JAIDIN MCCANN
president of mytod
Jaidin leads a specialized firm of embedded recruiters, providing internal recruitment solutions for client companies in the tech industry to optimize their talent acquisition strategies.
As a woman community leader, how do you cultivate and maintain mentorship relationships with younger or emerging women leaders? What lessons or approaches are you passing on to ensure that leadership, empowerment,
and inclusivity endure beyond your own tenure?
As an experienced leader in startups and a young executive, I cultivate and maintain mentorship relationships with emerging women leaders by creating intentional opportunities for learning, empowerment, and growth. I actively support and host webinars and workshops designed to help women leverage their natural strengths while building essential leadership skills—such as negotiation, assertiveness, and strategic decision-making.
Beyond this, I am deeply committed to supporting female founders. Having founded and helped launch more than six companies, both for myself and others, I understand the unique challenges women face in entrepreneurship. That’s why I prioritize advising, mentoring, and investing in female-led businesses, ensuring they have the tools, confidence, and network to scale and thrive.
My goal is to pay forward the knowledge, access, and support that will allow female founders and leaders to succeed—creating a legacy of empowerment, inclusivity, and lasting impact.
If you had to choose a single word that captures your current approach to leadership, what would it be and why? Share a brief anecdote or turning point this past year that illustrates why this word resonates with you.
Transformational best defines my leadership approach because my mission is to cultivate leaders who don’t just succeed but surpass me—leaders who, in turn, develop even stronger leaders themselves. This creates an exponential cycle of growth, innovation, and impact within the organization.
A defining moment this past year was empowering a high-potential leader to take full ownership of a strategic initiative. Instead of directing every step, I provided the vision, gave them space to lead, and encouraged them to build and mentor their own team.
The result? Not only did they exceed expectations, but they also developed a new wave of emerging leaders, reinforcing a culture where leadership isn’t just top-down—it’s a self-sustaining force that drives our organization forward.
Reflecting on the last year, what new quote, book, or piece of advice has most influenced you as a woman leader? Why did it resonate with you, and how have you applied it in your community work?
The book Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek has profoundly influenced me this past year. I believe a true leader prioritizes the well-being and growth of their team, creating an environment where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to lead in their own right.
This concept resonated with me because leadership isn’t about authority—it’s about service. I’ve applied this in my community work by fostering a culture of mentorship, ensuring that emerging leaders have the resources, guidance, and encouragement to surpass even my own successes.
By putting my team first and equipping them to uplift others, we create a ripple effect of leadership that continuously strengthens our organization and the broader community.
How have you and your team continued (or adapted) your efforts to give back to the community over the past year? Please share a specific recent initiative or story that you’re especially proud of—what was the impact, and how did it shape your leadership?
At myTOD, we initially set a goal to support 1,000 disadvantaged youth by 2025—but I’m proud to say we’ve already surpassed that milestone and are now on a mission to impact 10,000 lives. This commitment is fueled by profit sharing, volunteer hours, and impactful events like Battle of the Paddle, which raises funds for foster children.
We also host interview seminars and mock interviews to equip foster youth with essential workforce skills. Beyond that, we’ve deepened our partnerships with organizations dedicated to the success and well-being of foster children, human trafficking survivors, and other vulnerable communities.
This journey has reinforced my belief that true leadership extends beyond business—it’s about creating a sustainable, transformational impact that empowers the next generation to thrive.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, which woman—past or present—continues to inspire your work as a community leader, and why? How has her example influenced the way you collaborate, advocate, or mentor?
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg continues to inspire my work as a community leader through her unwavering commitment to equity, resilience, and transformational change. Her relentless fight for gender equality and justice serves as a powerful reminder that true leadership isn’t about immediate wins—it’s about laying the groundwork for long-term, systemic progress.
Her example has profoundly shaped how I collaborate, advocate, and mentor. Like RBG, I believe in empowering others to amplify their voices and break down barriers that have historically held them back. Whether through mentorship, fostering leadership opportunities, or advocating for underrepresented communities, I strive to lead with conviction, courage, and a focus on lasting impact—just as she did.
What challenges and opportunities do you foresee for women leaders in your field or community over the next year, and how are you preparing to meet them? If you had to give one piece of advice to a woman stepping into a leadership role today, what would it be?
One of the biggest challenges for women leaders in my field is the ongoing need to break through systemic biases—whether in funding, leadership opportunities, or decision-making influence. Women, particularly in startups and executive leadership, still face hurdles in securing venture capital, negotiating equity, and being recognized as industry changemakers. However, this challenge also presents an incredible opportunity—women are increasingly supporting one another, building powerful networks, and proving that diverse leadership drives innovation, profitability, and long-term success.
To prepare for this shift, I am focused on mentorship, advocacy, and education—equipping women with the negotiation skills, strategic confidence, and business acumen needed to thrive. I am also committed to connecting women leaders with funding, resources, and advisory support to help them build and scale sustainably and successfully.
If I had to give one piece of advice to a woman stepping into leadership today, it would be: Own your value and make your mark—unapologetically. Your voice, perspective, and leadership are not just needed—they are essential. Be bold in your decisions, seek out mentors and allies, and never underestimate the power of lifting others as you rise.