"Embrace turmoil with serenity; persist with purpose."
Welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s captivating expedition into the realm of innovation and equity. In this exclusive interview, we have the privilege of engaging in a thought-provoking dialogue with Whitney A. White, the ingenious CEO and Co-Founder of Equity Commons.
Prepare to embark on a journey through the dynamic landscape of Virtual Reality (VR) strategies that are reshaping our approach to tackling implicit bias.
Within these pages, Whitney unveils her pioneering vision, guiding us through the immersive experiences that redefine traditional bias training. With a trailblazing spirit, she leads us into a world where VR technology becomes a powerful tool in dismantling biases, redefining inclusivity, and reshaping organizational paradigms.
White’s journey, a fusion of experiences drawn from leadership roles at Afara Global and Google Express, along with a foundation in management consulting.
Join us as we uncover the insights, motivations, and aspirations that drive this remarkable entrepreneur to pave the way toward a future unburdened by the weight of implicit bias.
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Table of Contents
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Whitney A. White: Thank you for having me! I’m the CEO and Co-Founder of Equity Commons. In this role, I lead the business in addressing the pervasive issue of implicit bias by offering creative, Virtual Reality strategies and solutions.
My team helps companies to trade in their traditional implicit bias training methods for Equity Commons’ immersive VR experiences, which leave lasting impressions and contribute to creating a world free of implicit biases.
Previously, for more than 10 years, I served as CEO of Afara Global, an innovation firm that guides startups, social enterprises, and corporate teams through the process of launching and scaling new products and services.
I am also the creator of Take Back Your Time, a coaching practice that helps high achievers cut through the noise of the million and one things on their plates and get on a clear path to achieving the goals that matter to them most.
I began my career in management consulting with Bain & Company, where my work spanned go-to-market strategy, merger integration, and cost reduction projects across a myriad of industries. I later led business expansion, supply chain, and logistics teams for multibillion-dollar e-commerce company McMaster-Carr prior to leading fulfillment operations on the Washington, DC launch team for Google Express.
I am a graduate of Davidson College and a Co-Founder of the Emergence Scholarship of the Davidson Trust. I am also the Founder of the Davidson College Tech Impact Fund, which provides paid experiential learning opportunities for women and students of color to intern with women and minority-owned businesses in critical areas related to tech at no cost to the business.
What advice do you wish you had received when you started your business journey and what do you intend on improving in the next quarter?
Whitney A. White: When I started my business journey, I wish someone had emphasized the importance of spending more time testing and less time planning. From my perspective, The Lean Startup methodology and rapid experimentation are crucial in today’s fast-paced business landscape.
Equity Commons believes in listening to every voice, both inside and outside the room, as we understand the value of both quantitative and qualitative customer insights. We are truly driven by data; it is at the heart of every decision-making process we make.
We rely on constant testing and allow the data to guide us in crafting cutting-edge Virtual Reality technology that identifies the pervasive yet often hidden nature of implicit bias. Our mission is to help organizations build a future without bias, and we recognize that data-driven decisions are key to achieving this goal.
As we look ahead to the next quarter, we are encouraged by the array of tests we have planned. These experiments will allow us to learn and adapt continuously, making us even more effective in our mission.
Our commitment to leveraging data, coupled with our dedication to listening to our clients’ needs, will elevate our pursuit of building a more equitable future.
Online business keeps on surging higher than ever, B2B, B2C, online shopping, virtual meetings, remote work, Zoom medical consultations, what are your expectations for the year to come and how are you capitalizing on the tidal wave?
Whitney A. White: I couldn’t agree more with the observation that online businesses are thriving and reshaping the way we conduct commerce and interact in both B2B and B2C environments. The digital transformation has accelerated, bringing with it opportunities and challenges for businesses across various sectors.
As we look ahead, I have high expectations for the XR space, particularly in Virtual Reality. The potential for immersive experiences is boundless and will revolutionize how we collaborate, learn, and engage with one another. As we’ve seen through our research and data at Equity Commons, VR has the power to transcend limitations when it comes to many of society’s issues, but especially equity.
Equity Commons is at the forefront of capitalizing on this transformative growth in the XR space. Our forward-thinking approach, combined with our commitment to continuous innovation, has positioned us to harness the potential of VR to advance our mission of building a future without bias.
Through our VR experiences, we create simulations that allow individuals to step into the shoes of others, promoting empathy and understanding across diverse perspectives. This immersive approach revolutionizes the way organizations tackle biases within their daily operations.
The future is indeed exciting, and with our focus on the XR space and the opportunities of Virtual Reality within that space, Equity Commons is poised to make an impactful difference in the way organizations build an equitable future.
Business is all about overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities for growth. What do you see as THE real challenge right now?
Whitney A. White: The real challenge that we’re facing right now is the constant stream of new developments, distractions, and challenges that come from all directions. As a business leader, it’s easy to be tempted by the allure of new shiny objects in various industries or to get swept away by the latest trends and fads.
To overcome this challenge, I know Equity Commons must stay grounded. We must always remember the purpose and mission that drives our business, even amidst the noise and chaos.
We are staying the course and focused on testing and iterating to ensure that we are consistently improving and delivering value to our clients. It’s about keeping our eyes on the long-term goals while staying agile and adaptable in the face of change.
In a world filled with distractions, being steadfast in our purpose is the key to overcoming challenges and staying on course toward success. As we continue on this path, we are confident that we can make a lasting difference in building a future without bias and creating a more equitable world for all.
As they say, keep calm and carry on.
2020, 2021, and 2022 threw a lot of curve balls into businesses on a global scale. Based on the experience gleaned in the past years, how can businesses thrive in 2023? What lessons have you learned and what advice would you share?
Whitney A. White: The past few years have undoubtedly been challenging for businesses globally. As we move into the second half of 2023, I know that thriving comes down to taking things back to basics.
This means remaining laser-focused on the core pain point we address for our clients – building a future without bias by offering creative strategies.
Also, getting in front of our target audience is crucial to continue growing revenue. In 2023, we’ll continue to refine our marketing strategies to ensure that our message reaches those who can benefit the most from our services. By connecting with the right audience, we can create lasting partnerships and drive meaningful impact..
Thriving requires a combination of adaptability and a firm commitment to our purpose. We’re always open to learning from the challenges we’ve faced in the past years, using them as stepping stones for growth and innovation.
We are focused on understanding our clients’ needs and delivering solutions that create tangible results. It’s about staying nimble and responsive to changing circumstances.
What does “success” in 2023 mean to you? It could be on a personal or business level, please share your vision.
Whitney A. White: Success, to me, in 2023 is all about living life on my own terms and creating a lasting impact through Equity Commons.
On the business front, it’s about the meaningful change we are driving in the world of equity. Our success is defined by how we help create a future without bias, empowering individuals and organizations to foster true equity.
On a personal level, success means finding joy in every aspect of life. It’s about cherishing quality time with my daughter, experiencing the wonders of travel, and working from the most beautiful and energizing places on this planet. Success, for me, is waking up each day with a radiant joy that permeates everything I do.
It’s all too common to get caught up in societal notions of success and end up feeling unfulfilled. Instead, we must reflect on our true desires and create our unique path to achievement. Through my coaching program, Take Back Your Time, I encourage clients to question false narratives and beliefs that may hinder their growth.
Jed Morley, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Whitney A. White for taking the time to do this interview and share her knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Whitney A. White or her company, you can do it through her – Linkedin Page
Disclaimer: The ValiantCEO Community welcomes voices from many spheres on our open platform. We publish pieces as written by outside contributors with a wide range of opinions, which don’t necessarily reflect our own. Community stories are not commissioned by our editorial team and must meet our guidelines prior to being published.
