellent job and confident in the direction we are headed to with RapiFast®.” For Sara, there have been numerous people in her life who have influenced and inspired her to be the well-defined leader she is today. “I don’t like to think in the past tense, I am curious and young!!! I still have a lot to learn. I am very grateful for the today, I moved to the US in 2015, I founded RapiFast® in 2018 (without a penny), and today it’s a registered trademark and synonym of trust.”

RapiFast was born out of the premise of PREVENTION + INNOVATION. Having had the immense opportunity to travel globally, Sara realized that rapid testing devices are needed in first aid, accidents, point of care, border zones, armed services, health campaigns, and more. Besides, there is a huge need to offer a personalized prevention service accessible, effective, and fast. “The pandemic surprised us, and it was a moment to take action, so we launched our mobile testing service,” says Sara.

All RapiFast® products are certified internationally by the FDA and CE. The company is certified by the Georgia State Department of General Services as the state’s vendor of COVID-19 Test Kit and safety supplies. “First, we need to align ourselves with CDC norms, then we must work responsibly and professionally to develop a measure for each sector, facilitate reopening, work in team, and adapting to all the new normal,” explains Sara. “We understand the seriousness of the situation and we don’t take advantage from it. Our clients can attest that we are ready 24/7 to assist them.” Belonging to WBENC, the largest certified businesses owned and operated by women in the USA, is a pledge in RapiFast® services. For that reason, RapiFast® focuses on providing excellent customer service and developing practical and innovative solutions with RapiFast® common goal: Prevention.

For the days to come, Sara and her team are working towards making more innovative solutions. “Today we are aiding the reopening process of the film industry and many of our clients operate in LA, for that reason, we are in the stage of expansion. We are a young enterprise, and we prefer to take small but firm steps,” says Sara.IE

RapiFast

Management

Sara Rossel
Founder & CEO

Description

RapiFast® sells quick response Medical Device Kits. With over 7 years of experience in the healthcare industry, RapiFast® focuses on Prevention + Innovation via the latest technology.All RapiFast® products are FDA approved and the company is certified by the Georgia State Department of General Services as the state’s vendor of COVID-19 Test Kit and safety supplies.