Lori Castillo Martinez

Did you know that women are more likely than men to dismiss the warning signs of a heart attack? Even though heart disease is the leading cause of death globally among both genders, women historically wait hours or longer to call 911 or go to the hospital. When they do go, doctors are less likely to provide a thorough investigation and dismiss their symptoms as anxiety or stress. Why? Women tend to present more subtle symptoms than men and these symptoms have been wildly under-researched. For years, women, particularly women of color, have been excluded from clinical trials. As heart disease in women ages 35-54 rises, the call to study how heart disease manifests and presents itself in the unique heart of women has never been greater. What if there was a way to replace the time and people needed for a successful clinical trial with technology? Enter virtual twins for precision medicine. Learn how medical professionals are using virtual twins to move away from a “one size fits all” treatment approach to a level of precision never seen before: http://go.3ds.com/2YH

3

I’ve been sharing the news for a quite a while now in one-on-one conversations, but it’s time to share it more publicly 📣: I’ve transitioned to an Executive Leadership Coach operating under my business name of Black Diamond Coaching. I’m loving the impact I’m having!  🎉 With 20 years of leadership experience across Amazon, Expedia, Groupon, and Workiva, I am now paying it forward by coaching other leaders full time! Of all that I accomplished over that time, I’m most proud of my work helping grow and accelerate the careers of folks that I have led and coached and getting to see the impact they are having for their companies and in the world. As an executive coach, I work with a limited set of senior leaders as they navigate their hardest professional challenges and periods of growth.  My personalized one-on-one coaching helps tech leaders boost their influence, impact, and ability to lead and inspire their teams, making them stronger leaders and accelerating their success. Through alignment to their values, shifts in perspective, and new insights, they become unstoppable. 🚀 This is not bland coaching; together with my clients, we play big and swing for the fences because there is nothing as important as living your best life. True growth demands vulnerability, intention, and drive—but we’re sure to leave space for some fun along the way. Can you do me a favor? Take a moment and think about who you know who might benefit from my coaching (note: it might be you!). Please share my post or profile with them (https://lnkd.in/g2-AfJ4Y) and have them reach out. New to coaching? I offer a free coaching session for direct contacts and their referrals.

116

4 Comments

This week, I facilitated a course on Navigating Sensitive Feedback Conversations for my new friends at Workday. I'm on a serious mission to disrupt the feedback world, and I am thankful for the teams and leaders who take the time to engage with this work deeply and thoughtfully. People often ask me where to start when it comes to building a strong culture. Here's my answer... Learn how to say all the things that need to be said, and do it with directness, kindness, and utility. ----> Directness ensures clarity ----> Kindness fosters trust and respect ----> Utility keeps the conversation productive and relevant It's time to Merge Your Path. Let's go!

27

1 Comment

I am looking forward to having a conversation regarding Finding Harmony: A Discussion on Work-Life Balance. Calling all members of the Careers & Collaboration Community of Practice! Join Victor Simmons (He/Him/His) and Brandy Starks for a LIVE and engaging discussion on balancing personal and professional boundaries. Work-Life Balance: Strategies & Boundaries for Success 📅 June 27, 2024 at 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT In this insightful conversation, we'll explore: ➡ Personal & Professional Perspectives: Delve into the importance of work-life balance from both sides of the equation. ➡ Effective Strategies: Learn from Yasmeen's personal experiences and impactful practices for achieving a healthy balance. ➡ Conquering Challenges: Discuss common roadblocks to work-life balance and strategies for overcoming them. ➡ The Power of Boundaries: Explore the significance of setting boundaries and communication tips for successful implementation with colleagues and superiors. Mark your calendars and set a reminder!

23

1 Comment

One of the reasons I advocate so strongly for ADP List is that it helps designers and gives them perspective outside of the companies they work in, which can be a biased echo chamber. Design is about doing research. You're only a designer if you're researching other organizations so you can learn new ideas. From how the process works to evaluating during interviews, this perspective is so important to understanding not only their process and seniority level but also your own, so you can grow. Need mentoring or redirection for understanding perspective? Reach out. https://lnkd.in/g3stycSR

6

Yesterday, Lean In released their first "State of Latinas" report on corporate America, and it was a heartbreaking read. My gut feeling of underrepresentation, echoed by conversations with fellow Latinas in my network, was sadly confirmed by the data. The report's statement that "If this trend continues, they will not be able to catch up to other groups of women—let alone men—in leadership roles and will remain the most underrepresented group at the highest levels of corporate America" underscores the severity of the issue. So, what does this mean? Firstly, it's about acknowledging the reality. I've shared this report with my ERG sponsor, teammates, DEI head, and allies because understanding the data is crucial to recognizing the depth of this problem. Awareness is key. By raising awareness, we can ensure that others understand the urgency of the situation and join the effort for change. Following several discussions this week, I'm hopeful about getting involved in actionable initiatives that address these disparities head-on. Corporate America has a long way to go, but by working together, advocating for change, and implementing concrete actions, we can create a more equitable environment where everyone, including Latinas, has the opportunity to succeed and lead.

28

1 Comment

🤖📄 What does it look like if AI meets employee handbooks? In my recent collaboration with Bennett Sung 🍍 and the MeBeBot team, I had the chance to ponder this question. The result was an article “AI Meets The Employee Handbook: How to Re-Think Compliance to Match Your Employer Brand.” This piece explores how AI can transform employee handbooks into dynamic, supportive guides for employees. Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Personalized Assistance: Tailored content for each employee’s role and location, removing irrelevant information. 2️⃣ Interactive Dialogue: Real-time conversations that provide timely guidance and support. 3️⃣ Continuous Improvement: Feedback-driven evolution to keep the handbook relevant and trusted. 4️⃣ Real-Time Compliance: Provides up-to-date content, reducing non-compliance risks. 👉 Ready to see how AI can transform your employee handbook? Share your thoughts in the comments. 🔗 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g7Hkzna3 A special thank you to Kevin M. Duddlesten, Principal at Duddlesten Law Group, PLLC, for his insightful commentary from an employment lawyer's perspective. 🏛️👏 #AI #HR #EmployeeHandbook #WorkplaceCulture

16

10 Comments

As a working mom in tech, I'm constantly juggling deadlines, childcare schedules, and the ever-present question: am I doing enough🥺? But lately, a new concern has joined the mix: bias in AI. Reading Caroline Criado Perez's "Invisible Women" opened my eyes to the different ways societal biases can infiltrate even the most cutting-edge technology. The book highlights how data, often collected from a male-centric perspective, can perpetuate gender inequality. This resonates deeply as we develop AI like Generative AI and ChatGPT – are we unknowingly building a future where these biases are baked in? Here's why this matters: 📈Flawed data leads to flawed results. AI trained on imbalanced datasets can amplify existing biases, potentially impacting everything from loan approvals to healthcare diagnoses. Imagine a world where an AI assistant prioritizes male candidates for leadership roles, simply because the data reflects a historical norm. 🦹‍♀️The "invisibility" of women's needs. Just like the book describes, AI systems might not be programmed to consider women's specific needs. Think car safety features optimized for male body types, or voice assistants that struggle to understand female voices. 🦾A missed opportunity for innovation. By excluding women's perspectives, we're limiting the potential of AI. A diverse set of voices leads to more robust solutions that benefit everyone. So, what can we do? ✅Demand transparency in AI development. Understanding how data is collected and analyzed is crucial for identifying and mitigating bias. ✅Challenge the status quo. Question assumptions and actively seek diverse perspectives when developing and using AI tools. ✅Support initiatives promoting fairness in AI. Organizations like Women in AI are paving the way for a more inclusive future. The fight for gender equality extends beyond boardrooms and political offices. It's a fight for the future we're building with AI. Let's work together to ensure this technology empowers everyone, not just the privileged few. #GenderBias #AI #WomenInTech #GenerativeAI #ChatGPT #Equality https://lnkd.in/gH99cuPQ

16

1 Comment

Question. Employees with caregiving roles need financial relief. How can we expand this discussion to reduce family care expenses (to address caregivers' hiring of care staff so they can work and clearly get relief from the annual out-of-pocket expenses - $7,200 average? )

5

1 Comment

Learning how to build a strong emotional foundation is a crucial skill for children (and the adults supporting them). I love that Sesame Workshop is committed to championing mental health wellness and supporting families with free mental health tools. https://lnkd.in/gPDhybSt   #EmotionalWellBeing #MentalHealthAwareness 

127

3 Comments

The Top 5 Books that have helped me to navigate corporate culture as a woman of color 📚 1. The Memo by Minda Harts - It’s raw, relatable and honest. I reference this book time and time again and have purchased for many of my friends. 2. Lead from the Outside by Stacey Abrams - My love for this book and Stacey have nothing to do with politics and everything to do with her perseverance and leadership. 3. It’s About Damn Time by Arlan Hamilton - Arlan spoke to my soul with this one. Her drive, determination, and grit are unmatched. 4. Brands and Bullshit by Bernhard Schroeder - Earlier in my career I was told “you are just not strategic enough” and this book taught me a thing or 2 about thinking strategically. 5. Broke Millennial by Erin Lowry - What are we doing all of this for if we don’t focus in on getting our finances in check? #bookrecs

241

22 Comments

In this exclusive webinar, isolved’s HR experts will walk through the most important findings of isolved's recent survey, including what HR leaders are prioritizing and what is on the radar for the future. Don't miss out, register now!

5

Wrong. Just wrong. It is NOT an either-or, it is an AND. Leaders need to focus on employee well being AND engagement. Healthy employees are more productive. Engaged employees are more committed. Business does better when you achieve both. What are your thoughts? #leadership #workforce https://lnkd.in/gEQUMSzu

8

1 Comment

Dreams, plans and contradictions Dreams are fine. And dreams involve contradictions. We want this AND that, but both can’t happen. That’s what keeps them from being plans. Plans embrace boundaries and reality, they don’t ignore them. Plans thrive on scarcity and constraints. Plans are open for inspection, and a successful planner looks forward to altering the plans to make them more likely to become real. - Seth Godin

4

Dia B. shares her wise POV on purpose, self-care and the value of deep rest and a mental “clease.” Listen, feel your big life choices, and breathe! Wellness.

12

1 Comment

Interesting read on what candidates are experiencing and some of the shortfalls of AI for recruiting organizations. I am an advocate for the human touch in recruiting and HR. Good recruiters and HR practitioners are really good at making connections with people and building relationships. AND . . . . AI works as a great assistant to humans, so long as you know the shortfalls. (No - I did not ask LI to rewrite this post with AI. :-)) https://lnkd.in/guzcK4hh

15

1 Comment

🌟 Management Monday: Embracing Passion and Joy 🌟 Each Monday, I’m sharing concrete tips to level up ⬆️ people leadership skills. As we kick off Mental Health Month, allow me to introduce you to Kalia. My family had the pleasure of meeting her during our vacation at the Hawaiian Cultural Center. Throughout our week, my four-year-old couldn't get enough of the place, especially thanks to Kalia’s warm presence. While many people work at the center, Kalia stood out. My daughter remarked, “Mama, did you know she has so many jobs? She feeds the fish, tells stories, and helps us make lei necklaces!” Kalia’s kindness, compassion, and infectious energy captivated our entire family. Her passion was contagious. Think about your own life. Notice how different it feels to be in the company of someone who generally lives with passion and shows up to work with joy vs someone who is just trying to get by day to day. 💡 Loving what you do not only benefits you but also brings a surge of energy to your workplace. When individuals are passionate about their work, their enthusiasm is contagious, fostering a vibrant and dynamic environment where innovation thrives. Ever wondered what it would be like to wake up every morning excited about going to work? Imagine feeling fulfilled, energized, and passionate about what you do. It's not just a dream—it's entirely achievable by aligning your career with your passions. 🔍 Tip 1: Discover What You Would Do For Free Not sure what your true passion is? Don't worry, you're not alone. Sometimes, it takes a bit of exploration to uncover what truly lights you up. Dive into "Designing Your Life" by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans. This insightful book guides you through exercises to identify your interests, values, and skills, paving the way for a career that aligns perfectly with your passions. 🚀 Tip 2: Take Action Start small by integrating your interests into your current role. Map out the skill gap between what you have today and what you need to do to live your dream day to day. Network with like-minded individuals and find mentors who can offer guidance along the way. Remember, every step forward brings you closer to a career that brings you joy and fulfillment. 🔄 Tip 3: Embrace Growth and Adaptation Stay open to new opportunities and experiences, and keep learning. Invest in yourself through articles, certifications, and training. Stay alert for new trends in your space and keep iterating. ✨ Ready to unlock the incredible power of embracing passion and joy in your work? Start your journey today and watch as your life, your family, and your company thrive like never before. #ManagementMonday #PassionAndPurpose #CareerAlignment #MentalHealthMonth 🌟 *Picture and post taken with Kalia's permission (of course).

3

In my class at Wharton Executive Education “Executive Compensation: Strategies and Frameworks,” we have a phenomenal group learning about “driving leadership performance to ensure alignment with organizational goals and shareholder expectations.” In theory, by implementing a mix of short-term annual incentive plans (AIP) and long-term incentive plans (LTIP), organizations can motivate and reward executives for performance while promoting long-term value creation and alignment with shareholder interests. In today’s world where the average tenure of the CEO and CFO are around 3-5 years, how do you create long-term incentives for business continuity and growth? It is estimated that equity incentive awards make up 70% or more of CEO compensation in the U.S. Are equity awards still the best means for aligning CEO pay with the interests of the shareholder? Here is a good article from the harvard business review on the principles of designing executive pay within four dimensions. #executivecomp #ltip #equityawards

12