March 8 is International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
The theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is “Inspire Inclusion,” a call to forge a better world by valuing women’s inclusion, belonging, relevance, and empowerment.
In this Q&A, Cornerstone Research cofounder Cindy Zollinger reflects on what inspires her, how to model and prioritize inclusion in organizations, and the key role that women have played in sustaining the firm’s values and culture.
What inspires you?
I’ve found inspiration in diverse avenues in various roles throughout my career. Witnessing other women trailblazers achieve remarkable feats has been inspiring. Being a mentee has been inspiring—I have been fortunate to be mentored by people who believed in me, provided guidance, and connected me to opportunities—and this experience made me want to do the same for others. Serving as a mentor has given me profound inspiration: supporting others on their journeys to success while simultaneously learning from their unique perspectives has been truly enriching. More broadly, seeing Cornerstone Research’s original vision and core values continue to have a positive impact on our clients and employees is so rewarding.
Serving as a mentor has given me profound inspiration: supporting others on their journeys to success while simultaneously learning from their unique perspectives has been truly enriching.
I recognize that every opportunity brings its own set of challenges and triumphs, but the inspiration I derive from making a meaningful difference in people’s lives remains the greatest gift of all.
How can leadership effectively demonstrate and prioritize inclusion within an organization?
We can inspire employees by setting a clear vision, leading by example, fostering open communication, providing growth opportunities, recognizing achievements, promoting a positive work culture, and demonstrating kindness and care toward all employees.
This year marks Cornerstone Research’s thirty-fifth year. What is one thing that has stood out to you since founding the firm?
The contributions and support of women in our firm inspire me. We have many women in numerous leadership roles across the firm who serve as excellent role models. They inspire all of us to strive for continuous improvement, affirm the value of each individual, and treat one another with appreciation and respect. Women have been instrumental in shaping the values and culture of our organization, imbuing it with resilience and inclusivity.
The women in our firm inspire all of us to strive for continuous improvement, affirm the value of each individual, and treat one another with appreciation and respect.
Several of our initiatives, such as our women’s forums, focus on providing opportunities for our employees, clients, and experts to learn from one another, discuss issues impacting women in the workplace and our industry, and develop solutions that contribute to our collective success. These types of collaborative activities align perfectly with our core values, guiding our actions and decisions with integrity and purpose. I am so proud of all that we have accomplished as a firm, and I am inspired to imagine what the next thirty-five years will bring.
Silicon Valley 
