Chief Change Officer Podcast Summary

Episode: #416 Sienna Jackson: Culture, Capital, and the Courage to Start Young — Part Two
Release Date: June 16, 2025
Host: Vince Chan
Guest: Sienna Jackson, CEO and Co-founder of Notera

Introduction: A Meeting of Minds

In this compelling two-part episode of Chief Change Officer, host Vince Chan welcomes Sienna Jackson, a seasoned founder and systems thinker who has been transforming industries since her teenage years. Introduced by former guest Chris Hare, Vince immediately recognizes the synergy between their visions. Sienna’s impressive journey—from starting college at 14 and interning at the Weinstein Company by 17, to leading music and content at Spine Glass Media—culminates in her current role as CEO of Notera, a B2B software company that leverages AI to help large enterprises manage employment litigation risks and automate HR compliance.

Transitioning to Social Impact

Vince delves into Sienna’s pivot from the moviemaking industry to social impact, exploring the motivations and challenges behind this significant career shift.

Key Points:

• Early Aspirations and Pivot: Sienna initially aimed to be a journalist, focusing on storytelling for good. However, witnessing the decline of journalism led her to entertainment and eventually to social impact.
• Catalyst for Change: A diary entry from December 2018 reflects her decision to redefine her career path. By January 2020, she had launched her consultancy, coinciding with the global upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the murder of George Floyd, which propelled her into impact consulting.

Notable Quote:

"Impact is simply, it's the net positive change rendered as a direct and material result of your actions." – Sienna Jackson [03:21]

Defining and Measuring Impact

Sienna articulates her rigorous approach to defining and measuring impact, emphasizing the importance of tangible, measurable outcomes over mere rhetoric.

Key Points:

• Critical View on Marketing Slogans: Sienna critiques the superficial use of "impact" in marketing, advocating for clear, actionable definitions.
• Adoption of Best Practices: She aligns her work with established frameworks like Social Return on Investment (SROI) and collaborates with organizations such as Social Value International, the Global Impact Investing Network (GIN), and various academic and nonprofit institutions.
• Educational Background: Holding both an MBA and a Master’s of Science, Sienna combines her creative entertainment background with academic rigor to create impactful solutions.

Notable Quote:

"If you get an input, an action, you should get a specific reaction or outcome that you can measure, that you can quantify, that you can predict." – Sienna Jackson [09:00]

Current and Future Projects: Global Impact in Action

Sienna shares insights into her latest initiatives, highlighting her commitment to global change and the collaborative efforts involved.

Key Points:

• Great Rift Valley Innovation Summit: As an executive producer, Sienna is co-leading one of Africa’s largest non-dilutive funding events in Ethiopia, in partnership with the United Nations Development Program. This initiative aims to support Ethiopian founders making significant strides in healthcare, education, and agriculture.
• Global Collaboration: Sienna expresses excitement about expanding her work to new continents, emphasizing the universal nature of impact work.

Notable Quote:

"Every problem that we have in the world is a man-made problem. Which means that there's a man-made solution for every problem." – Sienna Jackson [11:48]

Overcoming Barriers in Impact Work

The conversation shifts to the challenges Sienna has encountered in the impact sector, particularly focusing on the lack of professional networks and the issue of siloing.

Key Points:

• Lack of Professional Community: Unlike other professions with clear career progressions and associations, the impact sector lacks standardized networks and career paths.
• Creating Industry Standards: Sienna is spearheading efforts to professionalize the industry by developing comprehensive industry surveys to map roles, salaries, and qualifications, similar to those in the entertainment industry.
• Combatting Siloing: She highlights the importance of interdisciplinary communication and coalition-building, using her diverse background to bridge gaps between different sectors.

Notable Quote:

"You can't silo yourself. ... People are communicating to each other, and especially if it's cross sector, ... how do you create a bridge between these two poles?" – Sienna Jackson [14:07]

Final Thoughts: Empowering Individual Impact

As the episode draws to a close, Sienna offers heartfelt advice to listeners aspiring to make a difference.

Key Points:

• Unique Contributions: Sienna encourages everyone to recognize their unique strengths and find ways to contribute meaningfully to existing efforts.
• Support the Helpers: By collaborating with those already making strides in their areas of interest, individuals can amplify their impact without feeling overwhelmed.

Notable Quote:

"Every single person has their own unique way of doing good in the world... how can I uniquely contribute to that work? How can I roll up my sleeves and help the helpers." – Sienna Jackson [19:09]

Closing Remarks: A Call to Action

Vince echoes Sienna’s sentiments, reflecting on his own transitional phase and the importance of adding value to ongoing efforts. He underscores the necessity of execution, data collection, and strategic decision-making to enhance impact over time.

Notable Quote:

"The key is to look at who's already working on those problems I care about and then ask, how can I add to that?" – Vince Chen [20:28]

Sienna’s journey exemplifies that meaningful change stems from clarity, curiosity, and the courage to take decisive steps. By focusing on measurable impact and fostering collaborative networks, she empowers others to become effective change-makers.

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