May 2, 2025 |

As we prepare to gather for Delivering Good’s annual Women of Impact Summit on June 4, we’re spotlighting women leaders who are shaping industries, redefining leadership, and building businesses that do good. Michelle Bacharach, founder and CEO of FindMine, shares her journey—from a pivotal moment on the beach to building a tech company rooted in creativity, efficiency, and impact. Her story reminds us that leadership often comes down to courage, clarity, and showing up with purpose every day.

Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that shaped your journey as a leader?

I love the beach and my birthday is in the summer, so I organized a group of friends to join me at the beach on the outskirts of New York City. The weather forecast in Manhattan was terrible—thunderstorms all day—but the forecast at the beach looked great. I messaged my friends to let them know we were still going. Some people worried and dropped out, but I stayed confident. When we arrived, the beach was beautiful. You could see a ring of dark clouds over the city, stopping just a mile away from where we were enjoying blue skies and sunshine.

Years later, after the pandemic, my husband told me he always remembered that beach day as a reflection of my leadership style: calm, persistent, and willing to take calculated risks. I think about that moment a lot as I continue to grow as a leader.

What inspired you to pursue the work you do today?

I started FindMine because I saw a gap. Brands put so much effort into their creative vision, but most shoppers never get to see it. Manual processes and limited resources prevent brands from applying that vision equally to every product across all the channels customers use.

We built technology to help brands scale that creativity automatically, so every customer has a better, more inspiring experience.

That idea of doing more with what you already have connects deeply with Delivering Good’s mission—making sure resources go further and reach people who need them.

What advice would you give to the next generation of women leaders?

First, know that it’s going to be hard. Especially if you’re trying to build something new or disrupt a space—like tech or startups—where the odds aren’t always in your favor, especially as a woman.

I didn’t want to believe that being a female founder would make things harder, but the data doesn’t lie. Less than 2% of venture funding goes to women, and late-stage fundraising can feel brutal.

Here’s what I’ve learned: you can’t control the system, but you can control how you show up in it.

Do the work—not for credit or titles, but because excellent work speaks for itself. The right people notice. Great investors, teammates, and customers care about the quality of what you build.

When things get tough (and they will!), lean on your community. Connect with other founders and women who understand. Benchmark. Commiserate. Laugh. It helps.

And finally, don’t wait to be chosen. If you see a gap, a problem, or something that needs to exist—go build it.

How do you define impact in your work and leadership?

Impact means making things better—for your team, your customers, and your community.

At FindMine, that means helping brands show up better for their customers while also improving the business: more revenue, more efficiency, less waste. It also means creating a company culture where people have autonomy, empathy for the customer, and care for one another.

Why do you believe supporting organizations like Delivering Good is important?

Because they solve multiple problems at once. They help people who need essential items right now and help brands put excess products to good use, rather than letting them go to waste.

That’s a smart, sustainable solution—and exactly the kind of impact more businesses should strive for.

There's also a tangible, visible result. Donating money can feel abstract, but donating goods or time through Delivering Good creates a direct 1:1 impact. That kind of experience creates a positive feedback loop: doing good feels good.

What excites you most about participating in this year’s Women of Impact Summit?

I’m excited to learn from other women who are building, leading, and driving change.

It’s a chance to share what’s working, be honest about what’s hard, and walk away with new ideas to bring back to our teams and communities.

Join Us June 4
The Women of Impact Summit is a day to celebrate and learn from bold leaders like Michelle who are pushing boundaries and creating lasting change. Join Delivering Good on June 4 for a powerful gathering of purpose-driven professionals and inspiring conversations about leadership, equity, and impact. We hope to see you there. Get tickets!