Ep 76: Getting Good $#!+ Done with Jessica Custer

In this episode, Lis is joined by Jessica Custer, a social impact strategist and project management expert. She discusses all things social impact, corporate responsibility, theory of change, leadership, and her life-changing experience in the Peruvian Amazon.

Jessica reflects on her journey from the non-profit sector to freelance consulting. She emphasizes the importance of effective project management in driving positive societal impact and the opportunity to better integrate agile methodologies in impact and sustainability work. She introduces her Substack, The Change Maker’s Guide to Getting Good S*** Done, and her workshop, Possible to Probable, designed to support change-makers in operationalizing their visions.

Jessica highlights the need for thought leadership, an expanded definition of leadership as related to different power structures, and the role of the theory of change in shaping our approach to both life and our work as change agents. Jessica’s vision for the future is an inspiring call to action for those of us working to build a better future!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, YouTube, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Episode Outline:

(03:36) Addressing the project management leadership gap

(11:13) Jessica’s career journey and the impact of her travels

(19:54) Exploring a sustainable sanitation business model in the Peruvian Amazon 

(29:30) Changes in ESG and social impact over the last 10 years 

(36:35) The strength of generalizing specialists 

(39:06) Project management for bigger, better impact 

(43:18) Theory of change applications

(46:53) Leadership and different types of power

Resources Mentioned:

• Subscribe to Jessica Custer’s Substack, The Change Maker’s Guide to Getting Good Sh*t Done
• Join the next free Girls Club Collective Community Power Hour on Wednesday, November 20, at 9am Pacific, 12pm Eastern

Guest Info: 

• Learn more on Jessica Custer’s website
• Connect with Jessica Custer on LinkedIn

Follow Us:

• Learn more on our website: girlsclubcollective.co
• Follow us on Instagram: @girls_club_collective
• Connect with us on LinkedIn: Girls Club Collective 

About Lis: 

Lis Best is an executive coach for impact leaders, founder of the Girls Club Collective, and host of the Women Changing the World podcast.

Since launching her business in 2020, Lis has helped hundreds of leaders navigate ESG and sustainability careers, launch heart-centered businesses, and become more effective change agents.