Fairygodboss Of The Week Ebony Frelix

Fairygodboss Of The Week Ebony Frelix Ebony Frelix, SVP of Philanthropy and Engagement at Salesforce, is a true Fairygodboss whos all about strengthening communities within and outside of zu sich own office. In addition to leading a 30-person kollektiv at Salesforce, Ebony has led partnerships with San Francisco and Oakland Unified School Districts with the goal of improving computer science education, especially for those in underrepresented communities. Her 1 career tip? Find a mentor. She says she wouldnt be where she is today without those whove mentored herFairygodboss of the Week Ebony FrelixSenior Vice President of Philanthropy and Engagement - SalesforceSan Francisco Bay Area, CAFGB Tell us about your career. How did you get to where you are now?EF I originally joined Salesforce in 2008 to work in IT and became immediately inspired by Salesforces philanthropic mission. As someone who has been volunteering since an early age, I welches excited when one of my first projects was to manage interns from Year Up. Year Up is an amazing organization that provides young adults in underrepresented communities with the skills, experience and support needed to excel in their education and professional endeavors. Salesforce has worked with this organization for many years and to this day working with the students is one of my favorite parts of the work I do.When a position opened up at Salesforce.org, the philanthropic arm of Salesforce, the president at the time encouraged me to take the role and it felt like a natural fit. Now, as senior vice president of philanthropy and engagement at Salesforce.org, I lead a 30-person team globally and am responsible for all employee engagement, grantmaking and philanthropy for Salesforce. I manage programs and strategic grants focused on education and workforce development and as a result, have been responsible for administering millions of dollars in grants to improve communities around the world, as well as engaging our mora than 24,000 employees in community service opportunities. Its amazing to have a career that is not only challenging and interesting, but also rewarding and makes a real impact on our communities.FGB What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?EF I am especially proud of the work weve done to improve education around the world.Since Ive worked for Salesforce.org, Ive led partnerships with San Francisco and Oakland Unified School Districts with the goal of improving computer science education, especially for those in underrepresented communities. To date, Salesforce.org has donated $22.5 million to both school districts, adopted 45 schools around the world, and provided teacher training, technology and infrastructure to schools in need. Since launching the partnership with SFUSD in 2013, the school district has become the first in the nation to require computer science curriculum for all grades, and has also seen improvements in math test scores and overall grade point averages. S alesforce employees have also volunteered 20,000 hours in the districts, giving us the opportunity to provide more students with positive role models as they continue to grow and learn.Year Up is another initiative Im really proud of. Not only was Salesforce a founding corporate partner of Year Up, but its also an organization Im personally very passionate about. I had the privilege of managing the first class of interns to ever come on the Salesforce campus. Now, seven years later, weve had more than 200 interns on campus, and nearly half of those students have been placed in jobs at Salesforce. FGB What is a challenge that youve faced and overcome?EF One of the more humbling experiences I have had in my career was putting my hat in the ring for a job that I felt confident I was ready for. Initially, I was slightly shattered when the job went to someone else, but I quickly turned my focus toward growing my skillplatzset, closing any gaps and continuing to build relationships. It tu rned out that not getting that job was one of the best things that could have happened to me. My existing role, at that time, grew in scope, and I learned to work differently while I gained exposure to new areas and new people that led to even better opportunities. It taught me that opportunity can come out of disappointment when you choose to channel it in a productive way. Lightning RoundFGB Who is YOUR Fairygodboss? And why?EF Suzanne DiBianca, the Chief Philanthropy Officer at Salesforce. She changed the trajectory of my career. Throughout my time at Salesforce she has been an incredible mentorcoaching, guiding, and advocating for me every step of the way. It was Suzanne who first suggested that I consider a role at Salesforce.org to combine my work with my personal passion for philanthropy. She gave me the push I needed to realize my full potential, and it changed my life It shows the importance of mentorship, and the benefit of surrounding yourself with people who inspire and encourage you, both professionally and personally. Ive benefitted greatly from mentors throughout my life, and its one of the reasons Im passionate about mentoring others.FGB What do you do when youre not working?EF Volunteer in my community. And watch cartoons. )FGB If you could have dinner with one famous person - dead or alive - who would it be?EF My personal rockstar, my grandfather. FGB What is your karaoke popsong?EF Tell Me by Groove Theory.FGB What is your favorite movie?EF The Long Kiss Goodnight (its not a chick flick as the title would suggest. Geena Davis is a strong female lead in this movie.)FGB What book would you bring with you on a desert island?EF Memoirs of A Geisha.FGB What is your shopping vice? What would you buy if you won the lottery?EF Shoes. Property...and shoes.FGB What is the 1 career tip youd like to share with other women who want to have successful careers like you?EF Find a mentor. I have benefited greatly from mentors throughout my career and underst and the importance of these relationships. I wouldnt be where I am today if it werent for the guidance and conversations Ive had with my mentors.My dad has been one of the most influential mentors in my life. Theres a story about my dad I tell all my interns. He told me, work hard now and focus while youre young. If you get behind early in your career, itll be harder for you to catch up to your peers later in life. That conversation changed the trajectory of my career because it was then that I set my sights on loftier goals. FGB Why do you love where you work? EF Where do I begin? I love that every day when I go to work, Im helping make a difference. Ive always been passionate about giving back to my community and this is something that is deeply ingrained in Salesforces culture.Through my work, I get to see first hand how we are helping local communities - whether its increased grade point averages in a local school district or watching a student excel after connecting with a ment or who has volunteered their time.To date, Salesforce employees have volunteered more than 1.8 million hours, weve given more than $137 million in grants, and more than 30,000 nonprofits and education institutions run on Salesforce with free or discounted rates. I am so excited for our future and to help even more communities around the world.Fairygodboss is all about women helping other women. So each week, we celebrate a woman who makes a difference in other womens careers. Is there a woman who has made a difference in your career? Celebrate and thank her by nominating her here.