Inspirational Women in STEM and Tech: Brooke Waupsh of Swoovy On The 5 Leadership Lessons She Learned From Her Experience

Leadership is not limited to those who are selected for top management positions. You can demonstrate leadership at all times, even when you’re not in a formal leadership role. Align yourself with women who are in leadership roles, join professional organizations that promote leadership opportunities, seek out a mentor, and ask for feedback.

As a part of our series about “Lessons From Inspirational Women in STEM and Tech”, we had the pleasure of interviewing Brooke Waupsh, Founding CEO of Swoovy.

Brooke Waupsh is an award-winning marketer and recognized female founder in the tech start-up community, now driving impact through a corporate SaaS platform, Swoovy, igniting corporate community engagement, reviving culture, and strengthening the future of work.

Before Swoovy, Brooke was a key member leading an early-stage FinTech company to a successful exit after developing a national brand disrupting the space and elevating community banks and credit unions in a technology-driven world.

Brooke has a passion for being a changemaker, has mentored female entrepreneurs through a practicum course at the University of Texas McCombs School of Business as well as the Young Women’s Alliance, and has been featured by Texas CEO Magazine, named a “Female Disruptor” by Authority Magazine, and was a two-time finalist for Austin Under 40 Awards for “Start-up and Innovation”.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

At 24, and in only my second position after college, I was given the opportunity at an early-stage FinTech company to take the lead on developing a corporate strategy and plan to roll out a consumer brand for B2B SaaS supporting community banks. Without hesitation, I took the reigns, gathering input from industry experts, researching best practices and models that were successful, and applying key learnings. With that, my team and I rolled out a national brand that is now considered to have the fourth largest banking brand, behind Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo. By the time I turned 25, I had a seat on the executive leadership team and expanded what started with a two-person team to a corporate initiative across multiple divisions supported by over 200 employees. I realized I could make changes and activate plans and people to make a difference.

I saw a similar opportunity to help nonprofits, much like I did with community financial institutions. At the core of it, they are limited on resources and do not effectively tap into a mainstream audience. I saw there was an opportunity to modernize the way they recruit volunteers. While 90% of adult Americans say they want to volunteer, only 1 in 4 do. Even I fell into that bucket. Life happens, and we prioritize everything daily over volunteering. The number one reason people don’t volunteer is that it takes a lot of time and effort to find a cause you care about, and how to get involved. People are also more likely to volunteer if they have someone to go with that shares their interests. My mission was to find a way to weave volunteering into the way we live, work, and play — and to do that in a technology-driven world.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began at your company?

The most interesting stories for me have been about the path to investment. While I was part of an early-stage company, they were further along and had funding, so this was a new world to me and a learning path.

I explored every avenue from crowdfunding to pitch events and submitting applications to various funds. What I found interesting was that, while I was chosen as the top 3 companies to pitch for several Angel investment groups, no one was writing checks. They gave me all of the accolades in the world and loved the business, but it was my male counterpart that would get the check. As I got deeper into the world of start-ups and was surrounded by other entrepreneurs, over and again I heard from male leaders that they had a coffee with an investor and got a check right there. And no, they didn’t have to provide the financial model and assumptions that I did, and no, they did not have revenue; they just got the check without any further due diligence or push to defend the business.

You know, it’s surprising to learn that even though data shows that female-led businesses often outperform, they still only receive receive a disproportionately small amount of venture capital funding — the highest being just 3%! This has definitely been a challenge that I’ve faced myself, and it’s something that needs to change in the industry.

It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Let me share a funny mistake story with you, and it’s probably something many of us can relate to in the age of remote work during the pandemic, involving a Zoom or video call “oopsy”.

My days were, and still are, back-to-back energy hopping from call to call — from interviewing to sales demoing. One day, I was meeting with my Senior Engineer, which happened to take longer than expected, and I realized I needed to change outfits for my next call, which was an interview. While we were reviewing several things and tabbing through different screens together, I had no longer seen his face on the screen. So I took my laptop to the other room, changed quickly into my outfit for the interview, and wrapped up the call. As I was shutting it down, I realized my camera had still been on! I reached out to him via text right away to say, “Oops, Zoom fail! I didn’t realize my camera was on during the wardrobe change!” He was understanding and luckily said he didn’t see anything! I’ve seen people make this mistake or similar, like being caught picking their nose, etc., so this was my time to shine! But lesson learned — I’m now manic about checking video and audio at all times.

What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?

My company stands out because we advocate for nonprofits, corporate culture, and individuals. At Swoovy, we have a people-centric approach — from our product experience to the service we provide our clients. We get to know what the organizations and individuals care about, and we focus on building relationships and making connections, rather than just providing a directory of volunteer opportunities.

Our platform is designed to create an engaging experience for volunteers, while also providing valuable support to nonprofits. Our approach is all about creating a positive and impactful experience for everyone involved. We’re passionate about giving back, and we’re dedicated to making it easy and enjoyable for others to do the same.

For nonprofits, we work closely with them to understand their needs and goals, and we provide ongoing support to ensure that they are successful. For volunteers, we offer a variety of options to fit their interests and schedules, from one-time events to ongoing opportunities. We also provide a unique matchmaking feature that allows volunteers to connect with other like-minded individuals in their community.

Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?

We’re always working on exciting new projects, and while we can’t share everything just yet, one area we’re particularly passionate about is bringing together corporate service opportunities with the involvement of family and friends. We firmly believe that by breaking down barriers and creating more interconnectedness, we can amplify our impact and create truly transformative experiences.

Ok super. Thank you for all that. Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview. Are you currently satisfied with the status quo regarding women in STEM? What specific changes do you think are needed to change the status quo?

Let’s first define the status quo, starting with the data, which is my favorite place to begin when having a constructive conversation about this topic.

Seventy-three percent of STEM workers are male (US Census data from 2021). While women in STEM positions have increased from 8% in 1970 to 27% in 2019 (US Census data from 2021), an article I read in the Harvard Gazette appropriately highlighted that, while we’ve made gains, “culture remains an obstacle”.

I’m not content with the current state of women being underrepresented in STEM not because of their skills, but because society has conditioned them to have less confidence in their place in this field. According to a Harvard article, research has shown that women are just as capable as men in science and mathematics. However, a wide gender gap still exists due to external factors such as a lack of role models, exclusionary cultures, and persistent stereotypes about women’s intellectual abilities. The AAUW has also conducted research on this topic, which supports these findings.

Another study released last year titled Gender Stereotypes and Peer Selection in STEM Domains Among Children and Adolescents highlighted data showing that adolescent girls have been shown to underestimate their ability in computer science and engineering, which in turn has resulted in lower interest in these fields and lower enrollment in related higher-education courses. According to the study, the researchers concluded that adolescents endorse beliefs about superior male ability in engineering and technology.

We have a lot of work ahead of us, my friends. We need to start by providing support and opportunities for young adolescents, and then continue to encourage and empower them as they progress.

In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges faced by women in STEM or Tech that aren’t typically faced by their male counterparts? What would you suggest to address this?

One of the biggest challenges women face in STEM is the perception that they are not as capable or interested in these fields as men. This myth is harmful because it can discourage women from pursuing careers in STEM, even if they have the skills and passion for it.

To address this issue, we need to work on changing the narrative around women and girls in STEM. We need to showcase successful women in these fields and celebrate their achievements to counteract the harmful stereotypes. Additionally, early exposure to STEM can help to ignite interest in girls, but it’s important to continue to support and encourage them throughout their education and career.

But we can’t stop there. We need to actively work to combat bias and discrimination against women in STEM. This means creating a more inclusive and equitable environment for everyone and providing resources and support to help women thrive in their careers. By doing this, we can help to break down the barriers that hold women back in STEM and create a more diverse and innovative field.

What “ myths “ would you like to dispel about being a woman in STEM or Tech? Can you explain what you mean?

Some of the top myths I think need to be addressed are:

1. Men are better than women in STEM. The claim that men are better than women in STEM is unfounded. Most data shows that girls perform as well as or better than boys in science and math. It’s time to recognize the valuable contributions that women can make in STEM and create a more inclusive environment that supports everyone, regardless of gender.
2. Women and girls aren’t interested in STEM careers. The idea that women and girls aren’t interested in STEM careers is just a stereotype, and it’s not true. Societal pressures and biases can impact girls’ confidence and aspirations, leading them to believe they can’t be interested in STEM. There’s evidence to support this. But we can change this by creating a more inclusive and supportive environment that empowers women to pursue their interests in STEM. When we do this, we can unlock the full potential of diverse talent and ideas, and create a better future for everyone.
3. Women cannot succeed in STEM. Throughout history, women have contributed to advancing science, math, technology, and engineering; however, many of their stories are not highlighted to the degree of their male counterparts. How many people know Adda Lovelace, Marie Curie, Katherine Johnson, Elizabeth Blackwell, or Nettie Stevens? (And the list could go on!) One way to encourage girls to pursue STEM is to share stories of successful women in these fields. By highlighting their achievements, we can inspire girls to believe in their abilities and see the possibilities for themselves in STEM. So, look up some accomplished women in STEM and share their stories with a young girl in your life. It can make a big difference in inspiring the next generation of women in STEM!

What are your “5 Leadership Lessons I Learned From My Experience as a Woman in STEM or Tech” and why. (Please share a story or example for each.)

1. Leadership is not limited to those who are selected for top management positions. You can demonstrate leadership at all times, even when you’re not in a formal leadership role. Align yourself with women who are in leadership roles, join professional organizations that promote leadership opportunities, seek out a mentor, and ask for feedback.
2. There is Visionary and Transformational Leadership, and both are critical. Visionary leadership focuses on the future and inspiring others around a long-term goal, while transformational leadership focuses on creating positive change in individuals and organizations in the present.
3. Key qualities of leaders are someone who can communicate, collaborate, challenge, and contribute. As an effective leader, not only do you need to be able to manage resources, key partners, and investors but you also have to be someone who can roll up your sleeves and get the work done.
4. Talk less, listen more. This is especially crucial in sales, but it applies internally, with partners, and investors too. By actively listening to their pain points, passions, and needs, you gain a better understanding of what they require, which enables you to offer tailored solutions that address their specific needs, rather than pushing a pre-packaged message on them.
5. Be persistent. Don’t back down when faced with adversity or crisis. Instead, use it as an opportunity to demonstrate your unwavering commitment and problem-solving skills. Persistence pays off in the long run.

What advice would you give to other women leaders to help their team to thrive?

To achieve success in STEM, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your goals, passions, and vision. But that’s just the first step. You also need to take action and seek out opportunities to learn from others. Be a lifelong learner and stay up to date with the latest research and industry best practices. Connect with mentors and industry leaders who can guide and inspire you. And don’t be afraid to look to other companies and organizations for insights and inspiration. Be proactive and open-minded in identifying your goals and passions, and then take action to make them a reality.

Finding your tribe in STEM is essential, especially as a woman. Seek out groups focused on supporting women in STEM, like female leaders, start-ups, or women in tech groups. Being part of a community of like-minded, strong women is inspiring and empowering. You’ll find mentors, collaborators, and friends who understand your unique challenges and help you overcome them. Build a network of support that helps you thrive in your career.

What advice would you give to other women leaders about the best way to manage a large team?

As a member of the early team who built the FinTech company, Kasasa, I had the opportunity to grow a team of two into a cross-functional organization of nearly 200 people who supported our go-to-market strategy.

As a company expands, building a strong culture and developing leaders across all functions is vital. Establishing strong relationships among leadership, functional groups, and direct reports is essential as you scale up. Identifying the right managers and empowering them to activate the strategy and reach key milestones is critical. Remember, you can’t be afraid to delegate if you want to succeed. It’s all about finding the right people and trusting them to help your company thrive.

Effective communication is crucial as your organization grows and evolves. What worked when you had only two people on board won’t work the same way when you have 200. It’s essential to establish clear communication channels with individuals and teams so that they understand how information and updates will be shared, and how they can communicate effectively. Be proactive in seeking out feedback and encourage leaders to be honest in their communication and opinions. Prioritize problem-solving over just reporting.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

I am grateful to have had many mentors along my career journey. It’s important to recognize where to lean in and engage mentors who can be helpful for guiding you through your current position and goals, as well as looking ahead. My two biggest mentors have been the former CFO of my previous company, Kasasa, Jeremy Foster, as well as one of Swoovy’s early angel investors, Allison Piper, who is part of the Houston Angel Network. They have been an essential part of my journey, guiding me through the ups and downs of seeking investment, navigating a significant pivot during the pandemic, and offering valuable insights, ongoing support, and unwavering encouragement.

How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?

There are three key areas I see my journey is driving goodness.

First and foremost, the Independent Sector values one hour of volunteer time at an average of $29.95 to a nonprofit. With Swoovy, we aim to uplift all cause categories and sustainable development goals that we focus on. By targeting the untapped market of aspirational givers, we can pave the way for infusing over $1B of impact into the community through volunteerism.

Secondly, volunteering not only benefits society, but it also has a positive impact on individuals’ mental and physical health, providing them with a sense of purpose beyond their day-to-day lives. The Mayo Clinic has published a report outlining the benefits of volunteering for individuals. As a result, I often work with companies that prioritize offering employee volunteer programs. Such programs not only strengthen corporate culture and impact but also support the health and wellness of their employees.

Finally, in addition to the impact Swoovy is making and the benefits of volunteering, I’ve also been able to inspire other female entrepreneurs through my journey. Whether they’re young or more established in their careers, I’ve been privileged to lead multiple practicum courses at the University of Texas McCombs School of Business, one of which was focused entirely on an all-female group. Additionally, I’ve been a mentor for the Young Women’s Alliance, where I can share my story and inspire others. It hasn’t been an easy path, but I’m dedicated and passionate about driving results and will do whatever it takes to succeed.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

To start, it’s important to note that data shows 90% of people WANT to volunteer, but only 1 in 4 actually do. With that in mind, my vision is to inspire a movement that challenges every adult American to volunteer at least once a year. It’s a small commitment that can make a big impact. When you consider that just one hour of volunteer time is worth $29.95 to a nonprofit, and the average volunteer shift is 3 hours, we can see the potential value of this movement. With over 250 million adults over the age of 18 in the United States, committing to volunteer just once a year could infuse over $20 billion of value back into our communities.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

After going through a divorce and becoming a single mom during the pandemic, I had to pivot my startup as I also took on the role of being my senior mother’s primary caretaker. After navigating through this series of events, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. While doing a yoga class on YouTube one day, I heard a quote that would change my outlook on life: “Every challenge I encounter is nothing but an opportunity to help me unlock the potential that exists inside.”

I am strong and resilient. My story is a reminder that as I have made it over the mountain, as you must do, the will soon begin to look like molehills.

We are very blessed that very prominent leaders read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them. :-)

I would love to have lunch with Arianna Huffington and pick her brain! Time Magazine included her in its list of the world’s top 100 most influential people. I love her work and what she’s built, while in a different field. In 2005, she launched the The Huffington Post and sold it to AOL in 2011. I have been a fan of the newsite since college! In 2016, she stepped down from The Huffington Post to launch health and wellness startup, Thrive Global. She’s an inspiration to me as a female entrepreneur and leader.

Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.