Jeanne Dasaro is a social entrepreneur, artist, and activist with extensive experience in nonprofit management, community journalism, event and project planning. We first read about Jeanne in 2008 in O Magazine where she was featured as one of "Tomorrow's Leaders". She was one of among eighty women selected to participate in Oprah's Women Rule! A Crash Course for Changing the World, co-led by The White House Project. It's somewhat serendipitous that both The White House Project and Jeanne are leading workshops at the 2nd Annual Passion Into Action Women's Conference.
Jeanne has followed her passion for connecting people with new ideas, places, and things. Not only is she the co-founder of The New Prosperity Initiative, an organization that works to build social and economic prosperity in communities, but she is also the owner of Plan-It Green Consulting and Events and the creator of the networking group, Wonder Women of Boston.
Jeanne shares the inspiration behind her passion, her message to women around the world, and how she thinks women and girls are enhancing our communities.
1. What is your personal mission or passion that is helping to re-shape the future?
I love all things related to culture whether its family traditions, cuisine, art, rituals, etc. The variation around the globe in regards to culture is vast, but I do not think these difference should separate us. I feel passionate about exposing people to new neighborhoods, food, people, places, ideas, and the list goes on. I feel that exposure to new things helps grow as individuals and changes how we interact with one another in a very positive way.
2. Describe a significant moment or experience that inspired your personal mission or passion to make a difference?
When I was in third grade my teacher made a negative comment about my neighborhood and its residents. After hearing his comment, I remember being confused. I knew my teacher liked me and I wondered if he no longer would if he knew I lived in that neighborhood. Looking back, I realize this was the first time I encountered discrimination. From then on, I became hyper-aware of differences and how people perceive them.
3. What do you hope will be the biggest take-aways for the attendees who participate in your workshop?
Helping people gain a sense of what they want in regards to work, providing tools on how to find that work, and leaving them with sense of advocacy around career.
4. How do you see women and girls in the local and global communities affecting the future?
I think women have a vested interest in their communities whether local or global because its where we live and raise our families. For this reason, I think women will continue to be catalysts for change by reshaping how the needs of their communities are met. Women will drive the call for change around issues such as access to education, water, housing, health-care, and the list goes on.
5. Why is it so important to participate in groups and events that connect women and feature their talents, ideas and solutions right now?
Women face a variety of gender-related challenges as professionals, and it’s important we discuss and share what we’ve learned along the way. It’s important for women to see other women in leadership roles, women who are successful professionally which is why its important for women to come together.
6. What is your message to women around the world?
Don't get discouraged when challenges arise and keep a close network of trusted friends/advisers around to help you through the ups and downs of striving for your passion.
Jeanne Dasaro and Alexis Schroeder are leading the workshop: "Navigating a Path to a Career in Public Service: A Roadmap for Creating Social Impact"
"In a recession, when major institutions are dramatically changing/failing (and technology is changing the way we work), how do we find jobs we enjoy that also pay the bills?"
This is the big question NPi's workshop, "Navigating a Path to a Career in Public Service," aims to address.
The path to a successful career in public service has never been more confusing. Yet more and more people seek to do work that is ultimately for the public good. Whether we enter the for-profit or nonprofit world or take the leap and become social entrepreneurs, we are stepping into new and different jobs tackling a wide variety of social and environmental problems.
Rooted in the belief that the best career opportunities come through relationships, not job boards, this workshop provides a powerful new framework for taking ownership of one's own unique and often winding career path. In a highly interactive session, participants learn how to identify and communicate their own unique offerings as well as how to establish and cultivate strong work relationships both online and offline. Attendees will be presented with ideas for getting started on the job search or entrepreneurial endeavor, thoughtful tips for moving beyond the roadblocks they will inevitably encounter, and inspiration by way of real life stories. In a quickly-changing world full of new opportunities and possibilities, this workshop is dedicated to helping women begin to find or create meaningful, rewarding work during times of widespread systems change.
Click here to register for the Passion Into Action Conference.
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