Dear Maxima Chan Zuckerberg,
Your parents are giving the world 99% of their Facebook shares, now it’s our turn to give back…
On December 1st, we were — like millions around the globe — busy reading Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan’s letter to their newborn baby, Max. We were touched, both as human beings and as social entrepreneurs. And so we decided to send little Max a birthday gift. And a letter. Here’s what we wrote:
Dear Maxima Zuckerberg, Happy Birthday!
We thought long and hard what we could get you… But no silver Tiffany rattle would suffice. Instead, we offer you a gift akin to the one your parents have given the world with The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. A gift that will make the world and the future brighter. For you.
“Our mission — advancing human potential and promoting equality — will require a new approach for all working towards these goals.”
While we all strive for maximizing human potential, we believe focusing on advancing WOMAN potential will help do just that — not only promote equality but directly feed and nurture equality, and that’s what our gift does. Our gift supports and nurtures those who need it most, those whose struggles are often unheard or not taken seriously. Those who deserve to have a shot at their immense potential. Those whose potential the world NEEDS.
“We must engage directly with the people we serve. We can’t empower people if we don’t understand the needs and desires of their communities.”
The people we serve are women — because it’s just too hard to be a woman in the workplace. So we decided to listen — really listen — to working women. They opened their hearts to us and exposed their most burning needs (for right now!) and desires (for a brighter future) along with their fears… So we developed this mobile app so women can engage directly with women mentors and get help directly — right when & where they need it! Because empowerment begins from just being there when you’re needed.
“We must build technology to make change. Many institutions invest money in these challenges, but most progress comes from productivity gains through innovation.”
For the past 5 months, we’ve crafted & tested & re-crafted our app to be the most productive when we launch. We’re working night and day to make the change we want to see in the world. Technologically.
“We must back the strongest and most independent leaders in each field. Partnering with experts is more effective for the mission than trying to lead efforts ourselves.”
We all struggle to be strong and independent, but most of the time… we’re not. And this is exactly when we NEED to partner with an expert who will help us overcome the difficulties in order to become our future, empowered self.
“We must take risks today to learn lessons for tomorrow. We’re early in our learning and many things we try won’t work, but we’ll listen and learn and keep improving.”
So we started this journey. Bootstrapped. Shooting for the stars, learning new lessons every single day (and night. All nighters, mostly… Much like having a baby) and we promise to keep learning. Improving. Making things better. For you, and for all women in the workforce. Because you’re the future.
Dear Maxima (We love that your name means charming and magical in Hebrew),
We have no doubt the future has amazing things in store for you, and that like your parents, you’ll work tirelessly to improve the future for all womankind. We can’t wait to watch you grow into a strong mentor and collaborate with you on your own initiatives.
Until then… Take care and Lean On!
Love,
Chedva, Nadav, Daina, Elit and Gal
The Lean On team,
Tel Aviv
