August 2024
Message from the CEO
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
As we celebrate the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, I am deeply honored to extend a heartfelt welcome to each of you. This day is a profound reminder of the rich tapestry of cultures, traditions, and wisdom that Indigenous peoples contribute to our global community. It is a moment for us to pause, reflect, and renew our commitment to supporting and uplifting these vibrant cultures.
"We need indigenous communities for a better world... Indigenous Peoples are inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of relating to people and the environment."
- United Nations on the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples this August 9th, 2024.
Indigenous peoples have been stewards of our planet long before many of us realized the deep connection between people and nature. Their resilience, knowledge, and traditions offer valuable lessons in sustainability, respect, and harmony. As we mark this day, we are reminded of Indigenous communities' crucial role in shaping a future that honors our collective heritage while creating new paths forward.
At ATS+Partners, we are dedicated to integrating these principles into our projects and partnerships. We are committed to ensuring that our initiatives not only achieve economic success but also contribute positively to the communities we serve. This includes advocating for the rights and traditions of Indigenous peoples, incorporating their insights into our strategies, and fostering environments where their voices are not just heard but actively shaping our approach.
Today, we honor the resilience and wisdom of Indigenous cultures by reflecting on how we can support and amplify their contributions. Let us recommit ourselves to learning from their experiences and incorporating their perspectives into our work. By doing so, we not only enrich our understanding but also strengthen the impact of our collective efforts.
Enjoy,
Aquila Leon-Soon
Team Member Spotlight
As we celebrate our 11th year in business, we asked our team members to share some of their fond moments with the team and lessons learned.
In this edition of our newsletter, we spotlight Nisreen Aga, Manager, Recruitment at ATS+Partners, who began her journey with the company as a Staffing Coordinator a couple of years ago and quickly discovered her true passion for recruitment.
Question: What makes ATS+Partners an employer of choice for experienced professionals like you? What influenced your decision to rejoin the team?
What I enjoy most about working at ATS+Partners is how I can take complete ownership of my work. Leadership trusts me to do my job as a professional and to reach out when I need help. The culture is very supportive; we are a small team so we rely on each other to complete different parts of the project and more often than not things come together seamlessly because roles are made clear. When I have the space to be creative in my work while also having some structure to guide me, I thrive. My voice is heard and valued. That is why I decided to rejoin the team.
Question: With ATS+Partners celebrating its 11th year in business, what lessons have you learned?
This is my 8th year working at ATS+Partners and I have seen various growth stages of the company. I have grown from being a Staffing Associate to currently the Recruitment Manager, where I now lead senior-level executive searches. I have learned so much and continue to be exposed to many opportunities for professional growth.
I admire Aquila our CEO for her tenacity, wisdom, grit, and steadfast leadership throughout all the challenging times, especially COVID-19 where we had to make a strong pivot from staffing to executive searches. I learned from her how important it is to pause and look around you - see what is working and what is not - restructure and then press on stronger.
CEO on the Go
Aquila with The BOW Collective at the White House
What we admire about our CEO and Founder, Aquila Leon-Soon, is her unwavering commitment to advancing the welfare of Black women-owned businesses.
We appreciate The BOW Collective and its members advocating equity and inclusion in federal contracting. Through their hard work, they address racial disparities in government spending to Black businesses and help create more jobs, ultimately making a significant difference.
Connect with Aquila today! She is ready to meet you over coffee (or tea) when possible. Be sure to look for upcoming events where our CEO might be.