MENTORS Magazine

MENTORS MAGAZINE | EDITION 1 | 65

Unfortunately, I hear about women who

show up to meetings with excuses. “I am

bad at math,” they say, to pardon them-

selves from knowing the numbers. Not ac-

ceptable. If you want to be taken seriously,

take yourself seriously and learn. Whatever

function or title you have, know your num-

bers and know what outcome you’re after.

No expectations

If you’re a minority woman, you’re not the

conventional image of a tech leader. No one

sees you coming. No one expects you to

launch a company, become a CEO or show

up in the news.

A generation of entrepreneurs spent billions

of dollars on first-world problems and nick-

knacks for the wealthy. Now, it’s your turn to

step up. You’re the cohort that will tackle

the systemic challenges of healthcare, edu-

cation, food security, energy, and civic life.

But it’s not going to be easy. Put yourself

through the gauntlet by seeking strong lead-

ers, harsh feedback, and tense negotiations.

No advice will save you unless you’ve trained

yourself to handle adversity.

Meet Dr. Ximena Hartsock
Ximena Hartsock is co-founder and president of Phone 2 Action, a digital advocacy
platform that connects citizens to lawmakers. Prior to Phone 2 Action, Hartsock managed
membership and outreach for a national advocacy organization. She has held numerous
leadership positions in Washington, D.C., and in 2009 was appointed to the executive
cabinet of D.C. Mayor Fenty. She has a doctorate in policy from George Washington University.

http://www.phone2action.com Twitter: @ximenahartsock LinkedIn: @dr-ximena-hartsock- 95088828

Facebook: @Phone2Action Twitter : @Phone2Action LinkedIn Page: @phone2action-inc