Stepping Boldly Into This Moment

The “Why” Behind Radiate Works

by Elizabeth Benefield

“But where are those jobs?”

Three decades working with young, earnest students, and still, this is an all too common

refrain. Even as we encourage students to explore their passions and develop an

aspirational vision for a purpose-driven career, we are stuck. Stuck in sector silos. Stuck

in disciplinary silos. Stuck in misperceptions about who is charged with the role of

generating wealth, and who is responsible for creating change in the world.

When Melissa and I first started meeting, over many cups of coffee and (not) a few

morning pastries, we realized that we were indeed living in parallel universes, hers, at

North Carolina’s flagship campus, UNC-Chapel Hill and before that the University of

Maryland, and mine, at NC State, our spectacular land grant university where STEM

reigns. Regardless of our zip code and departmental home, the story was the same.

Our students are striving to do more, to be more; to show up differently in the world as

effective change leaders. Most want to make a difference , not just a paycheck.

Melissa and I think of ourselves as dutiful agents of inspiration; as mentors to beautiful

and hopeful generations of young people ready to take on the world. While immensely

grateful for this spectacularly meaningful job, it is hard not to feel the awesome

responsibility that comes with helping to shape the minds and hearts of our future

leaders. I must admit we are a bit proud to be outliers (I prefer rebels), challenging the

status quo, and insisting that our campuses recognize that the traditional DNA of

entrepreneurship is not sufficient to meet this moment. To meet these students. To open

new doors to understanding each and every student’s potential to claim a future of

meaningful impact. Of meaningful work.

“But where are those companies?”

So, just as we encourage our students to show up bravely and with the confidence that

yes, each of us has the agency and capacity to deliver on the promise of doing good in

the world, we decided to step out of our ivory towers and into the real world. Radiate

Works is our earnest foray into change leadership. We believe the time is now to help

private, nonprofit and public sector organizations build impact models that bring about

sound stewardship of humanity and our planet, while at the same time increase

performance and prosperity. We believe the future of work – good work – will be

characterized by a deepening commitment to cultures of inclusion and generosity,

recognition of the collective need for action to address our global challenges, and

responsiveness to demands for better work-life meaning and balance.

“I am so proud of where I work and the contributions I am making in the world.”

Might there be a day when this is the common sentiment? Melissa and I pledge to bring

our many years of experience, our diverse and complementary expertise, and above all,

our optimism and curiosity to the task of nudging our corner of the world toward a

reckoning; or perhaps better put - toward a recognition that we can all do better. A

young pipeline of talent stands at the ready.