Amid a global pandemic, Holly Diamond faced the daunting task of sustaining her family’s Korean restaurant in New York City, which she opened out of necessity to provide job security for her parents, who are first-generation immigrants with language barriers. During this time, she recognized the inadequacies of existing hiring platforms, which were cumbersome, corporate-centric, and inefficient. Motivated by her personal experiences and a deep commitment to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8—promoting decent work and economic growth—Holly founded WorkOnward. This innovative, map-based job platform is transforming how local employers connect with hourly workers, fostering thriving communities and supporting sustainable economic development.

Holly Diamond’s Journey and Vision:

Holly Diamond, the Founder & CEO of WorkOnward, boasts a rich and diverse background. She started her career as a recruiter in 2015 and later founded DHD Consulting, a successful recruiting business. Although she initially pursued a graduate program in social work, she left to focus on her burgeoning recruiting business. Holly’s passion for human rights and social justice was further nurtured during her studies at Fordham University, where she learned about the SDG goals during a United Nations tour in 2018.

Her unique life path and firsthand experience navigating the hiring landscape during the pandemic inspired her to create a solution prioritizing people over processes. Holly’s unwavering dedication to the dignity of hourly work and her belief in its significance as the backbone of American labor led to the birth of WorkOnward.

Commitment to SDG 8:

SDG 8 aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work. Holly’s mission with WorkOnward is deeply aligned with these objectives. By developing a platform that simplifies the hiring process for small businesses and enhances job opportunities for hourly workers, she is making a tangible impact on local economies and fostering community resilience.

The Birth of WorkOnward:

WorkOnward was bootstrapped from imagination, with its development incubated back in 2021. Holly’s determination to address the inefficiencies and frustrations of traditional hiring methods culminated in creating a transparent, user-friendly platform. WorkOnward offers a comprehensive suite of features to streamline the job search and hiring process, making it the most intuitive local job platform ever built.

Key Features and Benefits:

• Transparent Online Marketplace: WorkOnward shifts the focus from resumes to people, providing a transparent hiring process that includes a job search, a candidate search, an in-built interview scheduler, an application tracker, and a transparent offer process.

• Cost-Effective Hiring: With a pay-as-you-go service model, WorkOnward allows businesses to save money by using the platform only when needed, making it an economical choice for small businesses.

• Community Focus: The platform connects local employers with local talent, strengthening community ties and promoting neighborhood economic growth.

• User-Friendly Interface: Designed to eliminate the complexities of traditional hiring platforms, WorkOnward ensures a seamless and intuitive experience for job seekers and employers.

• Enhanced Job Matching: Advanced algorithms ensure job seekers are matched with positions that align with their skills and preferences, leading to higher job satisfaction and retention rates.

• Vetted and Verified: A thorough vetting process ensures a safe and reliable environment, free from scams and spam, fostering trust between employers and job seekers.

  
  

Supporting Small, Local Businesses:

WorkOnward is especially supportive of small, local businesses and startups. The platform's focus on connecting local talent with local employers helps businesses find suitable candidates quickly and effortlessly. This approach saves time and money, strengthens community ties, and fosters local economic growth.

Impact and Future Plans:

WorkOnward’s impact extends far beyond providing a hiring platform. Holly’s vision includes ongoing community engagement, strategic collaborations with local business associations, and advocacy for policies that support fair employment practices. The platform’s commitment to transparency and efficiency has already begun to make a difference in local economies, reducing unemployment and supporting sustainable community development.

As WorkOnward continues to grow, it aims to expand its reach, enhancing its technology and features to serve its users better. Plans include integrating more advanced AI-driven tools to improve job matching and onboarding processes, expanding into new markets, and building stronger partnerships with community organizations to support local economies further.

Holly Diamond’s commitment to the UN’s SDG 8 principle of decent work and economic growth has been the driving force behind WorkOnward. By addressing hourly workers' and small businesses' unique needs, WorkOnward exemplifies how innovative thinking and a dedication to sustainable development can create lasting positive change. Holly’s journey from restaurateur to tech founder underscores her unwavering belief in community power and work dignity.

Contact Information:

For more information about WorkOnward and Holly Diamond’s mission, please contact:

WorkOnward Media Person
Email: media@workonward.com
Website: www.workonward.com

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