There is something so transformative and powerful, especially for young women, when your own hard work and skills are out in the world, being utilized for good by other people. Today’s guest is Emily Pilloton, the Founder and Executive Director of Girls Garage, a non-profit that has taught thousands of young girls how to use power tools, weld, and builds projects for their communities. Emily holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of California Berkeley, and a Master of Fine Arts in Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is currently a Lecturer in the College of Environmental Design at the University of California Berkeley and is the author of three books, Design Revolution, Tell Them I Built This, Communities, and Lives With Design-Based Education, and most recently Girls Garage. Her work is documented in the full-length film, If You Build It, and has been featured on the TED Stage, in the New York Times and The Colbert Report, and presented to the Obama Administration’s Office of Science and Technology Policy at The White House. Tune in today to hear more about Emily’s dream of truly diverse leadership positions, the heart behind her non-profits, and how she views space, as well as the importance of exercising your brave muscle, and so much more!
Sn. 2, #6 Emily Pilloton: Creating Truly Diverse Leadership Positions
Emily Soloby
Emily received her BA in Women’s Studies and JD from Temple University. Early on, she worked as a legal advocate for women in domestic violence cases. After practicing law, Emily began working on the business side of things. She is the co-owner of AAA School of Trucking, a truck and heavy equipment safety training firm, which she has spent the last 10 years growing into a thriving national business through government and military contracting and corporate partnerships.
As an executive in the transportation industry, darting from client meeting to trucking range required safety boots that met her style standards, and when she couldn’t find them anywhere, she created Juno Jones Shoes. Emily trained in shoemaking in Cuernavaca, Mexico and at the Brooklyn Shoe Space, and assembled a powerhouse team of designers, consultants, and industry experts to bring Juno Jones to life. Through Juno Jones Shoes, Emily is fulfilling her dream of not only providing women with safe, stylish footwear options for their jobs but of helping to normalize and empower women in traditionally male-dominated fields.
For more information go to junojonesshoes.com.
