Today’s episode dives into the dynamic world of data and innovation and leadership lessons in bridging divides across sectors. Our guest, Ann Mei Chang, brings shares insights from her interesting career which spans Google, the U.S. State Department, US Agency for International Development (USAID), and her current role as CEO of Candid. We discuss workplace cultures, the challenges of leading change, and the importance of understanding motivations and incentives that shape organizational performance. We also explore how leaders can best bridge divides across dimensions of difference. .
Leadership Across Diverse Cultures
Ann Mei reflects on her transition from Google’s fast-paced, innovation-focused culture to the more hierarchical structure of the U.S. State Department. At Google, big goals and bold risks were encouraged, balanced by methodical testing and iteration. By contrast, working in government required a different mindset—blending audacious thinking within work cultures that tend to be more risk-averse in nature. Both sectors have much to learn form one another, and Ann Mei talks about the importance of adapting to different organizational cultures in order to drive change effectively.
Ann Mei and host Leigh Morgan discuss the ways to be effective in different cultures while also introducing tools that drive innovation. One approach is focusing on aligning objectives as a unifying thread when navigating such varied environments. Ann Mei emphasizes fostering a culture that supports risk-taking as a key driver of innovation. Leigh mentions that public sector cultures can be risk adverse due to the high-stakes nature of their work – sometimes providing services that literally need to be protected from risk. Ann Mei shares a way to bridge that need – using her work at USAID as an example. She introduced a venture capital-style model that funded ideas in stages—balancing risk while encouraging creativity about long standing problems.
Embracing Diversity and the Power of Storytelling
Having worked across multiple sectors, Ann Mei has seen the remarkable potential that arises from diverse teams and perspectives. She believes that diverse groups bring richer, more innovative solutions to the table. Storytelling, she adds, plays a critical role in bridging divides. It connects human experiences, fosters empathy, and reinforces our shared humanity, all of which are essential for achieving common goals.
Data: A Catalyst for Change
At Candid, Ann Mei champions the power of data to transform the social sector. By refining how nonprofits and funders connect, Candid streamlines funding processes, reduces administrative burdens, and offers meaningful analytics to drive impact. For example, standardized demographic data collection reduces redundant reporting for nonprofits, freeing up their time to focus on their mission.
Data, Ann Mei believes, is not only a tool for measuring outcomes but also a driver of transparency and accountability. Together with storytelling, it combats misinformation by combining emotional resonance with factual clarity. As Ann Mei and Leigh discuss, storytelling and data complement each other in building bridges across divides—whether in families, communities, or organizations.
Finding Optimism Through Generosity
Despite societal challenges, Ann Mei remains optimistic, inspired by the generosity and shared purpose she observes in the nonprofit sector. Community-focused work unites people around common goals and human stories, providing a powerful antidote to polarization.
A Call to Action
Ann Mei Chang’s leadership journey highlights the transformative power of cross-sector collaboration, data-driven decisions, and empathetic storytelling. Her experiences show that while navigating the spaces between sectors can be challenging, it is also where the most potential for meaningful change resides. By embracing diversity and focusing on shared goals, leaders can create lasting, positive impact in their organizations and beyond.
Check out Ann Mei’s book Lean Impact here https://www.annmei.com/book.
