Social Change Maker Profile: Jenn Mulé, Mindshare

Throughout this year, B&T has partnered with UnLtd for our events Changing the Ratio and the Women in Media Awards. But the organisation has some local heroes to showcase – which is why we’ve created a Social Change Maker Profile Series.

Next up on this list is Jenn Mulé, an executive at Mindshare.

First ever job: The first time I got paid was for babysitting my neighbour’s kids across the street from me, but my first ‘real’ job was as a referee for the local children’s soccer league.

If I wasn’t doing my job, I’d be: I often think about this, and while I don’t know specifically what I’d be doing, I’d really want to do something that positively affects other people.

How I got where I am today: I am from New York and after studying abroad in Sydney I cooked up this idea that I wanted to move here.

I have a lot of ambition, passion, and drive to be successful and fight for what I want. That coupled with being a bit of dreamer and the desire to live life to the fullest every chance I get has led me to where I am today.

Causes I care about: I’m really passionate about mental health and wellbeing both in and out of the work place.

I think conversations surrounding these topics are starting to expand and we as a society are beginning to break stigmas associated with the likes of depression, anxiety, and personal wellbeing, especially when associated to the workforce.

The change I’d like to see in the world and why it’s important: More Kindness. Ellen Degeneres says to ‘be kind to one another’ at the end of every single one of her shows and I think these five words can change the world.

Little things like random acts of kindness, smiling to a stranger you pass on the street, or saying please and thank you every chance you get are easy ways to brighten someone’s day.

How did you first get involved with UnLtd: I’m someone who likes to be involved wherever I am, and at Mindshare we have various committees that support different initiatives.

I took the opportunity to join a few, and work most closely with our Charity Committee that is directly associated with UnLtd.

The charity projects I’m currently working on: I’m currently just wrapping up a large project I’ve been working on for the past few months that was really exciting!

I organized an Industry Charity Gig-Night where we had Mindshare’s musically talented professionals form a band and put on a show. It went off without a hitch and we raised $5,000!

Some social issues I’m passionate about are: Feminism is really important to me. I think there is still a large stigma around the word ‘feminism’ that gives it a negative connotation.

I feel extremely fortunate to work under strong female leadership at Mindshare and have a role model like Katie Rigg-Smith.

Why I want to give back: I guess you could say it’s a bit selfish actually, but it’s a rewarding feeling to know you’ve helped others and effected them in a way that makes life just a little bit easier to handle. That is something I hold on to and never want to lose sight of.

Simply put, if I can help others, why shouldn’t I? Giving back is always a humbling experience that keeps me grounded.

The best/most rewarding volunteering experience I’ve had: I went to Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and they offer an alternate Spring Break Program called APEX – which stands for The Appalachian Experience.

For four years I spent my spring breaks down in the Appalachian Mountains working alongside a group of people from my school and programs like Habitat for Humanity to build houses and engage in communities less fortunate than we were.

Every year I came back from that trip with a greater outlook on life and the program has since instilled a purpose in me to live greater.

My greatest achievement: Moving from New York to Sydney and building a life for myself here has by far been my greatest achievement and continues to be.

The choice to move here was an easy one, but to create a life for myself in a city where I didn’t know anyone, on the complete opposite side of the world, away from everyone and everything that I knew is my greatest accomplishment.

The fact that I’m here a year and a half later, making a difference when I can is an added bonus.

The person/company I’d like to challenge to get involved & why: I challenge everyone to get involved with organizations that support causes they are passionate about.

We as a society get inundated with requests for donations towards many different charities and that makes it difficult to connect with causes.

Getting involved with passion points is more powerful and makes the charitable experience rewarding on a personal level. Feeling that type connection inspires you to give more regularly.

My advice for someone just starting their career is: Ask a lot of questions.

I know this sounds simple and is something we all hear often, but my curiosity for anything and everything has propelled my learning experience.

Asking questions also opens up opportunities that you don’t know exist. It is cliché, but it’s true that ‘you won’t know if you don’t ask.’

If I didn’t ask questions, I would have never moved to Sydney and found myself doing the things I’m currently doing.

If I could have one super power, that would be: I used to say teleportation whenever this question came around, however ever since seeing Deadpool 2 I started answering this questions with the power to be lucky.

If you’ve seen the movie, you’ll know what I mean.

UnLtd is a social purpose organisation connecting the media, marketing and creative industries with charities helping children and young people at risk. Find out how you can get involved at unltd.org.au.