McKinsey estimates that there is 3 trillion dollars of economic opportunity that we are missing out on because women aren’t fully empowered at work. And yet, the data clearly shows that when women lead, share performance and profits go up 50%. Results are more powerful when everyone is empowered. This is the insight that brought the four founders of Beyond Barriers together. We came from diverse leadership backgrounds with a common goal: to close the gender gap at work and expand economic opportunity for everyone. Listen to co-founders and friends Nikki Barua, Laura Ricketts, Brooke Skinner Ricketts, and Monica Marquez discuss their journey to build the world’s only career fitness platform and help women go further, faster.
Highlights:
[00:41] Founders’ introduction
[01:00] Closing the gender gap mission
[03:26] Monica's path to forming Beyond Barriers
[05:17] Nikki’s journey to following her dreams
[07:31] The birth of Beyond Barriers
[09:39] The gender gap is not just a diversity issue
[10:58] How Beyond Barriers helps companies
[12:16] The power of the collective
[14:48] How Laura entered the Beyond Barriers organization
[16:19] Each team members’ power song
Quotes:
“What if we could truly democratize access for millions of women around the world?” – Nikki Barua
“The gender gap actually reduces GDP worldwide.” – Nikki Barua
"Early in my career, as a first-generation corporate Latina, I wasn't privy to the "unwritten rules" to succeed in corporate America. That's why Beyond Barriers is focused on transferring that knowledge through our career fitness platform." - Monica Marquez
“There's more power when everyone is fully empowered.” – Brooke Skinner Ricketts
“There's no way that any enterprise can fully reach its full potential or any society can reach its full potential without individuals reaching their full potential.” – Laura Ricketts
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
About Brooke Skinner Ricketts:
Brooke Skinner Ricketts is a c-suite executive, growth strategist and board director
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookericketts/
About Laura Ricketts
Laura Ricketts is an entrepreneur, investor, political activist and community advocate