Manifesta is the official Culture partner for DC Startup Week (DCSW) 2020. We are curating and designing this inaugural track of programming for the fastest-growing startup community in the DMV region with over 10,000+ entrepreneurs. Once a year, DCSW brings together its expansive community over 5-days to connect, collaborate, share resources and celebrate our thriving ecosystem.
Press Release:
DC Startup Week Announces First-Ever Culture Track for 2020 Virtual Event
DC-Based Agency Manifesta to Serve as Official Culture Partner for Annual Conference, Scheduled to Unfold Exclusively Online, September 14-18
WASHINGTON D.C., September 1, 2020 -- DC Startup Week and Manifesta today announced the launch of the inaugural Culture Track, designed and produced in collaboration with DC-based workplace culture agency Manifesta, at DC Startup Week 2020. With organizations, teams and leaders under more pressure than ever in the age of COVID-19, DC Startup Week’s Culture Track is centered on Culture 2020: Reinventing Work, a program for startup founders, executives and teams seeking to evolve and rethink the critical issues and opportunities workplaces are facing today.
“We are particularly enthusiastic to bring the Culture Track to this year’s schedule of events. Great culture is vital to a startup’s growth and success,” said DC Startup Week Event Organizer Rachel Koretsky. “Amira El-Gawly and her team at Manifesta are passionate about making work better for high-performing organizations, enabling teams to live and work with greater purpose, which makes her the right person to curate the Culture track for DC Startup Week.”
DC-based workplace culture agency Manifesta Founder & CEO El-Gawly, who is serving as the lead curator for the Culture track shared, “This year has revealed to us all how critical our workplace cultures are to our personal and professional wellbeing. The way we feel at work is the key indicator of our performance and well-being. I am thrilled to serve the Founder and Startup community by designing and curating this inaugural program of people-focused knowledge sharing and dialogue.”
The Culture Track is shaping up to be timely, insightful and packed with a diverse, incredible speaker lineup. Here’s a preview of what’s to come:
Monday, September 14 at 3pm
Beyond The Nitro Brew: A New Vision For Workplace Culture In 2020 And BeyondIn this inspiring keynote, Amira El-Gawly, Founder + CEO of Manifesta, will offer a paradigm shift for startup leaders seeking to cultivate inspiring workplaces and beloved brands. Living and working through the COVID-19 pandemic and racial inequality crises has provoked new ways of thinking and working together. Beyond the cold brew keg and ping pong table, Amira will guide founders and startup leaders through the new value proposition for workplace culture and employee experience. It’s high time we investigate ourselves and align culture investment with ambitious growth goals.
Monday, September 14 at 4pm
Mind the Gap: Avoid Common Pitfalls of Startup CultureBuilding a healthy startup culture is never easy, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Too many leaders start businesses for the love of the work, but without an understanding of how to lead and manage people, let alone cultivate a positive, growth-oriented environment. In this speed storytelling session, seasoned HR execs will share their own mistakes and aha moments so you can set yourself up for success.
Tuesday, September 15 at 9am
Beyond the Checkbox: Designing an Equitable and AntiRacist Workplace
This year, the business community has been forced to confront the reality of inequity and injustice in the workplace. In this interactive conversation, you’ll hear from diversity, equity, and inclusion experts, creative entrepreneurs, and tech industry veterans to turn that national conversation into clear action. They’ll share their personal experiences of what works—and what doesn’t—so you can design a business model that makes space for all.
Wednesday, September 16 at 1pm
Great Managers: Your Secret Weapon to Loyal, Engaged Employees
The research is clear: According to Gallup, only one in 10 people possess the natural talent to manage. But managing others is something that almost every leader is expected to do. Join us for this interactive session to learn the ways you can better manage (or equip your managers) to build effective and engaged teams.
Wednesday, September 16 at 3pm
From Perks to Processes: Optimizing Operations for Greater Team Wellbeing
Every startup leader wants to have a great culture; the challenge is how to make that happen. In this moderated panel, get real-time practical guidance from these people-loving startup leaders with reputations for building strong, healthy teams. Hear from an accomplished startup founder and operator what it takes to build a business that prioritizes its people, while producing significant results.
Thursday, September 17 at 3pm
Building the Future of Great Remote Work Culture
The COVID-19 global pandemic forced most organizations to go remote with little notice. For some leaders, this was a real struggle, and they’re still unsure how to best incorporate remote work into their strategic business decisions going forward. For others, it’s a no-brainer… they’re not going back to the office for another year. Others are still undecided. What could fully remote, hybrid remote and remote-enabling startup cultures look like? Hear from startup leaders and HR practitioners with the experience making decisions about this timely topic, while designing critical policies and new team rituals.
Thursday, September 17 at 4pm
From “self-care” to “team care”: prioritizing mental health in the workplace
The lines between personal life and professional life are blurring—this year more than most. Normalizing mental health and creating space for your employees to bring their whole selves to work is essential for today’s teams. This session will kick off with a meditation and then dive into tactical ways you can create and hold space in crisis, while increasing transparency, resilience, and happiness on your team.