Elaine Marino (she/her/ella), Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Meltwater and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about paid leave for period pain, rocking true access in our national parks, queer rights protection in Illinois, and more!
Elaine Marino (she/her/ella), Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Meltwater and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about paid leave for period pain, rocking true access in our national parks, queer rights protection in Illinois, and more!
Here are this week's good vibes:
Good Vibes to Go:
Bernadette’s GVTG: Looking for a light, fun TV series? Check out Acupulco on Apple TV. The dialogue is in English and Spanish and it's a great celebration of family and culture.
Elaine’s GVTG: Listen to or read “Born a Crime”, Trevor Noah’s memoir. Listening to it is ideal as he is hilarious as he tells stories from his childhood growing up in South Africa.
Introduction
Bernadette Smith:
In this week's episode, I'm joined by Elaine Marino (she/her), Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Meltwater and founder of the Lady Coders Conference. She’s also a yoga-on-the-rocks devotee and caregiver to elderly parents.
This week, our conversation is about paid leave for period pain, rocking true access in our national parks, queer rights protections in Illinois, and more. Elaine, welcome to the show.
Elaine Marino:
Oh, thank you for having me, Bernadette. This is really special. I'm so excited to be here.
Background + Career Journey
Bernadette Smith:
Thank you. I really enjoyed our conversation before we got started, and I'm excited to keep it going. Can you tell folks a little bit about yourself?
Elaine Marino:
Sure, absolutely. As you stated, I am the Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Meltwater. I sit in Denver, Colorado. I am married to a lovely man, and I’m a caregiver to my elderly parents who moved to Denver from my hometown of Los Angeles about eighteen months ago.
I’ve been practicing social responsibility, ESG, and DEIB for well over a decade. I actually came into this work as a career changer. I started in advertising—New York City and Los Angeles, one of those big jobs. Burnt out during the financial crisis of 2010, I moved to Boulder, Colorado, on a whim.
That led me into tech, where I was shocked to often be the only woman in the building. I felt very othered. Not intentionally—people were excited to have me—but being “the only and the lonely” is intimidating. From bathrooms that felt like men’s rooms to conferences with 3,000 attendees and only 20 women, the numbers were stark.
I began asking bigger questions: Where is everybody else? I was both an insider and outsider—welcomed, but different. That experience led me to speak out, launch the Lady Coders Conference, and eventually build a career in DEI.
Transition to Corporate DEI + CSR
Bernadette Smith:
Wow. That’s shocking.
Elaine Marino:
It is shocking. Half of women leave tech within five years. That was the statistic that fueled me. I created Lady Coders to help women and nonbinary developers find mentors and support.
Later, I launched a consulting firm, then went corporate—first as Director of D&I at Charles Schwab, which was an amazing experience.
Bernadette Smith:
That’s great. And your current title includes CSR, which is broader than DEI. Your company is global. Can you share what falls under your purview?
Elaine Marino:
Yes, absolutely. DEI always intertwined with foundation work and ESG, so my role expanded to include sustainability, environmental impact reporting, and stakeholder well-being.
Now, I track carbon emissions, work with HR partners to ensure equitable processes, and manage policies around promotion and mentoring—all on a global level.
Personal Reflection: Patience + Pickleball
Bernadette Smith:
In this week's Five Things newsletter, I wrote about August. It’s typically quiet for work, which means more pickleball. I even won gold in a tournament this past weekend!
Pickleball gives me a sense of belonging, but I’ve also noticed my biggest challenges come from impatience—on and off the court. My mantra: “I’m a patient pickler.” It’s funny, but it resonates.
Patience is such a gift. My commitment for the rest of the year is to focus on patience. Elaine, what about you?
Elaine Marino:
I love that. For me, it’s about “putting the rope down.” If you’re in a tug-of-war—conflict you can’t win or that overwhelms you—sometimes you just let go. It’s about ease, just like your focus on patience.
Good Vibes News Stories
Story 1: Portugal’s Menstrual Leave Law
Bernadette Smith:
Portugal enacted a law granting up to three paid days per month for workers with severe menstrual pain from endometriosis or adenomyosis. This is groundbreaking because it names conditions often dismissed as “just bad periods.”
Elaine Marino:
Yes! This is what destigmatization looks like—naming, validating, and honoring. When companies acknowledge pain instead of forcing employees to hide it, productivity and loyalty rise.
Story 2: Rocky Mountain National Park Accessibility
Bernadette Smith:
Rocky Mountain National Park has expanded accessibility with ADA-compliant picnic tables, accessible buses, and even winter-ready wheelchairs.
Elaine Marino:
This is close to my heart. My mom has mobility issues, and we’ve seen how much accessible design—like at Coors Field—can change lives. I can’t wait to take my parents to the park. It makes me proud to be a Coloradan.
Story 3: Live Nation Sensory-Friendly Venues
Bernadette Smith:
Live Nation certified 25 venues as sensory-friendly—the largest effort of its kind. Venues offer sensory bags, quiet zones, and trained crew.
Elaine Marino:
Amazing! Sixteen percent of the global population has a disability, many with sensory needs. I love their proud statement about certification—it shows leadership.
Story 4: Illinois LGBTQ+ Legal Hotline
Bernadette Smith:
Illinois launched the first statewide free legal hotline for LGBTQ+ residents, with $350,000 in support. It covers healthcare, discrimination, housing, benefits, and identity documents.
Elaine Marino:
That’s beautiful. It says: “You are seen, heard, and valued.” Even if only one person called (and many more will), it’s a powerful statement of inclusion.
Story 5: Princeton Expands Financial Aid
Bernadette Smith:
Princeton announced that families earning up to $250,000 won’t pay tuition. Those under $150,000 get full coverage. Huge news for middle-class families.
Elaine Marino:
This speaks to me personally. I grew up middle class and had to fight for financial aid to attend Georgetown. It’s nearly impossible for families without savings to afford elite schools. This move expands access and may help counteract declining Black and Latino enrollment since affirmative action ended.
Good Vibes to Go
Bernadette Smith:
My good vibe to go: check out Acapulco on Apple TV+. It’s bilingual, charming, and a total delight.
Elaine Marino:
I’m in! My good vibe to go is Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime. Listen to the audiobook—he performs it brilliantly. It’s insightful, funny, and powerful.
Closing
Bernadette Smith:
I agree—it’s a performance. Elaine, thank you for being such a delightful guest. How can folks connect with you?
Elaine Marino:
Find me on LinkedIn—just search Elaine Marino.
Bernadette Smith:
Perfect. Thank you so much. And folks, if you don’t already get the Five Things newsletter, you can subscribe at 5thingsdei.com. Thanks, and have a great week.