We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits 454. Barbie’s Impact: Closing the Gap between Girls and Their Full Potential - Jessica Beatus and Nancy Molenda
The Barbie hype is real - let’s learn how it’s powering good 💗💅🛍🫶
You think you know Barbie? Think again. In this thought-provoking conversation, we uncover the world of Barbie beyond the plastic doll - her role as a cultural phenomenon, a beacon of social impact, and a tool for empowerment. Meet Jessica and Nancy. Jess is Group Vice President of Social Impact Solutions at Warner Bros. Discovery, and Nancy is Executive Director of the Mattel Children’s Foundation and Corporate Philanthropy at Mattel Inc.
We’re chatting about the power of media, social responsibility, and diving deeply into the partnership between Mattel, Warner Bros. Discovery and Save the Children Global for the Barbie movie. Learn about the Dream Gap Project—an initiative that breaks down barriers for girls and empowers them to dream big - and how evolved partnerships can align with a brand’s mission, bringing about positive change. The convo is filled with kindness, passion, humor + how giving back can spark a movement. Tune in 💕
Episode Highlights
- The Barbie phenomenon (0:40)
- Nancy and Jessica’s stories and journeys to where they are today (3:30)
- Barbie’s philanthropic projects (8:15)
- The origin of the Save the Children partnership (13:35)
- How to build lasting partnerships (25:30)
- Being open for partnership and open for business (30:15)
- A powerful moment of philanthropy in Nancy’s life (32:50)
- A powerful moment of philanthropy in Jessica’s life (35:10)
- Nancy’s and Jessica’s One Good Thing (41:50)
- Support The Barbie Dream Gap Project by texting BARBIE to 707070 (45:45)
For more information + episode details visit: weareforgood.com/episode/454.
📅 Don't Miss These Free Upcoming Events! 👇
APRIL 29: Working Session Live: Forecast Your Monthly Giving Growth in 2026 with Dana Snyder (and the pathways to get you there!)
MAY 14: ImpactUp: Story This quarter, we're going deep on your most powerful (and underused) tool - Story. Local meetups happening worldwide. Find one near you.
//
Join the We Are For Good Community—completely free.
Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this working session, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.com