World’s Inspiring Businesswomen Making A Difference, 2023.pdf

www.worldsleaders.com Vol. 08 | Issue 17 | August 2023
Redeﬁning Stress Relief with Technology and Innovation
Anna
Gudmundson
W o r l d ’ s I n s p i r i n g
Businesswomen
Making A Difference, 2023
A Tech Savvy HR Leader
with Extensive Work
Experiences
PG. 40
Empowering People
through the Magic of
fragrance
PG. 54
CEO & co-founder
Sensate

World’s Inspiring Businesswomen
Making A Difference, 2023
There are many names in the queue of business leadership
who are famous and inspirational, but what makes a leader
inspiring? To be an inspiring business leader, one has to
dedicate oneself to achieving a common goal that inspires
many and pushes others' growth as well. In the corporate
sector, there is no gender-specific leadership remaining
today. As we can see, both men and women are making
equal efforts to be the best in their respective sectors.
However, women's leadership is getting more voice than its
counterpart. They are exceptionally making strides in the
business sector, where they are transforming work culture,
improving processes, and going ahead of traditional norms.
We praise such business leaders and try to bring their
stories in front of the world so everyone can learn, get
inspired, and believe in their own vision. These inspiring
individuals are light bringers for future visionaries.
World's Leaders latest edition “World's Inspiring
Businesswomen Making A Difference, 2023” has curated a
list of the women business leaders that have been successful
in leading some of the top organizations working in
industries as diverse as healthcare to consumer goods.
The cover has Anna Gudmundson, CEO and co-founder of
Sensate who has emerged as a visionary leader at the
forefront of technological innovation in the wellness
industry. Sensate, with its groundbreaking device and app,
offers a unique approach to soothing the nervous system
and enhancing stress resiliency. The patented technology
combines infrasonic waves with specially composed
hemispheric audio, creating a harmonious experience that
promotes relaxation and well-being from the very first
session. Anna's unwavering belief in the power of
technology to positively impact human evolution has
propelled her on an extraordinary journey of exploration
and transformation.
With a rich professional background in exponentially
growing technology fields, Anna brings a wealth of
expertise to her role. From her early contributions to mobile
features and products at Lucent Technologies to her
involvement in startups and innovation in diverse areas
such as big data, social media tech, luxury tech, and
wearables, Anna's passion for technology's potential knows
no bounds.
Also, while you flip through the pages, don't forget to read
the articles created by our in-house editorial staff and
industry experts.
Creating New Standards
of Business Success
Have a lovely read!

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AUGUST 2023

08
Cover
Story
Gudmundson
Anna
Redeﬁning Stress
Relief with
Technology and
Innovation

Chaitra Vedullapalli
Mariza Fotiou
Nicole Carter
Sue Phillips
Samantha Rincione
54
50
46
40
36
32
26
22
18
Pooja Bali
Missy MacKintosh
Nita White-Ivy
Bev Moore

Redeﬁning Stress
Relief with Technology
and Innovation
08 | AUGUST 2023

the modern, fast-paced world,
stress and anxiety have
become ubiquitous
challenges, affec ng
individuals across the globe.
Recognizing the need for
effec ve stress management
solu ons, Anna Gudmundson,
CEO and co-founder of
Sensate, has emerged as a
visionary leader at the
forefront of technological
innova on in the wellness
industry.
Sensate, with its
groundbreaking device and
app, offers a unique approach
to soothing the nervous
system and enhancing stress
resiliency. The patented
technology combines
infrasonic waves with specially
composed hemispheric audio,
crea ng a harmonious
experience that promotes
relaxa on and well-being
from the very first session.
Anna's unwavering belief in
the power of technology to
posi vely impact human
evolu on has propelled her
on an extraordinary journey of explora on
and transforma on.
With a rich professional background in
exponen ally growing technology fields,
Anna brings a wealth of exper se to her
role. From her early contribu ons to mobile
features and products at Lucent
Technologies to her involvement in startups
and innova on in diverse areas such as big
data, social media tech, luxury tech, and
wearables, Anna's passion for technology's
poten al knows no bounds.
Driven by a deep desire to create
meaningful change, Anna seeks out
opportuni es to collaborate with cu ng-
edge technologies that not only possess
commercial viability but can also scale
effec vely. Her visionary leadership at
Sensate is rooted in the belief that
technology can be harnessed to cul vate a
be er future for humanity.
Beyond her professional accomplishments,
Anna's journey is characterized by her
commitment to personal growth and her
belief in the power of collabora on. She
fosters a team culture that values
transparency, innova on, and con nuous
learning, enabling Sensate to flourish and
redefine the wellness landscape.
10 | AUGUST 2023

The Company
Sensate serves as a powerful life tool that empowers
individuals to effectively manage and overcome the daily
stresses and anxieties that arise in today's fast-paced world.
By enabling users to regulate their body's natural response
to external stressors, Sensate helps them shift their state
from one of tension and overwhelm to a state of calm,
relaxation, and clarity. The patented technology utilized by
Sensate involves the use of infrasound played against the
sternum, combined with proprietary audio soundscapes
experienced through headphones. This unique audible and
tactile resonance experience has shown remarkable
potential in calming both the mind and body.
Stress is an inherent part of life, but how we respond to it
and build resilience determines whether it has a negative
impact on our well-being and those around us. Studies have
shown that a significant percentage of the workforce, with
83% of US workers, experiences work-related stress, with
25% considering their job as the primary source of stress in
their lives. Furthermore, workplace stress has been reported
to affect personal relationships by 76% of US workers
(*The American Institute of Stress).
Sensate's mission is to help millions of people enhance their
stress resilience and become even more remarkable
individuals, equipped to navigate the challenges of our
times. By empowering individuals with the tools and
techniques to effectively manage stress, Sensate aims to
improve their overall well-being and enable them to thrive
in their personal and professional lives.
Through its innovative technology and commitment to
making a positive impact, Sensate strives to be a catalyst
for personal growth and resilience, ultimately helping
individuals lead more fulfilling and balanced lives.
12 | AUGUST 2023

From Advisor to CEO
Anna's decision to embark on her journey with Sensate was
driven entirely by a strong sense of mission. Initially, she
had no inclination towards taking on a startup CEO role.
Her involvement began as an advisor, supporting Stefan,
the co-founder and Integrated Healthcare pioneer, in
bringing the first prototype to market. As she transitioned
into roles such as Board Director and Consultant, her focus
was on facilitating product launch, sales, marketing, and
gathering valuable data.
After a few weeks, Anna observed adoption and retention
numbers that exceeded her expectations, indicating the
product's potential for global impact. It was at this point
that she recognized the significance of the opportunity and
made the leap of faith. Despite having prior experience in
tech startups and CEO roles encompassing consumer
hardware and software tech, Anna was well aware that the
startup journey is an arduous one, marked by numerous
challenges and 'near-death' experiences in the early stages.
It requires immense determination, resilience, and
motivation to navigate through daily obstacles and find the
energy, solutions, and courage to move forward.
Once Anna committed to the role, she never looked back.
What continues to drive her every day is witnessing the life-
changing impact that Sensate's products have on users, the
incredible team she works with, and the continuous
personal growth and learning she experiences along the
way. These factors serve as a constant source of energy and
motivation, reinforcing her dedication to the mission of
Sensate and its transformative effects on individuals' lives.
Role as CEO
As an early-stage co-founder and CEO, Anna feels it can
sometimes feel like absolutely everything is your direct
responsibility. She states, “We're at a stage now where
we're transitioning to a slightly more process driven and
less informal way of working. We've brought this transition
right to the surface and it was actually a big part of our
OKRs (Objectives & Key Results) for the last quarter.” As
Sensate grows, Anna's role evolves from being a "Chief
Doer" to focusing on strategic growth, team building, and
organization development. Fundraising remains a
significant part of her job, which she enjoys and actively
engages with investors. Prioritization becomes crucial due
Transforming the Wellness Landscape
Over the past three years or more, Sensate has
undergone significant transforma ons as a
company and as a team. The core long-term team
has experienced substan al growth and evolu on,
while new members have joined at different
stages of the journey to fulfill specific needs. With
a strong background in technology, it has been
deeply ingrained in the business culture to
leverage tools, data, and tech to support and
accelerate various aspects of the business.
Sensate is not solely a wellness tech company
focused on innova on and technology
development; they also explore how other
innova ons can enhance their opera ons, delivery
processes, and support their people. The team
ac vely explores and tests a mul tude of new AI-
powered tools, incorpora ng them into different
processes and business domains where
applicable.
As for the product itself, Sensate will con nue to
evolve through ongoing research and refinement
of the system. There is a growing number of
individuals worldwide who require a simple and
effec ve means to relax, alleviate stress, or quickly
recharge in just 10 minutes. The feedback
received from users globally is invaluable, and
Sensate eagerly an cipates how their con nued
technological innova on and research will drive
the future evolu on of their product. Sensate
remains commi ed to providing an easy and
accessible solu on for individuals seeking
relaxa on and stress relief, and they are
enthusias c about the posi ve impact their
technology can make on people's lives.
worldsleaders.com | 13

to limited time and resources, and
embracing the journey becomes
essential.
Fostering Collaboration, Innovation,
and Growth
Sensate management firmly believes in
the power of collaboration, considering
it to be more effective than competition
as a team culture. Anna recognizes that
in order for collaboration to thrive,
transparency within the business is
crucial. She encourages different
opinions and debate, as it ensures
alignment and cohesion in working
towards shared objectives. By fostering
visibility and providing an integrated
understanding of the strategy and
objectives, the management aims to
enable teams to collaborate freely
without being restricted by top-down
gatekeepers.
Innovation is highly valued at Sensate
and is viewed as a mindset that the
management team actively seeks to
cultivate within themselves and their
respective teams. Anna understands
that fostering an environment of
innovation involves investing in
experimentation, even if it may not
always result in commercially viable
products or features, especially during
the early stages of the company. She
believes that without the freedom to
explore and experiment, it becomes
challenging to nurture a culture of
innovation. As Sensate grows, the
management is looking forward to
increasing its investment in innovation,
while continuously iterating on a
smaller scale in the meantime.
Another core value at Sensate is
growth, both professionally and
personally. The management embraces
a growth mindset and prioritize
learning and self-challenge. Testing
and learning are deeply ingrained in
the company's culture, and it actively
strives to improve communication and
interpersonal relationships, particularly
as it operates as a distributed remote-
working team. In a rapidly expanding
company like Sensate, constant change
is the norm, and it recognizes the
necessity of embracing it.
Embracing Personal Growth and
Empowering Leadership
Anna embraces a growth mindset,
perceiving challenges as opportunities
for personal development and inner
exploration. She recognizes the
importance of self-care, including
practices like meditation, visualization,
and maintaining her mental and
physical health, to prevent burnout.
Having experienced near-burnout in
the past, Anna has gained valuable
insights from those experiences.
She strongly believes that women
leaders can thrive by focusing on their
inner work, tapping into their strengths
and unique gifts. Rather than emulating
the authoritative leadership models of
the past, she sees personal growth and
self-discovery as catalysts for
becoming exceptional leaders. Anna is
a staunch advocate for personal growth
and coaching, having immersed herself
in numerous books and diligently
implementing suggested exercises. She
has also sought guidance from skilled
coaches across various areas of her life
and actively participated in retreats and
workshops.
Through her commitment to
continuous learning and self-
improvement, Anna strives to enhance
her leadership abilities and bring her
best self to her role. By prioritizing
personal growth, she believes that
leaders can cultivate a more authentic
and empowering leadership style that
positively impacts their teams and
organizations.
Expanding Reach and Future Plans
According to Anna, Sensate has made
a remarkable entry into the market with
an exceptional product that is already
making a positive impact on numerous
individuals worldwide, spanning across
more than 50 countries. To cater to the
significant number of frequent users, it
has introduced an optional subscription
14 | AUGUST 2023

service called Sensate Plus, while also having a roadmap
for the development of additional products and services.
In today's world, the challenges and uncertainties
surrounding us can easily lead to feelings of overwhelm.
Anna and her team recognize that the ability to overcome
stress and anxiety lies within each individual. By leveraging
the power of Sensate, people can tap into their innate
capacity to regulate stress and anxiety, ultimately creating a
ripple effect that extends from individuals to their
communities and beyond.
To fulfill their mission, Sensate team is dedicated to
expanding the reach of their current products, ensuring that
they are accessible to as many people as possible. Securing
their next round of funding is crucial in order to continue
reaching and benefiting more individuals who are in need of
their products.
Looking towards the future, Sensate envisions deepening
their relationship with their customers and followers. They
plan to offer a comprehensive suite of products, services,
and relevant content to a vast number of individuals seeking
effective stress management, improved sleep, and easy
access to a sense of inner calm. Sensate recognizes that a
solid foundation of inner calm is essential for overall well-
being, and they are tremendously motivated by this mission.

Founder
CuriousIQ
Social Entrepreneur
26 | AUGUST 2023

Mariza Fotiou is the founder of
CuriousIQ, a Digital learning
platform and employment support
organisation for people in need.
Mariza’s working experience
expands over 16 years across
financial services, technology, energy
and philanthropy. Over the years she
directed global, complex, strategic
transformation initiatives involving
organizational, investment products,
process, and technology changes in
multinational corporations. Her drive
and passion about philanthropy led
her to what she believes as her
mission of being of service to others
and helping improve people’s lives.
Below are highlights of the interview
conducted between World's Leaders
and Mariza Fotiou:
Brief our audience about your
journey as a business leader. Tell us
about your background and what
did you do before you
started/joined the CuriousIQ?
My career started in the US, where I
moved after graduating from my
bachelors in Greece. I then pursued a
Masters in Finance, which I
graduated in 2009 from Baruch
College in New York. After
graduating, I joined HSBC Private
Bank and worked there for about 10
years. I moved a lot within the bank
and had some amazing roles that kept
me growing professionally. I also
gained exposure from working in two
continents: NY, US and London, UK,
eventually leaving as Chief
Operating Office in digital. This role
exposed me to the technical aspect of
product creation. I possessed the
necessary skills and could apply
them to any industry. As COO, I
received a completely different
perspective on all facets of running a
digital organisation. In 2020, I
decided to change industries and
joined BP. Here I lead the
organisation's specialised digital
product development teams to
efficiently construct new digital
services. Digital is one of the most
vital skills to have if you want to
make a difference in today's world.
What was the idea behind starting
CuriousIQ?
Social mobility is a real issue of our
time. With all the increasing
geopolitical unrest, more and more
people will be in need of integration.
The other gap I see is that digital
skills will only continue to drive
demand for tech talent in the years to
come. The second thing is that digital
skills will only continue to drive
demand for tech talent in the years to
come. These two parameters, and my
strong drive to help those in need, led
me to create CuriousIQ. I strongly
believe that social entrepreneurship
brings the evolution the world needs
and boosts inclusion. So, I found a
way to combine and apply my skills
to make a difference. CuriousIQ was
founded in response to an unjust and
ongoing situation in Greece, a
country with enormous potential. For
every marginalised person who lives
on the edges of society. The goal is to
upskill underprivileged people in
digital skills and advance their
employability by helping them find a
job in the market.
As a Founder of CuriousIQ, what
are your major roles and
responsibilities?
My role can be divided into three
main themes: team leadership,
strategic management, and
partnerships. Each one has its own
set of challenges. I create active
citizen involvement and favourably
impact the rate and reach of our
objectives. I transform the vision into
action through the identification of
the right partnerships that can help us
meet our goals and expand our reach.
Fundraising is a big part of my role,
something that I find critical for the
successful execution of the program.
It would be really difficult to achieve
results without stability of resources.
However, a founder, besides being a
visionary, should also be self-aware
and capable of learning and self-
developing. And this is the part I
enjoy the most about my work, as it
helps me to continue to grow as a
person.
How do you balance work and life
responsibilities?
I prioritise my mental health because
it makes me a better person and
better at my work. Also, exercise is
very important for me. I need to keep
moving, otherwise I lose my energy.
I can fit it in no matter what. I know
that if I don't, I will not be as happy
and as productive as I want to be.
Lastly, I make time for my friends
and family. It is very easy for me to
get lost in my work because I get a
lot of satisfaction when things
progress. But I make a conscious
effort to stop and spend time with
people I love because it is very
important.
Tell us about your vision for the
company. How do you ensure a
culture of integrity and innovation
in the company?
CuriousIQ's vision is to improve the
lives of those who live in
underserved communities while also

involving them in the design,
implementation, and execution of its
projects. As a result, we not only
have a reliable, in-depth
understanding of the needs, but we
also ensure that the communities are
prepared to take on future initiatives
on their own. The world is currently
undergoing an ethical revolution.
Many times in my carrier and most
recently as a founder I have openly
addressed discrimination. It is true
that we do not live in an equal world.
In CuriousIQ equality, transparency,
integrity and inclusivity are part of
our moral compass, part of the
culture. I approach the team as equal
players by always listening to their
ideas, concepts, and future plans.
Based on my professional
experience, these humble beginnings
serve as the cornerstone for a solid
foundation, where the team quickly
learns the principles of
experimentation, innovation and
empowerment which are then
positioned as the fundamental pillars
of our culture.
What advice would you give to the
emerging entrepreneurs and
enthusiasts considering a career in
an industry?
My advice is to remind themselves
daily of their ''why''. Why - they do
what they do. If what you do is your
purpose in life or what people call
your ''calling'', you have more
strength to keep going and more
chances to succeed. We all know that
starting a business is hard. That it
takes emotional, psychological and
ﬁnancial strength to get through. And
by being a founder you stretch (and
sometimes brake) all three. So
believing in what you do will help
you get through hardship and
eventually shine and succeed.

issy MacKintosh is the
MFounder and CEO of
MisMacK Clean
Cosmetics, a beauty product
company that aims to redefine the
cosmetics industry by combining the
high-quality application with ethical
and ecological manufacturing. Missy
MacKintosh built MisMacK from the
ground up in her basement in small-
town Canoe, BC, Canada. She
personally has never met or knew of
anyone who had built a Makeup
brand before. She had to learn all of
it on her own. However, she has been
in the industry for over 25 years and
16 years of that as a Professional
Makeup Artist, and her work has
been internationally published, and
she has worked in Management for
companies such as MAKE UP FOR
EVER, and Nars. She says, “As
someone who eats, sleeps, breathes
makeup on a daily basis, I know what
works and what doesn't.” According
to Missy MacKintosh, she had the
world into one unique amazing
brand. I understand that makeup is
not a passive sale. It takes education
and getting our clients into our chair
to experience it firsthand. At our
MisMacK stores, we offer
Complimentary Pampering Sessions
all day every day to give our clients
exactly that. We are also the only
brand that offers private one on one
makeup lessons where you become
the student and learn as you're doing
your makeup with our guidance. We
make you write each step down, so
you have that to take home with you.
Because really, where can you go to
learn without someone trying to sell
you a trend. We teach based on a
technique that I call the Natural
Guides to a face. These are taught in
our MisMacK Artistry education
modules for future Makeup Artists
wanting to learn and become
professional makeup artists.
MisMacK is one of the first
Professional Performing Clean
Makeup Lines on the Market. In
2016 I was introduced to Clean
Makeup, but they all had the same
issue – lack of performance and
pigment. Trying to find products that
held up to my picky pro standards
just didn't exist. So I created them
working directly with a Female
Canadian Chemist who specializes in
Clean beauty. MisMacK merges both
the Mainstream the Clean and the Pro
Below are the highlights of the
interview conducted between World's
Leaders and Missy MacKintosh:
Describe MisMacK's offerings that
address the need of your
customers.
vision of MisMacK in her head for a
long time. “In 2017, it was time to
bring my plan to action,” says Missy
MacKintosh.
34 | AUGUST 2023

MisMacK provides fun and safe
products packed with pigment and
perform better than mainstream. I
understand how products sit on the
skin and work with my Chemist to
create them, so they are easy for
consumers to apply and blend. The
technology we're using is incredibly
unique in the cosmetic world. We're
truly pushing the industry forward in
more ways than one. Our impact is
also around education. We are
passionate about educating the Pro
world of Makeup Artists and the
everyday consumer that your body is
your largest organ. It only takes 28
seconds for a toxic ingredient to hit
your bloodstream. Yes, your body is
good at getting rid of it but when
we're marinating in these products
since before we are born our systems
tap out. We start seeing allergies, and
a lot of these ingredients are hormone
disruptors that can contribute to
fertility issues. We're providing
makeup and tools that allow
everyone to ignite their creativity,
push their limits, and work flawlessly
in a safe way not only for all humans
but also for our environment.
What people, what books, what life
factors have influenced and
impacted you?
Well to be quite honest, we do all the
things here at MisMacK HQ
including shipping, receiving, and
labelling. And getting our labels on
straight is truly a daily challenge lol.
What are the challenges you and
your team at MisMacK come
across in your day-to-day
operations?
Enlighten us on how you have
made an impact in this industry
through your expertise in the
industry.
Where do you envision yourself to
be in the long run, and what are
your future goals for MisMacK?
complimentary pampering sessions
all day every day at our MisMacK
stores; educating our clients on
product placement and how to use
our unique products. We believe less
is more and learning how to use our
products in multiple ways. Our tag is
'we're Small but Mighty and the
Masters of Multi-Purpose products'.
Eliminating wasteful packaging and
the overwhelming guilty feeling you
have when you open up an over-
packed makeup bag. We teach that
“Makeup does not define you; it's
merely a tool of Empowerment”
I envision MisMacK being a trusted
Global Brand. My goal is to have
about 5 stores across Canada, one in
London, one in Paris, New York and
LA. 9. What would be your advice to
budding entrepreneurs? Fail into your
flow. Failure is where growth
happens. I say if you're not failing
you're not growing. Everything is
also figure-out-able. If you want it
bad enough you will figure out a way
to make it happen.
Taking into consideration, the
current pandemic, and its impact
on global economies, how are you
driving your organization to
sustain operations and ensuring
the safety of your employees at the
same time?
Dany Sanz the founder of Makeup
Forever is my biggest idol. Our
stories are incredibly similar, and a
super cool thing is that we now have
her full support and her using
MisMacK in her pro kit. My time
favourite book is the 5 am Club.
Describe in detail the values and
the work culture that drives
MisMacK.
Safety is of utmost importance here
at MisMacK. As a pro makeup artist
sanitation is our number one priority.
Being in a small boutique shop that's
a small batch, we're able to easily
manage quality and safety control.
We always make sure our team is
happy and healthy.
We value education, customer
service, customer experience, and
fun. Makeup is fun. We offer

NITA WHITE-IVY
A Tech Savvy HR Leader with Extensive Work Experiences
Chief Human Resources Officer
BlackBerry
40 | AUGUST 2023

Operating an efficient business
requires effective communication, a
skilled workforce, and effective work
culture. These all can be achieved by
having a proficient HR team that is
also responsible for moderating
errors, increasing employee
engagement, forming the foundation
for better client relationships,
stimulating innovation and creativity,
and helping in building a positive
culture. Meet Nita White-Ivy, Chief
Human Resources Officer at
BlackBerry, who holds on
experience in best-in-class global HR
practices/management and interface
with the compensation committee of
company's board of directors mostly
in the areas of officers' and board of
directors' compensation, incentives,
and benefits.
At BlackBerry, Nita is responsible
for leading the HR team to design
and deliver global programs,
initiatives, partnerships, solutions,
and services in all facets of HR, to
support the achievement of the
company's operational goals and
strategic objectives. This includes
HR business partnerships, talent
development, talent acquisition, total
rewards, employee relations &
compliance, DE&I, HRIS/HRIT &
analytics, HR operations, support and
services, and strategic programs.
The Beginning
Nita considers her entering the high
technology industry as HR manager
of professional employment and
compensation for a notable
mainframe computer company was
the true beginning of her HR career.
Prior to joining BlackBerry, Nita
spent 15 years as the head of global
HR with Sybase Inc., until it was
acquired by SAP. She says, “We
became part of SAP and I
concurrently served as Chief People
Officer for SuccessFactors (another
SAP-acquired company) until I
joined BlackBerry.”
At the beginning of her career, she
was termed “the feisty” and “most
productive recruiter” for developing
and driving successful university
relations and recruitment programs
which accelerated recruitment of top-
notch college graduates to fill
engineering and development
employment requisitions. Nita was
also fortunate to be selected at that
time as one of the high-potential
employees for the company thereby
receiving a promotion to the next
grade every 15 to 18 months. She
asserts, “It was my desire to be in
high demand, energized, and
forward-looking-industry and work
environment. I always aspire to be
where technology addresses current
global requirements plus the
foresight for the future.”
A Woman of Persistence
Nita was a single mom at a very
young age. Then, she was taking the
responsibility alone for the child, and
being a new immigrant to the U.S.
and living with the sole purpose to
provide a good life for her son as a
responsible parent. She set out her
“to get the proper academic
preparation” to be able to compete in
the job market and qualify for a good
job and pay. It was an unwavering
goal for her to secure a stronger
future for both of them (for her and
her child.) The challenges of not
having friends or family members to
assist her, working full-time while
going to school full-time, did not
derail her from the goal.
Nita considers that the reason she is
thriving and feeling strengthened in
the sector is because of being an
active participant and contributor in a
turn-around organization. BlackBerry
is the third turn-around company that
she had been fortunate to join. There
is the ultimate reward and the
sweetness of success when the
company succeeds in achieving its
transformation objectives. She
deems, “Employee morale,
performance and retention,
recruitment of talent, and company
stock price all get the positive boost
just to name a few.”
For Nita, success is having a strong
purpose to achieve with focus and
perseverance, overcoming
challenges, acknowledging any fear
of failure, and managing it until the
completion of what one sets out to
accomplish.
Thriving in Male-Dominated
Sector
Nita states, “Challenges, setbacks,
roadblocks, and the lessons we learn
from them do make a person
O

stronger.” From her journey
experiences, she points that as a
woman, and a minority, entering the
high-technology world and
succeeding in it was most
challenging, to say the least.
Nita recalls that she worked doubly
hard every step of the way, did her
“homework” to demonstrate
knowledge and proficiency, and
earned professional respect
accordingly. She asserts, “Being a
corporate officer for three companies
in the last 20+ years has its own set
of challenges. But they are just that -
challenges to overcome and to
navigate with purpose and
determination for one to succeed and
make a difference.”
The biggest lessons of Nita's
professional journey are:
(1) Ability to juggle, prioritize and
re-prioritize what needs to get done
as days usually do not go as planned:
(2) Understand, keep up to date, and
deliver to the company's business
needs/requirements: and.
(3) Balance mind and heart when
leading and developing your team
members. Accept that there will be
some failures and disappointments,
but witnessing mentees grow, and
blossom professionally are the
precious rewards to savour.
The Brand; BlackBerry
BlackBerry is delivering the next
generation of cloud-based, AI
cybersecurity solutions to address
AWARDS
42 | AUGUST 2023

today and tomorrow's cybersecurity
threats and ensure organizations of all
sizes remain safe
BlackBerry is poised to extend this
position by accelerating the adoption
of emerging automotive connected
services with its BlackBerry IVY
platform, co-developed with AWS, as
well as by expanding its footprint in
safety-critical connected endpoints
found in industries such as
transportation, medical,
manufacturing, and robotics. as well
as by expanding its footprint in safety-
critical connected endpoints found in
industries such as transportation,
medical, manufacturing, and robotics.
The Roots of BlackBerry
According to Nita, integrity and
innovation are fully embedded in
BlackBerry's core values, which are
well communicated to its global
employees and posted on the internal
website as shown below. She says,
“HR models these Core Values in
everything that we do.”
Innovation: The Company leads
in its chosen markets by
constantly innovating. “We learn
equally from our successes and
failures, and never rest on our
laurels.”
Integrity: The business is based
on the trust customers place in
BlackBerry to secure their most
valuable information. “We
conduct ourselves at the highest
level of business ethics by
complying with our internal
controls and procedures.”
Customer Focus: BlackBerry is
successful because customers
trust it to secure their most
sensitive information. “Each day
begins by focusing on our
customers first and being as
responsive as possible to their
secure communications needs.”
Accountability: The teams are
knowledgeable, fully engaged,
and accountable. “By cultivating
and rewarding individual
passion, creativity, and
achievement, we meet and exceed
our commitments to our
colleagues and the business.”
Teamwork and Mutual
Respect: All employees work as
one team, united behind the same
goals, and always with respect for
each other as professionals. “We
have each other's backs and do
whatever we can to support each
other, including colleagues in
other workgroups.”
Ensuring the Company Leads with
Best Work Practices
The pandemic has altered the
“normal” or regular workday. Nita
leads the HR team to ensure the
company delivers what is best
practice in the industry in terms of
programs, systems, processes, and
policies to serve the business needs of
the companies and in compliance with
the employment laws of the countries
where BlackBerry does business. She
mentions that due to COVID-19, there
is no “best-practice box” to draw from
for HR practitioners to meet and solve
the challenges, uncertainties, and
issues each day brings. At this time,
and until the teams return to a near-
normal or normal company operation,
she is leading the HR team in
protecting the health and safety of
employees and maintaining ongoing
and close HR communication with the
people leaders and employees.
Furthermore, the team is also keeping
abreast of local government and
health authorities' directives/mandates
and ensuring company compliance.
As a Leader
Nita sees herself as a 'tenacious'
leader. Prioritizing, being resilient,
and taking time to recharge including
taking a 'mental health day off' is her
mantra of having a balanced life.
At the company, she keeps everyone
motivate by having and sharing a
common purpose and focus,
maintaining ongoing communication
and collaboration, and recognizing
team members for their contribution
and support of each other. She asserts,
“I am committed to seeing, and be a
part of, the completion of
BlackBerry's successful turnaround.”
A Note for Young Leaders
“Have a sense of purpose that is
strong enough for you to not yield to
challenges, roadblocks, and setbacks,
each of which carries a lesson to be
learned for future reflection and draw
from as a useful tool,” says Nita. She
further suggests that do our best to
achieve a balance between mind and
heart. She thinks, “Applying
emotional intelligence, especially in
today's world of pandemic fatigue and
mental stress, will connect you
positively closer to your colleagues
and customers.

Empowering People through the
Magic of
Fragrance
Sue
Phillips

When combined
with the sense of
smell, a scent has
the power to evoke
fond memories and
a range of feelings
that can uplift
people's spirits,
deepen romance,
elevate moods, and
create a general
sense of happiness. Fragrances help make life complete.
They emphasise the value of scent, a frequently
undervalued human sense that, along with sight and sound,
gives a priceless vibrancy to the tapestry of life. To
maintain this tapestry, & of
Sue Phillips, CEO Founder
Scenterprises Inc., transitioned herself into the world of
fragrances.
Journey to the Destination
Sue Phillips was born and raised in South Africa, and ever
since she was a child, she wanted to pursue a career in
theatre. She moved to New York and immersed herself in
Broadway culture. Shortly thereafter, she was hired by
Elizabeth Arden's cosmetics division after a head-hunter
decided that her theatrical background would make her a
good fit for the field. After working in training as National
Training Director she was then promoted to product
development, and ultimately marketing at Elizabeth Arden
for six years, she was hired as the marketing director of
Lancôme Paris.
After four years, Sue was recruited to the position of
Executive Vice President of Tiffany & Co., where she
created and developed the first Tiffany perfume and
oversaw the global launch. After a successful launch and
the development of Tiffany for Men, she left to have her
daughter and established Scenterprises Inc., a global
fragrance company that manages product development,
marketing, and branding for well-known companies and
brands, including Burberry, Avon, Lancaster, and Trish
McEvoy. As we know, the 2008 economic crisis created
more challenges, and Sue established her perfume boutique
The Scentarium in Tribeca, where Sue and her team
developed distinctive, specially formulated perfumes for
clients, A-list celebrities such as Jamie Foxx, Katie Holmes,
Zendaya as well as Fortune 500 corporations for team-
building, corporate events as well as Bridal Showers.
“In order to continue to grow and develop as a leader I
believe one has to be very aware of trends, predict them,
strive to be ahead of them, be a trailblazerand establish
them!”- says Sue
Scenterprises Inc.
Scenterprises started out as a global consulting firm
specialising in product development, marketing, branding,
and forging strategic partnerships between apparel and
cosmetics companies. It also provides expert witness
testimony in legal situations involving copyright,
trademark, and distribution disputes; many motivational
speaking engagements; and supports philanthropic
endeavours for Alzheimer's and Wild Life programs, which
resonate with Sue's personal causes and initiatives. The idea
of creating bespoke or custom perfumes emerged as a way
to give people and fragrance lovers the opportunity to have
their own personalised fragrance to reflect their
individuality and personality after a proliferation of
designer and celebrity brands, which were at their peak
from the 1980s to 2010s.
At the time, this was a brand-new endeavour! The idea of
"Tupperware parties for scent" had people raising their
eyebrows. Since then, it has grown and now provides
tailored fragrances and scents for both men and women;
perfume parties; fragrance bars; corporate team-building
activities; and bridal celebrations for high-profile A-listers.
Scenterprises gave rise to the Scentarium perfume shop. To
assist customers in comprehending the magic and mystique
of fragrance, Sue creates cutting-edge 'scentsory' events and
initiatives. People can use the Scent Personality Quiz to
determine which fragrance family most closely resembles
their personalities and unique characteristics. People are
constantly in awe at how accurate it is. On both iOS and
Android smartphones, anyone can access the quiz on her
app:https://www.suephillipsapp.com. By doing interviews,
releasing podcasts, and hosting "live , Sue uses
" programs
it to promote the company.
w
56 | AUGUST 2023

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