Jennifer Openshaw, CEO of Girls With Impact

Jennifer Openshaw, CEO of Girls With Impact

1.   Why did you choose this field and what about it keeps you going?

After starting and selling a company I started in Silicon Valley – Women’s Financial Network – I was waiting for the right next big thing. I had the ah-ha when I was in Davos. There couldn’t be a better time for a business and innovation academy delivered live, online.

It’s not just about getting more women to the top – just 5% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women and only 30% of entrepreneurs are women —but also about addressing our competitiveness and harnessing technology to do it.

As our Gen Z report highlights, Gen Z is hungry to drive world change. They’re more capable than most people think.  Every time I see the ventures these girls are creating – and the expressions from their parents along with the outcomes – I know we are doing something incredibly powerful. It gives them a huge leg-up in college and work.

2.   Which aspect of your career do you consider to be your biggest struggle?

Keeping up with the many opportunities – talking to employers who want to engage their workforce or help their employees’ daughters, raising money, talking to the media. It all charges me up.

Finding the right people is always a challenge.  As one venture capitalist told me: it’s the most important decision you make.  References are just essential. Pay attention and read through the lines.

3.   What advice do you have for aspiring professionals looking to pursue a similar career?

Find a backer or key partner before you launch – whether it’s a new organization, a new service or a new product. This can mean a key funder or partner where your service or program is delivered.  As my first book – The Millionaire Zone – confirmed: It’s no fun going it alone. It’s also not the path to success. Even Oprah didn’t go it alone.

4. If you could pick a personal anthem, what would it be?

If there’s a will, there’s a way.