Taking ESG and DEI+J to a Global Level
Learn about Micole's career journey.
Meet Micole McCarthy, an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Consultant based in the Pacific Northwest. She has been a Point B’er for nearly five years and has deep experience in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEI+J), project management, people development, and more. We recently caught up with Micole to hear her Point B story and her recent partnership with our global consulting partner, Nextcontinent.
First things first, why did you join Point B?
I had never worked in management consulting before and was excited by the prospect of how much I could learn, grow, and make an impact across a variety of industries and communities.
And what has your career journey looked like at Point B thus far?
Before coming to Point B, I’d worked in different industries in roles focused on project/program management and people development. Just prior to joining, I was working at a non-profit organization in a role focused on development, fundraising, and marketing. Two of our board members worked at Point B and I was fortunate enough to work with them both on the non-profit’s five-year strategic plan. It was my first look at the brilliance of Point B’ers!
Not long after, I was given the opportunity to join the Point B team in the venture capital (VC) space. Despite having no experience in VC or Financial Services, one of the leaders saw something in me that he felt aligned with his 1+1=3 “value-add” model: Where creativity and ingenuity join to create value beyond dollar-for-dollar profit. It’s a concept I continue to find vital in all my work! I brought program and team management to the team, and in turn, they taught me about venture capital, private equity, and how to make positive impacts via the start-up economy.
After a great year in the VC space, I moved into the management consulting side of things. Since then, I’ve had great opportunities to work alongside many incredible Point B’ers and customers making big moves at some exciting companies. It was during this time that I realized I could combine my passions for social impact, sociocultural anthropology, and inclusive practices and communities through DEI+J.
I’ve had an incredible mentor in Point B’s DEI Director who has encouraged me to learn, grow, and make my own mark on the DEI+J community and initiatives at Point B. In 2022, I joined our ESG practice, where I work with a great team to bring DEI+J and Social Impact solutions to our customers. Some of my favorite work is when we have opportunities to address the intersections of DEI+J and climate action or sustainability, as it feels like the most holistic approach to advancing human progress, as well as restoring and protecting our planet.
What is your favorite part about Point B culture?
Hands down: The people who make it. When I first came to Point B, every introduction started with, “You’re gonna love this person – they’re awesome!” After a few of these in a row, I found myself rather bemused by the repeated preface…until I realized it was absolutely true! Every single Point B’er I’ve had the privilege of meeting and working with has been truly awesome, and each in their own unique way. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more authentic, good-natured, talented, and supportive group of people anywhere.
How did you learn about Nextcontinent?
I first heard about Nextcontinent when Point B joined forces with the organization in 2020, and I was excited at the prospect of Point B making positive impacts on a global scale. I have spent a decent amount of time traveling and living abroad, and I was thrilled at the possibility of connecting with partners and customers from around the world.
In 2021, I had an idea for a virtual event focused on international business cultural education. I was referred to our partners at Nextcontinent to see if they had interest in collaborating to make this idea a reality for their citizens across the globe and was elated to find them equally excited about the concept. I have since been fortunate enough to partner with their amazing team for three different international events over the last two years!
We heard about your recent webinar about global megatrends – can you share more about that experience?
After collaborating with Nextcontinent on two previous events, their team asked if I’d be interested in supporting and hosting a new international event they were organizing about six Megatrends that are shaping the future of management consulting (and our lives) at the global level. I found the topic very intriguing and was eager to work with their team again – not only because they do great work, but also because they’re an absolute joy to spend time with!
As with all their events, the Nextcontinent team did incredible work researching, analyzing, and assembling data on these Megatrends: From the Labor Market Upheaval and Supply Chain Vulnerability to the Growth of the Sustainability Market and the Advent of the Share Economy. As someone working in the ESG space, I found these topics really exciting, and I was pleased that we could present the information in a way that was accessible across backgrounds and career levels.
We were fortunate to have the Founder and CEO of Alliances Progress, Troy Gautier, join the event to share his insights, and we were sure to allot time for our attendees to directly connect with one another to share their own experiences and make new international contacts, which is always my favorite part of these events.
What’s next for you career-wise? How is Point B helping you get there?
I believe we can only be the best version of ourselves – as individuals and as a company – when we authentically embrace and make space for true diversity and inclusion, and when we’re sure the systems we support, work within, and benefit from are just and equitable. Therefore, I will continue to invest in my own growth and education on the experiences, wisdom, and needs of others, as well as dedicate my time and energy to supporting our employees and our customers on their cross-cultural and DEI+J journeys so we can make the best impact together.
I am fortunate that my consulting work with Point B’s ESG Practice, and my role as DEI Partner for our company, allow me the opportunity to work alongside authentic and talented people focused on making similar impacts for our customers and our employees, and that we are encouraged by a firm that has placed advancing human progress at its core.
Last but not least, what’s your go-to past-time outside of work?
When I’m not immersed in anything comedy, action, sci-fi, or fantasy, I am an avid painter, writer, and archer. I will jump on nearly any opportunity to do something creative or get out in nature. I often combine these passions, whether it be painting wild animals or writing stories about my childhood in Yosemite. Give me art, give me nature, and [bonus!] give me a latte and I’ll be one happy camper.
RELATED SOLUTIONS
