Mentra

?? EntrepreneuHER: Celebration of Women in Entrepreneurship?????? ?? Women Founders Bay is partnering with The Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce in San Francisco and Silicon Valley to bring together women founders, entrepreneurs, investors, and builders for an evening of networking, panels, booths, and more! ?? Big shoutout to my co-hosts Gabriella Waak & Mariane Bekker ?? ?? As someone passionate about connecting communities, diversifying the tech industry through women empowerment, and hosting events, this event perfectly brings together an event showcasing the power of celebrating women in entrepreneurship ?? Personal Branding Panel [Moderated by Me!] ?? ???Mariane Bekker?- Investor & Managing Partner at Founders Bay, Founder at Women Founders Bay, CTO w/ 4x exits ???Keta Bagashvili?- Head of Women Creators at Whop, 2x Ex-Founder, Forbes 30u30, TedX Speaker ???Swagata Ashwani?- LinkedIn Top Voice 2024, Data Science at Boomi, CMU Almnus ???Stephanie Perrault?- Chief Growth Officer, Startup Advisor & Mentor, Author of “Brand Boss,” Keynote Speaker, South Valley Angel Associate VC/Fundraising Panel [Moderated by Gabriella Waak] ?? ???Kate Bunina?- 13+ years in Venture Building, Startup Acceleration, Investments, 4 Global Expansions, Speaker, Forbes 30u30 ???Tove Andersson?- Core Contributor?Bitchcoin.meme, Speaker at United Nations, Creator of Scandinavias largest network for women in crypto, Judge SXSW Hackathon, ETH Denver ???Jennifer Y. Chan, CFA?- CFO, VP of Finance, Startup Advisor, VC/PE Funded Technology Saas, Growth Planning, Fundraising ???Anna-Julia Storch?- Co-Founder (Neo '24), Data Science at Stanford, Threshold Venture Fellow, CDTM, Athlete Booths ?? Carolina Ochoa - Linked by Caro: Permanent Jewelry Booth Propelled Strategy - Propelling Conscious Companies Lightning Pitches ?? Jhillika Kumar CEO & Founder - Mentra Anastasia Trofimova CEO & Co-Founder - Your Beet Quinn Lee CEO & Founder - Nabu Sponsors ?? TheAgentic is the most accurate LLM for AI Agents, enabling startups to build production-grade AI applications with unmatched accuracy. Come join us for an exciting evening of socializing, food, panels, networking, but more importantly for bringing women entrepreneurs together ?? #womenentrepreneurs #womeninentrepreneurship #womenfounders #womeninvc #womenpanels #networking #tech #entrepreneurship

Our work cultures have often been built on a foundation of “sameness”—and while that might feel comfortable, it doesn’t always foster growth or innovation. When we hire solely based on how well someone fits into our existing culture, we might unintentionally be limiting ourselves to a narrow set of perspectives and experiences. Let’s rethink this together and embrace ‘divergent thinking’ as a mindset. ?? What is “Divergent Thinking”? It’s about welcoming candidates who bring new perspectives—those who approach challenges differently, offer unique talents, and enrich our workplace with a wider spectrum of ideas and experiences. Why should we embrace this approach? ?? Bringing in people with varied backgrounds and neurotypes can open doors to creative solutions and groundbreaking ideas. ?? When our teams reflect a broader range of experiences, we connect better with diverse clients and customers. This means our products and services resonate with a wider audience, not just a select few. ?? Diverse thinking brings a well-rounded approach to problem-solving, helping us innovate and thrive. ?? Embracing ‘divergent thinking’ pushes us beyond our comfort zones and challenges our preconceived notions. It’s not about instant change but gradually expanding our company culture to include a broader spectrum of voices and ideas. This is about more than diversity for its own sake—it’s about creating workplaces that are more dynamic, inclusive, and effective. Let’s stop asking, “Will they fit in?” and start considering, “What unique strengths will they bring?” Let’s build teams for the #FutureofWork that reflect the rich diversity and creativity of the world around us. ?? #Inclusion #WorkplaceCulture #Neurodiversity

When we experience trauma, our brain shifts into "survival mode" to keep us safe. This shift, meant to protect us in dangerous situations, can become the brain’s default mode in people with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Let’s explore what that survival brain looks like and how it shapes behavior. In trauma, our brain is wired to respond with fight, flight, or freeze to protect us from perceived danger. This response can be life-saving during the trauma, but when it becomes constant, as in PTSD, it deeply affects behavior and thinking. In PTSD, the brain may remain on high alert, scanning the environment for potential threats, even in safe situations. How it reflects in daily life: 1. Hypervigilance and Overreactivity: People with PTSD often feel on edge, anticipating danger at any moment. This "always-on" mode can make it hard to relax, feel safe, or focus on everyday activities. 2. Emotional Triggers and Flashbacks: Memories related to the trauma can resurface unexpectedly, leading to intense feelings, flashbacks, or emotional numbness. Everyday sounds, smells, or images can become triggers, bringing past trauma into the present moment. 3. Difficulty with Memory and Concentration: Trauma can make it difficult to remember information or keep attention on tasks. This can be frustrating for people with PTSD, impacting work, school, or personal relationships. 4. Impulsivity and Emotional Outbursts: With survival brain in control, emotional regulation becomes challenging. People might feel out of control with anger, sadness, or fear, or find themselves reacting impulsively to perceived threats. 5. Exhaustion and Physical Health Issues: Survival brain keeps stress hormones high, which can lead to fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, and other health issues. Long-term stress affects both mental and physical well-being. With trauma-focused therapies, mindfulness, and self-regulation practices, it’s possible to retrain the brain, calming the survival responses. Over time, the brain learns to feel safe again, helping people with PTSD regain control over their lives and emotions. Survival brain is an adaptive tool for life-threatening moments. But in the context of PTSD, understanding it can help guide us toward resilience and healing. Illustration credit: Hairy Plish

On this last day of Disability Employment Awareness Month, we're excited to shine a light on the amazing advocate, Lucia Rios ?? Throughout her career, Lucia has championed inclusion at every step—working closely with individuals with disabilities to support them in finding and thriving in employment and adulthood. Today, through the Workforce Pathways program at Salesforce, she's expanding her impact by bringing mentorship opportunities to both people with disabilities and neurodivergent individuals, fostering a future of inclusion across and beyond her organization. More of this interview with Jhillika Kumar to be released soon.?We're so grateful to work alongside inspiring changemakers, who bring heart, passion, and a true commitment to advocacy and transformation. ?? #NDEAM #Inclusion #Advocacy #Changemaker

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! In this episode of Honest HR, Monique Akanbi speaks with Jhillika Kumar, CEO and Founder of Mentra, to explore how HR professionals can embrace neurodiversity in their workplaces. Jhillika shares invaluable insights into the benefits of hiring neurodiverse employees and breaks down common misconceptions. Let’s work together to create inclusive environments where everyone can thrive. Tune in now to learn how you can support neurodiversity in your organization! https://shrm.co/wr511e

Today was an incredible day learning from the subject matter expertise of brilliant minds at TEDAI San Francisco ?? I love that in the first few minutes of his talk, Reid Hoffman (the founder of LinkedIn and one of my favorite thinkers) shares about “cognitive superpowers” as the next wave of human evolution. Moving from steam engines to the printing press to smart phones to #AI… and now, how that impacts of #cognitive capacity in the #FutureOfWork. More on this in Reid’s book coming out in January: “Superagency: What could possibly go right with our AI Future.” Beyond excited our startup Mentra is building in this space of #HRTech that is actively transforming with the emergence of AI. The jobs of the future in linguistics, data modeling and analysis, and so many emerging fields… tapping into that #cogntivepotential by training it on a data set of neurodivergents across the globe. ?? The cognitive strengths neurodivergents bring to the workplace vary from #lateralthinking #systemsdesign #hyperfocusing #accuracy and so many more exceptional traits that enable individuals to perform above average at very specific roles uniquely suited to that individual’s brain. ?? We all know that the systems of the past weren’t working effectively for everyone… it’s time to consider those unique characteristics and sensitivities in the #FutureofWork we’re stepping into. ??

Did you know that people diagnosed with ADHD are 300% more likely to become entrepreneurs than the general population? 35% of founders have dyslexia 45% of CEOs are neurodivergent Including some?of the most brilliant entrepreneurs like?Steve Jobs,?Anita Borg, and?Richard Branson—all of whom are #neurodivergent and use their #cognitivestrengths to reshape industries and inspire millions.???? These builders?didn’t?just face challenges;?they turned those?obstacles into opportunities, setbacks into stepping stones?- the ability to?think critically and creatively is what drives innovation.??? We’ve been conditioned to view adversity as a disadvantage, but in reality, it can be the very catalyst for innovation and success. So, let's celebrate the unique strengths that?stem from cognitive diversity. ?? ?? Credit: Matt Gray

In a world that often equates achievement with status or accolades, it’s easy to lose sight of the deeper, more fulfilling path to happiness. Oprah Winfrey reminds us that true success isn’t about external validation—it’s about embracing the highest, most truthful expression of ourselves. ?? Believe it or not, this was the same speech that inspired Mentra’s mission statement: “To unleash the cognitive potential of humanity.” The world doesn’t need more noise; it needs more authenticity. It craves individuals who dare to live out their truths and inspire others to do the same - divergent minds that question the status quo. It creates a ripple effect that encourages those around us to find their own voices. Imagine a workplace filled with people who are unapologetically themselves, where diverse perspectives are celebrated, and every unique neurotype is embraced. That’s the kind of environment where innovation flourishes, collaboration thrives, and everyone feels valued. ?? Let’s challenge ourselves to truly be, and do what truly makes us come alive. What passions are you ready to share? How can you contribute to a culture of authenticity in your own space? ?? Credit: @sei.come.sei

?? Last Call for Registration! ?? Are you ready to take the next step in your career? Join us in just 2 days for an exclusive event designed to empower neurodivergent job seekers with essential strategies for navigating today’s job market! ?? What You’ll Learn: ?? Tailoring Your Resume: Discover how to customize your resume for any job to grab recruiters' attention.? ? Interview Success Strategies: Gain insights on how to effectively position yourself and showcase your unique strengths during interviews.? ? Hiring Manager Perspectives: Hear directly from Boeing’s recruitment team about what managers look for in applications.? ? Decoding Job Descriptions: Learn what key elements to focus on from university recruiters to enhance your application. Why Attend? ? Personalized Guidance: Get direct answers to your questions from industry experts. ? Actionable Tips: Walk away with practical strategies to enhance your job applications and interview skills. ? Competitive Advantage: Stand out in a crowded job market with insider knowledge tailored to neurodivergent individuals. This event is a must for anyone looking to advance their career, whether you're a student or a professional. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to equip yourself for success! ?? Register Now to Secure Your Spot: https://lnkd.in/g_SWdXRa #Mentra #CareerEvent #Neurodiversity #Inclusion #JobSeekers #ResumeTips #InterviewSuccess #CareerGrowth #Boeing

Are you looking for employment resources specifically designed for Black disabled communities in Canada? ?? The barriers faced by Black disabled individuals in the workforce are real, but support is available. Here are some key organizations and programs offering career support, mentorship, and training opportunities: ?? Ase Community Foundation for Black Canadians with Disabilities – Focused on advocacy and empowerment within the Black disabled community. ?? CCRW | CCRT - Offers inclusive employment services and resources. ?? Mentra– A platform connecting neurodiverse talent with meaningful employment opportunities. ?? Black Business & Professional Association (BBPA) – Committed to providing education and support for Black professionals, including those with disabilities. Empower yourself with these tools and connect with networks that advocate for Black disabled workers in Canada. For more insights, including stats on employment and disability, check out the data available from Statistics Canada. ?? Dont forget to register for our upcoming Sitting in limbo event on October 24th, 2024 that talks about Black Disability Employment: https://lu.ma/eutqo6tu #BlackDisabilityMonth #EmploymentResources #InclusionMatters #BlackDisabledLivesMatter #CareerSupport #StatisticsCanada