Do I Qualify?
Cheryl Contee's avatarPerson

Cheryl Contee

Chief Executive OfficerThe Impact Seat Foundation

Sausalito, CA 94965

Skills

Blogging
Social Media
Strategic Communications

About

Cheryl Contee is Chief Executive Officer at The Impact Seat Foundation, which is working to create a world in which women can succeed as business leaders. She was also the award-winning Founder and Chair of Do Big Things, a digital agency that creates new narrative and new tech for a new era focused on causes and campaigns. Cheryl is the Amazon bestselling author of Mechanical Bull: How You Can Achieve Startup Success. Passionate about creating new tech and new narrative for a new era, Cheryl uses her vast experience in startup entrepreneurship and community engagement to lead portfolio companies and funds to success, provide resources for underrepresented founders, and build the new economy. Previously, Cheryl was CEO of Fission Strategy, which brought Silicon Valley startup culture to the world’s leading causes and campaigns. She’s the co-founder of Attentive.ly, the first tech startup with a black female founder to be acquired by a NASDAQ company, the National Board Chair for Netroots Nation, a Senior Advisor for Astia and the first portfolio company board member of New Media Ventures.

Published content

18 leaders share their take on the pace of technological change

expert panel

Some executives are energized while others are cautious, but all agree that adapting to rapid innovation is essential to thriving in today's marketplace. The world is moving faster than ever, and technological innovation is at the center of it all. From generative AI to data-driven automation, change is happening at lightning speed—and business leaders are faced with a choice: embrace it, resist it, or try to strike a balance. Below, 18 Fast Company Executive Board members share how they really feel about the current pace of tech change, and what it means for their industries, their teams, and their leadership mindset.

20 ways to build a resilient company culture in uncertain times

expert panel

To thrive through disruption, leaders must develop cultures grounded in trust, communication, and purpose. Uncertainty is inevitable in today’s business landscape, thanks to economic volatility, leadership changes, and global disruptions. But while instability can rattle even the strongest organizations, resilient cultures rise above the noise. The foundation for resilience is laid long before a crisis hits through clear values, transparent leadership, and strong interpersonal trust. To understand how today’s executives create adaptable, cohesive, and confident teams in unpredictable times, 20 Fast Company Executive Board members share their top strategies for cultivating resilience across their organizations.

AI-driven impact bonds: Funding the future with predictive analytics

article

Here’s what I recommend for organizations interested in exploring AI-powered Impact Bonds.

The startup super squad: The visionary, the techie, the marketing guru, and the guardian angel

article

Building a startup isn't about going solo; it's about assembling your dream team to which each member brings something special and specific to the table.

13 tips to build friendships while growing your professional network

expert panel

Apply these strategies to leave a lasting impression. Whether you are striving to expand your personal or professional network, it's essential to create and nurture relationships that are not transactional. This is because, nine times out of ten, the majority of people will typically engage with people they feel confident around, can trust, and truly relate to in and outside of the marketplace. Here, 13 Fast Company Executive Board members each share their strategy to help industry professionals utilize networking to drive their business or individual career objectives forward, tactfully and authentically.

16 strategies to launch a creative work lab that fosters innovation

expert panel

Apply these best practices to pique your employees' curiosity and increase their participation. When employees begin to demonstrate stagnant behaviors or disinterest at work, it may be a sign that it's time to offer them a new challenge to keep them engaged in their current roles and potential growth at the company they represent. One way company leaders can boost their team's low morale is to build a creative lab within the confines of the organization to create "intrapreneurship" opportunities, as well as a timely reminder of the business mission and goals and why they're here. Below, 16 experts from Fast Company Executive Board offer their best strategies for designing safe spaces that give staff members a voice to collaborate on innovative ideas and solve problems that will help the company grow.

Company details

The Impact Seat Foundation

Company bio

Diverse teams develop better ideas. They also deliver better results if they are managed with insight and cultural competence. For business, up until now, diversity efforts have largely been about satisfying compliance. Meanwhile, research has developed a much better understanding of the ROI of diversity. Still, most companies haven’t developed an expertise in leading diversity work for individuals and teams. At The Impact Seat, we focus on developing pathways for money and talent that will drive innovation that is inclusive. We’re about data and action. Pull up a chair.

Industry

Social impact & nonprofit

Area of focus

Inclusive Innovation
Diversity Strategy
Strategy

Company size

2 - 10