On October 11, 2019, the International Day of the Girl, myAgro’s founder and CEO Anushka Ratnayake gave some advice to her young 13-year-old self:
- Be brave and step up.
- It’s okay to be smart!
- Learn to advocate for yourself and find champions to help you.
As a largely women-led organization, messages similar to this – from women to women – are often shared. Not only does myAgro work with female farmers – a group that is underserved, struggles to produce sufficient harvests, and makes up 60% of myAgro’s farmers – but it also packs its team with smart and driven women. myAgro recognizes that organizations led by women are not only good for business, but are also good for employees.
Margaret Barry, Senior Director of Development, sees the effects of working with fellow leaders who are women: “I feel less unhealthy competition that I experienced in previous roles where leadership was predominantly not female,” she said. “The environment at myAgro fosters a feeling of community that is unique from other professional settings.” She attributes this to a more diverse workspace creating more opportunities for bonding and camaraderie among colleagues at all levels.
Jane Choi, former Chief Financial Officer who recently transitioned into a new role as Chief Strategy Officer, agrees. Working in a historically male-dominated field, every previous boss that Jane has had has been male. “Before coming here,” she said, “I had no real female mentors or leaders to connect with.” From colleagues that she has met at myAgro, Jane learned that a manager could be open and supportive. She has taken these lessons to heart, striving to create an environment of mutual support. Jane hopes to provide mentorship and support in her new role in the same way she did as the Chief Financial Officer, where she cultivated an entirely female finance team.
In fact, Seynabou Diagne, Regional Director of Finance based in Senegal, speaks highly of her experience as a leader on myAgro’s finance team: “We are patient and determined,” she says. Seynabou recognizes that women like herself in leadership roles often have a great deal to manage on a daily basis, both inside and outside of work. With the support of the finance team and myAgro, Seynabou is able to accomplish all that is possible.
Men in leadership roles within the organization also play a large role in creating a community of support and inclusivity: “I’ve bonded with colleagues over being a female leader” Jane says. “They are a part of my life now. I feel supported. It’s more than I could have asked for.”
Take a look at this opportunity to join this women-led leadership team, helping to steer myAgro to reach 1,000,000 farmers by 2025!
