Erika Randall
@sharedvalue.bsky.social
Designing systems that hold under pressure.
Thinking out loud @ sharedvalue.studio
Previously: cofounder @GanderSocial.
Thinking out loud @ sharedvalue.studio
Previously: cofounder @GanderSocial.
Pinned
Erika Randall
@sharedvalue.bsky.social
· Sep 18
When Purpose Becomes a Brand Asset (and Nothing More)
Jerry Greenfield just resigned from Ben & Jerry’s after 47 years, stating: “It’s profoundly disappointing to conclude that that…
medium.com
What’s a Ben without a Jerry?
Apparently, a governance lesson.
Even the strongest mission locks buckle without real structures:
medium.com/@erikarandal...
#Governance #Values #Decentralization #PublicBenefit
Apparently, a governance lesson.
Even the strongest mission locks buckle without real structures:
medium.com/@erikarandal...
#Governance #Values #Decentralization #PublicBenefit
What’s a Ben without a Jerry?
Apparently, a governance lesson.
Even the strongest mission locks buckle without real structures:
medium.com/@erikarandal...
#Governance #Values #Decentralization #PublicBenefit
Apparently, a governance lesson.
Even the strongest mission locks buckle without real structures:
medium.com/@erikarandal...
#Governance #Values #Decentralization #PublicBenefit
When Purpose Becomes a Brand Asset (and Nothing More)
Jerry Greenfield just resigned from Ben & Jerry’s after 47 years, stating: “It’s profoundly disappointing to conclude that that…
medium.com
September 18, 2025 at 3:24 PM
What’s a Ben without a Jerry?
Apparently, a governance lesson.
Even the strongest mission locks buckle without real structures:
medium.com/@erikarandal...
#Governance #Values #Decentralization #PublicBenefit
Apparently, a governance lesson.
Even the strongest mission locks buckle without real structures:
medium.com/@erikarandal...
#Governance #Values #Decentralization #PublicBenefit
Thinking about the Ben & Jerry’s situation…
Even the strongest 'mission lock' wasn't enough to stop Unilever from slowly undermining what made B&J different.
Reminder that mission ≠ vibes, and vibes don't scale.
Even the strongest 'mission lock' wasn't enough to stop Unilever from slowly undermining what made B&J different.
Reminder that mission ≠ vibes, and vibes don't scale.
September 18, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Thinking about the Ben & Jerry’s situation…
Even the strongest 'mission lock' wasn't enough to stop Unilever from slowly undermining what made B&J different.
Reminder that mission ≠ vibes, and vibes don't scale.
Even the strongest 'mission lock' wasn't enough to stop Unilever from slowly undermining what made B&J different.
Reminder that mission ≠ vibes, and vibes don't scale.
Reposted by Erika Randall
It’s not lost on us that a new social platform isn’t exactly top of mind. Tech execs joining the U.S. military. More war.
And here we are, grateful for everyone with us in this moment. A social platform isn’t all that social without good people supporting it.
And here we are, grateful for everyone with us in this moment. A social platform isn’t all that social without good people supporting it.
Tech leaders ready launch of Canadian social-media platform Gander to buck U.S. dominance
Founders aim to create alternative that addresses content, data sovereignty concerns
www.theglobeandmail.com
June 23, 2025 at 11:53 AM
It’s not lost on us that a new social platform isn’t exactly top of mind. Tech execs joining the U.S. military. More war.
And here we are, grateful for everyone with us in this moment. A social platform isn’t all that social without good people supporting it.
And here we are, grateful for everyone with us in this moment. A social platform isn’t all that social without good people supporting it.
Reposted by Erika Randall
This is exactly why we’re intentionally designing Gander to align with the Canadian Charter.
Not because the law says we have to but because being free from hate speech is a universal human right.
Tackling hate speech is a process. One we hope you'll be part of.
#CharterInspired #CanadianTech
Not because the law says we have to but because being free from hate speech is a universal human right.
Tackling hate speech is a process. One we hope you'll be part of.
#CharterInspired #CanadianTech
UN Secretary-General's message for the International Day for Countering Hate Speech | 18 June 2025
Hate speech is poison in the well of society. It has paved the way for violence and atrocity during the darkest chapters of human history. Ethnic and religious minorities often bear the brunt - facing...
unoau.unmissions.org
June 18, 2025 at 7:36 PM
This is exactly why we’re intentionally designing Gander to align with the Canadian Charter.
Not because the law says we have to but because being free from hate speech is a universal human right.
Tackling hate speech is a process. One we hope you'll be part of.
#CharterInspired #CanadianTech
Not because the law says we have to but because being free from hate speech is a universal human right.
Tackling hate speech is a process. One we hope you'll be part of.
#CharterInspired #CanadianTech
Reposted by Erika Randall
Being online is cool. So is logging off to read some books.
Here’s what some of us at Gander are reading this weekend: data gaps in everyday life, smart forests, radical queer history, the future of the internet, and the enduring appeal of fancy vampires.
Here’s what some of us at Gander are reading this weekend: data gaps in everyday life, smart forests, radical queer history, the future of the internet, and the enduring appeal of fancy vampires.
June 8, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Being online is cool. So is logging off to read some books.
Here’s what some of us at Gander are reading this weekend: data gaps in everyday life, smart forests, radical queer history, the future of the internet, and the enduring appeal of fancy vampires.
Here’s what some of us at Gander are reading this weekend: data gaps in everyday life, smart forests, radical queer history, the future of the internet, and the enduring appeal of fancy vampires.
Just a girl… standing in front of a social platform… asking it to be ethical.
And lucky enough to be building it with a team that actually means it. ↓ #ethicaltech
And lucky enough to be building it with a team that actually means it. ↓ #ethicaltech
June 13, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Just a girl… standing in front of a social platform… asking it to be ethical.
And lucky enough to be building it with a team that actually means it. ↓ #ethicaltech
And lucky enough to be building it with a team that actually means it. ↓ #ethicaltech
been sketching how trust works inside a system.
not the aspirational stuff - what happens when things get messy.
who decides, what breaks down, where signals disappear.
still messy, but it’s helping.
if you’re thinking about this too, would love to hear what’s landing for you.
not the aspirational stuff - what happens when things get messy.
who decides, what breaks down, where signals disappear.
still messy, but it’s helping.
if you’re thinking about this too, would love to hear what’s landing for you.
June 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM
been sketching how trust works inside a system.
not the aspirational stuff - what happens when things get messy.
who decides, what breaks down, where signals disappear.
still messy, but it’s helping.
if you’re thinking about this too, would love to hear what’s landing for you.
not the aspirational stuff - what happens when things get messy.
who decides, what breaks down, where signals disappear.
still messy, but it’s helping.
if you’re thinking about this too, would love to hear what’s landing for you.
trust isn’t something you say - it’s something you design.
it’s in the quiet layers: who gets looped in, how tradeoffs are made, what happens when values clash.
you can’t slap it on later.
wrote more here if you're into this: tinyurl.com/nys4w2cu
#trustbydesign
it’s in the quiet layers: who gets looped in, how tradeoffs are made, what happens when values clash.
you can’t slap it on later.
wrote more here if you're into this: tinyurl.com/nys4w2cu
#trustbydesign
Trust Isn't a Brand. It's a System. How early-stage decisions shape whether your product actually holds.
When the pressure hits, trust isn’t built through messaging - it’s revealed by your mechanics. This piece unpacks how to design for trust early, before anything ships. For founders, operators, and sys...
tinyurl.com
June 10, 2025 at 2:25 PM
trust isn’t something you say - it’s something you design.
it’s in the quiet layers: who gets looped in, how tradeoffs are made, what happens when values clash.
you can’t slap it on later.
wrote more here if you're into this: tinyurl.com/nys4w2cu
#trustbydesign
it’s in the quiet layers: who gets looped in, how tradeoffs are made, what happens when values clash.
you can’t slap it on later.
wrote more here if you're into this: tinyurl.com/nys4w2cu
#trustbydesign
Reposted by Erika Randall
Hear from Jennifer, our COO, about crying through Come From Away (as you do), finding kinship in Canada and why she joined the Gander team.
#GetToKnowGander #HinterlandWhosWho
#GetToKnowGander #HinterlandWhosWho
June 5, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Hear from Jennifer, our COO, about crying through Come From Away (as you do), finding kinship in Canada and why she joined the Gander team.
#GetToKnowGander #HinterlandWhosWho
#GetToKnowGander #HinterlandWhosWho
Reposted by Erika Randall
Creators build community online but rarely get a say in how the platforms they use work.
Let’s change that.
Join us June 25 @ Beauchamp Art Gallery for a free Creator Jam as part of Toronto Tech Week.
RSVP and shape the tools you need to reach your people. Space is limited. lu.ma/9ibyo92a
Let’s change that.
Join us June 25 @ Beauchamp Art Gallery for a free Creator Jam as part of Toronto Tech Week.
RSVP and shape the tools you need to reach your people. Space is limited. lu.ma/9ibyo92a
Gander Social Creator Jam · Luma
Gander Social invites creators, builders, and open source enthusiasts of all kinds to join us as we co-create our tools and platform features. Got some ideas…
lu.ma
May 26, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Creators build community online but rarely get a say in how the platforms they use work.
Let’s change that.
Join us June 25 @ Beauchamp Art Gallery for a free Creator Jam as part of Toronto Tech Week.
RSVP and shape the tools you need to reach your people. Space is limited. lu.ma/9ibyo92a
Let’s change that.
Join us June 25 @ Beauchamp Art Gallery for a free Creator Jam as part of Toronto Tech Week.
RSVP and shape the tools you need to reach your people. Space is limited. lu.ma/9ibyo92a
Care doesn’t always get cut on purpose.
Sometimes it just gets optimized out.
This one’s about mission lock - the structure that keeps your purpose from getting edged out under pressure.👇
erikarandall.substack.com/p/designing-...
#MissionLock #EthicalBusiness #PurposeDriven
Sometimes it just gets optimized out.
This one’s about mission lock - the structure that keeps your purpose from getting edged out under pressure.👇
erikarandall.substack.com/p/designing-...
#MissionLock #EthicalBusiness #PurposeDriven
Mission Lock: How Purpose-Driven Orgs Stay Aligned Under Pressure
When care slips through the cracks, structure is what holds it.This post explores how mission lock helps values stay intact - especially when growth, funding, or momentum test your integrity.
erikarandall.substack.com
May 27, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Care doesn’t always get cut on purpose.
Sometimes it just gets optimized out.
This one’s about mission lock - the structure that keeps your purpose from getting edged out under pressure.👇
erikarandall.substack.com/p/designing-...
#MissionLock #EthicalBusiness #PurposeDriven
Sometimes it just gets optimized out.
This one’s about mission lock - the structure that keeps your purpose from getting edged out under pressure.👇
erikarandall.substack.com/p/designing-...
#MissionLock #EthicalBusiness #PurposeDriven
Reposted by Erika Randall
Nice way to wake up today. Thanks @nadrescher.bsky.social @thelogic.co for the article.
It’s paywalled (but free with a trial). Happy to answer questions.
Thanks @bmann.ca @blaine.bsky.social @walkah.social @bad-example.com for the support!
thelogic.co/news/gander-...
It’s paywalled (but free with a trial). Happy to answer questions.
Thanks @bmann.ca @blaine.bsky.social @walkah.social @bad-example.com for the support!
thelogic.co/news/gander-...
Canada is building its own social network - The Logic
Gander Social aims to be a social network where users, not algorithms, set the tone—and where content moderation is based on Canadian laws.
thelogic.co
May 23, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Nice way to wake up today. Thanks @nadrescher.bsky.social @thelogic.co for the article.
It’s paywalled (but free with a trial). Happy to answer questions.
Thanks @bmann.ca @blaine.bsky.social @walkah.social @bad-example.com for the support!
thelogic.co/news/gander-...
It’s paywalled (but free with a trial). Happy to answer questions.
Thanks @bmann.ca @blaine.bsky.social @walkah.social @bad-example.com for the support!
thelogic.co/news/gander-...
Sarah Wynn-Williams’ Careless People shows care is never an afterthought. We build stories faster than systems. Systems crack when care is bolted on later.
Embed care as infrastructure from day one. How will you embed it?
Read more: medium.com/@erikarandal...
#CareAsInfrastructure #EthicalTech
Embed care as infrastructure from day one. How will you embed it?
Read more: medium.com/@erikarandal...
#CareAsInfrastructure #EthicalTech
What Ethical Tech Can Still Learn From Careless People
What a memoir from inside Facebook reveals about how care erodes in systems, and what we can still design to protect.
medium.com
May 20, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Sarah Wynn-Williams’ Careless People shows care is never an afterthought. We build stories faster than systems. Systems crack when care is bolted on later.
Embed care as infrastructure from day one. How will you embed it?
Read more: medium.com/@erikarandal...
#CareAsInfrastructure #EthicalTech
Embed care as infrastructure from day one. How will you embed it?
Read more: medium.com/@erikarandal...
#CareAsInfrastructure #EthicalTech
OpenAI’s for-profit arm is now a Public Benefit Corporation.
Not just restructuring - this is a case study in how power, purpose & profit collide.
Mission without structure is marketing.
Structure without accountability is theatre.
Let’s see what this becomes.
tinyurl.com/yw5ad5wa #OpenAI #Tech
Not just restructuring - this is a case study in how power, purpose & profit collide.
Mission without structure is marketing.
Structure without accountability is theatre.
Let’s see what this becomes.
tinyurl.com/yw5ad5wa #OpenAI #Tech
OpenAI says nonprofit will retain control of company, bowing to outside pressure
OpenAI will continue to be controlled by a nonprofit as it restructures into a commercial entity, the AI startup said on Monday.
www.cnbc.com
May 6, 2025 at 6:35 PM
OpenAI’s for-profit arm is now a Public Benefit Corporation.
Not just restructuring - this is a case study in how power, purpose & profit collide.
Mission without structure is marketing.
Structure without accountability is theatre.
Let’s see what this becomes.
tinyurl.com/yw5ad5wa #OpenAI #Tech
Not just restructuring - this is a case study in how power, purpose & profit collide.
Mission without structure is marketing.
Structure without accountability is theatre.
Let’s see what this becomes.
tinyurl.com/yw5ad5wa #OpenAI #Tech
Now this is what I call Canadian content 🇨🇦
Every Canadian Election I approach all the different party leaders and see if they will do an interview / Hip Flip. Here's a clip of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Check out the *FULL* interview at youtu.be/TZmh_PNMImE Doot doo !
April 10, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Now this is what I call Canadian content 🇨🇦
Reposted by Erika Randall
Every Canadian Election I approach all the different party leaders and see if they will do an interview / Hip Flip. Here's a clip of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Check out the *FULL* interview at youtu.be/TZmh_PNMImE Doot doo !
April 10, 2025 at 5:14 AM
Every Canadian Election I approach all the different party leaders and see if they will do an interview / Hip Flip. Here's a clip of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Check out the *FULL* interview at youtu.be/TZmh_PNMImE Doot doo !
“Build Canadian” shouldn’t just mean protect what exists. It should mean invest in what’s next.
But what are we actually building?
On B Corps, resilience, and a better blueprint for Canada’s economy.
tinyurl.com/mwdywm4k
#cdnecon #BCorp #economicresilience #cdnbiz
But what are we actually building?
On B Corps, resilience, and a better blueprint for Canada’s economy.
tinyurl.com/mwdywm4k
#cdnecon #BCorp #economicresilience #cdnbiz
What Are We Actually Building?
On B Corps, tariffs, and a different vision for Canada’s economy
tinyurl.com
April 8, 2025 at 5:09 PM
“Build Canadian” shouldn’t just mean protect what exists. It should mean invest in what’s next.
But what are we actually building?
On B Corps, resilience, and a better blueprint for Canada’s economy.
tinyurl.com/mwdywm4k
#cdnecon #BCorp #economicresilience #cdnbiz
But what are we actually building?
On B Corps, resilience, and a better blueprint for Canada’s economy.
tinyurl.com/mwdywm4k
#cdnecon #BCorp #economicresilience #cdnbiz
B Corp Month 🤝 Women’s History Month
Economic decisions don’t exist in a vacuum. Tariffs, job cuts, sustainability policies—each one ripples outward shaping caregiving, community stability, & whose work gets valued.
These aren’t separate conversations.
tiny.cc/cqxc001
#BCorp #WomensHistoryMonth
Economic decisions don’t exist in a vacuum. Tariffs, job cuts, sustainability policies—each one ripples outward shaping caregiving, community stability, & whose work gets valued.
These aren’t separate conversations.
tiny.cc/cqxc001
#BCorp #WomensHistoryMonth
B Corp Month 🤝 Women's History Month: Why the Intersection Matters
What happens when B Corp Month meets Women's History Month? We're exploring why intersectionality isn't theoretical - it's a practical business imperative.
tiny.cc
March 11, 2025 at 6:33 PM
B Corp Month 🤝 Women’s History Month
Economic decisions don’t exist in a vacuum. Tariffs, job cuts, sustainability policies—each one ripples outward shaping caregiving, community stability, & whose work gets valued.
These aren’t separate conversations.
tiny.cc/cqxc001
#BCorp #WomensHistoryMonth
Economic decisions don’t exist in a vacuum. Tariffs, job cuts, sustainability policies—each one ripples outward shaping caregiving, community stability, & whose work gets valued.
These aren’t separate conversations.
tiny.cc/cqxc001
#BCorp #WomensHistoryMonth
This moment will define us.
Will we hold a grudge against our largest trading partner, or use this as a chance to rebuild and future-proof our economy?
One path leads to short bursts of anger; the other leads to a deeper rethink of how we do business.
#cdnpoli #tariffs #betterbusiness
Will we hold a grudge against our largest trading partner, or use this as a chance to rebuild and future-proof our economy?
One path leads to short bursts of anger; the other leads to a deeper rethink of how we do business.
#cdnpoli #tariffs #betterbusiness
🇨🇦 Canada’s Tariff Reckoning Is Here. Will We Waste It?
The U.S. thought we’d absorb the hit. Instead, we’re pushing back. This isn’t just about tariffs. It’s about who controls our economy, our industries & our future.
➡️ Read the full breakdown: tinyurl.com/3dca49au
#cdnpoli #tariffs #BuyCanadian
The U.S. thought we’d absorb the hit. Instead, we’re pushing back. This isn’t just about tariffs. It’s about who controls our economy, our industries & our future.
➡️ Read the full breakdown: tinyurl.com/3dca49au
#cdnpoli #tariffs #BuyCanadian
From Reckoning to Action: Canada’s Response Now That Tariffs Are in Effect
Canadians have already started shifting — from grocery aisles to supply chains. The question now is: what comes next?
tinyurl.com
March 6, 2025 at 8:21 PM
This moment will define us.
Will we hold a grudge against our largest trading partner, or use this as a chance to rebuild and future-proof our economy?
One path leads to short bursts of anger; the other leads to a deeper rethink of how we do business.
#cdnpoli #tariffs #betterbusiness
Will we hold a grudge against our largest trading partner, or use this as a chance to rebuild and future-proof our economy?
One path leads to short bursts of anger; the other leads to a deeper rethink of how we do business.
#cdnpoli #tariffs #betterbusiness
Reposted by Erika Randall
“Seriously angry grannies” = aging goals
Elbows up! 'Seriously angry grannies' and 'menopause mafia' protest Trump in Ottawa | CBC News
Heavy snow did not deter several dozen protesters from demonstrating outside the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa on Tuesday to voice their opposition to President Donald Trump's policies towards Canada, Ukrain...
www.cbc.ca
March 5, 2025 at 2:42 PM
“Seriously angry grannies” = aging goals
🇨🇦 Canada’s Tariff Reckoning Is Here. Will We Waste It?
The U.S. thought we’d absorb the hit. Instead, we’re pushing back. This isn’t just about tariffs. It’s about who controls our economy, our industries & our future.
➡️ Read the full breakdown: tinyurl.com/3dca49au
#cdnpoli #tariffs #BuyCanadian
The U.S. thought we’d absorb the hit. Instead, we’re pushing back. This isn’t just about tariffs. It’s about who controls our economy, our industries & our future.
➡️ Read the full breakdown: tinyurl.com/3dca49au
#cdnpoli #tariffs #BuyCanadian
From Reckoning to Action: Canada’s Response Now That Tariffs Are in Effect
Canadians have already started shifting — from grocery aisles to supply chains. The question now is: what comes next?
tinyurl.com
March 5, 2025 at 3:50 PM
🇨🇦 Canada’s Tariff Reckoning Is Here. Will We Waste It?
The U.S. thought we’d absorb the hit. Instead, we’re pushing back. This isn’t just about tariffs. It’s about who controls our economy, our industries & our future.
➡️ Read the full breakdown: tinyurl.com/3dca49au
#cdnpoli #tariffs #BuyCanadian
The U.S. thought we’d absorb the hit. Instead, we’re pushing back. This isn’t just about tariffs. It’s about who controls our economy, our industries & our future.
➡️ Read the full breakdown: tinyurl.com/3dca49au
#cdnpoli #tariffs #BuyCanadian
“Buy Canadian” isn’t just a slogan—it’s a shift.
Canadians are checking labels, swapping products, & taking back control of our economy.
I just published a deep dive into why this moment is bigger than tariffs.
📖 Read it here: tinyurl.com/4ckv9a59
#BuyCanadian #Tariffs #CanadianEconomy #cdnpoli
Canadians are checking labels, swapping products, & taking back control of our economy.
I just published a deep dive into why this moment is bigger than tariffs.
📖 Read it here: tinyurl.com/4ckv9a59
#BuyCanadian #Tariffs #CanadianEconomy #cdnpoli
Buying Canadian Isn’t Just a Trend. It’s a Reckoning.
How U.S. Tariffs Are Sparking a Wave of Canadian Consumer Power (And How You Can Join It)
medium.com
March 4, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Toronto Pride loses corporate funding, and companies are gutting equity and inclusion efforts. When budgets tighten, values shouldn’t be the first to go.
How do we stay aligned in tough times?
tinyurl.com/yc675mys
#TorontoPride #equity #canadianbusiness
How do we stay aligned in tough times?
tinyurl.com/yc675mys
#TorontoPride #equity #canadianbusiness
How to Stay Stakeholder-Aligned When Budgets Are Tight
Budget pressure is real. Here’s how to stay aligned anyway, without losing trust or cutting what matters most.
erikarandall.substack.com
March 4, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Toronto Pride loses corporate funding, and companies are gutting equity and inclusion efforts. When budgets tighten, values shouldn’t be the first to go.
How do we stay aligned in tough times?
tinyurl.com/yc675mys
#TorontoPride #equity #canadianbusiness
How do we stay aligned in tough times?
tinyurl.com/yc675mys
#TorontoPride #equity #canadianbusiness
🎉 Congrats to Meta for proving, once again, that "efficiency" means cutting jobs while execs cash in.
Some companies actually do things differently. Let’s talk about it.
📖 Read the full breakdown: tinyurl.com/3p65httw
#MetaLayoffs #Bcorp #BetterBusiness
Some companies actually do things differently. Let’s talk about it.
📖 Read the full breakdown: tinyurl.com/3p65httw
#MetaLayoffs #Bcorp #BetterBusiness
Meta Just Laid Off 3,600 People to Protect Executive Bonuses. A B Corp Would Never.
Layoffs aren’t inevitable - they’re a choice. What if businesses prioritized people over stock prices?
erikarandall.substack.com
February 25, 2025 at 6:18 PM
🎉 Congrats to Meta for proving, once again, that "efficiency" means cutting jobs while execs cash in.
Some companies actually do things differently. Let’s talk about it.
📖 Read the full breakdown: tinyurl.com/3p65httw
#MetaLayoffs #Bcorp #BetterBusiness
Some companies actually do things differently. Let’s talk about it.
📖 Read the full breakdown: tinyurl.com/3p65httw
#MetaLayoffs #Bcorp #BetterBusiness