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When I worked in tech, I often heard engineering leaders explain why they couldnt hire more women or minorities: the so-called pipeline problem. They claimed there simply werent enough qualified candidates entering the system, so naturally the pool of diverse talent remained thin. Many of us in the ecosystem called BS. The reality wasnt a lack of qualified people; it was a lack of imagination, access, and commitment to creating inclusive environments where diverse talent could thrive. Fast forward to my work today in womens sports. I find myself thinking about that same phrasethis time with a twist. In sports, a pipeline problem is very real, and very serious. Girls drop out of sports at far higher rates than boys, often by age 14. Not because they lack talent or ambition, but because hidden, solvable barriers stand in their way. Research points to a variety of reasons: lack of access to facilities, fewer female coaches, cultural pressures, and economic hurdles. But there are also subtler obstaclesmenstrual stigma, inadequate athletic gear, transportation gaps, or not feeling seen and supported in spaces where theyre underrepresented. These arent headline-grabbing issues, but they can determine whether a girl keeps playing or quietly walks away. This isnt just about missed opportunities on the field. Sports participation is directly tied to confidence, leadership skills, academic performance, and future career success. When we lose girls from the pipeline, we lose future team captains, CEOs, scientists, and community leaders. THE HIDDEN BARRIERS With gender equity in sports, the conversation often centers on the field of playmedia coverage, equal pay, prize money, sponsorship. These are important, visible markers of progress. Yet, what often goes unnoticed are the less visible, deeply practical barriers that prevent girls from staying in the game in the first place. This years Gainbridge Assists Powered by Parity grants, in partnership with the Womens Sports Foundation, expanded to empower changemakers addressing these obstacles. Thirty-two recipients across 20 states will receive $222,000 (total), funding projects ensuring girls can fully participate in sportand benefit from the resulting lifelong confidence, leadership, and health outcomes. In addition to funding camps, clinics, and playing opportunities in sports from basketball and soccer to fencing, lacrosse, and wrestling, this years grantees are tackling some of the obstacles head on. These efforts recognize that access alone isnt enough if hidden barriers continue holding girls back: Menstrual health. For many student-athletes, lack of menstrual products access is a silent barrier sidelining them from school and sport. In 2025, no girl should have to sit out practice because she cant afford pads or tampons, or because shes embarrassed to ask for them. Period Project Indianapolis is breaking that silence, distributing free menstrual products and normalizing reproductive health conversations in locker rooms and communities. Proper gear. For adolescent girls, a well-fitting sports bra can determine whether they stay engaged in sport. Athletes for Hope, partnering with Bras for Girls, provides gear and the education girls need while navigating puberty. Without this kind of intervention, physical discomfort and body image anxieties drive too many girls to drop out during adolescence. Mental health support. Sports can be a powerful tool for wellbeing, but only when participation feels safe and inclusive. The pressures young athletes facebalancing academics and expectationscan weigh heavily. When stress or anxiety go unaddressed, sports can feel like another impossible demand. The initiative supports programs integrating mental health resources into athletics. The Skills Center in Tampa will use its funding to host a girls sports and empowerment festival, combining physical activity with mental health workshops for Black and Latina youth. Meanwhile, ZGiRLS will deliver sport psychology programming to help girls manage stress, anxiety, and family pressures during the holiday season. Transportation. For many girls, the challenge isnt desire but logistics. Getting to practice is a barrier. Families without reliable transportation or parents working multiple jobs cant always shuttle daughters across town. Its a small obstacle with outsized consequencesoften ending in quiet resignation. Fisk University, home to the first HBCU womens gymnastics team, is working to overcome this hurdle. Each factor might sound small in isolation, but together, they form a web of barriers pushing girls out of sports before they can realize their potential. INNOVATION BEYOND THE GAME In business, we talk endlessly about innovation. We laud breakthrough technologies and new markets. But what if innovation also meant tackling the overlooked barriers that keep people from participating in the first place? Thats what these grantees are doing: rethinking how to support the game and the players. True innovation in womens sports identifies overlooked pain points and designs solutions rooted in empathy and equity. Theyre innovating at the most fundamental level. The demand is massive. Gainbridge Assists Powered by Parity received over 380 applications this yearmore than double last years total. Each $5,000 grant seems modest, but the ripple effects are significant. In 1974, Billie Jean King founded the Womens Sports Foundation with the $5,000 check she received for being named the Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year by the Bob Hope Cavalcade of Sports. In 2024, the program helped more than 5,000 girls pursue their athletic and academic goals. With this years expanded funding, the reach will only grow. THE PATH FORWARD Just as the tech industry confronted its excuses about the so-called pipeline problem, we must confront ours in sports. We can no longer shrug and accept that girls just drop out. Not when we know the reasons, and not when the solutions are within reach. Equity in womens sports must be defined broadly. Its not just about broadcasting more games or negotiating better contractsthough those remain crucial. Its also about removing the silent, practical, and cultural barriers that quietly push girls out long before they reach elite levels. King famously said, You have to see it to be it. But before girls can see themselves as champions, they must be given the chance to stay on the field, the court, the track, or the ice. That requires meeting them where they are, addressing their most pressing needs, and ensuring they know they belong. Leela Srinivasan is CEO of Parity.
Category:
E-Commerce
In todays dynamic labor market, industries from manufacturing to healthcare continue to grapple with persistent workforce shortages. To fill these gaps, organizations are looking beyond traditional talent pools. One of the most promising yet significantly underutilized groups is second-chance talent, or graduates of prison education programs. These individuals represent millions of highly motivated and skilled professionals seeking stability after incarceration. Too often, outdated hiring methods and social stigmas have blocked justice-impacted individuals from employment opportunities that could change their lives. However, by shifting perspectives and implementing strategic programs, forward-thinking companies can access a dependable source of skilled workers while creating a positive social impact. THE SCALE OF UNTAPPED POTENTIAL The United States criminal justice system affects a much larger portion of the population than most realize. About 600,000 Americans are released from state and local prisons each year. This means nearly one in three or 70 million adults have a criminal record. Many of these individuals face obstacles when reentering society. In a recent episode of Geographic Solutions podcast, The VOScast, Jeffrey Abramowitz, CEO of the Petey Greene Program, stated, It is estimated that there are more than 44,000 barriers to employment for the formerly incarcerated, with 70% related to employment. Securing stable employment after prison is often the biggest challenge for justice-involved individuals. This is due to several factors, including a lack of education, nonexistent or inadequate job skills, and the stigma of having a criminal record, which often leads to higher rates of recidivism. According to the Safer Foundation, about 75% of justice-impacted individuals stay unemployed one year after their release. These barriers not only limit an individual’s potential but also represent a missed opportunity for employers facing labor shortages. I think we’re missing an amazing opportunity right now in the country, and that opportunity is to recognize fair chance hiring or getting people who have been challenged in the Justice space back to work, said Abramowitz in the podcast. I also believe we’re missing an opportunity and not recognizing the reality that education plays a vital role in the United States. BRIDGE SKILLS GAPS WITH TARGETED TRAINING PROGRAMS The path to integrating individuals with a criminal record into the workforce begins with education and training. Reentry programs play a crucial role in helping justice-impacted individuals successfully reintegrate into society. They offer a variety of services tailored to meet the needs of those returning to the community. These programs provide job training, educational opportunities, housing support, counseling, and soft and hard skills development. A study by the RAND Corporation found that reentry education programs may boost employment prospects post-release, with participants having a 13% higher chance of getting a job than non-participants. Many of these individuals might struggle with reading, writing, and basic math, all of which are essential components for not only getting hired but also being able to advance their career, said Abramowitz in the podcast. When we talk about getting people back into employment and finding good opportunities for them, we also need to think about the integration of education and how we can set people up to succeed. Many nonprofit organizations are creating tailored training programs to equip people with skills, knowledge, and opportunities that directly align with market needs. Organizations like the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) have led innovative reentry initiatives, preparing justice-impacted individuals for productive lives outside of prison and reducing their chances of reoffending. A recent study from the University of California, Irvine found that individuals who have participated in CALPIAs programs while incarcerated have lower rates of recidivism compared to those who did not participate. Similarly, the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction is partnering with the Division of Workforce Solutions at the Department of Commerce for the North Carolina Pathway to Reentry. Using funds from the Pathway Home grant, the project provides pre- and post-release activities, including workshops, counseling, and training to help people transition out of incarceration and reenter their communities. It focuses on goal setting, action plans, education, and skill development for specific jobs. Creating easily accessible pathways for skill development and job training unlocks new opportunities that not only benefit those with a criminal background but also businesses that are looking to address labor shortages. BUILD BRIDGES WITH EMPLOYERS With many industries facing skill and labor shortages, companies are recognizing the value of this untapped workforce. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, two in three HR professionals reported that their organization has hired individuals with criminal backgrounds. Moreover, 85% of HR leaders believe second-chance hires perform as well as or better than other employees. Despite this, some employers may hesitate to consider second-chance hiring due to concerns about liability, employee morale, perceived unreliability, and social stigmas. A recent survey from the Second Chance Business Coalition shows that almost 90% of employers mandate background checks for applicants, and having a criminal record decreases the likelihood of progressing to a second interview by half. To successfully hire from this talent pool, employers must move beyond these stigmas and understand that second-chance hiring is more than a charitable act. By re-evaluating long-held hiring biases and actively engaging with this talent pool, organizations can transform a societal challenge into a strategic business advantage that benefits everyone. Companies such as JPMorganChase and Dave’s Killer Bread are notable examples of organizations that have effectively implemented a second-chance employment model. JPMorganChase reports that almost 10% of their hires over the past five years have had a criminal record, and a third of Daves Killer Bread staff, including cofounder Dave Dahl, have felony convictions. LOOKING AHEAD The way forward to addressing labor shortages involves a shift in how businesses perceive and engage with talent acquisition. It requires a proactive approach to recognize justice-impacted individuals as highly motivated and skilled professionals capable of contributing to the workforce. By adopting inclusive hiring practices, companies can effectively fill labor gaps while also fostering a more diverse workplace. This strategy not only promotes economic growth by expanding the talent pool but also benefits local communities by offering opportunities for individuals to successfully reintegrate into society and attain long-term stability. Paul Toomey is the founder and president of Geographic Solutions.
Category:
E-Commerce
On a recent Saturday, several hundred people flocked to Los Angeles International Airport and spent most of the day looking at airplanes — all because they follow the same airline-industry blog. That sentence may require some explanation even if youve read a post or two on Cranky Flier, the commercial-aviation chronicle written by industry veteran Brett Snyder. The avgeek gathering Snyder calls Cranky Dorkfest began in 2011. Snyder, based nearby in Long Beach, decided to see if any of his readers — many of whom regularly show up in comments on his blog under aviation-related pseudonyms — wanted to meet up. So Snyder suggested a triangular park between LAXs Runway 24R and an In-N-Out Burger that offers some of Americas finest planespotting. The original plan was really just me putting out a blog post saying that I was going to go to the park across from In-N-Out and hoped some people would join me for burgers, spotting, and conversation, Synder says in an email. A handful did. And then it just kept growing from there. The idea took off because the notion of people meeting online over a shared fascination and then connecting IRL shouldn’t be that strange. Especially if their meeting point happens to revolve around their common interest. Soon, airlines, flight-tracking apps and services, and Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) started taking notice and finding ways to participate, perhaps because of or despite its self-mocking moniker of Dorkfest. (I got some raised eyebrows explaining the event to friends.) “You have to own it, says Snyder, whose job title at his travel agency, Cranky Concierge, is president and chief airline dork. Plane selfies The 2025 edition of Dorkfest began early Sept. 13 at a ramp on the south side of the airport hosted by LAWA. The authority required attendees to register in advance; a week later, signups maxed out at 500. Attendees had the treat of two parked airliners to be explored at length: American Airlines sent a Boeing 737-800 in its throwback Astrojet livery and Delta Air Lines loaned an Airbus A350-900. With almost everybody wanting a flight-deck selfie, boarding took awhile. LAWA catered breakfast from the local favorite Randys Donuts and brought a DJ, who spun location- and subject-relevant tracks like A Tribe Called Quests I Left My Wallet In El Segundo and the Red Hot Chili Peppers Aeroplane. A large fraction of the attendees ignored all of that to stand next to a fence separating the area from an active taxiway so they could take in the view of arrivals and departures on LAXs two southern runways — plus a Boeing 747-8 freighter operated by Cathay Pacific Cargo taxiing nearby. I hope people have travel plans soon A few hours later, it was time to head over to the In-N-Out thats become my favorite fast-food joint in the world. People opened ride-hailing apps for the short ride and waited for their Ubers and Lyfts to roll up, which is when I ran into a friend from grade and high school, an aviation lawyer I hadnt seen since March of 2020. The lunchtime scene at this In-N-Out is always great, since that block overlaps with the start of a wave of arrivals of widebody jets from overseas. Even with a few hundred extra people added to the noon crowd, the place remained as marvelously efficient as Ive seen it in past visits to L.A. As attendees cycled their gaze from flight-tracking apps to each Boeing 777 or Airbus A350 arriving from places like Shanghai, Paris, Rome or Singapore, Snyder conducted a raffle drawing, with prizes contributed by a flock of companies. Struggling to be heard over the roar of jet engines even with the help of a megaphone, Snyder cracked jokes as he called out winners of such goodies as a subscription to the aviation-industry publication The Air Current, free tickets or frequent-flyer miles from various airlines (I hope people have travel plans soon, he said while awarding 20,000 points from bankrupt Spirit Airlines), models of planes, and bundles of airline swag. One airline had a formal presence: Recently merged Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines sent reps to hand out their inflight snacks of pretzel mix, Biscoff cookies, and POG (passionfruit orange guava) juice to any attendees not already stuffed from animal style Double-Doubles. Other years have seen more in-person airline participation. Snyder recalls 2019s Dorkfest, when United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz showed up and handed out burgers.The day wrapped up with an event hosted by NYCAviatio at a food hall called the Proud Bird, situated across Aviation Boulevard from LAXs other pair of runways. The plane that drew the most cheers out of the audience was not any passenger airliner but a more esoteric airframe: a McDonnell-Douglas MD-11 freighter operated by FedEx, the final version in a series of triple-engine widebodies dating to the DC-10. That New York aviation-enthusiast group had started its own annual SpotLAX meetup a few years after Dorkfest began, then opted to align that gathering with Snyders. We realized we should keep doing that, Snyder says. It really increased the opportunities for people to participate and helped justify travel from further away to come join. The two farthest origin points for 2025s Dorkfest, per a map at the Great Circle Mapper site generated from attendee input: Shizuoka, Japan and Haikou, China. Most real-world meetups of online communities dont draw people from that far awaywith the exception of such high-profile gatherings as the NASA Socials that the space agency hosts for launches. On one I joined for the penultimate space shuttle launch in 2011, I was struck by how readily strangers agreed to coordinate on shared housing nd rental-car transportation. Often, these gatherings are much smaller-scale, like Wikipedia-editor meetups, the weekly happy hours coordinated by some local Reddit forums (see, for example, those at r/washingtondc) or just two members of the FlyerTalk frequent-travel forum recognizing each others yellow FT luggage tags in an airport lounge. It may be weird showing up to these events. But embrace the weirdness and the chance to get to know strangers who maybe arent so distant from you. As Snyder says: The best moments are meeting people who I’ve never seen other than in discussion online.
Category:
E-Commerce
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