The McPherson Memo: The Year of Big Leaps Edition

Dear all,

I would like to start off by posing the question: What would it look like if we paused women’s work for one day?

In honor of Women’s History Month, Paid Leave for All and partners are planning an important nationwide action and social media campaign to show us just that.

On Monday, March 18th, businesses across the country will be closing shop for one—employee paid—day to share one powerful message: It’s time to pass paid leave. The day offers a symbolic look at what could happen if more women exit the workforce without the protections of paid leave. A federal paid leave program would be a support to businesses and workers alike—and paid leave is also one of the most popular issues in the country, across party lines and walks of life.

Women across the country, including our team at McPherson Strategies, will be coming together in solidarity to write our labor back into history—one where our work is visible, valued, and protected, wherever it is. As socially responsible business leaders, we hope you will take part as well! If you have questions or would like to participate you can contact [email protected].

As always,

Susan

ON OUR MINDS

Brought to you this week by Account Supervisor Gloria Kostadinova who is looking forward to graduating from blue to red ski slopes in Bansko!

The Great Reshuffling

It’s hard to believe that just a couple of years ago employers were reeling from The Great Resignation in the wake of the pandemic. Today, the trend is taking new shape as employees experience massive layoffs, with tech and media receiving some of the heaviest blows. In January, the media sector shed 836 jobs, with more news outlets announcing cuts each week. For 2023 as a whole, more than 21,400 media jobs were lost. More worrisome is how the digital age has pushed the news ecosystem farther away from its core mission and into the realms of entertainment and advertising. The labor force will reshuffle itself in due time, but quality journalism still hangs in the balance. With newsrooms closing their doors, AI and social media are filling the void, with more people turning to Instagram for news (even the Biden campaign is officially on TikTok). As AI-generated misinformation starts to flood our feeds and ChatGPT poses existential threats to journalism, it’s also a moment of empowerment in the information age and a chance for newsrooms to learn, adapt, and harness the power of AI for the next digital frontier.

The Great Purpose Revolution

2024 is shaping up to be a nail-biting year, from the Presidential election to the anticipated Supreme Court rulings on landmark cases. Instead of submitting to headline-fueled anxieties or staying silent in fear of retribution, leaders everywhere are better served to double down on what matters most to their employees, customers and investors. This means staying true to their corporate values. “This election will only bolster the case for DEI – no matter the outcome,” says inclusion strategist, Vernā Myers, who previously headed up Inclusion Strategy at Netflix. Most business leaders understand that promoting human rights, stronger communities and equitable access is critical to their company’s survival, so it’s a matter of aligning the talk with the walk. In such a divisive political environment, The Social Justice Guide for Business, published by McPherson client BSR, could not be more timely as companies continue to navigate how to engage more strategically and authentically on social issues. Importantly, defining and leading with brand purpose can be a force for good, a means to create a safer, more inclusive world.

The Great Wealth Transfer

We have countless female figures and firsts for women to celebrate this Women’s History Month. There are also pioneers who have made huge strides for women’s rights behind the scenes, not by the awards they’ve won or the titles they’ve garnered, but by the wealth they’ve accumulated. McPherson client Linda Davis Taylor?is a steadfast champion for women’s economic independence who has dedicated her career to helping women unlock their financial potential and the power to affect change through their wealth. Speaking of which, by 2030, American women are expected to control $30 trillion in assets, more than the national GDP, signifying an unprecedented transfer of wealth. Before we get there, though, that pesky gender pay gap still needs closing. While companies work out the kinks in pay transparency policies, we can focus on building up women’s money confidence by debunking money myths and toxic TikTok trends, lifting up real money stories, and leveraging digital tools to harness our financial future when women’s wealth rules.

ON OUR RADAR

Read:

• UN Foundation leaders name five global issues to watch in 2024, reflecting on the converging crises we’ll face and how to bolster the UN to fight for the future.
• 2023 wasn’t the worst year on record for the news industry, but it was the worst since the pandemic: newsrooms saw more layoffs this year than the past two years.
• Inside Philanthropy’s tongue-in-cheek 2023 philanthropy awards highlight some of the biggest trends, donors, and challenges shaping the sector in the year ahead.

Learn:

• DoSomething Strategic reminds us that the people who fought for American independence 250 years ago were mostly between 15 to 30 years old — the Gen Z and millennials of their day — and engaging with young people and the lessons of youth activism is a catalyst for social change.
• The book Reimagining Luxury by Diana Verde Nieto, launching in the U.S. on? January 30, offers essential advice for luxury businesses navigating the changing landscape of sustainability and innovation in the 21st century.

Cheer:

• Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action, attacks on DEI?and decreases in investment, none of the nearly 200 HR officers polled by Conference Board plan to scale back their DEI initiatives in 2024.
• In St. Paul, Minnesota, all seven City Council members sworn in last week are women, in the youngest and most racially diverse council in the city’s history.
• Triple Pundit shared its top sustainability stories in 2023, lifting up the kinds of solutions that inspire us to keep working for change.
• Mother Jones is merging with The Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR) to strengthen journalism that confronts the crisis in democracy.
• “Long term, I see hope in the fact that humans can change their behavior,” says David Byrne, founder of online magazine Reasons to Be Cheerful, in a new interview.

Go:

• Get tips on parenting in the climate crisis from experts at the Climate Mental Health Network, Moms Clean Air Force?and Climate Psychology Alliance in a virtual event on January 30 at 8pm ET.
• Join media research lab Harmony Labs for a series of virtual learning sessionsfor climate communicators on January 16, 18 or 24, which will be packed with audience insights to help reach under-engaged audiences.
• Explore the visual history of public debate on environmental issues through an exhibit of environmental crisis posters at the The Poster House museum in New York City through February 25.

Apply:

• The Chronicle of Philanthropy is seeking an Editor-in-Chief in Washington, DC.
• The Roosevelt Institute is looking for a Chief of External Relations in Washington, DC.
• Apolitical Foundation has an opening for a Project Coordinator in Berlin.
• The Obama Foundation Leaders Program is launching the next cohort of its Leaders Program for changemakers between the ages of 24 and 45 from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States. Applications open January 16.
• Hinge’s One More Hour fund wants to support youth-focused groups in Atlanta, LA and NYC who are helping Gen Z connect meaningfully in person. Apply for a $25,000 grant by January 30.