Passing the Torch
By Marisa Lopez
April 27, 2021
Amplify founder Joni Martin Bryan started a long-standing tradition of telling love stories about brave individuals finding light in the midst of oppression. Her legacy of evangelizing love, inclusion, and belonging lives on through our vibrant community. She lit a fire that continues to bring warmth to the Salesforce.org ecosystem while at the same time challenging us all to strive towards a more equitable workforce.
Last week I participated in the first-ever Salesforce.org Nonprofit Summit, along with Salesforce Superstars Jessica Murphy and Rachel Park. Our session, “Amplify-ing Underrepresented Voices in Tech”. If you missed it, you can find the video of us discussing how we are blazing our own trails in the #Salesforce #nonprofit community at the intersection(ality) of tech, diversity, & grit here.
I write this post with a flurry of mixed emotions, since the Salesforce.org Nonprofit Summit session was my last presentation representing Amplify as Board President. After four amazing years leading this group of fearless leaders, it is time to pass the torch and make room for new ideas, strategies, and opportunities. I couldn’t be more delighted to be introducing Dr. Makeda Keegan as the new Amplify Board President, and Rachel Hands as the new Amplify Vice President. Alongside the rest of our fantastic Board of Directors, which includes our Treasurer Nicole Hansen, Secretary Alexandra Iyer, and Board Members Brittany Daley, Cheryl Porro, Lashonna McBride, Marciana Davis, and Melissa Hill Dees, they will continue the pursuit of our vision of creating a world where underrepresented voices have equity and representation in all areas of technology.
We’ve had many successes throughout the years. Top of mind are:
The amazing Annual Amplify Breakfast, where we gather in-person, (or virtually in 2020) to celebrate underrepresented voices, network, smile at each other, to tell stories of our progress, and support each other
The Engagement Party. In 2019, Idealist Consulting approached us to offer to have their epic Dreamforce event benefit Amplify, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
Our vibrant Regional Community Groups, bolstered by Dr. Makeda Keegan
Amplify Partners & Accomplices Initiative, led by Rachel Hands
Education Program, recently revamped by Lashonna McBride and a fantastic committee of volunteers
DEI Partner Survey designed, executed and analyzed in collaboration with the DEI Community Sprint and the Salesforce.org Partners Advisory Board Equality Subcommittee.
Mentoring Circles - relaunched by Marciana Davis, Cheryl Porro and Melissa Hill Dees
And last but not least, our amazing partnership with Salesforce.org, resulting in the Amplify Job Board, and many other important initiatives. Thank you Alexandra Iyer for being our liaison, and to Amy Pannu, Anne Young, Traci DePuy, Lizzy Roberts, Tiffany Wang, Dave Averill, and so many others for supporting us!
We still have a long road ahead, in our effort to create a more equitable sector. Amplify will continue to forge ahead and push our community to be more inclusive.
Thank you sponsors. Thanks to the Board. And most of all thank you Amplify Community. Serving you all in this capacity has been the highest honor. Thank you for being part of my love story.
Onward!
Marisa Lopez
Follow me on my next adventure!