WINSight // Takeaways from the WIN NY 2024 Unconference
On Saturday, May 4, the Women In Innovation NY Chapter hosted its first Unconference. Unlike traditional conferences, the Unconference prioritized conversation over presentation, where our community’s role shifted from audience member to an active driver of discussions throughout the day-long event.
Thank you to our event sponsors BoomPop and Fabrik. BoomPop is an end-to-end events platform tackling the challenge of building strong company culture in a work-from-anywhere world, providing expert services with next-generation software to help companies plan incredible experiences. Fabrik activates unused spaces to create community-inspired places where like-minded people can gather for IRL connection.
As much as we wanted to capture all of the brilliance exchanged – there’s book deal potential here – we’re pleased to share a few top takeaways from these rich discussions, spanning from the death of design thinking to the future of work to the oxymoronic nature of government & innovation in the same sentence.
Innovation in Emerging Tech: “Agree or Disagree: AI is Here to Amplify You, Not Replace You”
AI is a tool, not a substitute: At our table, AI was ubiquitous, seamlessly integrated into various aspects of our lives—whether it be work tasks, distilling insights from stakeholder interviews, conducting market research, or breaking down complex concepts like inflation for our 11-year old children in a comprehensive yet concise fashion. While concerns about AI replacing human teachers surfaced, one member illuminated the positive impact of tailored learning models for students with ADHD, providing invaluable support to educators grappling with oversized classes who must teach in a more one-size-fits all way.
We’re all navigating uncharted territories when it comes to the use of AI: One member called out that the EU appears to be one step ahead of the US with a new AI governance framework. With that said, there are questions around how comprehensive this framework actually is and how it will be enforced. With AI being such a greenfield, particularly in the US, members called out how they are often creating custom governances for each client. A clear must have across the board? Knowing where the data is coming from, and checking for its bias.
AI’s power needs to be wielded in diverse hands with good intent or its impact could be ruinous: AI stands as one of our generation's most formidable tools, yet its unchecked use, largely in the hands of a select few, poses risks. Today, if you look at who owns and controls most of the data and LLMs, it is just a few trillion-dollar corporate companies and largely male businessmen (Sam Altman, Satya Nadella, Sundar Pichai, Mark Zuckerberg, Andy Jassy). Advocating for diverse stewardship and public-private partnerships can establish necessary safeguards. Some members voiced concerns that unless proactive steps are taken, a crisis may need to happen in order to prompt responsible AI use. (Book recommendation: The Fourth Revolution)
Standout quote:
“By and large the sentiment in the room around AI was overwhelmingly positive. Even when somebody in the room brought up concerns around how AI might replace teachers, that was quickly countered by somebody saying how there are LLMs for neurodivergent learners helping them learn in a way that is highly accessible and makes it easier to learn in a way that works for them.”
Innovation in Startups/Entrepreneurship: “The Feminization of the Startup Ecosystem: How Might We Disrupt the Status Quo?”
It’s time we flipped the script. Or in other words – ”de” the default, in the spirit of the “Un” conference. Take today’s accelerator programs, for example. The typical lightning-speed, 3-month-sprint-to-fundraise model does not, or should not, work for everyone. Where’s the model that allows for sustained, long-term investment? Even further – if a startup does not need to see hockey-stick 10x growth, how can we normalize additional types of funding and resources instead of venture capital, shifting from an accelerator to a regenerator?
Less bro, more whoa! Women have a time-gap bias – as women we are often pulled to care for our families and communities on top of a full time job, and to start something new on top of it all puts us at a disadvantage compared our male counterparts that don’t always carry these expectations. It’s time for us to make changes in the startup ecosystem to account for this equity imbalance.
Read the room – and then re-write it. In male-dominated spaces (like the prestigious startup accelerator programs – you know who you are), we tend to assert our dominance to match the energy of the room– rather than boldly exuding our own and empowering the women around us to do the same. Let’s open ourselves to a world where we re-write these gendered dynamics and build confidence in one another to show up with our own unique passion, rather than matching that of “bro” culture.
Standout quote:
“Contrary to popular belief, in order to have a successful business, you have to solve a problem that provides value. If more people did this, venture funding wouldn’t exist.”
Innovation in Consulting: “Design Thinking Is Dead. What Went Wrong? What’s Next?”
Opinion #1: Design thinking is indeed dead – our condolences to IDEO. The commodification of the design-thinking process, and the industry buzzword it has become, has diluted its perceived value. It’s more of an IDEO brand, now joining the design firm in its descent. That said, the principles or mindset behind the methodology should still hold true, with user empathy at the core of the design process.
Opinion #2: Design Thinking hasn’t died – it’s just evolving as any approach would. It’s time for design thinking to adapt to our changing environment, particularly as AI augments and/or disrupts every stage of the innovation process and inflation seemingly isn’t letting up. Will another company sweep in and take over as champion of the newly evolved design-thinking?
Opinion #3: We’re actually facing an even bigger provocation: the corporation is dead. The higher-order issue here is not the design thinking process, but the scarcity mindset of key decision makers that constrains our ability to think deeper. Design thinking has huge potential to interrogate not the consumer alone, but the interrelated systems with which they interact – however, from a corporate perspective, if it doesn’t draw a straight line to profit, it’s not happening.
Standout quote:
”Is it not the fact that what we’re doing is dead, but who we’re doing it for is operating under a mindset of scarcity? Maybe it’s the corporation that’s dead. Maybe it’s the fact that the decision-makers that so many of us are supporting are not as visionary or imaginative as they need to be to consider other outcomes. It can’t always be about saving more time or making more money, because you’ll never have enough time or enough money.”
Innovation in Government: “Government & Innovation: An Oxymoron?”
There are so many areas of government ripe for innovation – shocker (not). All too relevant for one WIN member who had just arrived from London after 3 hours in a customs line, the need for smoother physical interactions with government services was a rant-worthy topic of discussion. Silos between government bodies prevent the end-to-end service that connected ecosystems enable, largely due to data sharing concerns.
Digging one level deeper, we have a cost of poverty problem to solve. On the same topic of travel – TSA Precheck and Global Entry enables us to pay for a better experience, leaving those without the means to do so in the dark. In other words: It’s expensive and time-consuming to be poor.
Despite our complaints, we celebrate and want more from areas where government innovation has been successful. We first discussed the integration of digital technology into physical spaces. A few examples – again sticking with our travel example – include biometric security in airports, self-service kiosks, dynamic signage, etc. We also thought about more opt-in approaches for sharing information between government entities, such as ID.me, that enable users to accomplish multiple things in one single government interaction, rather than through a painstaking piecemeal operation.
Standout quotes:
“Government often has a lack of customer service mindset. They’re providing a service, but often don’t understand that they’re providing the most essential human services.”
“The government's service and product is not designed with “users" in mind -- and we just have to use it as is even though it doesn't work for us. There's no product-market fit, because the services are the opposite.”
Innovation in the Future of Work: “Signing off from the corporate 9 to 5 – hello, freelancers, solopreneurs, and fractional employees!"
Opinion #1: The 9-5 may not be disappearing, but it's definitely getting a makeover: The majority of women in our room were fractional employees/solopreneurs/freelancers! While this may come as a shock, if you look at the broader national statistics you’ll see that especially post-COVID there has been an acceleration in the freelancer space. The ability to work for yourself, do what you want each day, and juggle multiple commitments at once were key motivators.
Opinion #2: Community is crucial for fractional employees, solopreneurs, and freelancers: Forging your own path can be invigorating and empowering, but on the same coin challenging and isolating. Many women in our group expressed a need for more support and camaraderie among freelancer communities. (Stay tuned for an upcoming WIN freelancer event!)
Opinion #3: Exploring beyond office hours: Side hustles in a 9-5 World: The idea of starting a side hustle piqued the interest of many women still in the corporate grind, but there were lingering questions about how to take the leap or pivot. It's worth noting that many corporate women are leading multifaceted lives—balancing a burgeoning startup, a 9-5 job, and various other commitments.
Standout quote:
”As somebody who broke [the misconception of lack of health insurance for freelancers] - there are insurance brokers…I was part of a union, I got insurance. You CAN be a freelancer and get health insurance.”
Innovation in the Face of Changing Social Norms: “Alcohol is Unhealthy. Dating Apps Ditched. Social Media is Isolating. Is Anyone Having Fun Anymore?"
Times are indeed changing, sparking introspection about our actions and their lasting effects. As screen time increases, so do mental health issues. By and large, women in the room were cognizant of all the latest research reports around the impacts of social media, alcohol, and digital versus physical interactions. While social media, dating apps, and the occasional glass of wine offer benefits, their overindulgence can take a toll on health, seemingly prompting a wake-up call for many.
Do what works for you; it’s okay to say “No”: Our group has increasingly tuned into what feels right and wrong for them individually. The majority of women in the room have recently made choices to step away or significantly diminish habits like excessive drinking, dating apps, and social media. One member even shared her journey exploring natural remedies and organizing sober dance parties!
The crux of all these potential pitfalls boils down to one essential and invaluable asset – time: One audience member emphasized a newfound commitment to saying no to flakiness and plan cancellations, in addition to the discussed topics of drinking, dating apps, and social media. Her emphasis on honoring commitments reflects a yearning for deep connection, but also highlights the precious and finite nature of time. There were major head nods in agreement signaling the importance of mindful allocation of time and protection of it.
Standout quote:
“The question at the end of our discussion was, ‘do you feel optimistic or pessimistic about where we as a society are going?’, and not one person had an immediate reaction, which I think is really fascinating. We are all students of the time we are alive in right now, but we do have strong convictions around where we want to turn the dial more towards human-centered - whether it is nature or social interactions. We do not want to over-engineer what life is supposed to be.”
Innovation in Climate Change: Me & My Carbon Footprint: “I swear I care about climate change, but I'm scared to calculate my carbon footprint. Am I doing enough in my relationship with the planet?"
It's not about going cold turkey; it's about doing less. While some dive headfirst into eco-friendly lifestyles, others can start by simply opting for secondhand clothes, opting for a plant-based option on the menu, or carpooling occasionally instead of driving solo. Small shifts, made easier by growing climate awareness and accessible services (e.g. Depop, Beyond Meat), make a big difference over time.
Climate action begins with you, but touches everyone: One person does make a difference – your actions do matter. It is crucial to recognize your role as the starting point for climate action, knowing it ripples through your family, friends, workplace, institutions, policies, and cultural norms. One member recalled the seismic impact of a small budget documentary called Blackfish, that single handedly seemed to take down one of the biggest institutions, SeaWorld.
To cultivate a deeper concern for the planet, immerse yourself in it. Members raised in regions heavily impacted by climate issues, such as California or Hawaii, seemed to exhibit a heightened awareness of environmentally conscious behaviors. One member shared how relocating from New York to work on a farm in Hawaii amplified her dedication to environmental causes.
Standout quote:
“We talked a lot in the room about how where we grew up had a lot to do with our perspective on climate change and what our beliefs were that we carried. One of the solutions we talked about is some kind of empathy training, using metaverse technologies to simulate certain climate crises, so that people who don’t live in climate-impacted states can understand its impact. Climate conscious behaviors really stem from personal experiences - it's emotionally driven behavior."
Innovation in Women’s Health & Wellness: "What would I want to see for my daughter? How can women's health issues not be taboo, but part of everyday conversation?"
Instead of avoiding discomfort, cause discomfort. That’s right – change requires an effort to go through, and in this case, normalizing women’s health taboos means putting them out in the open and fighting through the initial friction that results from any deviation from the status quo. For one attendee, this means walking to the office bathroom with a tampon visibly in hand. Another spoke of coordinating meetings according to her cycle. While these may be unnatural to some of us at first, they won’t become normal if we don’t do them.
Women’s health is good for business. We don’t mean to reduce women’s health to financial benefit, but this is an important narrative re-frame. Every dollar we choose to invest in women’s health has the potential to give back $3 in economic growth – so why wouldn’t we? We must disseminate this very obvious, yet not-so-popular insight across our own organizations in a way that it sticks & makes a lasting impact (one attendee is starting with a company lunch & learn – what more can we do?).
The future of health & wellness will not be within the flawed Western healthcare system – we’ll each be encircled by our own healthcare systems. This is already happening with the care team model, and we’re excited by waves making this model more mainstream (e.g., autoimmune care startup WellTheory). Looking ahead, physicians are just one member of our health & wellness ecosystem – how can we build trusted knowledge-sharing networks to help each other navigate the complexities of personal health (and what already exists today that we just don’t know about)?
Standout quote:
”I love when I see a design around infant care, for instance, and the design is intuitive and just makes sense – that’s when I know a woman designed this.”
Needless to say, the WIN NY 2024 Unconference was a grand success in bringing 40+ different perspectives to a shared table. Together, we fostered an irreplicable candor and vulnerability that pushed our collective thinking in ways we’ve never seen from a WIN event before – and we can’t wait for the next one (stay tuned!).
Written by Makena Naegele, WIN NY Programming Lead & Innovation Strategist at Capgemini, and Sabrina Romviel, WIN NY Programming Lead & Consultant at Vivaldi Group