FWM: You are the CEO of Springboard Global Enterprises. What has surprised you most in your leadership role?
What has surprised me the most as a leader is the extent to which some employees will go, in their commitment to me, the company and to the work. In today’s world, it’s hard to find such dedicated individuals. I am very lucky and as a result, so are Springboard’s clients.
FWM: Springboard Consulting is recognized as an expert in mainstreaming disability in the global workforce, workplace, and marketplace. Share your vision for 2020.
My vision for 2020 and beyond is to continue to work with the global corporate best of the best, ever-expanding our services and global footprint. In doing so, creating a world where disability inclusion is not the effect of a particular initiative, but the culmination of our broad-based work, causing businesses to realize increased productivity and profitability.
FWM: What will companies gain by working with you?
By working with Springboard, companies gain in a variety of ways. For instance, when Springboard works with a client, we don’t just go in to develop and/or execute on initiatives and leave. We build institutional competencies in order for the company to be able to manage these issues more independently in the future. Because Springboard is global, we deliver practical, scalable solutions that work worldwide. Disability, whether born with or acquired, resulting from age, illness or military service, visible or invisible, and related issues of intersectionality is all we do. Also, everyone at Springboard either has a disability or is caring for someone with a disability. As a result, companies that work with Springboard get extensive knowledge and informed points of view across the legislative and competitive landscape as well as strategic insights, helping companies turn these insights into operational realities. And, because our entire team is compromised of former senior corporate management, our perspectives align with how corporations operate culturally. At the end of the day, clients benefit from Springboard’s mix of strategic, functional and technical expertise.
FWM: Please share a few key points from your book, Dive In: Springboard into the Profitability, Productivity, and Potential of the Special Needs Workforce and how it is helping companies.
The book is informed not only by Vogel’s vast expertise, but by statistics, and interviews that illuminate the best practices of today’s global business leaders. “Dive In provides the information and tools to better understand how to remove the barriers to employing this large, loyal segment of the population,” says Cisco’s retired CEO, John Chambers. The book has garnered praise from business and civic leaders, who call it “required reading”, “a timely reminder” and “a must read for any corporate leader today.” Why such strong directives? Because, as Tig Gilliam, Adecco’s retired CEO, says, “This is not simply because it’s the right or nice thing to do. Just as with other members of diverse workforces, people with disabilities bring new approaches to innovation and productivity that drive real business improvement. It is also important to consider the benefits to an organization’s corporate social responsibility efforts that engaging this important segment of the workforce will provide. This is why Dive In is such an important book for anyone in business.
FWM: What is your proudest moment?
Over Springboard’s 15 years, I’ve had the opportunity to experience many proud moments related to the company. One of my proudest was when my older daughter Gretchen, who has disabilities, delivered a keynote presentation at one of our annual Disability Matters North America Conference & Awards Galas.
Seeing 300 corporate executives respond so genuinely and positively to her sharing her personal journey, was amazing. I was not only proud of her but also of our clients. Seeing these indiviudals recognize how their own professional journeys to mainstream disability in the workforce, workplace and marketplace so closely aligned with hers was truly an inspirational experience to remember.
FWM: Tell us about Disability Mama & Co. , The WIP Group and The Springboard Foundation.
Although Springboard Consulting is the primary and longest running company under the Springboard Global Enterprises umbrella, there are others: Disability Mama & Company, The WIP Group, Women Influence & Power, and The Springboard Foundation.
Disability Mama was founded with a mission to celebrate, honor, empower, encourage and educate moms and other caregivers of children who have special needs; for who they are and what they do…Inspiring them to go further than they ever imagined possible.
The Springboard Foundation, Inc. is a Not-for-Profit 501 ©3 Corporation founded to provide scholarships to full-time college/university students who have documented disabilities of any type. The Foundation’s intent in providing these scholarships is to contribute to the increase in employment opportunities for these individuals.
The WIP Group, Women, Influence & Power was founded as a result of working with Harvard University, specifically The Kennedy School, on this very topic. The focus is to help women, whether corporate executives, government leaders or entrepreneurs, understand they have influence and power over themselves and others, how to recognize it and more importantly, how to use it effectively to benefit themselves and others.
FWM: What is coming up for you in 2020?
With the recent Coronavirus, much has changed in the world. What has not changed is the importance of successfully mainstream people with disabilities in the workforce, workplace, and marketplace. In light of needing to socially isolate, the rise of virtual everything from business meetings, attending events, to getting food and other essential items, is forcing businesses to finally consider their website accessibility and usability. The need for Springboard’s Digital Accessibility/Usability team has risen from always important to absolutely critical.
Although Springboard has had a dedicated global mental health practice for some time, like the topic above, the current health crisis has turned our work in this area from extremely important to absolutely critical. Feelings of fear, isolation, challenges with working from home combined with child care and more, is causing an even greater need for guidance, education, support, and coaching; all of which Springboard provides.
What Coronavirus has not impacted is Springboard’s ability to be nimble and innovative. For instance, our 2020 Disability Matters North America Conference & Gala, scheduled to take place April 21-23 in Alabama, is still taking place, just in a completely virtual, live, interactive, format. By doing this no one misses out on the incredible education, inspiration and celebration our corporate attendees have become accustomed to.
Harvard Business School will be publishing a case about Springboard and me as its leader and I have been invited to teach two MBA classes (albeit virtually) as a result.
I don’t fear 2020. I’m excited about the new and expanded opportunities this crisis will be to Springboard, our clients and society. I firmly believe when one door closes, another one opens.
There’s also The Springboard Foundation, a 501©3 whose sole mission is to provide scholarships to college students with disabilities. You can learn more by visiting www.thespringboardfoundation.org
