In the often dark, disorienting days of COVID-19, Angela Jones finds a twinkle of hope in her plastic, Costco-bought Christmas tree. As the pandemic took root last winter, she left the holiday vestige standing with its lights intact, minus the ornaments. She regularly plugs it in and shares the cheerful image with friends and family on Facebook.
Jones calls it “the hope tree.”
In her role as CEO for Washington STEM, a nonprofit that promotes science and engineering education and careers through advocacy and coalition building, Jones sits at a hub at the center of many of today’s challenging and often emotionally charged issues. That includes racial and gender inequities, a skepticism and devaluing of science, and a pervasive divisiveness that can make it difficult to get disparate partners to sit at the table and work nicely together.
Her Seattle-based organization acts something like a think tank meets grant maker meets collaboration facilitator. Its programs work to support the development of math skills in early education; fosters STEM in K-12 education; and promotes STEM career pathways, particularly for girls and students of color. Hope, in many ways, is at its core.
Jones became CEO in August 2019. A few months later when COVID-19 hit, Washington STEM responded by building tools to help people navigate the suddenly changed world, including a map highlighting childcare shortages and an interactive database showing unemployment by county, race, gender, and degrees and credentials.
“This is a pivotal moment in history,” Jones said. And for her, the stakes feel higher than even. While she used to focus on being a good leader, she’s raised the bar to being a “good ancestor,” regularly asking herself: “Am I making the kind of sound choice that is going to help somebody 100 years from now?”
Jones’ background includes a master’s degree in Science in Communication, a law degree and years of leadership roles at multiple school districts and universities in the state. What her CV does not include is the microbiology degree that she attempted but was derailed by organic chemistry.
She struggled in the notoriously difficult course, and as a young woman of color felt alone and unsupported in her pursuit.
Jones ultimately turned the setback into a motivation.
“I do this work,” she said, “on behalf of the Angela’s who did not make it through.”
We caught up with Jones for this Working Geek, a regular GeekWire feature. Continue reading for her answers to our questionnaire.
Current location: My remote office in Bothell, Wash.
Computer types: MacBook Air (both personal and work)
Mobile devices: iPhone 11XR
Favorite apps, cloud services and software tools: Instagram, Peloton, Apple News, Gummy Drop
Describe your workspace. Why does it work for you? Prior to moving into full-time remote status, I worked from an office that had an open floor plan with few walls. It’s a great space that’s part of McKinstry’s Innovation Center. I was situated among my team and there was always a hum of energy. It was bustling and never dull.
When we went remote, I had the good fortune of being able to set up an office in my home. Critical to making that space work for me is the amount of natural light. My desk, positioned near the window, is akin to a “command center” with three monitors. I also have a large, canvas map of the world hanging up to remind me that life is bigger than whatever is challenging me in the moment.
Your best advice for managing everyday work and life? What I tell myself is, the decisions I make today determine whether or not I’ve been a good ancestor tomorrow.
Your preferred social network? How do you use it for business/work? LinkedIn because it’s a great resource for building your professional and personal network.
Current number of unanswered emails in your inbox? 48
Number of appointments/meetings on your calendar this week? 32
How do you run meetings? Have an agenda, personal check-ins, address items on agenda, identify next steps, wrap (usually on time).
Everyday work uniform? Pre-COVID 19: casual business attire, slacks and blouse. During COVID-19: jeans and blouse.
How do you make time for family? Dinner together every night is a non-negotiable.
Best stress reliever? How do you unplug? Going for walks and singing. When I unplug, I read a lot.
What are you listening to? For podcasts, New York Times’ “1619” and for music: Ciara, Beyonce, Carrie Underwood, Jessie J
Daily reads? Favorite sites and newsletters? New York Times, Seattle Times, The Broadsheet, Puget Sound Business Journal
Book on your nightstand (or e-reader)? “Caste” by Isabel Wilkerson, “A Day Late and a Dollar Short” by Terry McMillan, “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett, “StandOut 2.0” by Marcus Buckingham
Night owl or early riser? Night Owl. In bed by midnight or 1 a.m., up by 7 a.m. at the earliest. But there is a lot going on these days so sleep has been an infrequent visitor.
Where do you get your best ideas? In the quiet moments when I can stop and synthesize the data and information from all of my meetings. And through the synergy that’s created when I meet with my executive team.
Whose work style would you want to learn more about or emulate? Keita Williams, founder of Success Bully, a Bellevue, Wash.-based goal-setting and coaching program for professionals.
