Los Angeles area Event report • Committees
Give to Gain: Women Leading Through Transmission
In a world often focused on individual achievement, this evening invited participants to look at leadership through a different lens: not as a solitary climb, but as a continuous act of transmission.
As part of Women’s History Month and the 115th anniversary of International Women’s Day, the FACC California hosted “Give to Gain: Women Leading Through Transmission” in Playa Vista. The event brought together leaders from tech, philanthropy, media, and corporate leadership to explore how a “giving” mindset can become a powerful driver of growth, impact, and leadership transformation.
At the heart of the discussion was a simple but profound idea: leadership is not only about how far you rise, but about who you bring with you. Across industries and experiences, the panel reframed “giving” not as a loss of influence, but as a multiplier of impact through mentorship, opportunity creation, and intentional inclusion.
Hosted at the Verizon Innovation Lab, the evening created a space for candid storytelling and intergenerational dialogue, including students and young attendees invited to experience leadership conversations firsthand.
The panel featured five women leaders shaping culture, media, corporate strategy, and innovation:
- Sidney Clifton, Executive Producer, Mentor & Advocate for Underserved Storytellers
- Ikram Guerd, U.S. General Manager & CMO, Aspivix
- Dr. Erica L. Jacquez, Executive Director External and Government Relations @ Verizon
- Jenni Pfaff, Chief People and Transformation Officer @ Hybe Americas
- Moderated by Julie Ceccaldi, Partner & Managing Director at JOJA US
Each speaker brought a distinct perspective on how “giving” translates into leadership in practice, from philanthropy and creative mentorship to corporate transformation and organizational culture.
Throughout the conversation, a central theme emerged: generosity is not separate from leadership. It is a leadership strategy in itself:
- Building platforms for underrepresented voices is not charity, but infrastructure for innovation
- Giving credit, time, and space fundamentally reshapes organizational culture
- Inclusion requires intentionality—actively asking who is missing and why
- Philanthropy, investment, and leadership are increasingly interconnected forms of impact
Rather than abstract ideals, these ideas were grounded in lived experience and concrete leadership practices.
Beyond individual stories, the panel collectively pointed toward a broader shift in leadership culture: one that values shared success, long-term community building, and intentional empowerment of others. In this framing, “giving” is not a soft value, it is a structural force that shapes organizations, careers, and ecosystems.
“Give to Gain: Women Leading Through Transmission” offered a powerful reminder that leadership is not defined only by achievement, but by the impact one has on others along the way.
