Edith Cooper’s Post

Chelsea Crowder-Luke …..this is real talk. I have always been grateful for your honesty “back in the day” when we worked together at Goldman Sachs. You have talked about what life is truly like..:a blending of your evolution as a mother and as a committed professional. For me, you have highlighted progress. You should not have to chose. You are not an imposter, your are a fantastic human….well done!

Last week, I had the pleasure of joining Ilana Wolfe, Goldman Sachs Ayco, and 20+ CHROs, for a discussion on joining and contributing to private and public company boards of directors. The hallmark of great organizations lies not just in their people but in leadership's ability to create environments where talent can thrive, even amidst ever-changing opportunities and challenges. Having served as a CHRO, I know the critical business acumen that people leaders bring to the boardroom. They possess a unique understanding of how to cultivate environments that allow talent to reach its full potential. Last week’s discussion reinforced my belief that the expertise of CHROs is increasingly important to have represented on boards in the future. Reflecting on our rich conversation, I am also reminded of how intentional relationships with the "Medleys" in my life have profoundly shaped my journey in board service. Thank you to everyone who joined us – I count you as part of my growing network of Medleys, who continue to inspire my own thinking and growth. I appreciated your insights and engagement, and I look forward to continuing these impactful conversations.

It is hard to believe we are already entering the second half of 2024. When Charter asked for my perspectives on the rest of the year, I immediately thought of what the world of AI is doing to disrupt our day-to-day lives. I was also reminded of the importance of resilience and empathy (and rest!) in times of uncertainty and change. Seeing the ‘medley’ of voices that Charter highlights has reinforced my belief in the importance of a human-centric approach to leadership, especially in the age of AI. For example, Helen Lee Kupp's perspective on how to use AI to ‘make leaders better, not just replace’ is key to consider and I couldn't agree more with Jacqui Canney that in the AI era, a winning talent strategy is just as critical as a solid tech strategy. In the spirit of continued learning, it would be terrific to have you all join the conversation as well: What is on your mind as we navigate the latter part of this year? What trends or challenges do you anticipate, and what opportunities are you eager to seize?

If you looked at this feed, you'd think I have one kid (👋🏾, Jordan Taylor). While my son Daniel Taylor isn't *my* cofounder, he's a cofounder of a business recognized in Google's 2023 Impact Report for helping underestimated entrepreneurs secure funding. Congratulations to Daniel, Ignacio Semerene, William Hayden, and the whole Bags team! Bags has continued to show that if we empower underestimated businesses with better financial management tools and access to growth financing, these businesses will grow. I’m proud to be an advisor and will continue to support this team as they unlock the power of finance for SMBs.

I'm honored to have helped select the inaugural Charter 30. This process introduced me to new faces and ideas in future of work, as well as gave me the opportunity to highlight the contributions of those I've longtime admired. Congratulations to all!

On Wednesday, I spoke on CNBC's Squawk Box and at the HR Innovators Leadership Summit. The topics were different — AI & the workforce and transformative leadership through change — but the bottomline was the same: invest in your people. The future of work is now — and in this pivotal era for business, I feel fortunate to be working on Medley (with my daughter and co-founder Jordan Taylor), which is innovating how human-centric leadership growth is achieved at some of the world's best companies. Curious to learn more about how Medley works with our partners? Reach out to us (link is in the comments).

Since retiring from Goldman Sachs six years ago, I’ve continued to create impact through joining several public and private company boards. From my first corporate board, Slack, to the range of companies and nonprofits I serve today, board leadership has enabled me to apply my experience and continue my own professional growth in new and exciting ways. Occasionally I’ll get asked questions about my board work from other executives, such as: • How do I get on a board? • What should I look for when considering opportunities? • How can I best make an impact? I wanted to share a link to a recent discussion with Barron's Level Up where I answered these questions and more. Even if you’re not actively pursuing board work, I hope the takeaways will still be supportive of you as you navigate your career and opportunities for impact in different contexts. Watch here: https://lnkd.in/epU7wNwv

There is nothing more challenging or exciting than the opportunities that exist for creating excellence in organizations – and it all starts with people. I am inspired by the convening power and thought leadership created by Charter at yesterday’s Workforce Summit to talk through what a ‘people-first’ paradigm really means. Thanks to Kevin Delaney and Erin Grau and all that came together at #CharterSummit to explore challenging and generative ideas – across people leadership, the impact of AI on the workplace, the future of DEI, and more – that will undoubtedly shape leadership now and in the future. Kevin, Cara Brennan Allamano, Jelena Djordjevic and I sat down to discuss how leaders and organizations can navigate rapidly changing business environments. In these times, it is essential to bring back the human side, to take the long view, and tackle big questions with an enthusiastic "yes, and." These dynamics we are facing are not just challenges to navigate now; they are opportunities to explore and test frameworks that can apply to various issues, ensuring our organizations don't just survive but thrive, evolving to create the next level of excellence. Together we discussed how value creation is deeply intertwined with the success of our people. Indeed the bar is set equally high for business performance and organizational health. As we look ahead to People Leadership in 2024, I encourage us all to embrace the immeasurable value of human connection and building the ‘fundamental skills,' like care and empathy, that used to be relegated to ‘nice-nice, soft skills.’ It is in challenging business environments that organizations and leaders can truly rise to the occasion and demonstrate our unwavering commitment to our people. #leadership #peopleleadership #inspiration #empathy

It was a pleasure to sit down with three of my favorite people - Jordan Taylor, Anilu Vazquez-Ubarri, and Donald Knight - to discuss a topic I feel very passionately about: creating human-centric cultures where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Thank you to Donald Knight and the Greenhouse Software team for making this important conversation happen.

Recently, I had the privilege of sitting in the crowd at Amherst College's graduation ceremony, celebrating my niece and witnessing the excitement as graduates set off on their next chapter. It reminded me of the importance of this season, not only for students, but also for individuals at every stage of life entering a 'next chapter.' It's in times like these that we often feel pressed to give and get thought-provoking advice. So I couldn't help but feel inspired to share a few pieces of advice that have stuck with me throughout the years as I’ve navigated (and continue to navigate) new chapters in my own life. But remember, advice is just a starting point. Each of us has a unique journey to navigate, and it is essential to take ownership of our own growth and impact. 1. Self-Reflection: Take a moment to pause and deeply understand your passions, values, and strengths. By knowing yourself, you can make choices that align with your goals and bring true fulfillment. Embrace self-awareness as a compass to navigate your journey. 2. Continuous Learning: Education doesn't end with graduation. Embrace a mindset of continuous learning and seek out opportunities to expand your knowledge. Whether through formal education, mentorship, or self-study, make growth a lifelong pursuit. Embrace challenges, adapt to change, and never settle for complacency. 3. Courageous Risk-Taking: Step outside your comfort zone and embrace calculated risks. Failure and mistakes are inevitable, but they offer invaluable lessons. Embrace uncertainty, challenge the status quo, and open doors to new possibilities. It is through these courageous leaps that personal growth truly happens. As I always say, get comfortable with being uncomfortable throughout these leaps. Above all, I encourage each of us to embrace our own journeys of growth and to take time to celebrate achievements, embrace new challenges, and seize opportunities that lie ahead. #growth #journey #advice #graduation #selfreflection #selfawareness #learning #risktaking #courage