Connecting with Olivia Albrecht

How have relationships influenced your professional development and leadership style?

I am eclectic in my style, interests, relationships, and thoughts. I pride myself on being unique, open-minded, and a collector of unexpected relationships.?

The diverse relationships I’ve cultivated over the years have shaped my professional leadership style. Since I was young, I never really fit into one specific group. I was an athlete, a strong student, a violinist, a philosopher, a mathematician, a policy guru, and so much more. I tend to dabble in various communities simultaneously, each contributing unique perspectives that have developed my mosaic of understanding of business, leadership, and the world around me.

That’s why I love Aspiration , as a company. One of our superpowers is the unique combination of expertise we bring together – you’d be hard pressed to find a combination of scientists, economists, recovering financial professionals like myself, lawyers, marketing gurus, and other industry experts anywhere else. Our shared interest lies in combatting climate change by building a business to drive capital back to nature. That mission and mutual respect for our areas of expertise bind us together, requiring that we nurture strong, trusting relationships with one another to make the impact needed.

Do you have any tips for maintaining and building strong relationships?

Building and maintaining strong relationships is an art, one that I am always working to improve upon. To keep relationships robust, my guiding mantra is, "How can I help you?" I want people to know that I’m here to be a helper, that we’re all on the same team. I played soccer in college and have always identified with that team-oriented goal of knowing that we can accomplish so much more, anything really, when we know we can work together and rely on one another. To that end, I try not to say “no” to people in my network (within reason!) Folks have thought about the ask and have decided it's worth my involvement – I need to respect that. If they think I can be helpful, then I’ll be there for them.

Life’s a super long time, so you don’t know when or how a choice today will impact the future. I’ve been blessed with great mentors over the years and am fortunate to be able to act as a mentor for others as well. As a mentee, I’ve always tried to think about how I can bring value to the table as well, not just take value from the mentor. As a mentor, I try to listen and guide, allowing my younger colleague to talk through challenges and plans.

How have you intentionally built inclusiveness into your circles?

Inclusiveness is not just a value, but a deliberate, ongoing practice in my circles. To foster inclusivity, I strive to embrace a wide range of thoughts, backgrounds, and experiences, but I also appreciate the diversity of personality traits. As a self-confessed Myers-Briggs enthusiast (I'm an INTJ), I've found its insights particularly helpful in this respect.

One aspect I pay close attention to is the balance between introversion and extroversion. I've found that it's essential to create space for quieter voices, those individuals who may not speak up first, but often have profound insights to share. This involves active listening and encouraging participation from everyone involved. It's all too common in group settings for the loudest person to dominate the conversation, but that doesn't necessarily lead to the best business outcomes. Instead, by encouraging a healthy debate where everyone's perspective is valued, we're better positioned to reach well-rounded, thoughtful conclusions. Inclusivity, in my view, is about fostering a space where a multiplicity of voices can be heard and respected to ultimately deliver better solutions and insights.

What community or communities are you proud to be a part of?

It’s hard to pick just one! My life is built from a multitude of vibrant communities, and I take immense pride in being a part of each one. They've each shaped and influenced me in unique ways, contributing to the person I am today. I am a mom, and I am also an executive mom, balancing professional ambitions with the joys and challenges of parenting. As a Princeton and Columbia alumna, I'm part of a global network of thinkers and leaders who continually inspire me.

Athleticism is another thread that runs through my life, teaching me lessons in mental toughness and perseverance. I'm also part of the international community through my husband's immigrant background, which offers me fresh perspectives and enriches my understanding of the world. As a Christian, my faith plays a crucial role in my life, grounding me in core values and spiritual growth.

Additionally, I'm proud to be part of the business community, collaborating with remarkable leaders like those in Persefoni's Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB) and the Milken Institute . I particularly appreciate working with investors. Interactions with the investor community are so valuable; investors need a beautiful balance of creativity and analytical thinking. Each of these communities contributes to my sense of self, reminding me of the power of connection and the value of diversity in shaping our lives.

Who’s a Connector that's made a difference in your life??

There are really too many to count, but I have a few close friends in my circle who have really made an impact on me and continue to do so. Kesha Cash , Founder and CEO of the Impact America Fund , is now godmother to my oldest daughter, while Kate Richard , Founder and CEO of Warwick Investments , is godmother to my second-born. I’m constantly inspired by Tazia Smith , COO at ClosedLoop Partners (and fabulous hostess to a NYC-based group of women in sustainable finance), and Anne-Marie Slaughter , CEO of New America , a bastion of intellectual curiosity seeking to solve America’s most vexing problems.

These connectors, among so many others, open up ideas, doors, and opportunities; they've left their fingerprints on innovation and creation in my life.

Susan McPherson is a serial connector, seasoned communicator and founder and CEO of?McPherson Strategies , a communications consultancy focused on the intersection of brands and social impact. She is the author of The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships.

Follow Susan on?LinkedIn ,?Twitter ?and?Instagram ?and order her new book,?The Lost Art of Connecting , also available on Kindle and Audiobook.