Live Lessons: Lift Each Other Up

Mar 31, 2023

Welcome to Pass the Mic and the Live Lessons series. Life happens in the moment—and so do opportunities to pass the mic. We’re having live conversations with powerful female leaders, giving them the opportunity to share their wisdom and mentor the masses.

This is it. This is the last of our powerful miniseries featuring the women of Wavemaker, but it’s far from the least. Earlier this month, we hosted a live Pass the Mic event at their New York headquarters. We got so many incredible quotes, it's taken us five posts to do it justice.

Speaking of justice, we’re in a new age in the workplace. Dog eat dog is giving way to empathy and equity, with women leading the change. Throughout the panel, these five female leaders spoke about the need to be supportive and strong and to know when to ask for help. Catch the highlights below.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion is on everyone.

Lift Each Other Up, Briana Finelli – Pass the Mic

Highlight: “It’s not the responsibility of people of color and minority communities to build and push DEI forward, is also the thing. I am a white woman. I'm a very proud member of the LGBTQ community, but I'm very aware of the fact that I'm a white woman. And it can be really uncomfortable when you notice when an environment is not inclusive, when there are people at the table that look way too much like you, and where you need other people at the table because we can't just talk about DEI and not be doing anything about it.” – Briana Finelli, Head of Commerce Wavemaker US

Make everyone feel safe.

Lift Each Other Up, Caroline Tran – Pass the Mic

Highlight: “At the end of the day, though, I do want to have fun. I am still my goofy self. My team will tell me that I'm a little bit corny. I admit that, I will take it. I'm willing to make a fool of myself as long as everyone feels comfortable and safe and that they're doing a great job.” – Caroline Tran, Group Director, DoorDash Wavemaker US & Global Markets

Speak your mind.

Lift Each Other Up, Jenna Fidellow – Pass the Mic

Highlight: “I think showing up, doing the work, showing that you have a voice, that you deserve to be there. You can be tough. You can be direct. You can speak your mind. Some people might think it's bitchy, but it's not. You're doing your job, and you're being the leader that's expected of you from the bosses above you.” – Jenna Fidellow, Head of Content Wavemaker US

Build your board of supporters.

Lift Each Other Up, Madison Bedard – Pass the Mic

Highlight: “You're building your board of supporters. You're going out there. You're building relationships. You're networking because these are the individuals who may be able to speak for you when you're not in the room to help you get that promotion, to help move you along. These are individuals who can help guide you and give you advice and knowledge that will help you to get to where you want to be.” – Madison Bedard, Director, DEI and Marketing Operations Wavemaker US

Be okay with asking for help.

Lift Each Other Up, Davida Arnold – Pass the Mic

Highlight: “So many times we become the mules of the world, like Zora Neale Hurston said. And we take that on with everything. Doing more all the time. Doing more all the time. Doing more all the time. That is not what a human can do sustainably for a long time. Well, be okay with asking for help because someone has to be able to give it to you if they really care.” – Davida Arnold, Group Director, Marketing & Communications Wavemaker US

Keep the Momentum Going

Are you as motivated as we are? You’re in luck, there’s even more inspiring content form Wavemaker. Check out the rest of the series now. And in the near future, we’ll include more in the Pass the Mic podcast.