Podcasts about positivehire

Michele Heyward is the Founder and CEO of PositiveHire, a tech company engineered to bridge the gap between enterprises and underrepresented women in STEM professions. In this episode, KJ and Michele discuss the challenges faced by women of color in STEM fields, the need for structural changes in workplace culture, and the economic impact of failing to embrace DE&I. The conversation also covers the practical aspects of community engagement, addressing workforce shortages, and the significance of inclusive infrastructure initiatives.   Key Takeaways: 03:17 Michele's Journey into Civil Engineering 07:02 Challenges Faced by Women of Color in STEM 09:39 The Impact of Diversity on Engineering and Society 19:09 Community Engagement and Its Importance 24:15 Understanding Workforce Turnover 26:44 The Glass Cliff Phenomenon 30:06 Impact of Employee Attrition 43:51 Mid-Market Companies and Talent Retention   Quote of the Show (18:00): "DEI is not going away. Some people may change the terminology, but if we do not grasp diversity, equity, inclusion in the workplace, we're in for a world of hurt around our infrastructure." - Michele Heyward   Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we're keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome.   Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval   Ways to connect with Michele Heyward: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelecheyward Twitter: https://twitter.com/MicheleCHeyward Company Website: https://positivehire.co/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/positivehireco/   How to get more Disruption/Interruption:  Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michele is the Founder of PositiveHire, a firm that helps employers recruit and retain experienced Black, Latinx & Indigenous women in STEM for management roles. In this episdoe we go deep into what its like navigating the STEM world from college to upper management as a woman of color. We also chat about an interesting concept coined "social listening." Give the show a listen and remember to thank your local Public Works Professionals.For more: https://positivehire.co/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/public-works-podcast--3064636/support.

Today's episode we are jumping into a topic that has been buzzing in the LinkedIn community - LinkedIn Voices. LinkedIn isn't just a tool for job searchers anymore it has morphed into a social network for professionals, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and so much more. Even if you aren't actively looking for a job if you want to grow your company or in the company you are in, Linked In is becoming that place. Recently Linked has introduced a lot of features to support being the overall thought leadership platform so today I wanted to talk with Michele Heyward the Founder of Positive Hire a startup with a mission to connect black, Latina, and indigenous women in STEM with management roles. Michelle is not only an expert in her field but also a LinkedIn pro. In this episode, Michelle shares her journey on LinkedIn, the evolution of LinkedIn features, and how entrepreneurs and professional women can leverage LinkedIn Voices to establish authority, and visibility, and grow their business. Key Takeaways from this episode on LinkedIn Voices: LinkedIn Voices Demystified: Understand the LinkedIn Voices feature and how it can benefit online business owners and professional women. Strategic LinkedIn Usage: Gain insights into strategic LinkedIn usage, focusing on quality interactions for business growth. STEM Leadership Insights: Explore the STEM Leadership Journey Summit for valuable insights from accomplished women in STEM leadership roles. Networking Opportunities: Discover how LinkedIn can be a powerful networking tool, leading to unexpected business opportunities. Practical LinkedIn Tips: Receive practical tips on optimizing your LinkedIn profile and utilizing features to enhance visibility and engagement. STEM Leadership Journey Summit: Learn about the upcoming Women of Color in STEM Leadership Journeys Summit on February 22, 2024. Michelle shares the details, including the diverse lineup of speakers, various formats, and how to register. Questions Answered in This Episode: What is LinkedIn Voices, and how can it benefit my online business or professional journey? How has LinkedIn evolved over the years, and what role did it play during the 2008 economic downturn? What are practical tips for using LinkedIn strategically without feeling overwhelmed? How can I leverage LinkedIn features for business growth, especially as a woman in STEM or a professional entrepreneur? Tell me more about the STEM Leadership Journey Summit, and why should I attend as an entrepreneur or professional woman? Listen to the full episode to gain a deeper understanding of LinkedIn Voices and LinkedIn Overall can help your business grow your online visibility, implement practical tips for strategic LinkedIn usage, and register for the Women of Color in STEM Leadership Journeys Summit on February 22, 2024. Connect with Michele Heyward: LinkedIn: Michele Heyward https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelecheyward/ Website: Positive Hire Save the Date: Women of Color in STEM Leadership Journeys Summit Date: February 22, 2024 Registration: https://bit.ly/stemwomenleadership24 A little About Michele Dirt Road born and raised in rural South Carolina, Michele Heyward's one of five children and was known for being quiet, unlike the confident leader she is today. She is not your typical tech startup CEO. Michele may appear as an extrovert, but she's an ambivert at heart. And while she hated coding in school, she loved math and its endless possibilities. As the founder and CEO of PositiveHire, Michele is dedicated to empowering Black, Latina, and Indigenous women in STEM. Her innovative software, PH Balanced, focuses on retaining underrepresented women in STEM management positions. Through her work as a Certified ISO-30415 Diversity & Inclusion Professional, Michele helps companies create equitable and inclusive workplaces for all. Michele holds a BS in Civil Engineering and an MS in Industrial Management from Clemson University. She has experience as a construction project manager in the energy sector building the power grid...it's women's work, so someone had to do it!   Thanks for tuning in, and until next time, stay visible

In this episode of the ImpactVest Alliance CEO Roundtable Podcast, Aisha Williams, Founder and CEO of ImpactVest, hosts a dynamic conversation with Salma Sakr, Chief Growth Officer of Rology,Rukayat Bello, CEO and Co-Founder of Regxta, and Michelle Heyward, Founder of PositiveHire. Together, they delve into the 2024 outlook, highlighting the transformative impact of AI on various sectors and sharing valuable perspectives on AI's role in reshaping healthcare, HR technology, and financial services.

Michele Heyward: Civil Engineer and Founder Michele Heyward is a civil engineer and founder of PositiveHire.co. She's also host of the Dear Corner Office podcast and the person behind the PH Balanced software. People Analytics Consultant - she's that, too. She's obviously a number of things. I'm looking forward to learning more about where she started and where she's going. To get in touch with Michele, her LinkedIn is https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelecheyward. __ TEACH THE GEEK (teachthegeek.com) Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Follow @teachthegeek (Twitter) and @_teachthegeek_ (IG) Get Public Speaking Tips for STEM Professionals at http://teachthegeek.com/tips.

When you see a pervasive, systemic issue of underrepresentation, do you call it out? Michele Heyward did. Michele Heyward is a force to be reckoned with in the world of tech and diversity and inclusion. As the Founder and CEO of PositiveHire, she has revolutionized the way that underrepresented women in STEM are recruited and retained in management positions. Her innovative software assists these women in finding the best fit employer for them to advance their careers, while also helping employers retain diverse STEM talent longer. Dina and Michele sit down to talk about her mission as a disrupter, specifically in her work to empower employers to create inclusive, open environments where Latina, Black, and Indigenous women STEM professionals can show up as their authentic selves, where their voices are heard, and their differences are valued. As a Certified ISO-30415 Diversity & Inclusion Professional, she uses ISO audits, people analytics, and D&I consulting to help organizations prepare to receive a diverse workforce. With a BS degree in Civil Engineering and MS degree in Industrial Management from Clemson University, as well as experience as a construction project manager in the energy sector, Michele brings a wealth of technical knowledge and experience to her role as CEO of PositiveHire. Her passion for creating a more equitable and inclusive workforce is evident in everything she does, and she is dedicated to making a positive impact in the world of STEM. To learn more about Michele Heyward and her company, head to https://positivehire.co/about-michele-heyward/

In this episode, ImpactVest Founder and CEO Aisha Williams, talks to Michele Heyward the Founder and CEO of PositiveHire, about how to transform the workplace and focus on talent retention.

In this episode, I talk with Michele Heyward, EIT, the founder and CEO of PositiveHire, about the current state of civil engineering diversity, the challenges faced by underrepresented groups in the industry, and retention strategies for keeping diverse talent in engineering construction. ***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.*** Engineering Quotes: Here […] The post TCEP 246: Why Civil Engineering Diversity is Essential for a Better Future appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.

JUST RELEASED-  LEADHERSHIP RELOADED!!LeadHership Reloaded invites you on a transformative journey that reshapes leadership beyond gender confines. Discover how every individual's boundless potential defines leadership, challenging conventional narratives. It's time to rewrite the story of leadership, and the journey starts with each turn of these transformative pages.***************************** In this episode of the She Leads Now Podcast, we dive into the gritty reality of diversity and the challenges it presents in STEM and construction sectors with none other than Michelle Heyward, founder and CEO of Positive Hire. Her journey, of being often the sole representation of diversity, is an eye-opening account of what it means to step into shoes rarely filled by underrepresented groups. Through her SaaS platform PH Balance, she offers a blueprint to engineering construction companies to retain and cultivate diversity within their workforce. Listen in as we dissect the ominous glass cliff phenomenon—it's not mere management failure, but a pitfall intentionally set for underrepresented women. Connecting the dots between CEOs and their responsibility towards their employees, we dive into some honest and profound discussions on the need to engage with their employees.  Key Takeaways:The need for self-awareness and bias identification among leadersThe importance of engaging with employees and addressing their needsInsights on the glass cliff phenomenon and the importance of culture change in organizationsAdvice for individuals looking to advance their careers and for middle managers in creating sustainable and inclusive environments. Resources Mentioned:Webinar: Building Sustainable Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Engineering & Construction" on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 10 am - 4 pm ETRegister at https://www.airmeet.com/e/5a62ae70-1259-11ee-b22e-6db995af238fWebsite - https://PositiveHire.coLinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelecheyward*****************************HOST INFO:With years of experience as a Transformational Speaker, Author, and Executive & Leadership Career Strategist, she has worked with clients in both start-ups and Fortune 500 companies to support their growth and development. Sabine inspires her clients to become confident, influential leaders who drive transformation and achieve their desired results.As the Founder of She Leads Network and host of She Leads Now, a top-rated podcast centered around women in leadership and business, Sabine Gedeon is passionate about helping women and emerging leaders elevate their influence and impact. Get Your Copy of my NEW BOOK - LeadHership Reloaded (Special Rate applied for listeners of the show)Work With Me: Complimentary DiscoveryMy Gifts To You: FREE ResourcesConnect With Your Peers: Get on the waitlist to be notified when doors reopen to SheLeads Network

Are you a leader in an organization striving to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)? If so, it's crucial to understand that simply appointing a Chief Diversity Officer or a DEI leader with a small team and limited resources isn't enough.Too often, leaders assume that the problem lies elsewhere and give their DEI teams insufficient tools to make real change. On this week's episode of She Leads Now, I am joined by Michele Heyward. Tune in as we explore the challenges that organizations face when trying to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Michele Heyward is the founder and CEO of PositiveHire, a tech company engineered to connect Black, Latinx and Indigenous women who are experienced scientists, engineers and technology professionals to management roles. As an experienced construction project manager in the energy sector, Michele is armed with technical sales and technology transfer experience. Michele's vision is to not only help underrepresented women in STEM find inclusive workplaces, but to also prepare business organizations to receive themLearn more and access the resources mentioned in the show HERE****************************************************RESOURCES MENTIONED:Website - https://PositiveHire.xoLinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelecheywardComplimentary Leadership Course -https://positivehire.thinkific.com/courses/leadershipBOOK RECCOMENDATIONS:Plantation Theory: The Black Professional's Struggle Between Freedom and Security****************************************************FREE RESOURCES: Check out my gifts to you!  https://sabinegedeon.com/sheleadsHOST INFO:As an experienced HR executive, Transformational Speaker, Coach, & Consultant Sabine Gedeon has helped numerous clients in both start-ups and Fortune 500 companies address their development needs and achieve their growth goals. Her expertise inspires her clients to become confident and influential leaders who embrace change and transformation, both personal and professional.**************************************************** Work With Me: Complimentary DiscoveryMy Gifts To You: FREE ResourcesMeet us in the LeadHers Lounge every 4th Wednesday for an hour of growth, networking, & Q&A. There's no cost to attend and you can join as many sessions as you'd like. RSVP to attend next month's virtual meet-up.Join She Leads Network:She Leads Community: sheleadsnetwork.com/communityShe Leads Collective: sheleadsnetwork.com/collective*Use Promo Code: Community for 20% Special Savings Discount on annual membership

On this episode of The DEB Show, host Debra Eckerling talks about The Changing Workplace with founders Victoria Lynne Hannu of Heart and Soul CEO, and Michele Heyward of PositiveHire.  Victoria and Michelle discuss what leaders need to do to maintain their company culture and how team members can thrive in this age of hybrid and remote work. They also share what this topic means to them, as well as anecdotes, insights, and tips from the employer and employee side.  

On this episode of The DEB Show, host Debra Eckerling speaks about mission and impact with powerhouse founders Michele Heyward, PositiveHire, and Erin Longmoon, Zephyr Connects.  Erin and Michele talk about their journeys, businesses, and personal missions. They also share what drives them, tips for finding your mission, and more. Whatever your mission, you are bound to have an impact; make it a good one.

In this episode, Michele Heyward discusses her experience as a woman in the technology field. She discusses the numerous challenges in her career due to discrimination and stereotypes that she's faced. Michelle also discusses her company, Positive Hire, which uses people analytics to connect black, Latina, and indigenous women who are scientists, engineers, or technology professionals with management roles. Listen as she explains how her company is working to help retaining these talented individuals in the technology field.   Here's a bit about Michele's passion: Michele Heyward is the founder and CEO of PositiveHire, a tech company engineered to connect Black, Latinx and Indigenous women who are experienced scientists, engineers and technology professionals to management roles. As an experienced construction project manager in the energy sector, Michele is armed with technical sales and technology transfer experience.   Michele's vision is to not only help underrepresented women in STEM find inclusive workplaces, but to also prepare business organizations to retain them. Michele holds a BS degree in Civil Engineering and MS degree in Industrial Management, both from Clemson University. Let's dive in! [00:01 – 11:00] Women on the Struggle with Limited Resources and Exclusion  Michele's childhood love of science and technology - pursuing a career in engineering Founding Positive Hire - connecting women in the science and tech industry The different impact between men and women in corporate America   [11:01 – 30:21] The Focus on Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Helping medium size manufacturing companies retain diverse talent How retaining this talent can prevent lawsuits and recruitment costs Sponsors vs. mentors on power and influence in both the department and industry   [30:22 – 33:51] Closing Segment Bring the human into what you do Connect with Michele! (links below) Parting Notes   You can learn more about Michele Heyward by visiting her website https://positivehire.co/. You may also connect with her on Linkedin and send her an email at michele.heyward@positivehire.co Sponsors: Banowetz Marketing: Growing a business is hard. Banowetz Marketing provides an action plan and expert help so your family business can thrive. BanowetzMarketing.com/James Coupon Code: JAMES to get 3 FREE hours of logo design or redesign work with the purchase of any other product.  If this content impacts you, please subscribe for more access to the empowering conversations from me and guests working to help you engineer your success! Use this link to drop a question or a topic that you would like to see covered on a future episode: Questions or topic suggestions.   Let's connect! Find me on my LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. I'd love to hear from you. You have the strength of a hero within you. Check out my website https://betteryou4u.com/ and learn how to unlock your potential and achieve success both in business and in life.   Important Resources to Note: Click here https://sleekbio.com/jbryant for important resources mentioned on this podcast.   Tweetable Quotes: “Oftentimes, women are regulated to scheduling the meeting, taking notes in a meeting, nobody's even asking them their thoughts. They are often spoken over during the meeting, and people taking what they said when they do speak as their own.” - Michele Heyward “You have what you need to succeed…  What you should be focusing on is understanding the culture of that organization… Find a sponsor that removes barriers for you to move ahead in your career.” - Michele Heyward “[Your] preference must not be navigated by society. You define what success looks like.” - Dr. James Bryant

In this episode, Michele Heyward discusses her experience as a woman in the technology field. She discusses the numerous challenges in her career due to discrimination and stereotypes that she's faced. Michelle also discusses her company, Positive Hire, which uses people analytics to connect black, Latina, and indigenous women who are scientists, engineers, or technology professionals with management roles. Listen as she explains how her company is working to help retaining these talented individuals in the technology field.   Here's a bit about Michele's passion: Michele Heyward is the founder and CEO of PositiveHire, a tech company engineered to connect Black, Latinx and Indigenous women who are experienced scientists, engineers and technology professionals to management roles. As an experienced construction project manager in the energy sector, Michele is armed with technical sales and technology transfer experience.   Michele's vision is to not only help underrepresented women in STEM find inclusive workplaces, but to also prepare business organizations to retain them. Michele holds a BS degree in Civil Engineering and MS degree in Industrial Management, both from Clemson University. Let's dive in! [00:01 – 11:00] Women on the Struggle with Limited Resources and Exclusion  Michele's childhood love of science and technology - pursuing a career in engineering Founding Positive Hire - connecting women in the science and tech industry The different impact between men and women in corporate America   [11:01 – 30:21] The Focus on Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Helping medium size manufacturing companies retain diverse talent How retaining this talent can prevent lawsuits and recruitment costs Sponsors vs. mentors on power and influence in both the department and industry   [30:22 – 33:51] Closing Segment Bring the human into what you do Connect with Michele! (links below) Parting Notes   You can learn more about Michele Heyward by visiting her website https://positivehire.co/. You may also connect with her on Linkedin and send her an email at michele.heyward@positivehire.co Sponsors: Banowetz Marketing: Growing a business is hard. Banowetz Marketing provides an action plan and expert help so your family business can thrive. BanowetzMarketing.com/James Coupon Code: JAMES to get 3 FREE hours of logo design or redesign work with the purchase of any other product.  If this content impacts you, please subscribe for more access to the empowering conversations from me and guests working to help you engineer your success! Use this link to drop a question or a topic that you would like to see covered on a future episode: Questions or topic suggestions.   Let's connect! Find me on my LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. I'd love to hear from you. You have the strength of a hero within you. Check out my website https://betteryou4u.com/ and learn how to unlock your potential and achieve success both in business and in life.   Important Resources to Note: Click here https://sleekbio.com/jbryant for important resources mentioned on this podcast.   Tweetable Quotes: “Oftentimes, women are regulated to scheduling the meeting, taking notes in a meeting, nobody's even asking them their thoughts. They are often spoken over during the meeting, and people taking what they said when they do speak as their own.” - Michele Heyward “You have what you need to succeed…  What you should be focusing on is understanding the culture of that organization… Find a sponsor that removes barriers for you to move ahead in your career.” - Michele Heyward “[Your] preference must not be navigated by society. You define what success looks like.” - Dr. James Bryant

This week we sit down with the Founder of PositiveHire, Michele Heyward. PositiveHire is a tech company which helps to recruit and retain experienced Latina, Black and indigenous women STEM professionals into management positions. Our software assists these women in finding the best fit employer for them to advance their careers. This in turn helps employers retain diverse STEM talent longer. We talk about her career as a Civil Engineer, growing up in a family where her curiosity was encouraged and why it's more important for people to be a co-conspirator than an ally. ***Thank you to BetterHelp for sponsoring this episode. Take charge of your mental health and get 10% off of your first month of therapy at: https://BetterHelp.com/changeup 

Michele Heyward is a civil engineer who built the U.S. power grid. Now she's a tech startup founder building the future of work at PositiveHire. Michele grew up in rural South Carolina in a three-bedroom house full of kids. She had four siblings. She describes herself as the weird kid, really good at math.Encouraged to pursue science and engineering, she went to engineering camp 30 years ago at 13 years old.“But what really got me sold on engineering was when I was 12, a Category Five hurricane hit South Carolina and my mom's younger sister and her family live near Charleston where the hurricane hit...They had a newer brick home that was destroyed during the hurricane while they were in it. I couldn't understand: how could a home that new be destroyed by something called a hurricane? And that's how I literally got interested in civil engineering and decided to major in it.”She learned about people who had designed an indestructible egg-shaped home on the coast, and she thought,“How do you build a home or structure like that? It really started me into the path of civil engineering.” After working in the corporate world for many years, Michele got tired of being “the only.”“Something that is really common, unfortunately, is the ‘only' experience for a lot of Black, Latinx, and indigenous women in STEM. What I mean is you're the only one, you're the only Black woman. You're the only Latina engineer on your team, group, department, company. For years out in construction, I was the only Black woman engineer. I was only Black woman, period…so many other women quit.”Michele stayed at her her previous environmental engineering firm for 12 years.“I told myself somebody else is going to come who doesn't have the wherewithal to do what you've done this amount of time by yourself being the only.”Then she received a message from God that said, “you're not supposed to be here.”“I cried. I'd been through so much being the only, but it was time for me to go and build out something else…now it's time to go execute. It was time for me to go put in the work.”Michele founded a company, PositiveHire, that connects Black, Latinx, and Indigenous women who are experienced scientists, engineers, and technology professionals to management roles.“As a Black woman engineer I've seen companies complain they can't find diverse talent, when their real issue is retaining Black, Latinx, and Indigenous talent in STEM. The issue isn't a pipeline problem but the lack of responsibility that management teams have in creating workplaces which will retain and attract Black, Latinx, and Indigenous talent.”Michele and I had a fruitful discussion about what it's like working in spaces run by white men and how important it is to change the culture of a company before focusing on recruiting people of color. We also talked about how to write inclusive job descriptions and postings that bring in diverse candidates.Please drop me a line at marie@fertilegroundcommunications.com to let us know what you thought about this episode.I help professional services firms avoid BORING and boost employee engagement, productivity, and readership. I translate technical, complex, and lackluster language into accessible, dynamic, story-driven text. Get known in your industry through outstanding thought leadership content. Walk your talk through outstanding, effective communications with your employees and clients. Fertile Ground Communications LLC is a certified women-owned business enterprise, disadvantaged business enterprise, and emerging small business.

  This episode follows the same thread that we started in last week's episode: namely, how do we create inclusive workplaces, especially for women of color?  And this week's guest knows all about that and more, especially when it's related to women of color in STEM.   This week we get the pleasure of sitting down with Michele Heyward, who's not only an engineer herself but the founder of PositiveHire (and we'll let her tell you more about that), to talk about diverse women in STEM, her own podcast Dear Corner Office, why unconscious bias training often don't work, if there's really a “pipeline problem,” and so much more.  Get ready to take some notes (and add a new podcast to your list!).   What to listen for:  Understanding the mismatch between how so many White women think they're being allies in the workplace, while so many women of color don't think they have allies Why unconscious bias training doesn't work, and what to do instead Deconstructing the “pipeline problem” - and why we have such a problem with that thinking   About Michele: Michele Heyward is the founder and CEO of PositiveHire, a tech company engineered to bridge the gap between enterprises and underrepresented women in STEM professions. Michele is a civil engineer who is an experienced project manager in the energy sector armed with technical sales and technology transfer experience.  Michele's vision is to not only help black, Latina and indigenous women find inclusive workplaces, but to prepare enterprises to receive them, and help those enterprises recruit them. This approach makes PositiveHire the premiere recruiting platform for black, Latina, and indigenous women professionals. Michele has a B.S. degree in civil engineering and an M.S. degree in industrial management, both from Clemson University. A South Carolina native, Michele enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, Toastmasters, and making connections personally and professionally. Michele has a passion for engaging with others on social media.  

Today we have Michele Heyward on the show, she founded PositiveHire, a community for women of colour in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Today, we talk about what it's like building a space for Only's, and how to instill hope and a sense of community among a diverse group of people.

Today we have Michele Heyward on the show, she founded PositiveHire, a community for women of colour in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Today, we talk about what it's like building a space for Only's, and how to instill hope and a sense of community among a diverse group of people.

**PositiveHire isn't about just getting jobs. It's about building community and supporting underrepresented women in STEM to remain in their careers while advancing in the workplace.** https://www.pscp.tv/w/1lPKqdvVEOExb?t=1m25s Subscribe to Her Career Ladder on Soundwise

Michele Heyward is founder and CEO of PositiveHire, a tech company engineered to bridge the gap between enterprises and women of color in STEM.

Today we got to sit down with my fellow geek, Michele Heyward. And boy, let me tell you, she is a blast. I first met Michele in the VVM Start Up Accelerator- much like Episode 6 guest Oscar. Michele blew my mind early on. Her warmth, charisma, humor and caring are all evident from the minute she says hello to you. She can conversate with the best of them, and she holds your interest. But what you don't see until you get to know her, is her extreme want to help create a world of equal opportunity, equity, and respect. Oh you learn it within five minutes, but by then you already know Michele for who she is. She is one of the most genuine people you can ever meet, and she will have you in stitches for hours. We get to talk about her passions, her history, and how she is advocating for change in the STEM field, specifically for women of color. You may notice that Michele's company is actually name PositiveHire, and that the name of the episode is actually Positive Higher.... this wasn't a mistake- in the episode we talk about how Michele came up with the amazing pun for her company. I wanted to honor that in the title, because she literally is a person who is bringing the value of "Positive" to a higher level. Michele Heyward is founder and CEO of PositiveHire, a tech company engineered to bridge the gap between enterprises and women of color in STEM. Michele is an experienced project manager in the energy sector armed with technical sales and technology transfer experience. Michele’s vision is to not only help women of color in STEM find inclusive workplaces, but to prepare enterprises to receive them, and help those enterprises recruit them.This approach makes PositiveHire, the premiere recruiting platform for women of color professionals. Michele has a B.S. degree in civil engineering and M.S. degree in industrial management, both from Clemson University. A South Carolina native, Michele enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, Toastmasters, and making connections personally and professionally. Michele has a passion for engaging with others on social media. Check out the work she is doing here: http://www.positivehire.co/ You can contact Michele here: michele.heyward@positivehire.co or on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram

Hello listeners, and welcome back to Tech Forward! Kicking off our summer rebroadcasts, we're featuring the second episode of our November 2018 job seeker series, when I spoke with Michele Heyward, founder of PositiveHire. PositiveHire is a tech company engineered to bridge the gap between employers and women of color STEM professionals. Michele’s vision is to not only help experienced women of color find inclusive workplaces, but to help enterprises recruit them. PositiveHire does this via matching experienced women of color STEM professionals to relevant management positions within organizations. In this episode, we discussed Michele’s plans and aspirations for her business, as well as her advice for women and companies on how to begin to narrow the gender pay gap. PositiveHire grew, in part, from Michele’s previous experience in career coaching. Having heard similar stories of career struggles from many female engineers, she wanted to help as many women in STEM as possible — and as quickly as possible. “What I want PositiveHire to do is enable women from different races to understand what a company’s culture provides each one of them. Each race can and will be discriminated against differently. So, what is it about the company culture that may benefit one woman of color, but not another? The ability to determine fit based on cultural background, gender, and race would help so many women.” When it comes to externally determining a company or organization’s culture, Michele has a few tips for job seekers. First and foremost, look at upper management: less diversity at that level may indicate a cultural issue. For instance, it’s not uncommon for the responsibility of leadership to rest of the shoulders of Black women, but not the title. Connecting with former employees of the company on services such as LinkedIn can also be helpful, as they are often willing to be candid about their experiences within the company. Michele also has words of wisdom to share as far as closing the wage gap. For women, especially women of color, she emphasizes the importance of knowing when to say no, and keeping concrete, quantitative documentation of how you’ve helped your company, team, or group. At the employer level, she notes, “You have the information you need to go through and equalize pay in your organization. How long are you willing to gamble that your employees won’t find out they’ve been underpaid?” Course correcting isn’t just about avoiding short-term negative consequences, however. There are plenty of long term benefits to making this effort, including positive press, and improving the bottom line. Michele, thank you so much for coming onto the show and discussing the important work you’re doing with PositiveHire. Thank you also to all of you out there listening, subscribing, and sharing the show. See you next week! Connect with us Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

This week's guest is Michele Heyward. Michele is the founder and CEO of PositiveHire and an advocate for women of color in STEM. In this episode, Michele will talk about the value that women of color in STEM bring to corporations. She also talks about how employers should seek out women of color in STEM. Quote: "Don't let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. It's your place in the world; it's your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live."  - Mae Jemison Connect with Michele: www.Facebook.com/PositiveHireCo www.FB.com/MicheleCHeyward www.Twitter.com/PositiveHireCo www.Twitter.com/MicheleCHeyward www.Instagram.com/PositiveHireCo www.Instagram.com/MicheleCHeyward https://www.linkedin.com/in/MicheleCheyward https://www.linkedin.com/company/positivehire/   To learn more about booking me to speak at your event, please go to  https://www.trinamartin.com/book-trina-to-speak  If you would like to sponsor the podcast, please send an email to: trinatalk@trinamartin.com  Connect with me on Social Media: Show hashtag: #TrinaTalk Twitter: @TrinaLMartin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alooktokill/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrinaTalk/ 

Hello listeners, and welcome back to Tech Forward! For the second episode of our November job seeker series, I spoke with Michele Heyward, founder of PositiveHire. PositiveHire is a tech company engineered to bridge the gap between employers and women of color STEM professionals. Michele’s vision is to not only help experienced women of color find inclusive workplaces, but to help enterprises recruit them. PositiveHire does this via matching experienced women of color STEM professionals to relevant management positions within organizations. In this episode, we discussed Michele’s plans and aspirations for her business, as well as her advice for women and companies on how to begin to narrow the gender pay gap. PositiveHire grew, in part, from Michele’s previous experience in career coaching. Having heard similar stories of career struggles from many female engineers, she wanted to help as many women in STEM as possible — and as quickly as possible. “What I want PositiveHire to do is enable women from different races to understand what a company’s culture provides each one of them. Each race can and will be discriminated against differently. So, what is it about the company culture that may benefit one woman of color, but not another? The ability to determine fit based on cultural background, gender, and race would help so many women.” When it comes to externally determining a company or organization’s culture, Michele has a few tips for job seekers. First and foremost, look at upper management: less diversity at that level may indicate a cultural issue. For instance, it’s not uncommon for the responsibility of leadership to rest of the shoulders of Black women, but not the title. Connecting with former employees of the company on services such as LinkedIn can also be helpful, as they are often willing to be candid about their experiences within the company. Michele also has words of wisdom to share as far as closing the wage gap. For women, especially women of color, she emphasizes the importance of knowing when to say no, and keeping concrete, quantitative documentation of how you’ve helped your company, team, or group. At the employer level, she notes, “You have the information you need to go through and equalize pay in your organization. How long are you willing to gamble that your employees won’t find out they’ve been underpaid?” Course correcting isn’t just about avoiding short-term negative consequences, however. There are plenty of long term benefits to making this effort, including positive press, and improving the bottom line. Michele, thank you so much for coming onto the show and discussing the important work you’re doing with PositiveHire. Thank you also to all of you out there listening, subscribing, and sharing the show. See you next week! Connect with us Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook