At Ideas Collide, there are extraordinary women who embody the spirit of an Athena. These women exemplify exceptional leadership, foster a strong sense of community, and offer invaluable mentorship — key attributes that define an Athena. Their remarkable achievements not only mark significant milestones in their professional journeys but also demonstrate their profound impact on their team and the broader community.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
Meet Rachael Gildersleeve
Business Intelligence Analyst
How important is it to you to give back to the communities you live, work, and play in? How has Ideas Collide played a part in nurturing and giving you those opportunities?
Gildersleeve: Giving back to the community is crucial to me. I believe that dedicating our time and energy to uplift our community creates a positive cycle that benefits us all. Despite busy schedules, Ideas Collide supports our commitment to community service by encouraging participation in both company-organized initiatives and personal passions.
How does the collaborative culture at Ideas Collide enhance the agency’s ability to positively impact the community?
Gildersleeve: By fostering teamwork, innovation, and a shared commitment to social responsibility. The combination of diverse talents and perspectives fosters creative solutions for community initiatives. By being in a culture that encourages us to work together, we are able to amplify our impact and drive meaningful change in the communities we serve.
How does the focus on community development shape the overall culture at Ideas Collide?
Gildersleeve: I’ve noticed how it instills a sense of purpose and shared responsibility among team members. By encouraging a culture of empathy, collaboration, and giving back, employees are motivated to contribute beyond their professional roles. This focus creates a work environment that values social impact as much as business success, making community engagement an integral part of our identity and fostering a strong sense of pride and fulfillment across the agency.
Meet Kendra Dingley
Senior Designer, Business Development
In what ways have you been encouraged to participate in community development initiatives through your role at Ideas Collide?
Dingley: Throughout my time at IC, I’ve been consistently encouraged to engage in community development through various initiatives. This includes participation in IC Gives activities during our Celebration events, involvement with ElevateEDAZ’s high school student internship program, and by utilizing the agency’s paid volunteer hours benefit. Additionally, I’ve contributed to numerous projects supporting Devereux, such as the Suitcases for Hope initiative, assisting with their Double Down for Devereux fundraiser, and most recently, leading the mural installations in their Phoenix campus cafeteria.
Can you share an example of a community-focused project that Ideas Collide supported, and what role did you play in it? How did this shape you as a professional and individual?
Dingley: For the Devereux Mural initiative, I had the opportunity to brainstorm and design meaningful artistic concepts, as well as contribute to the project by selecting materials and orchestrating the installation methods for two murals. The artwork was well received by the Devereux community, who have since invited us back to expand the murals throughout the entire room. This experience allowed me to reflect on the challenges many of the children at Devereux have faced, and deepened my sense of gratitude. Having struggled in my own early life, I understand the power that something as simple as vibrant colors or a positive message can have in making a difference in daily life. I am dedicated to inspiring and supporting local youth to thrive. This experience has broadened my view of community service and how I can use my talents to make a positive impact.
Through Rachael and Kendra’s outreach efforts, they’ve cultivated a sense of community that extends beyond the organization. They actively engage with local communities, forging strong relationships and initiating programs that uplift and empower others. Their unwavering dedication ensures that everyone feels valued and can contribute their best, making a positive difference in many lives.
LEADERSHIP
Meet Caitlin Davison
Project Manager, Business Development
What community projects have you spearheaded that you’re particularly proud of? How do these projects reflect our leadership values at Ideas Collide?
Davison: I’m particularly proud of our work with the Community Cycling Center’s Latinx-led Andando en Bicicletas y Caminando (ABC) volunteer program in Portland. This project reflects our leadership values, such as advocacy, inclusivity, and authentic storytelling. The documentary-style video we produced raises awareness and inspires action, embodying our belief in using creative storytelling to drive social change. Our leadership is marked by vision, integrity, and the ability to inspire and guide others. We set high standards through our actions, driving progress and creating an environment where everyone can thrive and reach their full potential.
Meet Vicki Diaz
Senior Brand + Business Development Manager
What community projects have you spearheaded that you’re particularly proud of? How do these projects reflect our leadership values at Ideas Collide?
Diaz: The Devereux Mural Project was an idea I had upon visiting the organization’s facility. It immediately came to me how our team could help brighten their space and bring smiles for years to come. Though it was something I initially conceived and spearheaded, the entire project truly was a team effort. It was a perfect example of team members coming together, bringing their giving spirit forward, and creating something for one of our community partners. At Ideas Collide, “blue sky thinking” is something we encourage: The sky is the limit with our ideas, how we execute them, and how we can be great leaders and partners in the community. This was a prime example of that.
How have your leadership efforts inspired or influenced other community initiatives or leaders, and what role has Ideas Collide played in shaping those outcomes?
Diaz: Our agency has helped shape my leadership impact by being supportive and encouraging to all ideas and initiatives I take part in. To have leaders who care about my development has helped me take part in some remarkable community initiatives — such as Young & Empowered Women, ALPFA Phoenix, and many more — where I can continue exploring and developing my leadership qualities to benefit not only as a professional but as an individual.
Caitlin and Vicki’s leadership is characterized by vision, integrity, and the ability to inspire and guide others toward achieving collective goals. By setting a high standard through their actions, they drive progress and foster an environment where everyone can thrive and reach their full potential.
MENTORSHIP
Meet Laura Bjerk
Senior Manager, Content Strategy
Mentorship can be a game-changer — how has it contributed to developing innovative ideas within our team or your professional journey?
Bjerk: Being a mentor is about empowering others to share their ideas, to push the envelope, to raise their hand in any situation. And when you feel supported and empowered by a mentor, you feel more confident in speaking up and sharing your ideas. In my own career, feeling empowered to share ideas and involve myself in new projects helped these projects incorporate a wide variety of insights and ideas, and helped me work on new and exciting things, growing my own professional skillset.
What qualities or practices have you observed in effective mentors that have made a significant impact on your career or projects? How have those lessons influenced your work at Ideas Collide?
Bjerk: Qualities in effective mentors include advocacy — encouraging people to pursue opportunities is just as important as providing them with opportunities. If my own mentors hadn’t advocated for my growth, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Open-mindedness is another key quality; mentors should welcome new ideas and insights even if they challenge the status quo. Without my mentors being open-minded to my unconventional ideas, I couldn’t have created my own position at the agency. Consideration is also crucial; strong mentors consider their mentees in all opportunities and make connections that fit their needs. Additionally, they tailor their guidance to the mentee’s career growth, interests, and context to provide the best possible mentorship.
Meet Abby Huntington
Lead Project Manager
How do you cultivate a mentoring relationship that sparks creativity and innovation? Can you share how this approach aligns with our agency’s emphasis on growth and development?
Huntington: I focus on fostering a safe environment where mentees feel comfortable sharing their ideas, which is crucial for creativity. I also prioritize close collaboration, working hand in hand with mentees on brainstorming and problem-solving, thereby generating fresh ideas and reinforcing our growth-oriented culture. Additionally, I provide supportive feedback that helps mentees refine their concepts and build their confidence, aligning with our agency’s commitment to personal and professional development. By emphasizing these practices, I ensure that mentoring contributes effectively to the creative and innovative spirit we strive for at Ideas Collide, supporting both individual growth and team success.
Can you tell us about a specific challenge that a mentee overcame with your guidance? How did this experience lead to a successful outcome that reflects our collaborative spirit at Ideas Collide?
Huntington: One time, a mentee I oversaw was working on a complex project with tight deadlines and feeling overwhelmed by the coordination required. To address this, we broke the project into smaller tasks with clear milestones, making it more manageable and easier to track progress. We also held brainstorming sessions with the team to gather diverse input and creative solutions, which fostered effective teamwork. Throughout the process, I provided regular feedback and support to help them stay on track and build confidence. Ultimately, the project was completed successfully and even exceeded client expectations. This experience highlighted how our collaborative approach at Ideas Collide can turn challenges into growth opportunities and reinforce our team’s ability to achieve great results.
Abby’s and Laura’s commitment to mentorship is unparalleled, as they invest significant time and wisdom in nurturing the next generation of leaders. This guidance, encouragement, and support not only shape individual careers but also significantly influence the culture and values of Ideas Collide in meaningful and enduring ways.