Company: Media Cause, San Francisco, CA
Company Description: Media Cause is an award-winning nonprofit marketing agency that helps accelerate marketing and fundraising to create real-world impact.
Nomination Category: Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Mentor or Coach of the Year – Government or Non-Profit
 Nomination Title: Amy Small
- Outline the nominee's achievements since July 1 2021 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 123 words used.
Her work on mental health and well-being at MC has earned the agency recognition, including the Best New Workplace Approach to Mental Wellbeing award from This Can Happen and a gold status for the Bell Seal from Mental Health America. Her passion for coaching has paid off—her team of direct reports has the lowest level of turnover at the agency.
In the past year, Amy undertook Empathy Lab's training to become an Empathy Decathlon facilitator. Her dedication and continued self-practice continue to trickle their way into all experiences she shares with others. In subsequent Empathy Decathlon trainings that she's led, she's received standing ovations and tears of joy for those finally feeling seen, a testament to her incredible capability to connect with others.
- Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 242 words used.
Interviews/webinars:
https://katgordon.substack.com/p/mental-health-beyond-the-month-of
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZm1JEmS7Vk
https://www.adweek.com/agencies/how-to-be-mindful-of-employee-burnout-during-tough-times/
This Can Happen Case Study https://www.thiscanhappenglobal.com/images/uploads/docs/03._TCHA23_Workplace_approach_.pdf
(Direct reports) Amy has been an incredible manager, the best I've ever had throughout my career thus far. She is considerate, kind, motivating, supportive, helpful, and attentive.
Amy is the most positive manager I have had. She cares about your mental well-being and wants the best for you.
Amy truly cares about her team and the organization as a whole. She's really struck a balance, fighting for what she thinks is right with protecting her mental health. You can tell she truly wants each and every one of us to succeed.
(Peer) Amy has become a mentor to me personally and from what I can tell, to others here. I feel extremely lucky to work so closely with her and learn firsthand from her working style and empathy.
Amy has a keen and brilliant eye for all things creative. I LOVE working and brainstorming with her. I always leave our calls invigorated and excited about the work ahead - having a morning call with Amy is like brain coffee and sets the tone for the rest of the day.
I find it challenging to capture the exceptional person Amy is, as she embodies an ever-present aura of openness, positivity, grit, and loving support. She has been instrumental in helping others feel genuinely seen, heard, and cared for.
- Briefly describe the nominated individual: history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 194 words used.
Amy Small started the creative department at Media Cause and, subsequently, the Atlanta office in March 2018. She quickly rose up the ranks from VP of Creative to EVP of Creative, Brand, and Design, leading a team of eight writers and designers to create award-winning work, transforming what “nonprofit advertising” can be.
While Amy has always been an incredible coach, over the pandemic, she fell in love with empathy work, and her management style went from already stellar to truly next level. Her openness and compassion have not only led to the majority of MC staff coming to her for one-off coaching or guidance on how to compassionately give feedback, but she’s also created a meditation group and stress management class on top of her existing leadership responsibilities.
She’s spearheaded the Media Cause RiseUp Marketing Fellowship, a truly unique program dedicated to getting folks traditionally overlooked by the marketing industry into meaningful careers through on-the-job training while paying a livable wage, so they can focus on what’s important rather than trying to juggle a full schedule. Amy’s not only developed the curriculum but has been instrumental in passionately fundraising to support the program's costs.
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes, explaining the achievements since July 1, 2021 of the nominated woman, OR written answers to the questions? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video. If you are submitting written answers to the questions for this category, provide them in the spaces below:
- Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the nominee's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 130 words used.
It’s rare to find a selfless leader in the creative space, let alone one that willingly takes time away from the work to create a better, safer, more empathetic space for those around her. Amy’s ability to bring out the best in others allows her to shine and support simultaneously, leading the agency to win 37 creative awards over the past 24 months. She’s transformed what a leader looks like at Media Cause, allowing for thoughtful conversations, considerate feedback, and working to create not just better work, but a better environment for everyone to enjoy.
Amy's empathetic and compassionate nature, combined with her partnership skills, make even the most daunting tasks, such as cultivating cultures, holding space for difficult conversations, and innovating new ways to practice empathy, feel entirely achievable.
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