BEYOND BARRIERS: Recent Episodes
Beyond Barriers
If you are an ambitious woman who wants to dominate your career, then the Beyond Barriers podcast is for you. Discover why traditional career strategies are outdated, what skills are growing in demand, and how to stand up and stand out in the workplace.
In each episode, we interview industry influencers, and business leaders from top corporations who share their perspective on opportunities and challenges in the digital age. From inspiring stories to cutting-edge strategies, you’ll learn how to develop the skillset, mindset and toolset to accelerate your career success.
Leadership doesn’t come with instructions, it’s created piece by piece.
In this episode, Chastity Lord, President & CEO of the Jeremiah Program, reveals how she has built a career by embracing uncertainty, dismantling inequities, and leading with courage.
From her early years as a first-generation college graduate raised by a single mom, to leadership roles at The Posse Foundation, Achievement First, and Color of Change, Chastity has shaped opportunity at every level. Today, she leads Jeremiah Program, one of the most impactful organizations for single mothers and their children, growing it by more than 300% in just five years.
Tune in to learn how to lead when no roadmap exists, why storytelling is a powerful lever for systems change, and what it takes to design leadership that thrives in a world without blueprints.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [01:17] Chastity Lord's Leadership Journey [04:02] Early Life and Education [07:14] Career Beginnings and Mentorship [12:31] Joining the Jeremiah Program [14:38] Navigating Uncertainty and Leadership [25:10] Finding Comfort in Discomfort [26:07] Parenting and Leadership [26:46] Feedback and Public Leadership [28:34] Navigating Messy Leadership Moments [39:10] The Power of Community [40:00] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts
The strongest leaders aren’t defined by their titles—they’re defined by their ability to adapt, listen, and lead with humanity.
In this episode, Michele Smith, CEO of the Museum of Pop Culture, reveals how she built a career on resilience, authenticity, and courage.
From her start in contract negotiation to international business development, to helping the Woodland Park Zoo weather the storm of COVID-19, Michele’s story shows that leadership is less about having the answers and more about practicing presence, empathy, and trust. At MoPOP, she continues to expand cultural conversations by highlighting marginalized stories and creating spaces of belonging.
Tune in to learn how to lead with authenticity, why resilience is a muscle you build over time, and what it takes to create cultures where people feel valued and included.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] The Importance of Authentic Leadership [01:25] Meet Michelle Smith: A Journey of Leadership [03:11] The Value of Understanding Contracts [08:28] Leading the Museum of Pop Culture [11:55] Navigating Leadership Challenges [23:26] Building Confidence and Resilience [27:35] The Role of AI in Nonprofits [28:52] Crawl, Walk, Run: A Strategy for Policy Implementation [30:46] AI's Role in Shaping Pop Culture [42:26] Effective Meeting and Mentorship Practices [44:47] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts
Building confidence, navigating career detours, and leading with care takes more than ambition—it takes resilience, clarity, and heart.
In this episode, Claire O’Keefe, Partner and Head of Partner Development at Cerity Partners, shares how resilience, intuition, and care have shaped her unconventional journey from the classroom in Ireland to leadership in one of the fastest-growing independent wealth management firms in the country.
You’ll hear how Claire built confidence through practice, turned unexpected pivots into stepping stones, and discovered that leadership is ultimately about the people you grow and the legacy you leave behind.
Tune in to learn how to navigate detours with clarity, cultivate resilience through challenges, and lead with heart in every stage of your career.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] The Importance of Critical Feedback [01:12] Claire O'Keefe's Journey [05:16] Building Confidence and Resilience [12:34] Personal Branding and Leadership [15:41] Overcoming Fear and Embracing Growth [22:07] Welcoming New Colleagues with a Theme Song [23:09] Daily Rituals for a Balanced Life [25:53] Building Meaningful Relationships [29:42] Navigating the Hybrid Work World [31:45] Legacy and Leadership [34:56] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts
Balancing leadership, motherhood, and startup life takes more than time management—it takes clarity of purpose and the courage to lead differently.
In this episode, Amanda DeLuca, Founder & CEO of Riley, shares how clarity, empathy, and lived experience have shaped her journey from leadership roles at Google, Eventbrite, NerdWallet, and Etsy to launching a parenting platform that meets families where they are.
You’ll hear how Amanda transformed the challenges of early motherhood into a mission-driven business, built a culture of trust in high-growth environments, and learned to protect her priorities without losing momentum.
Tune in to discover how to turn personal insight into innovation, lead with empathy and accountability, and navigate life’s most demanding seasons with purpose.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] Empowering Failure and Innovation [01:17] Meet Amanda DeLuca: Career Journey [05:00] The Birth of Riley: Solving Parenting Challenges [13:23] Decision Making: Hats, Haircuts, and Face Tattoos [18:11] Leadership and Personal Growth [22:41] Balancing Public and Private Life [27:21] Balancing Work and Family Life [24:42] Leadership Lessons from Mentors [30:54] Handling Criticism and Emotional Reactions [33:14] Daily Rituals and Family Time [34:09] Empowerment Through Parenthood [37:53] Advice to My Younger Self [44:18] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts
Leadership growth doesn’t happen by accident—it happens when you shift from doing the work to empowering others, building trust, and leading with heart.
In this episode, Emily Portney shares lessons from her 30-year career in financial services—from starting as a rotational analyst at J.P. Morgan to becoming CFO of Barclays International, CFO of BNY Mellon, and now Global Head of Asset Servicing at BNY. Emily opens up about how she learned to delegate, lead through uncertainty, and create safe spaces for bold conversations. She shares why curiosity is her leadership superpower, how building trusted teams fuels growth, and why giving yourself grace is just as important as driving results.
Tune in to discover how to lead with influence, build resilience in the face of change, and become the kind of leader people trust and follow.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] Building Effective Teams [01:17] Introducing Emily Portney [02:14] Emily's Career Journey [03:40] Leadership Lessons and Styles [09:39] Navigating Change and Adaptability [15:20] Personal Branding and Authenticity [18:18] Building Confidence and Resilience [24:32] Navigating Unaskable Questions [26:02] Making Difficult Decisions [27:37] Managing a Dynamic Schedule [32:55] Building Strong Relationships [35:36] Mentorship and Sponsorship [39:03] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts
What if the parts of yourself you’ve been told to hide are actually your greatest leadership advantages?
In this episode, Becca Chambers—Chief Marketing Officer at Scale Venture Partners—shares how embracing neurodiversity and authenticity has shaped her journey from tech leader to one of LinkedIn’s most influential voices. With ADHD as her superpower, Becca has built award-winning brands, advised fast-growing startups, and reached millions by showing up fully as herself.
You’ll discover why working with your brain, not against it, is essential for growth, how authenticity builds trust, and why telling your story is your best strategy for advancing your career on your terms.
Tune in to explore how unmasking who you are can help you build a bold, meaningful career while leading with courage and impact.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] Understanding Neurodiversity [01:07] Meet Becca Chambers [02:22] The Oxford Comma Debate [04:30] Becca's Career Journey [08:41] Embracing Authenticity [10:54] Building a Personal Brand [19:40] Leadership and Resilience [22:51] Building Confidence and Resilience [24:06] Balancing Perfectionism and Decision Making [25:53] Advocating for Neurodiversity [37:38] The Importance of Networking [41:44] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts
Career growth doesn’t happen by accident—it happens when you take the stretch role, nurture your network, and build resilience along the way.
In this episode, Ann Bordelon shares how she went from advising Fortune 100 companies to leading finance at Sam’s Club and Walmart Asia, and now guides the University of Arkansas as Executive Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration. Ann opens up about saying yes to opportunities that scared her, how building genuine relationships became her secret weapon, and why self-care is non-negotiable for leaders at every level.
Tune in to discover how to transform fear into fuel, build a network that supports your ambitions, and take ownership of your career, one bold step at a time
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] Embracing Failure and Leadership [00:56] Meet Ann Bordelon: Career Highlights [02:42] Ann's Journey at Walmart [05:47] The Importance of Mentorship and Sponsorship [11:01] Navigating Career Twists and Turns [18:00] Building Confidence and Resilience [20:56] Decision Making and Input [21:28] Daily Habits and Self-Care [22:43] The Joy of Cycling [25:59] Facing Fear and Uncertainty [30:21] The Importance of Mentorship and Sponsorship [32:57] Evolving Work Environments [37:55] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts
What if the key to lasting success isn’t going faster—but knowing when to slow down?
In this episode, Melanie Steinbach—Chief People Officer at MasterClass—shares how courage, clarity, and career pacing have shaped her journey across executive roles at McDonald’s, Cameo, and now one of the world’s leading learning platforms.
You’ll hear how Melanie’s career has been marked by bold leaps, personal reinvention, and a commitment to learning over knowing. She opens up about navigating imposter syndrome, recovering from a painful setback, and what it really takes to lead with integrity through change.
Tune in to discover how to build confidence through curiosity, lead with self-awareness, and embrace the power of purpose at every stage of your career.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] Overcoming Imposter Syndrome [01:15] Meet Melanie Steinbach [03:27] Melanie's Career Journey [05:21] Career Lessons and Family [06:53] Navigating Career Challenges [17:28] The Importance of Learning [23:57] Daily Habits for Success [27:03] Management Hygiene and One-on-One Meetings [27:50] Research on Manager-Employee Relationships [30:49] Overcoming Failures and Setbacks [35:20] Creating Safe Work Environments [43:07] The Importance of Continuous Learning [46:09] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts
Success isn’t always about going bigger—it’s about getting clearer.
In this episode, internationally recognized yoga instructor, author, and creative visionary Alanna Zabel shares her remarkable journey from leading retreats and teaching yoga to building a global lifestyle brand—only to walk away from it all when it no longer aligned with her values.
You'll hear how Alanna transformed unexpected opportunities into impact-driven ventures, how she navigated public success with private purpose, and why she chose alignment over applause at every turning point.
Whether you’re building something new or rethinking your next step, this episode will remind you: staying true to who you are is the boldest move you can make.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:26] Personal Core Connection [01:07] Alanna Zabel's Journey [05:13] Current Projects and Future Goals [08:01] Navigating Challenges and Staying Grounded [11:42] Building Authentic Value [23:09] Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs [27:39] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts
What would it take to build a global movement that empowers millions of girls to change the world through technology?
In this episode, you’ll meet Tara Chklovski, the powerhouse behind Technovation—the world’s largest tech entrepreneurship program for girls.
Born in India and raised by women who shattered expectations, Tara shares how self-reliance, vision, and the courage to walk away from a PhD in aerospace engineering led her to launch a nonprofit that’s transforming lives in over 120 countries. With a bold new goal of equipping 25 million girls with AI and tech skills by 2030, she’s creating a future where innovation is driven by inclusion—not exclusion.
You’ll hear what it means to stay relevant in a world that’s changing faster than ever, why confidence is something you build, not something you’re given, and how creating—even in small ways—can transform your sense of purpose.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:26] The Importance of Staying Relevant as a Leader [01:01] Meet Tara Chklovski: Building a Global Movement [02:29] Tara's Personal Journey and Family Influence [03:40] Starting Fresh: From Aerospace to Nonprofit [05:14] The Birth of Technovation [09:43] Impact and Ripple Effects of Technovation [12:25] Leadership and Personal Branding [14:03] Facing the Future: Innovation and AI [20:15] Building Confidence Through Creation [21:28] Intentional Living and Decompression [21:59] Physical Strength and Social Support [25:38] Setting and Achieving Ambitious Goals [27:42] Sustaining Energy and Fighting for Equality [30:52] The Importance of Community and Self-Reliance [34:18] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts
What does it take to turn technical expertise into transformational leadership?
In this episode, you’ll meet Judy Toland, Vice President of Global Audience Marketing at Meta, whose journey from chemical engineer to executive leader proves that blending STEM smarts with people-first leadership is a powerful formula for success.
Judy opens up about her unconventional career path, sharing how curiosity, intentional reflection, and goal-setting helped her pivot across five industries — from automotive to finance to tech. Along the way, she’s faced big risks, taken up space in rooms where she was often the only one like her, and stayed grounded in her mission to lead with empathy and conviction.
Tune in to discover how to navigate career inflection points, balance ambition with authenticity, and engineer a career that aligns with your purpose.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [02:34] Judy's Early Life and Influences [03:58] From Engineering to Marketing: Career Transitions [09:54] The Importance of Sports and Resilience [12:41] Navigating Career Pivots and Mentorship [16:16] Balancing Personal and Professional Life [22:53] Early Morning Routine and Focus [23:39] Balancing Work and Personal Life [25:40] Overcoming Big Challenges [26:14] Taking Risks and Career Moves [33:55] Importance of Community and Support [36:24] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts
Leadership isn’t just about making decisions—it’s about listening deeply, building trust, and having the courage to grow through challenges. In this episode, Carrie Hansen, President and COO of AssetMark, shares her remarkable journey from a field hockey scholarship at Berkeley to leading global operations, scaling teams, and shaping the culture of a $130B investment platform.
Carrie opens up about what it really means to lead with heart. She reflects on her early days navigating financial services, the pivotal leadership lessons she learned managing teams in Japan at 28, and how humility, discipline, and a deep belief in people have shaped her career. You’ll learn why failing fast is a strength, how to cultivate a high-performing team, and how authenticity builds lasting influence—no matter your title.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [01:20] Carrie Hansen's Career Journey [02:41] Early Career Challenges and Lessons [06:04] Leadership and Team Building [06:52] Navigating Cultural Differences in Japan [13:33] Balancing Confidence and Humility [17:27] Decision Making and Risk Taking [22:36] Staying Ahead in the Financial Industry [24:14] Staying Informed and Learning Continuously [25:35] Balancing Work and Personal Life [28:45] Leading by Example [33:05] The Power of Community and Relationships [37:47] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts
What if the real key to success isn’t in following the path—but in rewriting it entirely?
In this episode, Salma Gottfried shares how she built a remarkable, multi-decade career by choosing authenticity over approval at every turn. From her early days as a modern dancer in Mexico City to leading high-profile marketing campaigns for global brands like Procter & Gamble and Gatorade, Salma has made bold moves fueled by creativity, purpose, and self-trust.
You’ll hear how she navigated inflection points with courage, why she left a successful corporate role to rediscover her creative voice, and how that leap led her to co-found Beautiful Beast, a cross-cultural agency redefining how brands connect through culture.
Tune in to learn how to trust your instincts, take intentional risks, and lead with authenticity—no matter where you are in your career journey.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] The Importance of Authenticity [01:20] Guest Introduction: Salma Gottfried [03:00] Salma's Career Journey [04:47] Lessons from Mentors [08:33] Founding Beautiful Beast [11:03] Navigating Career Inflection Points [15:38] The Role of Mentors in Career Growth [23:01] Building a Personal Brand [26:18] Cultivating Resilience [29:19] Daily Rituals and Goal Setting [32:19] Advice to My Younger Self [38:35] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts
Confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s built through effort, resilience, and a relentless commitment to growth. In this episode, you’ll hear how Leah Emkin, Chief Client Officer at Wilshire, went from not knowing what an RFP writer was to leading client teams at one of the most respected financial firms. Her story is proof that when you show up, stay curious, and do the hard work, you don’t just survive—you thrive.
Leah shares the mindset shifts and daily habits that helped her grow into a trusted leader, the power of staying in your lane while playing to your strengths, and how to handle rejection without losing momentum. If you’ve ever questioned whether you belong in the room or wondered how to lead with both empathy and grit, this conversation will give you the real talk—and reassurance—you need.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] Building Confidence Through Competence [01:07] Meet Leah Emkin: A Journey of Hard Work and Curiosity [03:48] Leah's Role and Responsibilities at Wilshire [05:16] Embracing Openness and Curiosity [12:42] Navigating Challenges and Building Resilience [16:48] Overcoming Limiting Beliefs and Imposter Syndrome [21:39] Gaining Perspective with Age [22:41] Daily Habits for Success [24:52] Navigating Parenthood and Flexibility [25:32] Building Strategic Relationships [26:49] The Importance of Mentorship [28:28] Women Supporting Women in Investments [29:44] Leveraging Community and Networks [30:51] Embracing Discomfort for Growth [33:23] Advice for Job Seekers [34:52] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts
Success isn’t a solo journey—it’s built through relationships, opportunities, and the courage to show up for others. In this episode, Corinne Milien, Founder & CEO of WRK, shares how she built a career rooted in impact, connection, and leadership.
A first-generation American, military veteran, and four-time founder, Corinne’s journey has taken her from the Air Force to working with legendary coach Pat Summitt, from managing high-profile events at ESPN to launching businesses that elevate people. Whether she’s advocating for diversity in sports, creating mentorship pipelines, or building an inclusive golf community, she’s proving that the right connections can change everything.
Tune in to learn how to harness the power of relationships, why community is the ultimate leadership advantage, and how to step into your own influence—no matter where you are in your career.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] The Power of Community [01:27] Meet Corinne Millen: A Journey of Determination [06:08] Leadership Lessons from Pat Summit [07:52] Military Service and Leadership [09:57] Navigating Corporate and Military Cultures [15:57] The People Plug: Building Connections [18:48] Golf and Networking: Breaking Traditions [23:11] Overcoming Imposter Syndrome [28:22] The Importance of In-Person Connections [29:40] Daily Rituals and Habits [35:36] Setting and Achieving Goals [42:33] Building and Relying on Community [45:56] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts
For decades, venture capital has been built around financial returns and rapid growth—but what if the true measure of success was the strength of the community behind it? In this episode, KT McBratney, General Partner and Head of Community at Renew Venture Capital, shares how they are challenging the traditional VC model and proving that impact and investment can go hand in hand.
KT’s career has been anything but traditional. From journalism to marketing to launching startups, they have navigated multiple industries by embracing curiosity, leading with empathy, and building networks that empower people. Now, they’re bringing that same mindset to venture capital—reshaping how firms operate, prioritizing inclusive investing, and ensuring that founders get the support they need beyond just funding. She also hosted Founded on Purpose, a podcast that spotlighted entrepreneurs proving that business can be a tool for change.
Find out why the best businesses are shifting toward trust, inclusion, and collaboration for long-term success. KT breaks down how investors, founders, and leaders can embed community into their work, and why the best businesses are the ones that put people first.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] The Importance of Communication in Relationships [01:07] Revolutionizing Venture Capital with KT McBrandtny [02:58] KT McBrandtny's Nonlinear Journey [04:39] The Role of General Partner and Head of Community [06:51] Leadership and Management: A Personal Perspective [10:56] Founders and Leadership in Modern Times [12:55] Personal Branding and Authenticity [16:01] Resilience and Confidence in Entrepreneurship [17:52] Celebrating Wins and Rewards [19:10] About the Founded on Purpose Podcast [20:26] The Importance of Team Dynamics [20:41] Balancing Founder and Investor Mindsets [21:39] Overcoming Limiting Beliefs and Imposter Syndrome [23:16] The Power of Taking Breaks and Reflection [25:24] Daily Habits and Finding Rhythm [28:34] Building and Maintaining Relationships [31:17] Innovating in Venture Capital [33:50] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts
In this episode, you’ll hear the extraordinary journey of Jenni Lewis, a trailblazing leader in diversity, equity and inclusion, who turned every setback into a stepping stone.
From starting her career in the mailroom at J.P. Morgan to becoming the Global Inclusion and Diversity Lead at Block, Jenni has built a career defined by bold moves, reinvention, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity. She shares how she took a leap from finance to marketing, launched a podcast before podcasting was mainstream, and even faced professional consequences for daring to center LGBTQ+ voices. Along the way, she learned that embracing discomfort and failing forward are the true catalysts for growth.
Jenni also opens up about a life-altering wake-up call—a helicopter crashing onto her office building—that forced her to rethink her career, relationships, and purpose. Whether you’re navigating a career pivot, stepping into leadership, or looking for the courage to take that next big risk, this episode will challenge and inspire you to rethink failure and see it as an essential part of success.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [01:00] Introducing Jenni Lewis: Breaking Barriers [03:49] Jenni's Journey: From Mailroom to Marketing [08:59] Embracing Failure and Finding Gratitude [16:03] The Role of Inclusion and Diversity in Leadership [20:03] Why Jenni Chose Block [24:11] Introduction to Momentum Metric Quiz [24:39] Navigational Skills Gap in First-Generation Professionals [25:01] Generational Differences in Workforce Integration [26:04] Strategic Career Advancement for Women and People of Color [27:15] Challenges in Networking and Soft Skills Development [31:16] Imposter Syndrome and Leadership Journey [34:31] Aha Moments and Personal Transformation [38:18] Reflection and Grounding Moments [40:32] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts
In this episode, explore the transformative power of embracing change with Trisha Daho, founder of Empowered Leadership Cultivation. Trisha opens up about leaving the security of a corporate leadership role to pursue her passion for building equitable and inclusive workplaces. Learn how self-reflection, mindset shifts, and courage can help you move beyond the limits of traditional career paths to create a life that aligns with your values and ambitions.
From lessons in resilience to building meaningful relationships and thriving in uncertain times, Trisha offers a candid and inspiring roadmap for finding your purpose. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re on the right path or wondered what it takes to pivot toward something new, this episode is for you.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [01:03] Meet Trish Daho: A Journey of Courage [02:11] Trish's Career Transformation [03:36] The Importance of Self-Reflection [04:47] Discovering True Passion and Alignment [06:26] Embracing Leadership and Excellence [08:06] Building a Personal Brand [14:56] Resilience and Overcoming Challenges [18:57] Daily Habits for Success [20:57] Creating Space for Strategic Thinking [21:44] Dealing with Setbacks [25:08] The Importance of In-Person Interactions [28:31] Building Strategic Relationships [35:06] Empowered: Culture and Leadership Development [37:04] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts
In this episode of Beyond Barriers, you’ll discover the transformative power of values-based leadership with Jackie Edmundson. Jackie shares her inspiring journey from selling sodas as a child entrepreneur to leading a cutting-edge performance marketing company. Guided by loyalty, genuine relationships, accountability, fun, and winning, Jackie has built a leadership philosophy rooted in empathy and authenticity.
Jackie opens up about navigating tough decisions, such as team restructurings during challenging economic times, and explains how staying true to her values has helped her deliver bad news with compassion and respect. She also dives into the importance of fostering a positive team culture, celebrating small wins, and leading with transparency to build trust and drive success.
Whether you're a rising professional or a seasoned leader, this episode will empower you to align your actions with your values, embrace courageous conversations, and lead with integrity
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [01:29] Jackie's Early Entrepreneurial Journey [02:29] The Importance of Communication [04:56] Aligning Career with Values [11:10] Building Confidence and Overcoming Fear [18:07] Transitioning to Leadership Roles [22:46] Authentic Leadership and Building Your Tribe [23:34] Breaking Down Barriers with Tough Leaders [24:49] The Power of Asking for Help [26:47] Staying Grounded as a CEO [30:52] Building Your Personal Brand [33:25] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts
In this episode of Beyond Barriers, you’ll hear a transformative conversation about balancing career ambition with the responsibilities of motherhood. Mel Goodman, a former corporate leader turned entrepreneur, shares her candid journey of navigating the challenges of building a career while raising two young daughters. Mel recounts how she reached her breaking point, burned out, and then rebuilt her life by embracing the idea of becoming the CEO of her own life.
You’ll learn about her powerful inside-out approach to redefining success, grounded in clarity, alignment with values, and a mindset shift toward prioritizing what truly matters. Mel discusses the realities of the mental load, societal pressures, and unspoken biases working moms face—and how she created WorkMom to help other women thrive without compromising their ambition or fulfillment. If you’re ready to reclaim your time, focus, and confidence, this episode is for you.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:26] Redefining Success: A Personal Journey [01:03] Challenges of Working Mothers [01:18] Mel Goodman's Story [03:10] Balancing Career and Motherhood [05:04] The Impact of COVID-19 [06:25] Realizations and New Beginnings [08:42] The Grow Framework [11:15] Integrating Life and Career [13:06] The Importance of Reflection and Clarity [19:10] Building Confidence and Resilience [23:17] Entrepreneurial Journey [25:06] Identifying the Need for a New Perspective on Working Motherhood [26:12] Building Confidence and Resilience as an Entrepreneur [26:18] Daily Habits and Rituals for Success [28:39] Balancing Work and Family Without Childcare [29:59] Empathy and Support for Working Parents in the Workplace [35:56] The Importance of Networking and Mentorship [46:17] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts
In this episode of Beyond Barriers, discover the driving forces behind entrepreneurial success as Hanna Kassis, a seasoned financial innovator and founder, shares his journey of resilience, self-belief, and focus. Hanna takes you through his evolution from a first-generation leader to a trailblazer in private credit markets, having raised over $1.4 billion and launched transformative businesses like OAREX Capital Markets and Babylon Asset Management.
Learn how unwavering focus and a disciplined mindset have helped him overcome challenges, navigate risk, and turn vision into reality. Whether you’re aiming to grow your career or build a business, this episode provides invaluable lessons in scaling success with clarity and precision.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:26] The Importance of Slowing Down [00:58] Meet Hanna Kassis: A Journey in Finance [02:11] Early Career and Entrepreneurial Beginnings [04:24] Lessons Learned in Business [06:27] Current Ventures and Business Philosophy [09:00] Leadership and Personal Growth [12:49] Navigating Cultural Identity and Ego [23:05] Building Resilience and Overcoming Challenges [26:15] The Importance of Forward Progress [26:25] Mentorship and Its Impact [28:20] Decision-Making and Risk-Taking [30:45] Trusting Your Gut [34:08] Goal Setting and Achievements [37:30] Building and Leveraging Your Network [40:59] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts
In this episode of Beyond Barriers, Charles Smith, an extraordinary leader, shares his inspiring journey from delivering mail to directing boardrooms. With grit, determination, and an unwavering commitment to equity, Charles recounts his rise from humble beginnings on Chicago’s west side to becoming the CEO and Founder of CS Insurance Strategies, a thriving national insurance brokerage.
Charles opens up about his childhood on Chicago’s west side, where he learned the power of community, love, and grit. He reveals how his ability to cultivate relationships, align values, and embrace resilience propelled him forward—even when others doubted his potential. As a champion for minority-owned businesses and equity-driven leadership, Charles highlights how businesses can thrive by fostering inclusive and transparent practices.
This episode will inspire you to take charge of your career, find strength in challenges, and create lasting change in your community and beyond.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] The Power of Patience [01:23] Charles Smith's Journey Begins [03:43] Early Life and Influences [06:05] Navigating Challenges and Building Relationships [11:00] From Mailroom to CEO [15:28] The Importance of Mentorship [19:30] Balancing Multiple Roles and Reflection [27:50] Reflecting on Teenage Parenthood [30:27] Setting and Achieving Goals [34:17] Navigating Relationships and Mentorship [38:09] Challenges and Opportunities in Business [41:07] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts
In this episode of Beyond Barriers, we explore a transformative journey with Deborah Kilpatrick, Ph.D., Executive Chair of Evidation Health. From humble beginnings in rural Georgia to breaking ground in Silicon Valley’s health tech landscape, Deborah’s career reflects a powerful philosophy: that true success is about surpassing one’s self. Inspired by her father’s role as a high school football coach, Deborah leads with a coaching mindset, motivating her team to reach their potential. She shares how this approach has fueled her impactful journey and commitment to lifelong growth.
Deborah offers valuable lessons on fostering impact, building supportive networks, and defining your own success. Tune in to discover how Deborah’s dedication to impact, self-competition, and lifelong growth offers a roadmap for creating a career with purpose and resilience.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:26] Taking the First Step [00:48] Redefining Success with Deborah Kilpatrick [02:35] Deborah's Journey from Rural Georgia to Silicon Valley [06:56] Building Evidation Health [10:13] Leadership and Mentorship [13:36] Navigating Career Transitions [19:09] The Importance of In-Person Interaction [24:47] Peer Mentoring and Professional Growth [26:58] Overcoming Intimidation: Building Confidence [28:46] The College Experience: Thriving in a New Environment [31:42] Empowering the Next Generation: Female Representation in Engineering [35:14] Daily Routines: The Power of Consistency [38:22] Building Meaningful Relationships: Key Influences [40:48] MedTech Women: Changing the Conversation [45:34] Lightning Round: Personal Insights and Legacy
In this episode of Beyond Barriers, Hanan Dakhil, Director of DEI at Canyon Partners, reflects on her non-linear career journey. With over 20 years at the firm, Hanan shares how determination, mentorship, and self-advocacy helped her pivot from a research assistant to a leadership role that was not initially part of the firm's structure when she began.
Along the way, she overcame self-doubt, navigated work-life integration as a mother, and embraced just-in-time learning to develop new skills. Hanan also reveals how her background in political science and international relations sparked her passion for philanthropy, mentorship, and community empowerment, leading her to champion initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion at Canyon Partners.
Hanan’s journey is a powerful reminder that embracing uncertainty and leaning into your strengths can create impact not only for yourself but for others. If you're ready to reinvent your career or make a difference, Hanan’s insights will inspire you to stay committed and forge your own path.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:30] The Source of True Confidence [01:13] Meet Hanan Dakhil: A Journey of Determination [02:56] Hanan's Professional Growth at Canyon Partners [03:54] Navigating Career Challenges and Parenthood [06:10] Finding Passion and Purpose Outside Canyon [08:22] The Power of Mentorship and Sponsorship [13:39] Overcoming Self-Doubt and Building Confidence [18:30] Continuous Learning and Staying Ahead [20:52] Strategic Approach to Workplace Enhancement [21:26] Balancing High-Stress Work and Family Life [24:03] Daily Habits for Success [26:38] Building and Leveraging Community [29:14] Lightning Round: Personal Insights
In this episode of Beyond Barriers, Naseem Sayani, Co-Founder and General Partner at Emmeline Ventures, shares her powerful journey from consulting to venture capital, revealing how trusting her instincts has led her to make bold decisions in high-stakes environments. You’ll learn how Naseem’s ability to blend intuition with innovation has helped her identify game-changing founders and direct capital toward marginalized groups in venture capital.
Naseem shares insights into how her fund drives industry transformation through investments in women-led businesses across key sectors like women’s health, fintech, and sustainability. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, an investor, or a leader navigating your career, Naseem’s story will inspire you to embrace uncertainty and lead with impact.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] Embracing New Challenges [00:51] Introducing Naseem Sayani [01:16] Trusting Your Gut in Leadership [02:02] Naseem's Career Journey [03:37] The Power of Instinct in Venture Capital [04:46] Building a Diverse Investment Portfolio [06:20] The Importance of Taking Bold Risks [07:27] Navigating Career Transitions [13:59] The Role of Travel in Gaining Clarity [16:10] Building a Personal Brand [19:36] Overcoming Career Obstacles [24:15] Realizing the Power of Gender Leverage [26:01] Making Tough Decisions and Taking Risks [26:57] The Role of Transparency in Decision Making [28:14] The Importance of Vision in Pitching [36:41] Building Strategic Relationships [42:16] Lightning Round: Personal Insights and Reflections
In this inspiring episode, Sarah Dusek, managing partner at Enygma Ventures and author of Thinking Bigger, shares her life story of scaling businesses with clarity and purpose. From her early days as a non-profit leader to founding the wildly successful Under Canvas, Sarah’s path to the top was defined by her unwavering commitment to what she truly wanted in life. Now, through her venture capital firm, Sarah is empowering women entrepreneurs to think bigger, build scalable ventures, and access the resources they need to succeed.
You’ll discover how Sarah transitioned from a small business mindset to building a global empire and how she now channels her passion for helping women think bigger. Sarah’s inspiring insights into the world of venture capital, risk-taking, and entrepreneurship will encourage you to embrace your full potential and expand your vision for what’s possible.
If you’re an entrepreneur or someone looking to scale your business, this episode is packed with actionable advice on how to break through barriers and build businesses that make a lasting impact.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:19] Empowering Women and Mindset for Success [00:47] Interview with Sarah Dusek: Journey and Achievements [01:17] Sarah's Book: Thinking Bigger [05:54] Challenges Women Face in Business [11:10] The Importance of Community and Asking for Help [18:15] Pivotal Moments and Transformations [21:51] A Life-Changing Encounter [22:34] Empowering Female Entrepreneurs [23:13] The Power of Community and Self-Belief [25:05] Balancing Ambition and Personal Life [26:16] Effective Time Management Strategies [27:20] Making Guilt Your Friend [34:18] Finding Clarity and Inner Peace [38:39] Lightning Round: Getting to Know Sarah
In this dynamic episode, Monica Marquez sits down with Aldo Quevedo, the Latino creative visionary shaking up the advertising industry. As the CEO and Creative Chairman of BeautifulBeast, Aldo has built an agency dedicated to speaking to Hispanic and multicultural audiences in a way that’s bold, authentic, and culturally vibrant. From his roots in Mexico to becoming a leading figure in U.S. advertising, Aldo opens up about how he’s turned his heritage into a superpower—using it to break stereotypes, build bridges, and tell powerful stories that resonate with audiences across the board.
From overcoming imposter syndrome to becoming the first Mexican inducted into the American Advertising Federation’s Hall of Achievement®, Aldo’s story is one of grit, resilience, and cultural pride. He’s not just a creative force—he’s a trailblazer for Latino representation in the advertising industry, paving the way for a new generation of diverse voices to shine.
Aldo’s journey is one of defying odds, overcoming self-doubt, and proudly waving the flag for Latino creatives everywhere. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a creative professional, or someone looking to embrace their culture in a new way, Aldo’s wisdom and energy will leave you inspired and ready to harness your own cultural background for success. Don’t miss this episode filled with insights on the future of multicultural marketing and the power of embracing your Latino identity in everything you do!
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers [00:30] Embracing Cultural Identity [01:18] Aldo Quevedo's Journey [02:22] Navigating Career Challenges [07:20] Discovering a Passion for Marketing [10:12] Overcoming Setbacks and Building Resilience [14:37] Building a Personal Brand [18:02] Becoming a CEO and Entrepreneur [24:18] Entrepreneurial Insights [32:15] Lightning Round and Legacy
In this raw and compelling episode of the Beyond Barriers Podcast, host Monica Marquez sits down with the inspiring José Suaste, Chief Creative Officer at fluent360, to explore his incredible journey from a first-generation Mexican-American kid growing up in Dallas to one of the top creative leaders in multicultural advertising.
Born into a hardworking, blue-collar family, José’s story is one of grit, resilience, and unwavering ambition. From an early age, he was drawn to the world of art, but it was the life-changing experience of becoming a father in high school that lit a fire under him, transforming his creative passion into a powerful career.
José doesn’t shy away from sharing the raw and personal challenges he faced—from breaking into the ultra-competitive advertising industry to overcoming the doubts that often come with being the first in his family to pursue a creative career. He reveals how his cultural identity has been both a source of strength and a guiding force throughout his life. His journey is a testament to the power of relationships, perseverance, and staying true to who you are, even when the odds seem stacked against you.
If you’ve ever wondered how to push past self-doubt, balance personal responsibilities with professional dreams, or leverage your heritage as a superpower, José’s story will move and motivate you to keep striving for greatness.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
In this episode of Beyond Barriers, host Brooke Skinner Ricketts has a compelling conversation with R. Martin “Marty” Chavez, a trailblazer who has bridged the worlds of Wall Street and Silicon Valley. As the former CIO and CFO of Goldman Sachs and now Vice Chairman of Sixth Street, Marty has been at the forefront of transforming finance through technology. He shares his fascinating journey—from his early days in Albuquerque, where he programmed nuclear test simulations, to leading one of the most influential investment banks into the digital age.
Marty opens up about the hurdles he faced as one of the few openly gay and Latino leaders in finance, navigating a world where diversity was scarce at the top. He reveals how resilience, mentorship, and the ability to think like a computer scientist helped him break barriers and redefine industries. This episode goes beyond career achievements, exploring the importance of staying adaptable in the face of unexpected challenges, the critical role of mentorship in shaping one’s path, and the evolving impact of AI on business and society.
Whether you’re looking for career inspiration, insights into the future of AI, or advice on thriving as a diverse leader, Marty’s story will leave you motivated to redefine your own journey.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
In this enriching episode of Beyond Barriers, Monica Marquez sits down with Julissa McWashington, a Senior Manager at Starbucks and a champion for community resilience.
Julissa’s journey from Honduras to the U.S. and her rise within Starbucks exemplifies the power of the bicultural advantage. She candidly shares how she has navigated the complexities of dual identities, maintaining her Honduran heritage while thriving in the American corporate landscape. Julissa’s passion for community, especially within the Latino community, shines through as she discusses her leadership philosophy and the significance of staying authentic in every aspect of life.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will resonate with anyone striving to lead with both heart and heritage.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
In this powerful episode of Beyond Barriers, host Brooke Skinner Ricketts delves into the incredible story of Travis Hunter, the Office Managing Partner at KPMG in Chicago. Travis opens up about his journey from growing up as a military child—moving over 20 times before the 9th grade—to becoming a leader in corporate America. Despite facing numerous obstacles, Travis credits his success to his unwavering perseverance and the support of key mentors who believed in his potential.
You’ll hear Travis recount the challenges of being the only African American in his office and how he navigated through adversity. With a focus on mentorship, Travis shares how he has used his leadership position to create opportunities for others and reshape the narrative around diversity in corporate leadership. This episode offers a rare glimpse into the mindset of a leader who rose above his circumstances to succeed.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest
Join host Brooke Skinner Ricketts in a compelling conversation with Laura Desmond, CEO of Smartly and a powerhouse in the world of advertising and media. Laura has built her career on a foundation of bold leadership and transformative thinking, taking on roles that have shaped the future of global brands like Samsung, Coca-Cola, and Spotify.
In this episode, Laura delves into the three key bets that have defined her leadership journey: betting on yourself, betting on your team, and betting on your mission. She shares how her experiences, from leading Starcom Mediavest Group to becoming the CEO of Smartly, have taught her the importance of clarity and resilience in leadership.
Laura also reveals the strategies she used to overcome obstacles, adapt to new challenges, and lead with purpose in an ever-changing industry. Whether you’re just starting out or are well into your career, Laura’s wisdom offers a powerful reminder that true leadership requires courage, intentionality, and a willingness to embrace the unknown.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
In this episode of Beyond Barriers, host Brooke Skinner Ricketts engages in an insightful conversation with Gavriella Schuster, a trailblazer in the tech industry with over 25 years at Microsoft and a passionate advocate for lifelong learning and leadership.
Gavriella is a seasoned strategic business leader known for transforming companies and driving impactful change. A fierce advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, she is a founding sponsor of WIC and the WIT Network and serves on the boards of multiple DEI-focused nonprofits. As a TEDx speaker, host of the podcast “The Big Idea,” and author of an eBook and training on #ALLIES, Gavriella continues to lead initiatives that empower and inspire others.
In this episode, Gavriella shares her extraordinary journey from being one of the few women in the room at Microsoft to becoming a powerful voice for allyship and inclusive leadership. Whether you’re seeking to advance in your career, build stronger professional relationships, or find inspiration in your leadership journey, Gavriella’s story will encourage you to take bold steps and lead with integrity in today’s fast-paced world.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
In this episode of Beyond Barriers, host Brooke Skinner Ricketts engages in a powerful conversation with Heather Aranyi, a globally recognized educator and innovator. Heather is The Department of State's U.S. Speaker in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Director of the ICON NIL Incubator at Northwestern University and Founder and CEO of Aranyi Enterprises.
With a diverse background that spans opera, child development, and entrepreneurship, Heather brings a unique perspective to redefining success and fostering inclusive ecosystems.
Heather delves into the importance of creating thriving communities by reshaping traditional entrepreneurial paradigms. She shares how her trauma-informed approach empowers underrepresented voices and drives social change.
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned leader, Heather’s insights will inspire you to rethink how you engage with your community and leverage entrepreneurial ecosystems for greater impact.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
In this episode of Beyond Barriers, we join host Brooke Skinner Ricketts as she dives into a transformative conversation with Christine Sandman Stone, CEO and Founder of Deliver At Scale, a global tech leader known for her modern management expertise and her relentless focus on driving results.
Christine shares her unique perspective on how joy can be a powerful data indicator in both personal and professional growth. Discover how she has harnessed this insight to lead teams through crisis, drive organizational change, and mentor the next generation of leaders.
Whether you’re navigating your own career progression or looking to inspire your team, Christine’s actionable strategies and insights will equip you with the tools to make a meaningful impact.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
Get ready to be inspired by Jenna Lange’s incredible story of personal transformation and professional excellence. In this episode, Jenna, the founder and CEO of Lange International, shares her secrets to mastering high-stakes communication. You’ll learn how to harness the power of your authentic selves, build resilience, and communicate with confidence when it matters most.
Jenna’s journey from a timid figure skater to a sought-after advisor for executives worldwide will leave you with practical tips and a renewed sense of courage to tackle your own high-stakes moments. Don’t miss her advice on constructing a strong support network and the value of letting go and trusting the process.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
Our conversation with Jenna begins now.
In this episode of the Beyond Barriers podcast, host Brooke Skinner Ricketts delves into a thought-provoking conversation with Mike Gamson, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Permanent Capital Ventures. Discover how Mike's extensive career, from scaling LinkedIn's global operations to leading AI and biotech companies, has shaped his unique perspective on leadership and human connections in a hybrid work world.
Mike shares personal stories, including transformative experiences at Burning Man and insights from his Outward Bound adventures, that highlight the importance of community, compassion, and adaptability in today's fast-paced business environment.
Tune in to learn how to navigate and thrive in the evolving landscape of work relationships.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
Tune in to Beyond Barriers for an enlightening conversation with Daina Middleton, a dynamic leader with a wealth of experience in global expansion and nurturing company culture. Daina opens up about her unique path to success, from riding horses in the vast landscapes of Oregon to spearheading innovative marketing strategies at Hewlett-Packard and Twitter.
You will hear how Daina's dedication to hard work and continuous learning has driven her career forward. She also shares practical tips on building strategic relationships, maintaining work-life balance, and fostering resilience in the face of adversity. This episode is a must-listen for anyone eager to learn from a leader who has consistently broken new ground and thrived against the odds.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com/podcast/Raudline-EtienneThis week on Beyond Barriers, Brooke Skinner Ricketts interviews Raudline Etienne, Founder and CEO of Daraja Capital, in an episode brimming with insights on leadership and personal growth. Raudline shares her captivating story, from her childhood in Brooklyn to her ascent in the investment world.
She discusses the critical moments that defined her career, the importance of self-awareness, and her mission to support diverse fund managers. Listeners will gain a deep understanding of Raudline’s guiding principles, including her policy of “no A-holes” and her dedication to pursuing what brings joy.
Tune in to learn how Raudline’s unique perspective on combining art and science in finance can inspire you to lead with integrity and purpose.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
In this episode, host Brooke Skinner Ricketts reconnects with her longtime friend and trailblazing marketing and branding expert, Henrietta Pepper. Tune in for a dynamic and inspiring conversation as Henrietta shares her remarkable journey from her education and early career in advertising to leading her own brand communications firm for 14 years and eventually founding GCJ Consultants, where she serves as Chief Strategist.
Discover how Henrietta, a true pioneer in the industry, navigated the challenges of her career, embraced lifelong learning, and developed a revolutionary approach to personal branding that emphasizes authenticity and self-discovery. Brooke and Henrietta delve into essential themes such as giving oneself grace, overcoming imposter syndrome, and harnessing the power of continuous curiosity.
Henrietta also discusses the inspiration behind her two published books, including her latest, "Unbranded: Emerge a Brand New You." She shares invaluable insights into the significance of asking for help, fostering strong relationships, and maintaining a balance between professional and personal life. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain practical advice on building a resilient and genuine personal brand from a true industry trailblazer.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
In this empowering episode of the Beyond Barriers podcast, host Monica Marquez introduces us to Millie Guzman, a dynamic executive at Morgan Stanley and a steadfast champion for the Latino community.
Born and raised in a lively Puerto Rican family in the Bronx, Millie narrates her remarkable rise from the family's youngest child to a formidable leader in global finance. Her journey from an entry-level assistant to a top compliance officer encapsulates the challenges and triumphs of navigating the complex finance industry, where she has mastered the art of executive presence, strategic innovation, and keenly assessing the business atmosphere at every turn.
Millie also delves into how her cultural heritage and family values have not only molded her career but also her leadership approach, driving her to achieve peak performance and influence positive change. This episode celebrates her professional growth, her passionate advocacy for Latinos, and the enduring cultural values that underpin her success and resilience in the corporate world.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
In this episode, Brooke Skinner Ricketts sits down with Ellen Havdala to explore her fascinating career journey and the profound lessons she’s learned along the way. Ellen, a Managing Director at Equity Group Investments, shares how she transitioned from a successful finance career to pursuing a divinity degree, and how these experiences have enriched her professional and personal life.
Discover the strategies Ellen employs to balance her ambitious career goals with her spiritual calling, and gain insights into her leadership style, mentorship approach, and personal growth practices. Whether you're contemplating a career change or looking for ways to integrate your personal values into your professional life, this episode provides invaluable guidance and inspiration.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
Celebrate Pride Month with Monica Marquez and Brooke Skinner Ricketts in this empowering episode of Beyond Barriers. Monica and Brooke share their compelling stories of coming out and breaking barriers in the corporate world.
From Brooke’s supportive activist mother to Monica’s journey of self-discovery and acceptance, their experiences highlight the importance of authenticity and inclusion.
Learn how they navigate the complexities of being queer professionals, the significance of building safe and equitable workplaces, and the value of fostering genuine curiosity about diverse perspectives.
Tune in for an inspiring discussion on the intersections of identity, leadership, and community.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with us.
Tune in to this week’s episode as host Brooke Skinner Ricketts sits down with her friend and colleague, Marita Hudson Thomas, Chief Communications Officer at Cars.com Inc., d/b/a Cars Commerce. Marita is responsible for the internal and external communications strategy and events across Cars Commerce. Since her promotion, she has transformed their communications practices by delivering meaningful campaigns, press initiatives, and events that drive measurable results and business impact.
Marita dives deep into her path to leadership, emphasizing the importance of purpose-driven work and the value of patience in professional growth.
You’ll be inspired by Marita’s dedication to community involvement and mentoring, and how these commitments have been pivotal in her career. Learn from Marita’s experiences on maintaining confidence, navigating through challenges, giving oneself grace, and the power of preparation.
This episode is packed with valuable lessons for anyone aspiring to lead with integrity and impact.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
Tune in to an uplifting conversation with Marcy Moneypenny, Principal and Managing Director at Avison Young, as she shares her remarkable journey from a single mother to a prominent leader in the male-dominated commercial real estate industry.
Host Nikki Barua delves into Marcy's early struggles, her rise in the commercial real estate sector, and the core values that have driven her success. She discusses the importance of turning pain into purpose, the power of self-belief, and the crucial role of mentors and sponsors in her career.
Marcy’s story is a powerful reminder that even the most challenging obstacles can be converted into stepping stones toward a fulfilling and impactful career. This episode is packed with insights and strategies for anyone looking to break barriers and achieve their full potential.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
Join us for a compelling episode as host Brook Skinner Ricketts delves into Erin Gallagher’s transformative journey from a marketing maven to a champion of women's empowerment and leadership.
In this inspiring discussion, Erin reveals the critical moments at the age of 40 that catapulted her from behind-the-scenes roles to a leading voice in advocacy, establishing influential platforms such as Ella and The Hype Women Movement. These initiatives not only disrupt the status quo by providing women with critical resources but also strive to create generational wealth and propel women into powerful and influential roles.
Explore the profound impact of diversity in the workplace, the significance of trusting your intuition, and strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome. Erin highlights the necessity of setting clear boundaries, embracing the power of vulnerable storytelling, and redefining traditional work-life paradigms to cultivate leadership and ensure enduring success. This episode offers a deep exploration of how facing personal challenges can ignite breakthroughs, empowering listeners to expand their influence and secure financial autonomy.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
In today’s episode, the focus is on uncovering the human-centric revolution happening within the private equity sector, challenging the norm of focusing solely on financial transactions.
Hosted by Nikki Barua, the episode features Caroline Kung, a visionary leader and the founder of SagePath Capital. Caroline shares her journey from a first-generation immigrant with humble beginnings to becoming a transformative figure in private equity, executing three billion dollars in transactions while creating value at portfolio companies. Her commitment extends beyond traditional investment strategies, aiming to nurture genuine connections and advocate for diverse, purpose-driven entrepreneurs.
The episode explores Caroline's strategic initiatives for fostering business growth and the inception of the Beacon Program, which sets new standards by equipping diverse business owners with essential financial knowledge, expanding their potential for growth and impact in their communities.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our guest.
In this episode, you'll dive into the power of recognizing and leveraging your unique mix of skills and experiences with host Brooke Skinner Ricketts and guest Heidi Anderson Hupe, CEO of The Nora Collective. Heidi reveals her philosophy on the importance of 'leaning in' during moments of uncertainty and doubt in your career.
She shares the pivotal moments that led her to embrace her true self, underscoring the transformative impact of authenticity on her career trajectory. Together, you'll explore how embracing career pivots and delving into diverse facets of your industry can open up new pathways for growth and fulfillment.
Tune in for an engaging narrative on self-discovery, leadership, and the art of maintaining your core identity amidst the dynamics of career evolution.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
Welcome to a journey of leadership, personal growth, and impactful change. Brooke Skinner Ricketts hosts an inspiring conversation with Melissa Healy, who shares her journey from creative director to SVP at Leo Burnett, focusing on Employee Belonging and Participation.
Melissa opens up about her evolution from early creative ambitions, through the trials of motherhood, to advocating for her disabled daughter. She illustrates how her unique, nonlinear path led to a fulfilling role that focuses on enhancing workplace culture and fostering employee engagement.
The conversation explores the profound importance of community building, cultural enrichment, and the pivotal role of personal values in driving business success and societal impact.
Melissa’s narrative is a testament to the power of authenticity, strategic relationships, and value-driven leadership.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
On this episode of the Beyond Barriers Podcast, our host Brooke Skinner Ricketts welcomes Corey Jones, a visionary who has journeyed from engineering to the forefront of executive leadership as Co-Founder and CEO of PrismWork. Today we dive into a much needed conversation about re-thinking how we interact with each other at the workplace.
Corey’s story is not just about career transition but about revolutionizing leadership in an era where change is the only constant. With a focus on the pandemic’s impact on the workplace, Corey discusses the critical aspects of leadership that cater to the holistic needs of employees.
Listen as we explore the transformative power of empathy and inclusivity in crafting a successful organizational culture.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
Get ready for an exhilarating dive into the world of vocal empowerment in today's episode! Join host Monica Marquez and her dynamic guests, Jessica Doyle Mekkes and Rebecca Simon, as they unravel the secrets to owning and celebrating your unique voice in the professional realm.
Jessica and Rebecca, who both champion authenticity at East Carolina University, are here to revolutionize the way you think about vocal identity amidst the pressures of conformity. They offer powerful strategies for mastering the art of public speaking and making your voice heard.
Rebecca Simon, a former Broadway star turned esteemed professor, shares her riveting journey from the dazzling lights of the stage to the inspiring halls of academia. She uses her rich experience in voice and dialect coaching to help individuals conquer self-doubt and confidently claim their voice.
Alongside her, Jessica has spent the last 15 years studying the science of the human voice. An internationally published writer and sought after clinician, she focuses on empowering women to unleash their vocal strength and impact the world around them.
Tune in to this episode and be inspired to transform how you use your voice, ensuring it not only resonates but also genuinely reflects your heritage and enriches your professional interactions. Don't miss out on this empowering journey to vocal mastery!
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guests.
Brace yourself for an electrifying episode that vividly shows how our daily thoughts profoundly influence who we are. Join our host, Brooke Skinner Ricketts, as she engages with Yasmeen Duncan, Chief People Officer at the world-renowned Magnolia Bakery.
Yasmeen's life story is a compelling testament to the transformative power of self-belief and goal-setting, nurtured from a young age by her insightful mother. As she takes us through her exhilarating path as a woman of color in leadership roles across diverse industries, her experiences will captivate and inspire you. Yasmeen's commitment to her values and her journey toward self-realization are profound, offering vital lessons in resilience and authenticity.
Tune in as we dive deep into a conversation that promises to uplift, motivate, and empower you to embrace your unique journey towards success and fulfillment.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
In today's episode, join our host Monica Marquez and our esteemed guest, Heather Black, Founder and CEO of Supermums, as we delve into a visionary approach to reshaping careers in the tech industry. Heather shares her compelling story of how a pivotal career shift, driven by personal transformations, led to the creation of Supermums. This forward-thinking organization is committed to empowering women, particularly those re-entering the workforce post-maternity, by opening doors to new opportunities within the tech sector, with a special focus on Salesforce roles.
In our conversation, Heather emphasizes the critical role of recognizing transferable skills, aligning with personal values, and the game-changing effects of career coaching. She also unpacks the concept of the "ambitious women mindset," which merges goals, energy, and boundaries to cultivate success and achieve work-life balance.
Join us as we dive deep into these empowering strategies that are not just career-changing but life-transforming.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
Welcome to today's episode where we dive into the realms of leadership, resilience, and the transformative power of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Our host, Brooke Skinner Ricketts, embarks on a journey that unravels the essence of authentic leadership and the secret to sustaining energy and resilience at the pinnacle of professional success with our remarkable guest, Cynthia Soledad, a leader at Egon Zehnder’s Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Practice.
Imagine navigating from the vibrant world of marketing to the impactful domain of DE &I, all while mastering the art of self-awareness and transitioning from a doer to a pivotal enabler. Cynthia opens up about her personal and professional evolution, sharing stories that illuminate the path to developing an authentic personal brand and the courage it takes to face and grow from professional setbacks.
So, are you ready to unlock the secrets that have propelled Cynthia Soledad to the forefront of leadership and advisory? Tune in to this episode for an enriching experience that might just redefine your approach to leadership, resilience, and the power of diversity and inclusion. Don't miss out on these invaluable lessons from the top.
Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
Today we explore the remarkable story of Lisa Curtis, who went from Peace Corps volunteer to trailblazing Founder & CEO of Kuli Kuli Foods, a leading brand pioneering the sustainable superfood, moringa.
Discover the journey of how a quest for better nutrition in West Africa revealed the hidden gem of moringa, igniting the foundation of a superfood empire. From humble village origins to earning a spot on Forbes 30 Under 30, Lisa's rise is a tribute to resilience and the strength of community.
In her narrative, Lisa shares insights on conquering self-doubt, the critical role of fostering connections, achieving harmony between work and life, and the enduring impact of perseverance.
The resources mentioned in this episode are:
- Visit Kuli Kuli Foods website to purchase their products. Use the code BEYONDBARRIERS at checkout for a 20% discount on your purchase.
- Look for Kuli Kuli Foods products on Amazon or in 11,000 stores nationwide, including Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Walmart.
Visit our websitewhere you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
In today's episode, our host Nikki Barua ventures into the world of someone whose story reads like a masterclass in resilience, ambition, and the art of leadership.
Our remarkable guest, Kira Kimball, Chief Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer at Marsh McLennan Agency, who has charted a path that's both inspiring and instructive. Kira’s journey proves that achieving one’s dreams is as much about the mindset we adopt as it is about the actions we take.
Kira opens up about the essence of staying fluid in the face of life’s inevitable changes, transforming every setback into a stepping stone toward growth. As we navigate the complexities of leadership, Kira reminds us that at the heart of effective leadership is the courage to be true to oneself.
Key Takeaways
- Be open to possibilities and embrace unexpected opportunities.
- Reframe setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning.
- Identify your strengths and passions, and align them with your career.
- Practice self-care and build a supportive community.
- Advocate for yourself and build strategic relationships.
- Stay focused on the purpose and impact of DEI initiatives.
If you’re looking for the spark to ignite your own journey, or if you’re in search of wisdom that comes from real-life experiences, you won’t want to miss this episode.
Visit gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our guest.
Step into the incredible story of Wendy Diamond, whose early entrepreneurial spirit set off a powerful movement in the world of women’s entrepreneurship.
This episode brings you Nikki Barua guiding an engaging conversation with Wendy Diamond, the innovative CEO and Founder of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization. Get ready to dive into Wendy’s journey as she shares the key moments and decisions that transformed her into a source of motivation and change for entrepreneurs everywhere.
Our special guest, celebrated for her creative and socially mindful approach to business, has truly made a difference. Come along as we explore the breadth of Wendy’s influence and the lasting impact of her efforts on women’s entrepreneurship across the globe.
For full show notes, visit our website.
Buckle up because this is no ordinary episode—it's a milestone! You are about to dive into the 300th episode of the Beyond Barriers podcast with host Monica Marquez and special guest Jaci Czarnecki Thompson, Experience Architect at Beyond Barriers. Five seasons of riveting interviews, cutting-edge strategies, and stories of triumph that will propel you forward in your career.
We don't just talk the talk; we walk it with the incredible individuals who have shattered barriers and soared to new heights. And guess what? You, our phenomenal listeners, have been the wind beneath our wings, inspiring us to push boundaries week after week.
Our mission is bold: to close the gender gap at work and unleash economic opportunities for everyone. Brace yourself because today, we give you an unprecedented look behind the scenes. It's time to seize control of your destiny, break down barriers, and ride the wave of unstoppable momentum towards the career you've always dreamed of. Let's make history together!
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Learn about career acceleration strategies for diverse professionals.
- Overcome career barriers for women and BIPOC with actionable insights.
- Gain clarity and courage in your career development for greater success.
- Increase impact and influence at work with effective strategies.
- Discover the benefits of our executive accelerator program for career growth.
For full show notes, visit our website.
Get ready to immerse yourself in the art of building genuine virtual connections with Alyssa Merwin, the global Vice President of LinkedIn Sales Solutions.
Host Brooke Skinner Ricketts dives deep into Alyssa's extraordinary journey, from her humble small-town roots to leading LinkedIn's Sales Navigator business.
With unwavering transparency, Alyssa unveils invaluable insights into overcoming challenges and embracing vulnerability as the driving forces behind substantial professional development.
In this episode, you'll discover how to:
- Triumph over career challenges and setbacks by implementing invaluable strategies.
- Understand the significance of seeking assistance and fostering collaboration for achieving professional milestones.
- Harness vulnerability as a catalyst for propelling your professional growth.
- Master the art of navigating virtual workspaces for heightened productivity and effectiveness.
Stay tuned for a conversation that promises to reshape your leadership approach, redefine the way you ask for help, and revolutionize your ability to foster authentic connections in today's remote work landscape.
For full show notes, visit our website.
Give your career that extra push and improve your performance with tips from our guest, Terri Fiedler, President of Retirement Services at Corebridge Financial.
Terri, an accomplished professional in the financial services industry, shares her journey from a nutrition degree to her current role. Follow along as she enlightens us with her unexpected journey from nutrition to finances, proving that overcoming challenges is all part of the game. We'll also delve into the crucial role of collaboration, the advantage of diverse skill sets within teams, and why self-awareness is key.
To all you go-getters out there, Terri's candid advice on seeking unfiltered feedback and cultivating professional relationships will resonate with you.
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Elevate your performance by seeking valuable feedback.
- Expand your career horizons by building a powerful professional network.
- Master the art of goal-setting and turn failures into stepping stones.
Join us, and let's discover together the power of resilience, the joy of lifelong learning, and the importance of fostering a supportive professional tribe around you.
For full show notes including how to get in touch with our special guest, visit our website.
Ready to supercharge your career and foster a deeper sense of belonging at work? Dive in to a captivating conversation with our host Monica Marquez and Karyn Twaronite, EY Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusiveness Officer.
Boasting a remarkable 30-year tenure at EY, Karyn unveils her extraordinary journey, offering insights into championing diversity and inclusion while embracing new experiences. From reshaping feedback perspectives to the pivotal role of 'belonging' in today's workplace, we cover it all.
Gain insights into navigating career pivots and accelerating your journey through sponsorship and mentorship. Buckle up for a career boost and a tighter-knit professional community!
Thank you for tuning in! Visit our website for full show notes, including how to connect with Karyn.
Tune in to today’s episode as we explore the keys to fostering career sustainability, creating cultures that defy burnout, and nurturing work-life harmony.
Along with your host, Brooke Skinner Ricketts, we’re privileged to chat with legal powerhouse, Hilary Preston, Vice Chair of Vinson & Elkins.
Discover the importance of embracing a long-term perspective in your career, setting reasonable limits, and recognizing the power of occasional deceleration.
Hilary’s story is a source of inspiration for anyone seeking to carve their own path, proving that success isn't just about the climb; it's about finding sustainable practices that allow you to thrive both professionally and personally.
In this Episode you will learn how to:
- Master the art of women's career sustainability and thrive in the workplace.
- Amplify your influence by voicing your opinions confidently and effectively.
- Uncover the secrets to finding joy and fulfillment in your day-to-day work life.
- Build powerful relationships to boost your personal brand and professional network.
- Learn actionable strategies for creating an inclusive and supportive work culture.
For full show notes, visit our website.
Ever felt the weight of imposter syndrome, that persistent notion that you may not be up to the task of pursuing your ambitious goals?
Dive into the captivating story of Shannon Duffy, the Chief Marketing Officer at Asana, with your host, Brooke Skinner Ricketts.
In this episode, Shannon generously unveils the twists and turns of her career, highlighting a transformative moment that propelled her toward authentic leadership. Join us as she delves into the significance of embracing one's true self within the dynamic realms of leadership.
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Embrace Authenticity: Discover the power of genuine leadership and marketing to build trust and connection.
- Overcome Imposter Syndrome: Learn how to silence self-doubt and step confidently into your leadership and marketing roles.
- Achieve Work-Life Balance: Find the keys to balancing professional success with personal well-being for a fulfilling life.
- Foster Meaningful Relationships: Explore the impact of collaboration and mentorship in creating lasting and impactful connections.
For full show notes, visit our website.
Welcome to today's insightful conversation with Tamara Zaichkowsky, Chief Digital Officer at Acrisure.
Tamara is a self-proclaimed curious soul, fueled by the pursuit of knowledge and self empowerment. She has successfully integrated creativity and efficiency into her professional path by using knowledge as her currency for decision-making.
In this episode, discover valuable tips on managing stress to drive personal growth and achievement, while embracing the art of being fully present every day. Whether you're a seasoned professional or aspiring to become one, this episode is packed with insightful advice.
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Develop personal growth and leadership insights for success.
- Master the art of managing stress and finding balance in life.
- Unleash the power of knowledge to transform your life.
- Create manageable stress to fuel personal growth and achievement.
- Embrace living in the present and taking action for fulfillment.
For full show notes and how to connect to our special guest, visit our website.
Welcome to today's empowering episode featuring Jackie Morales, the accomplished Chief Operating Officer at Security Benefit.
Join our insightful host, Brooke Skinner Ricketts, as she guides us through Jackie's remarkable career journey. Jackie's story highlights the significance of authenticity, calculated risk-taking, and the pursuit of clear career goals. Notably, Jackie defied norms by achieving the role of vice president at the age of 28, all without a formal education.
Jackie's narrative serves as a powerful beacon of inspiration, urging listeners to fearlessly pursue their goals. She emphasizes the creation of a supportive and recognition-driven environment for those around us. Through Jackie's unique perspective, this episode celebrates the diverse paths individuals take in their professional journeys.
In this engaging episode, you'll discover how to:
- Unlock career growth and sponsorship opportunities by leveraging your strengths.
- Recognize the importance of acknowledging contributions and taking credit for achievements.
- Embrace authenticity in the workplace to foster genuine connections and trust.
- Cultivate personal and professional growth through continuous learning and development.
- Make a meaningful impact and give back to your community and organization.
Tune in to gain valuable insights that will propel you further and faster in your career journey.
For full show notes go to our website.
Unleash your potential by breaking away from cultural and societal norms alongside our incredible guest, Valeria Aloe.
As an accomplished author and fervent advocate for personal development, Valeria brings a wealth of global corporate experience spanning seven countries. Her transformative journey, transitioning from burnout to a purposeful life, provides invaluable insights into challenging societal pressures while courageously embracing our authenticity.
Dive into this inspiring episode to discover the strength in letting go, embrace the power of silence, and reframe narratives that might be holding you back.
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Embrace personal growth by unlearning cultural and societal beliefs.
- Overcome self-limiting beliefs and unlock your full potential.
- Discover the power of self-love for a more fulfilling life.
- Gain insights into women's empowerment and self-reflection.
For full show notes visit our website.
About Valeria Aloe Valeria Aloe is the Founder of the Rising Together Movement, a sought-after public speaker, and the award-winning author of Uncolonized Latinas: Transforming Our Mindsets and Rising Together.
Valeria's remarkable dedication has earned her an array of prestigious awards, including "Top 100 Latina in the US in 2023," "Top 50 Women in Business in New Jersey in 2020," and "5th Most Influential Hispanic in New Jersey in 2021." Her literary work is equally impressive, with her book claiming the top spot in the non-fiction category at the New York Book Festival, among 16 national and international accolades. Her second book will be published in the Fall of 2024.
Valeria holds degrees in Business Administration and Finance from Universidad Catolica Argentina, an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, and a Master in Spiritual Sciences. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Spiritual Sciences.
Looking to step into the new year with an empowered and driven approach to your career transition?
Join us as Jennifer Manry, Principal of Corporate Systems at Vanguard, shares invaluable insights that can supercharge your confidence & drive during career transitions. Uncover indispensable tools and strategies designed to infuse purpose and unwavering determination into your professional journey.
With more than two decades as an IT professional, Jennifer embodies a treasure trove of wisdom and insight crucial for career transitions. Her evolution from a mechanical engineer to a key leader in information technology at esteemed financial institutions such as Capital One and Vanguard showcases her remarkable resilience and adaptability. As a prominent female executive in traditionally male-dominated sectors, Jennifer's journey imparts invaluable experiences and lessons, offering a distinctive outlook on embracing risks, fostering self-belief, and the importance of seeking mentorship. Her inspiring narrative not only motivates but also furnishes invaluable guidance for individuals maneuvering through career changes.
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Learn valuable career journey lessons from Jennifer Manry's experiences.
- Discover the importance of seeking mentors for career advancement.
- Explore navigational upskilling strategies for career advancement and growth.
- Uncover effective work-life balance and self-care strategies for a fulfilling career.
Highlights: [00:00] Podcast Intro [00:31] Jennifer’s Words of Wisdom [02:12] Career Journey - Pivots & Taking Risks [05:27] Jennifer’s Biggest Inspiration [11:20] Overcoming the Fear of Asking for Help [14:05] Continuous Improvement and Practice [14:59] Prioritizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) [15:58] Getting Involved with Women Who Code [18:38] Empowering Daughters and Future Workforce [21:33] Overcoming Self-Promotion Challenges [29:56] Daily Rituals for Productivity [30:50] Managing Inner Monologue [33:54] Work-Life Balance & Personal Refreshment [38:55] Lightning Round Questions
Quotes If you fall down, get up, dust yourself off, and keep going. It's the perseverance, the resilience, the willingness to get back up that truly defines success. Jennifer Manry
List-making helps me feel like I'm in control of the day and then checking in with myself to see if the inner voices are chatting too much with me. Jennifer Manry on Daily Habits
There are always people to learn from, and they're generally very apt to teach you if you ask for help. The willingness to surround yourself with a personal board of directors or personal advisors is what has gotten me through pretty much every step of my career. Jennifer Manry
I have this group of humans at home that I care very much about. So I stay grounded by ensuring that I have the right amount of time to do things outside of work that bring me joy. We do a lot of family things. Jennifer Manry
Lightening Round Questions Q: What book has greatly influenced you? A: Brave, not Perfect by Reshma Saujani and Mamba Mentality by Kobe Bryant
Q: What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? A: Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again by Nelson Mandela
Q: What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? A: Change Agent and Continuous Improver
Q: What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? A: Inner monologue questioning
Q: What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? A: Levels by Avicii
About Jennifer Manry As Principal of Corporate Systems at Vanguard, Jennifer leads a team that builds and runs the technology that powers Vanguard’s enterprise-wide operations, including Human Resources, Legal, Risk, Marketing, and Communications. She’s also responsible for supporting technology needs of Vanguard crew (employees) so they can fulfill on the firm’s mission of giving investors the best chance for investment success. Jennifer is also passionate about finding ways to support and empower women to consider careers in STEM fields, and currently serves as Board Chair of Women Who Code, a nonprofit organization focused on building diversity in tech and empowering generations of female engineers to succeed.
Prior to Vanguard, Jennifer was the Vice President of the Global Industry Solutions group at VMware where she was responsible for defining VMWare’s global industry strategy and creating industry-specific solutions across the Financial Services, Healthcare, Retail, and Government industries. Before VMware, Jennifer held executive leadership positions at both Bank of America and Capital One. Jennifer was the CIO and Managing Director of Employee Technology & Employee Experience at Bank of America where she was responsible for the technology used by over 200K+ employees, globally. In addition to those responsibilities, Jennifer lead both the Global Human Resources and Chief Administrative Office technology teams. At Capital One, Jennifer served as Managing Vice President - End User Computing, Digital Workplace, and Identity & Access Management where she drove the transformation of the employee experience, creating a contemporary, digital workplace based on consumer- grade technology at enterprise scale. Jennifer has also held technology leadership positions at GE and Genworth Financial. She earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.
LinkedIn Women Who Code Vanguard
Welcome to our final podcast episode of 2023! Get ready to dive into the world of career growth and personal development with Beyond Barriers. Join us as we reflect on the past year and set intentions for the future. With nearly 300 episodes under our belt, we're thrilled to culminate this year by revisiting the most inspiring moments and wisdom shared by these remarkable individuals.
In this special episode, all three hosts unite to reminisce, share laughter, and highlight the profound wisdom imparted by some of the most brilliant minds in the business world about the "5 C’s” rooted in our momentum metric..
Clarity, Courage, Commitment, Conviction and Community are the core categories in our career fitness platform that are used to measure and accelerate success, understand what's holding you back and know where to focus your efforts.
As we bid farewell to this year, the Beyond Barriers team extends heartfelt New Year wishes to you! Your support has been instrumental in fostering our global community, and for that, we are immensely grateful.
Take our Momentum Metric Quiz to uncover your strengths and explore the barriers to your success.
Highlights [00:00] Intro and Purpose Our Podcast [02:09] More Pie for Everyone [06:45] Clarity - Importance of Telling Your Story [11:10] Courage - Stand up and be counted [18:15] Conviction - Become Future Readiness [22:09] Commitment - Frameworks that work [26:45] Community - Leverage for Growth [31:39] Anchor Words for 2024
Notable Quotes
I think that it's very interesting to me how few people know how to tell their stories. And it's really important. Anna Kelch on Clarity, Episode 285
We have to stand up and be counted. Jennifer Brown on Courage, Episode 246
When you adopt a growth mindset, you can't lose. You just learn. Krista Satterthwaite on Conviction, Episode 252
Having an accountability partner to make sure that you stay the course is critical. Iliana Quiñones on Commitment, Episode 282
I learned along the way that nobody does it on their own. Erika Irish Brown on Community, Episode 270
About
About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert. Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author, and speaker. Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Brooke Skinner Ricketts Brooke Skinner Ricketts is the Power Generator – Transforming Possibility into Performance. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookericketts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brookerules/
Embark on a three-decade journey of professional growth and resilience as Hanneke Smits takes us through her incredible career in a male-dominated field while prioritizing what matters most to her along the way.
She emphasizes the role of self-reflection, learning new things, seeking diverse perspectives, and utilizing both mentors and sponsors. These elements, combined with the tenacity to overcome hurdles, teaches us what is possible in career trajectory and achieving leadership roles.
- In this episode, you’ll find tips in: Mastering the Art of Navigating Male-Dominated Industries: Learning how to thrive and excel in traditionally male-dominated workplaces as a woman.
- Elevating Your Career with Mentorship and Sponsorship: Unlocking the secrets to accelerating your professional growth through the power of mentorship and sponsorship.
- Unleashing Transferable Skills for Career Development: Discovering how to leverage your existing skills to pivot and succeed in new career paths.
- Embracing Self-Reflection for Personal Growth: Exploring the transformative potential of self-reflection in achieving personal and professional growth.
- Unveiling Time Management and Productivity Strategies: Uncovering effective strategies to maximize your productivity and time management skills for career advancement.
Highlights: [00:03] Introduction [00:35] A Reflection by Hanneke [01:48] Meet Hanneke Smits [04:11] Foundation of Success [10:12] Navigating a Male-Dominated Industry [16:01] Mastery of Skills and Learning from Mistakes [18:17] Leveraging Strengths for Effectiveness [23:50] Embracing Feedback and Learning from Mistakes [29:05] Taking a Career Break and Finding Clarity [29:50] Self-Reflection and Identifying the Next North Star [35:00] Lightning Round Questions
Quotes: Being ruthless about calendar management can be very freeing. Learn to say no as much as you say yes. - Hanneke Smits
Feedback is a gift. - Hanneke Smits
Thinking through the transferability of the aspects of your skills is critical when you get to a fork in the road. It’s how you build on from what you’ve learned. - Hanneke Smits
Lightning Round Questions: Q: What book has greatly influenced you? A: Snow Windows and Travelers in the Third Reich (not favorites but current reads)
Q: What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? A: Feedback is a gift.
Q: What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? A: Direct Truth Teller
Q: What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? A: Being ruthless about calendar management.
Q: What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? A: Saturday Night Fever.
About Hanneke Smits:
Hanneke Smits is Senior Executive Vice President and Global Head of Investment Management and a member of BNY Mellon’s Executive Committee.
With over 30 years of investment experience, Hanneke was previously CEO of Newton Investment Management, a BNY Mellon Investment Management firm, from 2016 to 2020. Prior to Newton, she served on the Executive Committee at private equity firm Adams Street Partners from 2001 to 2014, having been Chief Investment Officer from 2008 to 2014. She joined Adams Street in 1997 to build out its global investment capabilities, and successfully launched its presence in Europe and Asia. Before joining Adams Street, she was an investment manager at Pantheon Ventures, and worked for Philips China Hong Kong Group.
Hanneke is the Global Chair of the 30% Club, a role she assumed in February 2023. Additionally, Hanneke is the Executive Sponsor for PRISM, BNY Mellon’s LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group and serves as Chair of Impetus, a venture philanthropy organization which backs charities to transform the lives of disadvantaged young people. As part of her role with Impetus, she is Trustee of the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), founded in 2011 by The Sutton Trust in partnership with Impetus.
Hanneke was also a Non-Executive Director to the Court of the Bank of England, and a co-founder and first Chair of Level 20, a not-for-profit organization set up in 2015 to inspire women to join and succeed in the private equity industry.
Originally from the Netherlands, Hanneke has a BBA from Nijenrode University and an MBA from the London Business School.
LinkedIn Website
Does this sound familiar? You've been told to simply work harder and longer hours to achieve success in your business. But despite your efforts, you're still struggling to challenge misconceptions and create change in your industry. This ineffective action might leave you feeling frustrated and stuck, unable to make the impact you desire. It's time to break free from this cycle and discover the power of storytelling to overcome misconceptions and change perceptions, paving the way for meaningful transformation in your business.
Prepare to be captivated as we introduce the visionary force behind We Are Rosie, Stephanie Nadi Olson, whose innovative prowess as the Founder and CEO has woven a tapestry of possibilities in the realm of flexible talent. The We Are Rosie platform connects over 25,000 marketing freelancers to project-based work with renowned brands such as Microsoft and Delta. Get ready to delve into the vibrant world she has crafted at the intersection of talent and pioneering brands.
- In this episode, you will be able to:
- Challenge and overcome misconceptions about freelance talent to elevate your business.
- Harness the power of storytelling in business to captivate and connect with your audience.
- Learn the art of building relationships for entrepreneurial success and long-term growth.
- Discover the impact of leveraging networks for personal and professional advancement in the business world.
Stephanie shares a compelling journey of resilience and determination that began in her childhood. It reflects a profound understanding of the complexities of inequality and a steadfast commitment to challenging societal norms. Stephanie's compelling story serves as a testament to the transformative power of storytelling in dismantling misconceptions and fostering impactful change. Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Stephanie.
Highlights [00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers podcast [00:35] Powerful Quote from Stephanie [02:03] Early Life and Competitive Spirit [04:31] Aware of the haves and have-nots from an early age [06:09] Observing Resource Distribution [11:26] Birth of We Are Rosie [15:49] Overcoming Resistance to New Ideas [22:13] Celebrating Small Wins [25:06] Bootstrapping and Sacrifices [28:31] Impact of COVID-19 [31:13] Balancing Work and Personal Life [31:51] Embracing Seasonal Changes in Life and Work [32:39] Building a Supportive Network [36:45] Building Influential Relationships [40:09] Lightning Round Questions [42:42] Stephanie's Parting Words of Wisdom
Quotes I set out to build a better way to work. - Stephanie Nadi Olson
I realized that there were a lot of people that were being underestimated and marginalized within the marketing industry, and I set out to build a better way to work and a way to allow people to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of what's happening in their life. - Stephanie Nadi Olson
I personified the Rosies, which is what we call our freelance talent, and I did it through storytelling, which I think is so powerful when you're trying to create change. -Stephanie Nadi Olson
I love helping people who are overlooked, underestimated, and marginalized. Those were the moments that I was just in love with life. - Stephanie Nadi Olson
The difference between you and the people that are achieving all their dreams is that they just went for it. – Stephanie Nadi Olson
Lightning Round Questions Q: What book has greatly influenced you? A: “Discovering Your Strengths” by Donald O. Clifton and Marcus Buckingham
Q: What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? A: I had to make you uncomfortable, otherwise you wouldn't have moved.
Q: What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? A: Restless
Q: What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? A: I moved to the country.
Q: What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? A: “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton
About Stephanie Nadi Olson Stephanie Nadi Olson is an innovator and disruptor, aiming to change the world's perspective on the future of work and what it means to be inclusive in the workplace. Olson, a former advertising executive, founded We Are Rosie in 2018, before the pandemic made remote and flexible work mainstream. She was the company's CEO from 2018 - 2022, overseeing its rapid growth and influence. In January, 2023, Olson moved to Executive Chair of the Board of Directors to focus on propelling We Are Rosie's mission and forecasting what's next while leading the Board of Directors.
During her advertising career, Olson worked with big brands and major tech companies, including Microsoft and AOL, as well as start-ups. She developed a unique 360-degree view of industry practices and saw the need for transformation. Olson used this insight to create the foundation for We Are Rosie, a human-centered approach to marketing that celebrates diversity and facilitates work-life harmony, while creating access, opportunity and wealth for those who choose a flexible career path. In less than five years, We Are Rosie now works with more than 25 Fortune 500 brands, including Microsoft, Meta, IBM and Bumble, as well as all six major advertising holding companies. Its community of marketing talent (aka Rosies) currently stands at more than 20,000 and its reach is felt in all corners of the marketing world.
Last year, Olson was inducted into the American Advertising Federation’s Advertising Hall of Achievement and was an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2022 Southeast Award winner. She was named to the Forbes Future of Work 50 list, was one of Atlanta Magazine's 2022 Women Making a Mark and was named one of Atlanta Business Chronicle's Most Admired CEOs.
In addition, she was named a 2022 Aspen Ideas Festival Fellow. In 2021, she was named to the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women class. In addition, Olson was named AdAge Visionary of the Year 2020, was recognized by Adweek in the 2020 Creative 100, was named World Changing Woman 2020 by Conscious Company, and was awarded Global Entrepreneur of the Year 2019 by the Stevie Awards. We Are Rosie was recently ranked #232 on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing privately-owned companies. For more information visit www.wearerosie.com.
How to connect with Stephanie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/snadi/ Website: https://www.wearerosie.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/StephanieNOlson
In a world filled with uncertainty, Linda Gibson's journey proves that embracing comfort can unlock extraordinary possibilities. From a math major questioning her career path; to the unexpected twist that led her to become the CEO of an asset management firm, Linda's story is a testament to the power of taking leaps. Brace yourself as we dive into the captivating tale of Linda's relentless pursuit of growth and the surprising turn of events that would redefine her professional trajectory.
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Unleash your potential by embracing change and seizing opportunities in your professional life.
- Discover the power of emotional intelligence and how it can enhance your success in the tech-driven world.
- Navigate the challenges and maximize the benefits of hybrid work environments through effective video communication.
- Unlock new possibilities and reimagine your career development strategies for the new age of work.
Over the years, Linda took calculated risks and explored new avenues, ultimately rising to the position of Chairman and CEO at PGIM Quantitative Solutions. Her diverse experiences and willingness to take risks have not only led to her own personal growth and success, but also serve as an inspiration for professionals seeking their own path to growth. Get ready to be inspired by Linda's incredible journey on this episode of Beyond Barriers Podcast.
Highlights: [00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers podcast [01:53] Meet Linda Gibson [03:15] Taking Risks and Seizing Opportunities [05:14] Gaining Confidence through Challenging Experiences [08:07] Building a Diverse Resume and Seeking Growth [14:27] Embracing New Opportunities [15:01] Recognizing the Right Opportunity [17:46] Recognizing Unique Value Proposition [21:31] Embracing Change and Opportunity [28:31] The Power of Compassionate Conversations [30:04] Embracing Authenticity and Soft Skills [34:02] Embracing Technology and Building Relationships [37:48] The Future of Work and Hybrid Models [40:12] Benefits and Challenges of Hybrid Work [44:02] Building Social Capital and Advocacy in the Workplace [44:57] Lightning round questions
Quotes: “Push yourself, get a little uncomfortable, embrace the discomfort.” – Linda Gibson
“Change breeds opportunity.” – Linda Gibson
“A lot of my success I attribute to EQ vs. IQ.” – Linda Gibson
“Even if you don't feel you're ready, raise your hand, take the risk and leap into that.” -Linda Gibson
“You don't always have to master something before you jump into it. Take the opportunity, even if you're not sure if you'll be good at it, and surprise yourself. “ - Linda Gibson
Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - “No Bullshit Leadership” by Martin G. Moore
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - “Everything happens for a reason.”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Even-tempered.
What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? - Prioritizing relaxation and sleep.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys and “I Am Woman” by Helen Reddy
About Linda Gibson:
Linda Gibson is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PGIM Quantitative Solutions LLC. Linda was previously Managing Director and Chief Business Officer for PGIM Quant Solutions. In this capacity, she oversaw finance, business planning and management, strategic intelligence, project management, ESG governance, human resources, operational risk and cross-functional initiatives with the broader legal and compliance team under the PGIM umbrella. Prior to joining PGIM Quant Solutions, she served as Executive Vice President and Head of Global Distribution at OMAM, now Brightsphere Investment Group (“BSIG”). In prior roles at BSIG, she held various executive positions including Interim Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Head of Affiliate Management and General Counsel. Prior to working at BSIG, Linda served as Senior Vice President and Senior Counsel of Signature Financial Group, Inc. Linda holds a BA in mathematics from Bates College and a JD from Boston University School of Law.
She is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.
Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-gibson/ Website: https://www.pgimquantitativesolutions.com/
Have you ever stumbled upon your true calling in the most unexpected way?
Meet our guest Joanna Welsh, who shares how she found her passion in risk management, all while starting out in the world of molecular biology and genetic engineering. Her story is a testament to the power of serendipity and the importance of being open to unexpected twists in our career paths. Joanna proves that sometimes the best fit is found where you least expect it. Today, Joanna Welsh is the Chief Risk Officer at Citadel and also chairs the firm’s Portfolio Committee advising on risk tolerance levels for the strategies, businesses and funds. Joanna highlights the importance of finding the right fit in terms of people and culture. She emphasizes the significance of not settling for a place that doesn't align with your goals and values, and encourages us to seek environments where you can work with the best people in your field.
Whether you're navigating your career or looking for ways to advance in your profession, Joanna's insights on taking risks and continuously learning from experiences will inspire you to step out of your comfort zone and embrace new opportunities. Tune in to this episode and discover how finding the right fit can lead to greater success and fulfillment.
Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Joanna.
Highlights: [02:47] Joanna’s career path [06:23] Advice for overcoming roadblocks [10:00] Taking risks [12:40] Surrounding yourself with the best people [14:49] Pushing yourself as your role expands [19:19] What Joanna focused on with her risk management team [24:35] Returning to work at the office [27:17] Work/life balance [30:44] Joanna’s philosophy on relationships and networks [36:13] Citadel’s move to Miami [39:13] Advice for ambitious women wanting to advance their careers [41:04] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“Don’t underestimate the power of being around the best people in your field.” – Joanna Welsh “I’d rather be the nth best person on a team of superstars than the star person on an okay team.” – Joanna Welsh
“As the risk manager, the more eyes you can put on things that you’re doing, the better.” – Joanna Welsh
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you? - “The Double Helix” by James D. Watson
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “If you don’t have time to do it right, when are you going to have time to do it over?”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Impatient
What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
- I love schedules, routines, and preparing.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC
About Joanna Welsh: Joanna Welsh is Chief Risk Officer at Citadel. Joanna chairs Citadel’s Portfolio Committee and advises in determining risk tolerance levels for the strategies, businesses, and the funds as a whole.
Prior to joining Citadel, Joanna was at Tudor Investment Corporation for 15 years, most recently serving as Chief Risk Officer. With more than 20 years of experience in financial services and risk management, she also held senior risk positions at Commerzbank and Nomura. Joanna began her career in the Financial Services division of Andersen Consulting.
Joanna received a master’s and bachelor’s degree from Oxford University.
Links: Website: https://www.citadel.com/our-teams/leadership/joanna-welsh/
Does this sound familiar? You've been told that hiring candidates solely based on their qualifications and skills will result in a successful team. But despite following this advice, you're still experiencing a lack of cohesion and productivity. The pain of investing time and resources into recruitment, only to realize that the values of your new hires don't align with your company's culture, is all too real.
On this episode of the Beyond Barriers Podcast, Brooke Skinner Ricketts welcomes a highly respected Executive Recruiter, Entrepreneur and CEO, Anna Kelch. With an extensive background in executive search, Anna is the leader of the global technology practice at SRI. Her expertise enables her to provide invaluable insights and strategies for hiring managers and candidates, seeking to improve values alignment.
Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Anna.
Highlights: [03:00] Anna’s background and path to her career and lessons learn [10:29] Finding the right person for a role [12:02] Incorporating diversity [17:18] Opportunities for women [21:14] Telling your story and negotiation [27:00] Sharing about your life with your employers [32:27] Leveraging your relationships [42:16] Competition among women [42:40] What Anna advised her own kids in their job searches [45:16] Sending a thank you note [48:55] Doing your homework before sending a resume [52:33] Lightning round questions
Quotes: “A company’s culture, who you work for, how you’re supported, makes a huge difference in a company’s ability to keep talent.” – Anna Kelch
“You’ve got to figure out how to stand out, and that means you have to tell your story.” – Anna Kelch
“Networking is not transactional.” – Anna Kelch
Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - “Radical Candor” by Kim Scott
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.” – Maya Angelou
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Connector What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
- I stopped saying sorry so much. What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys (or anything by Bruce Springsteen)
About Anna Kelch: Anna leads the Global Technology Practice at SRI which exists to serve all companies where technology and transformation are critical to their business mission. She is an accomplished search consultant with over 25 years of experience and a reputation for recruiting hard to find talent for consumer, enterprise, and private equity clients in digital media, information services, SaaS, AI, e-commerce and data & analytics. She is strategic, unbiased, and personally invested in every search focused on delivering best-in-class talent. Clients and candidates value Anna’s counsel and view her as a trusted advisor versus a search vendor. Prior to search, Anna served in sales, marketing and management roles in publishing, digital media, and educational technology with companies including Meredith Corporation, Bertelsmann’s Gruner & Jahr, and Whittle Communications. A supporter of children, education, and the fine arts, she served on the board for Steppenwolf Theatre and Urban Gateways. She is a veteran in the search world yet remains committed to finding new ways to make search better, faster, and more fulfilling for both clients and candidates.
Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-mccormick-kelch/ https://sriexecutive.com/
In a world where productivity and fulfillment seem elusive, one woman took an unconventional path to unlocking their secrets. From academia to neuroscience, Dr. Britt Andreatta delved deep into the mysteries of the brain, uncovering a remarkable twist that would change everything. From her early days as a university program director to her former role as the Chief Learning Officer at Lynda.com (now LinkedIn Learning), she has continuously pushed the boundaries of what is possible in the field of education. Her latest book, Wired to Become, delves into the fascinating connection between happiness and purpose, offering practical insights for individuals seeking fulfillment in their work. As an esteemed author, speaker, and consultant, Dr. Andreatta's brain-based training methods have revolutionized the way companies and individuals approach productivity and personal growth. Get ready to be inspired as Dr. Andreatta shares her wealth of knowledge and experience on leveraging brain science for enhanced productivity.
Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Dr. Andreatta.
Highlights: [03:05] Britt’s journey to her current role [05:58] The difference between happiness and purpose [09:40] Finding meaning in work [13:15] Common paradoxes about meaning [17:01] How to thrive through change [18:35] The benefits of mindfulness [20:18] Hacks for mindfulness [22:24] Fulfilling your potential [25:06] How managers can create more meaning for their employees [33:28] Lightning round questions
Quotes: “All great leaders are great learners.” – Dr. Britt Andreatta “When people are really hooked into their purpose, one of the challenges is boundary management.” – Dr. Britt Andreatta “Change at work oftentimes triggers a lot of our survival or reactionary responses because it messes with our world.” – Dr. Britt Andreatta
Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - Books by Raj Sisodia, Brené Brown, Amy Edmondson, and Richard Davidson
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - “Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world, in fact it is the only thing that ever has.” (Margaret Mead)
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Facilitator What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? - I started using PowerPoint for all of my thinking.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “Girl of Fire” by Alicia Keys
About Dr. Britt Andreatta: Dr. Britt Andreatta is an internationally recognized thought leader who uses her background in leadership, neuroscience, psychology, and education to create science-based solutions for today's workplace challenges. Britt is the former CLO for Lynda.com (LinkedIn Learning) and has over 10 million views worldwide of her online courses. She regularly consults with organizations on leadership development and learning strategy. Britt is the author of several books on the brain science of success including Wired to Grow, Wired to Resist, and Wired to Connect. In 2022, she was named a Top 10 Influencer in Learning. In 2021, she was a Top 20 Learning Influencer and a Top 20 HR Influencer for Leadership Development.
Links: Website: https://www.brittandreatta.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittandreatta/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittandreatta/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrittAndreatta YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtNYXMSRcXYbQ7wueIkFXrA
Are you tired of feeling like an imposter, questioning your abilities, and holding unrealistic expectations? Do you have these myths floating in your head, like - Everyone else has it all figured out, Success means never doubting yourself, and Competence requires perfection? In this episode, our guest expert, Dr. Valerie Young, co-founder of the Impostor Syndrome Institute, will debunk these myths and share the truth about building realistic expectations and accepting self-doubt. Dr. Young is widely considered the leading thought leader on impostor syndrome and its impact on individuals' lives.
Her expertise and insights have made her a highly sought-after speaker and author, and she continues to make significant contributions in the field.
Through her work, Dr. Young discovered that at the core of impostor feelings lies the presence of unrealistic and unsustainable expectations about competence. Armed with this knowledge, she embarked on a mission to help individuals recognize and challenge these beliefs, ultimately empowering them to overcome self-doubt and embrace their true capabilities.
Whether you struggle with imposter syndrome or know someone who does, this episode is a must-listen. Dr. Young's wisdom and guidance will help you gain self-awareness, build realistic expectations, and navigate the challenges of impostor syndrome. So grab your headphones and get ready to be inspired and empowered.
Visit www.gobeyondbarriers.com, where you will find show notes and links to all the resources referenced in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Dr. Valerie Young.
Highlights: 00:01:00 - Dr. Young's Journey 00:07:08 - Overcoming Fears and Limiting Beliefs 00:10:05 - Becoming a Humble Realist 00:14:38 - Competence Types 00:17:08 - Overcoming Impostor Syndrome 00:18:59 - Perspective on Competence 00:21:10 - Feedback and Failure 00:28:35 - Imposter Syndrome and Women Supporting Women 00:42:35 - Staying in Contact and Following Dr. Young
Quotes: Don't wait until everything is perfect. Half-ass is better than no-ass. Get version one out the door and course-correct along the way. - Valerie Young
Recognize that people who don't feel like imposters are not any more intelligent or competent than the rest of us. They just have a realistic understanding of what it means to be competent. - Valerie Young
The only way to stop feeling like an imposter is to stop thinking like an imposter and become a humble realist. - Valerie Young
Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? ● “Making a Living Without a Job” by Barbara Winter and “Games Mother Never Taught You” by Betty Lehan Harragan What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? ● “Being realistic is the most traveled road to mediocrity.” – Will Smith What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? ● Determined What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? ● Recognizing and wanting to have control of my life to the degree possible. What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? ● “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys
About Valerie Young: Dr. Valerie Young is co-founder of the Impostor Syndrome Institute. Widely considered the leading thought leader on impostor syndrome, she has spoken at over 100 colleges and universities including Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Wharton, and Oxford’s Said business school. A former manager at a Fortune 200 company herself, she’s also shared her highly relatable and practical advice at such diverse organizations as Pfizer, Google, Boeing, P&G, Siemens, Space Telescope Science Institute, Intel, BP, YUM Brands, Microsoft, JP Morgan, Federal Reserve of Kansas City, Diageo, Trane, Molson Coors, NASA, the National Cancer Institute, and the National Basketball Association to name a few.
Valerie’s work has been cited around the world in publications such as Time, Newsweek, Psychology Today, Science, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Irish Independent, Sydney Morning Herald, Globe & Mail, on BBC radio and the Ten Percent Happier podcast.
She’s author of the award-winning book The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: And Men, Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It with Crown Business, published in six languages and is a contributor to an upcoming book on impostor phenomenon published by the American Psychological Association.
Valerie earned her doctoral degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where she studied internal barriers to women’s achievement.
Although her research subjects consisted of a racially diverse group of professional women, much of her original findings have proved directly applicable to anyone with impostor feelings.
Links: Website: https://impostorsyndrome.com/valerie-young/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerieyoung/
Iliana Quinonez boasts an impressive track record in the tech industry, having amassed over 25 years of trailblazing experiences. Showing remarkable leadership, she has helmed teams of engineers, distinguishing herself in the realm of solution engineering and stewarding software companies towards success and earning the award and title of Latina Trailblazer in Tech. Iliana is indeed a tech powerhouse and the epitome of resilience.
Iliana recently embarked on a fresh venture — the inception of her own consulting company. With a critical spotlight on advocating for Latinx women and underrepresented minorities, her firm offers catalytic startup services designed to fast-track their entrepreneurial and career trajectories.
However, Iliana's accomplishments aren't solely confined to the professional sphere. She embodies the virtues of personal resilience and determination, as exemplified by her battle with a serious health crisis. Iliana had to face a health challenge that necessitated a complex and delicate brain surgery.
But Iliana didn't merely survive this ordeal; she emerged stronger and more determined than ever. It's a powerful testament to her positive mindset and the ability to reframe challenging circumstances into unique opportunities for personal growth and evolution.
Iliana's journey reflects the boundless opportunities that emerge from embracing life's changes head-on and taking thoughtful, calculated risks. Her wealth of wisdom and experience makes her an invaluable mentor to women within the high tech industry and beyond.
Let Iliana's inspiring story encourage you to view obstacles as opportunities, just as she did. Get ready to be inspired and remember: every challenge can open up a new path to success.
Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Iliana.
Highlights: [00:03] Meet Iliana Quinonez [00:10] Career Pivot [01:05] Personal Health Challenges and Resilience [08:37] Positive Attitude and Support [13:38] Balancing Personal Life and Transition [14:10] Building a Network and Seeking Guidance [18:31] Trial and Error and Continuous Growth [19:48] Overcoming Self-Doubt [24:11] Helping Startups with Their Value Proposition [31:31] Lightning round questions
Quotes: By reframing challenges as opportunities, we can create impactful change and accelerate our path to success. - Iliana Quinonez
Life is full of challenges and taking risks, but with resilience and the support of relationships, we can overcome anything. - Iliana Quinonez
In the face of unexpected obstacles, it's important to educate ourselves, make the unknown known, and take risks for our own well-being and growth. - Iliana Quinonez
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you? - “The Hard Thing About Hard Things” by Ben Horowitz
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - “People will forget a lot of things you do or say, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou and “You can often change your circumstances by changing your attitude.” by Eleanor Roosevelt
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Impact
What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? - Don’t take no for an answer (Winston Churchill) and creating VLM (valuable life moments).
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “La vida es un carnaval” by Celia Cruz and “Don’t Stop” by Fleetwood Mac
About Iliana Quinonez:
ILIANA QUINONEZ - CEO and Founder, IQ Accelerate Iliana is a Latina Trailblazer in Tech. She is an IT Executive and Certified Executive Coach with more than twenty years of experience in the high-tech industry working across three different continents.
Her experience includes leadership roles and coaching and mentoring practice in Solutions Engineering, GTM, Business Development, Product Management and Consulting. She has worked at Enterprise Software companies and startups including Salesforce, SAP, BEA systems, Informix Software, Magnet Systems and BDNA Corporation. She has experienced great IPO exits as well as startups pivoting and changing paths which has provided her the insights and empathy she uses to advise and coach startup founders, early-stage teams and high-tech professionals. Her most recent corporate role at Salesforce was VP Solutions Engineering, leading the team that supported the Travel, Transportation and Hospitality Industries.
Iliana is a strong advocate for DEI and an active mentor in her communities. She has held Board Seats at organizations like Upwardly Global (helping immigrant professionals rebuild their careers in the US) and MENTOR California (helping bridge the youth mentoring gap in the state). She holds a BSc in Computer Science from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, an MSc in Information Systems from the London School of Economics and is a certified Beyond Barriers Coach specialized in women leaders. She is a frequent podcast guest and speaker at events highlighting the importance of Women Leadership, Latinas in Tech, Women in STEM, Latinx Startups and DEI. She lives in San Francisco with her husband and their two daughters.
Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iliana-quinonez-34794/
Paula Schneider is a highly accomplished leader with a remarkable career spanning over three decades in the fashion industry. She has held prestigious positions such as CEO of American Apparel, as well as leadership roles at renowned brands like BCBG and Speedo. However, Paula's journey took an unexpected turn when she transitioned into the nonprofit sector as the CEO of Susan G. Komen. What sets her apart is her personal connection to the cause, having battled breast cancer herself. This firsthand experience fuels her passion and drives her commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. Paula's expertise in strategic leadership and her ability to navigate complex challenges have been instrumental in her successful transition into the nonprofit world. Her story serves as an inspiration for individuals considering a career transition, showcasing the power of following one's passion and finding purpose in meaningful work.
Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com, where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Paula.
Highlights:
[02:19] Paula’s background [10:47] C Suite retail to C Suite nonprofit [17:42] Moving forward despite uncertainty [21:16] When fires are all around you [22:46] Making decisions and what to do when things go sideways [24:17] How Susan G. Komen® dealt with COVID [28:25] The importance of knowing your financials [33:27] Not measuring up when under new management [35:23] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“All the work that I do is illustrative of finding a cure so that my daughters don't have to go through this.” - Paula Schneider
“I couldn’t care less if I sold one more pair of jeans to Bloomingdale's. I wanted to do something that was more meaningful.” - Paula Schneider
“Women underestimate their abilities to problem-solve and figure things out. We need to believe in ourselves and bring our expertise to the table.” - Paula Schneider
“People are really happy when they are accountable and understand what they are accountable for.” - Paula Schneider
“The P&L guides all.” – Paula Schneider
“When you are in a turnaround, you don’t have time to make decisions.” - Paula Schneider
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you? - “The Paris Daughter” by Kristin Harmel (all books by this author)
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - “Don’t sweat the small stuff”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Instigator
What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? - Finding joy in every day.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang
About Paula Schneider: Paula Schneider is president and CEO of Susan G. Komen®, where she is responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the world’s leading breast cancer organization. Komen has made more than $3.5 billion in investments in breast cancer research, advocacy and patient support since its founding in 1982, helping reduce the breast cancer mortality rate by 42%. As a breast cancer survivor herself, and having lost her mother to metastatic breast cancer, Schneider’s work is personal as she brings a unique combination of business expertise and real-world perspective to Komen’s mission as CEO.
Paula led Komen through an enterprise-wide restructuring, transforming Komen’s national network of independent local affiliate organizations into a single, united entity, leveraging shared operational functions while maintaining local development and mission teams across the country. Under her leadership, Komen today serves as a trusted health care guide, providing millions of people with safe, accurate, evidence-based information and education—as well as direct patient support services including financial assistance, patient navigation services, emotional support and resources. Komen also remains focused on accelerating breakthroughs for the most aggressive and deadly breast cancers, and eliminating breast cancer disparities through focused interventions that break down the barriers for Black people across the country. Schneider is widely regarded as a business expert in organizational management and finance. Prior to Komen, she served as CEO of American Apparel, where she navigated one of the most notable turnarounds in the retail sector. She previously served as President of the Warnaco Swimwear Group, the largest swimwear company in the world, with brands such as Speedo and Calvin Klein. Schneider is a sought-after public speaker on issues of women’s health and empowerment. She has been featured at such thought leadership events such as Fortune’s Most Powerful Women’s Forum and Yahoo Finance. She has served as a spokeswoman for the Liz Claiborne Company and its crusade to eradicate abuse against women, and is currently a member of C200, the preeminent global organization for the advancement of women business leaders.
Links:
Website: https://www.komen.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-schneider-6322661a/
Early experiences often shape our entire lives. The inspiring story of our guest - Jennifer Openshaw - shows what’s possible to achieve when you choose to own your destiny.
Being a child of divorce and watching her mother struggle as a single mom to make ends meet shaped Jennifer’s entire career journey. Her first “real” job was working as a maid in a motel while her mother worked two full-time jobs as a waitress to support the family. At an early age, she decided to make it on her own and to make a big impact.
Now as CEO of Girls With Impact, the nation’s leading business education program for young women, she empowers women all around the world with the business and tech skills to become future leaders.
Jennifer’s story illustrates the power of vision, determination and tenacity in your pursuits. She achieved her ambitions by looking at how other people got to where they are and always surrounding herself with a community of next level peers.
She has broken barriers and paved the way for others to follow.
Visit gobeyondbarriers.com, where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Jennifer.
Highlights: [02:18] What shaped Jennifer’s young life [04:19] Jennifer’s young career choices [08:05] Pursuing passions or pursuing money [14:44] Looking for opportunities [15:57] Dealing with fear of rejection or failure [18:17] Lessons learned as an entrepreneur [24:09] Gen Z in the workforce and the benefit of failing [27:36] Ready for the “what if” [30:05] Women when it comes to finances [32:14] About Girls With Impact [34:56] Taking her mission to the next level [43:57] Companies attracting entrepreneurs and Gen Z [49:21] Lightning round questions
Quotes: “Sometimes the way to move up is to move out.” – Jennifer Openshaw
“I’m a believer in not taking a leap until you know what you’re leaping to.” – Jennifer Openshaw
“It shows people something when you’re willing to raise your hand.” – Jennifer Openshaw
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you? - “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - "If there’s a will there’s a way.” And “The answer will reveal itself.”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - What leapfrog move can take you to where you want to go?
What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? - Being grateful every day.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Diana Ross.
About Jennifer Openshaw:
Jennifer Openshaw – called “one of the most outspoken proponents for empowering women to control their financial lives” by CBS MarketWatch – is CEO of Girls With Impact, the nation’s leading business education program for young women.
Her expertise and national reputation as a financial innovator have made her a valuable ally in the media – from “Oprah,” “Dr. Phil” and “Today” to CNN, Fox and CNBC.
At the age of 14, Jennifer took on her first “real” job as a maid in a motel while her mother worked two full-time jobs as a waitress to support the family.
In 2000, Jennifer was named one of the Internet’s 25 Rising Stars as a result of her work as CEO and founder of Women’s Financial Network, a company created as a result of her experience in the industry and as the “Money Expert” for KCBS-TV.
The company was acquired by Wall Street legend Muriel Siebert (NYSE: SIEB). Jen’s financial industry experience includes senior roles at Bank of America, leading pension advisor Wilshire Associates, and BankOne (now JP Morgan Chase). She also headed the 60-year-old Financial Women’s Association and, most recently, was Partner and Chief Marketing Officer at global consulting firm Mercer, where she led the When Women Thrive research platform. She started her career in the California State Treasurer’s Office.
Drawing from her experience in Silicon Valley, Wall Street and Main Street in tech, education, and the financial industry, Jennifer has been a fixture in the media. Her roles have included “Money Expert” for KCBS-TV, host of ABC Radio’s Winning Advice, and columnist for Dow Jones’ MarketWatch. She’s the author of three books: The Socially Savvy Advisor (2015); The Millionaire Zone (Hyperion), based on research about the social networking strategies of the wealthy; and What’s Your Net Worth? (Perseus), turned into a Public Television Show.
Jennifer has been an advisor to Fortune 500 firms, including Microsoft, where she also served as national spokesperson. She writes regularly for Dow Jones, USA Today and as a LinkedIn Influencer.
Jennifer holds an MBA in finance and BA from UCLA. She is a member of the New York Economic Club and was appointed by the California Governor to the Commission on California Government Efficiency.
Links: Website: https://www.girlswithimpact.org/ LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenopenshaw/ LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/girlswithimpact/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlswithimpact/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jopenshaw Twitter: https://twitter.com/GirlsWithImpact
Be Fearless, Be Bold, Be You. This is a mantra that Dominica Ribeiro shares with us in today’s podcast, and it is one that she herself has lived. Dominica started her career in finance when she walked into a firm after graduating high school and asked for a job. 27 years later, she is Chief Marketing and Distribution Officer at Breckinridge, a leading asset manager firm. Dominica is as wise as she is brilliant. She gained her fierce independence and work ethic from her mother who taught her to work hard and not to depend on anyone else for what you want.
Dominica shares how she nurtures the ideas of those around her at every level, and how her experience seeking mentors who don’t look like her, has paid dividends for her career.
She is a leader who is adept at building her own brand and is always focused on the positive. She shares how her dual roles of Executive and parent have taught her lessons about communication, negotiation, and strategy. We learned so much from this conversation and we hope you will too.
Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Dominica.
Highlights: [04:09] Leveraging data [06:36] When the data proves you wrong [09:16] Expressing your opinion no matter what your role [12:25] Dominica’s vision of being a leader [14:16] Building a brand [19:36] When your mentors don’t look like you [23:10] Finding confidence [27:21] What led Dominica down her career path [29:39] Habits of success [32:06] Dominica’s background and story [36:20] Lightning round questions
Quotes: “Be fearless, be bold, but be you.” - Dominica Ribeiro
“If you layer your opinion or thought process on top of the data, that is the power behind the decision or the conversation.” – Dominica Ribeiro
“I’ve never had somebody who looks and acts like me and has my experience be a mentor to me, and I think that’s the beauty of diversity of thought.” - Dominica Ribeiro
Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - “Dare to Lead” by Brene Brown
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - “Leadership is not about being in charge, it’s about taking care of those in your charge.” – Simon Sinek
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Mom, and empathetic.
What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? - Weekly therapy.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “Roar” by Katy Perry
About Dominica Ribeiro:
Dominica is Breckinridge’s chief marketing and distribution officer. In her role, she leads the firm’s strategic distribution, including sales and relationship management, as well as the marketing plans and initiatives. She is also a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. Dominica has been with the firm since 2020 and has over 27 years of industry experience.
Prior to Breckinridge, Dominica was head of institutional marketing at State Street Global Advisors where she was responsible for the development and execution of their overall marketing strategy. Campaigns focused on the promotion of State Street Global Advisors thought leadership, investment strategies, and gender diversity initiatives – notably, the Fearless Girl installation on Wall Street in New York City which helped raise awareness around the globe of the power of women in leadership, as well as the connection between increasing gender diversity on boards and long-term company performance.
She began her career at Putnam Investments where she spent five years before joining the marketing and communications team at Fidelity Investments where she rose from communication analyst to director of institutional marketing, and then to vice president of institutional marketing.
Dominica currently serves on the Board of Directors for Crispus Attucks Children's Center, a Boston-based childcare and development center, and as a Corporate Trustee for the Trustees of Reservations, the nation's oldest preservation and conservation organization. She also serves as a teen mentor for the Attleboro Community Academy, a state accredited high school diploma program, which provides an alternative path to graduation for struggling students and high school dropouts. She is a member of 100 Women in Finance, Boston Women in Finance, Women in Pensions Network, and the Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association (DCIIA). She previously served on the leadership committee for the 50/50 Women on Boards Boston chapter. Dominica holds a B.S. and a M.S. in Business Management from Lesley University.
Links: Website: https://www.breckinridge.com/ LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominica-ribeiro/
Are you frustrated about setbacks and challenges that are getting in the way of your dreams? Our guest today will reveal the secret to turning these obstacles into opportunities.
Meet Tiffani Potesta, a trailblazing leader in the finance industry whose life and career is a testament to the transformative power of gratitude. With limited resources and no college degree, Tiffani built a successful career on Wall Street simply by leveraging her insatiable curiosity and love of math. Her journey reflects the indomitable human spirit and the will to survive and thrive.
Throughout the episode, Tiffani emphasizes the importance of focusing on yourself and the contributions you can make, rather than comparing yourself to others. She stresses the value of being respected, rather than just being liked.
Tiffani also provides practical advice on decision-making, embracing curiosity, and overcoming the fear of failure.
Tiffani shares her story of how she emerged from the depths of darkness with newfound strength and determination. But what exactly happened that changed the course of her existence? Stay tuned as we unravel the extraordinary tale of resilience that will inspire you to embrace life's unexpected surprises.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking personal and professional growth. Brace yourself for a story that will leave you in awe!
Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Tiffani.
Highlights:
[02:48] What shaped Tiffani’s life and career
[05:49] Succeeding on Wall Street without a college degree
[07:23] Choose being respected over being liked
[08:01] Making high-impact decisions
[11:37] Reframing doubt as a strength
[13:30] Attributes of a great team member
[26:30] Recognizing and sharing your value
[29:13] How to talk to the higher ups in your company
[30:43] How Tiffani stays grounded every day
[33:46] What Tiffani is most curious about now
[40:12] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“Gratitude is like the driving force of everything that you're going to do because
what stands on top of that is humility and integrity and grace.” - Tiffani Potesta
“You are only bound by limits of your own curiosity.” – Tiffani Potesta
“Doubt is healthy because doubt makes us strive to do better. We need to reframe doubt as a strength, not a weakness.” - Tiffani Potesta
“Being liked is a great thing to have, but respect actually carries so much more currency.” – Tiffani Potesta
“It’s the fear of failure that actually creates an inability for us to move forward.” –
Tiffani Potesta
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “The Coming Plague” by Laurie Garrett
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- Sometimes you’re the windshield, and sometimes you’re the bug.
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Honest
What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
- Active listening
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “Rise Up” by Andra Day
About Tiffani Potesta:
Tiffani Potesta is the Head of US Client Group and Chief Strategy Officer for North America at Schroders.
As CSO, she has oversight responsibilities across the US client group strategy, marketing, product development, the sustainability initiative, data and client service. She drives business management and strategy, partnering with the CEO to prioritize and deliver regional plans and procedures to direct growth in North America.
Prior to the CSO role, Tiffani was Chief Administrative Officer as well as Head of Distribution Strategy at Schroders. Prior to joining Schroders, Tiffani was Head of DCIO and Third Party Insurance at DWS Investments and Director of National Accounts at First Eagle Funds.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffani-potesta-a55b9a5/
Website: https://www.schroders.com/en/global/individual/
Daphne Kis, CEO of WorldQuant University, got her strong work ethic as a child of immigrant parents. Her mom always encouraged her to find a career path that was engaging. This provided her a guiding principle to find meaning in her work and to create a path and fill it.
Daphne is a risk-taker. She believes we have to understand how much risk we are willing to take and be willing to make new mistakes all the time. In fact, we should make mistakes and then beg for forgiveness. For Daphne, patience breeds change, and being a change agent is critical. She talks about how data science is the means and not the end and why women are disproportionately represented in the field of analytics.
Join us while Daphne has an interesting discussion with us about how the process is more important than the outcome. She shares her take on the paralysis that comes when faced with too many choices and the problem when needing to optimize every decision. Daphne also talks about the impact of economic insecurity and if a company really wants to retain employees, they should offer amazing health insurance!
On a personal note, Daphne likes to build things. She’s a social person who enjoys partnerships with other people and sharing ideas with them. Learn more about how she turns everything off in order to stay grounded.
Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Daphne.
Highlights: [02:07] Daphne’s background [06:11] Discovering her tolerance for risk [11:54] Resisting change [15:45] Advancing in data and technology [22:28] Gaining clarity on your purpose [29:13] Being a change agent [33:43] Future proofing [38:00] Risk taking [42:52] Assessing risks for making changes [45:42] Self care [49:02] Staying grounded [53:10] Lightning round questions
Quotes: “Impatience breeds change.” – Daphne Kis
“Data science is the 21st Century sociology.” – Daphne Kis
“I am a bigger believer in the process than the outcome.” – Daphne Kis
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you? - “Beloved” by Toni Morrison
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - It changes by the month..
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - I come from kindness and generosity.
What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? - Hiring a trainer.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge
About Daphne Kis: Daphne Kis is the CEO of WorldQuant University (WQU), the leader in global education for data sciences. WQU delivers entirely free, online programs that expand access to studies and credentials in data sciences. With its MSc program in Financial Engineering and Applied Data Science Lab, WQU serves more than 10,000 students in over 100 countries. As a dynamic entrepreneur, Kis has been at the forefront of identifying, chronicling, and transforming trends in technology, education, and business for decades. Passionate about global entrepreneurship opportunities, especially for women, Kis regularly mentors female founders, and serves on the advisory boards of the Quorum Initiative and Mindshift Capital.
Links: Website: https://www.wqu.edu/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daphnekis/
Stacy Devine knew from a young age that the field of finance was for her. While other kids were playing, she enjoyed balancing a budget. She even loaned her sister money and charged her interest. She later took an accounting class in school and was hooked. She pursued her CPA and started her career at Ernst & Young as a certified public accountant.
Today, Stacy finds herself as the Chief Investment Officer of RPTC, a private trust company for a single family office in Chicago. With all of her accomplishments, it might be hard to believe that Stacy was always underestimated and had to prove herself over and over again. She took this as an opportunity to build her courage.
She finds great strength from her solid network of support (including her husband and friends) to keep finding the courage to claim her seat at the table. When Stacy needs to make a decision, she always tries to discover what are the opposite opinions. She’ll seek out other points of view and then see how they affect her convictions. She also knows the importance of just stopping what she’s doing and having fun with her family because there will always be a million things to do. She has learned to give up on perfection to have more balance in her life.
Join us as Stacy shares her wisdom as a leader in her field.
Visit gobeyondbarriers.com, where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Stacy.
Highlights:
[02:59] Stacy’s path to finance
[08:47] Asking for what you deserve
[14:23] Making important decisions
[16:44] Creating an open environment for debate
[18:30] Taking a break from work
[22:59] Building relationships
[27:42] Staying grounded
[31:05] Continuing to grow professionally and personally
[32:01] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“Community has been essential throughout my career.” – Stacy Devine
“It’s important for me to really see both sides of an argument and understand it, and then I can challenge my view to have much better convictions in the decisions I’m making.” – Stacy Devine
“I’m basically an introvert pretending to be an extrovert.” – Stacy Devine
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “Cloud Cuckoo Land” by Anthony Doerr
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- What makes you different will make you stand out. You will be
remembered.
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Yin/yang.
What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
- I stopped reaching for perfection.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “Unstoppable” by Sia
About Stacy Devine:
Stacy Devine is the Chief Investment Officer of RPTC Inc, a private trust company for a single family office in Chicago. Prior to joining RPTC, Stacy was a Managing Director and Head of Investments for the Midwest and Canada Regions of Citi Private Bank, working with a range of ultra-high net worth families in the U.S., Canada and Asia. Before Citi, Stacy was an investment advisor at Barclays (Lehman) and a member of the Portfolio Advisory Group at Goldman Sachs, covering the Midwest region. Prior to her focus on ultra-high net worth individuals and family offices, Stacy was a senior sell-side equity analyst with Deutsche Bank and First Analysis Corporation, specializing in environmental and industrial service sectors. In this role, Stacy was ranked as Wall Street Journal’s #1 All-Star Analyst for two years running and was recognized in Institutional Investor’s 2001 All American Research Team. She started her career at Ernst & Young as a certified public accountant. Stacy holds a BS summa cum laude from Drake University and an MBA with honors from Kellogg Graduate School of Management. In the Chicago community, Stacy is a member of the Advisory Board for Invest for Kids. She is also a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Chicago.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-devine-cfa-0259646/
Meet Tina Manikas, President of the Tracy-Locke group of companies at Omnicom, a seasoned veteran in marketing and advertising, who shares profound insights from her career journey, promoting a message of empowerment and self-advocacy for women in the industry.
A game-changer in the industry, Tina's story is anything but ordinary. A fortunate encounter sparked her interest in marketing during her college years, leading her
to ambitiously climb the ladder and amass a wealth of experience, eventually becoming the President of Tracy-Locke.
Throughout her journey, Tina has championed two paramount ethos: self- promotion and the power of generosity. Tina advocates for individuals to be more proactive, stepping up as their most enthusiastic promoter and seizing opportunities to showcase their intrinsic worth. Complementing this self-belief, she extols the virtues of kindness and openness, underscored in the sharing of ideas and mutual uplifting within the industry.
In this inspiring interview, women in marketing and advertising get a tangible blueprint on overcoming challenges, capitalizing on opportunities, and unlocking their boundless potential. Tina's story serves as a powerful reminder to women everywhere: Advocate for your own worth, actively search for opportunities, and maintain a mindset of persistent progression
.
Join Brooke Skinner Ricketts on an incredible ride, as she unravels Tina's empowering journey and learn how you too can tap into 'The Power of Possibility'.
—
Have you ever met someone who seems to have it all together super dynamic, passionate, hard working, focused on family focused on work leader engaged with everything that they do. Tina Manikas is president of Tracy-Locke , an Omnicom agency. I met Tina many years ago when we were both working together on a very high pressure pitch. Tina is a dynamic marketing executive and leader known for her focus on vision and relentless pursuit of new strategies, capabilities and solutions to grow better brands and solve a business problem. Problems. Tina always shows up with a solution. She looks at creativity, technology and
commerce as an opportunity to multiply business potential. She's an intrapreneur, who has a track record of growing businesses beyond the bounds that others could see. he's a mentor. She's a mom, she's a godmother. She's a grandmother, and she is an incredible business person with a very compelling story.
Under Tina's leadership, Tracy-Locke has soared solidifying its position among the industry's most respected and sought after brand and Commerce Building communications agencies with award winning creative industry achievements that include can Lyons FeS and ama Reggie's. Prior to joining Tracy-Locke in 2021, Tina built a 23 plus year career at FCB and Interpublic Group, where she founded and led FCB/RED, an award winning shopper digital and commerce agency. She's also been global retail officer for FCB global and chief retail marketing officer, a draft Chicago, named advertising Woman of the Year in 2019. By the Chicago Advertising Federation, Tina has received numerous recognitions over the course of her career. She's a speaker, she's an advisor, and she's a faculty member at several global and US advertising industry forum forums, and she continues to help shape the future of the industry and the community of the industry. She's also very engaged in the community and serves on the boards of off the street club, Chicago's oldest boys and girls club and the Chicago Foundation For Women.
She's an incredible advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion. And she's one of the original signers of Time's Up advertising and an early supporter of the Free The Bid initiative. We are so excited for you to get a whiff of her passion, her poise, her wisdom and her grace. Please join me for this wonderful conversation with Tina Manikas.
Visit gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Tina.
Highlights:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:03:58 - Convincing People to Buy Brands
00:07:07 - Cultivating Self-Promotion
00:08:42 - Leadership and Entrepreneurship
00:14:10 - Learning from Failure
00:15:36 - Reflection in a Fast-Paced World
00:18:51 - Navigational Skills for Success
00:22:17 - Making Difficult Decisions
00:24:54 - Daily Habits and Rituals
00:28:03 - The Benefits of a Hybrid Work Model
00:29:06 - Setting and Achieving Goals
00:31:03 - Prioritizing Self-Care
00:33:03 - Believing in Yourself and Helping Others
00:36:31 - Lightning Round Questions
Quotes:
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
About Tina Manikas:
Tina Manikas is a dynamic marketing executive and leader, known for her focus on vision and relentless pursuit of new strategies, capabilities, and solutions to grow brands and solve business problems. She recognizes that creativity, technology, and commerce can be harnessed to multiply business potential. Her appreciation for fostering a thriving team and culture underscores her knack for motivating, mentoring, and retaining diverse top talent, aligning individual passions with strategic opportunities.
As President of the Tracy-Locke group of companies at Omnicom, Tina has developed and steered its Compelling Commerce platform which provides clients with industry-leading omni-commerce innovations and creative solutions that connect to culture and inspire people to buy into brands and buy products. This build business for clients that include Pepsi, Diageo, Lego, FedEx, Pizza Hut, P&G and Kellogg to name a few.
Under her leadership, Tracy-Locke has soared, solidifying its position among the industry's most respected, and sought-after brand and commerce-building communications agencies with award-winning creative industry achievements that include Cannes Lions, Effies and ANA REGGIES.
Prior to joining Tracy-Locke in 2021, Tina built a 23+ year career at FCB and Interpublic Group where she founded and led FCB/RED, an award-winning shopper, digital and commerce agency. Before FCB/RED she served as Global Retail Officer for FCB Global, and Chief Retail Marketing Officer at Draft Chicago.
Her experience spans many industries and includes several industry “firsts”. Named Advertising Woman of the Year in 2019 by the Chicago Advertising Federation, Tina has earned numerous recognitions over the course of her career.
They include Woman of Excellence award from the Path to Purchase Institute, the Retail leadership Award from the Asia Retail Congress, and President of the Jury for Activation for both Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity and Spikes Asia.
As a speaker, advisor and faculty member of several global and US advertising industry forums, Tina continues to help shape the future of her industry and on the community front, she also serves on the boards of both the Off the Street Club, Chicago’s oldest boys and girls club, and the Chicago Foundation for Women. Tina is an advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion and was one of the original signers of #timesupadvertising and an early supporter of the Free the Bid initiative. A devoted wife and mom, Tina and her husband John have three
children, including a daughter who is now in advertising. She also boasts 10 godchildren and an extended, big fat Greek family.
Ever feel like an impostor in your own success story? That's exactly the experience
co-founder and partner of Cardone Ventures, Natalie Dawson, intricately navigated. She transformed this so-called 'imposter syndrome' into a secret weapon for success, thereby creating a compelling narrative of resilience and self-improvement.
Navigating the challenging waters of a high-level leadership position at 23, falling in love with a man 25 years her senior and rejecting the stereotype of the 'trophy wife'—Natalie's journey is anything but conventional. She embodies an ethos of continuous learning and improvement with her favourite mantra, 'Google that shit'. Encouraging her team to tackle the unfamiliar with relentless curiosity is testament to her groundbreaking approach.
An Amazon best-selling author, Natalie offers in-depth insight into her successful methodology in her book, 'TeamWork.' She shares wisdom on constructing efficient teams and embracing pressure as a privileged opportunity. Her take on mentorship is to keep queries specific and purposeful, rather than a vague 'can I pick your brain?'
If you find your inner voice bombarding you with doubts, questioning your rightful position at the table, this powerful podcast will serve as an inspiring guide. Tune in, gain insights, and empower your journey with Natalie Dawson. Be sure to subscribe, share and leave us a review. Let's redefine success together!
Visit gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Natalie.
Highlights:
[02:55] Natalie’s career path and discovering her value
[08:22] Leaning into who you are
[08:25] Embracing and communicating your value
[13:24] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[16:56] Facing tasks you’ve never done before
[19:35] How Natalie stays ahead
[19:01] The secret of teamwork
[21:36] Asking for and dealing with feedback
[24:41] Leveraging your community
[27:43] Aligning teams with business objectives
[30:53 Advice to young professionals who want to pivot in their careers
[36:09] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“My biggest fear was imposter syndrome, and the way I got over it was I really didn’t have a choice.” – Natalie Dawson
“When you become great at something, you love that thing because you’re rewarded for being great.” – Natalie Dawson
“Pressure is a privilege.” – Natalie Dawson
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “Beyond Positive Thinking” by Robert Anthony
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- "Success is my duty.” by Grant Cardone
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Passionate
What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
- Going to bed at 9:30 and using the Super Human app for emails.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- "Peaches” by Justin Bieber
About Natalie Dawson:
Natalie Dawson is an expert in developing people and building scalable teams.
She has interviewed, hired, trained, and led thousands of employees over the course of her career, most recently as Co-Founder and Partner of Cardone Ventures, a management consulting, joint ventures, and private equity firm that helps business owners achieve their personal, professional, and financial goals through the growth of their business. With no cost of capital, no outside investment, in 30 months Cardone Ventures has generated 60 million in revenue and over 30 million in EBITDA. Natalie is responsible for the operations and finding, hiring, aligning, developing and retaining the team that allows the business to scale profitably.
Having attended the London School of Economics, Natalie uses her unique blend of operational and financial skill sets to align employees with the business objectives--for measurable returns on investment. She is a #1 Amazon best seller for her book “TeamWork” which details exactly how she has built a highly engaged, highly aligned, high performance team in order to accommodate the business opportunity and growth.
Links:
Natalies Instagram
Natalies Tik Tok
Natalies Website
Natalies Twitter
Natalies "WorkWoman" Podcast
Cardone Ventures Events Page
"Remember, ‘Life is not a dress rehearsal’." This vital fatherly wisdom from Robin Wheeler’s childhood resonates in each step of her successful journey. As the Chief Revenue Officer at Fetch, Robin lives by this credo, becoming a risk-taker who skillfully transforms every challenge into an opportunity.
She unveils her exceptional journey navigating significant roles at industry powerhouses such as People Magazine, AOL, Twitter, and intricately weaves a narrative of how her success required a move across the country to integrate her career with her personal life.
Robin brings to light the critical elements of her success, primarily her daring choice of venturing into the less-traveled path and embracing challenges outside her comfort zone. She identified her super power for connecting with people and influencing through sales. With an unwavering belief in her value, she recomposes our understanding of self-worth: trusting ourselves and knowing the remarkable skills we bring to the table.
This episode untangles the bustling knitting of a thriving career and mothering twins. Hear from Robin herself about her effective strategies surrounding work-life integration and the importance she assigns to downtime expectations.
Visit gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Robin.
Highlights:
[03:03] Robin’s background and path to Twitter
[08:51] Adapting & evolving
[11:45] Knowing your strengths
[14:37] Leveraging your community
[19:22] How to make decisions and avoiding analysis paralysis
[22:52] Work/life integration
[27:37] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“People are at the heart of sales.” – Robin Wheeler
“You have to trust the value that you’re bringing and know that you belong in that role.” – Robin Wheeler
“If work/life balance means you have to take a step back, that doesn’t mean you’re failing, that doesn’t mean you’re not growing, it just means that’s what’s right for you at the moment.” – Robin Wheeler
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol Dweck
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- "Life is not a dress rehearsal.” And “Mind over matter, anything is
achievable.” And “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Authentic
What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
- Getting outside at least once a day.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- "Confident” by Demi Lovato
About Robin Wheeler:
Robin Wheeler is a strategic and inspirational Global leader with over 20 years of experience leading revenue teams. She has a strong track record of building high performing teams from the ground up and leading existing teams through change and turnarounds. A data driven decision maker, Robin is adept at successfully navigating the challenges of fast paced and constantly evolving industries in order to drive results.
Robin currently serves as the Chief Revenue Officer at Fetch, a consumer engagement and rewards platform. In her role she oversees the sales team and partners with the biggest names across consumer packaged goods, retail and restaurants to help them leverage Fetch’s unique data and engaged user base to drive measurable results for their businesses.
Prior to Fetch, Robin spent 11 years at Twitter where she held various leadership roles throughout that tenure. In addition to overseeing the Consumer Packaged Goods team and the Technology and Telecom team, Robin also launched a new division targeted at mid-market businesses.
Robin also spent time as the Global Head of MoPub, Twitter’s mobile app monetization platform, overseeing the Supply Team, the Demand Team, Marketing, Analytics and Operations in the US, UK, Japan, Singapore and Dublin.
Robin also served as Twitter’s Vice President, US Client Solutions, where she oversaw the team that serviced the largest brands all the way through to the Customer Success team who onboarded new small businesses. Prior to Twitter, Robin worked for AOL, Time Inc and US News and World Report and started her career on the agency side at TBWA\Chiat\Day LA where she worked on the Apple business. Robin also sits on the board of Sliide, a mobile
technology company, based in the UK.
Robin holds a Bachelor of Arts from Villanova University. When Robin isn’t working she loves spending time traveling with her family, snowboarding, hiking with her dogs and working out at F45. She resides in the Bay Area in Northern California with her husband and twin teenage daughters.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-partenheimer-wheeler/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/robinw
Meet Rati Sahi Levesque, President and Chief Operating Officer at The RealReal.
Rati worked with her co-founder Julie Wainwright to grow the business from the ground up, all the way to taking the company public in 2019, while fundamentally transforming the retail industry.
Rati’s journey is a true testament to resilience. Raised in a hardworking environment, her entrepreneurial spirit was nurtured from a young age as she observed her parents deal with the demands of being small business owners. Rati faced her own challenges as she strived to reconcile her dual identity - as an American and as the child of Indian immigrants. These life experiences gave birth to her tenacity, forcing her to adapt quickly and constantly push the boundaries - whether it was dealing with rejection by investors, learning to level up as a leader in fast growing business, or making timely and tough decisions on a daily basis.
Tune in and learn from Rati’s extraordinary journey of defying the odds and building a thriving business with over 32M members. In this episode, you will uncover the secret to making effective trade-offs in the face of complex problems, and how resilience triggers personal growth and drives success despite challenges.
Visit gobeyondbarriers.com, where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Rati.
Highlights:
[03:02] What shaped Rati
[07:43] Early career clarity
[11:19] Knowing your value
[14:30] Obstacles and fears Rati has overcome
[17:33] Staying focused during volatile times and during setbacks
[20:37] Making key decisions
[23:30] The type of people that make you better
[27:14] Getting by early on
[28:29] Shifting to lead a larger organization
[33:38] Having mostly female employees
[35:55] Top 3 things to focus on
[37:13] Rati’s company’s vision and how it drives their values
[33:16] Building key business relationships
[44:47] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“Have a bias toward action.” – Rati Sahi Levesque
“If you’re not staying up at night thinking “Oh I really wish we could do this one thing for ourselves”, then you’re not making trade offs.” – Rati Sahi Levesque
“Sometimes you have to go on that journey of self-discovery to find your group, your people, and build resilience.” - Rati Sahi Lavesque
“Being honest with yourself is the key to personal growth and success.” - Rati Sahi Lavesque
“Believe in your vision, lead with data, and push through barriers to achieve your goals.” - Rati Sahi Lavesque
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “Circe” by Madeline Miller
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- "Between stimulus and response, there’s space, and that space is our
power to choose our response, and in our response lies our growth and our
freedom.”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Resilient
What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
- Little things like sleeping, taking walks, or getting a massage.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- Anything by M.I.A.
About Rati Sahi Levesque:
As President and Chief Operating Officer, Rati oversees the company’s revenue channels and operations, including its rigorous authentication process, machine learning and AI tech developments, its operation centers and retail footprints, its team of master authenticators and experts, as well as its marketing and merchandising functions.
In her tenure, Rati has developed a playbook when it comes to resale, helping teams including merchandising, operations, sales, retail and marketing understand how to leverage technology to scale TRR through all of its functions and channels. She has leveraged technology to lead the company to where it is today, helping to attract 32.5M+ members, keep 32.7M+ luxury items in circulation, and pay a total of more than $3.4B in cumulative commission payouts.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rati-sahi-levesque-782b824/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealrati/
It can be challenging to balance personal authenticity with professional boundaries, but it's crucial for our overall well-being. A rewarding work-life involves authenticity, tapping into our passions, and finding the right support.
In this interview, you’ll meet Theresa Ludvigson, Senior Vice President of People at Qualified, the #1 pipeline generation platform for Salesforce, where Theresa previously held multiple management positions. Theresa enthusiastically shares stories from her past experiences. She discusses the challenges of learning new skills when switching jobs and the importance of staying true to who you are.
You’ll love her honesty, optimism, and electrifying energy. Theresa loves helping and coaching others and finding the right support to achieve that.
Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com/ where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Theresa.
Highlights:
[02:22] Theresa’s career path
[04:46] Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs
[10:09] How to ask others for support
[13:20] Tapping into your passion
[15:59] Staying ahead of the curve
[18:15] Knowing your limits and saying no
[21:02] Leading by example
[22:36] How to integrate work with life
[25:25] Finding mentors & building relationships
[28:20] Finding clarity and direction in the workplace
[31:22] Creating and promoting your personal brand
[33:16] Lightning round questions
[37:46] Where to find Theresa online
Quotes:
“Simply asking ‘Hey, how can I support you?’ opens up the door and allows an individual to share how you can best help them.” – Theresa Ludvigson
“Leading with transparency and authenticity is key.” – Theresa Ludvigson
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.” -
Oprah Winfrey
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- So Glam
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- Caffeine to fuel my energy.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani
About Theresa Ludvigson:
Theresa Ludvigson is the Senior Vice President of People at Qualified, the #1 pipeline generation platform for Salesforce. She joined the company in January of 2022 and leads Qualified's overall people experience strategy, which includes talent acquisition, leadership development, diversity and inclusion, compensation and benefits, HR operations and technology, and employee relations. Under her leadership, she’s created a team of employee-focused culture champions that touch every point of the employee lifecycle, and help Qualified employees feel empowered to do their best work while inspiring each other to learn and grow.
Prior to Qualified, Theresa led global new hire onboarding, employee loyalty programs, and the alumni network as Vice President, Global Onboarding and Loyalty Programs at Salesforce. She also held positions in Talent Development, Employee Engagement, Sales Effectiveness, Customer Marketing, and Sales while at Salesforce.
Theresa holds degrees in Journalism and Ethnic Studies from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her two sons.
Links:
Website: https://www.qualified.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tludvigson/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tludvigs
With a remarkable career journey that began in investment banking, Erika Irish Brown, Citi’s Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer and Global Head of Talent, shares how seeking guidance and sponsorship from unlikely sources propelled her career, inspiring young professionals to overcome barriers and find success in their own way. As a lifelong learner and dedicated advocate for giving back, Erika understands the importance of mentorship and sponsorship in achieving professional success.
Hailing from a Caribbean family in Brooklyn, Erika's educational background and commitment to lifting up community have played key roles in shaping her successful career journey. In fact, she was brought up with the saying, "To whom much is given, much is required".
As a successful professional in the world of investment banking, Erika Irish Brown knew that something was missing. She wanted to leave a lasting legacy and make a difference in the lives of others, particularly those with diverse backgrounds.
This desire led her to take a leap of faith and transition into the world of diversity, equity, and inclusion, even before it became a recognized field. Along the way, Erika discovered the immense value of mentorship and the powerful role that sponsors play in supporting one's career growth. By harnessing the wisdom and guidance of these influential figures, Erika was able to unlock her full potential and create a lasting impact in her field. Join us to hear more about Erika’s inspiring story.
Visit gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Erika.
Highlights:
[02:43] Erika’s path to success and what she’s learned along the way
[10:19] Mentors & sponsors
[18:13] Mentor relationships take work
[18:15] Moving into the DEI space
[25:26] Acculturating & embracing authenticity
[29:40] Making hard decisions
[33:58] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
"I started to be more successful when I started to use my voice and be my authentic self."– Erika Irish Brown
“If you don’t ask, you don’t get.” – Erika Irish Brown
"Nobody does it on their own and unfortunately, very often women and people of color are reluctant to ask for help because they view it as a sign of weakness or perhaps that they are less than." – Erika Irish Brown
“Once you’ve had a track record of success, you can gain traction, and success begets success.” – Erika Irish Brown
"I always felt like there was a business case for diversity from what I had experienced early on and approached it like a business." - Erika Irish Brown
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “Becoming” by Michelle Obama
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.” – Shirley
Chisolm
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Resilient & tenacious
What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
- Working out almost every day, no matter what.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- "I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan or “Brooklyn Go Hard” by Jay-Z
About Erika Irish Brown:
Erika is Citi’s Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer and Global Head of Talent, responsible for developing global diversity, equity and inclusion strategy and driving Citi’s agenda on talent planning, succession planning and leadership development.
Prior to joining Citi, Erika was Chief Diversity Officer at Goldman Sachs from 2018 to 2021 and Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Bloomberg from 2015 to 2018. Prior to this, she led executive and diversity hiring efforts at Bank of America and Lehman Brothers.
Erika's background includes a range of banking and finance roles, including Head of Business Development for Black Entertainment Television, Senior Associate in High Yield Capital Markets at Morgan Stanley and Senior Policy Analyst for Domestic Finance for the United States Department of the Treasury. She began her career as an Analyst in Public Finance at Lehman Brothers.
Erika is Vice Chair of the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation and serves on the Boards of Columbia Business School and the Riverside Hawks.
Erika earned a BS in Economics from the State University of New York at Albany and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikairishbrown/
This conversation features the charismatic Jessica Doyle Mekkes, a woman on a mission to transform women's approach towards public speaking. Rooted in her background as a performer and the head of East Carolina University's Musical Theater program, Jessica's unique insights aid women in breaking through traditional communication barriers. Her engaging work showcases the critical connection between performance anxiety in the arts and public speaking, offering women much-needed tactics to overcome fears, boost their confidence, and amplify their voices without fail.
A seasoned performer and vocal coach, Jessica found a new passion in empowering women through their voices. Encouraged by the brilliant women in her life, Jessica embarked on a journey to help others articulate their needs and tackle tough conversations confidently. Her unique approach was shaped by her years of experience in the arts, her knowledge of voice research, and her work in combating performance anxiety. Jessica believes that the power of one's voice lies in muscular strength and proper hydration. Her emphasis on practical techniques like focusing on breath, maintaining abdominal flexibility, and preparing for different situations, has proved to be a real game-changer for many women, helping them reclaim their voice and use it more fearlessly. If you’re struggling with using your voice and looking for practical insights, this podcast is for you.
Visit gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Jessica.
Highlights:
[02:38] Jessica’s journey and how she became an author
[07:32] The power of your voice ad how to train and use it
[13:05] How to address voice quivers
[16:57] Overcoming stage fright
[21:12] How to empower yourself when things don’t go right
[26:01] Habits of success
[31:47] Mentors, sponsors, and building strategic relationships
[35:39] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“A voice is something we all have.” – Jessica Doyle-Mekkes
“The voice itself is largely made up of skeletal muscle, the same muscle we work in the gym, and so it can be trained.” – Jessica Doyle-Mekkes
“Taking a pause or taking a breath is the ultimate opportunity to reset.” – Jessica Doyle-Mekkes
“Don’t burn bridges, ever.” – Jessica Doyle-Mekkes
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “The New Science of Learning How to Learn in Harmony with Your Brain” by
Terry Doyle (my dad) and Todd Zakrajsek
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
-
"I’m not good, I’m not nice, I’m just right." – Stephen Sondheim (Into the
Woods) -
“When opportunity knocks, answer the door, even if you’re in your
bathrobe.” – Dolly Parton
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Appassionato (musical term that means passion)
What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
- Getting up early.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- "Roar” by Katy Perry
About Jessica Doyle-Mekkes:
Jessica Doyle-Mekkes is the Head of Musical Theatre at East Carolina University where she has taught voice and vocal pedagogy since 2017.
Jessica has spent the last 15 years studying the human voice and working as a vocal coach for actors, singers, and public speakers. An internationally published writer and sought after clinician, her debut book, I’m Speaking: every woman’s guide to finding your voice & using it fearlessly comes out October 2023 from Rowman & Littlefield and was recently listed as one of the publisher’s most anticipated titles of 2023 with women at their forefront.
Jessica works as a speaker, advisor, and clinician to individuals, groups, NGO’s and businesses small and large teaching women how to harness the power of their voices: in their heads & out of their mouths.
“I don’t believe in lowering the pitch of a woman's voice so she can be heard on a microphone that was made for a man. I don't believe that the natural sound of a woman's voice makes her sound 'annoying' or 'unintelligent.' I do believe that all women are capable, by making small, specific changes, to speak in a way that
both reflects who she is and commands a room.”
– Jessica Doyle-Mekkes
Jessica lives in Greenville, NC with her husband Don, their daughters Tallulah and Jolie, and a codependent chihuahua named Sebastian.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicadoyle-mekkes/
Welcome to a powerful episode that dives deep into the world of grit, goal-setting, and uplifting female relationships. Our guest, Caroline Miller, is no stranger to overcoming challenges, including overcoming bulimia during her teenage years, which was fueled by the immense pressure she faced due to her family's emphasis on excellence. In this captivating conversation, Caroline shares her insights on why women sometimes struggle to support each other, the impact of "mean girls," and how to identify a "frenemy." Caroline's expertise draws from extensive research and real-world experience, spanning from Wall Street to prestigious schools. She offers a fresh perspective
on self-promotion and reveals the hidden lessons we can learn from a unique
tribe of women in southwest China.
Join us for this inspiring and eye-opening journey as we explore the intricacies of female dynamics, tackle the challenges of mean girls and frenemies, and unlock the secrets to becoming empowering leaders. Don't miss out on this opportunity to transform your relationships and elevate your potential.
Visit gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Caroline.
Highlights:
[02:55] Caroline’s background
[08:08] Leveraging your networks
[17:57] Women supporting women
[22:30] Realizing who will support you
[27:55] Self-promotion
[34:47] Unconscious envy of others and pruning your friends
[39:08] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“To stop dying alone, we have to start living together.” – Caroline Miller
“If you amplify the good news, success, or big idea of another woman, and do it with witnesses, that’s when there is real evidence that you are that woman who walks the walk.” – Caroline Miller
“When someone you know gets something you wish you had, overcome that twinge of envy and say, ‘That’s great, tell me more.’” – Caroline Miller
"Set hard goals, overcome obstacles, and help other people to accomplish goals."– Caroline Miller
"Most people think that we're going to see time travel before we see gender parity. That's insane."– Caroline Miller
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott and“CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets
That Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest” by Carolyn Dewar, Scott
Keller, and Vikram Malhotra
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- "You can’t keep what you don’t give away.”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Fun
What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
- When I hear about another woman’s success, I’ve trained myself to be
happy and enthusiastic about it, and now it’s the most natural behavior in
my life.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- "I Am Woman” by Helen Reddy
About Caroline Miller:
Caroline is one of the world’s leading positive psychology experts on Goals & Grit TM. Caroline is passionate about helping people get more grit, achieve their goals, and find happiness. She’s spent more than 30 years helping individuals, leaders, and companies cultivate grit, one of the top indicators of success and flourishing.
Caroline is the author of eight books, including global bestsellers Getting Grit, Creating Your Best Life, and My Name is Caroline. Live Happy Magazine named Creating Your Best Life one of the top 10 goal-setting books ever published and Getting Grit one of the 10 books that would change your life in 2017. Lifehack ranked Creating Your Best Life as the #1 goal accomplishment book of all time in 2019. Caroline’s work has been featured in hundreds of magazines, newspapers, and other media worldwide including BBC World News, The New York Times, The Washington Post, NBC, NPR, and CNN.
Angela Duckworth, the winner of the 2013 MacArthur Genius grant for her research on grit, said of Caroline: “I don't know anybody who has thought more than [Caroline] about how to apply the scientific research on grit and achievement to our own lives!" Caroline has worked with clients worldwide, including Morgan Stanley, lululemon, The Wharton School/UPENN, RE/MAX, Booz Allen, Young Presidents’ Organization, Harvard Law School, Blizzard Entertainment, ScanSource, Coldwell Banker, and Swisse Wellness.
Caroline has a Masters of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and she graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University.
Links:
Website: https://www.carolinemiller.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolineadamsmiller/
Get ready to be inspired by Dr. Virnitia Dixon, a powerhouse in the world of diversity, equity, and inclusion. With a background in insurance and strategy, Virnitia has spent her career helping organizations extract potential and build high-performing teams. After realizing her true passion for people and culture, she pursued her doctorate in organizational leadership and later transitioned into her current role as Chief Diversity Officer at Santander. Virnitia's unique approach to DEI emphasizes the power of human connection and community, making her a key voice in the industry.
Dr. Dixon introduces and discusses the SAM model (Sponsorship, Advocacy, and Mentorship), explaining that each element carries its distinct importance in career advancement. Through mentorship programs focused on skill development, career and cultural navigation in advocacy, and social capital investment in sponsorship, individuals can maximize their opportunities for growth and success.
Don't miss the chance to learn from her insights on continuous growth and success in today's world, taking risks and leading with passion and purpose to create human connections and bridge the gaps in our society.
Visit gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Virnitia.
Highlights:
[02:38] Virnitia’s background
[08:10] Weighing risk vs. reward and saying yes
[10:45] Continuing to learn
[14:38] Building a community
[18:31] Finding mentors and sponsors
[23:43] Accepting feedback and listening to others’ truth about you
[28:52] Mindset and tapping into your authentic self
[32:14] Introspection and learning about yourself
[35:33] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“Building bridges between people is the core of inclusion.” – Dr. Virnitia Dixon
“For me to be authentic and vulnerable, and share with you who I am, it opens the floor for you to do the same, and that’s how we create community.” – Dr. Virnitia Dixon
“The time in contemplation with oneself really helps us connect with others.” – Dr. Virnitia Dixon
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “Good is Not Enough: And Other Unwritten Rules for Minority
Professionals” by Keith R. Wyche
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- Good better best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better
is best.
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Blessed (and privileged to serve)
What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
- Understanding it’s the journey and not the destination. Knowing myself.
Having a balance of confidence and humility.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- "Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield
About Dr. Virnitia Dixon:
Dr. Virnitia Dixon is the Chief Diversity Officer and Head of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office at Santander US. Prior to joining Santander, Dr. Dixon was an executive coach and consultant working with Fortune 500 senior executives to transform corporate culture through leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her background is primarily in financial services, where she previously held roles as a Corporate VP of Strategy for New York Life and VP of Operations for Travelers Property Casualty. Dr. Dixon is an Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC) certified professional coach and holds a Doctorate of Management in Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix, a Masters of Business Administration in Management, and a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies, both from the University of Hartford.
A world traveler, patent-holder, speaker, and innovator, Dr. Hendricks is most proud of her work in the community where she supports charities focused on ensuring basic human needs. Dr. Dixon's life mission is "to be a blessing to the lives of many, one person at a time."
Links:
LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-virnitia-j-hendricks/
As a former Division 1 basketball captain, Jennifer learned leadership and resilience, skills she took with her as she pursued her law degree and eventually, her career in financial planning. Starting out as an advisor to others, Jen eventually formed, ran and sold her very successful practice. She is now the Chief Experience Officer and Partner at WestPoint Financial group, one of the largest advisory firms in the midwest.
Jennifer loves to solve problems and she loves getting to know the people she works with, mostly so that she can help them succeed. In this podcast, Jennifer emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence and managing your emotions at work. She talks about how vital patience and resilience are to being a good employee.
But Jennifer’s ultimate superpower? Her competitive nature. She says her athletic background has helped her deal with the complexity of her career.
On a personal note, Jennifer has had challenges with her health that led her to making self-care a priority. She balances pushing herself and meeting her goals with getting plenty of sleep and exercise. She doesn’t really believe in work/life balance but rather finding a perfect imbalance. This podcast is a wealth of insight and inspiration we’ve just touched on here, so join us as Jennifer shares her wisdom with us in this podcast.
Highlights:
[03:35] Jennifer’s professional timeline
[07:28] What she’s learned at work to be a better mom
[08:24] Lessons learned
[11:51] What to do when you get knocked down
[13:27] Her super power: competitiveness
[15:19] Division 1 background in basketball
[18:18] Great advice about being an introvert
[19:50] Importance of community
[22:31] The key to gaining clarity about career
[24:23] Being goal oriented
[26:15] What she wants her kids to know
[28:53] Jennifer’s daily habits
[30:11] Taking risks
[31:37] Forming a personal cabinet
[33:46] Modern communication and relationships
[35:50] Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs
[38:42] A typical day in Jennifer’s life
[41:51] Finding mentors and sponsors
[45:24] Looking back and moving forward
[48:04] Lightning Round Questions
Quotes:
“I always think, what else can we do better?” – Jennifer des Groseilliers
“Community develops over time because you have common interests and common activities you want to do together.” – Jennifer des Groseilliers
“I have discovered for myself there is no work-life balance. There’s just perfect imbalance at any given time.” – Jennifer des Groseilliers
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “Fast. Feast. Repeat.” by Gin Stephens
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- "Left foot, right foot, breathe, repeat." Pat Summitt
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Competitive
What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
- Intermittent fasting.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- "No Roots" by Alice Merton
About Jennifer des Groseilliers:
Jennifer des Groseilliers has achieved many of her life goals, yet she has found her greatest success in helping others. A lawyer, award-winning financial service provider, wife, mother of three, and former Division 1 basketball captain, Jen is most proud of knowing that she has motivated and inspired others to succeed.
After practicing law for three years, Jen was drawn to financial planning as a way to make a positive impact on people’s lives. In 2001, she joined Ameriprise and discovered that her legal training provided her with keen insights into financial markets, tax ramifications of financial decisions, and financial planning strategies.
She quickly distinguished herself as a top financial advisor. The coaching and motivational skills she discovered as an athlete translated to business, and soon she was helping other advisors achieve similar success.
Fast-forward to today, Jennifer is now a Partner at WestPoint Financial Group (WPFG). She leads the Investment Department, Compliance, Practice Development and Financial Planning. Jen is also the owner of Comprehensive Financial Concepts (CFC), which is a Property and Casualty specialty company located in the greater Chicagoland area. Her experience as CEO & General Agent of Mass Mutual Illinois Agency, helped propel her into her current role when three independent financial services firms operating as general agencies of MassMutual announced they merged to into WestPoint Financial Group. This created one of the largest insurance and wealth management firms in the Midwest. The firm’s strength and differentiator lie in the diverse backgrounds, experience and specializations of its 400+ financial service representatives and an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional client service.
Relentless in pursuing her vision of being an inspiring leader, Jen seeks those who share in her core values: integrity, intelligence, work ethic, and inclusivity. Her top priority is to foster an environment where her team have the support, guidance, and tools necessary to succeed. In doing so, she has built a culture that values diversity, excellence and collaboration.
Jen’s capabilities as both a financial advisor and leader have won her the accolades of clients, company representatives, and industry experts. She is a cum laude graduate of the New England School of Law and received her Bachelor of Arts from State University of New York Buffalo. Jennifer also holds Series 7, 24, 66, 4 and 51 FINRA licenses.
Jen and her spouse live in Glenview, Illinois with their three children. She enjoys hot yoga, biking, cooking and making memories with her family.
Links:
LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferadesgroseilliers/
Jen Coffey is a risk taker. Getting her start in event planning, she worked her way into leading training and eventually developing training for Accenture. She is a Co-Head of Immersive Learning, a group which helps Accenture’s clients think about how they use technology to dimensionalize and deepen customer and employee learning experiences.
Like most of us, Jen has encountered imposter syndrome. In those moments, she found strength and fortitude from her network and personal board of directors who have been positive forces in her life. Jen believes it’s important to have people in your life that push you to be better.
Jen works hard to create an impact by showing others the value she sees in them.
She thinks we all need to speak up and voice our ideas rather than sit back and not make any waves.
Jen’s favorite quote is, ‘Bravery over perfection’. Jen herself makes brave decisions regardless of what people say. If you’re feeling a little timid and don’t know what your next step should be, this podcast with Jen Coffey is for you.
Visit gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Jen.
Highlights:
[01:56] Jen Coffey’s background [05:28] What Jen’s learned so far [07:52] How she has pushed through limiting beliefs [11:58] How she formed her personal board of directors [15:58] Jen’s journey to leadership [19:37] Setting and achieving goals [23:23] The importance of confidence [26:06] How Jen stays grounded [29:22] Taking risks [33:25] Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Metaverse [39:40] What Jen wants her kids to know [42:39] Lightning round questions
Quotes: “It takes a village to make things happen, and the only way to have that village is if you really foster those networks and connections that you have.” – Jen Coffey
“It’s important to remember that your board of directors is super diverse.” – Jen Coffey
“To me, journaling is the best way to get things out in a really eloquent way.” – Jen Coffey
“It’s all about being brave and not being perfect.” – Jen Coffey
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- I am the pilot of my own airplane, I do not work in baggage claim. (Not taking on other’s emotions.)
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Passionate
What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
- Significantly cutting out sugar.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- "Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys
About Jen Coffey:
Jen Coffey Co-Leads Accenture’s Global Immersive Learning practice, helping shape how clients leverage the latest technologies to create immersive, memorable and more durable learning experiences - for their people and their customers. She is also a Career Coach, Voiceover Artist, EQ Coach/Facilitator, Certified Scrum Master and Agile Coach. With over a decade at Accenture, Jen has deep experience in learning, developing people and teams and is passionate about leadership development, psychology, theatre, music and writing. She lives outside of Chicago with her partner, two kids and two dogs.
Links:
LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-coffey-97a4a5a0/
Discover the power of optimism, perseverance, and relentless determination in this inspiring conversation with Mou Dasgupta. As the Founder and CEO of Brook37 The Atelier (uh·teh·lee·ay), an innovative American tea brand, Mou has overcome numerous obstacles on her journey to success. Born in India, she didn't learn English until she was 18 years old, yet went on to study physics and computer science before landing in the finance industry.
Facing the challenges of being a single mom with a demanding career, Mou courageously attempted to leave her job at JP Morgan three times before finally succeeding in pursuing her passion for tea production.
Mou's corporate background has been invaluable in navigating the challenges of starting a business. Throughout her entrepreneurial journey, she has been unafraid to seek help and share her story, leading to an incredible response from others and even attracting collaborators.
As a self-described trendsetter, she has infused her unique vision into every aspect of her brand, from the packaging and aroma to the sensory experience of her tea. Her authentic and transparent approach has attracted a talented team of female managers who share her commitment to producing exceptional tea while upholding their environmental and social values.
Whether you're an entrepreneur seeking inspiration or simply searching for motivation to keep pushing forward in your own ventures, this podcast is a must-listen.
Visit gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Mou.
Highlights: [02:49] Mou’s journey from India [08:01] Why it took three attempts to leave her job in the financial industry [09:53] Overcoming challenges and limiting beliefs to leave her job [13:33] How Mou started her tea business [17:11] What was important to her tea brand [22:25] Leveraging important relationships [24:30] The great response Mou received about her brand, Brook37 [26:47] Telling the story of her small tea company [29:16] Finding mentors and sponsors [31:29] What to unlearn from corporate life [34:14] Practicing self care [36:01] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“My brand is a reflection of me.” – Mou Dasgupta
“From every conversation I have, I learn something.” – Mou Dasgupta
“I think my corporate career got me ready to prepare myself before a meeting.” – Mou Dasgupta
Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you?
- “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead” by Nell Scovell and Sheryl Sandberg
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- It’s not done until it’s done.
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Trendsetter
What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
- Self care, working out, eating healthy.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- "Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys
About Mou Dasgupta: Mou Dasgupta is a Trendsetting Disrupter on a mission to bring luxury tea to discerning American households and make their moments of connections more memorable, in a socially and environmentally conscious way.
Mou is an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, an equality advocate, and a leader in building high performing teams.
Mou is the Founder and CEO of Brook37 The Atelier, an American tea brand, that has the goal to disrupt the dusty tea industry by introducing the rarest and the most exquisite teas to American consumers. She believes that a premium tea is the non-alcoholic sibling of premium wine and it needs to be reimagined.
Mou comes with 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. She held key leadership positions at Capital Group, Morgan Stanley, and J P Morgan Chase, prior to her departure from the corporate career. She is known to be a champion for diversity and equality. She established Lean in Circles and spearheaded multiple corporate programs for women’s advancements.
At the peak of her career, Mou decided to depart her corporate life and follow her passion to build a brand where the core values will be of driving force and not financial gain. Brook37 is Plastic Neutral and 1% for the planet certified from day 1 and they donate 2% of their revenue to social and environmental causes.
Brook37 is a woman first organization, where 90% of the team members are women, not by design, but by pure talent.
Mou has worked all her life in providing support for various causes. Her Covid relief work was featured by J P Morgan, where she single-handedly supported businesses as well as communities in need in India. Mou is an avid supporter of various NGOs and educational institutions within and outside the USA.
Mou has an undergraduate degree in Physics and a MS in Computer Science. Her passion is to disrupt the status quo, that led her to create her brand Brook37. Mou lives in Princeton, NJ with her husband Sanjay, their dog Mishti and cat Zara. They have a daughter Emily, and two sons Sabar and Navin who live in New York.
Links:
Website: https://brook37.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mou-dasgupta/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brook37tea/
Hello and welcome to the Beyond Barriers podcast! I am Nikki Barua - your host for this episode. Our guest today is Naz Vahid - Head of Citi Global Wealth at Work.
Naz Vahid leads her life with gratitude. She escaped Iran as a young girl and it shaped who she became. She adapted to her new life in America by putting effort into everything and never taking anything for granted. Taking on responsibilities at an early age taught her important life skills –all of which has served her professionally.
Throughout her career, Naz has taken on a variety of roles and increasingly bigger responsibilities by always learning and growing. Naz shares how listening to feedback, avoiding complacency, and building great relationships helped her achieve her ambitions. She believes we elevate others by elevating ourselves.
When it comes to social issues in the workplace, Naz thinks it’s important that we get uncomfortable and show our authenticity. She recognizes it is harder for women and minorities to navigate their careers and is determined to make it easier for the younger generations.
Visit gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Naz.
Highlights: [02:36] One thing Naz’s journey has taught her [04:09] Her immigrant journey [07:42] Being an outsider and forming her own identity [09:54] How Naz got into her industry [14:05] What Naz would tell her younger self about banking [16:53] Life in Iran today [19:43] Protecting women’s rights [21:44] Taking a stand on social issues [24:01] Diversity, equity, and inclusion [27:26] How Naz authentically stood out [33:42] Overcoming self doubt [39:41] Coping with setbacks [43:46] The key to building powerful and lasting relationships [49:54] Lightning round questions
Quotes: “I have learned you can't take comfort or what you have for granted.” – Mehrnaz (Naz) Vahid
“You just have to make the voice in your head that says, "I'm good enough," louder.” – Mehrnaz (Naz) Vahid
“Every time you elevate yourself, you elevate someone behind you as well.” – Mehrnaz (Naz) Vahid
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- "People forget what you said. People forget what you did. People will never forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelou
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Resilient
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- Sit on the email overnight when you are angry.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- "Fight Song" by Rachel Platten
About Mehrnaz (Naz) Vahid:
Naz Vahid is a Managing Director and Head of Citi Global Wealth at Work. In this role, Naz and her team provide tailored financial solutions to working professionals within the legal, asset management and professional services industries.
Prior to this, Naz served as the Head of the Law Firm Group for Citi Private Bank. In this role she was responsible for the 14 offices in the United States and UK that serve Law Firms, their Partners and Associates. The group has around 200 professionals that provide a range of financial services to more than 40,000 attorneys across approximately 650 law firms. Naz also served as the Head of the Citi Private Bank Diversity Program, working with the committee and ICG Diversity to increase awareness across many areas and was responsible for setting up Citi Private Bank’s Mentorship Program. Prior to leading the Law Firm Group, she was the Global Market Manager for the East Coast and London responsible for six Law Firm Group offices.
Before this, she was a Senior Private Banker for more than 15 years, handling some of the largest client relationships in the Private Bank. Naz is formally credit trained, and prior to her role as a Private Banker, worked as a Private Bank Credit Officer and also as an analyst. Naz holds a graduate degree in International Relations and Finance from Columbia University School of International Affairs and undergraduate degrees in Economics and Sociology from Hobart and Williams Smith Colleges.
Outside of her responsibilities at Citi, she is the member of board of Hobart & William Smith Colleges as well as the Tahirih Justice Center. She also sponsors scholarships both at Lynbrook High School and Hobart and William Smith Colleges for first generation immigrant students pursuing higher education in the United States. In her free time, Naz enjoys reading and painting.
Naz has two daughters and lives in Long Island, New York with her husband.
Links:
LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nazvahid/
Today, we're thrilled to have Peggy Klaus, President & Founder of Klaus & Associates, as our special guest. From Hollywood beginnings to championing women in leadership, Peggy's inspiring journey led her to author two game-changing books, "The Hard Truth About Soft Skills" and "Brag! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It." These books have become invaluable resources for those seeking to improve their soft skills and self-promotion techniques.
Peggy has also developed an empowering program called "Unstoppable," which addresses key issues critical for women’s success, including confidence,fearlessness, and purpose.
Today, Peggy shares with us priceless tips for self-promotion, including tackling the issue of avoiding the "bitch" label in the workplace. Peggy reminds us of the importance of taking risks, embracing failure, and ultimately being proud of ourselves. For Peggy, self-promotion and "bragging" are about finding the sweet spot between humble and obnoxious and celebrating our accomplishments with confidence.
Join us for this engaging and inspiring conversation with Peggy Klaus, and discover how to master the art of self-promotion and be proud of your achievements!
Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Peggy.
Highlights: [01:11] How Peggy got to where she is professionally [05:00] Soft skills that are difficult to women [10:05] Strategies for making risks [14:08] How to self-promote [20:09] Overcoming feelings of humility [22:59] The soft skill you should work on [25:47] Taking inventory of your strengths and weaknesses [27:22] Lightning round questions
Quotes: “The hardest skills are the soft skills.” – Peggy Klaus “You’ve got to fail to succeed.” – Peggy Klaus “Humility is lovely but not when it makes one ineffectually humble.” – Peggy Klaus
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you? - “The 1619 Project” by Nikole Hannah-Jones
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - I don’t know what someone else’s journey is.
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Energizer bunny
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better? - I changed my marital status and moved to Santa Fe
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “Here Comes the Sun” by Richie Havens or The Beatles
About Peggy Klaus: You may have seen Peggy Klaus on Nightline, 20/20, and The Today Show, or have read her advice in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune Magazine, Harvard Business Review, and O Magazine. She is the author of two best-selling books, BRAG! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It and The Hard Truth About Soft Skills: Workplace Lessons Smart People Wish They’d Learned Sooner.
As a communication and leadership expert, Peggy has spent more than two decades helping thousands of professionals from Fortune 500’s, mid-size companies, and start-ups succeed in their jobs. She has also dedicated much of her career to empowering women of all ages. And, once again, Peggy brings this work into the spotlight with the launch of “Unstoppable!” — her new, cutting-edge program designed to address the key issues critical for women’s success: confidence, fearlessness, and purpose, among others.
Taking her message from the boardroom to the classroom, she has lectured to both students and faculty at universities across the country including Harvard University’s School of Public Health, Wharton’s Executive MBA Program, U.C.
Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, Boalt School of Law, and the School of Public Health & Sciences, the University of Virginia, Pepperdine University School of Law, and the Public Policy Institute at Georgetown University.
Peggy began her career as an actor and classical singer, earning advanced degrees in drama, speech and theatre from the London-based Royal Academy of Music and The Drama Studio. From England she moved to Hollywood, working as a producer, director, and talent coach for actors, comedians, musicians and broadcasters in production for Paramount Studios, Warner Brothers, ABC, CBS, and NBC.
When not training individuals and groups or speaking to audiences around the world, Peggy coaches political candidates to effectively communicate their values and vision with authenticity and candor. When not working, she can be found enjoying the incredible beauty of Santa Fe, New Mexico where she lives.
Links:
Website: https://peggyklaus.com/ Books: https://peggyklaus.com/books/ LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-klaus-705730/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/pegklaus Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peggy.klaus.311
Join us as Lisa Donahue, Co-Head of the Americas & Asia regions at AlixPartners, shares her inspiring journey of overcoming fear and self-doubt to achieve success.
From her first day as CEO to her current role, Lisa reveals the importance of nurturing relationships, seeking support, and embracing the learning process.
Discover how she tackles challenges, raises new perspectives, and embraces the power of course correction.
In this candid conversation, Lisa emphasizes the value of asking questions, learning from failure, and accepting that we'll always have critics. Plus, get a glimpse into her personal life as she opens up about her Irish Catholic family's influence and the importance of being present for loved ones. Tune in to this empowering episode and learn to conquer your own crises of confidence.
Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Lisa.
Highlights: [02:07] Lisa’s path to executive level leadership [07:04] Building a supportive community [11:00] Asking for what you need without feeling like a burden [14:43] Contributing to the conversation without needing to have the answer [19:07] Quick learning habits [21:43] Not fearing failure [25:56] Making decisions and having confidence in adversity [29:06] Dealing with wanting to be liked [32:22] What helps Lisa stay grounded [35:29] Lightning round questions
Quotes: “You’re always going to find a point where you need some support from somebody.” – Lisa Donahue
“I think women sometimes undervalue their own contribution to the network relationship.” – Lisa Donahue
“It’s not always about being right. You learn a lot more from being wrong.” – Lisa Donahue
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you? - “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Optimistic
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- Taking the opportunity during COVID to focus on mental health and taking time for my family–that I’m a better professional when I’m grounded and I spend time with my family.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “The Man” by Aloe Blacc
About Lisa Donahue: Lisa Donahue is the Co-Head of the Americas & Asia regions at AlixPartners. She versees service delivery across the firm’s industries and service lines to improve financial, operational, and digital performance. Her focus includes guiding companies through operational and financial transformations in various roles, including Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Transition Officer. Lisa has long been a trusted advisor to CEOs and Boards of Directors. She recently served as the Chief Transition and Development Officer at Westinghouse, where she led the successful repositioning of the company. She has had leadership roles in the power, aviation, consumer products and manufacturing industries. Lisa is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Global Futures Council of the World Economic Forum. She currently sits on the boards of The Nucleus Group, which brings marketers, designers, researchers, strategists and behavioral specialists together in service of business strategy and social impact, and Tina’s Wish, an ovarian cancer non-profit organization dedicated to funding research for the prevention and early detection of ovarian cancer. Lisa previously served on the board of AlixPartners.
Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisajdonahue/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisajdonahue
Carrie Sweeney knows how to build relationships. Her belief that showing up and treating clients the way she would her friends has led to success in her career.
After graduating from Notre Dame, she started her career working for a large digital agency, building well-known brands like Crayola, Kellogg’s, and Hallmark.
After furthering her education at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, she moved on to Bain & Company and then Google’s advertising organization. Her exit from Google led her to Pinterest where she is today helping to build the sales and monetization teams.
Carrie is a team-focused and client-based leader who believes in showing up when it would be easier to quit. She feels that knowing when and how and where to pivot when making decisions is critical. Carrie is told she brings “big sister energy” to work, which she loves. It comes honestly as she did learn about how to lead and work with people through the relationship with her own sisters.
As a leader, she helps her employees look for anything that went wrong in a situation and take responsibility for what they can control. She naturally loves people and believes that being there consistently for others over time helps them trust you. Carrie is clearly busy with all of her responsibilities, and when it comes to how she gets through her day, she shares with us how she does the little things first. She wants to make sure she has the quick tasks off her list by 9AM. Join us as we learn this and a lot more from this wise and successful leader in the retail industry.
Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Carrie.
Highlights: [02:19] Carrie describes her background [03:06] Creating resilience [07:45] Forming your personal board of directors [12:09] Connecting dollars and people [14:12] A day in Carrie’s life [19:59] Staying organized [21:50] Identifying key relationships [25:04] How Carrie’s personal life affects her work [27:03] Lightning round questions
Quotes: “The way you treat your friends is how you should treat your clients.” – Carrie Sweeney
“Find joy, and think creatively about where to find it.” – Carrie Sweeney
“In tech, you have to know what’s going on in the details to see the right themes and strategies.” – Carrie Sweeney
Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - “To the Lighthouse” by Virginia Woolf
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - “Look for happiness under your own roof.” – Gretchen Rubin
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Compassionate (and high energy)
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better? - The post-it note hack shared earlier
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “About Damn Time” by Lizzo
About Carrie Sweeney: Carrie currently leads the Pinterest teams responsible for client partnerships with the largest retailers in the US. Together, they unlock the value of shared technology and media, including partnerships in the rapidly evolving retail media landscape. She also partners closely with Fortune 100 retailers, as well as Pinterest’s product and technical teams, to inform Pinterest’s roadmap in the evolving commerce space.
Carrie graduated from Notre Dame in 2003 with a liberal arts degree and worked at a large digital agency, Starcom Worldwide, for 6 years, building brands like Crayola, Hallmark, Morgan Stanley, Kellogg’s and Blackberry/Research in Motion. She attended business school full time at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business from 2009-2011.
Following Booth, she joined Bain & Company as a strategy consultant in the Chicago office, and then joined Google’s advertising organization. She left Google to help build the Pinterest sales and monetization teams in 2016.
In her spare time, she is a member of A Better Chicago’s Impact Council, an avid reader, and a mediocre tennis player who is just getting back into the swing of it.
Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-sweeney-4309b413/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/carriesweeney/
Success doesn't come easy, but Lisa Jones, Head of the Americas, President, and CEO of Amundi US, Inc., knows that a strong work ethic and an unyielding commitment to your goals can make all the difference. Raised in an Italian Catholic family, Lisa learned the power of discipline from her days as an athlete, and she was able to take that knowledge to the professional world.
In this episode, she'll share the secrets of her success, including how to maintain composure in tough situations and why it's important to stay optimistic and focus on the positives.
Listen in to learn more about how Lisa makes tough decisions and how she prepares herself for the future. She'll also tell us about the time she retired to become a stay-at-home mom and how the events of 2020 changed her perspective on work-life balance.
Join us to discover how Lisa has used her perseverance to not only break through barriers, but to create a life of success and personal fulfillment. Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Lisa.
Highlights: [02:35] Lisa's professional journey [05:28] The importance of perspective for leadership [07:51] Being the first generation in corporate [17:34] How Lisa found confidence [19:28] Making difficult decisions [21:31] Being prepared for the future [24:24] Lisa's take on work/life balance [28:24] Creating transparency about having a personal life [30:07] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“Don't just lean in, go get them.” – Lisa Jones
“We are still athletes of our brand and our career.” – Lisa Jones “Work-life balance for me is one where I'm both working and being a present parent.” – Lisa Jones
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you? - “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead” by Nell Scovell and Sheryl Sandberg
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - “Go get them.”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Transparent
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better? - Not to take everything so personally. What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “I Am Woman” by Helen Reddy
About Lisa Jones: Lisa M. Jones is Head of the Americas, President and Chief Executive Officer of Amundi US, Inc., the U.S. Division of Amundi Asset Management. She is Trustee of the Pioneer Funds, and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Pioneer Funds. Lisa is also President of Amundi Distributor US, Inc. She is head of the US Executive Committee and US Management Committee, and a member of the Global Executive Committee.
She has over 30 years of experience in global financial services developing and building asset management businesses. In 2016 and 2020, Lisa received the Top Women in Asset Management Award from Money Management Executive.
Prior to joining Amundi US, Lisa was Global Head of Distribution at Morgan Stanley Investment Management (MSIM) and President of MSIM Distribution Inc. In this role, she oversaw all MSIM distribution channels globally, including retail and institutional. Prior to that, Lisa was Head of the Global Institutional Division at Eaton Vance Management. She also spent more than 16 years at MFS Investment Management in leadership roles across both retail and institutional divisions. She began her career at E.F. Hutton & Co. in New York.
Lisa is a member of the Board of Governors of the Investment Company Institute, a member of the MIT Sloan Finance Group Advisory Board at MIT Sloan School of Management and a member of the Board of Directors of Clearwater Analytics. Lisa has served on other boards such as the Foreign Policy Association in New York, the Advisory Board of the Institutional Investor Institute and the Board of Fellows at Trinity College in Hartford, CT. She is also a former trustee at the Pingree School Board of Trustees in South Hamilton, MA. She has a B.A. in Economics from Trinity College.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-mjones/
Susan McPherson has an early memory that shaped her perspective on how to build relationships. Growing up, she would watch her parents sit at the breakfast table every morning, cutting out newspaper articles that they found interesting. Every day, they wrote notes to their friends and sent it in the mail along with the newspaper cuttings. It was their way of saying “I’m thinking of you” and nurturing relationships with friends and family.
In this episode, Susan shares the keys to connecting with people and what you can do to nurture relationships. As a successful entrepreneur, she credits her people skills to building a thriving business. She encourages us to always look for ways to be helpful to others. Learn practical tips and proven principles in Susan’s book, “The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships.”
Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Susan.
Highlights: [03:14] Susan’s journey and her most important lesson learned [05:28] Finding her career path [08:08] Fostering relationships [11:02] Susan’s book, “The Lost Art oF Connecting” [15:18] Starting her business [18:07] Navigating tough times [21:02] Leading with your values [22:58] Addressing social initiatives [24:34] What keeps Susan grounded [26:23] Finding the right mentor [28:42] The future of work and technology [30:51] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“Every person, no matter who they are, where they came from, the role they play in society, their religion, the color of their skin, is deserving of our attention, our compassion, our kindness, and our curiosity.” – Susan McPherson
“For me, it’s alway been leading with how we can be helpful to others.” – Susan McPherson
“No matter how small our circle is, we still have a circle, so start with the people that you know.” – Susan McPherson
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you? - Writing my own book (“The Lost Art oF Connecting”)
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - “How can I be helpful?”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Genuine
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better? - Limiting my alcohol intake
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “Central Reservation” by Beth Orton
About Susan McPherson: Susan McPherson is a serial connector, angel investor, and corporate responsibility expert. She is the founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, a B- corp certified communications consultancy focused on social impact. She is the author of The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships (McGraw-Hill). Susan has 30+ years of experience in marketing, public relations, and sustainability communications, speaking regularly at industry events including Massachusetts Conference for Women, Worth Women and Techonomy, and contributing to the Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Forbes. She has appeared on NPR, CNN, USA Today, The New Yorker, New York Magazine and the Los Angeles Times.
Susan is the recipient of Forbes magazine’s 50 over 50—Impact 2021 award and Worth Media’s Worthy100 award. She has also won numerous accolades for her voice on social media platforms from Fortune Magazine, Fast Company and Elle Magazine. Currently, Susan invests in and advises women-led start-ups, including:
iFundWomen,Inc., Messy.fm, Our Place, The Riveter, Park Place Payments, Hint Water, Apolitical and The Muse. She serves on the boards of USA for UNHCR, The 19th News, and serves on the advisory boards of The List, Apolitical Foundation, Just Capital and Alltruists. Additionally, she is a member of the MIT Solve Women and Technology Leadership Group and serves as an adviser to several nonprofits including She’s The First and The OpEd Project. Susan is a Vital Voices global corporate ambassador and a member of the New York Women’s Forum and Extraordinary Women on Boards. She resides in Brooklyn.
Links: Website: https://www.mcpstrategies.com/ Book: https://www.thelostartofconnecting.com/ LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmcpherson/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/susanmcp1
Maha Dakhil, the powerhouse behind Hollywood's beloved talents like Tom Cruise, Reese Witherspoon, and Natalie Portman, knows the secret to striking game-changing deals. Her journey began when she courageously chose the entertainment industry over law school, despite her immigrant parents' concerns. Maha's determination to succeed in Hollywood proved fruitful, paving her way to triumph.
Raised with sisters, Maha learned early on the power of female leadership. She carved her unique path in the entertainment world, undeterred by the lack of diversity she encountered. Embracing every opportunity, Maha's passion for empowering storytellers and productions has driven her to excel as an agent. In this insightful podcast, Maha reveals how her fearless nature and unwavering resilience allow her to thrive. She candidly discusses embracing confrontation, standing up for clients, and balancing victories with setbacks. Maha shares the importance of remaining composed amid challenges, and imparts invaluable wisdom from her transformative journey.
Visit www.gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources referenced in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Maha.
Highlights:
[02:49] Maha’s story and her pursuit of the entertainment business [07:27] Finding mentors and finding her role in the industry [18:42] Standing up for what she believes in [23:07] Receiving feedback [26:25] Promoting tolerance of diverse cultures and background in Hollywood [30:18] Celebrating her accomplishments [33:56] Having courageous conversations and negotiating for her clients [40:59] Bouncing back from a setback [43:21] Maha’s proudest achievement [46:13] Lightning Round Questions
Quotes:
“It’s important to keep our eyes open and our minds flexible to see what we can offer and what is resonating.” – Maha Dakhil
“It’s really important to be aware of how you’re being perceived in a team culture.” – Maha Dakhil
“You can’t live too long in victory, and you also don’t have to live too long in any defeat.” – Maha Dakhil
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you? - “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - (Paraphrased) You don’t have to be aggressive to be strong
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Empathetic troublemaker
What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? - Being on time
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - Anything by Beyoncé
About Maha Dakhil:
Co-Head of the Motion Picture Group and Co-Head of the agency’s International Film Group, Maha Dakhil also serves on the CAA board that is responsible for the day-to-day management of the agency. Additionally, she represents some of the world’s most successful actors and actresses, moving seamlessly between such talent and literary clients as Tom Cruise, Ava DuVernay, Reese Witherspoon, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Mindy Kaling, Madonna, Sam Mendes, Natalie Portman, Lena Dunham, Melina Matsoukas, Juan Antonio Bayona, Yorgos Lanthimos, Olivia Wilde, Aaron Sorkin, Denis Villeneuve, Steve McQueen, Lenny Abrahamson, Danny Strong, Johan Renck, H.E.R., Anne Hathaway, Jeymes Samuel, Hwang Dong-hyu, and Higher Ground, among others.
An 18-year veteran of the agency, Dakhil has long been at the forefront of cultivating opportunities for diverse talent and championing underserved voices and their stories. Gina Prince-Bythewood’s action epic THE WOMAN KING, made its world premiere earlier this month at the Toronto Film Festival and went on to open #1 at the box office. Lena Dunham’s CATHERINE CALLED BIRDY, which also had its world premiere at Toronto, opens in theaters September 23. She most recently signed Higher Ground, Obama's media company.
In addition, Dakhil brokered a bevy of deals for client Olivia Wilde of late (BOOKSMART), including a female-led comedy for Universal, which Wilde will produce and direct; DON’T WORRY DARLING, in which Wilde stars in and directed; and a new Marvel movie. Dakhil has also guided client Reese Witherspoon on building out her production company, Hello Sunshine, which focuses on female-driven content across multiple platforms. Hello Sunshine, which was sold to a venture backed by private- equity giant Blackstone Group in August 2021, has produced such films as WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING, GONE GIRL, and WILD, as well as the Emmy-winning television series THE MORNING SHOW with Jennifer Aniston for Apple TV+, which has been renewed for a third season, BIG LITTLE LIES for HBO, and the original thriller SURFACE for Apple TV+. It also has the popular Reese’s Book Club. In addition to co-leading the successful integration of CAA and ICM’s motion picture departments, Dakhil has positioned her clients at the forefront of the biggest moments in pop culture this past year. Client highlights include the record breaking success of Tom Cruise’s TOP GUN: MAVERICK, which has earned more than $1.4 billion at the worldwide box office; Natalie Portman’s starring role in THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER; a deal for Mindy Kaling to co-write LEGALLY BLONDE 3, with Witherspoon set to reprise her iconic role as “Elle Woods” and Hello Sunshine producing; Denis Villeneuve directing a sequel to the six-time Oscar-winning DUNE; and Danny Strong serving as the creator, showrunner, and director of the seven-time Emmy nominated DOPESICK, which marks his first limited series. Dakhil also orchestrated a deal for Madonna to co-write an original screenplay based on her life, which the iconic artist will direct.
As Co-Head of CAA’s International Film Group, Dakhil plays an integral role in building the Motion Picture department’s global footprint, opening doors for talent regardless of geographic location.
Her roster of global filmmakers continues to grow, signing SQUID GAME creator Hwang Dong-Hyuk; Jasmila Žbanić, whose film QUO VADIS, AIDA? was nominated for the Best International Feature at the 93rd Academy Awards; Kornél Mundruczó, director of the acclaimed film PIECES OF A WOMAN, which premiered at the 77th Venice International Film Festival; Mohamad Diab,whose film AMIRA received strong critical praise at the 2021 Venice International Film Festival;Ali Abbasi, winner of the Un Certain Regard prize for BORDER at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival; Justin Kurzel, director of NITRAM, which premiered at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival; Lukas Dhont, director of GIRL, which won the Caméra d’Or at Cannes for best first feature film, along with the Queer Palm, awarded for best LGBT-themed film; and Rungano
Nyoni, whose film I AM NOT A WITCH won a 2018 BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer.
In her role on the CAA Board, Dakhil focuses on the agency’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.She also plays a leadership role in CAA Amplify, an annual invitation-only summit convening diverse leading artists and executives from the most impactful organizations in entertainment, sports, media, brands, technology, and social justice. In addition, Dakhil is a founding member of Time’s Up, an initiative that addresses systemic inequality and injustice in the workplace. She is a champion for underrepresented storytellers, creating opportunities for them to transition into the global marketplace. Dakhil also serves on the boards of Baby2Baby and the UCLA Lab School.
Dakhil began her career at Genesis, a literary agency. She joined CAA in 2004. Dakhil graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in sociology.
Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secretagentm/
Rachel ten Brink is known by many as the "Stealth Latina," and a true trailblazer. She has always believed in the power of diversity and has used her unique background and perspective to make a difference in the worlds of venture capital and tech. Her commitment to bringing value to every aspect of her life - from work to relationships to family - is a testament to her dedication and passion.
As the first Latina to raise $29M for her tech company, Rachel knows what it takes to succeed in a competitive industry. She has learned the importance of what not to do as much as what should be done, and she believes in investing in companies that empower the economy and improve people's lives.
Rachel's killer instinct and boundary-setting skills are equally matched by her kindness and compassion. She understands the importance of mentor relationships as a two-way street of communication and sharing, and she values education as a key to unlocking one's full potential.
In this podcast, Rachel inspires us to put our own skin in the game, to believe in ourselves, and to never let anyone else define our worth. Join us as we learn from Rachel's incredible journey and gain the inspiration and insights we need to break through barriers in our own lives.
Visit gobeyondbarriers.com to find show notes and links to all the resources mentioned in this episode, including the best way to connect with Rachel.
Highlights: [02:44] Rachel’s background [04:01] Taking the leap into tech [05:16] Importance of establishing your brand [13:31] Moving into the venture capital world [17:44] The power of diverse teams [20:01] Voicing your opinion [23:20] Building strategic relationships [27:36] Drawing boundaries around helping others [31:00] Lightning round questions
Quotes: “If you want to go from Point A to Point B, think about what’s going to build your bridge.” – Rachel ten Brink
“When you think about building your brand, it can’t all be about me, me, me. You have to think about your audience.” – Rachel ten Brink
“Seek out people who compliment you and who are strong where you are not.” – Rachel ten Brink
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you? - “Art of the Start” by Guy Kawasaki
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did except backwards and in heels.”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Stealth Latina
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- Intentionality around my schedule.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “Whenever, Wherever” by Shakira
About Rachel ten Brink:
Rachel ten Brink is General Partner and Co-Founder of Red Bike Capital, a Latinx and woman-led Venture Capital fund based in New York that invests in early stage, high-growth startups that drive the economy and improve people’s lives. Red Bike supports US-based founders in FinTech, Ecommerce SAAS, Marketplaces, and Wellness. Rachel has been a board member and senior advisor for various companies and serves on the Board of Directors of AboveBoard and Dyper. Rachel is a Y Combinator Founder turned VC. Prior to founding Red Bike Capital, she was Co-Founder and CMO of Scentbird, a Y-Combinator backed ecommerce startup that raised $29MM in venture funding- which makes her one of just 90 Latinas to have ever raised over $1M in funding. Leading Growth, Brand and Revenue, she scaled Scentbird to 500,000 paid subscribers and built 74 partnerships with corporations including Coty, Macy’s and Glossier. Before this, she spent fifteen years building global billion-brands at P&G, Elizabeth Arden, Estee Lauder and L’Oreal.
Named Entrepreneur Magazines' 100 Powerful Women of 2020, she has been featured in The New York Times, TechCrunch, WSJ, and Forbes. She is a champion diversity in the tech ecosystem through her work as a mentor at Y-Combinator, Techstars, Entrepreneurs Roundtable, 500 Startups, Columbia Business School
Lang Center and NYU Entrepreneurship Center, and a member of Top Latinx in Tech, LatinxVC, VCFamilia, Transact, DealmakeHers and Latino Corporate Directors Association.
She graduated magna cum laude from Babson College and holds an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School. She lives in New York City with her husband and two kids.
Links:
Website:https://www.projectdiane.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-ten-brink-a08151/
In true Beyond Barriers fashion, we are here to explore the stories and insights of ambitious successful individuals who have overcome obstacles and achieved success in their careers. In this episode, we are thrilled to have Amanda Herson as our guest.
Amanda grew up in a family of entrepreneurs in South Africa and witnessed injustices early in life, which inspired her to make a positive impact in the world. Though she initially wanted to go into politics, she found her calling in the world of venture capital, where she quickly discovered the glass ceiling for women in the industry. But instead of seeing it as a barrier, she has turned it into an opportunity to stand out.
Amanda believes that pressure and challenge are privileges that allow her to grow and learn, and she is fascinated by how people think and make decisions. She values respecting other people's time and understands the importance of building a strong network of supporters and mentors.
In this podcast, Amanda shares her experiences and wisdom, encouraging us all to have an opinion and use our voices. She emphasizes the importance of conviction in one's professional life and explains how using guardrails protects her personal life.
Join us as we learn from Amanda's journey and gain valuable insights on how to navigate the challenges of a competitive industry. Visit gobeyondbarriers.com to find show notes and links to all the resources mentioned in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Amanda.
Highlights: [02:37] How Amanda grew up and arrived at career in venture capital [08:24] Moving forward despite uncertainty [12:03] Identifying your circle [16:06] Being a woman in venture capital [20:16] Getting started in the venture capital world [24:21] Integrating work and personal life [29:58] Lightning round questions
Quotes: “One of the key things to being able to jump is really seeking out people who believe in you.” – Amanda Herson “Pressure is a privilege and being challenged is a privilege.” – Amanda Herson “Lean into your strengths and own your weaknesses.” – Amanda Herson
Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - “Long Walk to Freedom” by Nelson Mandela
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - “If I am not for me, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I?”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Connector What is one change you've implanted that made your life better? - Health always has to come first. Sleep and exercise make you a better person. What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten
About Amanda Herson: Amanda is a Partner at Founder Collective, a leading seed-stage venture capital firm with several Midas list appearances. Prior to returning to investing, she has spent the last several years building and growing one of the largest omni-channel retailers in South Africa, launching their e-commerce and expanding the footprint to over 300 stores and serves on the Board of Cape Union Mart. Amanda was Highland Consumer Fund investing in and growing retail and consumer goods companies. Previously, she was at L Brands in New York, launching new beauty brands and focusing on growth and innovation. She began her career at Boston Consulting Group in New York. Amanda has a passion for building strong cultures in growing companies and an operational background in building e-commerce companies from the ground-up and has become a trusted advisor to several entrepreneurs. Amanda completed her Undergraduate in Economics at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and received her MBA from Harvard Business School. She currently resides in New York, is a mom of three + a sheepadoodle, a Central Park enthusiast, with a side passion for healthy cooking and living.
Links:
Website: https://www.foundercollective.com/index.html LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-herson-9616802/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Amanda_Herson
Kaego Ogbechie Rust & Shea Tate-Di Donna describe themselves as entrepreneurial and experimental. They discovered that breaking into the venture capital world was a challenge, so they wanted to help other people (especially women) by giving them practical steps to do what they were able to do. Their book, “The Venture Fund Blueprint” was written with this in mind.
Kaego & Shea noticed that people expected only capital when they sought funding from them, and they wanted to provide more. In this podcast, they talk about the pay-it-forward culture of the venture capital world. Their roots are in helping businesses grow and launch, and they share with us how to ask other people for help. First of all, you want to give more than you get, and secondly, you want to make it easy for others to help you (think craft the email for them.)
We also learn from these successful women how to not take rejection personally. When asking for something like funding, you’ll hear an incredible amount of no’s to get to that yes, and that takes perseverance. In this podcast, you’ll also hear about strategies for building trust and how to prioritize your personal life.
Diversity in the fund management field is a priority to Kaego & Shea, and they also share what they’re doing to promote this important topic. Even if you aren’t familiar with the venture capital world, you’ll learn a wealth of information about managing your own business in this podcast.
Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com, where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Kaego & Shea.
Highlights: [02:40] How Shea & Kaego got into the venture capital world [05:40] Challenges they overcame to find space in the funding industry [06:46] Leveraging community to overcome barriers [14:50] Making the easy ask [16:31] Overcoming fears [20:20] Moving past limiting beliefs [24:58] How to deal with no’s and setbacks [28:11] Getting to the yes [32:07] Keeping boundaries [37:28] Diversity in fund management [42:45] Lightning round questions
Quotes: “One of The things we love about the VC industry is the pay it forward culture.” – Shea Tate-Di Donna
“You only build a community by giving much more than you receive.” – Kaego Ogbechie Rust
“If you want to learn how to take rejection and get a no and move on, fundraising is the perfect way to do that.” – Shea Tate-Di Donna
“Trust is a key element of brand building.” – Kaego Ogbechie Rust
“How can we give back to our community? Sometimes it’s just sharing what you know.” – Kaego Ogbechie Rust
“I’m trying to divorce myself from the word should.” – Shea Tate-Di Donna
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you? - “The Lord of the Flies” by William Golding (Kaego) - “The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership” by Diana Chapman and Jim Dethmer (Shea)
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - “There are two types of people in this world, the energy givers and energy takers.” (Kaego) - “Be the change you want to see in the world.” (Shea)
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Entrepreneurial & Experimental (Kaego & Shea as a team) - Tenacious (Shea) - Paced (Kaego)
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan (Shea) - “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston (Kaego)
About Kaego Ogbechie Rust:
Kaego Ogbechie Rust is a career business advisor, entrepreneur, and author — with more than a decade of financial services experience in the public and private markets at Goldman Sachs and her consulting practice, KHOR Consulting, Kaego has worked with hundreds of companies in alternative investing, venture capital, private equity, small business, and startups.
About Shea Tate-Di Donna:
Shea Tate-Di Donna is a career venture capitalist, entrepreneur, product creator, and author. With more than a decade of early-stage high tech venture experience, she has advised hundreds of emerging fund managers. Shea was part of the founding team at True Ventures, creator of Founder Services, and originator of Venture Productization.
Links: Website: https://www.venturefundblueprint.com/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Venture-Fund-Blueprint-Capital- Actualize/dp/1544535953/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=16750 88374&sr=8-1 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaegorust/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheatatedidonna/
A new Best Selling book, The Venture Fund Blueprint, helps emerging managers in venture capital learn to launch, grow, and scale funds. The book’s pages are filled with tangible examples, real peer advice, and step-by-step guides from building pitch decks and fundraising to running operations and legal. Co-authors Shea Tate-Di Donna and Kaego Ogbechie Rust are long-time collaborators who have brought together their learnings from Shea’s time on the founding team of True Ventures and with Melinda Gates' Pivotal Ventures, plus Kaego’s decade at Goldman Sachs in alternative investments and with KHOR Consulting. This book aims to empower a diversity of intellect across emerging venture capital managers, to establish a precedent for operational excellence, and to facilitate peer-led knowledge exchange amongst GPs. We see a future where GPs and LPs are even more aligned around shared values, desired impact, and meaningful returns — where the ladder of capital, from investors to fund managers to startups, is constantly driving towards mutually beneficial outcomes.
Learn More: www.venturefundblueprint.com Get The Book: https://amzn.to/3YkMF7E
A lifelong learner, Meredith Lorenz Heimburger, Partner and Head of Impact at Global Endowment Management, loves new challenges. She’s not stuck in old ways of thinking and is open to new ideas. She sees education as the great equalizer.
As a leader in integrating mission and values into portfolios, she knows how to fail and keep going. In fact, it’s in her blood. Meredith feels being humble, flexible, and open to feedback are keys to her success. She believes that when we are open to change, we gain the most reward. She learned this herself when she became a leader unexpectedly when she originally thought she’d be a stay-at-home mom.
Having been asked to be the contrarian in her professional life, she’s comfortable with being different. Listen while Meredith shares her wisdom with us about how to ask for two things rather than one when we seek help and how to successfully separate our work and personal lives.
Visit gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Meredith.
Highlights: [02:18] Meredith’s professional background [04:34] Taking a leap [07:53] Working with mentors [11:04] Having resilience [15:06] How to be a leader [20:46] Overcoming limiting beliefs [24:27] The importance of an objective voice [25:39] Daily habits of success [27:57] Building strategic relationships [30:12] Creating change [36:38] Lightning round questions
Quotes: “I wasn’t born with the skill set to fail and give up, I was born to fail and keep going.” – Meredith Lorenz Heimburger
“Diverse teams make better decisions.” – Meredith Lorenz Heimburger
“You have to separate your personal resiliency from your professional life.” – Meredith Lorenz Heimburger
Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - “Wide Sargasso Sea” by Jean Rhys
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - The “Good Bones” poem by Maggie Smith
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Honest
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better? - Organization
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - Something 90s rap
About Meredith Lorenz Heimburger:
Meredith Lorenz Heimburger is a Partner and Head of Impact at Global Endowment Management. As Head of Impact, Meredith partners with GEM’s clients to align their investment programs with their values and mission. Meredith and her team aim to meet these clients where they are to help them fulfill both their impact and investment objectives. Prior to joining GEM in 2012, Meredith spent seven years with Teach For America. She served first as a classroom teacher and then as a member of the staff, leading the expansion of the organization’s presence in new and developing regions across the U.S. Meredith is a trustee and chair of the finance committee for the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation, which promotes sustainable solutions to human and environmental problems.
She is also a member of the Davidson College Board of Visitors and a trustee of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library Foundation. She is an active member of several organizations that focus on leveraging assets for positive impact, including The ImPact and The Philanthropy Workshop (TPW). Meredith received her B.A. in English with a concentration in Gender Studies from Davidson College.
Links: Website: https://www.globalendowment.com/ LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-lorenz-heimburger-765a3553/
Having a growth mindset means viewing failures and setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow, rather than seeing them as a reflection of your intelligence or your self-worth. Our guest, Krista Satterthwaite, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Hewlett-Packard Enterprise’s Mainstream Compute, shares that when you embrace a growth mindset, you shouldnt see failure as a defeat, but rather as a chance to learn and improve future actions and decisions toward success.
However, Krista also highlights that having a growth mindset does not guarantee that you will always win”. There will be times when despite your best efforts, things may not go as planned, and you may not achieve your desired outcome.
Join me in this conversation with Krista as we discuss how she prepares for difficult conversations, getting what you deserve and staying intentional and focused on your goals.
Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Krista.
Highlights: [02:11] Krista’s journey [06:08] Inflection point for change [09:26] Overcoming fears associated with risk-taking [10:59] Growth Mindset [11:39] Getting what you deserve [14:41] Preparing for difficult conversations [18:34] Cultivating strong relationships [21:59] Gaining clarity on what you want to be known for [26:33] Staying intentional and focused [29:56] Lightning Round Questions
Quotes: “In the corporate world, if you don’t understand the rules, you can’t win the game.” – Krista Satterthwaite “Reframe your fears of risk-taking with a ‘give it a shot’ mindset and see what happens.” – Krista Satterthwaite
“When you have a growth mindset, you can’t lose, you just learn.” – Krista Satterthwaite
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you? - “Rise” by Patty Azzarello
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - “I never lose, I either win or I learn.” - Nelson Mandela
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Positive
What is one change youve implemented that made your life better? - Definitely reading.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys
About Krista Satterthwaite: Krista is a technology business leader with 25 years of experience across operations, product and services strategy, quality, marketing and Go-to-Market.
She is the Senior Vice President and General Manager leading Hewlett-Packard Enterprise’s Mainstream Compute business ($9+ billion PL). In 2019, she was featured in Savoy Magazine as one of the ‘Most Influential Women in Corporate America’.
Fostering a positive culture of inclusion is one of Krista’s passions. She currently serves on the HPE CEO’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. Krista is the executive sponsor for HPE’s Black Employee Network. In 2021, she was awarded the HPE Black Employee Network’s ‘Legacy Award’ for her contributions.
Krista received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Illinois in Chicago, and a Master of Business Administration from University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.
Links: LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krista-satterthwaite-76932835/
Singleton Beato is a thoughtful leader, an insightful person and a wonderful conversationalist. She has deep experience and bright ideas and we have been thinking about this conversation since we recorded it. As Global EVP, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at McCann Worldgroup, a global network of creative and media agencies, Singleton is responsible for designing and leading strategic initiatives that increase organizational capacity, innovation, and growth. With over 25 years of executive experience, Singleton’s career has been defined by leading large-scale people and organizational change initiatives. She is a visionary DEI leader who focuses as much on ensuring the work product her company produces as she does the culture of the company itself. Representing some of the world’s biggest brands, Singleton helps client leaders and creative teams produce work that is inclusive, representative, respectful and impactful. Singleton was named one of 2019 Most Influential Women in Corporate America by Savoy Magazine, one of Ad Week’s 2020 Women Trailblazers, and one of New York's Most Outstanding Corporate Citizens.
Highlights:
[02:49] Singleton’s back story
[07:29] A personal story of risk taking
[14:29] How to be respectful, resonant, and relevant
[20:47] How her work reflects Singleton’s values
[24:48] Singleton didn’t always know she’d be a leader
[25:31] Finding purpose and clarity about your career
[30:43] Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs
[35:27] Singleton’s daily habits of success
[40:54] Setting and achieving goals
[49:11] Building your network and asking for help
[53:29] Lightning Round Questions
Quotes:
“There are scenarios and circumstances that we need to become well-versed in before we are able to move in those spaces with great authority in the way we want to.” – Singleton Beato
“The best way for people to learn is through stories.” – Singleton Beato
“When it comes to achieving goals, the number one thing is to use your technology.” – Singleton Beato
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “Night” by Elie Wiesel
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “Achieving your goals is a game of options.”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Enthusiastic
What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
- Checking in with myself daily.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “Cuff It” by Beyonce
About Singleton Beato:
Singleton Beato is the Global EVP, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at McCann Worldgroup, where she is responsible for designing and leading strategic initiatives that increase organizational capacity, innovation and growth. With over 25 years of experience as an accomplished executive, Singleton is recognized for her success driving large scale people and organizational change initiatives across a wide range of industries, having held talent leadership roles at J. Walter Thompson, Crunch Fitness International, and Bloomberg L.P.
Previously, Singleton was EVP, Diversity Strategy and Talent Development at the 4A’s where she provided leadership and advice to senior advertising and media agency executives working to create and activate a strategic approach to D&I. Singleton was the visionary and architect of high-profile initiatives including The Face Of Talent symposium and the Ad industry’s only Talent Leadership Conference, Talent@2030. She also led the transformation of the renowned Multicultural Advertising Intern Program (MAIP) and the 4A’s Foundation. And, after assuming P&L responsibility for Talent Development and Diversity related revenue streams, Singleton consistently delivered on revenue and margin growth targets for the organization.
Singleton received a MS from Fairleigh Dickinson University and serves on several non-profit boards including the Brand Erwin Center for Brand Communications, AdWeek’s D&I Council, the AAF’s Mosaic Council, NYWICI, Own The Room and Figure Skating in Harlem as well as the Advisory Board of the Brand + Integrated Communications program. She has received numerous awards and accolades from the AAF, the 4A’s, the ADCOLOR Coalition, the National Diversity Council, the World Diversity Leadership Summit. Additionally, Singleton was named one of 2019’s Most Influential Women In Corporate America by Savoy Magazine, one of AdWeek’s 2020 Women Trailblazers and one of New York’s Most Outstanding Corporate Citizens.
Links:
LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/singleton-beato-835bb14/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/singleton_beato
As a child gymnast, and later a dancer, Alyssa Rapp, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Healthwell Acquisition Corp., learned early on about discipline. It’s carried her through her life and into her career. As the author of the book, “Leadership and Life Hacks: Insights from a Mom, Wife, Entrepreneur & Executive”, Alyssa shares her insights about getting the best out of your day.
Alyssa is a believer that we are all responsible for setting the tone for our days. She makes her needs a priority and puts the oxygen mask on herself first so that she can serve her family, friends, and coworkers better. She also values her quiet time and gets through tough situations by managing expectations. For Alyssa, scheduling is everything. If she is going to work out, she puts it on her calendar. If her kids have an event she needs to attend, it has a set place in her schedule. As a young gymnast, she also learned to overcome her fears, and now she really loves a challenge. She gives life all she can with no regrets.
Alyssa also shares with us her principle of mission, vision, and values. She feels that it’s vital for everyone in an organization to share common goals and transparency. When she gives her all, she finds that it inspires others to do the same. Join us to learn a lot of life hacks to help you be more focused, fearless, and organized.
Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Alyssa.
Highlights:
[02:45] Alyssa’s background and why she wrote a book [07:33] Achieving balance through prioritizing [13:09] Managing stakeholder expectations [18:36] Making yourself a priority [21:54] Overcoming Mom guilt [27:02] The cost benefit analysis of your choices [31:52] How to take risks [39:31] Activating the power of community [44:41] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“It’s no one’s job to set the tone for my day but me.” – Alyssa Rapp
“At this point in my life, the quiet is to me the fulcrum of life and cherished time.” – Alyssa Rapp
“Commit to the end before you start, then do.” – Alyssa Rapp
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
“Personal History” by Katharine Graham
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
“If your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough.” Also, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it’s the courage to continue that counts.” (Winston Churchill)
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
Persevering
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
Patience
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
“Pride (In the Name of Love)” by U2
About Alyssa Rapp:
Alyssa Rapp serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Healthwell Acquisition Corp. I. Ms. Rapp served as Chief Executive Officer of Surgical Solutions, a B2b healthcare services business providing non-clinical surgical services to hospitals, from 2018-2021. As CEO, Ms. Rapp led a successful turnaround of the enterprise, driving 21% sales growth with 90% customer retention. Ms. Rapp has also served as an independent director of Elevate Women’s Health, a portfolio company of Shore Capital Partners, since October 2020. From 2015-2018, Ms. Rapp served as the founder & CEO of Bottlenotes, Inc., a leading interactive media company. Starting in 2015, Ms. Rapp served as the Managing Partner of A JR Ventures, a strategic advisory firm for family offices and private equity firms on market development, digital and e-commerce strategies for select portfolio companies. Ms. Rapp has served as a lecturer-in-management at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business since 2014 and Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago’s Booth Business School since 2019. Ms. Rapp earned a B.A. in Political Science and the History of Art from Yale University in 2000 and an M.B.A. from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business in 2005. She is the author of Amazon Bestseller, Leadership and Life Hacks: Insights from a Mom, Wife, Entrepreneur & Executive (ForbesBooks, October 2019).
Links:
Website: https://alyssarapp.com/
LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-rapp-3b2aa7/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlyssaRapp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyssajrapp/
Sarah Chen-Spellings had the rare opportunity to know what it was like to be a success from a young age. By 9, she was already a TV host in Malaysia, and by 25, she was wise beyond her years and already making millions. After her father died, she was called to manage the family business and quickly learned the art of grit, resilience, and the power of business from this experience.
However, before her father died, he encouraged her to work in the corporate world. Through that experience, she learned to turn her convictions into her work and believes that having a strong community and positive mentors are important for success. She likes to help other women and people of color move up the ladder and create opportunities for them to be a part of upper management that was once not possible.
Even with all of her successes, Sarah can still feel like she’s failing sometimes. She honestly shares why and how she focuses on what’s possible to overcome these feelings. She also shares how she evaluates risks, manages her time, and puts family first. Referring to herself as an activated accidental feminist, “Go big or go home” is a motto for Sarah, and we learn how true that’s been for her life in this podcast.
Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Sarah.
Highlights:
[02:52] Sarah’s background
[11:59] Finding courage when you feel like you’re failing
[16:58] The importance of community
[20:57] How to build authentic relationships
[24:55] Evaluating opportunities and rising to meet them
[28:48] Executing lofty goals and time hacks
[32:02] The toll of task switching
[34:12] Setting boundaries around time
[38:15] Joining passions with work
[45:02] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“My style is to go big or go home always, and if I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it well.” – Sarah Chen-Spellings
“Change, growth, and progress will cost a lot and I do it for my WHY. And that's what drives me is the fact that I know I just have something big here to be done.” – Sarah Chen-Spellings
“Choosing your partner is the most important career decision you can make.” – Sarah Chen-Spellings
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “The Psychology of Money” by Morgan Housel
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “The most common way most people give up power is to believe they have none.”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Audacious
What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
- Not waiting for the perfect time.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “Haghame” by Golazin
About Sarah Chen-Spellings:
Based in Washington DC, investor & entrepreneur Sarah Chen-Spellings is Co-Founder of Beyond The Billion (launched as The Billion Dollar Fund for Women), the world's first and largest global consortium of over 100 venture funds and limited partner investors that have pledged to invest and are actively deploying beyond $1B towards women-founded companies. In under two years, the consortium has deployed $638M and counting into close to 800 female-founded companies, of which 11 have been recognized as unicorns. Previously, she was on the pioneer team of a corporate venture capital unit within a $13B publicly traded Asian conglomerate, investing in later-stage biotechnology companies. Since then, she has been at the forefront of multi-million cross border investments, structuring and executing commercialization plans with her portfolio companies.
Determined to see more women at the helm, she sits on multiple boards, including 131 & Counting, a bipartisan effort encouraging more women to run for office in the US; and Lean In Malaysia, which she co-founded, a platform accelerating women into leadership in Malaysia. Named Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum and Forbes Under 30 VC, Chen-Spellings is a recognized speaker, strategist and commentator on venture capital, startups and women in leadership, having been featured on Forbes, Fortune, Bloomberg, Der Spiegel, United Nations et al, and is a celebrated host on the show and podcast #BillionDollarMoves backed by the Hubspot Podcast Network. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Laws, LL.B (Hons.) from King’s College London.
Links:
Websites: https://beyondthebillion.com/
https://sarah-chen.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SarahChenGlobal/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahchenglobal/
https://www.instagram.com/beyondthebillion/
Twitter: sarahchenglobal, @beyondbillion
Michele Ruiz has seemingly done it all. But in reality, while she’s been very successful in multiple fields, she’s really an expert at bringing the right people together to fulfill the vision at hand.
Michele’s background is in broadcasting and has had a very successful career as a news anchor. She wanted to make an impact through broadcasting by affecting change and worked toward helping other Latinas in the industry. However, she’s an entrepreneur at heart and found herself co-founding a science-based technology company focused on enabling organizations to effectively assess and manage unconscious bias in the work environment. She’s an expert at seeing gaps and coming up with solutions.
During our conversation, Michele vulnerably shares about how the loss of her infant son 20 years ago changed her perspective on everything. From that experience, as an optimist, she learned to take calculated risks because after experiencing that loss–”What’s the worst that can happen?” She believes in the importance of focusing on gratitude as a key to her survival. Her joyfulness comes through in the time she spends with us in this podcast. Join us as she shares her insights about how you don’t have to have all the answers to move forward toward success.
Visit gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Michele.
Highlights:
[02:53] Michele’s background
[05:33] How Michele gained clarity about her pursuits
[11:43] The loss that defined Michele’s life
[14:29] The “Holy Hour” practice
[18:17] Building strategic relationships
[24:09] Curbing your anxiety about networking
[26:00] Michele’s daily rituals of success and having gratitude
[30:53] Tying your passions into work
[35:52] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“You don’t always have to have the answers, but recognize if you could just identify the right people and build from there, that’s a great thing.” – Michele Ruiz
“I realized from the long term I could have a bigger impact having companies.” – Michele Ruiz
“Passion is what keeps you going on the toughest days.” – Michele Ruiz
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “The Go-Giver” by Bob Burg and John David Mann
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “When you were born, the people around you were laughing and you were crying. Live your life so that when you die, you’re the one who is laughing and the people around you are crying.”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Tenacious
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- More sleep. Eight hours of sleep.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor
About Michele Ruiz:
Michele is an entrepreneur, best-selling author, and sought-after speaker at conferences around the world. Michele’s wide range of ventures include co-founding BiasSync, a science-based technology company designed to enable organizations to effectively assess and manage unconscious bias in the work environment. She is a trusted advisor to senior executives at Fortune 20 multinational corporations and some of today’s highest profile thought leaders and elected officials.
Michele’s passions range from mitigating unconscious bias using scientifically validated methodologies to exploring leading-edge technologies. She is widely recognized and sought out as a subject matter expert in empowerment, entrepreneurship, sophisticated communication strategies, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA).
In addition to her work with BiasSync, Michele leads Ruiz Strategies, a certified minority-owned (MBE) and woman-owned (WBE) business, headquartered in Los Angeles, California, with operations in Washington, D.C., and Houston, Texas. The firm specializes in change management and DE&I consulting for large corporations and government agencies.
Michele’s deep entrepreneurial experience has been instrumental in her quest to educate, inspire, and empower business owners. Her online mentoring program, Possibility Architect©, is designed for female entrepreneurs determined to scale their businesses over $1 million in annual revenue with corporate and government clients, drawing upon her own experience and success.
Michele founded her first company, SaberHacer.com, a bilingual expert-based “how-to” educational broadband site for U.S. Latinos online. She launched the successful video-on-demand site to provide quality information for U.S. Latinos when she determined a void of culturally relevant content for Hispanics. Her mission has always been simple: to do what she can to help people and change lives.
Before becoming an entrepreneur, Michele Ruiz enjoyed a long career as an award-winning broadcast journalist and received 16 Emmy nominations during her news broadcasting career, 5 Emmys, 4 Golden Mikes, and LA Press Club Awards.
A prominent keynote speaker on a wide range of topics, Michele inspires and motivates her audiences with singular, compelling storytelling skills —all drawn directly from her own life experiences. Some of the topics Michele speaks about include business communication, unconscious bias, entrepreneurship, leadership, and empowerment.
Michele has been a member of the Association of Transformational Leaders since 2016, and has spoken at major conferences around the world in the United States, Sweden, Singapore, India, and Turkey, to name a few. She is widely quoted and featured as a sought-after thought leader in major media outlets, including Forbes, CNN, The New York Times, and many others. Michele regularly shares insights with more than 100k followers through her many communication outlets, including blogs, videos, and more.
Michele’s first book, Content Marketing for Lawyers, was published in 2016. The best-seller helps attorneys use powerful content marketing and social media strategies that Michele has developed for her Fortune 20 corporations to attract more clients and become a legal thought leader. “It may well be the most valuable business development book you will ever read,” is just one of the many reviews of the book.
Links:
Website: https://micheleruiz.com/
LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micheleruiz1/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/micheleruiz01
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MicheleRuiz.
PublicFigure
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/micheleruiz/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MicheleRuiz/videos
As a dentist, Dr. Jessica Metcalfe had to intentionally manage and minimize her perfectionism. Through this work, she started on a journey of understanding her inner voice. Today, she talks about what she’s learned along the way from dentist to coach.
According to Dr. Metcalfe, there is power in our inner voices. She tells us about two theories behind how our inner self speaks to us and how the imposter syndrome plays a part in the way we view ourselves. In this podcast, Dr. Metcalfe teaches us to reframe our inner voice and stop using the word “just” to downplay our accomplishments.
Helping high achieving women find and listen to their inner voices is Dr. Metcalfe’s passion. Through this experience, she’s able to share with us how to reframe our doubts and failures and set up a community of support around us. Sit back and listen to all the gems Dr. Metcalfe shares with us in this episode.
Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com/ where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Dr. Metcalfe.
Highlights:
[02:17] How Dr. Metcalfe started focusing on depression[07:03] Listening to your inner voice[11:23] Questioning her move from dentist to coach[14:48] Managing your inner voice[18:17] Starting to navigate you inner work[21:44] Dealing with your inner voice during doubts or failures[27:51] Building a new community of support[32:21] Working through perfectionism[37:13] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“I had to change how I viewed myself first before I was able to step in and be able to help others.” – Dr. Jessica Metcalfe
“When someone is starting to navigate their inner voice and they start to notice it, building that self awareness is your first step.” – Dr. Jessica Metcalfe
“Your brain requires tangible information to start to remind you that you are in fact capable.” – Dr. Jessica Metcalfe
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “The Giver” by Lois Lowry
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “Be the person that when your feet touch the floor in the morning, the devil says, ‘Shit, they’re up.’” (Dwayne Johnson)
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Fierce
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- Prioritizing sleep
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “King” by Florence and the Machine
About Dr. Jessica Metcalfe:
Dr. Jessica Metcalfe is an author, international speaker, self-intelligence coach and former dental oncologist. She has recently finished her first book called, Speak Kindly, You're Listening. Her mission: to unlock and empower the inner voices of high-achieving women by navigating through imposter syndrome, perfectionism, burnout and that dark mental chatter. Dr. Jessica’s experience working with cancer patients, being an education director, certified life coach, and her own mental health journey has allowed her to show hundreds of women that they can conquer their negative inner voice personally and professionally. She has given keynote speeches and presentations to University of Toronto, Boston University, Key Media, Women in Wealth Management, and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre among other international organizations and companies.
Links:
Website: www.drjessicametcalfe.com
LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jessica-metcalfe-873b671b5/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.metcalfe.56829/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjessicametcalfe/
Jennifer Brown’s path in life unexpectedly changed early on. She thought she would find her fulfillment as an opera singer, but fate had other plans. After experiencing issues with her singing voice, she now helps everyone around her find their own unique voices in work and life.
This podcast is jam-packed with insights about thriving in today’s workplace. As an expert in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Jennifer shares with us how she finds motivation and creates communities of inclusion. She thinks it’s important that you let your voice be heard and find out what you’re a leader in. Jennifer gives us great tips on developing your own personal brand and standing up in your power.
She talks to us about how she connects talent with companies and gives back to her community through education. She doesn’t really believe in gurus because she feels there is wisdom in all of us. Join us as we learn so much more from Jennifer.
Visit gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Jennifer. Highlights: [02:53] How the performing arts paved Jennifer’s path [09:14] Becoming an expert in the DEI space [15:03] Motivating self and others [19:29] Working with a diverse team [23:05] Developing your own brand and owning your power [35:00] Creating a community of inclusion [43:12] Letting all voices be heard [46:54] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“As adults, we have to be able to connect concepts to our learned experience.” – Jennifer Brown “Be willing to be shaped by the moment.” – Jennifer Brown “A lot of us write our own books to figure out our own story.” – Jennifer Brown
Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - “Flawless Consulting” by Peter Block
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - Say yes, and go figure out how.
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Light and illuminating
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better? - Digging deep to build my team.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “Golden” by Jill Scott
About Jennifer Brown: Jennifer Brown (she/her) is an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, author, and diversity and inclusion expert who is deeply passionate about building more inclusive workplaces where more of us can feel welcomed, valued, respected, and heard. As the Founder and CEO of Jennifer Brown Consulting (JBC), a certified woman- and LGBT-owned firm, Jennifer and her team design and execute inclusion strategies that have been implemented by some of the biggest companies and nonprofits in the world.
She is also the bestselling author of two books, Inclusion: Diversity, The New Workplace and The Will to Change (2017) and How To Be An Inclusive Leader: Your Role in Creating Cultures of Belonging Where Everyone Can Thrive (2019), a shortlist winner of the O.W.L. Award, and winner of the 2019 Nautilus Book Awards' Business & Leadership category. She also recently co-authored a groundbreaking book on diversity, equity and inclusion in society with thought leader and fellow bestselling author, Rohit Bhargava. The book, Beyond Diversity: 12 Non-Obvious Ways To Build A More Inclusive World, is a 2022 Axiom Award Gold Medal Winner in the Women/BIPOC Category, a Wall Street Journal bestseller, a 2022 Nautilus Silver Award Winner in the Multicultural and Indigenous Category, a 2022 Hermes Creative Awards Platinum Winner, a 2022 Foreword Indies Awards Finalist in the Multicultural Category, and one of Inc Magazine’s 22 Books to Read (or Reread) in 2022. Jennifer’s podcast, The Will to Change, is downloaded by nearly 15,000 listeners per month, and she is a sought-after keynote speaker and expert for leading research institutions and business schools.
She lives in New York City with her partner of over 20 years, Michelle. You can learn more at www.jenniferbrownspeaks.com.
Links: Website: https://jenniferbrownspeaks.com LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferbrownconsulting Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenniferbrown Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferbrownspeaks/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferbrownspeaks
Meet Catherine Wragg, Chief People Officer at TriNet who shares how self-awareness and smart risk taking helped her achieve career success.
Coming from a traditional environment, Catherine had to grow into the risk-taker she is today. Throughout her career, she took on challenges, betting on herself and her ability to learn. Whether it was switching to new industries or taking on risky projects, Catherine stepped into the unknown with curiosity and optimism. That’s what helped her rise to the C-suite after starting her career in the payroll department.
Catherine leads with a deep desire to make a bigger impact. She expertly navigated the challenges posed by the pandemic and created an environment where Trinet employees would thrive, adapting the culture and workplace to accommodate the new normal. Catherine lives her life with hope and belief in a better tomorrow.
Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Catherine.
Highlights:
[02:21] Catherine’s formation story
[07:04] Working for The Armani Group
[11:49] What led to Catherine’s success
[15:50] Making important decisions for her career
[20:03] Being a leader in HR during COVID
[26:21] A new world of work after COVID
[29:41] Balancing work and home life
[33:18] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“You have to take time for yourself and then digest all that you're seeing, feeling and hearing to be able to provide perspective or create an environment that allows folks to be their best selves.” – Catherine Wragg
“It's really about trying to get as organized as you can about what's to come.” – Catherine Wragg
“COVID was a unique impact to the organization that's actually transformed the way we work entirely.” – Catherine Wragg
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times” by Douglas Carlton Abrams and Jane Goodall and “The Year of Magical Thinking” by Joan Didion
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “Lasting change is a series of compromises, and compromise is all right as long as your values don’t change.” by Jane Goodall
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Empathetic leader
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- Realizing I can’t do it all on my own, and it’s okay to ask for help.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “Competent” by Demi Lavato
About Catherine Wragg:
Catherine Wragg joined TriNet in 2017 and currently serves as the Chief People Officer at TriNet, overseeing learning and development, People (HR) operations and compliance, talent acquisition, compensation and analytics, and internal People (HR) support to the business.
Previously, Catherine served as the senior vice president of Business Development at Giorgio Armani Corporation, where she collaborated with the CEO on various business strategies, including the management of the e-commerce channel for North America. Earlier at Giorgio Armani, she was the senior vice president of Human Resources at A|X Armani Exchange. Catherine led the integration of A|X into Giorgio Armani following its acquisition by Giorgio Armani Group. Prior to that, she was the senior vice president of Human Resources and Administration at Tower Group International, Ltd., where she was responsible for establishing and growing an internal HR function to support a rapid growth property and casualty insurance company. Catherine partnered with her colleagues on two successful initial public offerings and integrated various acquisitions. She supported 18 offices throughout the U.S. and Bermuda.
Catherine studied English at Northern Arizona University. She is a former board member of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation.
Links:
LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-wragg-84a2012/
Maricella Herrera Avila grew up in Mexico working in male-dominated fields. While she didn’t immediately know that leadership was her path, she eventually found herself as CEO of Ellevate Network, the largest community for women at work focused on creating a culture of equity and inclusion in business.
In this episode, Maricella tells us about her path to becoming a CEO, starting with her previous career in banking. After she realized this field wasn’t for her, she set out on a path of curiosity and discovery that led her to where she is today. Learn how she turned a love for puzzles and how things fit together into her current role as CEO. Maricella had to switch her definition of success from what she learned from her upbringing. Instead, she focuses on learning along the way and both giving and taking when she’s networking. She’s always asking questions and listening to what people have to say. We learned a lot from Maricella’s journey and know you will too.
Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Maricella.
Highlights:
[02:31] Maricella’s path to CEO
[07:41] Gaining clarity about her definition of success
[13:45] Dealing with criticism and having a support system
[17:56] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[22:57] Prioritizing to get things done and taking ownership at work
[28:04] Asking for help and networking
[31:48] Embracing curiosity
[33:17] Continuing to learn and staying ahead of the game
[37:48] Lighting round questions
Quotes:
“If you can help one or two or a few people, that to me becomes success.” – Maricella Herrera Avila
“If we could get people to understand their role and take ownership of that, then the whole work and prioritization becomes a little easier.” – Maricella Herrera Avila
“A lot of what I’ve been doing lately is just listening.” – Maricella Herrera Avila
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and “Thanks for the Feedback” by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “Those who don’t know their history are bound to repeat it.”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Authentic
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- Becoming a runner.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “Just a Girl” by No Doubt
About Maricella Herrera Avila:
Maricella Herrera Avila is the CEO of Ellevate Network, the largest community for women+ at work focused on creating a culture of equity and inclusion in business. She oversees overall business operations, growth and strategy, and works closely with Ellevate's Chapter Leaders, Business Partners, and Champions to further Ellevate's impact.
As a strategy executive with 15 years of experience building and scaling teams, brands and businesses, Maricella has led the creation of impactful programming such as the annual Mobilize Women Summit, which reaches thousands of professionals across the globe and is supported by some of the world’s leading companies. Maricella is also the host of the Ellevate Podcast, Conversations with Women Changing the Face of Business. Through her 10-year career at Ellevate Network, she has managed the business through an acquisition, a re-brand, and a full operational/workforce transformation.
Prior to Ellevate, Maricella held several positions in real estate banking at Banamex, Citi’s Mexican subsidiary, where she worked on providing credit funding for low income housing development projects in the north of Mexico.
Maricella received a BA in Financial Management from ITESM in Mexico and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
Links:
Website: https://www.ellevatenetwork.com/
LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maricellaherreraa/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mherreraavila
Podcast: https://www.ellevatenetwork.com/podcasts/
Jessica Gelman learned a lot about structuring her time and connecting people when she was a point guard for her basketball team at Harvard. Now, she’s a busy CEO, leader and mom who’s great at organizing her time and others. In this conversation about leading, sports and relationships, Jessica shares her success secrets and staying connected.
Jessica has always been involved in sports and feels like it has shaped who she is. Being first at something doesn’t bother her at all, in fact, she thrives on being different. As a mom, she finds prioritizing her time to be one of her biggest challenges. She loves to help people, but tells us about how she has come to terms with balancing helping others with spending time with her family. She feels mentors and sponsors come in all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds. Join us in this interesting conversation about leadership in today’s world that you don’t want to miss.
Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Jessica.
Highlights:
[02:41] Jessica’s background
[10:32] Secrets to her success & what she loves about sports
[11:15] Helping others and prioritizing time
[15:08] The barriers women face at work
[21:54] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[25:44] Daily habits of success
[28:57] Being a leader
[32:44] The role mentors has played in her career
[37:33] Lighting round questions
Quotes:
“I have found that data is an equalizer and leveled the playing field for me in the business world.” – Jessica Gelman
“The concept of coaching is really important.” – Jessica Gelman
“I think my role is to clear out obstacles and enable people to do their jobs better.” – Jessica Gelman
“There are a lot of different ways to define mentors or supporters or sponsors.” – Jessica Gelman
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “Having confidence in myself is the difference between happiness and constant questioning.”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Connector
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- Listening fully.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “All Fired Up” by Pat Benatar
About Jessica Gelman:
Jessica Gelman is an experienced CEO, industry leader, and entrepreneur with a data-driven, customer-centric approach to innovation. She is the CEO of Kraft Analytics Group (KAGR), a technology and services company that helps sports & entertainment organizations get analytics right – increasing value and impact along the way. KAGR’s data management platform, analytics and strategic services is driving industry redefinition through data and technology. KAGR’s clients include all major US professional leagues, colleges, industry movers and in 2021, partnered with J.P. Morgan Private Bank.
Prior to KAGR’s creation in 2016, Jessica joined the Kraft Family in 2002 working for the sports properties (New England Patriot, Gillette Stadium and New England Revolution) where she led business operations, marketing, & strategy for Kraft Sports & Entertainment.
Jessica co-founded and continues to co-chair the highly regarded MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, the first and largest analytically focused sports conference. Previous speakers have included President Barack Obama, Adam Silver, Steve Ballmer, Nate Silver, and many other sports and analytics luminaries.
Jessica has received recognition for her leadership and innovation, including the 2014 Sports Business Journal “Forty under 40” which honors the most promising young executives in sports business under the age of 40 and in 2012 Sports Business Journal’s “Game Changers,” which honors women who are leading and innovating in sports business.
Jessica earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA, cum laude from Harvard College. While at Harvard, she was selected as Harvard Female Athlete of the Year and in 2018 was honored as an Ivy League Legend of Basketball. She is an elected board member of the Harvard Varsity Club. Additionally, she is a board member for Peace Players International and Shooting Touch.
Gelman and her wife have two sons and reside in the greater Boston area.
Links:
LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-gelman/
Courtney Wright didn’t expect to be a leader, but she has distinguished herself with both grit and grace. With supportive parents who told her she could do anything she set her mind to, it never occurred to her that being a woman could hold her back. And it didn’t. She founded CDW Merchants, the leading provider of 3D visual retail displays and e-commerce gift packaging for the nation’s top retailers, including Kate Spade, Sperry’s and Club Monaco. In 2016, Courtney packaged CDW for the last time and sold it to a billion-dollar global company. Listen as she shares what she’s learned about what it takes to be a great CEO: landing the biggest deals, hiring the best people, and staying grounded in vision. She recently launched her inspired podcast, Lady Boss by Courtney Wright.
Courtney is a big believer in using life plans and written goals to get where you want in life. Routines define her days, including her typical 430am rise to gain an edge with a few more productive hours. She focuses on customer-centered values and the top 20 relationships in her life, and she listens and gives generously. She’s a calculated risk-taker who is both thorough and thoughtful about the moves she makes. I learned so much from Courtney today about making plans and following through, and we hope you do too.
Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com/ where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Courtney.
Highlights:
[02:33] Courtney’s journey
[04:10] How she narrowed in on her goals
[06:47] Forming a life plan
[08:17] Becoming a leader
[09:22] Overcoming imposter syndrome
[11:31] Building a personal brand
[16:33] Taking risks
[19:02] Staying grounded
[21:17] Building relationships
[23:30] Being the only female leader
[26:42] Being bold as a female leader
[28:29] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“Your subconscious brain is 60,000 times more powerful than your conscious brain.” – Courtney Wright
“The biggest investment I ever made in my business was peer to peer learning.” – Courtney Wright
“The time away from your task list is when you move your career and plans forward.” – Courtney Wright
“I take away as much stress in my life as I can because that’s not what I operate the best.” – Courtney Wright
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- I’m a skimmer, so any build-to-sell book.
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “If you do the work and grind every day and do the time, everything happens.”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Grind/hustle
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- I try to delegate everything but genius.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- Anything by Prince.
About Courtney Wright:
Courtney Wright has the equation for success … stay curious, listen to feedback, fail a lot and make time for friends and family. Coco’s (all her friends call her Coco) tenacity begins at 4:30AM when she begins to connect the dots. She’s always laser focused on her master plan. The five-decade old business bombshell is New England born, but calls Illinois home after attending Lake Forest College.
She founded CDW Merchants, the leading provider of 3D visual retail displays and e-commerce gift packaging for the nation’s top retailers, including Kate Spade, Sperry’s and Club Monaco. In 2016, Courtney packaged CDW for the last time and sold it to a global billion-dollar company.
Free time isn’t her thing … quickly she jumped on an opportunity to buy a company she worked with closely, a vendor to CDW. The downtime didn’t last long, in 2016 she bought Gemini Builds It (F/K/A Gemini Moulding). Since the deal closed, she saved 60 jobs, bought a business to close the gap on outsourcing and offered 401K and continuing education to the staff. Gemini is housed in a 50,000 square-foot manufacturing center in Elgin, but Courtney has her mind set to double the growth of the business in a year and bring the sales team to Chicago ... she's one woman making manufacturing cool in Chicago.
Wright wants women to know they can have their cake and eat it too. She has been married to her life and business partner, Larry, for the past 21 years. They live in Winnetka and have two sons. She prides herself on never missing either of her boys sporting events and stopping to smell the sweet scent of success.
Links:
Website: https://www.geminibuildsit.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneywright1/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/ladyboss.podcast/2969347327464033922/ &
https://www.instagram.com/courtneywright.co/
To get ahead and make an impact, you must know your value and have clarity on your ‘why’. Esther Ayorinde-Iyamu, Founder of talent matching platform GrowthQ shares the key factors that have driven her entrepreneurial success, including her experience as a dancer for the LA Clippers, San Francisco 49ers, and New York Jets. She attributes her success to concentrating on good things coming to her and a focus on people, innovation, and creativity.
Esther formed her first startup at age 19 from her college dorm. Her network was key to her success, and she describes the importance of depositing more into relationships than you withdraw. Esther has a clear definition of the differences between coaches, sponsors, and mentors that you will find helpful as you search for each one to help you succeed.
Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com/ where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Esther.
Highlights:
[01:43] Esther’s background
[04:55] How Esther started her company and being an entrepreneur
[09:25] What Esther learned dancing for the NBA
[14:11] An entrepreneur at 19 years old
[18:31] Building self confidence and overcoming fears
[20:30] The difference between coaches, sponsors, and mentors
[25:47] Giving back to your network and knowing your why
[28:30] Acknowledging our privileges
[31:40] Bringing value to any situation
[33:14] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“An intrapreneur is someone who is an entrepreneur but within an organization.” – Esther Ayorinde-Iyamu
“You have to deposit five times the amount you withdraw from your network.” – Esther Ayorinde-Iyamu
“Whoever you are, you bring value and you need to figure out what that is.” – Esther Ayorinde-Iyamu
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “You Are Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Money” by Jen Sincero
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called.”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Creator
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- Morning affirmations
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “I’m Okay” a song by my younger sister
About Esther Ayorinde-Iyamu:
Esther Ayorinde-Iyamu is Founder of GrowthQ, a matching platform for mentorship, diverse interviewers-aaS, and tech sales talent. Esther also recently joined as General Partner for VC firm, 1Flourish. Esther is a 16 year Silicon Valley tech veteran, a 7 year NFL and NBA Dancer, and investor known for her wellness advocacy, her connected tech industry network, and her Go-To-Market expertise. Esther was recognized as Diversity Women Magazine’s Power 100 executives and The Network Journal’s 40 Under 40 list. She was the first Black Dance Captain in
franchise history of the New York Jets and started her first startup at 19 years old in her dorm room at Santa Clara University. As a Go-To-Market thought leader, Esther has been a featured guest lecturer at Stanford University, UC Berkeley, Santa Rosa Community College as well as a guest speaker at companies like Facebook, Gong, Snowflake, Cisco, Clozd, and Braze. Her new company, GrowthQ is dedicated to helping close the wage and wellness gaps for underrepresented tech talent by succeeding in a career in tech sales.
Links:
Website: www.growthq.co
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esther-ayorinde/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstherAAyorinde
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esthera.ayorinde
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamestherayorinde/
McKinsey estimates that there is 3 trillion dollars of economic opportunity that we are missing out on because women aren’t fully empowered at work. And yet, the data clearly shows that when women lead, share performance and profits go up 50%. Results are more powerful when everyone is empowered. This is the insight that brought the four founders of Beyond Barriers together. We came from diverse leadership backgrounds with a common goal: to close the gender gap at work and expand economic opportunity for everyone. Listen to co-founders and friends Nikki Barua, Laura Ricketts, Brooke Skinner Ricketts, and Monica Marquez discuss their journey to build the world’s only career fitness platform and help women go further, faster.
Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode.
Highlights:
[00:41] Founders’ introduction
[01:00] Closing the gender gap mission
[03:26] Monica's path to forming Beyond Barriers
[05:17] Nikki’s journey to following her dreams
[07:31] The birth of Beyond Barriers
[09:39] The gender gap is not just a diversity issue
[10:58] How Beyond Barriers helps companies
[12:16] The power of the collective
[14:48] How Laura entered the Beyond Barriers organization
[16:19] Each team members’ power song
Quotes:
“What if we could truly democratize access for millions of women around the world?” – Nikki Barua
“The gender gap actually reduces GDP worldwide.” – Nikki Barua
“There's more power when everyone is fully empowered.” – Brooke Skinner Ricketts
“There's no way that any enterprise can fully reach its full potential or any society can reach its full potential without individuals reaching their full potential.” – Laura Ricketts
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
About Brooke Skinner Ricketts:
Brooke Skinner Ricketts is a c-suite executive, growth strategist and board director
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookericketts/
About Laura Ricketts
Laura Ricketts is an entrepreneur, investor, political activist and community advocate
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-ricketts-734953230/
Life is not about being perfect. You’re going to make mistakes, especially if you take risks. Our guest Ingrid Kiefer shares insights into her success at work. She believes in taking risks early in your career where the potential failures will not be as impactful as further down the line. Ingrid has created her own opportunities and found success in being authentic and accountable. Ingrid shares stories of how taking ownership creates the right outcomes for the business and for your career.
Grounded by her family, Ingrid tells us how important our personal lives are to success at work. She also talks about how there is power in saying no, not only for our personal boundaries but for the person who needs to know if they can count on you. Join us as we learn from Ingrid how to take risks, fail forward, and be ourselves at work.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Ingrid.
Highlights:
[02:02] How Ingrid got into finance
[08:00] The process of choosing what's right for her
[09:47] Finding confidence in her career
[11:23] Authenticity at work
[16:52] Career advice to other women
[20:27] Tolerating bad behavior
[22:42] Making tough decisions
[26:35] How to deal with failure
[29:40] Staying grounded
[34:33] Building solid relationships
[36:21] Power of saying no
[37:28] Favorite book
[38:29] Favorite quote
[38:52] Moniker
[39:52] Habit that changed Ingrid’s life
[40:00] Power song
Quotes:
“None of the large decisions are made without accomplishing a bunch of little tasks.” – Ingrid Kiefer
“You’re not going to have a 100% success rate in your job.” – Ingrid Kiefer
“Fail early, fail small. Fail later, fail big.” – Ingrid Kiefer
“Make small promises and keep them.” – Ingrid Kiefer
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “Inside Story” by Martin Amix
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- There’s more harm done in indecision than the wrong decision.
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Authentic. (What you see is what you get.)
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- Setting aside time to handle the business of being a family.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses
About Ingrid Kiefer:
Ms. Kiefer is Head of the Business Development and Client Relations group. Ms. Kiefer oversees all marketing and investor services globally for Canyon, as well as spearheading corporate communications for the firm. Prior to joining Canyon in 2009, Ms. Kiefer was Director of Marketing at Satellite Asset Management, where she was focused on global business development for the firm’s pension and consultant clients. Prior to Satellite, she worked at Drake Management and BlackRock. She started her career at Fischer Francis Trees and Watts as a product specialist in fixed income. Ms. Kiefer graduated from Yale University (B.A., English).
Let’s face it, hearing about how we are doing once a year at a performance review isn’t enough. In order to be our best, we need more frequent feedback.
The bad thing about feedback is many of us are afraid of it and avoid it. This isn’t good because constructive feedback statistically leads to more pay and being offered higher positions. In this podcast, Monica Marquez gives us some pointers on how to deal with getting feedback, and she suggests who we should be asking to give it. Finally, she coaches us on how to ask for feedback. Listen in if you’re missing this critical element for achieving more success.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode.
Highlights:
[00:21] Performance reviews and feedback
[03:09] Seeking feedback and seeing it as a gift
[07:50] How feedback leads to promotions and more compensation
[09:35] How to leverage your community to receive feedback
[10:17] Getting right with yourself and define the feedback you want
[16:05] Choosing the right people to get feedback from
[17:03] Determining your approach when asking for feedback
Quotes:
“How much are you really going to grow if you’re only getting feedback once or twice a year?” - Monica Marquez
“If you’re continuously building this muscle of always asking for feedback, you're able to pivot and shift and grow at a much faster rate.” - Monica Marquez
“We have to shift our mindset of thinking about feedback as a gift.” - Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Bank of America’s Patricia Pacheco De Baez has grit. She learned it from her fierce Latina mother, who taught her to work hard and strive for excellence – something Patricia has carried with her throughout her career journey. Patricia started as a temp in the financial industry, always grateful for every opportunity she was given – whether big or small. All she needed was a “foot in the door.” Once there, she began to stand out and advocate for herself early in her career. At the age of 25, she did her research, gathered up the courage to ask for pay equity, and got it. It’s easy to see how she’s moved up the career ladder. Patricia currently holds the title of Managing Director for NYC Private Bank, Market Leader & Diverse Segment Champion at Bank of America.
Listen as Patricia walks us through her professional journey and how she learned not to give up on her dream. She’s a big proponent of mentors and sponsors and practices being open and honest with them, so they get the most out of their time together. Patricia is a risk taker and isn’t afraid to make big moves, and she shares with us why she thinks working hard and striving for excellence are the keys to success.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Patricia.
Highlights:
[02:46] Patricia’s background and key lessons she’s learned
[10:37] Patricia’s diverse career path
[15:41] What Patricia looks for in a position
[22:04] How to be direct about your ask
[25:17] Advocating for yourself
[32:33] Being honest with your mentors
[40:12] Finding confidence to make bold moves
[43:26] Patricia’s move into management
[52:28] The importance of working hard
[55:00] Striving for excellence
[58:54] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“Education is the instrument for us to break the cycle of poverty and accomplish our dreams.” – Patricia Pacheco De Baez
“Every time I’m very comfortable in a role, I ask myself, ‘What else can I do?’” – Patricia Pacheco De Baez
“If you don’t advocate for yourself, who will?” – Patricia Pacheco De Baez
“Every one of us has something to bring to the table that differentiates us and makes us unique.” – Patricia Pacheco De Baez
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “Extreme Ownership” by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin and Maya Angelou’s poem, “Still I Rise”.
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “In the moment of turbulence and darkness, just remember… it’s not just about You.”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Grit
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- Meditation
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “This Girl is on Fire” by Alicia Keys
About Patricia Pacheco De Baez:
Patricia Pacheco is a Market Leader & Diverse Segment Lead in NYC Private Bank.
In this role she drives business development strategies focusing on the wealth
management needs of high net worth families in the areas of investment management, estate planning, banking and credit.
Prior to this role, she was responsible for Latin America and European large corporate subsidiaries in Global Corporate Investment Bank. In this role, she drove
more than 316% growth in revenues since 2014 when she joined the firm. Some of her clients included Bimbo, Cemex, Diageo, EssilorLuxottica, Gerdau and Unilever. Pacheco was also a member of Bank of America’s Global Corporate Banking Subsidiaries Management Committee.
Prior to joining Bank of America, Pacheco worked at J.P. Morgan Treasury Services
for seven years where she was responsible for coverage of financial institutions
(FIs), public sector and non-bank FIs operating in Mexico City. Previously she led the strategy and execution of cash management product sales for Latin America and served as the relationship manager for Latin America FIs subsidiaries and branches in the United States. Before working at J.P. Morgan, Pacheco spent six years at American Express Bank as a relationship manager covering FIs in the United States and Canada.
Pacheco has been actively involved in leading many Hispanic and employee network initiatives throughout the course of her career. She currently serves as co- chair of Bank of America’s Hispanic Latino Executive Council and emeritus chair of the firm’s Hispanic Network Executive Advisory Board (HOLA NY). Pacheco also serves as a member of the YMCA USA National Board & ALPFA NY Senior
Leadership Council.
Pacheco has received numerous awards for her business experience and volunteerism including Bank of America’s “Outstanding Employee Network Leader
Award” (2015), as well as Bank of America’s “Global Diversity & Inclusion Team
Award” (2017) and “Global Diversity & Inclusion Individual Award” (2018) – two of
the firm’s most prestigious employee honors. She also was the recipient of the
“Young Hispanic Corporate Achiever Award” (2016) from the Hispanic Association of Corporate Responsibility and was recognized as a “Women’s of ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals for America) Rising Star” (2018-2019).
Pacheco holds an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Manhattanville College with dual majors in international business and Latin America studies.
Diversity has been a topic of discussion in the workplace for some time. But, do we really understand what hiring a diverse workforce means?
In this podcast, Monica Marquez explains the concept of optical diversity and why we need to move beyond it. Instead, we need to focus on cognitive diversity, which focuses on a mix of ethnicity, education, socioeconomic background, and more. Join Monica in this important discussion about how cognitive diversity can lead to more profits and the value diversity brings to Gen Z.
Highlights:
[00:34] Global Diversity Awareness Day
[02:11] Going beyond optical diversity
[03:42] Establishing a culture of cognitive diversity
[08:05] Research behind the business case for diversity
[10:10] Three trends investors look at for human capital disclosures
[12:12] Diversity stats
[14:57] Gender diversity leads to more profit
[16:11] What leaders understand about diversity
[17:57] The growth mindset
[19:49] People are your biggest investment
Quotes:
“Cognitive diversity is getting a mix of ethnicity with education, industries, upbringing, socio-economic backgrounds, geographic backgrounds, etc.” - Monica Marquez
“You can eliminate the idea of groupthink by building teams that have true diversity of thought.” - Monica Marquez
“48% of Gen Z are considered racial or ethnic minorities.” - Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
“Having a variety of people you mentor keeps you in sync with what’s happening today.” – Dora Maria Abreu, Global Partner Training Lead at AWS & ERG Leader, Amazon.
Bold leaders like Dora know the importance of mentoring people who aren’t like you to gain new perspectives. In this episode, she encourages us to seek relationships outside our comfort zone by thinking outside the box and letting go of the belief that “you need people who look like you.” Tune into Monica Marquez and Dora Maria Abreu discussing her mentorship journey in male-dominated industries where she often found herself as the “only” – and how diversity in mentoring can help leaders stay ahead.
Visit www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources referenced in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Dora.
Highlights:
[02:14] Dora’s story
[04:06] Switching lanes and accelerating success
[06:02] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[08:18] Showing up with confidence
[11:40] Staying ahead of the curve in the digital age
[14:41] Juggling competing professional and personal priorities
[18:05] Building your community
[24:50] Getting over the fear of networking
[28:48] Who would you love to learn from
[31:58] Dora’s superpower
[34:20] The key to accelerating success
Quotes:
“Don’t have just one mentor. Get a variety of mentors, so you can get different perspectives.” – Dora Maria Abreu
“Take a moment and celebrate the wins.” – Dora Maria Abreu
“Having a variety of people that you mentor keeps you in sync with what’s happening today.” – Dora Maria Abreu
“I frame a lot of what I do by thinking about how to make things happen so that I can help others.” – Dora Maria Abreu
“Go into networking events with good intentions and assume positive intentions of others as well. That’s the key to positive outcomes.” – Dora Maria Abreu
About Dora Maria Abreu:
Dora is a Global Partner Training Lead at AWS & ERG Leader for Amazon. In her previous roles she has been an avid technology and education professional. Dora has progressive work experience in IT Support and as a Software Engineer / Developer, IT Support, Trainer, Educator but also in career, professional and personal development skills. She has worked in the Technology, Education, Telecommunications, Aerospace and Financial sectors. Dora has received a Bachelors of Science in Computer Information Systems and Applied Math and a Master’s of Science in Management Information Systems as well from Stony Brook University and then a Master’s of Education in Technological Information Systems from Columbia University.
Outside of work, you can find her on some adventure with her family and friends, listening to audiobooks/podcasts, reading books, helping youth of all ages and community at large through mentoring, coaching and providing a variety of programs and workshops on internship preparation, leadership / professional development such as public speaking as well technical classes for those within and outside the STEM field. By being part of the John C. Maxwell Team / Toastmasters she has been able to build on these skills and reach a wider audience. She enjoys music, dance, movies, sports, photography and poetry.
Links:
LinkedIn: dmabreu
Instagram: dmabreu
Twitter: dmabreu
Even at the highest levels in companies large and small, many otherwise strong and bold women struggle in meetings. Many say their voices are drowned out; others say they are ignored or overlooked, and others can’t find a way into the conversation at all. And, in this new era of virtual meetings, the problem has become harder to manage.
In this episode, Monica shares women’s stories and experiences in meetings, what the research by Harvard Business Review shows, and how to assert your power in meetings.
Highlights:
[00:34] Women’s experience in meetings
[02:25] What the research shows
[04:25] How to assert your power in meetings
[08:00] Using muscular language
[12:38] Practice and prepare in advance
Quotes:
“It’s less about what we say and more of how we say it.” – Monica Marquez
“You can learn to take your power back. You must practice, test, and learn.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Learn more at nikkibarua.com.
Follow Nikki on:
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert. Learn more at themonicamarquez.com.
Follow Monica on:
Many barriers stand in the way of a Latina pursuing a career in STEM... from societal and familial norms to high school counselors telling Latinas, and other women for that matter, "maybe you'd be better suited majoring in something else." This experience has been the case for decades. Even if one pushes past discrimination, there are still challenges with a lack of resources, support, and the isolation of being "the only" in the room.
The numbers say it all: Only 2 percent of Latinas held science and engineering positions, as reported by the National Science Foundation. And that number hasn't changed much in the last seven years. But for Latinas in academia, STEM, and beyond – embracing technology and the power of community are key to accelerating success.
In this episode, Isaura Gaeta, Vice President of Security Research, Intel Product Assurance & Security Engineering at Intel Corporation, leads by example in her respective field and shares her story to encourage and empower the next generation of Latinas in STEM.
Highlights:
[03:51] Isaura’s journey
[07:53] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[09:51] Building relationships
[15:28] First experience in corporate
[18:50] Gaining access to influential leaders
[22:47] Raising your hand for opportunities
[24:33] Building your personal brand
[27:09] Tips for achieving your goals
[29:39] Staying ahead of the curve
[32:24] Opportunities for the Latino community
[36:41] Accelerating success in the digital age
Quotes:
“Engineering is about helping people. It's about making our lives better.” – Isaura S. Gaeta
“Always give more than you get back.” - Isaura S. Gaeta
“Remind yourself that you have information that is valuable to share and if you don’t share it, then you may not make the progress that is needed.” – Isaura S. Gaeta
“Quell that little voice that is telling you that you're not good enough or you're not supposed to be here. Stand up and say - Yes, I am supposed to be here.” - Isaura S. Gaeta
“Be confident about sharing and asking for what you want.” - Isaura S. Gaeta
About Isaura S. Gaeta:
Isaura leads an engineering team focused on hardware security research including penetration testing, physical attack mechanisms, and outreach to academia. Previously she was GM of systems engineering in the Platform Engineering Group and was responsible for optimizing engineering execution capacity, quality management systems, and operational excellence for a global engineering organization of 18k people. A 30-year veteran of Intel, Gaeta spent the first two decades of her Intel career developing various semiconductor processing technologies. Her work during that period led to two patents and five Intel Achievement Awards, the company’s highest recognition. Gaeta holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Stanford University. She founded Intel’s Network of Executive Women for the Latin America region and was the chair of Intel’s Hispanic Leadership Council. Outside of Intel, she serves on the board of the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley where she chairs the Nominating and Governance committee. The Hispanic IT Executive Council has recognized her six times in the top 100 Hispanic professionals in the IT industry.
Links:
LinkedIn: isaura-s-gaeta-1a50262
Twitter: IsauraGaeta
At this year’s L'Attitude 2022 conference, Latino Donor Collaborative revealed their latest report showing that U.S. Latinos are a key driving force in our nation's economic recovery. Despite being the largest minority in the U.S. and making significant contributions to the growth of our economy, Latinos are still among the most underrepresented in leadership positions.
Esther Aguilera, CEO of Latino Corporate Directors Association, recently told AL DÍA News Media, "Business leaders—both non-Latino and Latino—play a critical role in driving an accurate story of the Latino community and its huge impact on the American economy. We need business leaders everywhere to lean in, learn more, and speak up about the dynamism and success of the Latino community. Otherwise, these misconceptions and contradictory views of our community will continue to slow progress for everyone."
In this episode, Monica Marquez shares insights from LDC's 2022 U.S. Latinos GDP Report™, recent community successes, and how the next-generation Latino cohort can help drive our country's economic growth.
Highlights:
[02:23] Insights from LDC's 2022 U.S. Latinos GDP Report™
[04:48] Future of Latinos in the workforce
[07:37] Adding value through cultural perspective inside your organization
[08:13] U.S. Latino GDP impact on the economy
[08:41] Elevating and recruiting next-generation talent
[09:09] Latino educational achievements
[10:20] Statistics on Latino real consumption
[11:16] Breaking misconceptions in the Latino community
[12:29] Google’s rise in market share through product inclusion and innovation
[16:15] Future vision for Latinos and embracing diversity
Quotes:
“Latino Donor Collaborative’s latest report on the economic growth of the U.S. Latino cohort confirms the sheer dominance that U.S. Latinos will have on the country's economy as a whole.” - Monica Marquez
"From a business perspective and whatever your industry, if you aren't paying attention to the US Latino cohort, you will get left behind." - Monica Marquez
“Latinos are gaining more and more wealth and consuming more at a faster pace than any other cohort in the U.S. It just makes business sense to pay attention now.” - Monica Marquez
“We are excited to see a world where Latino voices and perspectives matter in defining products in defining services and policies – a world where Latinos no longer are hoping for equal pay, career opportunity, or a seat at the table.” - Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Having immigrated to the United States at a young age, Ileana Musa learned a lot about a strong work ethic and positive outlook. She grew up a dancer and loved the arts – and thought this is what she’d pursue as a career until her father stepped in and told her she should focus on finance and minor in dance. Fast forward to today, Ileana is the Co-Head of International Wealth Management and the Head of International Banking & Lending for one of the largest financial institutions in the world. She’s created a path for herself and shares with us the steps to forming win-win relationships that help us succeed too.
Ileana is resourceful and always made do with what she’s had. She’s found the opportunities in life and believes you can change your own path at any time. She tells stories of how she’s connected with people and why sharing your own personal story and vision is vital for this connection. Ileana gives us insights on how to meet setbacks head-on and identify quick wins in order to keep forward momentum. Listen to this podcast if you’re struggling and want to find a new way of thinking or build relationships with the right people who can help you reach your goals.
Highlights:
[03:30] Ileana’s story
[05:16] Decision to pursue a career in financial services
[07:40] Ileana’s daily success habits
[10:10] Building your personal brand
[17:42] Gaining access to influential leaders
[23:30] Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs
[29:43] Executing on your new opportunity
[37:14] Advice on staying ahead of the curve
Quotes:
“What’s the quality of your work when no one is watching?” – Ileana Musa
“The more you share what drives you, the more connectivity you have with people around you.” – Ileana Musa
“I will never throw in the towel because of a setback.” – Ileana Musa
About Ileana Musa:
Ileana Musa is the Co-Head of International Wealth Management and the Head of International Banking & Lending. In this role she leads the segment and strategy that focuses on Morgan Stanley’s International Client Advisors and international clients to ensure they have access to strategic investment, cash management and lending solutions, services and thought leadership to address both sides of a client’s balance sheet. Ileana is a member of Morgan Stanley's Wealth Management Management Committee, Wealth Management Operating Committee, Latin America Management Committee, US Banks Management Committee, and the Bank Leadership Committee. Ileana co-chairs the enterprise Latino Employee Network.
Prior to joining Morgan Stanley she was the Global Client Segment and Strategy executive for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this capacity, Ileana focused on international financial advisors to ensure the delivery of a consistent, goals-based wealth management experience for international high-net-worth and ultra-high-net worth clients. Prior to this role, Ileana was head of International Credit & Banking within Bank of America’s Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM) Banking group. In this role, she led the teams that supported and delivered integrated liquidity, cash management and lending solutions and services to financial advisors and high-net-worth clients in Latin America, Asia and Europe.
Ileana held several leadership roles in the domestic, international and affluent banking platforms at Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase, where she lent her talent in growing the cross-border wealth management business.
Ileana received her BBA degree, with a concentration in finance, from the University of Miami and an M.B.A. degree in finance from Florida International University. Ileana is fluent in Spanish, is FINRA registered and is Six-Sigma Greenbelt certified.
Ileana was recently named to the Girl Scouts National Board (GSUSA) and sits on the Corporate Advisory Boards of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), Florida International University Honors College and the Cuban Heritage Collection at the University of Miami.
Ileana was named to the ‘Top 100 Most Influential Latinas’ List in 2020 by Latino Leaders. Last year she was recognized to the 2019 MAKERS class of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management as well as being recognized by Latino Justice with the 2019 Latina Trailblazer Award honoring her professional and personal achievements in opening doors and new opportunities for other professionals. Additionally, Ileana was named to ALPFA’s 2019 Most Powerful Latinas in corporate America list for a third year in a row as previously featured in Fortune magazine. In 2016 Ileana was awarded the 2015 Top 10 Corporate Executives of the Year by Latina Style magazine.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ileanamusa3
Latina women represent only about 1.6% of C-Suite executives in Fortune 500 companies. While this inequity is rooted in factors like the lack of career mentors, it’s also about navigating cultural norms.
As a first-generation corporate Latina, Monica Marquez discusses the unique opportunity for seasoned leaders - who navigated and broke through barriers - to transfer the unspoken rules of success and raise the next generation of Latinos/x. She also shares the pearls of wisdom from the most senior-level Latina women in the community, her own experiences, and the research behind what it takes to get ahead in the C-Suite.
Highlights:
[00:19] Statistics about Latinos in the workplace
[03:34] Unequal experience in the workplace
[04:32] Percentage of Latina women in the C-Suite
[05:44] The number one barrier for success for Latinas
[06:49] Lack of access to networks
[09:08] Dead-end promotions
[11:57] Having clarity on where you want to go in your career
[12:42] The gender wage gap
[14:46] Breaking the cultural curse of “just working hard”
[17:53] Getting out of our own way
[20:27] Having courageous conversations
Quotes:
“We have to understand and have clarity on where we want to go in our careers.” - Monica Marquez
“If you don’t ask, you don’t get.” - Monica Marquez
“We have to break the cultural curse of keeping our heads down, working really hard, and being more reserved with self-promotion.” - Monica Marquez
“Acculturate to what success looks like in your organization.” - Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
As a Latina in the C-Suite, Ana Corrales challenges herself to think big and to always contribute. She was an early entrepreneur—selling her handmade scrunchies to her classmates. And although she grew up in a STEM home, she found herself continuing to be interested in sales, so she shadowed a few sales people and realized the field wasn’t as easy as she thought. But, that didn’t stop her. Ana loves learning. As she describes, she finds a subject that interests her and she just “clicks, clicks, and clicks” online to find more information.
Management observing Ana noticed that she could do a lot of things, and so they decided to move her into a management position herself. She has continued to work her way up to her current role as Chief Operating Officer for Google Consumer Hardware. In this role, a few mindsets makes her successful. First, she believes you need to be undeterred when pursuing your goals. Second, you need to be willing to be uncomfortable and do the things other people refuse to do because of fear. Her older sister once told her to consider, “What’s the worst that can happen?” She has taken that advice to heart and sometimes just fakes it until she makes it.
Finally, Ana describes for us the importance of finding “white space,” which are those quiet moments when you can just allow yourself to think. She believes these moments have made her a better leader. For Ana, gardening gives her these moments. She savors any time she can get away from her devices and has also learned to say no and draw boundaries around her personal time. Ana has learned a lot through all of her experiences, and she shares those insights with us in this podcast.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Ana.
Highlights:
[03:33] Ana’s journey
[05:54] Gaining clarity through a love of learning
[09:54] Making opportunities happen
[12:41] Overcoming fear and limiting beliefs
[17:57] Creating your own narrative
[24:08] Ana’s success habits
[30:03] Asking for help from your community
[32:32] Dreaming big
Quotes:
“If you are passionate about what you do and you are contributing and really good, people will come to you and say, ‘Do you want to be part of my team?'’” – Ana Corrales
“No one shows up looking amazing and totally relaxed all the time. There’s a lot of grit and you really need to want it.” - Ana Corrales
“Get comfortable with the fact that you’re going to be uncomfortable.” - Ana Corrales
“If you don’t have the narrative out there, there’s going to be a narrative about you.” – Ana Corrales
About Ana Corrales:
Ana Corrales is the Chief Operating Officer for Google’s Consumer Hardware business. As COO, Ana leads the development process for Made by Google hardware and Nest products --phones, laptops, Google Home, Chromecast, Nest Thermostat --and manages getting those products into the hands of customers. Ana also drives the end-to-end IT efforts and customer experience work across the Google Hardware business. Ana previously led Google Hardware’s first-party retail efforts, including driving the growth of e-commerce channel, Google Store.
Previously, Ana served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Nest. She also served as Senior Vice President of Product Operations at Cisco Systems. In 2006, Ana co-founded a startup solar company. As the acting CEO, Ana sold the company in 2010.
Ana serves as a member of the Women@Google board and is an executive sponsor for HOLA, Google’s Latino Employee Resource Group. Ana serves on the board of directors for Watermark, the Bay Area’s largest women leadership organization, as an advisor to Roli, a company reinventing instruments that extend the joy of music-making to everyone.
Ana has been recognized by Forbes as one of the 50 Most Powerful Latinas in Business, and as one of the most powerful Latinas by the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA). HITEC (Hispanic Information Technology Executive Council) has recognized her as a top technology executive. She is known in the industry as a seasoned leader who can successfully grow startup businesses into multi-billion dollar companies.
Ana is a native of Costa Rica and earned a Masters of Engineering from Stanford University. She lives in the Bay Area with her husband and two children.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anacorrales/
This year’s theme for Hispanic Heritage Month from the National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers is, "Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation." With 62 million people and over 21 different cultures, Latinos/x are a unique combination of black, Asian, white, indigenous, Middle Eastern, and mixed races. When describing their identity, research shows that over half (51%) of Hispanics and Latinos/x say they most often use their family's country of origin – using such terms as Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Salvadoran or Dominican. It's a cultural nuance, as most Latinos/x don't feel they fit under a "one umbrella" identity.
To build inclusivity in the workplace, leaders have an opportunity to drive a sense of belonging in the Latino/x community. In this episode, Monica Marquez (aka the “Macgyver for the Marginalized”) discusses how leaders can raise awareness and visibility to develop the next generation of future-ready leaders to go further faster, together.
Highlights:
[2:22] Significance of Hispanic Heritage Month
[6:26] Differences between Hispanic vs. Latino/x
[9:42] Origin of “Latinx”
[12:57] Embracing Hispanic and Latin/X terminology
[14:54] Raising Latino/X visibility to develop the next generation
Quotes:
“For the Hispanic and Latino/x community to move forward and get ahead, we have to go further, faster together as one inclusive familia. Some of us may think, won’t all of these different labels divide our community? Only if we let it.” - Monica Marquez
"There are so many of my Latino/x colleagues I see doing amazing things. So let's lift each other up." -Monica Marquez
“As my colleague, Frank Carbajal says, ‘Es tiempo to embrace Latinx’ - because you're embracing a new segment of the population that is identifying and saying they're proud Latinos/x with a strong Latinos/x origin. They want to recognize their roots, but they want a terminology that makes sense to them.” - Monica Marquez
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
The evidence is clear: women tend to be over-mentored and under-sponsored. While a mentor has knowledge and will share it with you, a sponsor has power and will use it for you. Meet Google’s Sharleen Gutierrez, a leading expert in diversity, equity and inclusion. Sharleen is the current Director of REWS Business Enablement Partners and has led teams focused on fairness and equity in Google’s talent processes. In this episode, Sharleen shares her story on how taking courageous leaps, even when she felt she wasn’t ready, paved the way to uncover her superpower. And, how her network of peers and mentors helped open doors to opportunities that accelerated her success.
She’s a strong believer in bringing together people with a wide variety of perspectives and experiences to get results. She prioritizes working on coaching and mentoring teams and developing talent. Sharleen is also a parent and shares with us her personal stories and the three things that help her juggle her priorities.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/ where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Sharleen.
Highlights:
[02:25] Sharleen’s story
[05:08] Career start at Goldman Sachs
[08:17] How I landed in Diversity & Inclusion
[11:17] The power of your community
[16:00] How to think about networking
[18:48] Discovering your superpower
[22:05] Advice for career minded parents
[26:58] Learning from failures and setbacks
Quotes:
“Shift your mindset to a place where you hold a higher value on the opportunity versus on how qualified you are for the job.” – Sharleen Gutierrez
“Understand your networking style and consider how it works for you.” – Sharleen Gutierrez
“Non-negotiables are very important for you to know and to serve as an anchor, as you’re determining your priorities.” – Sharleen Gutierrez
“Know what your priorities are, commit to them, and then let go when things are not exactly the way you want them.” – Sharleen Gutierrez
“Be mindful and approach life from a place of gratitude.” – Sharleen Gutierrez
“Staying in the wrong role does not benefit anyone, it actually does a disservice to everyone involved.” – Sharleen Gutierrez
“When thinking of success, keep human connection and interaction top of mind because it is people who create, develop, sell, implement. Whatever your business is, people are behind it.” – Sharleen Gutierrez
“In this digital age, we have to remember the human aspects of our culture. And authenticity is a key component of that.” – Sharleen Gutierrez
“Each one of us has to take responsibility for our own actions because how we show up is what cultivates company culture.” – Sharleen Gutierrez
About Sharleen Gutierrez:
Sharleen Gutierrez is a global thought leader on diversity and inclusion, talent management and culture change. She drives meaningful change towards greater fairness, equity and workplace inclusion in gender, race, LGBTQ+, ability and their intersections. She started her career at Goldman Sachs, where she spent 14 years in a variety of roles across the Human Capital Management Division. While at GS, one of her highly recognized achievements was pioneering the award-winning effort focused on women of color (before intersectionality was even a topic of conversation). Sharleen brings a global perspective on diversity, having lived and worked in Japan, and led D&I engagement initiatives in both South America and Europe. Recently, she led a team focused on fairness and equity in Google’s talent processes focused on systemic interventions and accountability measures that decrease gaps and increase parity. Currently, she serves as Google’s Director of REWS Business Enablement Partners. Sharleen was one of Diversity Woman Magazine’s top 50 change agents. In her spare time, she can be found exploring the world with her husband and three children.
Links:
LinkedIn: sharleen-gutierrez-7961741
Facebook: sharleen.gutierrez.3
There’s a reason why people say no one likes change. But for Kimberley Gardiner, Chief Marketing Officer at Tractor Supply Co, change is what she’s learned to thrive on and how she makes the greatest impact. Kimberley knows what it’s like to be the only woman in a room full of executive leaders, and she’s had to learn how to be authentic and boldly share her ideas, even if they were unpopular at the time. From being able to do this, she’s found more happiness and satisfaction from work than she could have imagined.
Kimberley has a broad background in the automotive industry, previously having worked as SVP & Chief Marketing Officer for Volkswagen and Mitsubishi - and for Kia Motors America in marketing. She’s skilled at innovation and is a creative thinker. Her role as a change agent was a perfect fit for Volkswagen’s electric vehicles and the push for their adoption by the mainstream. In this podcast, Kimberley explains why leaders should be bold about asking for advice and tells us what she does every day that leads to her success. She also shares with us how to overcome failures, learn to say no, and what success habits helped her achieve her goals.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/ where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Kimberley.
Highlights:
[02:53] Kimberley’s career journey
[07:55] Embracing being a change agent
[10:27] Managing your personal brand
[13:24] Don’t be afraid to ask for advice
[16:17] Building your board of personal directors
[17:52] Kimberley’s daily success habits
[22:50] Overcoming failures and setbacks
[27:17] Executing and achieving your goals
[31:48] Learning to say no
[35:30] How to embrace change
[40:08] Kimberley’s advice to our listeners
Quotes:
“You build business relationships like friendships, tell a little about yourself, ask for 5-10 minutes, and be very specific in your ask.” – Kimberley Gardiner
“When you encounter a failure, think about what you can learn from it rather than replaying the event over and over in your head. Put the record player away and move forward with the lesson.” – Kimberley Gardiner
“Positioning success in terms of how it ladders up in the long term will help you be more successful in the short term.” - Kimberley Gardiner
“By saying yes to everything you shortchange the things that are really important to you.”- Kimberley Gardiner
“The more you paint that picture early on, of what change can look like in the future, in a way that a person or team can relate to - saving you time, helping with turnover, achieving goals faster, and ultimately being more profitable, with a smaller footprint, the more people will be excited about the opportunity ahead.” - Kimberley Gardiner
About Kimberley Gardiner:
Kimberley Gardiner, Chief Marketing Officer, Tractor Supply Company
As the former Senior Vice President of Marketing & CMO at Volkswagen Group of America, Inc, Kimberley was responsible for leading brand marketing for VW, including building on the momentum generated by the introduction of Volkswagen’s first all-electric SUV, the ID. 4.
Kimberley brings more than 20 years of automotive and marketing experience to her current role (joined Tractor Supply Co in July 2022). She recently served as the Chief Marketing Officer for Mitsubishi Motors North America and Kia Motors America, where she directed marketing efforts for the brand. Previously, she served as CMO and Vice President of Operations for 5th Kind, a global digital asset management company. She is known for being an innovative thinker with a passion for helping drive change in the automotive industry – a great fit for helping push for mainstream adoption of electric vehicles led by Volkswagen.
Kimberley holds a bachelor’s degree from Mills College and an MBA from Indiana University.
Links:
LinkedIn: kimberley-sweet-gardiner
As a woman in leadership today, taking unconventional paths leads to more success. This means facing that challenge at work that everyone else is avoiding or putting yourself out on the line to make a tough decision. As a Senior Vice President at Publicis Sapient, Alyssa Altman leads the Automotive and Consumer Products industry in North America. She knows firsthand about shaping her company’s leadership. One way she’s done this is through a program called the Fellowship in Transformation Leadership which is an MBA-like series that is helping to mold Publicis Sapient’s next generation of managers.
Alyssa shares with us today how she builds solid teams that work together to accomplish their goals. She also talks about the importance of providing value to clients and always doing great work while still managing your career. She’s familiar with being the sole female leader in an organization and has many times had to find the courage to have that difficult conversation. Alyssa believes in learning from failure. She also believes in being authentic and looks for that quality in the people she hires. In addition, she looks for employees who aren’t afraid to make bold moves. Learn from Alyssa’s experiences and how she gained confidence as an impactful leader.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/ where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Alyssa.
Highlights:
[03:37] Alyssa’s journey
[09:03] Mastering managing at scale
[11:19] Alyssa’s WHY
[14:01] Doing great work AND managing your career
[17:00] Being the only woman
[19:44] Gaining the courage to have a difficult conversation
[21:58] How to move your ideas forward
[25:08] Evolution of effective business development
[28:47] Approach to decision making
[31:36] Learning from failure
[39:24] Designing teams
[41:18] Top trait for success
[42:17] Common attributes of great leaders
[46:26] What Alyssa wishes she had learned earlier in her career
[47:48] Biggest trends that will impact business
[53:17] The greatest joy of Alyssa’s career
Quotes:
“Leaders should not try to be everything to everyone, but instead build a team of people that feel empowered to take ownership and to tell you when they need you.” – Alyssa Altman
“You always need to be in the work, because it gives you the perspective, it gives you the connection.” – Alyssa Altman
“Don’t think of it as a sale, think of it as a partnership that you're helping to bring someone something they are going to see value in.” – Alyssa Altman
“As a leader you need to find ways for people to feel like they're winning, even if you have a failure.” – Alyssa Altman
“Acknowledge your successes and learn how to market them.” – Alyssa Altman
“Leaders are not afraid to make bold moves and make mistakes and then recover from those mistakes.” – Alyssa Altman
About Alyssa Altman:
Alyssa Altman is a Senior Vice President at Publicis Sapient. She leads the Automotive and Consumer Products industries in North America. In her role, Alyssa helps her clients find their digital future through the delivery of omnichannel strategies and robust technology solutions.
Throughout her 20+ years at Publicis Sapient, it has been her passion to shape and lead diverse teams who realize goals through inclusive collaboration. She believes that with the right people in the room actively engaging with each other, we gain valuable insights that create innovative solutions to any business problem we may face.
When not working directly with clients, she plays an active role in shaping and executing Publicis Sapient’s MBA-like leadership program called the Fellowship in Transformation Leadership. Alyssa also has a keen interest in shaping the next generation of women leaders as an Advisory board member of Publicis Sapient Women’s Leadership Network (WLN). Externally, she is an Advisory board member of Debbie’s Treasure Chest and sponsors a community service initiative that teaches high-risk teens the skills necessary to enter the workforce.
Alyssa was honored by Consulting Magazine as a “Global Leader in Consulting” for Excellence in Engagement.
Prior to her tenure at Publicis Sapient, she worked for Ernst & Young in the Strategic Advisory Services Group. Alyssa has an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BA in English from the University of Michigan.
Links:
Website: https://www.publicissapient.com/
LinkedIn: alyssaaltmanpublicissapient
Facebook: alyssa.altman
Twitter: AlyssaAltman
Instagram: @altmanalyssa
Most of us know the stress of multiple commitments: family, work, relationships/marriage, domestic responsibilities, aging parents, special needs care, and the list goes on. Some or all of these factors can have a compounding effect on women in the workplace resulting in burnout.
Today’s guest, Laura Pollock, shares her work-life journey and how approaching 50 opened her eyes. As a Founding Partner of Third Street Partners, a lot of her childrens’ youngest years coincided with growing her company. She shares stories with us of what she has learned along the way about mom guilt and raising three girls to be strong women. But most importantly, how having a great life partner (in Laura's case, her husband) helped her manage it all.
Laura believes in the power of having tough conversations and speaking up for yourself. She started her company with the mission of adding value to clients and continues with that motivation today. She can relate to the sacrifice many people have to make to further their careers. Finally, learn from Laura about her experiences working with her own mentors and the importance of nurturing your relationships.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Laura.
Highlights:
[02:23] Working in a male-dominated industry
[05:51] How to handle questions you don’t know how to answer
[09:38] Knowing your value as you reach middle age
[11:28] Figuring out what you want to do when you grow up
[19:27] Making difficult decisions
[26:42] Dealing with mom guilt
[31:56] Identifying mentors
[43:45] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“The closer you get to 50, you realize that the top of the roller coaster really isn’t a steep drop.” – Laura Pollock
“You should always stand up for yourself, no matter how uncomfortable.” – Laura Pollock
“Your mentors help provide scaffolding, but scaffolding only works if you’re willing to let it surround you.” – Laura Pollock
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “The Rabbit LIstened” by Cori Doerrfeld
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- Happiness isn’t getting what you want, it’s wanting what you get.
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Fearless
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- I hired a housekeeper.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “Respect” by Aretha Franklin
About Laura Pollock:
Laura is the founding partner of Third Street Partners and serves as a strategic advisor to leading asset management firms and their top performing executives. Leveraging over twenty years of asset management experience at both large firms and boutiques she built Third Street anchored in the industry’s best practices, her trusted relationships and exceptional network. She works with global investment management organizations to provide a hands-on, rigorous and collaborative approach to sourcing and retaining high-quality talent, including talent-related M&A activity for firms and in-house teams and sourcing front-office roles. Her mission with Third Street is to support clients’ long-term business and growth objectives through talent strategy advisory and execution.
Before starting Third Street Partners in 2013, Laura was a partner at David Barrett Partners and was a senior member of the asset and wealth management practice at Russell Reynolds Associates in Boston and New York. Laura graduated with a B.S. degree from the University of Kentucky.
Links:
Website: https://www.thirdstreetpartners.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurapollock/
Who loves to hear feedback? Most people cringe the moment they hear someone has feedback for them. However, Mary Pryshlak, Senior Managing Director, Partner, and Head of Investment Research for Wellington Management, is one of the few people I’ve met who equates feedback to being a gift to help people grow. Mary has always been direct with giving feedback since she was a little girl and appreciates the same from others. She believes feedback is a valuable gift and uses it to better herself. That built Mary’s character and made her an impactful leader.
Mary also isn’t afraid to ask others for help. She believes she can gain something from anyone she meets and has all kinds of mentors who teach her valuable lessons. Join us on this podcast as we listen to Mary’s stories about authenticity and building great relationships and a solid, supportive community.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Mary.
Highlights:
[02:24] How Mary ended up in her current role in the financial industry
[07:02] How Mary gained clarity about her career path
[10:23] Pushing through fears to take advantage of opportunities
[12:39] Overcoming setback
[16:34] Learning from feedback
[20:31] Leveraging your community
[23:53] Finding commonality to build relationships
[26:08] How Mary built her circle through authenticity
[29:14] Mary’s mentors
[30:53] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“Feedback is a gift.” – Mary Pryshlak
“You can work hard, but you don’t always win.” – Mary Pryshlak
“Self-reflection is a blessing and a curse.” – Mary Pryshlak
“There is something you can learn from everyone.” – Mary Pryshlak
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “Turn the Ship Around! A True Story of Turning Followers Into Leaders” by L. David Marquet
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “Dance like no one’s watching.”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Fierce
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- Starting to run with my daughter and surrounding myself with the right people.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “Fly From the Inside” by Shinedown
About Mary L. Pryshlak:
Mary L. Pryshlak, CFA, is Senior Managing Director, Partner, and Head of Investment Research for Wellington Management. Mary leads a team of 130 investment research professionals who directly manage over $165 billion in client assets. These investment professionals conduct in-depth long term research and provide investment recommendations across Wellington’s global investment platform, which includes more than 900 portfolio managers worldwide. Mary’s team manages assets across a spectrum of strategies including hedge funds, sector funds and long only products. In aggregate, Mary’s team represents Wellington’s largest book of business for which Mary is the single point of accountability for investment performance and talent.
Mary focuses on ensuring that Wellington is attracting, retaining, and motivating world-class securities analysts and investment talent; developing skills and capabilities that enable this world class team to globally connect the dots and evolve with a continually changing marketplace. Collaboration is a critical part of Mary’s philosophy and a hallmark of Wellington which is what enables the firm to identify future trends make informed investment decisions on behalf of clients.
Prior to being named head of Investment Research, Mary was the director of Global Industry Research and previously spent 13 years as a global industry analyst covering property & casualty insurance stocks. Prior to joining Wellington in 2004, she was an equity analyst covering financial services at The Boston Company (2001 – 2003). Before that, she worked as an analyst at State Street Global Advisors (1995 – 2001) and held positions at Aeltus Investment Management Company (1994) and Spears Benzak Saloman and Farrell (1993 – 1994).
Mary received her BA in economics and French from Rutgers College (1993). She also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the Association of Insurance and Financial Analysts (AIFA), the CFA Institute, and the CFA Society Boston.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-pryshlak-09748912/
Who loves to hear feedback? Most people cringe the moment they hear someone has feedback for them. However, Mary Pryshlak, Senior Managing Director, Partner, and Head of Investment Research for Wellington Management, is one of the few people I’ve met who equates feedback to being a gift to help people grow. Mary has always been direct with giving feedback since she was a little girl and appreciates the same from others. She believes feedback is a valuable gift and uses it to better herself. That built Mary’s character and made her an impactful leader.
Mary also isn’t afraid to ask others for help. She believes she can gain something from anyone she meets and has all kinds of mentors who teach her valuable lessons. Join us on this podcast as we listen to Mary’s stories about authenticity and building great relationships and a solid, supportive community.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Mary.
Highlights:
[02:24] How Mary ended up in her current role in the financial industry
[07:02] How Mary gained clarity about her career path
[10:23] Pushing through fears to take advantage of opportunities
[12:39] Overcoming setback
[16:34] Learning from feedback
[20:31] Leveraging your community
[23:53] Finding commonality to build relationships
[26:08] How Mary built her circle through authenticity
[29:14] Mary’s mentors
[30:53] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“Feedback is a gift.” – Mary Pryshlak
“You can work hard, but you don’t always win.” – Mary Pryshlak
“Self-reflection is a blessing and a curse.” – Mary Pryshlak
“There is something you can learn from everyone.” – Mary Pryshlak
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “Turn the Ship Around! A True Story of Turning Followers Into Leaders” by L. David Marquet
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “Dance like no one’s watching.”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Fierce
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- Starting to run with my daughter and surrounding myself with the right people.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “Fly From the Inside” by Shinedown
About Mary L. Pryshlak:
Mary L. Pryshlak, CFA, is Senior Managing Director, Partner, and Head of Investment Research for Wellington Management. Mary leads a team of 130 investment research professionals who directly manage over $165 billion in client assets. These investment professionals conduct in-depth long term research and provide investment recommendations across Wellington’s global investment platform, which includes more than 900 portfolio managers worldwide. Mary’s team manages assets across a spectrum of strategies including hedge funds, sector funds and long only products. In aggregate, Mary’s team represents Wellington’s largest book of business for which Mary is the single point of accountability for investment performance and talent.
Mary focuses on ensuring that Wellington is attracting, retaining, and motivating world-class securities analysts and investment talent; developing skills and capabilities that enable this world class team to globally connect the dots and evolve with a continually changing marketplace. Collaboration is a critical part of Mary’s philosophy and a hallmark of Wellington which is what enables the firm to identify future trends make informed investment decisions on behalf of clients.
Prior to being named head of Investment Research, Mary was the director of Global Industry Research and previously spent 13 years as a global industry analyst covering property & casualty insurance stocks. Prior to joining Wellington in 2004, she was an equity analyst covering financial services at The Boston Company (2001 – 2003). Before that, she worked as an analyst at State Street Global Advisors (1995 – 2001) and held positions at Aeltus Investment Management Company (1994) and Spears Benzak Saloman and Farrell (1993 – 1994).
Mary received her BA in economics and French from Rutgers College (1993). She also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the Association of Insurance and Financial Analysts (AIFA), the CFA Institute, and the CFA Society Boston.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-pryshlak-09748912/
Wendy Berger is a serial entrepreneur. For reasons she can’t even explain, Wendy grew up wanting to be president of a bank. Her journey has led her down the path to where she finds herself today as CEO and Founder of WBS Equities, LLC. Wendy used to always focus on the end result, but now she enjoys the journey. She learned this in part from the traumatic losses of her brother and then her husband three years later. Wendy didn’t allow the tragedy of their deaths to go in vain, instead she learned and developed the strength and tools for the successes she acquired to date.
In this episode, Wendy also shares with us her ideas around “big thinking” and the courage it takes to make significant moves in life and business. She’s a curious businesswoman who now focuses on real estate and the cannabis industry, for which she serves on an executive board. And, if that isn’t impressive enough, she is an avid athlete who has completed 38 triathlons! Take a few minutes to tune in and learn the tips and tools Wendy regularly shares with her many mentees.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Wendy.
Highlights:
[02:31] Wendy’s journey to where she is today
[07:18] Pushing through fear and self-doubt
[13:35] Tools Wendy uses to think big
[20:47] How to ask others for help
[25:56] How to have confidence and promote yourself
[30:24] What to do when facing a difficult day
[37:05] Advice Wendy gives her mentees
[40:25] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“It takes retraining our minds to be courageous enough to let go of our fears.” – Wendy Berger
“Big thinking precedes great accomplishments.” – Wendy Berger
“Each day is focused on what am I doing to help other women succeed.” – Wendy Berger
“Place yourself in the middle of interesting conversations.” – Wendy Berger
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “Churchill and the Jews: A Lifelong Friendship” by Winston Churchill (and another great one about triathlons)
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “For the dead and the living, we must bear witness.” – Elie Wiesel
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Curious
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- I stopped feeling my soul with food.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “Steady Pull” by Jonatha Brooke or “Cool Change” by Little River Band
About Wendy Berger:
Wendy is CEO and Founder of WBS Equities, LLC, a company she founded in 2004. WBS Equities specializes in ground-up construction, renovation, development, sale lease back transactions and acquisition of industrial buildings for food and beverage manufacturers and distributors. She has grown the business into a nationally recognized leader in this niche area within industrial real estate development and acquisitions. In addition to the firm’s focus on real estate development for food and beverage manufacturers and distributors, Wendy has over 30 years’ experience in real estate brokerage, real estate finance and structuring complex real estate transactions.
Wendy is also a serial entrepreneur. Outside of WBS Equities, LLC, Wendy brings decades of experience in strategic planning, execution, and exits for rapid growth start-ups. She loves being a part of the explosive growth phase of companies and working alongside founders to provide strategic leadership and guidance to help create dynamic and forward-thinking organizations.
Wendy serves on the Board of Directors of Green Thumb Industries, Inc. (GTI) (CSE: GTII) (OTC: GTBIF). Green Thumb is a national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and retailer, is dedicated to providing dignified access to cannabis while giving back to the communities in which they serve. Green Thumb manufactures and distributes a portfolio of branded cannabis products including Beboe, Dogwalkers, Dr. Solomon’s, incredibles, Rythm and The Feel Collection. The company also owns and operates rapidly growing national retail cannabis stores called Rise™ and Essence. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Green Thumb has 16 manufacturing facilities, 75 retail locations, licenses for 111 retail locations and operations across 15 U.S. states. Established in 2014, Green Thumb employs over 4,000 people and serves thousands of patients and customers each year.
In 2000, Wendy was employee number 11 at Orbitz, the Travel web site founded by Continental, American, Northwest, Delta, and United Airlines. Wendy was Director of the Enterprise Planning at Orbitz and focused on strategic planning. Prior to Orbitz, Wendy co-founded and was COO of Neoglyphics Media Corporation in 1994, which was one of the country’s first web site development firms.
Wendy began her career at American National Bank and Trust Company of Chicago (a subsidiary of First Chicago, now JP Morgan Chase) in Commercial Lending. Wendy spent several years as a principal with Berger Realty Group, an 80-year- old family-owned Real Estate business where she focused on residential and industrial property management and development.
Wendy earned her MBA in Finance and Real Estate from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business. She received a B.S., cum laude, in Finance and Marketing from Syracuse University. Wendy was a participant in the 2011 class of Leadership Greater Chicago. Wendy serves on the Board of directors of the Jewish Federation/Jewish United Fund of Chicago (2001 – 2007, and 2009 – present). Wendy served as the 2019 General Campaign Chair for the Jewish United Fund of Chicago and currently Chairs the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC). Wendy also serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Chicago Public Library Foundation Board (2016 – present). Wendy served on the Board of TEDxMidwest from 2010 - 2012. Other activities include the Wexner Heritage Program, Board Member Vice-President, and Membership Chair at The Standard Club of Chicago (1994 – 2004). Wendy is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and served as the chair of the Real Estate Membership Committee. In 2014, Wendy co-founded Illinois Women in Cannabis (IWC). IWC connects, educates, mentors, and supports Illinois women of all ages and backgrounds in order to maximize their opportunities in the emerging Illinois cannabis industry. In 2021 Wendy joined the Board of Directors of The Secure Community Network, the official safety and security network of the Jewish Community in North America.
Wendy is an avid Triathlete, having completed 39 Olympic distance triathlons and 13 half marathons. Wendy actively mentor’s young women, helping to guide them through the challenges of leadership and development. Wendy is a frequent speaker on Cannabis related real estate, industrial real estate, and the Cannabis industry and on Women’s leadership roles.
Links:
Website: https://wbsequities.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-berger-53157a10/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wbsequities
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyaberger/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendybshap
From an early age, B. Pagels-Minor found the tech world to be an exciting place. And, driven by that excitement, they started from the ground up with a job in technical support. B worked their way through well-known companies like Apple and Netflix to work today for a Fortune 100 company. Though B. was always curious by nature, they didn’t quite know what options they’d have to pursue as they figured out, “What they wanted to be when they grew up”.
B. recognized that they can learn how to do anything with focus. However, they also realized that it was easy for them to procrastinate. So, in order to avoid procrastinating, B. made a point of always over delivering on their promises.
B. is authentic in everything they do. Their authenticity is vital in building community, which is extremely important to them. Join us in this fascinating discussion with B. A conversation that you wish wouldn’t end.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with B.
Highlights:
[02:11] B.’s journey to where they are today in the world of tech
[09:11] Being authentic and not putting yourself in a box
[16:35] Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs
[22:38] How B. shifted their mindset about themself
[26:42] Building a powerful community
[33:32] Being concerned about your likability
[37:56] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“I’m very curious about how to create great experiences for people.” – B. Pagels-Minor
“You can’t do anything well if you’re only spending 50% of your time on it.” – B. Pagels-Minor
“Instant action creates the most success.” – B. Pagels-Minor
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “Inherit the Wind” by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “And now here’s my secret, a very simple secret, it’s only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye.” - “The Little Prince”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Truth Teller
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- Trying to read one news article a day
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “Queen” by Janelle Monae and Erykah Badu
About B. Pagels-Minor:
B. Pagels-Minor is a speaker, fierce diversity advocate, and thought leader on product and culture development within technology companies.
From Mississippi to Chicago to Silicon Valley, B. Pagels-Minor has spent over a decade creating great products for amazing brands and enriching the community around them, including working for Publicis Groupe, Sprout Social, and Apple to name a few.
Today B. is an expert Product Management Leader, as well as a respected thought-leader in agile technologies. They approach every problem with strategy, curiosity, and genuine authenticity. As a dedicated enthusiast of sustainable processes, great products, and culture development, B.’s fierce drive to promote diversity in tech and impact real authentic change continues to define both their work and life outside of work.
When there’s free time to spare, you can find B. scouring the latest financial and tech news, leading a thought-provoking personal blog, and giving back to various organizations as an active board member holding roles like the Vice Chair & Secretary on the Board of Directors at Howard Brown Health for the LGBTQ community, and Vice President & Secretary on the Board of Directors at the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago. B. currently resides with their wife in Los Angeles, California.
Links:
Website: https://www.bpagelsminor.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bpagelsminor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bpagelsminor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bpagelsminor/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bpagelsminor2/
With the looming recession, soaring inflation, rising interest rates, and compounding workplace stressors at an all-time high, BURNOUT is only worsening. What's worse is a recent global study indicates that for women and BIPOC women, their “everyday” workplace experiences are having a detrimental impact on their lives and careers, including work/life integration and wellbeing.
In this episode, we dig into what's happening and what we can do to help ourselves get through this.
Highlights:
[00:36] The reasons for burnout
[01:59] What the studies say about women and burnout
[05:07] The definition of burnout
[07:09] Identifying burnout
[08:52] Importance of sleep
[10:52] Using play and creativity to cope
[11:58] Taking time for yourself
[13:15] Ask yourself why you are burning out
Quotes:
“Burnout is a state of just complete exhaustion, but it’s prolonged stress. Stress and burnout are two different things.” - Monica Marquez
“Let’s not make it taboo to talk about feeling stressed out to the point of burnout.” - Monica Marquez
“Sleep is nature’s greatest healer.” - Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
September 11th was a defining moment for millions of people around the world. And for Maria Kim, it was just that. At that time, she was working in the insurance industry, but the impact of that tragic day made her want to work with purpose. She eventually found herself as President & CEO of REDF, focusing on creating jobs for others. The daughter of immigrants, she jokes her nurse mother and entrepreneur father made her a social entrepreneur determined to help others.
In this podcast, Maria shares lessons learned from her wide variety of work experiences she describes as a “three-act play” in the areas of private, purpose, and now practice. Her path wasn’t always intentional but it was successful nonetheless and from that journey, she learned who she is and what she brings to the table. She is focused on fixing inequities in the workplace citing that even after all the work is done, 10 million people are still “boxed out of today’s economy.” We all have something we can learn from Maria’s unique insights.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Maria.
Highlights:
[02:15] Maria’s path to her current position
[04:11] Finding your purpose
[06:52] How she found herself working in the service industry
[09:03] Taking a risk and stepping into the unknown
[12:13] Discovering your strengths and learning new skills
[13:50] Maria’s strength of building community
[18:37] Bringing your unique skills to the table
[21:49] How to make sure your talent stands out and overcoming stereotypes
[25:19] Focusing on your goals
[27:38] Work/life integration
[30:55] Lighting round questions
Quotes:
“You don’t have to be on the path you inherit. You can create your own path.” - Maria Kim
“There’s something about listening to your inner you that I think gives you the courage to hustle you through those stages of working your way back up the ladder.” – Maria Kim
“We just spent the last two plus years looking at everyone’s life through the screen of a Zoom room. We saw life in its full intersectionality—beautiful, ugly, everything in between, we saw all it, we saw kids, partners, everything. Let’s not forget what we saw.” – Maria Kim
“There are 10 million people in our country that are boxed out of today’s economy, for a whole host of reasons that challenge the barriers they’re overcoming.” – Maria Kim
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “Crying in the H Mart” by Michelle Zauner
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “We can be a work in progress and a masterpiece all at the same time.”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Fly foxy fish
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- Seeking first to understand, then be understood.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “Good as Hell” by Lizzo
About Maria Kim:
Maria is a reformed insurance professional who describes the chapters of her career as private, purpose, and now practice: private sector in insurance, purpose sector at Cara Collective helping people experiencing homelessness and poverty get back to work, and now consultative practice at REDF – a pioneering venture philanthropy investing in businesses that exist to hire overlooked talent across the country.
Maria serves on the advisory boards of the First Women’s Bank and the University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab. She is a 2008 Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow, a 2012 American Marshall Memorial Fellow, a 2018 Vital Voices Global Ambassador, a former co-chair within Chicago Mayor Lightfoot’s 2019 transition team, a 2020 Presidential Leadership Scholar, and a 2022 Distinguished Alumni in Public Service from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where she received her MBA.
A social impact enthusiast, advocate, and entrepreneur, Maria knows firsthand we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us; and our job – or more like our opportunity – is to pave the way for others to stand on ours. She writes about that journey as it relates to her time leading Cara in Voice and Vocation: A workforce practitioner’s guide to building hopes, jobs, and opportunity.
Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasusankim/
https://twitter.com/mariasusankim
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Voice-Vocation-workforce-practitioners-opportunity-ebook/dp/B093XZBGPV
Lexi B didn’t grow up dreaming about working in the world of tech. In fact, she assumed anyone in the tech industry was skilled in coding, so a career in the tech world was just simply out of reach. So, imagine her surprise to now find herself in a Chief of Staff role for key leaders at Twitter. However, it is really no surprise that Lexi B forged her way into a leadership role. From an early age, Lexi has been a connector. Even as a freshman in her Stanford dorm, she realized that while her peers may not have important connections as 18-year-olds, their parents and relatives did. It was that moment that Lexi B discovered the power of community and her first networks were formed sparking her non-traditional path into Tech.
Lexi’s a vibrant leader who believes in promoting other’s good work and providing them the tools to do their jobs well. Join us as we hear all about Lexi’s path and what earned her a leadership position at Twitter.
Visit www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Lexi.
Highlights:
[02:24] Lexi B’s background and how she got into the tech industry
[05:32] Lexi B’s definition of success starting out
[07:50] Creating a personal brand
[14:05) Overcoming limiting beliefs and fears
[20:14] Getting help from mentors who don’t look like you
[25:33] How to ask people for help and to not feel like a burden
[30:07] Staying authentic even in success and leadership guidance from mentors
[38:19] Habits and rituals that help in uncertainty
[44:05] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“Just because someone doesn’t look like you, or identify with you, whatever identity layer that is, does not mean they can’t pour into you in some capacity.”– Lexi B
“Your career is not just your career, it is personal.” – Lexi B
“If a bodyguard and a Power Ranger and a program manager and a strategy leader had a baby, that’s how I look at my job.” – Lexi B
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou, “Shoe Dog” by Phil Knight, and anything by Toni Morrison.
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- From my mom: “Do you boo.” From my dad: “All you have to do in this world is stay black and die.”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Candid, to a fault.
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- I got clarity on what I wanted to be when I grow up.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “Rhythm Nation” by Janet Jackson and anything by Janelle Monáe.
About Lexi B:
2020 WomenTech Network “Speaker of The Year” winner and one of Silicon Valley’s most candid and prominent voices, Alexandria “Lexi B.” Butler is an expert storyteller and workplace freedom fighter.
Her expertise in career growth and branding, executive leadership, and workplace equity have graced the world’s most enormous stages, including Stanford University, Anita B. Org’s Grace Hopper Celebration, Perspektywy Women In Tech Summit, Facebook, Instagram and many more. A program manager at one of the largest tech companies globally, she is frequently tapped to share her thought-provoking advice and opinions on how to create a more equitable work environment.
In April 2017, Lexi B founded Sista Circle: Black Women in Tech. Today, it is one of the largest virtual communities of its kind to exist, boasting a 10,000+ membership of professional women from over 72 countries in tech and tech-adjacent careers. This international society has been nationally and locally recognized by Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, Slack, Black Enterprise, Rolling Out, Phenomenally, The Ladders, Built-In, and more.
The Stanford graduate and St. Louis, MO native believes, “people deserve to live the life that caters to their strengths and passions. By truly understanding what they need and offer, everyone can implement tools to realize their path and thrive.” She shares her reflections and views on social media at @lexibspeaks.
Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexibspeaks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexiBSpeaks
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexib/
Website: https://www.lexib.com/
How did you decide what you wanted to be when you grew up? Some of us are still trying to decide. Things don’t always go as planned, especially when it comes to our careers. Whether we were looking to get promoted, change jobs, or transition into a new role — being curious and taking risks is part of growing professionally. For this podcast, Robyn Shepherd, Partner and Head of Corporate Engagement at Bridgewater Associates tells us about her risk-taking experiences and making her voice heard. She also tells us about how to ask for the help you need to succeed.
Robyn grew up with an exposure to a great education but lacked awareness for the vast possibilities it could take her in her career. As she grew in her professional life, she understood that she needed to prepare to seize the moment when opportunities unexpectedly came her way. She feels it is as important to know what you don’t want to do as it is to know what you do want to do and be aware of what you’re passionate about. Success involves building great professional relationships and the best way to make those connections is being authentic–something Robyn is known for. Her positive energy will lift you up and give you ideas on how to take a new path at work.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Robyn.
Highlights:
[02:22] Robyn’s journey
[10:10] Stepping into new opportunities with courage
[13:28] How to make important decisions
[16:25] Creating opportunities and forging your own path
[19:22] How to locate the decision makers
[21:45] Making sure your voice is heard
[24:15] Habits and hacks for think time
[26:09] The importance of realizing what you don’t want to or can’t do
[30:18] The vital role of community, advocates, and mentees
[35:29] Asking for help
[40:21] Looking for an advocate
[43:42] Being authentic about building professional relationships
[45:58] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“When you don’t know what you want to do, do the hardest thing you can so that you’re set up when opportunity comes knocking.” – Robyn Shepherd
“Preparing for the worst isn’t the only thing, it’s also about imagining the opportunity.” – Robyn Shepherd
“Saying yes to something means you are saying no to something else.” – Robyn Shepherd
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “The Daily Stoic” by Ryan Holiday
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself?” - Epictetus, Greek Stoic Philosopher
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Tough
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- When my kids get home from school, I do everything I can to not be working and having half-hours of transition.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “Black and Yellow” by Wiz Khalifa
About Robyn Shepherd:
Robyn Shepherd joined Bridgewater Associates in 2004 and is currently the Head of Corporate Engagement. Reporting to the CEO, Robyn oversees the firm’s public affairs, communications and branding functions, as well as the company’s initiatives for operational sustainability, social responsibility, and plays a leading role in Bridgewater’s Diversity and Inclusion efforts. She is a Partner of the firm and a member of the Operating Committee and Commercial and Business Strategy Committee.
Robyn began her career at Bridgewater as a Senior Investment Associate in the Account Management group and later took on other key roles within the firm’s Client Service and Marketing team — first as an Associate Client Advisor covering the firm’s international client and marketing relationships, and later as the Head of Client Service Analytics. Subsequently, Robyn served as Chief of Staff to CEO David McCormick, partnering with him on the firm’s strategic agenda, business oversight, management of the Client Service and Marketing department, and corporate governance.
Robyn was a founding member of the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Council, and the Co-Founder and Senior Sponsor of Bridgewater’s Women’s Influence Network (WIN). She was recognized by The Hedge Fund Journal as one of the “50 Leading Women in Hedge Funds” in 2020, and was named the 2021 “Women of Excellence: Trailblazer” by Seramount, in partnership with Working Mother and the National Association for Female Executives.
Before joining Bridgewater, Robyn was an Analyst at Lime Rock Partners and an Investment Analyst at HarbourVest Partners. She serves on the boards of Susan G. Komen and Oakland Catholic High School, an all-women’s college preparatory school in Pittsburgh, PA. Robyn received her BA in economics from Brown University.
Links:
Website: https://www.bridgewater.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robyn-shepherd-a959985/
Do you worry about being liked by others? Do you hold back from what you really think or want for fear of upsetting others? The desire to be liked, whether it’s right or wrong, has a critical relationship to power. The characteristics we tend to “expect or accept” in women like modesty and humility are not the qualities that get professional recognition. Which is unlike the qualities that society likes to see in men such as self-confidence and assertiveness. These are the qualities that get talent ahead in their careers. However, women who are self-confident and assertive usually experience pushback for breaking the social norm.
The bitter reality is that no matter how hard you try, there will always be people out there who don’t like you. Learning to be okay with that is hard work, but you’ll like yourself so much more for it and have a more fulfilling career.
Meet our guest, Amber Chenevert, Group Director of Strategy & Insights and Culture Studio Lead at VMLY&R, who is familiar with these roadblocks herself. Her parents raised her not to worry about being liked but rather to treat everyone fairly–and that has earned her respect at work. As an expert in marketing and building brands, she allows herself to be challenged. She has always been a deep thinker and described as wise beyond her years. Join us as she shares and teaches us about setting boundaries, living out your purpose, and giving people opportunities to tell their stories.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Amber.
Highlights:
[01:19] How Amber found what she wanted to do for a living
[06:58] Dealing with insecurities, fears, and limiting beliefs
[11:12] Building a personal brand and storytelling
[14:57] Moving forward with what you truly believe
[15:36] Being fair vs. being liked
[19:37] The difficulty of self-promotion
[24:24] The importance of think time and journaling
[27:28] Setting boundaries with other people
[29:54] The importance of community
[36:18] The book that has greatly influenced Amber
[37:50] Amber’s favorite quote
[38:55] One word Amber would use to describe herself
[39:57] One habit that has changed Amber’s life
[42:06] Amber’s power song
Quotes:
"I have prioritized fairness." –Amber Chenevert
“‘Do the work, put your head down and people will notice’, is just not true. You have to do the work and you have to be seen.” –Amber Chenevert
“Don’t judge a book by its cover, even if it’s beautiful.” –Amber Chenevert
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “The Warmth of Other Suns” by Isabel Wilkerson
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- Always believe and invest in yourself.
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Perseverance
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- Taking rest seriously. Rest is multi-dimensional and I have to prioritize it and engage in so many different aspects of it in order to be whole and healthy.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “All the Stars” by Kendrick Lamar
About Amber Chenevert:
Amber Chenevert, PhD
Group Director, Strategy & Insights; Culture Studio Lead
Amber Chenevert’s mix of academic and agency experience gives her a unique perspective on brand strategy that empowers clients to embrace fresh ways to engage consumers and champion industry inclusion. Her global CPG and health technology experience showed her that customer basic needs around the world are quite similar. While her culture acumen allows her to identify nuance that helps marketing messages stick. Amber holds a B.S. in marketing from Hampton University, and a M.A. in advertising from Syracuse University. She earned her doctorate in advertising from The University of Texas at Austin, specializing in consumer behavior and marketplace diversity. Amber has taught both undergraduate and graduate marketing and advertising courses at The University of Texas at Austin, St. John’s University and New York University.
As a brand strategist and the Culture Studio lead at VMLY&R, her goal is to tell human centered stories based on atypical truths. She wants to give more people the opportunity to both tell and be at the center of those stories. A marketplace diversity perspective serves as a guiding light toward her goal. Marketplace diversity considers age, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, and physical ability. It also considers the history, systems, and structures that gives insight into how today’s consumers navigate their access to products, services and assert their collective power. Using marketplace diversity as a base, Amber helps brands unearth their disconnect in culture and find their connection to new market opportunities.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-chenevert-phd-027a4b1/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskDrC_PhD
Ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things when they expect more of themselves. That’s the message from our guest, Keisha Bell, who has overcome obstacles and achieved extraordinary success by ignoring the doubts and doubters. Keisha Bell is the Managing Director and Head of Diverse Talent Management and Advancement at DTCC where she is responsible for developing the next generation of leaders through focused sponsorships and talent advancement strategies.
Keisha understands what it takes to go beyond barriers. She believes in changing mindsets, forging progressive practices, and views each employee as an agent of change. Keisha says that the role of a leader is to make decisions that move things forward. Her secret is to never overcomplicate things and to keep it simple. While it’s important to seek trusted feedback, eventually, a choice needs to be made. That’s why sometimes, the most important decision you can make is just making a decision. So if you’re feeling stuck and overwhelmed with options, remember that unless you’re a surgeon, there is “no patient on the table”, just make the decision!
In this episode, Keisha tells us about her career path, what helped her achieve her goals, and why it’s important to find joy in everything you do.
Visit www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Keisha.
Highlights:
[02:15] Biggest lessons learned
[03:15] Overcoming underestimating yourself
[04:55] How Keisha’s career path unfolded
[07:06] From college to current role - coming full circle
[10:19] Advice on find clarity in your career path
[13:22] Keisha’s framework for decision-making
[16:01] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[18:24] Most pivotal lessons learned from family of strong women
[21:26] The importance of creating opportunities for others
[20:34] The difference that access makes early on in life
[26:29] Continuous learning and growth
[28:42] Developing valuable relationships
[30:27] Keisha’s approach to effective execution
[33:19] Staying grounded
[31:47] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“Be intentional about where you direct your energy and skill set and let people know what you are capable of.” - Keisha Bell
“Show up, be authentic, be accountable, do the right thing and act ethically.” - Keisha Bell
“You have to be ruthlessly honest with yourself about what you’re good at.” – Keisha Bell
“You don’t have a patient on the table. No one is going to die if you don’t do this right.” – Keisha Bell
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “The Warmth of Other Suns” by Isabel Wilkerson
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “If you want to fly, you have to give up the sh*t that weighs you down.” and “Dream a little before you think.” By Toni Morrison
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Fierce
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- Working on negative self-talk
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan
About Keisha Bell:
Keisha Bell is Managing Director and Head of Diverse Talent Management and Advancement at DTCC, where she is responsible for recruiting and retaining the best diverse talent and developing DTCC’s next generation of leaders through focused sponsorships and talent advancement strategies. She believes in changing mindsets, forging progressive practices, and views each employee as an agent of change. Keisha partners with business leaders to identify diverse talent across all levels of the organization focusing on their growth and mobility, and with Human Resources to ensure diversity and inclusion are fully integrated into working practices. Additionally, Keisha leads Corporate Philanthropy and Social Responsibility for DTCC.
Previously, Keisha was Managing Director of DTCC’s Risk Management Reporting, Governance, Analysis and Program Management group. She successfully led the firm’s Board and Management Risk Committees, regulatory, audit and compliance reporting, management control testing, and program management of the Financial and Technology Risk initiatives. Prior to that, she served as Executive Director of Wealth Management Services. She was also a member of DTCC’s
Global Diversity and Inclusion Council and a founding leader of the LGBTQA professional network.
Keisha serves as a member of the board of directors of The NYC Anti-Violence Project and is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Partnering for Racial Justice in Business initiative. Keisha has been named to the World Federation of Exchanges’ 2021 Women Leaders List and to the 2021 OUTstanding LGBT+ Role Model List of 100 business leaders for her impact on LGBT+ inclusion inside and outside the workplace, her business achievements, and the seniority and influence of her role. She also represented DTCC at The Alliance, an inaugural gathering of the influential LGBTQ leaders held in Lisbon, Portugal.
Keisha has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, spanning broker/dealer operations, technology transformations, program management and business analysis. She earned her B.S. in Organizational Behavior from New York University.
Keisha has received the following awards:
- 2021 World Federation of Exchanges Women Leaders List
- 2020 OUTstanding LGBT+ Role Models - Top LGBT Executives
Links:
Website: https://www.dtcc.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keishabell/
Strong leadership is rooted in intellectual curiosity about how things work and what drives people. But how do you build relationships and find your voice when you are an introvert?
Our guest, Shifra Ansonoff, a brilliant leader and an introvert, reveals what helped her reach the top of her industry and build a powerful professional network. Shifra believes the key is caring about people and helping them achieve their goals, rather than focusing on what you can get from them. When you follow your curiosity, you will find your way to success whether it’s with relationships or results.
Shifra followed her passions even as a young mom of twins, and with the help of her supportive husband, has become a global leader in her industry. She loves helping people find their voices and seeing where curiosity takes her.
Today, Shifra is the Global Head of Research at Preqin, carrying the remit of obtaining valuable data and insights on alternative assets contributing to the industry’s most comprehensive private capital and hedge fund data sets. Previously, Shifra was with Qontigo, BlackRock Solutions and Bloomberg.
In addition to being a top executive, Shifra has been an active mentor at Rutgers Business School, for which she received a Mentorship Excellence Award in 2018 and was shortlisted by Waters Technology’s Women in Technology and Data Awards for Risk Professional of the Year. She is a proud life-long nonconformist who has a lot of stories to tell us about how to build great relationships and lead a team.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Shifra.
Highlights:
[02:20] Shifra’s formation story
[04:37] Figuring out the right path forward
[06:06] Shifra’s career journey
[09:56] Stepping into the unknown
[12:02] Overcoming fears & limiting beliefs
[14:39] Speaking up and sharing your perspective
[18:48] Staying ahead of the curve
[21:10] Focusing on the right thing at the right time
[23:15] Self care on a daily basis
[24:42] The key to building great relationships
[26:22] Advice for introverts
[28:43] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“I believe mentorship sponsorship should be a two-way street, and when it isn’t or it becomes transactional, it’s no longer fun.” – Shifra Ansonoff
“I’ve built such meaningful relationships through the years in business and across groups of friends by just letting people know that I’ve been thinking about them.” – Shifra Ansonoff
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- “Give and Take” by Adam Grant
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- Learning to love myself and not being my own worst critic.
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Nonconformist
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- Learning cognitive strategies that put me in control of situations.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- "Invincible" by Pat Benatar
About Shifra Ansonoff:
Shifra is the Global Head of Research at Preqin, carrying the remit of obtaining valuable data and insights on alternative assets via conversations with GPs and LPs, thus contributing to the industry’s most comprehensive private capital and hedge fund data sets. A 20+ year veteran of fintech, Shifra has acquired expertise in risk management, product and relationship management, and data governance. Previously, Shifra led the global operations team for the analytics solutions division at Qontigo (previously Axioma). Prior to, Shifra was with BlackRock Solutions and Bloomberg. Shifra has been an active mentor at Rutgers Business School, for which she received a Mentorship Excellence Award in 2018 and was shortlisted by Waters Technology’s Women in Technology and Data Awards for a Risk Professional of the Year award. She holds a bachelor’s in Economics from Sarah Lawrence, and an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University.
Links:
Website: https://www.preqin.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shifra-ansonoff-274ab46/
Twenty years ago, when I first came to America, I felt like a complete outsider. I didn't look like, sound like, or dress like people around me. I chased goals that I didn’t really care about because I thought that’s what was expected of me. But the harder I tried to fit in, the more I struggled personally and professionally. You see, I was defining success from other people’s perspective.
Our guest today is US Congresswoman Sharice Davids, from Kansas’ Third Congressional District, who shares her inspiring story of overcoming obstacles and rising to the top by defining success on her own terms.
Sharice was raised by a single mom who spent more than 20 years serving in the US Army. A proud graduate of Leavenworth High School, Sharice was the first person in her family to attend college. She worked her way from Johnson County Community College to Cornell Law School, juggling multiple jobs to put herself through school.
Sharice went on to work in economic and community development on Native American reservations, helping tribes to create programs and initiatives for growth. This work inspired her to apply for the prestigious White House Fellowship program, where she served under President Barack Obama and continued to create economic opportunity for others.
Sharice ran for Congress to give Kansans a voice, and to make sure everyone has the same opportunities to achieve their goals that she did. In 2018, Sharice was elected to represent Kansas’ Third District, becoming one of the first two Native American women ever to serve in Congress.
In 2020, she was re-elected to her second term. She has spent her time in office working tirelessly to tackle the issues most important to Kansas families, including strengthening small businesses, lowering the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs, and making sure the government is working for the people — not special interests.
In this episode, Rep. Davids shares her perspective on why it's important to first embrace who you are for others to embrace and accept you as you are. She also shares why service matters, how to build a thriving community, and what strategies helped her achieve her goals.
Visit www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Rep. Davids.
Highlights:
[03:57] What shaped Representative Davids’ life
[09:22] Gaining clarity on your career path
[12:50] How Representative Davids got into politics
[15:31] First time running for office
[24:18] Facing the possibility of failure
[26:52] Campaigns are entrepreneurial
[29:22] Owning her seat at the table
[35:23] Advice to other on pursuing a career in politics
[41:36] How to engage with Representative Davids
[43:07] The meaningful work of LPAC
Quotes:
“When dealing with rejection on the campaign trail, I had to remind myself that this is not about me, this is about the future of our country, our democracy.” - Rep. Sharice Davids
“The biggest opportunities for growth come from moments when you are experiencing something that is hard and challenging.” - Rep. Sharice Davids
"Running a campaign is a very entrepreneurial process." - Rep. Sharice Davids
"One thing that changed my life was realizing that I get to decide what success means to me." - Rep. Sharice Davids
About Sharice Davids:
Sharice Davids is currently serving Kansas’ Third Congressional District in Congress.
Sharice was raised by a single mom who spent more than 20 years serving in the US Army. A proud graduate of Leavenworth High School, Sharice was the first person in her family to attend college. She worked her way from Johnson County Community College to Cornell Law School, juggling multiple jobs to put herself through school.
Sharice went on to work in economic and community development on Native American reservations, helping tribes to create programs and initiatives for growth. This work inspired her to apply for the prestigious White House Fellowship program, where she served under President Barack Obama and continued to create economic opportunity for others.
Sharice ran for Congress to give Kansans a voice who represents our values and interests, and to make sure everyone has the same opportunities to achieve their goals that she did.
In 2018, Sharice was elected to represent Kansas’ Third District, becoming one of the first two Native American women ever to serve in Congress. In 2020, she was re-elected to her second term. She has spent her time in office working tirelessly to tackle the issues most important to Kansas families, including strengthening our small businesses, lowering the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs, and making sure the government is working for the people — not special interests.
- Sharice was raised by a single mom, who spent more than 20 years in the Army followed by a career in civil service at the US Post Office.
- Sharice graduated from Leavenworth High School. She attended Haskell Indian Nations University and the University of Kansas before graduating from Johnson County Community College and later the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She went on to earn a law degree from Cornell Law School.
- Sharice calls herself a “former” first generation college student, since her mom earned a degree in history from UMKC in 2016.
- Sharice is a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, a Native American tribe in Wisconsin.
- Sharice is highly trained in martial arts and has competed as both an amateur and professional in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
- Sharice was one of 16 selected to participate in the prestigious White House Fellowship program (2016-2017).
- Sharice has lived and worked on Native American reservations, working with tribes to create economic development opportunities, programs, and initiatives.
- Sharice regularly speaks at conferences as a nationally recognized expert on economic and community development in Native communities.
- Sharice, along with her brother, created Starty Pants – a video podcast that highlights entrepreneurs in the Greater Kansas City area with a focus on women, people of color and LGBTQ founders.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharicedavids/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShariceDavids
Do you have trouble knowing when to say no or being authentic in your everyday life at work? Many of us spend a significant amount of time devoted to our jobs, and if we aren’t honest about ourselves and our situations, we add stress to our already full lives. A rewarding work-life involves authenticity, tapping into our passions, and finding the right support.
Theresa Ludvigson is the Senior Vice President of People at Qualified, the #1 pipeline generation platform for Salesforce, where Theresa previously held multiple management positions. A natural people person, Theresa, is keenly aware of what makes a great manager and loves helping and coaching others. In this episode, she enthusiastically shares stories from her past experiences. She discusses the challenges of learning new skills when switching jobs and the importance of staying true to who you are. You’ll love her honesty, optimism, and electrifying energy.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Theresa.
Highlights:
[02:22] Theresa’s career path
[04:46] Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs
[10:09] How to ask others for support
[13:20] Tapping into your passion
[15:59] Staying ahead of the curve
[18:15] Knowing your limits and saying no
[21:02] Leading by example
[22:36] How to integrate work with life
[25:25] Finding mentors & building relationships
[28:20] Finding clarity and direction in the workplace
[31:22] Creating and promoting your personal brand
[33:16] Lightning round questions
[37:46] Where to find Theresa online
Quotes:
“Simply asking ‘Hey, how can I support you?’ opens up the door and allows an individual to share how you can best help them.” – Theresa Ludvigson
“Leading with transparency and authenticity is key.” – Theresa Ludvigson
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.” - Oprah Winfrey
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- So Glam
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- Caffeine to fuel my energy.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani
About Theresa Ludvigson:
Theresa Ludvigson is the Senior Vice President of People at Qualified, the #1 pipeline generation platform for Salesforce. She joined the company in January of 2022 and leads Qualified's overall people experience strategy, which includes talent acquisition, leadership development, diversity and inclusion, compensation and benefits, HR operations and technology, and employee relations. Under her leadership, she’s created a team of employee-focused culture champions that touch every point of the employee lifecycle, and help Qualified employees feel empowered to do their best work while inspiring each other to learn and grow.
Prior to Qualified, Theresa led global new hire onboarding, employee loyalty programs, and the alumni network as Vice President, Global Onboarding and Loyalty Programs at Salesforce. She also held positions in Talent Development, Employee Engagement, Sales Effectiveness, Customer Marketing, and Sales while at Salesforce.
Theresa holds degrees in Journalism and Ethnic Studies from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her two sons.
Links:
Website: https://www.qualified.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tludvigson/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tludvigs
Everyone faces fears. But, what some people do better than others is pushing through that fear to get to the other side of it. In our work and personal lives, we make a lot of decisions on a daily basis, and some of those decisions impact other people. How do we stay on track and focus on accomplishing our goals when we face these challenges?
Our guest, Dr. Kerry Murphy Healey is the inaugural president of the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream in Washington, DC. In this episode, she candidly shares stories with us about her two failed runs for office which led to her winning the position of Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts—a much higher position than she originally sought out. Dr. Healey had to overcome a lot about fears of being on stage and on television, but overcoming those fears led to new opportunities. Dr. Healey is full of actionable advice and pearls of wisdom about how to succeed at work and in life.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Kerry.
Highlights:
[02:26] Kerry’s journey
[07:46] How Kerry overcame her fears and limiting beliefs
[10:31] How to reframe failure and what failure teaches you
[14:27] Making decisions without creating division
[17:25] Going where your skills are needed
[22:52] Identifying mentors and sponsors
[25:02] Building strategic relationships, building communities, and asking for help
[28:33] Showing people what you have to offer
[30:05] Leveraging self-promotion
[32:27] Kerry’s goals for the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream
[34:26] Lightning Round Questions
[39:01] How to get in touch with Kerry
Quotes:
“Forcing myself repeatedly to do things that were uncomfortable and that scared me, is what helped me learn to take off all the edges and just do whatever I needed to do.” – Dr. Kerry Healey
“When you decide, you allow for a conversation, because it’s very hard to have that conversation unless someone has a point of view.” – Dr. Kerry Healey
“You can’t really join a community and say ‘What is this community going to do for me?’ You have to put something into that community first.” – Dr. Kerry Healey
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “I never lose, I only win or learn.” – Nelson Mandela
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Optimistic
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- Sleeping and learning to make time for sleep.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “Take Me to the River” by The Talking Heads
About Kerry Healey:
Dr. Kerry Murphy Healey is the inaugural president of the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream in Washington, DC. Kerry Healey’s career spans higher education, elected office, and foreign and domestic policy. In July 2019, she capped six years as the first woman president of Babson College, the 100-year-old business school consistently ranked as the country’s leading institution in entrepreneurship education. During her tenure at Babson, Healey championed women entrepreneurs, created greater affordability and access for students, and oversaw a dramatic $200 million renewal of the Wellesley campus.
Previously, Healey served as Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor, where she led bipartisan efforts to improve services for the homeless, tackle the opioid crisis, and increase protections for victims of child abuse, drunk driving accidents, and sexual and domestic violence. She was also integral in crafting the state’s pioneering health care reform legislation.
Dr. Healey has been a fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government’s Institute of Politics and Center for Public Leadership, and is on the International Council of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. She holds an AB in government from Harvard College and a PhD in political science and law from Trinity College, Dublin. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Trilateral Commission and a trustee of the American University of Afghanistan.
Links:
Website: https://www.mcaad.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerrymurphyhealey/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-healey-1626701b4/
A good leader sets the tone for an organization. Without good leadership, employees won’t know the right direction to take or what they can improve upon. While men and women may generally have different needs and motivations, the qualities that make a good leader are the same for both. What is also important and needed for all leaders to succeed is to continuously seek out next level mentors with fresh perspective so they don’t get caught up in their own echo chamber and get left behind.
Dr. Annalisa Jenkins, M.B.B.S., F.R.C.P. is a biopharma thought leader and a board member for several growing companies. She shares with us her experiences, from the British military to the boardroom, and what it’s been like to work in this age of life science innovation and digital advances. Coming from a generation where male mentors were common, Dr. Jenkins speaks about working as a woman in her industry and how she’s learned to be a “tough but fair” leader under their direction. Her broad array of experiences in health sciences shows us how to bring vision to our workplace as leaders.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Annalisa.
Highlights:
[02:27] Annalisa’s global background
[05:09] Annalisa’s career goals
[08:08] What five things make a successful leader
[13:35] Is there a difference between male and female leaders?
[16:08] Other important qualities of a leader in the workplace
[19:52] Identifying potential leadership mentors
[29:21] Coping with division created by making decisions
[35:19] The importance of feedback and not taking it personally
[42:38] Working in the age of life science innovation and digital age
[46:56] Identifying the waves that affect your industry
[50:51] What book has greatly influenced Annalisa?
[51:47] Annalisa’s favorite quote
[52:50] Annalisa’s moniker to describe herself
[53:19] One habit that makes a big difference in Annalisa’s life
[55:00] Annalisa’s power song
[56:41] How to connect with Annalisa
Quotes:
“Great leaders have a clarity of vision.” – Dr. Annalisa Jenkins
“People that can bring teams together and get them to collaborate are always going to be successful.” – Dr. Annalisa Jenkins
“Great leadership comes from those who are willing to lean in and take decisions.” – Dr. Annalisa Jenkins
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- Who Says Elephants Can't Dance? By Louis V. Gerstner, Jr.
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “Live the life you love and love the life you live.”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Gracious
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- Carving out two hours every morning to go to the gym. To think, reflect, prepare myself. It creates mindfulness.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “Paradise” by Coldplay, the song and video.
About Dr. Annalisa Jenkins:
Annalisa Jenkins, M.B.B.S., F.R.C.P. is a biopharma thought leader with over 25 years of industry experience. Dr. Jenkins has extensive recent experience in building and financing biotech companies pursuing cures for the most challenging rare diseases to address important medical issues globally. She has consistently built and led teams advancing programs from scientific research through clinical development, regulatory approval, and into healthcare systems around the world. In addition, she is an advocate for diversity and inclusion, particularly for women in science. Dr. Jenkins served as president and CEO of Dimension Therapeutics a leading gene therapy company that she took public on the NASDAQ and subsequently sold to Ultragenyx. Prior senior leadership roles have included the head of global research and development at Merck Serono Pharmaceuticals from 2013 to 2014, where she also served as executive vice president global development and medical from 2011 to 2013 and several leadership roles at Bristol Myers-Squibb (BMS) from 1997 to 2011, most recently serving as senior vice president and head of global medical affairs. Earlier in her career, Dr. Jenkins was a medical officer in the British Royal Navy during the Gulf Conflict, achieving the rank of surgeon lieutenant commander. Dr. Jenkins graduated with a degree in medicine from St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in the University of London and subsequently trained in cardiovascular medicine in the U.K. National Health Service.
Dr. Jenkins is a board member of several growing companies, including Oncimmune, AVROBIO, COMPASS Pathways, AOBiome, AgeX, Phaim Pharma, Conduit Connect, Affimed, Genomics England, Blue Advent Ltd, Cocoon Biotech Inc. (Non-Executive Chair), and Kuur Therapeutics (Non-Executive Chair). She also is a medical trustee for the British Heart Foundation and a committee member of the Science Board to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, which advises FDA leadership on complex scientific and technical issues, board member at Faster Cures a center of The Milken Institute and Chair of The Court of The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Additional appointments reflect Dr. Jenkins’ commitment to advancing the opportunities of women in science and the need for new models of health care in resource poor settings. She serves on the boards of Women in Bio, an organization promoting careers, leadership, and entrepreneurship for women in the life sciences, and the Center for Talent Innovation (U.K.), dedicated to driving ground-breaking research that leverages talent across gender, generation, geography, and culture. She also is an executive committee member of Springboard Enterprises, and is on the Advisory Panel of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association, which elected Dr. Jenkins as Woman of the Year in 2014. She co-founded and serves on the board of directors of YouBelong, a UK based charity developing and delivering new models of care to people currently living with mental health diseases and incarcerated in institutions in sub Saharan Africa.
Links:
Websites:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annalisajenkins/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenkinsannalisa
Executive presence - is it a skill or a trait people are born with? It’s a term that’s often perceived as something magical, or mystical that many people struggle to understand.
What is it, why is it important, and how can I get it?
In this episode, Monica shares the research on executive presence, what exactly is executive presence, and why it’s important to accelerating your success.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to
https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[01:28] Executive presence – skill or trait?
[02:53] Why is executive presence important?
[03:36] What does the research show
[06:26] What is executive presence?
[11:58] Executive presence starts from the inside
Quotes:
“Executive presence is a skill. It's not a trait. That means it's something that you can cultivate, it's something that you can develop.” – Monica Marquez
“According to Sylvia Ann Hewlett’s research, executive presence accounted for 26% of what it takes to get promoted to leadership positions.” – Monica Marquez
“The secret to great executive presence lies in finding the sweet spot between being that
compassionate, authentic leader, but still making tough decisions, and being able to decide and help people move forward and making those hard choices and owning it with confidence and integrity.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
What would happen if you let go of control and embrace life no matter what comes your way? Serendipitous moments have the power to shape your destiny.
Meet Anouck Gotlib, CEO of Belgian Boys, who shares how a fortuitous seating arrangement on a plane ride from Belgium to New York led to meeting her husband, building a multi-million dollar company, and becoming the proud mama of two adorable boys.
Anouck was born in Belgium, studied Fashion Design and then worked at fashion houses in NYC. After meeting Greg, she stepped away from fashion and stepped into entrepreneurship full time.
Today, Anouck leads a passionate team dedicated to creating joy for customers and spreading sweetness in people's lives. Her leadership has fueled the exponential growth of the company, brought in high profile investors, and gained recognition as one of the fastest growing companies on the Inc 5000 list.
Anouck is on a mission to turn up the happy - one sweet moment at a time. Belgian Boys is in the business of fun, offering a delicious assortment of breakfast, sweet treats, and desserts available in 5000 stores and online. Anouck believes that the key to joy is to embrace the journey and trust the timing of your life knowing that the universe has your back.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Anouck.
Highlights:
[02:31] The creation of Belgian Boys
[04:06] How Anouck met her husband & their life together
[05:58] Where Belgian Boys is today
[07:35] Anouck’s superpower
[11:35] Overcoming fear and self-doubt
[16:07] Belgian Boys is a family affair
[18:09] Anouck’s success habits
[21:13] Balancing work and family
[24:58] How becoming a mom changed Anouck’s perspective
[27:50] Alignment of values with your investors
[35:54] The importance of giving
[38:36] Where to get Belgian Boys delicious treats
[39:11] Lightning round questions
Quotes:
“Asking for help is not a weakness. It’s all about knowing who to ask for help.” – Anouck Gotlib
“Mindfulness changed my life. It is something I embrace. It is something I bring into my every day.” – Anouck Gotlib
“You’re the center of your kid’s universe. And it doesn’t need to be complicated, just take the time to read a book with them.” – Anouck Gotlib
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Happiness Spreader
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- Mindfulness. Bringing that into my life has changed who I am.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “Dancing in the Moonlight” by King Harvest
About Anouck Gotlib:
Anouck Gotlib, CEO of Belgian Boys, is on a mission to turn up the happy - one sweet moment at a time. Launched in 2015, Belgian Boys is in the business of fun, offering a delicious assortment of breakfast, sweet treats, and desserts available in 5000 stores and online. She leads a passionate team dedicated to growing more than just a revenue-driven business - creating joy for customers and spreading sweetness in people's lives.
Anouck was born in Antwerp, Belgium and studied Fashion Design before working at fashion houses including Zac Posen and Natan. A fortuitous seating arrangement on a plane ride from Belgium to New York put Anouck in touch with Belgian Boys founder (and her eventual husband) Greg. Anouck spent long nights and weekends working to launch the brand before stepping away from fashion and into entrepreneurship full time.
Anouck and Greg live in Brooklyn, NY with their two sons who start each day with Belgian Boys mini pancakes.
Links:
Websites:
https://www.anouckgotlib.com/
https://www.belgianboys.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anouck-gotlib/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belgianboys/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/belgianboys
https://twitter.com/AnouckGotlib
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Belgianboys/
At some point in our lives, we have all engaged in creative activities simply for casual enjoyment or as a hobby. From painting to writing to cooking or singing, there are many ways that creativity plays a part in our daily lives.
But creative expression is far more than a hobby or a vocation. Throughout history, creativity has played a role in many aspects of human life. From technological advancements to mental health and well being, creative expression can unlock the roadblocks and barriers and fuel innovation and success.
Meet our podcast guest and my good friend, Sheila Darcey, who is the founder of SketchPoetic - a creative expression practice for emotional healing and transformation. Sheila’s purpose is to elevate art as a tool for healing and be a catalyst to transform lives.
Sheila is an innovator who has been instrumental in shaping the culture and diversity of companies, and is a strong advocate for women's leadership and empowerment across organizations.
In this episode, Sheila shares what led her to become a health and wellness advocate, why daily self-care is so important, and how creative expression can help you remove roadblocks and unlock your transformation.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Sheila.
Highlights:
[03:17] The key mental health trend that emerged since 2020 and the pandemic
[05:23] Addressing stigmas around mental health
[07:25] What it means to be mentally in your body
[09:23] What business leaders should embrace about health & wellness
[12:45] How busy professionals can practice self-care
[16:45] Metaverse, crypto, and NFT - what’s the connection?
[20:00] How to step into the metaverse and Web3
[23:12] Trusting our intuition
[28:06] Sheila’s inspiration for her book, SKETCH BY SKETCH
[31:10] Sheila’s process for writing
[35:18] Living in a world of overconsumption
[38:55] Key takeaways from SKETCH BY SKETCH
[42:20] Lightning round questions
[49:03] How our feelings of safety are triggered
[53:22] Sheila’s power song
Quotes:
“What we value is what we pay attention to.” – Sheila Darcey
“The moment fear invades any situation or subject matter, it is going to be polarizing.” – Sheila Darcey
“There’s an inner peace and calmness that regulates your body when you’re doing the things you want to do.” – Sheila Darcey
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- SketchPoetic
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- Paying attention to my breath
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- Run the World (Girls) by Beyoncé
About Sheila Darcey:
Sheila Darcey is an innovator with 20 years of experience in transforming businesses across a variety of industries. She guides expert teams in crafting the strategies and building the digital products that help brands innovate. Sheila has been instrumental in shaping the culture of and diversity of companies. She is a strong advocate for women's leadership and empowerment across organizations.
In addition to her corporate career, she recently returned to her artist's roots and founded SketchPoetic, a creative expression practice. Her purpose is to serve as a catalyst for people's transformation and elevate art as a tool for healing.
“The beauty of SketchPoetic is in the process of creation itself. I want people to connect with the process as much as the outcome - to create without planning, without analyzing, without fear, and without expectations… because it’s liberating. It’s about being in a safe place to quiet the mind and spark the child-like curiosity we sometimes lose in our busy lives.”
Links:
Website: https://www.sketchpoetic.com/
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sketch-Creative-Emotional-Transformation-SketchPoetic/dp/1250773873/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheiladarcey/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sketchpoetic/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sheiladarcey
Adam Bryant, author of the bestselling book, Corner Office, asked over 700 CEOs, “What qualities do you see most often in those who succeed?”. The number one answer: Curiosity. Most of the ingenious inventions and extraordinary ideas throughout history all have something in common. From Thomas Edison’s light bulb, Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone to self-driving cars, they are all a result of curiosity.
Meet our guest and Forbes 50 over 50 winner, Fran Dunaway, who is the co-founder of TomboyX, a gender neutral underwear and apparel brand.
TomboyX started as a passion project in collaboration with her wife and co-founder Naomi Gonzalez to create the perfect button-up shirt, but then pivoted to focus on underwear based on the overwhelming demand for their first boxer brief for women.
Under Fran’s leadership, TomboyX doubled in YoY growth and was recognized on Inc. Magazine’s 5000 fastest growing companies for 4 consecutive years.
In this episode, Fran shares how she followed her curiosity to entrepreneurial success; what techniques have helped her navigate risk and uncertainty; and why it’s important for brands to be a force for positive change and inspire conversation about gender, confidence, acceptance, and inclusion.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Fran.
Highlights:
[03:01] Taking the leap into entrepreneurship
[05:51] Discovering your strengths
[07:53] Open yourself up to Rainbow Unicorn Moments
[10:51] Asking for help
[12:55] Don’t take rejection personally
[14:51] Fran’s approach to risk-taking
[18:12] Overcoming setbacks
[21:02] Staying ahead of the curve
[22:32] A Day in the life of Fran
[24:22] Lightning round questions
[29:08] What’s next for Fran
Quotes:
“When something goes right or the day is saved, remember that it is because of all of the things that you do that open yourself up to those magical moments.” – Fran Dunaway
“Be careful with the stories that you're telling yourself about why a rejection occurred. You may not have full insight into the why.” – Fran Dunaway
“Find those people in your network and be specific in your ask for where you are and what you need right now to help you.” - Fran Dunaway
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- Can't Never Could.
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Fun-loving
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
- Trusting my gut would be the big thing along the way and following it and knowing that it's right and believing in myself in that way.
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- “Good as Hell” by Lizzo
About Fran Dunaway:
One of the inaugural Forbes 50 over 50, Fran Dunaway is a media executive-turned-fashion entrepreneur and co-founder of TomboyX, a Seattle-based gender neutral underwear and apparel brand launched in 2013. The brand started as a passion project in collaboration with her wife and co-founder Naomi Gonzalez to create the perfect button-up shirt, pivoting to focus on underwear based on the overwhelming demand for their first boxer brief for women.
Fran and TomboyX are driven by a belief that brands can be a force for positive change, and their messaging promotes a human agenda to inspire conversation about gender, confidence, acceptance, and inclusion.
As CEO, Fran has led TomboyX to doubled YoY growth and industry recognition that has included four consecutive years on Inc. Magazine’s 5000 fastest growing companies and being named Small Business of the Year for King County and Fastest Growing Minority-Owned Company by the Puget Sound Business Journal.
Prior to founding TomboyX, Fran spent over 15 years in media production including Director-level roles with political consulting firms. Her work included managing multi-million dollar budgets and large teams in production of TV/radio ads and animations for congressional candidates and social causes. She has also produced TV episodes for PBS and independent films, with festival showings at Sundance and DigiDance.
Fran is active in social causes and served as Executive Director of Equal Rights Washington, a nonprofit focused on LGBTQ rights successfully advocated for passage of anti-discrimination legislation (Washington House Bill 2661) in 2006. She also served on the Steering Committee and Board of Governors of the Human Rights Campaign’s Seattle chapter.
Links:
Website: https://tomboyx.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frandunaway/
Instagram:
https://instagram.com/fnawesomeadventure
https://www.instagram.com/tomboyx/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/fdunaway
https://twitter.com/tomboyx
What are you passionate about and enjoy doing? Is it aligned to your work?
At first glance, the question, "What are you passionate about and enjoy doing?", presents itself as an innocent question. But, as you begin to answer that question, it can become more difficult to connect the dots between those passions and skill sets you love, to the actual work you do on a day-to-day basis.
How do you gain this clarity and get more aligned in your career? Where do you even begin?
In this episode, Monica shares how to define your passions, discover what you love to learn about, and how to align your passions with your profession.
𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗧𝗛𝗦 & 𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗨𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[01:50] Defining your passions
[03:19] Discovering what you love to learn about
[06:47] Aligning your passion to your work
Quotes:
“You have to gift yourself the time for introspection so that you can go in the direction that you're wanting to go and accelerate your success.” – Monica Marquez
“You become excellent at what you spend your time and focus on.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
The phrase “reach for the stars” is said to come from a poem written by Virgil called the Aeneid. This Latin poem was written sometime between 29 and 19 BC. The simple meaning behind it was to “set your goals in life high in order to achieve success.” It’s an inspiring quote. However, we often overlook the word “stars” and set our sights on one “big” North Star. We then design a single path to reach that goal and forget to appreciate the collection of stars we acquire along the way that make up our very own beautiful constellation. Our guest, Professor Sharon Goldfeld, is a pediatrician and public health physician at the Royal Children’s Hospital’s Centre for Community Child Health and Theme Director for Population Health at the Murdoch Children’s Research institute, who shares her career journey and how she visualizes each of her accomplishments as stars she collected along the way to her North Star, building an amazing constellation of stars that fueled her career success. She explains how she harnessed the “burn” or “power” from each star to help her achieve her North Star.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Sharon.
Highlights:
[02:30] Sharon’s journey and one key lesson learned
[04:17] Gaining clarity on your career path
[13:42] Overcoming doubt and seizing the opportunity
[19:39] Work-life integration
[25:32] The stars along the way towards your North Star
[28:05] A great team is vital to success
[31:53] Relationship-building is the most important skill
[38:33] Being agile & pivoting during COVID
[42:47] The importance of self-care
[44:54] Sharon’s parting words of wisdom
Quotes:
“Having a great team allows you to do more and allows your passion to fuel others.” – Sharon Goldfeld
“Relationship building is the most important skill any of us can have.” - Sharon Goldfeld
“When you are passionate about something, stoking that passion makes it burn more.” – Sharon Goldfeld
About Sharon Goldfeld:
Professor Sharon Goldfeld is a pediatrician and public health physician at the
Royal Children’s Hospital’s Centre for Community Child Health and Theme Director for Population Health at the Murdoch Children’s Research institute. She has a decade of experience in state government as senior policymaker in health and education, including holding the role of Principal Medical Advisor in the Victorian Department of Education and Training. Her unique career has seamlessly straddled research, policy and practice with her cross-sectoral approach ensuring her research is roust and of high policy and practice utility for greater translation success. Her research program focuses on addressing disadvantage and inequity though epidemiological studies, developing metrics to drive system change, and community based randomised controlled trials (RCT’s) in both health and education to improve child development. As the COVID-19 pandemic deepens, Prof Goldfeld has led the effort at MCRI to leverage existing cohort studies to provide a unique understanding on how the pre-pandemic experiences of children and families shape risk and resilience for children during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in its aftermath. Sharon was recently awarded the inaugural Marles Medal for excellence in original research that led to outstanding achievement in research impact.
Links:
Website: https://www.mcri.edu.au/users/dr-sharon-goldfeld
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-goldfeld-2717b612/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharon_goldfeld
Tuesday, March 8th was International Women’s Day! And this year’s theme is #BreakTheBias –to imagine a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated.Yet, our reality is in stark contrast to this future vision. We are living in very challenging times. Itseems like there are new obstacles and conflicts every day. And women are being disproportionately affected everywhere. In this episode, Monica discusses the theme for International Women’s Day, why breaking the bias matters, and shares the 5 key areas of focus to accelerate success.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to
https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[00:34] Theme of International Women’s Day – Break the bias
[01:39] Disruption through game-changing innovation
[04:28] Statistics on women getting left behind – the gender gap
[06:39] 5 key areas to accelerate success
[12:42] Beyond Barriers’ mission
Quotes:
“More wealth will be created in the next 10 years than in the past 100 years.” – Monica Marquez
“Women shouldn't have to wait more than two centuries to get equal income and opportunities.” – Monica Marquez
“The biggest power skill is learning, having certainty on your ability to succeed even in the midst of uncertainty knowing that you have that competency to learn.” - Monica Marquez
“You can't change hearts and minds if you're invisible. Visibility creates awareness and awareness leads to acceptance. And that changes the world.” - Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Magical things happen when your passions meet purpose and ultimately leads to your profession. When it happens, it sparks curiosity, confidence and motivates you to explore the awe of the unknown. You’re able to tap into your wow factor and create impact for others and for yourself along the way. But, as we all know, it’s much easier said than done and it takes courage to follow your heart and not conform to cultural and societal norms. Meet our guest Ida Liu, who shares her journey of following her passions which took her from the world of finance to fashion and ultimately back to finance with the idea of pitching a fashion, retail, and entertainment practice to Citi, thus bringing her two worlds together. The rest is history.
Ida Liu is the Global Head of Citi Private Bank and a member of the Citi Global Wealth Leadership team. Ida leads the Private Banking activities in 50 offices across 18 countries and delivers wealth management solutions to ultra-high net worth families and their businesses globally. Before becoming the Global Head, she was the Head of Citi Private Bank North America and held numerous other leadership roles.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Ida.
Highlights:
[02:41] Ida’s journey
[06:34] Shattering the glass and bamboo ceiling
[08:22] Gaining clarity on career path
[12:24] Moving forward though fear
[15:41] Connecting your passion, strengths & profession
[18:29] The importance of community
[20:21] Embrace your learning journey
[22:17] Mentors and sponsors and why you need both
[24:46] Dedicating time to health and wellness
[28:50] Staying ahead of the curve
[28:54] Work-life integration
[30:56] What gets measured gets done
[33:14] The importance of setting boundaries
[37:43] Ida answers lightning round questions
Quotes:
“Seeing is believing. We've got to make sure we lift others up. We have to share the lessons that we've learned along the way to help others get to that next level.” – Ida Liu
“Never underestimate your network. And never underestimate networking early on.” – Ida Liu
“When you're doubting yourself, you’ve got to play to your strengths and show them why you deserve a seat at the table.” - Ida Liu
“What gets measured gets done.” - Ida Liu
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
- Think Again by Adam Grant
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
- “If you want to make everybody happy, don't be a leader, sell ice cream.”
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
- Fantastic listener
What is one change you implanted that made your life better?
- Meditation
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
- Cold Heart (Pnau remix) by Elton John and Dua Lipa
About Ida Liu:
Ida Liu is the Global Head of Citi Private Bank and a member of the Citi Global Wealth Leadership team. Ida leads the Private Banking activities in 50 offices across 18 countries and delivers wealth management solutions to ultra-high net worth families and their businesses globally. Before becoming the Global Head, she was the Head of Citi Private Bank North America and held numerous other leadership roles.
Ida created Citi Private Bank’s North America Asian Clients Group, and she started her career at Citi by launching and heading the Fashion, Retail and Entertainment Group. Before joining Citi, Ida was at Vivienne Tam, a women’s wear design house, where she was Global Head of Sales, Marketing, Public Relations and Business Development. Prior to this, Ida spent seven years in investment banking with Merrill Lynch’s mergers and acquisitions and technology, media and telecommunications investment banking groups in New York and Hong Kong. She started her career in mergers and acquisitions at BT Wolfensohn (now Deutsche
Bank).
Ida has received many industry accolades including Barron’s 10 Most Influential Women in Wealth Management, Barron’s 100 Most Influential Women in U.S. Finance, Crain’s Notable Women on Wall Street and American Banker’s 25 Most
Powerful Women in Finance. Additionally, Ida is a Young Global Leader (YGL) of the World Economic Forum, a member of The Committee of 100 (C100) and Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO). Ida serves on the UCLA Health Advisory Board as well as the Asia Society Board.
Ida holds a BA with honors from Wellesley College and an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. She is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, Spanish and conversant in Russian.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/idaliu/
Is your current job aligned with your passions? Do you have clarity on a career path that will get you to your desired level at your company?
According to the Working Mother Research Institute, 77% of women say a top barrier to gender equity is a lack of information on how to advance in their careers. And only 15% of women say that they have clarity on career paths that lead to C-suite roles. Having clarity on your passions and career goals is critical for success. If you don't know where you're going, how can you expect to get where you want to be?
In this episode, Monica discusses the focus on professional women during Women’s History Month, shares how to find your Ikigai, and why it’s important to career success.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[00:40] The focus on professional women during Women’s History Month
[02:08] Is your career trajectory moving you towards the top?
[02:34] Research findings from Working Mother Media
[03:46] What is your Ikigai?
[10:28] Gaining clarity on our career path
Quotes:
“Your Ikigai can be translated simply as a reason to get up in the morning.” – Monica Marquez
“Your passion is at the intersection of what you love and what you are good at.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
This is our last podcast episode of the 2021. And we're so grateful, honored and blown away by the amazing podcast guests we've had on our show this past year. So, we thought what better way to close out the year than to share with you a recap of some of the best and inspirational pearls of wisdom that our guests shared in 2021?
In this episode, Nikki and Monica, share nuggets of wisdom from some of the best and brightest minds in business that have been generous in terms of sharing their learning experiences and their advice to all our listeners, every single episode is filled with all this incredible wisdom!
We’d like to wish you a very Happy New Year from Beyond Barriers! Thank you for supporting us and our community of women worldwide.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to
https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[00:57] Celebrating our 200 th episode
[03:46] Most popular episode of the year
[05:14] Recap of the top 20 episodes
[24:44] Happy New Year from Beyond Barriers
Quotes:
“When you encounter a failure, think about what you can learn from it rather than replaying the event over and over in your head. Put the record player away and move forward with the lesson.” – Kimberley Gardiner
“Ask yourself what are the three most important things that you need to do today and focus on those.” - Janet Van Huysse
“Ask yourself, periodically, if you are limiting yourself or are you in a limited situation.” - Stephanie Kinser
“Every day you have an opportunity to determine your brand and how you want to be remembered.” - Anna Dapelo Garcia
“You're never 100% ready for that next role. The best way to really be ready is by doing it.” - Michelle Frymire
“When you are trying to develop your brand or your business, lead with the things that you want to leave people with, because that's what they're going to remember.” - Shelly Rosensweig
“Always be open to listening to everyone’s advice but have the conviction to decide for yourself.” – Fran Maier
“Figure out what makes you feel confident. Because once you get that confidence and tame the voice inside your head, asking becomes easy.” - Jennifer Prosek
“Take baby steps towards tackling your fears and anxieties. If you get 1%better every day, imagine how much better you're going to be 365 days from now.” - Sandra Lopez
“It is important to manage your life around making sure that you're constantly learning.” - Eileen Schloss
“Life is the journey; it is not the station. Striving and solving problems is life.” - Jennifer Lagaly
“Talent exists everywhere, opportunity does not. It's about creating access and opportunity.” - Ripa Rashid
“Take the hard assignments at the beginning of your career because you learn exponentially more than you learn in taking the easy assignments.” - Elisa Steele
“Don't tell yourself no before somebody else has. Give them the opportunity to say no, but don't discount yourself.” - Stacey Gordon
“Realize that we are responsible for our careers, we own our careers, not the company, not your mentor, not your spouse, or your partner.” - Shellye Archambeau
“When given a choice, choose to play, you’ll learn more than sitting on the sideline observing.” - Selena Rezvani
“Be genuine and intentional in sharing your story lest others tell it for you.” - Ana Corrales
“Learn how to manage your self-talk. You can make or break yourself just on your thoughts.” - Shalini Vadhera
“Success is like a 3-legged stool. The first leg is all about honing your talent. The second is refining your executive presence and the third comes as a result of the other two legs –gaining sponsorship from senior leaders.” - Indhira Arrington
“Leaders who hire people smarter than them will have a thriving group who can achieve great things.” - Dr. Emily Drabant Conley
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Robin Sharma once said, “Success is not a function of the size of your title but the richness of your contribution.” It's about impact, influence and inspiration. Our guests are a perfect example of the power of sincere and selfless contribution and how it fosters true fulfilment.
Meet Dr. Ganesh Natarajan & Dr. Uma Ganesh, Co-Founders of 5F World, who share their career journeys and how their shared values of working for the good of the community and their country has inspired them to create impact and opportunity using their 5F framework – Fast, Focused, Flexible, Friendly and Fun.
Dr. Ganesh Natarajan is the Executive Chairman of 5F World, a platform for Digital Start-ups, Skills and Social Ventures. He is also Chairman of Honeywell Automation India Limited and Lighthouse Communities Foundation and a Board member of the State Bank of India, Hinduja Global Solutions, Global Talent Track, Educate Girls and the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network. Ganesh is a Distinguished Alumnus of IIT Bombay and NITIE.
Dr. Uma Ganesh is the co-founder of 5F World and founder of multiple companies including Global Talent Track focused on skills development for the digital era, Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics, Kalzoom Advisors and Skills Alpha – the digital platform for talent development.
In this episode, Uma & Ganesh share their vision, the foundational pillars of their partnership, why learning should be a collective collaboration, and how leaders should view talent differently for the future.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Dr. Ganesh Natarajan & Dr. Uma Ganesh.
Highlights:
[02:54] Uma’s story
[07:50] Ganesh’s story
[10:21] Uma & Ganesh’s shared vision
[13:46] The foundational pillar of Ganesh & Uma’s partnership
[16:14] The importance of taking risks
[19:25] In service of something bigger
[23:48] The formation of 5F World
[27:35] The future is collective collaborative learning
[31:07] How leaders should be looking at talent for the future
[39:09] The habits of success
[45:16] Who you surround yourself with matters
[48:35} Ganesh & Uma’s message to the world
Quotes:
“it's not about making money for ourselves or for shareholders, it’s about doing good work for the community, the country, with people whom we love, and who we want to see succeed.” – Dr. Ganesh Natarajan
“Life is a journey where you learn from failures, and you learn from successes.” – Dr. Uma Ganesh
“For every negative event that takes you away from your path, I’ve always found that there are five helping hands there to support me.” – Dr. Uma Ganesh
“Purpose, focus and a positive attitude will keep you going towards success.” – Dr. Uma Ganesh
“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.” – Dr. Ganesh Natarajan
“Believe in yourself. Don’t stop, just do it.” – Dr. Uma Ganesh
“Try to make sure that everything is done in the shortest possible time and with the maximum possible impact.” - Dr. Ganesh Natarajan
About Dr. Ganesh Natarajan:
Dr. Ganesh Natarajan is the Executive Chairman of 5F World, a platform for Digital Start-ups, Skills and Social Ventures in the country. He is also Chairman of Honeywell Automation India Limited and Lighthouse Communities Foundation and a Board member of the State Bank of India, Hinduja Global Solutions, Global Talent Track, Educate Girls and the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network. Ganesh is a Distinguished Alumnus of IIT Bombay and NITIE. He has been Chairman of NASSCOM and President of the HBS Club of India and led APTECH and then Zensar Technologies to global success from 1991 to 2016. Harvard Business School (HBS) has written and teaches two case studies on his work.
About Dr. Uma Ganesh:
Uma Ganesh has three decades of success in corporate and entrepreneurial ventures covering manufacturing, media, banking and IT sectors. Uma has had indepth exposure to functional areas such as marketing, product management, finance and operations through CXO/CEO positions with large organisations having their footprint in India and global markets. Her last corporate assignment was with HSBC as their Chief Corporate Development Officer for its Global Resourcing Business and previously she has been associated with Zee Education, Aptech, NIIT, Fibre Glass Pilkington and Crompton Greaves.
Over the last decade, Uma has turned an entrepreneur founding Global Talent Track focussed on skills development for the digital era, Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics, Kalzoom Advisors and Skills Alpha – the digital platform for talent development. One of the noteworthy initiatives is 5F World Pvt Ltd cofounded with Dr Ganesh Natarajan which is focussed on consulting for digital transformation and investment in digital startups.
Uma’s academic credentials include MBA from the Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi and Phd from IIT Bombay. She has played leadership roles in several industry forums namely CII, NHRD Network, Bombay Management Association, Indian Women’s Network (IWN) to name a few. She has co-authored a book – a Tata McGraw Hill publication ‘Knowledge Force’ with Dr Ganesh Natarajan and has a regular column in the Financial Express focussed around Digital technologies.
Links:
Websites:
https://ganeshnatarajan.in/
http://5fworld.com/
Recent Books:
RISING TO THE CHINA CHALLENGE: WINNING THROUGH STRATEGIC PATIENCE AND ECONOMIC
GROWTH
Accelerating Digital Success: Reimagining Organisations for a Post-COVID-19 World
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ganeshnatarajan/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/uma-ganesh-77369217/
Regardless of how big our dreams may be, we cannot get there without a compelling vision, specific goals, adaptable roadmap, and daily focus. Most people start out with big dreams but settle for broken ones. Isn’t that the sad truth?
That’s why commitment matters. It helps you turn your dreams into your destiny. And when you are able to execute consistently, that’s when you unlock high performance and accelerate success.
In this episode, Monica shares why commitment matters, how goal achievement is linked to the habits we develop and the systems and tools we use, and how to create a clear and compelling vision both personally and professionally.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[01:53] Why commitment matters
[04:29] Goal achievement is about systems and tools
[06:19] Creating a clear compelling long-term vision
[07:58] How to start gaining clarity on your vision
[10:17] What is your theme for the year?
Quotes:
“There is no magic pill for achieving your goals. It’s adopting the tools, systems and habits in order to execute.” – Monica Marquez
“Our dreams and aspirations for the future determine where we're going to invest our time and energy every single day.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
In 2005, Steve Jobs shared a personal story during his commencement address at Stanford. The story was about connecting dots. The central idea behind it was that everything happens for a reason but you won’t know the exact reason looking forward…you can only connect the dots looking back.
You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, karma, whatever it may be, and move forward with confidence that the dots will somehow connect in the future. So, follow your dreams and do what you love and it will all connect in the end.
Our guest today, Kelly Laferriere, Chief Business Officer at A-Rod Corp, shares her career journey and how following her heart and trusting her gut has led to her success. And, how it is only now that she is able to look back and connect the dots of each experience she’s lived and appreciate how they all have contributed to where she is today.
In her current role at the A-Rod Corp, Kelly focuses on strategic operations, investments, media and entertainment, and marketing. Kelly also serves as the Advisor to Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore, owners of NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx.
She is a business and brand builder with experience in large companies and startups. Kelly has worked in media, sports, and entertainment for more than two decades, first at ESPN, on the Programming and Acquisitions senior management team, and then at Six Flags, where she led the business and operations of east coast parks. In addition to her current role, Kelly is also President of Slam Corp, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) that is an equal partnership of Alex Rodriguez and Himanshu Gulati, the founder and Chairman of Antara Capital.
In this episode, Kelly shares the importance of following your personal mission, vision and values, advice on shifting your mindset away from limiting beliefs, and why authenticity is the key to building and maintaining relationships.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Kelly.
Highlights:
[03:07] Kelly’s journey
[05:51] Shifting your mindset around limiting beliefs
[08:11] Following your mission, vision and values
[10:03] Articulating your unique value proposition
[12:19] Showing your value authentically
[14:31] Taking risks & seizing opportunity
[16:05] Kelly’s success habits
[17:25] Focusing on the right things at the right time
[20:00] Building connection and relationships
[25:26] Mentors don’t have to look like you
[28:54] The importance of self-care
Quotes:
“Sharing your story not only benefits you but others as well.” – Kelly Laferriere
“When making difficult decisions, you need to check across your head, your heart and your gut.” – Kelly Laferriere
“It is important to remember that building professional relationships is about creating win-win situations.” - Kelly Laferriere
“Identify leaders that empower you, respect and support you, and provide an environment where you have opportunity.” - Kelly Laferriere
About Kelly Laferriere:
As Chief Business Officer at A-Rod Corp, Kelly Laferriere focuses on strategic operations, investments, media and entertainment, and marketing. In addition, Kelly serves as the Advisor to Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore, owners of NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx.
She is a business and brand builder with experience in large companies and startups. Kelly has worked in media, sports, and entertainment for more than two decades, first at ESPN, on the Programming and Acquisitions senior management team, and then at Six Flags, where she led the business and operations of east coast parks. In addition to serving as Chief Business Officer at A-Rod Corp, Kelly is President of Slam Corp, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) that is an equal partnership of Alex Rodriguez and Himanshu Gulati, the founder and Chairman of Antara Capital.
Kelly is a graduate of Georgetown University and a member of the Georgetown Angel Investor Network.
Links:
Website: https://www.arodcorp.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellylaferriere/
Johnson O’Connor: Aptitude testing: https://www.jocrf.org
Via Survey: Character strengths:
https://www.viacharacter.org/survey/account/register
Book: 15 Commitments to Conscious Leadership:
https://amzn.to/3daM5TX
Dr. Wayne Dyer, the “Father of Motivation” once said, “In all misfortune there is fortune. With everything that has happened to you, you can either feel sorry for yourself or treat what has happened as a gift. Everything is either an opportunity to grow or an obstacle to keep you from growing. You get to choose.”
Our guest, Dr. Emily Drabant Conley, shares how she chose to leverage her struggles growing up in the Midwest as a gay teenager in a conversative town to become the leader she is today. And, how her lived experiences led her to embrace her authentic self in life and in work.
Dr. Emily Drabant Conley is the CEO of Federation Bio. Previously, Dr. Conley spent over a decade at 23andMe, where she helped scale the company from 30 employees into the world’s leading platform for genetic-driven drug discovery. As Vice President of Business Development at 23andMe, she architected visionary partnerships across pharma and biotech. Dr. Conley currently serves on the boards of Federation Bio, TMRW, Medrio and formerly served on the boards of Lesbians Who Tech and the UCSF Alliance Health Project.
In this episode, Dr. Conley shares how to move forward through fear, why it’s important to believe in yourself as a leader and why you should always hire people smarter than you.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Dr. Conley.
Highlights:
[03:01] Dr. Conley’s career journey
[07:40] You can be anything you want to be
[10:29] Moving forward through fear
[12:59] Making the decision to leave academia
[16:02] Get comfortable with learning on the job
[18:53] Hire people smarter than you
[22:52] Cultivating instrumental relationships
[26:21] Learning from failure
[29:44] How genetic testing created dialogue around DEI
[32:55] How to get in touch with Dr. Conley
[33:15] Final words of wisdom from Dr. Conley
Quotes:
“Leaders who hire people smarter than them will have a thriving group who can achieve great things.” – Dr. Emily Drabant Conley
“You can learn from others just by watching them, how they run meetings, how they communicate.” – Dr. Emily Drabant Conley
“Doing the work on yourself personally is essential to being a good leader.” - Dr. Emily Drabant Conley
About Dr. Emily Drabant Conley:
Dr. Emily Drabant Conley is Chief Executive Officer of Federation Bio. Previously, Dr. Conley spent over a decade at 23andMe, where she helped scale the company from 30 employees into the world’s leading platform for genetic-driven drug discovery. As Vice President of Business Development at 23andMe, she architected visionary partnerships across pharma and biotech. Dr. Conley currently serves on the boards of Federation Bio, TMRW and Medrio and formerly served on the boards of Lesbians Who Tech and the UCSF Alliance Health Project.
In 2019, Dr. Conley was named one of Business Insider’s 30 Leaders Under 40 who are transforming U.S. healthcare and in 2020 she was honored by Google Ventures as one of the 25 women shaping the future of technology.
Dr. Conley spent 10 years in academia conducting genetics research. She was a research fellow at the National Institutes of Health and is co-author on more than 35 academic publications. She received her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Stanford University School of Medicine, where she held fellowships from the National Science Foundation and Department of Defense. She graduated summa cum laude from Vanderbilt University with a B.A.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-drabant-conley/
Website: https://www.federation.bio/
Do you have clarity on what makes you valuable in the marketplace? Do your competencies align with what is in demand?
According to a report from McKinsey & Company, by 2030, more than 800 million people will lose their jobs to automation. Could some of your tasks be easily automated? What percentage of your role might be automated in the future?
In this day and age, it is important to understand what is growing in demand so that you can learn the skills and competencies needed for the future.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to keep track of market demand so you can position yourself in line with it.
Highlights:
[01:08] The effects of automation on the workforce
[03:58] The shelf life of skills is getting shorter
[04:34] Focus on solving business problems
[06:55] Learning to run two races at the same time
[07:32] Hacks to identify future demand
[14:26] Homework for the week
Quotes:
“Digital transformation is unlocking organizations and making them faster, more efficient, more innovative, and ultimately creating more value for their customers.” – Nikki Barua
“You have to know exactly what is in demand so that you can develop the right skills.” – Nikki Barua
“Focus on solving a business problem and doing it in the fastest, most elegant, most effective way.” – Nikki Barua
“You have to run two races at the same time: be great at what you’re doing today, while mastering the skills to be great at what you’ll be doing tomorrow.” – Nikki Barua
“Your future is truly in your hands and you must start making changes today.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Work. Is it something you dread or something you love to do? It’s an important question to ask yourself because it’s what we spend the majority of our adult lives doing. We all want careers that are personally fulfilling and financially secure, but sometimes those two things don’t align and that’s when you might need to make a change to avoid unnecessary disatifaction and dread.
Our guest, Neena Newberry, President of Newberry Executives Solutions, had a successful career as a Deloitte Consulting executive, but felt drawn to pursue her purpose and do something on her own.
Neena took some time to reflect on where she’d been and where she wanted to go, which led her to creating her own company, Newberry Executive Solutions, where she focuses on developing strong leaders through executive coaching, leadership training, apps and tools.
Neena Newberry is an award-winning executive coach, speaker, and author. A former Deloitte Consulting executive with over 25 years of business and leadership development experience, Neena helps clients get results they couldn’t before – for their companies and their careers. Over 75% of her clients get promoted.
In this episode, Neena shares how to gain clarity on your career path, tips on making decisions with confidence when faced with uncertainty, and how to codify your unique value proposition and promote your value without bragging.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Neena.
Highlights:
[02:55] Neena’s journey
[08:16] Gaining clarity on your career path
[14:38] Assessing risk
[18:47] Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs
[22:07] Sponsors don’t always have to look like you
[25:00] Tips on effective execution
[29:11] Facing uncertainty and making decisions with confidence
[37:11] Biggest challenges that Neena has coached women through
[40:55] Codifying your unique value proposition
[44:10] How to get in touch with Neena
[45:33] Final words of advice on accelerating success
Quotes:
“When an opportunity is connected to your passion and purpose, it is an amazing feeling and if you can tap into that, it will help you overcome your fears.” – Neena Newberry
“Small steps lead to big results.” – Neena Newberry
“Make sure you’ve got people in your inner circle who will push back and challenge you and bring other perspectives to the table.” - Neena Newberry
About Neena Newberry:
Neena Newberry is an award-winning executive coach, speaker, and author. A former Deloitte Consulting executive with over 25 years of business and leadership development experience, Neena helps clients get results they couldn’t before – for their Fortune 500 companies and their careers. Over 75% of her clients get promoted.
She launched Newberry Executive Solutions to pursue her passion for helping women be successful. She left a 14-year career in management consulting and a role on Deloitte’s U.S. HR Executive Committee, not knowing the economy would tank three months later.
Neena also builds leadership skills through her breakthrough app, New Lens® (Gold Stevie Award for Best New Product) and her book, Show Up. Step Up. Step Out. — written up by Southwest Airlines President Emeritus Colleen Barrett.
She has been featured in major media and received awards from the Dallas Business Journal, Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and Global Excellence Awards.
Links:
Website: https://www.newberrysolutions.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neenanewberry/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/newberrycoach
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewberryExecutiveSolutions/
Even at the highest levels in companies large and small, many otherwise strong and bold women struggle in meetings. Many say their voices are drowned out; others say they are ignored or overlooked, and others can’t find a way into the conversation at all. And, in this new era of virtual meetings, the problem has become harder to manage.
In this episode, Monica shares women’s stories and experiences in meetings, what the research by Harvard Business Review shows, and how to take your power back in meetings.
Highlights:
[00:34] Women’s experience in meetings
[02:25] What the research shows
[04:25] How to take your power back
[08:00] Using muscular language
[12:38] Practice and prepare in advance
Quotes:
“It’s less about what we say and more of how we say it.” – Monica Marquez
“You can learn to take your power back. You must practice, test, and learn.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
How did you discover your career path? Did you know what you wanted to do from childhood or did you discover it later in life? Perhaps you are still seeking the perfect career for you.
Meet our guest, Erica Simpson, Senior Vice President in Business Development & Investor Relations at Shenkman Capital Management Inc, who shares her career journey and how identifying her passions and skills early on helped her navigate a successful career in sales. From having the highest sales of Girl Scout Cookies in the 3 rd grade to SVP at Shenkman Capital, Erica shares how identifying themes, seeking input from others, and taking opportunities to move the ball forward helped her advance and find a career she loves.
Erica Simpson is a senior member of Shenkman’s institutional business development team, focused on plan sponsors and consultants in the United States and has 17 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Shenkman, she ran the business development efforts at IMC Asset Management. Prior to IMC,
she was with Credit Suisse Asset Management, where she was responsible for alternative and traditional investment solutions for East Coast institutions. She began her career as an auditor for Pricewaterhouse Coopers. Erica graduated summa cum laude with a BBA. in accounting from the University of Massachusetts- Amherst and is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of New York.
In this episode, Erica shares the key to building influential relationships, tips on executing effectively, and why it is important to seek out mentors.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Erica.
Highlights:
[02:57] Erica’s story
[06:27] Building relationships
[08:07] The key to success
[10:38] Tips on effective execution
[13:49] Delegation and leveraging resources
[18:07] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[26:45] Seek out mentors
[31:50] Erica’s advice on what it takes to be successful
[35:48] Communicating expectations effectively
Quotes:
“Identify the people who want to help you succeed and ask them for help.” – Erica Simpson
“There are so many role and career options, seek out the one that makes you happy.” - Erica Simpson
“Effective communication is critical in helping people feel empowered to operate successfully as part of the your personal or professional microcosm.” - Erica Simpson
About Erica Simpson:
Erica Simpson is a senior member of Shenkman’s institutional business development team, focused on plan sponsors and consultants in the United States and has 17 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Shenkman, she ran the business development efforts at IMC Asset Management. Prior to IMC, she was with Credit Suisse Asset Management, where she was responsible for alternative and traditional investment solutions for East Coast institutions. She began her career as an auditor for Pricewaterhouse Coopers. Ms. Simpson graduated summa cum laude with a BBA. in accounting from the University of Massachusetts- Amherst and is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of New York.
Links:
Website: https://www.shenkmancapital.com/
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-simpson-a12531b/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/shenkman-capital-management/
In the age of uncertainty, you must make it a priority to invest in your own development. That’s the only real security that exists when disruptive change can eliminate jobs or derail businesses unexpectedly. When assessing where you can invest time, energy, and the rest of your resources, spend it on the one thing that no one can take from you — yourself.
In this episode, Monica shares why it’s important to invest in yourself, why some women are not investing in themselves, and advice on creating the budget and habit for learning.
Highlights:
[00:39] Why invest in yourself
[01:53] What the research shows
[04:46] Why women are not investing in themselves
[07:04] Create a budget for education
[14:56] Make learning a habit
Quotes:
“Investing in yourself in terms of becoming a lifelong learner is now one of the most critical things that you can do in this current age of uncertainty.” – Monica Marquez
“The best leaders are constantly learning.” – Monica Marquez
“Invest in yourself with time and energy, not just dollars.” - Monica Marquez
“Learning in this day and age is a superpower and enables you to grow and learn and put yourself in uncomfortable situations.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
One of my biggest pet peeves is when a person minimizes someone’s success to “sheer luck” or to being in the “right place at the right time”. Yes, some luck may be involved, but what’s really at the root of their success is preparation. Being prepared to take on an opportunity, even if it’s a stretch. Being ready to learn on the fly and confident you can figure it out. Being curious and hungry to continuously improve and do what it takes to get things done. Luck and success happen when preparation meets opportunity.
Our guest, Shelley Rosensweig, a Partner in the Investment Management and Private Equity Practice Groups at Haynes and Boone in New York, shares her career journey and how being prepared to take advantage of opportunities to learn helped her advance in her career and become a partner at an earlier age.
In her current role, Shelley structures, designs and organizes US and non-US private investment funds and assists clients with seed capital arrangements, the operation of managed account platforms and the organization and design of joint ventures, SPVs and other co-investment structures. Shelley also advises clients with respect to SEC, FINRA and CFTC regulatory and compliance matters, family office related matters, trading issues and employment matters. She further advises clients with respect to distribution
and capital raising matters and other strategic initiatives.
In this episode, Shelley shares why you should always take advantage of opportunities to learn, the importance of learning business development skills, and shares advice on accelerating success in your career.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Shelley.
Highlights:
[03:02] Shelley’s journey & the lessons she’s learned
[05:23] Taking advantage of opportunities to learn
[15:26] Gaining clarity on your career path
[24:12] The importance of business development skills
[35:49] Mentors don’t have to look like you
[42:12] Shelley’s advice on accelerating your success
Quotes:
“When starting a new role or career, take full advantage of learning everything that you can right from the start.” – Shelley Rosensweig
“When you are trying to develop your brand or your business, lead with the things that you want to leave people with, because that's what they're going to remember.” - Shelley Rosensweig
“Look for mentors whose expertise you value and that will help you regardless of their gender.” - Shelley Rosensweig
“Do something that you are completely fearful of, take the risk. There is no such thing as the ultimate failure. You will learn from it and it will make you better.” - Shelley Rosensweig
About Shelley Rosensweig:
Shelley Rosensweig is a Partner in the Investment Management and Private Equity Practice Groups in the New York office of Haynes and Boone. She structures, designs and organizes US and non-US private investment funds and assists clients with seed capital arrangements, the operation of managed account platforms and the organization and design of joint ventures, SPVs and other co-investment structures.
Shelley also advises clients with respect to SEC, FINRA and CFTC regulatory and compliance matters, family office related matters, trading issues and employment matters. She further advises clients with respect to distribution and capital raising matters and other strategic initiatives.
Links:
Website: https://www.haynesboone.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-rosensweig-05859ab/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Shelchab
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelchab/
We've all been hearing, reading and in some cases witnessing the talent tidal wave of employee departures during this "Great Resignation". Most assume that employees are leaving for money or better benefits. However, based on the latest research and our own anecdotal data from our Beyond Barriers Accelerator cohorts, what talent is really seeking is a sense of purpose and belonging.
In this episode, Monica shares the real reason people are leaving and what organizations can do to stop the attrition.
Highlights:
[00:34] The real reason people leave companies
[03:57] How organizations can stop the attrition
[10:43] It’s not all about the money, it’s about purpose
Quotes:
“According to a report by Working Mother Media, only 15% of women had clarity on where they wanted to be five years in their careers.” – Monica Marquez
“If your organization doesn’t have leaders who create a sense of belonging, a sense of purpose, and make those that report to them feel valued, those employees will leave.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Do you ever feel isolated at work, despite being surrounded by people? If so, then it might not surprise you to know that according to a Gallup poll, only 36% of U.S employees are engaged in their work and workplace.
Our guest, Dr. Deidre Anderson, Founder & President of Trailblazers, Inc., shares her story of climbing the corporate ladder while realizing that there was a big problem with workplace communities. Dr. D shares how the key to transformation comes from creating an environment that fosters ABC – authenticity, boldness and contribution. And how her mission became to help individuals and organizations develop vibrant workplace communities.
Dr. D is also the founder and executive director of Women Empowered, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women become the best leaders that they can be. Each year, she compels women to become strong leaders through a training program and retreat that will help them to identify their goals and the strategies necessary to accomplish them.
In this episode, Dr. D shares how she cultivated her superpower, techniques to overcoming limiting beliefs, and why reflection is so important.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Dr. D.
Highlights:
[02:41] Dr. Deidre’s journey
[06:55] Cultivating your superpower
[09:23] Creating cohesiveness in teams
[13:59] Techniques to overcome limiting beliefs
[19:51] Feedback is information
[26:11] Giving feedback
[28:50] Why reflection is important
[33:40] Challenging yourself & expanding your circle
[37:33] Gaining access to influential leaders
Quotes:
“When you create an environment where everybody takes responsibility for fostering authenticity, boldness and contribution, that's the key to transformation.” – Dr. Deidre Anderson
“Feedback is information. Nothing less nothing more.” - Dr. Deidre Anderson
“Reflection is what brings clarity and fosters growth.” - Dr. Deidre Anderson
“If there's nobody in your circle who's going to challenge the way that you think or stretch you outside of your comfort zone, it's easy to get stuck and believe that you're right on everything.” - Dr. Deidre
Anderson
About Dr. Deidre Anderson:
Dr. Deidre Anderson is a well sought-after corporate trainer, charismatic speaker, successful business owner, award- winning leadership coach, and licensed minister with a heart to see others succeed. Dr. D, as she is affectionately known, has traveled the world, inspiring people from all walks of life to break through barriers to achieve more than they ever dreamed possible. Whether in the corporate arena, the women’s domain or in ministry, Dr. D believes in helping individuals and working groups to discover
their true potential while motivating and inspiring them to reach higher. Her desire is to ignite the passion in every person and group so that no goal will be unattainable.
Dr. D is the President and Chief Leadership architect of Trailblazers, Incorporated, a Philadelphia-based consulting firm specializing in organizational development and leadership. Trailblazers provides public and onsite training that is catered to fit each client’s specific needs and unique organizational culture.
Dr. D and Trailblazers’ culturally diverse team of specialists help to propel organizations and individuals into attaining their goals by providing executive coaching, using a hands-on, practical approach. Her goal is that her clients do not simply walk away motivated, but that they will leave equipped with the tools that will help them to go the distance.
Dr. D is the founder and executive director of Women Empowered, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women become the best leaders that they can be. Each year, she compels women to become strong leaders through a training program and retreat that will help them to identify their goals and the strategies necessary to accomplish them.
Dr. D’s client list includes such diverse organizations as Verizon Wireless, Boeing, Shop Rite, Jersey City Public Schools, City of Philadelphia, George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates, Notre Dame, National Institutes of Health and the Internal Revenue Service.
She earned a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership from Regent University, a Master of Arts in Education from LaSalle University and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Temple University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She is the author of five books: The Beauty of Breakthrough, Launching ME, Inc., The Launching Pad, IMPACT Leadership Challenge and Arresting the Time Thieves.
Her extensive travels have taken her throughout the United States and around the globe to countries such as Israel, Kenya, Spain, France, England, Italy, Greece, Canada and Mexico. Dr. D has the insight to guide and the passion to inspire individuals and organizations to set their goals higher than ever before while giving them the coaching that they need in order to reach them. She possesses a gift for seeing full potential in her clients and inspiring them to overcome obstacles so that they may achieve their goals.
Links:
Website: https://drdtribe.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdtribe/
Did you know that, according to the 2020 State of Latino Entrepreneur Report, the number of Latino owned businesses has grown 34% over the last 10 years compared to just 1% for all other small businesses?
In this episode, Monica shares her story of leaving corporate for entrepreneurship and celebrates winning ALPFA’s Latina Entrepreneur Award.
Nikki and Monica also discuss why diversity in entrepreneurship matters, the struggle of scaling your business, and share advice on how diverse founders can gain access to capital.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[00:39] ALPFA Latina Entrepreneur Award Winner Monica Marquez
[02:55] Switching from corporate to entrepreneurship
[05:22] Why diversity matters in entrepreneurship
[07:44] Scaling your company
[12:10] Advice to diverse founders on accessing capital
Quotes:
“The definition of urgency for an entrepreneur is 100 times fold than what it is when working in a big corporation.” – Monica Marquez
“The advantage that diverse entrepreneurs have is the insight into what pain point their community is dealing with. And can help solve because of their unique perspective.” – Monica Marquez
“There is so much insight and direct, firsthand lived experience that diverse founders can bring to the table that represents a massive and perpetually growing market opportunity.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Do you ever feel that you are not good enough at work? Well, you are not alone. All over the world, billions of people go to work every day feeling anxious, defensive, isolated, braced for attack, overwhelmed, uncertain that they’re worthy. The good news is that there are actions you can take to disrupt those patterns so that you can build the future you deserve.
Meet Susan Winchester, Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer for Applied Materials, whose passion is teaching and inspiring executives, leaders and professionals how to succeed by discovering greater self-acceptance, fulfillment and joy at work and in life. Susan shares her career journey and how learning to identify and address her limiting beliefs allowed her to step onto a conscious healing career path.
Susan has more than 30 years of experience in HR providing executive leadership most recently as Head of HR for Rockwell Automation and prior to that in multiple leadership roles for the Kellogg Company.
She continually looks to meet today’s global business challenges with creative HR strategies that engage people, support a dynamic, inclusive corporate culture, and enable company exceptional performance.
Susan is also the author of the book, Healing at Work: A Guide to Using Career Conflicts to Overcome Your Past and Build the Future You Deserve, with Martha I. Finney.
In this episode, Susan shares why it is important to identify our limiting beliefs, the 3-step process to managing conflicts at work, and why self-acceptance is the key to creating a more joyful world for ourselves.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Susan.
Highlights:
[02:49] Susan’s journey
[05:23] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[11::06] Three step process to managing a bumper car moment
[15:04] Understanding our triggers and disrupting patterns
[24:20] Teaching self-acceptance
[28:03] Recognizing dysfunction
[33:29] Susan’s message to our listeners
Quotes:
“There is an opportunity to become aware of your limiting beliefs and disrupt past patterns and discharge that emotional energy in moments when you are triggered.” – Susan Winchester
“You have a choice every day on whether your inner critic or inner coach will be in charge of your day.” - – Susan Winchester
About Susan Winchester:
Susan Schmitt Winchester is the Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer for Applied Materials, a Fortune 200 Silicon Valley company, and its more than 24,000 global employees. She has more than 30 years of experience in HR providing executive leadership most recently as Head of HR for Rockwell Automation and prior to that in multiple leadership roles for the Kellogg Company. She continually looks to meet today’s global business challenges with creative HR strategies that engage
people, support a dynamic, inclusive corporate culture, and enable company exceptional performance.
Her passion is teaching and inspiring executives, leaders and professionals how to succeed by discovering greater self-acceptance, fulfillment and joy at work and in life.
Susan is also the author of the book, Healing at Work: A Guide to Using Career Conflicts to Overcome Your Past and Build the Future You Deserve, with Martha I. Finney.
Additionally, Susan is a fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources—the highest professional honor for leaders in HR. She serves as a Board member for the HR Policy Association and on the Executive Committee of the Peer Roundtable for CHROs. She is Vice Chair, Leadership Advisory Board to the Dean of Engineering, College of Engineering at the University of Michigan. And Susan is a member of the Forbes HR Council.
Links:
Website: https://www.susanjschmitt.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanschmittwinchester/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingatwork/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HealingAtWork
Do you struggle with indecision and hesitate to take risks? Do you become paralyzed when trying to decide whether to apply or take on a new job? Being indecisive is exhausting. It’s just no fun. But, even worse, it robs you of opportunity! No need to worry. Making decisions might be difficult sometimes. But like any skill, you can get better at it with practice.
In this episode, Monica shares why it is important to practice decision-making, how to take risks and minimize uncertainty, and the 5 steps to making decisions with confidence.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[00:55] Why it is important to focus on being decisive
[01:56] The upsides and downsides of indecision
[06:10] How to take risks and minimize uncertainty
[08:29] The 5 steps to making decisions with confidence
Quotes:
“When you refuse to take any action, you're making a decision by default and choosing to do nothing.” – Monica Marquez
“Fear is described as false evidence appearing real.” – Monica Marquez
“Weighing the pros and cons of a decision is important. But do not spend too much time as it can lead to analysis paralysis.” – Monica Marquez
“When weighing a decision, ask yourself, will this matter in 10 years?” – Monica Marquez
“Life is inherently risky. There is only one big risk you should avoid at all costs, and that is the risk of doing nothing.” – Denis Waitley
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Building connections is a critical skill set for career success. Most successful people would agree that the popular catchphrase, "it's who you know, not what you know," rings true in daily life. The fact is, “who you know” might matter more, or at least, be just as important as what you know in getting professional opportunities.
Our guest, Rosa Gonzalez Welton, Director of Product Management, Digital Acquisition, Growth and Customer Success at ServiceNow, shares her career journey and why she believes creating and building connections is the key to learning, growing, and fostering relationships.
As Director of Product Management, Rosa is responsible for creating experiences across the end-to-end customer journey, from acquisition and growth, through to customer success. Rosa also created her own LeanIn Circle, for Latinas working in tech, a safe space for real talk, inspiration, and support.
In this episode, Rosa shares why the best way to learn is by seizing opportunities, the benefits of investing in yourself, her decision framework, and how she gained access to influential leaders, sponsors, and mentors.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Rosa.
Highlights:
[02:22] Rosa’s story
[04:30] Jumping at opportunities to learn
[06:13] Gaining clarity on your career path
[08:26] The ROI of investing in yourself
[10:24] The importance of community
[15:07] Pushing forward through barriers
[16:58] Rosa’s decision framework
[18:34] Gaining access to influential leaders, sponsors, and mentors
[20:43] Asking for help
[22:29] Rosa’s daily success habits
[24:39] Staying ahead of the curve
Quotes:
“Sometimes, in an organization, you're in a situation where you're just not going to win. Go where you're valued.” – Rosa Welton
“People generally want to help. There is a benefit they get simply by mentoring or coaching others.” – Rosa Welton
“The big picture in trying something new is that it’s going to somehow open the door for you to know if that's the direction you want to go or a direction you don't want to go in.” - Rosa Welton
“When others are complimenting you or your work, listen to them with an open mind, it will help you to find clarity on your strengths.” - Rosa Welton
“It’s important to know when to move on from a company or role. It is equally important to be intentional about where you are going next.” - Rosa Welton
About Rosa Welton:
As Director of Product Management, Digital Acquisition, Growth and Customer Success at ServiceNow, Rosa Gonzalez Welton is responsible for creating experiences across the end-to-end customer journey, from acquisition and growth, through to customer success. Prior to joining ServiceNow in 2019, Rosa spent 7 years with eBay where she held leadership positions in the consumer selling business; leading teams in product management, strategy, and product marketing. Her experiences building consumer marketplaces include roles at Walmart Labs and TrueCar, where she was an instrumental part of the team that launched the car shopping platform. Earlier in her career, she worked at Forrester Research, the Food Network, and Hearst Interactive. Rosa is originally from Los Angeles and holds an MBA from UCLA Anderson and a BA from Yale University. In her free time Rosa sparks connections between people around her dinner table in a drive to cure loneliness.
Links:
Website: https://www.rosawelton.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rwelton/
Latinas In Tech: https://leanin.org/circles/latinas-in-tech
One of the most significant challenges in the workplace, and in everyday life for that matter, that women and women of color have to cope and strategically manage are microaggressions.
Dealing with these energy-draining and disempowering comments can take a toll on you. It's like, “Death by 1000 papercuts”.
In this episode, Monica shares why it is important to address microaggressions when they happen, how to address a microaggression, and what to do if if you’ve committed a microaggression.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[02:01] Microaggression defined
[03:49] Examples of microaggressions
[07:43] How to address a microaggression
[16:21] What to do if you’ve committed a microaggression
Quotes:
“Be specific when you address a microaggression, don’t generalize. Let the other person know how their action or words made you feel.” – Monica Marquez
“Turn a microaggression committed against you into a teachable moment. Take the opportunity to help that person grow.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Does the idea of change make you uncomfortable? For most people, the answer is yes because let’s face it, change IS hard. But we also know that progress only happens when we step into the discomfort and embrace change.
Meet Kimberley Gardiner, SVP & Chief Marketing Officer at Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., who shares her career journey and how the desire for impact led her to become a change agent.
Kimberley shares how once she decided to share her ideas authentically, even when they went against the status quo – in a very male dominated industry - she was much happier, more satisfied, and more engaged. This decision to push to do things a little differently, a little better, led to the success that she has achieved.
Kimberley brings more than 20 years of automotive experience to her current role at VW. She most recently served as the Chief Marketing Officer for Mitsubishi Motors North America. She joined Mitsubishi from Kia Motors America where she directed marketing efforts for the brand. Previously, she served as CMO and Vice President of Operations for 5th Kind, a global digital asset management company. She is known for being an innovative thinker with a passion to help drive change in the automotive industry – a great fit for helping to push for mainstream adoption of electric vehicles led by Volkswagen.
In this episode, Kimberley shares why you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for advice, her daily success habits, how to build your own personal board of directors, and how to plan and achieve your long-term goals.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Kimberley.
Highlights:
[02:53] Kimberley’s career journey
[07:55] Embracing being a change agent
[10:27] Managing your personal brand
[13:24] Don’t be afraid to ask for advice
[16:17] Building your board of personal directors
[17:52] Kimberley’s daily success habits
[22:50] Overcoming failures and setbacks
[27:17] Executing and achieving your goals
[31:48] Learning to say no
[35:30] How to embrace change
[40:08] Kimberley’s advice to our listeners
Quotes:
“You build business relationships like friendships, tell a little about yourself, ask for 5-10 minutes, and be very specific in your ask.” – Kimberley Gardiner\
“When you encounter a failure, think about what you can learn from it rather than replaying the event over and over in your head. Put the record player away and move forward with the lesson.” – Kimberley Gardiner
“Positioning success in terms of how it ladders up in the long term will help you be more successful in the short term.” - Kimberley Gardiner
“By saying yes to everything you shortchange the things that are really important to you.”- Kimberley Gardiner
“The more you paint that picture early on, of what change can look like in the future, in a way that a person or team can relate to - saving you time, helping with turnover, achieving goals faster, and ultimately being more profitable, with a smaller footprint, the more people will be excited about the opportunity ahead.” - Kimberley Gardiner
About Kimberley Gardiner:
Kimberley Gardiner, SVP, Marketing & CMO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. Kimberley is responsible for leading brand marketing for VW, including building on
the momentum generated by the introduction of Volkswagen’s first all-electric SUV, the ID. 4.
Kimberley brings more than 20 years of automotive experience to her current role (joined VW in late 2020). She most recently served as the Chief Marketing Officer for Mitsubishi Motors North America.
She joined Mitsubishi from Kia Motors America where she directed marketing efforts for the brand.
Previously, she served as CMO and Vice President of Operations for 5th Kind, a global digital asset management company. She is known for being an innovative thinker with a passion to help drive change in the automotive industry – a great fit for helping to push for mainstream adoption of electric vehicles led by Volkswagen.
Kimberley holds a bachelor’s degree from Mills College and an MBA from Indiana University.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberley-sweet-gardiner/
Have you struggled with advancing your career and don’t know what steps to take? Do you feel stuck and don’t know who to turn to for help?
The key to success is not doing it alone and proactively seeking out the "right" mentors and sponsors. Research has shown that 75% of executives credit their mentors with helping them reach their current positions. That’s a large number and demonstrates the importance of mentors and sponsors on ones’ career.
In this episode, we'll discuss the important differences between mentors and sponsors and how to identify them and where to find them.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[01:59] Research on mentors and sponsors
[03:32] Identifying the right mentors and sponsors
[04:51] The difference between mentors and sponsors
[07:15] Mentors don’t have to look like you
[11:08] Be strategic in seeking out mentors
[13:49] Exercise to help you identify the best mentors & sponsors for you
[15:22] Where to find mentors
Quotes:
“Career success really is one of the things that you cannot do alone.” – Monica Marquez
“75% of executives credit their mentors in helping them reach their current positions.” – Monica Marquez
“Research has shown that if you want to get ahead and move up in your career, you need a sponsor.” – Monica Marquez
“Mentors are everywhere - they can be in your organization, outside of your organization, within the industry that you're in or looking to transition to.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
In the past year, we’ve seen some truly alarming statistics when it comes to the workforce. A study by Gallup & ADP Research revealed that only 14% to 20% of employees are fully engaged. Another by Microsoft stated that 41% of the workforce are considering quitting their job. There is no doubt that the future of work needs to be focused more on the employee.
Meet Shahana Banerjee, Founder of Just Human | Not Resources (JHNR), whose mission is humanizing work, culture & leadership. Shahana shares her story of starting JHNR because although many companies talk about people being their greatest asset, they rarely act like it. She believes in seeing
people as people, as complete human beings, not as ‘resources’ or ‘assets’. Prior to founding JHNR, Shahana spent more than two decades in human resources leadership roles in some of the worlds’ largest companies, growing multibillion dollar businesses, transforming cultures and coaching leaders.
In this episode, Shahana shares why she chose human resources as a career path, how to tell if you are actively managing your personal brand, and advice to CEOs who might be hesitant to embrace change and the new world of work.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Shahana.
Highlights:
[02:27] Shahana’s story
[07:20] Gaining clarity on your career path
[12:12] Managing your personal brand
[16:13] Humanizing work cultures and leadership
[23:04] Advice to CEOs on enacting change
[26:31] Advice to those nearing burnout
[29:03] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[36:00] The coping strategies of the best leaders
[39:55] What Shahana is most excited out for the future
[43:04] Shahana’s message to the world
Quotes:
“Look for a career doing what you love and follow a career path that gives you enough diversity of experience that can then hold you in good stead as you reach the top.” – Shahana Banerjee
“Clarity of purpose has the power to propel you and liberate you in so many ways.” – Shahana Banerjee
“It is important to identify the coping strategies that are actually working for you and the coping styles attitudes that are holding you back.” - Shahana Banerjee
“Life is too short to not be the best you can be. If you are in a relationship or in a work environment that is not helping you be the best you can be, it's time to think about doing something different.”- Shahana Banerjee
About Shahana Banerjee:
Shahana Banerjee is the Founder of Just Human | Not Resources (JHNR). She is an inclusive leadership expert, business leadership & career coach and an avid writer. Shahana’s purpose is to help people and organizations learn, grow, unlock hidden potential and achieve the ‘impossible’. She started JHNR because although many companies talk about people being their greatest asset, they rarely act like it.
She believes in seeing people as people, as complete human beings, not as a statistic, not as ‘assets’, ‘capital’ or ‘resources’ - hence the name, Just Human Not Resources with a mission of humanizing work, culture & leadership. Prior to founding JHNR, Shahana spent more than two decades in human resources leadership roles in some of the worlds’ largest companies, growing multibillion dollar businesses, transforming cultures and coaching leaders.
She shares practical, actionable, often unconventional advice, through her website. It is “the real deal”, she says, real stories, real experiences and insights, with all the warts, bumps, bruises and nuances that reflect reality on every topic related to people and work.
Links:
Website: https://justhumannotresources.com/
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahanabanerjee/
Twitter https://mobile.twitter.com/Shahana_BanerG
Medium https://shahanabanerjee.medium.com/
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!
Have you ever wondered how to address someone Hispanic or felt lost with the nuances of Latino/x culture? Do you say Hispanic, Latino, Latinx? When it comes to this Spanish speaking population, it is very tricky, and even counter-productive, to lump 62 million people and 20+ cultures into one collective group.
In this episode, Monica will share insights and best practices to raise awareness of the rich cultural nuances within the Hispanic and Latino diaspora. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn to build a more inclusive workplace.
Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday and Wednesday.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes and links.
Highlights:
[01:50] What is Hispanic Heritage Month
[05:01] The difference between Hispanic, Latino, or LatinX
[09:50] Pew Research on use of Hispanic, Latino, and LatinX
[13:47] Never judge a book by it’s cover
[17:38] Teachable moments
Quotes:
“This year’s theme for Hispanic Heritage Month is Esperanza, a celebration of Hispanic heritage and hope. And the theme invites us all to celebrate Hispanic heritage, but also reflect on the resiliency we have all shown over the course of the last 18 months, two years, over the decades, over the centuries.” – Monica Marquez
“When someone asks you, what are you or where are you from? Let's use that as a teachable moment to create the awareness to let people know that we aren't just one big umbrella, share the uniqueness of who you are, where your ancestry came from.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
What does career success look like? That can be a difficult question to answer if you haven’t stepped back to understand how to actually measure your success. Or understand what success looks like in the environment or organization to which you currently belong.
Our guest, Indhira Arrington, Managing Director and Global Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Ares Management, shares with us the three critical things she identified to be present in all the successful people she encountered. Indhira describes success as a 3-legged stool. The first leg is all about honing your talent. The second is refining your executive presence and the third comes as a result of the other two legs – gaining sponsorship from senior leaders.
In her role at Ares, Indhira partners with the firm's DEI Council to advance Ares' strategy to attract, develop, engage and advance diverse talent within an inclusive, welcoming environment, along with advancing equity in the broader alternative asset management industry. She also serves as an advisor to support DEI initiatives at portfolio companies across Ares' investment strategies.
In this episode, Indhira also shares her methodology for success, how to refine your executive presence, and why it’s important to cultivate your personal group of advocates and sponsors.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Indhira.
Highlights:
[02:52] Indhira’s journey
[10:56] Indhira’s methodology for success
[15:01] Staying ahead of the curve
[20:37] Managing your manager
[28:23] How to gain sponsorship
[30:35] The art of self-promotion
[35:22] Cultivating your group of advocates
[40:17] Always be in the service of others
Quotes:
“I truly believe in the saying, ‘Good is the enemy of great.’ I don't want things to just be good enough. It’s helpful in some scenarios but good enough can also hurt you and others.” – Indhira Arrington
“Success is like a 3-legged stool. The first leg is all about honing your talent. The second is refining your executive presence and the third comes as a result of the other two legs – gaining sponsorship from senior leaders.” - Indhira Arrington
“Sponsorship is what's going to make a differential impact in your ability to move up within organizations.” – Indhira Arrington
“It’s important to understand how your role impacts the broader strategy because once you know that you can start to expand that impact.” – Indhira Arrington
“When you approach everything with the mindset of ‘how can you be in service to others’, the universe ensures that everything comes back two-fold for you.” - Indhira Arrington
About Indhira Arrington:
Mrs. Arrington is a Managing Director and Global Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion ("DEI") Officer in the Ares Human Resources Department, and partners with the firm's DEI Council to advance Ares'
strategy to attract, develop, engage and advance diverse talent within an inclusive, welcoming environment, along with advance equity in the broader alternative asset management industry. Mrs. Arrington also serves as an advisor to support DEI initiatives at portfolio companies across Ares' investment strategies. Prior to joining Ares in 2021, Mrs. Arrington served as a Senior Vice President and Head of Targeted Sourcing at Wells Fargo & Company, where she provided leadership in the strategic planning and execution of diversity sourcing initiatives and programs for the firm. Previously, Mrs. Arrington held several senior roles at The Bank of America Corporation within the Global Diversity and Inclusion Organization. In addition, she was an Equity Derivatives Sales Trader at Morgan Stanley. Mrs. Arrington began her career as a Financial Analyst at CIT Group. She serves on the Board of Directors of Poly Prep, the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families and the Council of Urban Professionals (CUP). Mrs. Arrington holds a B.A., summa cum laude, from Rutgers University in Economics and an M.B.A. from the New York University Stern School of Business. Mrs. Arrington is a Consortium for Graduate Study in Management Fellow, a Toigo Fellow and an INROADS alum. She is a Cornell University Certified Diversity Professional/Advanced Practitioner (CCDP/AP) and a member of Omicron Delta Epsilon, Phi Beta Kappa, Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), PRIMER Network and the Council of Urban Professionals.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/indhiraarrington/
When it comes to your career progression, are you actively “leaning in” to create impact and making a difference or are you passively leaning back in your seat, letting opportunities slip passed you? You may be familiar with Sheryl Sandberg’s book, “Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead”, where she shares her perspective on what women need to do to move up in the business world, which is: to press ahead, to project confidence, to "sit at the table" and physically lean in to make herself heard.
Meet Anna Dapelo-Garcia, Founder & President of Lean In Latinas, who shares her story of wanting to pass on the lessons she learned to the younger generation of Latina women. After visiting the Lean In Organization’s website, she decided to click and create a “Circle”. And that is the beginning of Lean in Latinas and Anna’s journey of paying it forward.
Anna Dapelo-Garcia is an Inclusion, Diversity and Health Equity Leader at Stanford Health Care. She is also the Founder and President of Lean In Latinas. Anna has received numerous awards over the years and in 2015, she became the Founder of Lean In Latinas and was appointed as a Regional Program Leader by LeanIn.Org. Anna was featured in The New York Times for her role in creating Lean In Latinas, now a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Anna has also been featured in Forbes, National Public Radio (NPR) and the Wall Street Journal.
In this episode, Anna shares her story of bringing Lean in Latinas to life, why you should never turn down an opportunity, the importance of your personal brand, and the benefits of having diversity in mentorship.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Anna.
Highlights:
[02:54] Bringing Lean In Latinas to life
[10:13] Never turn down an opportunity
[13:22] Gaining clarity on your strengths
[19:14] The importance of your personal brand
[26:14] Seeking out feedback
[32:13] Benefits of having diversity in mentorship
[37:55] Anna’s advice to women on accelerating success
Quotes:
“Every day you have an opportunity to determine your brand and how you want to be remembered.” – Anna Dapelo-Garcia
“Be loud and proud of who you are and how you contribute to the world.” – Anna Dapelo-Garcia
“Constructive feedback is a great opportunity to hone in on your skills.” - Anna Dapelo-Garcia
“Mentors are critical at every stage of your career, whether you are an emerging professional or a CEO.” - Anna Dapelo-Garcia
“Confidence is a game changer. Once you get it, it’s like the sun came up.” - Anna Dapelo-Garcia
About Anna Dapelo-Garcia:
Anna Dapelo-Garcia is an Inclusion, Diversity and Health Equity Leader at Stanford Health Care. She is also the Founder and President of Lean In Latinas. Anna acquired a Master of Public Administration from the University of San Francisco and a Bachelor of Arts degree in management from Saint Mary’s College.
In 2013 she was named as a Silicon Valley Business Journal Woman of Influence and graduated from the Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) Leadership Institute program. In 2017, she was named as the Woman of the Year by the Women’s Health Care Executives. She also served as a State Commissioner with the California State Senate for Cost Control in State Government. She was vice chair and board member for the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley and is currently serving as vice chair and board member for the University of San Francisco. In 2015, she became the Founder of Lean In Latinas and was appointed as a Regional Program Leader by LeanIn.Org. Anna was featured in The New York Times for her role in creating Lean In Latinas, now a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. In 2018, she received a Top Latino Leaders Award by the National Diversity Council in Los Angeles. In 2019, Anna was appointed by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to the Women’s Equality 2020 Leadership Council and in 2021 she was appointed to the Santa Clara County Hate Crimes Task Force. In March 2019, she was chosen by the Silicon Valley Business Journal for a Latino Leadership award. Anna has also been featured in Forbes, National Public Radio (NPR) and the Wall Street Journal.
Links:
Website: https://leaninlatinas.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-dapelo-garcia-927baa5/
Do you shy away from experiences which require you to stand up and speak in front of a group? Do you break out in a cold sweat while making your way up to the stage to speak?
In this episode, Nikki shares her first experience with public speaking and the fear that caused her to freeze on stage. She also shares the 3 “P”s to overcoming the fear public speaking.
Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday & Wednesday.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes and links.
Highlights:
[01:04] Nikki’s first experience on stage
[06:34] How Nikki overcame her fear of public speaking
[08:56] Practice, practice, practice
[15:12] Get clear on your WHY
Quotes:
“You can’t get better at something if you don't invest time in it, and you can’t invest time in it, if you never schedule it.” – Nikki Barua
“The best way to overcome your fear of public speaking is to practice by seeking opportunities to speak whenever you have the chance.” – Nikki Barua
“To overcome your fear of public speaking you must practice the three “P”s - you need to prepare, you need to practice and you need to be patient.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Do you have executive presence? Did you know that it can be learned? According to Sylvia Ann Hewlett, 67% of your executive presence depends on gravitas, communication makes up 28% and appearance accounts for just 5%.
In this episode, we share the 3 aspects of executive presence as taught by expert, Sylvia Ann Hewlett, as well as tips and strategies for you to gain executive presence and gravitas.
Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday and Wednesday.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes and links.
Highlights:
[00:58] What is executive presence
[01:06] Sylvia Ann Hewlett: 3 aspects of executive presence
[07:24] How Nikki & Monica developed executive presence
[12:29] Exhibiting executive presence remotely
[14:22] Your choice of words matter
Quotes:
“90% of communication is how you deliver your message and 10% are the words you use to share your message.” – Monica Marquez
“Being deliberate and thoughtful when you are speaking will help you develop executive presence.” – Nikki Barua
“Your ability to signal preparedness to someone through your executive presence really comes down to creating a sense of certainty and inspiring confidence in the other person by how you show up.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
What’s your story? Have you ever been asked that question during an interview and not known where to even begin? Telling stories about your professional self can inspire others’ belief in your character and in your ability to successfully take on new opportunities or make career transitions. It also can help you believe in yourself. Having a career story gives meaning to your career history; it will assure you that, in moving on to something new, you are not discarding everything you’ve worked so hard to accomplish.
Unfortunately, research has shown that most of us fail to use the power of storytelling in pursuit of our professional goals, or we do it badly.
Our guest, Ripa Rashid, Managing Director and Head of Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) at Cowen, shares her career story and why it is important to weave together your professional narrative and be able to clearly articulate your journey with clarity.
Ripa is an internationally recognized subject matter expert and practitioner in the space of workplace diversity and inclusion, with a focus on gender, race and global talent engagement and development strategies. Prior to joining Cowen, Ms. Rashid was Managing Director at Culture@Work, Working Mother Media and Bonnier’s strategic advisory and custom research group. Previously, she was co-president at the Center for Talent Innovation (CTI) in New York City, a premier think tank and content provider that studies global workplace inclusion and diversity. She has also served as a management consultant with Booz & Company, PwC and Mitchell Madison Group, and has held senior diversity and inclusion positions at MetLife and Time Warner.
In this episode, Ripa shares how her career has been guided by a desire for continuous growth and learning, why it is important to have allies and sponsors in your corner, and advice on how to stay ahead of the curve in the digital age.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Ripa.
Highlights:
[03:07] Ripa’s story
[08:05] Articulating your journey with clarity
[13:29] The importance of alliances and sponsorships
[17:53] Leveraging your relationship & asking for help
[23:31] Setting & achieving your goals
[30:26] Staying ahead of the curve
[33:51] Ripa’s decision-making framework
[36:06] Advice to women in the workplace
[39:19] Best way to connect with Ripa
Quotes:
“Approach everything with a learning and growth mindset.” – Ripa Rashid
“Talent exists everywhere, opportunity does not. It's about creating access and opportunity.” – Ripa Rashid
“If you live a life with fear, that means that you're not discovering anything.” - Ripa Rashid
“There is no roadmap and no prescribed path for innovative work.” - Ripa Rashid
About Ripa Rashid:
Ripa Rashid is a Managing Director and Head of Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) at Cowen. Ms. Rashid is an internationally recognized subject matter expert and practitioner in the space of workplace diversity and inclusion, with a focus on gender, race and global talent engagement and development strategies. Prior to joining Cowen, Ms. Rashid was Managing Director at Culture@Work, Working Mother Media and Bonnier’s strategic advisory and custom research group. Previously, she was co-president at the Center for Talent Innovation (CTI) in New York City, a premier think tank and content provider that studies global workplace inclusion and diversity. She has also served as a management consultant with Booz & Company, PwC and Mitchell Madison Group, and has held senior diversity and inclusion positions at MetLife and Time Warner.
Ms. Rashid holds an AB cum laude in astronomy and astrophysics from Harvard University, an MA in anthropology from New York University and an MBA from INSEAD.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riparashid/
Research shows that it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill or craft. That’s why it’s so important that you’re clear on your passion so that you don’t expend that energy and time on something that you simply find boring. Honing your craft takes time, but first it takes awareness of what you love to do.
In this episode, we’ll share why it’s important to have clarity on your passion, the steps to identifying your passion, and how to integrate your passion with your work.
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to
https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[01:18] What do you love to do?
[03:05] Why it’s important to have clarity on your passion
[04:41] Marrying your passion with your work
[08:06] How Monica found her passion
[10:54] The steps to identify your passion
Quotes:
“If you want to be the best at something, you have to put in a long amount of time honing your craft.” – Nikki Barua
“If your day job does not correlate with your passion, then effectively you're spending all your free time and all your mental energy in developing a competency in something and not getting paid for.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Have you ever been called obsessed, rebellious, or even hot blooded?
Meet our guest, Sunny Bonnell, Co-Author of Rare Breed: A Guide to Success for the Defiant, Dangerous, and Different.
Witnessing an alarming lack of acceptance for unique people and “crazy” ideas that don’t fit the mold, Sunny co-authored Rare Breed as a manifesto for tearing up the rule book and succeeding on your own terms.
In addition to Rare Breed, Sunny Bonnell and co-author Ashleigh Hansberger are also creators of Rare Breed, the popular YouTube series, and founders of the game-changing leadership and brand consultancy, Motto.
Named Inc. 30 Under 30, GDUSA Top 25 People to Watch, Sunny and Ashleigh have been featured by Entrepreneur, Yahoo!, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, The Breakfast Club and hundreds more. They have earned their way to the front of a workplace revolution and have devoted their work to inspiring people to think with the Rare Breed Mindset and demand more of themselves, their careers, and their companies.
In this episode, Sunny shares the vices for mavericks, oddballs, and visionaries and how there are two sides to each vice. She also shares highlights from her book, advice on shattering the glass ceiling, and why she lives by the mantra, “learn to succeed because of who you are, not despite who you are”.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Sunny.
Highlights:
[02:40] Sunny’s story
[06:42] Building a branding agency
[09:53] Pivotal moments in Rare Breed’s history
[14:52] Highlights from the book Rare Breed
[19:30] The two sides to our vices
[24:06] What companies should be asking when looking for rare breeds
[27:17] Which company has most embraced the rare breeds
[30:23] Sunny’s advice to shattering glass ceilings
[37:35] Sunny’s message to the world
Quotes:
“The leadership & mindset of a company affect culture and brand.” – Sunny Bonnell
“Learn to succeed because of who you are, not despite who you are.” – Sunny Bonnell
“Show up and make your presence known. Don't sit back with brilliant ideas and hold your tongue because you think you're going to get experience a negative consequence.” - Sunny Bonnell
About Sunny Bonnell:
Sunny Bonnell and Ashleigh Hansberger inspire a new kind of leadership thinking which they share in their bold talks and unconventional book Rare Breed: A Guide to Success for the Defiant, Dangerous, and Different.
For over fifteen years at their leadership and brand consultancy, Motto, the dynamic duo have been teaching leaders how to dismantle business-as-usual using Rare Breed thinking to deviate from the norm and challenge the status quo. In their book, Sunny and Ashleigh help leaders and those who strive to be leaders, develop a Rare Breed Mindset®, a thought framework based on seven unconventional traits they’ve identified as the source of radical differentiation and power in business and life. It is this philosophy that has garnered the attention of clients like Google, Microsoft, the NFL, and Hershey’s.
Witnessing an alarming lack of acceptance for unique people and “crazy” ideas that don’t fit the mold, Sunny and Ashleigh responded with their book, Rare Breed, which has become the go-to business manifesto for tearing up the rule book and succeeding on your own terms. In turn, the Rare Breed Mindset® builds stronger, more inspiring, and more innovative companies and teams.
Not only do they speak, write, talk, and teach, Sunny and Ashleigh also consult virtually around the globe on how leaders can think, act, and innovate more like a Rare Breed amid the COVID disruption and cultural shifts.
When not leading their team of Rare Breeds at Motto, they give inspiring keynotes where they share their audacious story of dropping out of college with $250 in their early twenties to found their award-winning consultancy, as well as provocative advice on how to turn doubt into determination, failure into fuel, and angst into ambition. They’ve been named Inc. 30 Under 30, GDUSA Top 25 People to Watch, and interviewed by Entrepreneur, Forbes, Yahoo!, Wall Street Journal, The Breakfast Club and hundreds more. They’ve also spoken at Dale Carnegie’s Exceed Culture, Fossil, Small Giants, Inc. GROWCO, The Dallas Society of Visual Communicators, Radio and Audio Summit to name a few.
Links:
Website: https://rarebreedleaders.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rarebreedleaders
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunnybonnell/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/rarebreedleaders/
https://www.instagram.com/sunnybonnell/
“Doubt kills more dreams that failure ever will” ~ Suzy Kassem
When an opportunity presents itself, do you feel a spark of excitement at first and then begin to realize the challenges that may come with it? Suddenly self-doubt creeps in and stops you from taking action.
Our guest, Michelle Frymire, Chief Executive Officer of CWT, shares how taking on challenges and leaning into those tough assignments early in her career set the stage for her to advance. She has been guided by the motto: “it's not that we fall down, it's that we get back up”.
Michelle Frymire is a senior executive with 30 years of experience in driving growth and transformation at both public and private companies worldwide. Michelle’s career reflects a demonstrated track record as a catalyst to successful execution of transformation, large scale growth - both organic and through M&A, the transition from private to public company through an IPO, and as a leader of successful transformation initiatives. Most notably, her experience in finance and strategy, and serving as a key strategic partner to boards and executive teams, combined with strong leadership and team building skills, has prepared organizations to make a global impact.
In this episode, Michelle shares her story of rising to the top, how the best way to check all the boxes for a role is to accept the opportunity and learn in the role, and how success in scaling is directly correlated to an amazing team and great culture.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Michelle.
Highlights:
[02:50] Michelle’s story of rising to the top
[04:35] Overcoming your fears
[06:45] Gaining clarity on your career path
[11:34] Trusting your instincts
[14:01] Getting unstuck and taking action
[17:46] Michelle’s superpower
[19:52] Seize every opportunity
[24:03] Navigating risk & uncertainty at scale
[28:51] Staying true to your values
[33:54] Creating your own personal board of directors
[38:10] Cultivating new relationships
[41:24] Biggest trends for the future
[45:06] Staying ahead of the curve
[47:43] Michelle’s message to women everywhere
Quotes:
“Lean into those tough assignments that nobody else wants to do. There's always a chance that you fail, but that chance is real everywhere in life. Or you may succeed and have it lead to something really exciting.” – Michelle Frymire
“Don't be afraid to seize an opportunity.” – Michelle Frymire
“You're never 100% ready for that next role. The best way to really be ready is by doing it.” - Michelle Frymire
“The single most important thing a CEO does is build and cultivate a great team and culture.”- Michelle Frymire
“Peer relationships will make or break your career. They are the most important factor in how you're going to elevate yourself by their having confidence and trust in you.” - Michelle Frymire
About Michelle Frymire:
Michelle Frymire is a senior executive with 30 years of experience in driving growth and transformation at both public and private companies worldwide. Michelle’s career reflects a demonstrated track record as a catalyst to successful execution of transformation, large scale growth - both organic and through M&A, the transition from private to public company through an IPO, and as a leader of successful transformation initiatives. Most notably, her experience in finance and strategy, and serving as a key strategic partner to boards and executive teams, combined with strong leadership and team building skills, has prepared organizations to make a global impact.
Michelle currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer for CWT, the world’s second largest corporate travel management company serving over 5,500 clients across 140+ countries around the world, including many of the Fortune 500 and the U.S. military and government. Michelle has played a key role in the company’s successful evolution to the world’s leading digital travel management company, and under her leadership the company is successfully navigating the impact of the global pandemic, both operationally and financially.
Prior to CWT, she was the CFO and head of strategy for Service King Collision Repair and then U.S. Risk Insurance Group in Dallas, Texas. While working at Service King she was recognized as Dallas’ Large Private Company CFO of the Year by D Magazine. Prior to Service King, Michelle spent five years at The ServiceMaster Companies, first as the CFO for TruGreen, the world’s largest consumer lawn care company, and then played an integral role in ServiceMaster’s successful IPO in 2014 as the head of FP&A and global strategy.
Michelle spent almost 20 years in the travel industry working for some of the worlds’ largest and most well-known travel companies, including American Airlines, Continental Airlines and then Delta Air Lines, ultimately assuming the role of VP of Finance for Delta Airlines in 2001. She then joined Starwood
Hotels & Resorts in 2005 as the Chief Financial Officer for Starwood Vacation Ownership during a period rapid growth for the organization.
Michelle currently serves on the board of directors for Spirit Realty Capital (NYSE: SRC) where she is a member of the audit committee. Michelle has also served on the advisory board for several not for profit organizations, currently serving as the Treasurer of the board of directors for Family Gateway, a not for profit organization focused on serving the needs of homeless children and their families in Dallas, Texas. She also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for Greenhill School in Addison, Texas.
A Texas native, Michelle received her bachelor’s degree from Austin College in Sherman, Texas in Economics and her MBA from the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas in Austin. She resides in Dallas, Texas with her husband of 30 years and their four children and their four dogs.
Links:
Website: https://www.mycwt.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellefrymire/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mmfrymire
We’re living in the age of influence where our personal brands precede us. How often do you audit your personal brand to find out what people say about you when you aren’t in the room?
What do others perceive of you when they see your digital footprint?
Whether you want a personal brand or not, you have one. In this episode, we will share why it’s important to build your personal brand and the 3 step to building your brand so you don’t miss the opportunity to make your reputation work for you.
Highlights:
[01:16] Why it’s important to build your personal brand
[01:50] Your digital presence
[05:37] 1 st step to building your brand – audit yourself
[08:37] 2 nd step – do an external audit
[09:28] 3 rd step – identify patterns
Quotes:
“We leave a trail everywhere we go based on how we show up.” – Nikki Barua
“If you're not aware of your personal brand and are not actively building it, you're unknowingly creating a major barrier to your success.” – Nikki Barua
“We're living in the age of influence where our reputation precedes us.” – Nikki Barua
“Look at what your digital and physical footprint and what it says about you.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
We’ve all heard the saying, “when life hands you lemons, make lemonade”. But we also know that it’s easier said, than done.
Meet Jennifer Prosek, founder and Managing Partner of Prosek Partners, who shares her story of graduating from college into a recession, unable to secure a job, moving back home and how she took those lemons and decided to make lemonade. Jennifer started her entrepreneurial journey before she was 25 years of age. She dreamed of conquering the world and promised herself that if she got closer to her goal each year, she would continue on that path. Jennifer did just that.
Today, Prosek Partners is a leading international public relations and financial communications consultancy with offices in New York, London, Boston, Los Angeles, and Connecticut. The firm ranks among the top financial communications consultancies in the U.S. and UK. Prosek Partners was named among Forbes’ America’s Best PR Agencies in 2021 and is ranked among the Top 25 firms in New York Observer’s PR Power List. Jennifer was also listed personally among Insider’s list of top financial communicators in the United States.
In this episode, Jennifer shares her story of turning bad luck into good, how to get comfortable asking for help, tips on building your personal brand, how to effectively execute, and advice on accelerating
success in a world that is constantly changing.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Jennifer.
Highlights:
[02:42] Jennifer’s story
[05:41] Overcoming your fears
[08:57] The art of asking
[13:04] Taming the voice inside your head
[17:30] The key to building your personal brand
[21:07] Jennifer’s daily success habits
[27:50] How to recover quickly from mistakes
[33:36] Tips on effective execution
[38:21] Advice to women on accelerating success
Quotes:
“Figure out what makes you feel confident. Because once you get that confidence and tame the voice inside your head, asking becomes easy.” – Jennifer Prosek
“Your emotional energy is so important to conserve. Don’t waste it on something you can't control. Put all your precious energy into solving something and good things will happen.” – Jennifer Prosek
“It's really important to know what you stand for and align it to where you work or what you do.” - Jennifer Prosek
About Jennifer Prosek:
Jennifer Prosek is the founder and Managing Partner of Prosek Partners, a leading international public relations and financial communications consultancy with offices in New York, London, Boston, Los Angeles, and Connecticut. The firm ranks among the top financial communications consultancies in the U.S. and UK. Prosek Partners was named among Forbes’ America’s Best PR Agencies in 2021, has been listed as an Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Company for nine years running, and is ranked among the Top 25 firms in New York Observer’s PR Power List. Jennifer was also listed personally among Insider’s list of top financial communicators in the United States.
Jennifer is a published author and frequent speaker. "Army of Entrepreneurs," her first book, received praise from Columbia Business School, Wharton and INSEAD. Her second book "Raising Can-Do Kids," co-authored with Richard Rende, Ph.D., was published by Penguin Random House in 2015. She is on the board of directors of the Arthur Page Society, BritishAmerican Business, Nasdaq-listed Better World Acquisition Corporation, and sits on the advisory board of Signal AI and iConnections. She is also a venture investor in a number of communications technology platforms, including Qwoted and The Marque.
Jennifer received her MBA from Columbia University and a B.A. in English Literature from Miami University.
Links:
Website: https://www.prosek.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-prosek-14a73550/
We’ve all heard the proverb “If you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together.” Success is rarely achieved alone. Athletes don’t become Olympians without mentors and coaches to guide them.
Are you are someone who has no mentors, has no idea where to find one, or are afraid to ask for mentorship?
In this episode, we discuss why mentorship matters, what holds people back from seeking mentorship, and the 3 keys to finding the right mentor for you.
Highlights:
[01:00] Why mentorship matters
[06:18] What holds people back from getting mentors
[08:33] Three keys to finding a mentor
[10:03] Mentorship at all stages of life
[13:05] Mentorship through content
[16:19] Homework for the week
Quotes:
“Mentors shorten the learning curve by imparting their wisdom and their experience.” – Nikki Barua
“One of the greatest values of mentors is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see and to help them navigate a course to their destination.” – John C. Maxwell
“Be very specific about your areas of growth and mentoring needs.” – Nikki Barua
"A mentoring relationship is a privilege, treat it with the respect it deserves.” – Nikki Barua
“Don’t think of mentorship in terms of a specific individual that is ahead of you. Think of mentoring in the context of a mentoring circle.” – Nikki Barua
“When you are focused on yourself and doing great work, people will come to you and be excited to help you.”- Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Doing what you love is rewarding. Being able to make a living from it is a bonus. But receiving recognition for your work is priceless and brings infinite motivation to do even more.
Our guest, Shalini Vadhera, Founder and CEO of Ready Set Jet, was pursuing her passion for beauty when she received a heartfelt note from a client thanking her for making his wife smile again. At that moment, Shalini knew that’s what she wanted to spend the rest of her life doing. In 2018, Shalini launched Ready Set Jet, with the mission to positively impact women around the world through a globally inspired and socially responsible brand.
Shalini Vadhera is the recipient of the 2019 Hind Rattan/Jewel Of India Award from the Prime Minister’s Office, which is the highest honor bestowed on a Non Resident Indian. She is also the winner of the 2017 Mahatma Gandhi Leadership Award from the House of Lords, British Parliament. Her global influence with women and young girls stems from her entrepreneurial passion to build companies and create products for women to empower women.
In this episode, Shalini shares how she found her passion and purpose on her entrepreneurial journey, and how success comes faster when you focus on your strengths.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Shalini.
Highlights:
[02:37] Shalini’s story
[04:35] Finding your passion and purpose
[07:12] Pivotal career moment
[13:08] Overcoming uncertainty
[19:11] Launching Ready Set Jet
[27:30] Advice to female founders
[31:09] Gaining access to decision makers
[33:50] Shalini’s daily habits
[35:41] Focus on what you do best, let others do the rest
[37:02] Shalini’s message to women around the world
Quotes:
“It is so important to be open to receiving feedback, it’s what's going to help you grow.” – Shalini Vadhera
“Be sure to be diligent in your research of different investors, because once you raise funding, it is like you're getting married to these individuals.” – Shalini Vadhera
“Learn how to manage your self-talk. You can make or break yourself just on your thoughts.” - Shalini Vadhera
“Focus on what you do best, and bring in the best of class to do the rest.” - Shalini Vadhera
About Shalini Vadhera:
Shalini Vadhera is the recipient of the 2019 Hind Rattan/Jewel Of India Award from the Prime Minister’s Office (the highest honor bestowed on a Non Resident Indian) and the 2017 Mahatma Gandhi Leadership Award Winner - House of Lords, British Parliament. Her global influence with women and young girls stems from her entrepreneurial passion to build companies and create products for women to empower women.
Her rise from jewelry and fashion entrepreneur, celebrity make-up artist, bestselling author of Passport To Beauty, favorite guest of Dr. Oz and Today, to the founder of a multi-million dollar global cosmetics company is nothing short of remarkable. Vadhera has transformed this platform while using her business acumen to create global beauty, lifestyle and business solutions to empower women globally.
Vadhera is the Founder of Ready Set Jet, a next gen impact beauty and lifestyle edu tech brand. The brand focuses on bringing skills and training with unique product technology tied to a strong social impact initiative to empower women globally and help break the cycle of poverty for disenfranchised girls in India.
Vadhera is the Founder of Passport To Beauty, a luxury beauty and wellness brand that curates and creates the world’s best discoveries from around the globe.
Vadhera launched Power Beauty Living in 2014, a social platform for women that shares the knowledge of top female thought leaders and experts from around the world.
In 2016, Vadhera took Power Beauty Living global at the United Nations.
In 2019 Vadhera turned Power Beauty Living into a 501c3 Foundation to empower women with skills development and livelihood enablement globally.
Vadhera is best known for her innovative formulations and packaging design and works with a number of companies in product creation, sourcing and development i.e. Baywatch Beauty brand, TCM beauty brand, products for Fab Fit Fun and numerous private label projects for celebrities and influencers.
Vadhera was named the #1 Person To Watch by The Economic Times of India, Recipient of The 2019 Woman Of Excellence Award- Women Economic Forum, Nominated for the 2019 Ernst and Young
Entrepreneur Of The Year Award, Recipient of the Game Changer Of The Decade Award in Beauty, and the Winner of the Oprah Beauty O~ward.
Links:
Website: https://readysetjetofficial.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalinivadhera/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shalinisworld
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shalinivadhera
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shalinisworld
Let's say you've got a great idea that you really believe in, but you've got no clue where to start. What would you do? Would you figure out a way or feel stuck and do nothing?
Meet Merrilee Kick, CEO/Founder of BuzzBallz/Southern Champion. Merrilee was a school teacher who had this lightbulb idea while she was grading papers by her pool. But rather than just sit on that idea, Merrilee set off on researching how to bring that idea to life. Nine months later, Merrilee launched BuzzBallz/Southern Champion, becoming the only woman-owned Distillery/Winery/Brewery combination in the United States.
Merrilee is a winner of the Dallas Business Journal’s 2019 Most Admired CEO Award, the 2018 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award Southwest, EY's Winning Women Award 2016, Winner of the Enterprising Women's Award 2017 and 2020’s Top 20 Award, Winner of the WPO’s 50 Fastest companies, Ranked in the Top 50 DFW Businesses by D CEO Magazine in 2020, Winner of the Top Women in Grocery in 2020, Winner of the 2020 Nielsen Brand Growth Award for Product of the Year Award-Spiked Beverage (BuzzTallz), and Winner of the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award from Texas Woman’s University.
In this episode, Merrilee shares her entrepreneurial journey and the lessons she's learned in building her business. She also shares advice on the best ways to get unstuck, how to unlock your motivation and
bring your ideas to life.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Merrilee.
Highlights:
[02:42] From teacher to entrepreneur
[05:12] Idea to product launch
[06:58] Information will help you get unstuck
[08:08] Finding your customer
[09:27] Navigating the barriers in retail distribution
[11:36] Developing the BuzzBallz brand
[13:25] Biggest surprise along the journey
[17:13] Family business
[19:12] Trusting your instinct
[22:59] Non-negotiables when it comes to hiring
[24:35] Decision-making framework
[26:36] Bootstrapping vs. VC funding
[27:49] Lessons learned in building a business
[29:51] Merrilee’s big dream
[31:09] Merrilee’s daily habits
[32:59] If you build it, they will come
Quotes:
“If you’re stuck or need motivation, you likely aren't researching enough. You need to go out there and dig for information. Ask people for advice.” – Merrilee Kick
“Get your pitch down so that when you talk to somebody, within one minute, they know who you are and what you do.” – Merrilee Kick
About Merrilee Kick:
Merrilee Kick is the CEO/Founder of BuzzBallz/Southern Champion, the only woman-owned Distillery/Winery/Brewery combination in the United States. The company is in Carrollton, Texas, and makes ready-to-drink cocktails called BuzzBallz, as well as spirits like rum, vodka, gin, bourbon, and some private label brands. The products are sold in 49 states and 21 countries. The company is family
owned/operated and home to over 150 employees in the Dallas area. The company supports education-based causes.
She is a winner of the Dallas Business Journal’s 2019 Most Admired CEO Award, the 2018 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award Southwest, EY's Winning Women Award 2016, Winner of the Enterprising Women's Award 2017 and 2020’s Top 20 Award, Winner of the WPO’s 50 Fastest companies, Ranked in the Top 50 DFW Businesses by D CEO Magazine in 2020, Winner of the Top Women in Grocery in 2020, Winner of the 2020 Nielsen Brand Growth Award for Product of the Year Award-Spiked Beverage (BuzzTallz), and Winner of the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award from Texas Woman’s University.
Merrilee has a BS/BA from the University of Montana, an MBA from Texas Woman’s University, and she is currently attending Harvard Business School. She is a former high school teacher in Plano, Texas. Merrilee’s two sons, husband of 33 years, and daughter-in-law all work for the family business.
Links:
Websites
https://www.buzzballz.com/
https://southern-champion.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merrilee-kick-65328aa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merrilee.kick
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kickmerrilee
Did you know that 20% of women never negotiate? More astounding is the research shows that women who opt out of negotiating their salary will lose approximately $7,000 in her first year.
And over the course of a 45 year career, will lose between $650,000 and 1 million dollars. In this episode, we break the myths on negotiating, share why it’s important to always negotiate, and share tips and strategies on negotiating so that you can get what you deserve.
Highlights:
[01:10] Always negotiate
[02:23] Statistics on negotiating
[04:15] Impact of not negotiating
[05:35] Nikki shares negotiation tips
[06:07] Myths about negotiation
[14:42] Share your questions
Quotes:
“Don’t think of negotiating in terms of salary. Think of it in terms of anything that you value and that could be PTO, education, eligibility for promotion.” – Nikki Barua
“Myth # 1 about negotiation is that it is about conflict, it isn’t. You need to reframe negotiation to be about discovery and alignment.” – Nikki Barua
“Negotiation is about establishing a long term win-win outcome.” – Nikki Barua
“Negotiation is not about money, it is about value exchange.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
We’ve all heard the saying “you only live once” or YOLO in our world of text abbreviated acronyms.
Most give it the meaning of “make the most out of the days you have”. Some, take it to mean, “do the things you find enjoyable or exciting”. But a few, like our guest, take it to the next level by using it as a catalyst for inspiration and the motivation to take on any challenge that comes their way.
Meet Robyn Streisand, CEO & Founder of The Mixx & Titanium Worldwide, who left her corporate job to pursue her mission of creating something for the greater good. Not wanting any regrets or any would have, could have, should haves, Robyn launched her entrepreneurial career and has never looked back.
Today, Robyn is now one of the most successful leaders in her industry as she celebrates 25 years of guiding The Mixx agency. As a community builder, Robyn was determined to open doors for others, so she launched Titanium Worldwide, the world’s first collective of certified-diverse agencies in the marketing, media, and communications space.
In this episode, Robyn shares her inspiration for entrepreneurship, why we shouldn’t deny ourselves the once in a lifetime chance of bringing our gifts to the market, and how building the right company culture isn’t something you can buy.
Robyn is a recognized figure in the LGBT community, featured in Out Magazine as most influential OUT 100 people in the United States. Her commitment to working with diverse-owned businesses has always been a point of passion, where she continues to focus on leveraging the business potential of independent, diverse companies.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Robyn.
Highlights:
[03:02] Robyn’s inspiration for entrepreneurship
[05:35] Advice on taking the first step towards entrepreneurship
[10:07] Landing the bigger clients
[14:23] Robyn’s proudest moments
[23:10] What fuels Robyn
[27:18] Establishing self-care as a non-negotiable
[35:52] About Titanium
[48:17] Inspiration and influencer for LGBTQ community
[53:34] Robyn’s message to the world
Quotes:
“You have just one life and you don’t want to have those would have, could have, should have regrets.” – Robyn Streisand
“Having a company that believes in itself and the people believe in each other, transcends outward as an energy, as a mindset, as a way of working. It's not the kind of thing that you can just buy anywhere.” – Robyn Streisand
“Diversity isn’t about checking the box. The real energy comes from within, when a company starts from the right place and takes the right steps around getting educated and trained. That can transcend inside a company and then be shared outside.” – Robyn Streisand
About Robyn Streisand:
A 30-year marketing veteran, Robyn Streisand is the perfect blend of business savvy and creative prowess. In March of 2018 her agency The Mixx celebrated its 25th anniversary of delivering visionary creative that ignites emotion and generates action across the Fortune 500. She works with industry leaders who appreciate the key insight she brings to the table, along with the top-level strategy, creative, and execution her team provides. Her clients have her number on speed-dial and appreciate
that they can count on her for solutions that get to the heart of their business goals. Clients include Mercedes-Benz USA, Disney, and Deloitte, amongst many others.
Robyn is a recognized figure in the LGBT community, recently featured in Out Magazine’s 2016’s most influential OUT 100 people in the United States and is a co-founder of the NGLCC NY in Manhattan. Her commitment to working with diverse-owned businesses has always been a point of passion, where she continues to focus on leveraging the business potential of independent, diverse companies.
This same entrepreneurial instinct and passion for diversity led her to launch a second venture, Titanium Worldwide. The world’s first collective of certified-diverse agencies in the marketing, media, and communications space launched in 2014, and offers integrated solutions for today’s business needs. Her knack for connecting the right people, and her strong belief in finding ways to work better together paid off when the collective landed contracts with Fortune 500 companies within its first year. Robyn and her wife Linda have raised two beautiful girls together and reside in New York City.
Links:
Websites:
https://themixxnyc.com/
https://www.titaniumww.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynstreisand/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/robynstreisand
https://twitter.com/themixxnyc
Instagram: https://instagram.com/robynstreisand
Do you share your successes with others? Are others aware of the impact you have created?
Career progression is directly influenced by how you are perceived by those who can make or influence decisions. To get ahead and advance in your career, you must take ownership of your successes.
In this episode, we share how you can demonstrate your impact, put yourself in a better position to be hired, promoted and compensated well, and stop being the best kept secret!
Highlights:
[00:41] Hiring statistics
[01:52] Why achievements of women executives are less visible
[04:08] The struggle with promoting yourself
[08:44] Make your greatest hits list
Quotes:
“There are things known, and there are things that are unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.” – Monica Marquez
“When you finish a project, you must share your results with a little self-promotion to gain the necessary visibility to advance.” – Monica Marquez
“Every accomplishment builds upon the previous one and amplifies your value to the world.” – Monica Marquez
“Your reputation allows other people to know how you can help them.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Pivotal moments are critical turning points that bring new perspectives and opportunities that alter the trajectory of our lives. As Tony Robbins famously said, “It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.” The decisions we make define our path of success, failure, and even happiness.
Meet Jennifer Lagaly, Senior Vice President at Salesforce, who shares her story of navigating the pivotal moments in her life and career, which ultimately led her to success as a corporate executive and a mother of five. Jennifer shares advice on finding clarity on your career path, how motherhood prepares women for management, and why it is important for women to stay in the game and have their voices heard.
Jennifer serves on the board of FinancialForce and has held a variety of sales roles in her 18 years at Salesforce guiding the success of her team and clients. She recently gave a TEDx talk inspiring both women and men with strategies to balance successful careers and a fulfilling parenting experience.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Jennifer.
Highlights:
[02:29] Jennifer’s childhood career aspirations
[04:15] Advice on finding clarity in early career stage
[07:07] Path to Senior Executive in sales
[11:17] Pivotal career moments & decisions
[15:13] The catalyst behind Jennifer’s ambition
[18:53] How motherhood prepares you for management
[25:28] Demystifying sales
[31:08] The best predictor of successful salespeople
[34:32] What’s in the future for Jennifer
[39:23] Advice to women in the workplace
[40:49] Paying it forward
Quotes:
“Employees perform best when they feel their leaders care and support them.” – Jennifer Lagaly
“The best predictor of one’s future success is what they’ve done in the past.” – Jennifer Lagaly
“Life is the journey, it is not the station. Striving and solving problems is life.” – Jennifer Lagaly
About Jennifer Lagaly:
Jennifer Lagaly is a Senior Vice President, GM of Industrial Products at Salesforce. In her 18 years at the company, she's served in a variety of sales roles across the organization. Prior to Salesforce, she has experience in technology sales across several companies including Forte/Sun and Motiva/Siebel, and providing Siebel and Remedy call-center solutions to Siemens ICN. She is on the board of FinancialForce and has recently given a TEDx UCDavis talk inspiring both women and men to stay in the game while they balance successful careers and a fulfilling parenting experience. Lagaly lives in the Bay Area with her husband and five children and holds a degree in Chemical Engineering at University of California, Davis.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferlagaly/
We've been conditioned to associate productivity and time efficiency with success. You often hear the saying “time is money”. But what if it isn’t about time at all?
In this episode, we’ll discuss the obsession with time and why you should be managing your energy instead of your time. Nikki also breaks the myth around multitasking and shares 10 tips to help you break through the tyranny of time.
Highlights:
[01:01] Why we obsess about time
[01:53] Manage your energy instead of your time
[03:20] We all have 24 hours in a day
[04:49] Focus on what you want to create
[05:53] 10 tips to break through the tyranny of time
[10:52] Multi-tasking does not equal productivity
Quotes:
“Being busy and filling every minute of your day does not equate to creating impact.” – Nikki Barua
“Time doesn't matter. It matters only when we're trying to do something that isn't joyful.” – Nikki Barua
“One of the biggest myths is that multitasking increases productivity. Its saps your energy and your focus and actually slows you down.” – Nikki Barua
“Once you choose your top priorities for the day, be sure you know the reasons why those matter.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Albert Einstein once said, “Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts.” He went on to say, “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” Now, we all know the tremendous impact Einstein made by pursuing big dreams. So, it stands to reason that boundless curiosity fuels discovery which ultimately leads to big dreams.
Meet Ana Corrales, Chief Operating Officer for Google’s Consumer Hardware business, who shares her career journey and how curiosity helped her to gain clarity and led her to the perfect role. As COO, Ana leads the development process for Made by Google hardware and Nest products --phones, laptops, Google Home, Chromecast, Nest Thermostat --and manages getting those products into the hands of customers. She also drives the end-to-end IT efforts and customer experience work across the Google Hardware business. Ana previously led Google Hardware’s first-party retail efforts, including driving the growth of e-commerce channel, Google Store.
Ana has been recognized by Forbes as one of the 50 Most Powerful Latinas in Business, and as one of the most powerful Latinas by the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA). HITEC (Hispanic Information Technology Executive Council) has recognized her as a top technology executive. She is known in the industry as a seasoned leader who can successfully grow startup businesses into multi-billion dollar companies.
In this episode, Ana shares how mentors helped her unleash her curiosity and to dream bigger and pursue audacious goals. She also shares insights on making opportunities happen, overcoming fear and limiting beliefs, the importance of creating your own narrative, and challenges listeners to ask themselves, “Are dreams are really big enough?”.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Ana.
Highlights:
[03:33] Ana’s journey
[05:54] Gaining clarity through a love of learning
[09:54] Making opportunities happen
[12:41] Overcoming fear and limiting beliefs
[17:57] Creating your own narrative
[24:08] Ana’s success habits
[30:03] Asking for help from your community
[32:32] Dreaming big
Quotes:
“Continuous learning is important and you will go further faster if you are deliberate in your learning.” – Ana Corrales
“Don’t let your calendar manage your time .” - Ana Corrales
“Success is not a linear journey.” - Ana Corrales
“If every day goes perfectly well for you, you are likely not challenging yourself.” – Ana Corrales
“Be genuine and intentional in sharing your story lest others tell it for you.” – Ana Corrales
About Ana Corrales:
Ana Corrales is the Chief Operating Officer for Google’s Consumer Hardware business. As COO, Ana leads the development process for Made by Google hardware and Nest products --phones, laptops, Google Home, Chromecast, Nest Thermostat --and manages getting those products into the hands of customers. Ana also drives the end-to-end IT efforts and customer experience work across the Google Hardware business. Ana previously led Google Hardware’s first-party retail efforts, including driving the growth of e-commerce channel, Google Store.
Previously, Ana served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Nest. She also served as Senior Vice President of Product Operations at Cisco Systems. In 2006, Ana co-founded a startup solar company. As the acting CEO, Ana sold the company in 2010.
Ana serves as a member of the Women@Google board and is an executive sponsor for HOLA, Google’s Latino Employee Resource Group. Ana serves on the board of directors for Watermark, the Bay Area’s largest women leadership organization, as an advisor to Roli, a company reinventing instruments that extend the joy of music-making to everyone.
Ana has been recognized by Forbes as one of the 50 Most Powerful Latinas in Business, and as one of the most powerful Latinas by the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA). HITEC (Hispanic Information Technology Executive Council) has recognized her as a top technology executive. She is known in the industry as a seasoned leader who can successfully grow startup businesses into multi-billion dollar companies.
Ana is a native of Costa Rica and earned a Masters of Engineering from Stanford University. She lives in the Bay Area with her husband and two children.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anacorrales/
James Clear stated that habits are the compound interest of self-improvement. How much time do you devote to analyzing your habits? Do you study the habits of successful people?
Almost 50% of our daily activities are driven by habits – good or bad. We are the product of our habits.
In this episode, we discuss the common habits of high achievers. Highly achievers don't rise to the top by behaving like everyone else. We share how you can develop new habits that make success effortless.
Highlights:
[01:21] Common habits of high achievers
[02:17] 5 most common habits of high achievers
[05:48] Summary of 5 common habits
[07:50] Nikki’s morning routine
[10:33] How to develop new habits
[12:45] How to replace bad habits with good habits
Quotes:
“High achievers have morning routines that ground them, fuel them and empower them.” – Nikki Barua
“High achievers have a habit of focusing on the most important thing and eliminating distractions.” – Nikki Barua
“Be relentless in focusing on self-development.” – Nikki Barua
“It’s not just about forming good habits, it’s replacing bad habits with good habits.” – Nikki Barua
“If you want a certain outcome, you must invest time and allocate time towards it.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Do you think of your career as a sprint or a marathon? Our guest, Gizelle George-Joseph, shares why it is actually both and why regardless of what phase of the race you are in, to raise your game, you need to consistently be focused on building your skillset and competencies.
In this episode, Gizelle George-Joseph, managing director and global chief operating officer of the Global Investment Research Division at Goldman Sachs, also shares her career journey, the importance of building your community of truth-tellers, and why hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.
Gizelle is global chief operating officer of the Global Investment Research (GIR) Division. In this role, she works closely with divisional leadership on the management of GIR, as well as the development and execution of key strategic initiatives.
Highlights:
[02:25] Gizelle’s journey
[06:01] Gizelle’s daily success habits
[08:53] Overcoming setbacks
[12:45] Building lasting work relationships
[14:59] Gaining access to influential leaders
[16:48] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[18:46] Raising your hand for new opportunities
[23:15] Seeking out feedback
[26:58] Balancing professional and personal priorities
[29:50] How to continue to accelerate your success
Quotes:
“What are the skills that you need to raise your game on a day to day, week to week basis. Get all of those into your toolbox because that's what ultimately moves your career.” – Gizelle George-Joseph
“It is important to have a good network of people around you, who can support you, because in moments when you feel like your cup is empty, they will be there to lean on.” – Gizelle George-Joseph
“Think of building relationships in terms of what are you bringing to the table that will benefit the other person and the community.” – Gizelle George-Joseph
“Always be prepared to talk about the things that you are working on and how it is moving the organization forward.” – Gizelle George-Joseph
“Surround yourself with people who are going to tell you the truth about your weaknesses and strengths. And not tell you what to do, but instead feed into your decision making process.” – Gizelle George-Joseph
“You can't be every woman every day.” – Gizelle George-Joseph
“The only way to continue to be relevant is to be constantly changing and evolving and not going back to the comfort zone.” - Gizelle George-Joseph
About Gizelle George-Joseph:
Gizelle is global chief operating officer of the Global Investment Research (GIR) Division. In this role, she works closely with divisional leadership on the management of GIR, as well as the development and execution of key strategic initiatives. Prior to assuming her current role, Gizelle was chief administrative officer for Global Macro Research and GIR infrastructure. Previously, she was the global talent advisor for the Human Capital Management (HCM) Division. Earlier in her career, Gizelle led Learning and
Engagement for GIR and was a talent advisor on the GIR HCM team. She joined Goldman Sachs on the Americas Equity Research Management team in 2005 and was named managing director in 2017.
Gizelle is a founder of the Salisbury Development Organization, a nonprofit focused on hurricane relief and economic development efforts on the island of Dominica. She also serves on the Human Resources and Talent Committee for the DreamYard Project.
Gizelle earned a BS in Business Management from South Carolina State University and an MS in Clinical Psychology from Georgia Southern University.
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Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gizelle-george-joseph-9a127319/
What does leadership look like? Is there a blueprint for leadership that you should be following? Our guest believes that leadership is NOT one size fits all. So, stop trying to fit into a mold that doesn’t suit you.
Meet Annie Jean-Baptiste, author, founder of the Equity Army, and the Head of Product Inclusion at Google, who shares her journey to discovering what true leadership looks like and how finding her authentic leadership style led to building trust with key stakeholders and the communities that she supports.
In this episode, Annie also shares how she helps teams make sure Google products are made for everyone. She spends her days making sure everyone matters. But the most important message she shares is how YOUR voice, your unique experiences and what makes you different from others, is the secret to success.
Annie leads Product Inclusion strategy across Google, including consultation, communications, scale and research and created the movement 3 years ago as a way to ensure underrepresented users felt seen throughout the product design process.
Highlights:
[01:01] Annie’s story
[04:02] Imposter syndrome
[04:30] Lean into what makes you authentic
[06:53] Gaining clarity on your strengths
[10:02] Strategies to highlight value proposition
[12:40] Framework for inclusive product design
[17:42] Setting and achieving your professional goals
[18:39] Writing Building For Everyone
[22:50] Key to developing your personal brand
[27:15] Annie’s success habit
[30:13] How can women accelerate in the digital age
Quotes:
“The more that you try to fit into a mold that wasn't made for you, the more energy you have to expend.” – Annie Jean-Baptiste
“If you can find something that you're passionate about, something that gives you purpose, and you can get paid for it, that is the trifecta.” – Annie Jean-Baptiste
“Periodically assess if the things you're doing are moving you towards your goals.” – Annie Jean-Baptiste
“Find mentors, advisors, sponsors and coaches that are going to push you into uncomfortable situations so you can grow.” – Annie Jean-Baptiste
About Annie Jean-Baptiste
Annie Jean-Baptiste is an author, founder of the Equity Army, and the Head of Product Inclusion at Google. She leads Product Inclusion strategy across the company, including consultation, communications, scale and research and created the movement 3 years ago as a way to ensure underrepresented users felt seen throughout the product design process.
Annie is passionate about making the web and Google’s products work for underserved communities while ensuring that Google is a place where everyone shines for their differences. She’s responsible for working with Google product teams and senior leaders on the creation and execution of their inclusive design strategy. She formerly created programs related to Diversity talent management and career development within several technical product areas within Google.
She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania (go Quakers!) with degrees in International Relations & Political Science. She is an avid Boston sports fan & loves to bring her dog Hercules to work. She currently is based in Google’s San Francisco office.
Outside of Google, Annie is a former American Heart Association spokesperson and a One Young World ambassador, focused on healthy lifestyles in underserved communities. She is also a former Hack the Hood mentor. She currently serves on the board of KQED.
She's the intrapreneur in residence at the University Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education and a member of the IEEE's Ethically Aligned Design committee. She’s been inducted into the Haitian Roundtable’s 1804 society as “One to Watch” and inducted as one of the 30 Black Stars for Face to Face Africa in 2019.
She’s also been covered in Vogue, Essence Magazine, Business Insider, Teen Vogue, MSNBC, CNBC, ABC, Cheddar, Business Insider, the Huffington Post, the Root, the Council of Fashion Designers of America Annual Report, The Miami Times, Boston Globe and Fortune Magazine.
Her book, Building for Everyone, is available now. Follow her on social media: @its_me_ajb.
Links:
Website: https://www.anniejeanbaptiste.com/
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Building-Everyone-Practices-Googles-Inclusion/dp/1119646227
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-jean-baptiste-43511930/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/its_me_ajb/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Its_Me_AJB
Warren Buffet said that by far the best investment you can make is in yourself.
Where do you invest your time, energy, and money?
In this episode, we discuss why it is important to establish the habit of consistently upgrading your skills, competencies and knowledge. And why investing in yourself has guaranteed returns.
Nikki also shares insights and strategies on how you can become a lifelong learner and aspire to success.
Highlights:
[01:30] The best investment you can make
[05:00] Make it a habit
[07:00] When to upgrade yourself
[10:59] You are worthy of the investment
[12:45] Take control of your career development
[15:00] Best way to aspire to success
Quotes:
“The best investment you can ever make in your life, whether it's time, money or energy, is in bettering ourselves. It has guaranteed results.” – Nikki Barua
“Ask yourself what is the next level of learned competency for professional development that you need and how you do you get it.” – Nikki Barua
“Be intentional in seeking out learning for professional development.” – Nikki Barua
“You are worthy of the time, care, and attention to focus on yourself.” – Nikki Barua
“There is a misconception that your company is responsible for your career development.” – Monica Marquez
“The ultimate job security isn’t being good at your job today, it’s being highly capable and qualified to do your job tomorrow.” – Nikki Barua
“The easiest way to be successful is to find the people who you want to be like and look at what they do, not what they have.” Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Are you ready for a career change but have no idea what else you could do or where to start?
Or perhaps you're between jobs or just starting out in your career, but you find the whole job search and interview experience to be overwhelming and stressful.
Meet Ginny Clarke, CEO of Ginny Clarke, LLC and author of Career Mapping: Charting your Course in the New World of Work, who shares with us her journey as a black female, professional and single mom, navigating through work life and managing her own career to becoming an expert executive recruiter.
In this episode, Ginny shares tips on gaining clarity on your strengths and how to communicate with recruiters to level up in your career. Ginny also shares advice on raising your hand for stretch opportunities, asking for help, and why the ability to communicate effectively is so important.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Ginny.
Highlights:
[01:03] About Ginny Clarke
[05:34] How someone discovers their unique strengths in order to communicate to people
[07:40] How do you use those transferable skills to switch industries or switch roles?
[12:19] Struggling with fear and limiting beliefs
[16:04] Patterns that prevent women from showing up with confidence and owning their success
[20:56] Expiring skill sets and stretch opportunities
[24:58] Balancing personal and professional goals and setting boundaries
[30:02] Importance of community
[34:32] Future of work in digital age
[38:00] Advice on digital interviews
Quotes:
“Often what we love to do, is what we’re good at, and that can mean we have to push away what other people expect of us.” – Ginny Clarke
“I’ve watched so many people get locked into one thing and what they don’t understand is they are a free agent and can own this process.” -Ginny Clarke
“Part of growing up is learning to deal with the ambiguity of uncertainty. You can’t be rigid and risk averse because that will limit you.” -Ginny Clarke
“Some of the mistakes women make in interviews and more broadly in their careers, they don’t come in willing to assert, ‘This is what I’m good at and this is how I do it.’” -Ginny Clarke
“Competencies trump experience, you have to be your own advocate. In the digital world, go learn it in your own time to keep moving.” -Ginny Clarke
“Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re weak, if you’re sharing your vision, sometimes you don’t even have to ask for help.” -Ginny Clarke
About Ginny Clarke:
Ginny Clarke is CEO of Ginny Clarke, LLC. She provides unparalleled skills and insights to some of the world’s leading executive search firms and technology companies. As a seasoned executive
recruiter, she brings a unique, holistic approach to leadership assessment, hiring, diversity recruiting, and talent management that is essential more now than ever. Ginny is a systems thinker who can deconstruct processes and behaviors to carefully assess organizational and individual capability. From there, she provides integrated solutions to affect change.
Specialties include Leadership Assessment and Training, Talent Acquisition Process Design, Diversity Recruiting Strategy and Execution, Career Management and Internal Mobility. Before pursuing her own business, Ginny held senior leadership positions at Google and Spencer Stuart. At Google, she acted as Director, Executive Recruiting. In this role, she led the Diversity, Internal Mobility, and Non-Tech Recruiting teams. Her team of North American recruiters found and hired senior leaders (Directors +) for finance, sales, marketing, and other G&A functions across Google. She leveraged her expertise to build a scaled internal mobilityprogram for Google’s senior leaders and designed much of the infrastructure that supports their executive recruiting function today. At Spencer Stuart, Ginny was a Partner who worked in the firm’s Financial Services and Financial Officer Practices and co-founded and led Spencer Stuart’s Global Diversity Practice.
Ginny drew upon her breadth and depth of experience to write her book “Career Mapping: Charting Your Course in the New World of Work” (2011). The book provides a framework that empowers individuals to plot and assess their professional competencies and strategically navigate their careers. Ginny’s podcast “Fifth Dimensional Leadership” is designed for leaders, thinkers, and future-makers dedicated to creating the conscious workplace of tomorrow.
Ginny earned her BA in French and Linguistics from the University of California at Davis and her MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School. She is the single mother of an adult son, Julian, who works in the entertainment industry.
Links:
Website: https://www.ginnyclarke.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginnyclarke/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GinnyClarke
Change is happening so fast in today’s world that it is becoming increasingly difficult to anticipate and prepare for the future. And while we can’t always predict what the future will bring, what we can do is disrupt ourselves before we get disrupted.
In this episode, Nikki shares why it is no longer just about the survival of the fittest, it is also about survival of the fastest. Nikki and Monica also share strategies and insights to anticipate challenges, learn new skills, respond quickly to change and get ahead of disruption.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[00:16] Growth of artificial intelligence
[00:26] How do you prepare for rapid change
[03:20] Favorite hack #1 to anticipate change
[07:18] Correlation of disruption and innovation
[08:50] Favorite hack #2 to anticipate change
[09:38] Just-in-time learning
[10:59] Homework for the week
Quotes:
“We’re living in a time of so much change and such rapid change, that it’s not enough to just be fit. You also have to be fast.”–Nikki Barua
“It's no longer survival of the fittest. It's survival of the fastest.” - Nikki Barua
The faster you let goof previous beliefs and open yourself up with curiosity and humility, and be willing to learn, that’s what’s going to help you adapt faster.” – Nikki Barua
“You miss out on opportunities when you’re worried about what could go wrong.” – Nikki Barua
“Technology is creating the solutions for the things that people feel technology is disrupting.” –Monica Marquez“
You have to know where the demand is and align your skills and your competencies to where that demand is. Then you can be the one that is benefiting from these opportunities as opposed to being displaced.” – Nikki Barua
“There are opportunities for everyone to combine the power of technology with the beauty of the human mind.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
How do you learn the secrets to success? Who do you look to for guidance on becoming a better leader?
Those are the intangible questions our guest, Selena Rezvani, wanted to answer, not just for herself, but for others. So, she did the smart thing, she asked.
In this episode, Selena shares insights on the lessons she learned from interviewing and asking insightful questions to over 50 top female C-Suite leaders. She shares strategies on overcoming failures and setbacks, tapping into your motivation to help you move forward, and how to stand out as your authentic self.
Selena Rezvani is a recognized leadership consultant, speaker and author, with a mission to help women carve out paths to leadership on their own terms. Selena is the author of two leadership books for professional women – Pushback: How Smart Women Ask—and Stand Up—for What They Want, a bestseller, and The Next Generation of Women Leaders. Selena also has several popular courses on LinkedIn learning and has done a TEDx talk titled “Interrupting gender bias through meeting culture.”
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Selena.
Highlights:
[02:41] Selena’s story
[06:32] Standing out as your authentic self
[08:40] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[11:54] Viewing failure as a redirection
[15:41] Learnings from interviews with c-suite women leaders
[19:47] How to tap into your motivation
[23:29] Leveraging your community and asking for help
[28:01] Tips on executing towards your goals
[31:15] How to accelerate your success
Quotes:
“Stop trying to avoid failure and start viewing your failures as redirections.” - Selena Rezvani
“When given a choice, choose to play, you’ll learn more than sitting on the sideline observing.” – Selena Rezvani
About Selena Rezvani:
Selena Rezvani is a recognized leadership consultant, speaker and author. Her mission is to help women carve out paths to leadership on their own terms. Selena also uses workplace culture assessments to help clients be more inclusive and welcoming. She promotes her message through presentations to corporate audiences, universities and associations, and at many conferences, including TEDx, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PIMCO, AstraZeneca, Duke, Harvard, Cisco, Pfizer, Princeton, J&J, Comcast, Apple, Society of Women Engineers, and many others.
Selena’s the author of two leadership books targeted at professional women – Pushback: How Smart Women Ask—and Stand Up—for What They Want (Jossey-Bass, 2012), a bestseller, and The Next Generation of Women Leaders (Praeger, 2009). Selena’s experience and success in the women and leadership arena make her a frequent resource for news media and an in-demand business speaker. She has been quoted, interviewed and profiled by the LA Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Oprah.com, ABC, and NBC. She was a regular commentator on NPR’s syndicated The 51% Perspective and wrote an award-winning column on women and leadership for The Washington Post. In 2019, Selena’s TEDx talk on gender bias was recognized with the Croly Journalism award. Today, Selena writes on women and work for Philadelphia Magazine.
Selena’s earlier experience includes serving as a Lead within Deloitte’s Greenhouse Experience team, where she taught teams how to foster better diversity and collective intelligence. Selena also led the assessments practice at Washington, DC-based Management Concepts, where she administered and coached clients on personality, leadership, and aptitude measures. Selena has led numerous workplace culture research campaigns and studies on women in the C- suite, millennials, stretch assignments, program managers, and negotiating habits, which were covered by international media.
Prior to her 3 years at Management Concepts, Selena worked as a senior member of the consulting team at the Great Place to Work® Institute, the firm best known for ranking Fortune’s 100 Best Places to Work® in America list. While at the Institute, Selena consulted widely on issues of organizational change and workforce development, working with Fortune 1,000 and non-profit organizations internationally and across many industries including Monster.com, Novartis Corporation, DaimlerChrysler, Inova Health System, and Brooks Brothers. Client services included focus group facilitation, employee opinion surveys, 360º assessments, leadership workshops, and customized survey assessments.
Over the last year, Selena launched five popular courses on leadership with LinkedIn Learning – which have been viewed by over 180,000 learners. She has B.S. and Master of Social Work degrees from New York University, and has an MBA from Johns Hopkins University. Selena lives in Philadelphia with her husband Geoff and 8-year old boy/girl twins.
Links:
Website: https://www.selenarezvani.com/
Buy Selena's book: https://www.amazon.com/Pushback-Smart-Women-Ask-Up/dp/1118104900/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenarezvani/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selenarezvani/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/selenarezvani
At a time when many people are feeling the most intense isolation because of the pandemic, there is one thing that we're all looking for - connection and a sense of belonging.
We all have an intrinsic need for a sense of belonging and connection and as the majority of our time is spent at work, it is key that we identity ways to foster an environment where we can bring our authentic selves to work and be the best version of ourselves.
In this episode, we're going to discuss community at work, why it's important, how it affects performance, and how you can make communities at work even more powerful.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTH & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[01:06] Why community at work is important
[02:08] Diversity, inclusion, and belonging
[04:30] How the sense of belonging affects performance
[06:03] Employee Resource Groups
[08:58] How ERG leaders can empower the community
[10:48] Leveraging your Employee Resource Group
Quotes:
“When you are able to be your authentic self at work, it allows you to focus on your work and be more productive.” – Monica Marquez
“The best thing an ERG community leader can do is stay plugged in to the community.” – Monica Marquez
“Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance.” – Verna Myers
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Have you ever felt guilty about chasing your dreams? Or fearful of being judged by others for your ambition? Well, you are not alone.
Research shows that women are more predisposed to feelings of shame and guilt than men. From a young age, women are conditioned through social norms to believe that putting yourself first and following your dreams is selfish. And these feelings increase when it comes to going after the life of your dreams.
Our guest, Shellye Archambeau, will teach you how to shed the fear and guilt, and be unapologetically ambitious.
Shellye is one of high tech's first female African-American CEOs and has a track record of accomplishments building brands, high-performance teams, and organizations. Shellye currently serves on the boards of Verizon, Nordstrom, Roper Technologies, Okta, and two national nonprofits, Catalyst and Braven. She is also a strategic advisor to Forbes Ignite and the President of Arizona State University.
She is the author of Unapologetically Ambitious: Take Risks, Break Barriers and Create Success on Your Own Terms.
In this episode, Shellye reveals the mindset, tools and strategies that helped to achieve her dreams.
Shellye shares stories from her own journey – the highs and the lows on her way to the top. She also shares her struggle with imposter syndrome and what helps her deal with it – and how you can do the same. Shellye will empower you with the tools to fight your own battles, make the tradeoffs and create the life you want.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Shellye.
Highlights:
[02:28] Inspiration behind Unapologetically Ambitious
[03:29] Sharing lessons through storytelling
[05:32] Advice to those who don’t have a plan
[08:40] Figuring out your North Star and how you’ll get there
[10:31] How imposter syndrome has impacted Shellye
[17:31] Evaluating risks and opportunities
[20:38] How to let others know you are looking to advance
[26:05] Biggest opportunity to prepare for
[28:12] Integrating the different parts of our lives
[34:36] Finding your cheerleader
Quotes:
“Realize that we are responsible for our careers, we own our careers, not the company, not your mentor, not your spouse, or your partner.”– Shellye Archambeau
“Your whole life should be about learning. The more you learn, the more you grow, the more you're able to contribute.” – Shellye Archambeau
“To pursue your vision, you need to define what you are trying to achieve, what has to be true for it to happen, and what do you need to do in order for it to be true.” – Shellye Archambeau
“When chaos is around you, stay focused on what is really important, and let go of the rest so that you can stay on your feet.” – Shellye Archambeau
About Shellye Archambeau:
Shellye Archambeau is an experienced CEO and Board Director with a track record of accomplishments building brands, high performance teams, and organizations. Ms. Archambeau currently serves on the boards of Verizon, Nordstrom, Roper Technologies, and Okta. She is also a strategic advisor to Forbes Ignite and the President of Arizona State University, and serves on the board of two national nonprofits, Catalyst and Braven.
Ms. Archambeau has over 30 years of experience in technology. She is the former CEO of MetricStream, a Silicon Valley-based, governance, risk, and compliance software company. During her tenure MetricStream grew from a fledgling startup into a global market leader.
She is the author of Unapologetically Ambitious: Take Risks, Break Barriers and Create Success on Your Own Terms. A book that will inspire you and provide the tools to enable you to fight the battles, make the tradeoffs and create the life you want. She is also a Forbes contributor and the protagonist of the Harvard Business School Case Study: Becoming a CEO.
Ms. Archambeau enjoys the performing arts, traveling, cooking and writing a blog that provides career advice, insights and other musings (https://shellye.com).
Links:
Website: https://www.shellye.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shellye-archambeau/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShelArchambeau
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelarchambeau/
Have you ever felt overwhelmed, but struggled with the feeling that no one can do the tasks better than you can? Or felt it's going take too long to explain it to someone and will be faster if you just do it yourself?
In this episode, we discuss why it’s important to learn to delegate effectively so that you can get past your fear of letting go and focus on the right things. Nikki also shares the steps to effective delegation so can achieve bigger and better results.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS:
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to
https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[01:03] What is delegation & why people hesitate to do it
[02:17] Why it is important to practice delegation
[03:19] Determining what to delegate
[06:40] Who to consider for tasks when delegating
[09:45] Be clear on the outcomes
[14:02] Set expectations on checkpoints
[17:43] Delegation is not just for the workplace
Quotes:
“It becomes easier to practice delegation when you understand why it is important.” – Monica Marquez
“Ensure that the right people are in the right roles and are focusing on the right thing.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Have you ever proceeded down a career path even though you didn’t feel it was right for you? Perhaps it was due to family expectations to go into a certain profession or the pressure to stick with it because you’ve already invested so much time. Expectations of who we’re supposed to be or what we’re supposed to do can often lead us down the wrong path. Regardless of the reasons, one thing is certain – your success gets accelerated when you are aligned to your purpose and passion.
Meet Elizebeth Varghese, Global Leader for Talent & HR Transformation Strategy at IBM. Elizebeth shares her story of gaining perspective from her failures while heading down the wrong career path, and how those failures helped her find her true purpose, define the ways in which she wanted to contribute to the world, and set her on the path to being the author of her own story.
Elizebeth is a Business Leader and Board Director who partners with C-level leaders to enable powerful business outcomes. Elizebeth furthers People & Technology strategies with solutions in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, Blockchain and robotics - for organizations that operate around the world, and in Space. She is recognized as a global Top 100 Influencer, for her continuing work as a futurist and thought leader. Elizebeth brings creativity, and a thoughtful, collaborative approach to inspire, uncover the best thinking and exceed business results.
In this episode, Elizebeth shares insights into taking risks to advance your career, thriving in the future of work, and the most valuable skill for success in the digital age.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Elizebeth.
Highlights:
[03:05] Elizebeth’s story
[05:45] Gaining perspective from failure
[10:59] Having gratitude for what you have
[13:46] Overcoming fears
[19:16] Advice on taking risks to advance your career
[23:19] How to thrive in the future of work
[27:17] The most valuable skill to develop
[29:57] Advice on overcoming barriers
[33:47] Owning your voice and your viewpoints
[36:57] Balancing work and home life
[42:06] Final words of advice from Elizebeth
Quotes:
“It is important to be the author of your own potential and your own capability.” – Elizebeth Varghese
“We would be much better as a global community if we could link arms and ensure that more people have access to what they need.” – Elizebeth Varghese
“It's very important to keep close to your purpose because there'll be many days when you doubt yourself, and other people will doubt you. But if you know who you are and what you're here for and what you want to leave with, it makes a big difference.” – Elizebeth Varghese
“The ability to unlearn and accept new input and accept new requirements is going to be the most important life skill.” – Elizebeth Varghese
About Elizebeth Varghese:
Elizebeth is a Business Leader and Board Director who partners with C-level leaders to enable powerful business outcomes. Elizebeth furthers People & Technology strategies with solutions in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, Blockchain and robotics - for organizations that operate around the world, and in Space. She is recognized as a global Top 100 Influencer, for her continuing work as a futurist and thought leader. Elizebeth brings creativity, and a thoughtful, collaborative approach to inspire, uncover the best thinking and exceed business results.
Elizebeth has business and operational experience and achieved significant growth in all her P&L roles. She has a track record of exceeding growth targets by developing new services, margin management, attracting and growing leading talent, transforming the internal and external brand and inspiring the team to achieve exceptional results and exceed growth targets consistently. She has also worked with CEOs and leaders from various industries and organizational life cycle to successfully inspire transformation and strong business results by sharing clear vision, identifying and motivating talent and developing sound operational foundations.
As a Partner at IBM, she leads Talent and HR Reinvention Strategy client services. She also leads markets and big deals for Cloud transformations across six, high priority, businesses - HR consulting, HR outsourcing, AI & Emerging Tech, Workday, SuccessFactors, and Oracle HCM services. Elizebeth is a member of IBM’s Team on Good Technology. She is also the integrated services community leader for IBM’s Space Exploration Services.
Elizebeth is on the Council of Advisors for the SETI Institute, which works with NASA and other space agencies to explore, understand and explain the origin and nature of life in the universe and the evolution of intelligence. She is a Finance Committee member, and active Board member at South Asian Youth Action, a non-profit providing after-school programming, education and college support.
Currently located in New York, she has lived and worked around the world, and brings extensive experience in executing business strategy through human capital initiatives. She has over twenty years of consulting experience in HR optimization, talent management, and organization effectiveness. She also coaches Boards and business leaders to enhance effectiveness and manage their teams.
Before that, Elizebeth was at Ernst & Young (EY) where she was a business leader and Partner in various roles including leader of the Americas (North America, South America and Israel) practice for HR Performance Improvement and Americas market leader for Talent Management.
Elizebeth was also a Senior Vice President at Aon-Hewitt and led the Talent Solutions practice (Assessment, Test Development & Technology Platforms, Leadership Development, Executive Coaching, HR Transformation, Call Center Performance, Engagement). She has also been a Principal at Hewitt Associates and led the North American Corporate Transformation consulting team.
Elizebeth has MBAs from both, the Columbia Business School, New York and the London Business School, UK. She also has a Masters in Personnel Management from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, and a Bachelors in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Mumbai, India.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizebethvarghese/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElizebethVarghe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizebeth.varghese/
Did you know that many of the skills of today will be obsolete in 18 months? In the next 3 to 4 years, 50% of employees worldwide are going to need to be reskilled. Companies are doing their best to keep up, but it’s not enough, which is why it is more important than ever for individuals to develop the muscle of consistent learning.
In this episode, we share why it’s important to develop the superpower of learning, the different styles of learning, and Nikki also shares her learning strategies that help her keep up with the speed of change and disruption.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to
https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[00:37] Why learning is a superpower
[03:12] What the research shows on how we learn
[04:18] The styles of learning
[06:59] Nikki’s strategy for continuous learning
Quotes:
“With how fast we are evolving, the ability to continuously learn new things is a must-have superpower.” – Nikki Barua
“How much time every week are you investing in learning.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
What does it really take to stand out as a high performer who gets bigger opportunities? That’s the question we’ll be addressing in this episode.
Being great at your job is important, but to accelerate your career success, your value-add must go beyond your job description. Your ability to solve hard problems and create value in new ways IS what makes you more valuable.
In this episode, Elisa Steele, CEO and Board Director, shares her perspective on creating value through relationships and problem-solving. She challenges everyone to be proactive in seeking hard assignments where there is a need for change, and to do what it takes to solve problems instead of simply accepting the status quo. Elisa attributes her own successes to always going above and beyond in creating value for others.
Elisa has held numerous C-suite roles including CEO of Namely, CEO of Jive, CMO of Consumer Apps & Services at Microsoft, CMO at Skype, EVP & CMO at Yahoo! Elisa also has deep board experience serving on multiple committees for both public and private companies. Currently, Elisa is a Board Director at Bumble, Chairman of the Board at Cornerstone On Demand, and member of the Board of Splunk and Namely. She is a member of the NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors) and participates in the Equilar Board Leadership Program.
Elisa has been recognized for her leadership throughout the years, building strong teams, networks and ecosystems. She was recognized by the Stevie American Business Awards for ‘Executive of the Year’ and ‘Woman of the Year’ as well as named a “Woman of Influence” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Elisa.
Highlights:
[03:02] Elisa’s formation story
[05:22] Learning about business by solving customer problems
[07:51] Developing mastery of enterprise sales
[12:49] Seize opportunities to close gaps
[16:38] Supporting the needs of women’s careers
[19:47] Elisa’s experience with balancing family & work
[22:22] How motherhood shaped Elisa in her role as CEO
[25:39] Advice for women seeking Board positions
[28:54] Importance of visibility in getting Board roles
[32:42] Advice for startup female founders
[35:40] First consideration in scaling a business
[37:33] Ask questions and become a better listener
[40:44] Elisa’s daily success habit
Quotes:
“When you build relationships and help people solve problems, you create value.”– Elisa Steele
“Take the hard assignments at the beginning of your career because you learn exponentially more than you learn in taking the easy assignments.” – Elisa Steele
“It's not just about the rules of today, it's about how you break through those to create the rules of tomorrow.” – Elisa Steele
About Elisa Steele:
A business leader in tech sector for 30 years, Elisa is an experienced executive in Silicon Valley. Elisa has broad experience across consumer and enterprise businesses – and thrives at the intersection of both.
She’s led transformations to scale, grow and drive impact across many organizations, both large and small.
Elisa was mostly recently CEO of Namely, a leader in HCM SaaS, funded by Sequoia Capital, Matrix Ventures and Golden Gate Ventures. During her time as CEO, Elisa raised $60M in venture funding, delivered product modernization, improved customer NPS and set the foundation for scalable growth.
Prior to Namely, Elisa was Jive Software’s President & CEO (NASDAQ: JIVE), responsible for strategy and global operations. Elisa reset corporate strategy, transitioned to a cloud-leading business, created focus
on large scale enterprise solutions and delivered turnaround business and financial results for shareholders, customers and employees. Under her leadership, the company was ultimately acquired for $462M. Elisa joined Jive as EVP of Marketing (CMO) & Products (CPO), and was promoted to CEO after 9 months of joining the company.
Prior to Jive, Elisa was CVP & CMO of Consumer Apps & Services at Microsoft, including responsibility for the brands bing, Internet Explorer, Lync, MSN, outlook.com, Cortana and Skype, among others. Prior to
Microsoft, she was CMO at Skype, EVP & CMO at Yahoo! And SVP at NetApp. She also held various sales, business development, general manager and leadership positions at Sun Microsystems and AT&T.
Elisa is Chairman of the Board of Cornerstone On Demand (NASDAQ: CSOD), Chairman of Namely, and member of the Board of Directors of Splunk (NASDAQ: SPLK). She also serves as Advisor to the CEO of Tile and people.ai. She has deep board experience servicing on multiple committees for both public and private companies. She is a member of the NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors) and participates in the Equilar Board Leadership Program.
Elisa has been recognized for her leadership throughout the years, building strong teams, networks and ecosystems. She was recognized by the Stevie American Business Awards for ‘Executive of the Year’ and ‘Woman of the Year’ as well as named a “Woman of Influence” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal.
Elisa served as a judge for the annual “Forbes Cloud 100”, the WSJ ‘Marketers that Matter’ awards, and the Churchill Club Awards. Elisa hosts a speaker series called SpeakHer Mind tm that seeks to amplify voices and share practical, positive steps that can deliberately build workplace environments that empower women to achieve their potential.
Elisa has previously served on the Interactive Advertising Bureau Board of Directors and Executive Committee, as well as the Advisory boards for Forbes Women, Amber Alert and Equality Now organizations.
Elisa holds an MBA from San Francisco State University (Distinguished Alumni) and a Bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of New Hampshire (Phi Kappa Phi Honors).
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisasteele/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/elisasteele
When we think of celebration, we think of holidays, birthdays, and big milestones like graduations and anniversaries that typically happen just once year. But do you ever take the time to think about and celebrate your small wins?
In this episode, we share why it’s important to celebrate your progress on the way to achieving your big goals and share your small wins with the world. You’ll also learn a fun and easy way to motivate and inspire you on your journey to attaining your goals.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[00:34] Celebrating the small wins
[07:53] Create your rewards catalog
[12:28] Share your wins
Quotes:
“Take a moment each week to reflect on what it is you deserve to celebrate.” – Nikki Barua
“Don’t minimize your achievements. When someone congratulates you for a job well done, just say thank you.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Do you wake up and head to work every day with the feeling that you are just going through the motions?
Have you experienced that nagging feeling that something is missing and that you aren’t living your life’s purpose?
Our guest, Claudia Castellanos, Co-Founder and CEO of Black Mamba Foods, had a successful corporate career but couldn’t shake the feeling that she was meant to do more with her life. To the surprise of her friends, Claudia quit her corporate job to volunteer in Africa in search of her purpose.
In this episode, Claudia shares her story of finding clarity, overcoming her fears and making difficult decisions, leading to the launch of her own business, Black Mamba Foods. Claudia is passionate about Africa and finding ways to develop the continent through sustainable projects that uplift women, considers the inclusion of grassroots communities and protection of the environment.
Black Mamba Foods is a growing brand with a strong social and environmental ethos, based in Eswatini (eh·swaa·ti·nee), that manufactures and distributes specialty food products in Southern Africa and overseas.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Claudia.
Highlights:
[02:28] Claudia’s journey
[06:38] Gaining clarity on your strengths
[10:45] Getting past your fears & limiting beliefs
[13:40] Strategies for making difficult decisions
[16:50] Overcoming failures and setbacks
[20:41] Gaining access to influential leaders and mentors
[25:47] Tips on effective execution
[30:09] Accelerating success in the digital age
[32:50] About Black Mamba
Quotes:
“Often times you realize what you don't want to do before you realize what you want to do.” – Claudia Castellanos
“If you're tired, learn to rest and not to quit.” – Claudia Castellanos
“A goal without a plan of action is no more than a dream.”– Claudia Castellanos
About Claudia Castellanos:
Claudia Castellanos, a Colombian that came as a volunteer to Eswatini and fell in love with Africa and made it her home, is the co-Founder and Managing Director of Black Mamba Foods, a growing brand with a strong social and environmental ethos based in Eswatini that manufactures and distributes Specialty food products in Southern Africa and overseas.
Claudia has over 12 years of experience working as a marketing consultant for several businesses and NGOs in Eswatini and overseas, and as a lecturer for international Universities such as the European School of Economics (www.eselondon.ac.uk) in Italy, and Mananga Business College in Eswatini.
Previously Claudia worked as Regional Manager for SAIWA SpA (www.saiwa.it) a former company of the Danone Group, in charge of trade marketing and sales activities with the main retailers of Central Italy.
Claudia has also been involved as a trainer and mentor for Technoserve in Eswatini, and also for several business accelerator programmes (such as VVGROW from Vital Voices) locally and internationally. Claudia holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) with specialisation in Marketing from ESADE Business School and a major in Finance and International Relations from Universidad Externado de Colombia (Bogota, Colombia).
Since 2016 Claudia is a fellow of Vital Voices, an American NGO that works with women entrepreneurs from around the world supporting their growth.
Since 2019 she is also an active member of ECCo (Eswatini Climate Coalition), a grassroots organization promoting awareness, action and civic engagement around climate change and pollution in Eswatini.
In 2020 Claudia was awarded the WIA (Women in Africa) Award as the Eswatini Laureate for her work with Black Mamba, promoting and developing regenerative agriculture and inclusive value chains.
Claudia is passionate about Africa and finding ways to develop the continent through sustainable projects that take into consideration the upliftment of women, the inclusion of grassroots communities and the protection of the environment.
Links:
Website: http://blackmambachilli.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiacastellanos/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackmambafood/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackMambaChilliVenom/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blackmambafood/
Recent news: https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/416/162/210485.html
Most of us having been working remotely for the past year and the boundaries between our work and home lives have become blurred. Women have been disproportionately affected by these blurred boundaries and burnout is on the rise.
As organizations explore the right collaboration model (onsite vs. remote), it is very likely that the future workplace will be a hybrid environment. It’s not just about where you work, but also when you work. So, how do you ensure high performance without losing yourself to burnout?
In this episode, you’ll learn the importance of setting boundaries so that you can achieve your goals while maintaining your health and well-being. You’ll also learn the 5 steps to establishing healthy boundaries and how to thrive in any environment.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[00:47] The effects of remote work
[03:12] What’s really causing burnout
[04:38] How Monica learned to set boundaries
[09:48] The steps to establishing boundaries
[20:50] Use PTR – Preference, Tradition, Requirement
Quotes:
“Being authentic and setting boundaries gives you more freedom.” – Monica Marquez
“As an entrepreneur, if you do not set boundaries for yourself, they will not exist.” – Nikki Barua
“Boundaries are the most important mechanism to living your life on your own terms.” – Nikki Barua
“Boundaries can help you protect your energy, your focus, and even your values.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Are you passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion? Do you courageously say something when you see something happening to you or others that just doesn’t feel right? Or do you feel yourself shying away from it because you don’t know what to do in those moments? How would you like to learn some game-changing strategies that you can implement to help disrupt unconscious and systemic bias?
Our guest, Stacey Gordon, CEO and Chief Diversity Strategist of Rework Work, shares how her journey was led by her passion for diversity, equity and inclusion. After an experience in the corporate world, Stacey decided that she didn’t want to perpetuate the cycle of bad practices that she had witnessed and decided to strike out on her own and work on implementing DEI strategies at companies holistically.
In her role as Executive Advisor and Diversity Strategist, she coaches and counsels executive leaders on DEI strategies for the business while offering a no-nonsense approach to education for the broader employee population. Taking a 360-degree of work, Stacey is the creator of the second most viewed course at LinkedIn learning and has surpassed the milestone of having reached more than 1 million unique learners.
In this episode, Stacey shares her insights on identifying your passion and purpose, navigating systemic biases, and her framework for addressing microaggressions.
Stacey is also a repeat best-selling author, recently releasing UNBIAS: Addressing Unconscious Bias at Work, which is a must-have resource for all employers, managers, and HR professionals seeking to create and sustain healthy, inclusive, and equitable workplace environments.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Stacey.
Highlights:
[02:49] Stacey’s journey
[04:06] Identify your passion
[06:21] Advice for women on stepping up for themselves
[10:21] Don’t tell yourself no before you’ve given somebody the opportunity to say no
[12:58] Building lasting relationships
[16:58] Tips on achieving your goals
[20:24] Adapting to the disruption of the last year
[24:30] Navigating systemic biases
[29:30] How to address microaggressions
[33:52] How to connect with Stacey
[35:27] Advice on accelerating your success
Quotes:
“Don't tell yourself no before somebody else has. Give them the opportunity to say no, but don't discount yourself.” – Stacey Gordon
“We should turn the advocacy inward and advocate for ourselves, just as we’d advocate for others and for our children.” – Stacey Gordon
“Just start pursing your goals. A year from now, you will wish you had started today.”– Stacey Gordon
About Stacey Gordon:
Leading at the intersection of diversity, inclusion, and workplace culture, as CEO and Chief Diversity Strategist of Rework Work, Stacey focuses on reworking how companies work; including how they inclusively recruit, hire and engage employees, effectively creating inclusion and belonging for all.
In her role as Executive Advisor and Diversity Strategist, she coaches and counsels executive leaders on DEI strategies for the business while offering a no-nonsense approach to education for the broader employee population. Taking a 360-degree of work, Stacey is the creator of the second most viewed course at LinkedIn learning and has surpassed the milestone of having reached more than 1 million unique learners. Her unconscious bias course has been translated into at least four languages and has been featured by LinkedIn, Microsoft, and Virgin America (now Alaska Airlines). Stacey is a highly rated coach practitioner who has facilitated coaching of senior DEI leaders at several Diversity & Inclusion forums. She was recognized by Pepperdine University as a Top 40 Over 40 Leader, was a finalist for Los Angeles Business Journal’s Women’s Award and was recognized by Forbes as a Top 3 Business Leader Who Spoke Out About Diversity & Inclusion.
Previously employed as an Adjunct Professor teaching Diversity in Organizations at Phillips Graduate University, she now teaches at Pepperdine University in the Business School where she earned her MBA.
Formerly the Director of Education for the largest SHRM affiliate in the country, Stacey earned her both her Inclusive Workplace Culture credential and her SHRM Senior Certified Professional certification from the Society for Resource Management (SHRM).
She is the author of a best-selling interview guide titled The Successful Interview: 99 Questions to Ask and UNBIAS: Addressing Unconscious Bias at Work. As a leadership consultant and DEI strategist, Stacey has provided subject matter expertise to SHRM, Fast Company, Skillsoft, Forbes, NPR Radio, BBC Radio, Essence Magazine, and Monster.com, to name a few. She was also a career segment guest contributor to Fox Business and is a frequently requested keynote speaker.
Links:
Website: https://reworkwork.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceygordon/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/reworkwork
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diversitydiva/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reworkwork
Do you struggle to ask for what you want? Whether it be asking for a promotion, a raise, or a business opportunity, many of us struggle with the fear of rejection or even with phrasing the ask in the right way.
In this episode, Nikki and Monica share experiences where they’ve struggled to ask for what they wanted and the results they obtained when they overcome their fears and learned to ask.
Nikki also shares the 5 keys to getting up the courage to ask and getting the results you desire.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[01:17] Monica’s story of asking for what she wants
[04:30] Don’t miss out on opportunities
[06:39] Gaining the courage to ask
[10:51] Being clear on your ask
[12:32] The best way to ask
[18:08] Always be gracious
[18:36] Recap of 5 keys to asking for what you want
Quotes:
Get absolutely clear about what you want and why you want it. Then ask for it.” – Nikki Barua
“Choose the right time, the right method, and the right language of the ask. Be respectful and gracious even when things don’t go your way.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Change and advancement rarely happen on their own. Connection and community are what really move the needle. Leaders who understand this principle have the power to create positive ripple effects throughout their communities and organizations.
Meet Stephanie Kinser, EVP, Enterprise Solutions at Salesforce, who is known for her leadership approach which puts culture and people at the center of a sustainable growth strategy. She is a champion for equality creating a world-class sense of belonging for all.
Stephanie connects her passion for STEM and developing future talent at Salesforce by serving as executive sponsor of the Women in Solutions Excellence (WISE) organization. This diverse and vibrant organization is giving back to schools and creating a path for future Solution Engineers in the workforce.
In this episode, Stephanie shares how growing up in a military family that moved around frequently taught her how to adapt to change, and exposed her to the power of relationships, opportunities, and diversity. Stephanie encourages women to pursue their vision and overcome obstacles in their path. She shares insights on having the confidence to ask for what you deserve, and strategies for overcoming doubts. Stephanie also challenges us to question if our fears are real or imaginary, and if we are limiting
ourselves or if we are in a limited situation.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Stephanie.
Highlights:
[02:42] Stephanie’s story
[05:45] The decision to go in to technology
[07:44] Connecting your personal and professional life
[09:34] Pivotal moment in Stephanie’s career
[11:42] How to ask for what you deserve
[14:22] Overcoming doubt and limiting beliefs
[17:22] Maintaining your objectivity about your fears
[19:23] Finding mentors and sponsors
[21:50] The makings of a good leader
[24:44] Handling a setback and looking forward
[27:41] Strategies for overcoming and learning from failure
[30:37] Seeing the opportunity for the future
[32:15] Advice to leaders as they look at the future of talent development
[33:20] What keeps Stephanie grounded
[38:13] Stephanie’s message to future women leaders
Quotes:
“Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable is powerful and leads to growth.” – Stephanie Kinser
“Ask yourself, periodically, if you are limiting yourself or are you in a limited situation.” – Stephanie Kinser
“Are you putting the fear and doubt into a scenario or is it really there?” – Stephanie Kinser
“The next opportunity will come. Are you waiting for it or are you helping to make it happen?” – Stephanie Kinser
About Stephanie Kinser:
As Executive Vice-President of Solutions at Salesforce, Stephanie Kinser brings a wealth of digital transformation and connected experiences expertise from a distinguished career focused on all stakeholders in this dynamic work-from-anywhere world. Stephanie is known for her leadership approach which puts culture and people at the center of a sustainable growth strategy. She is a champion for equality creating a world-class sense of belonging for all.
Stephanie joined Salesforce in 2003 when the company had less than 500 employees and revenues of $51M. Since that time, Salesforce has grown to $25B in revenue and 49,000 employees dedicated to customer success. The evolution of the Enterprise team has provided focus on Salesforce’s largest customers, the trailblazers adopting cloud computing at scale. This has led to an enviable rank of #1 in customer renewal rate, as well as the repeated distinction as one of Forbes Magazine’s most innovative
companies, and Fortune Magazine’s most admired companies.
Prior to joining Salesforce, Stephanie was a Solutions Engineering leader at Ondisplay Software. As employee #23, she played an instrumental role in the company’s successful 1999 IPO and subsequent $1.4B acquisition by Vignette Software. Stephanie’s continued leadership contributed to the successful integration of the selling organizations of these two companies.
Stephanie began her career at Ceridian (an IBM Company), implementing Payroll and HR solutions. She gained technical expertise in data centers, data privacy, complex payroll and tax regulations, outsourcing, and security before transitioning to Solution Engineering. Her background also includes Solution Engineering roles for Dun & Bradstreet Software.
Stephanie connects her passion for STEM and developing our future talent at Salesforce by serving as executive sponsor of the Women in Solutions Excellence (WISE) organization. This diverse and vibrant organization is giving back to schools and creating a path for future Solution Engineers in the workforce.
Stephanie earned a degree in Management Information Systems at the University of Oklahoma and in 2016 was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni. She was recently featured as a keynote speaker at events hosted by Texas A&M and The University of Oklahoma. Stephanie and her husband Patrick have two teenaged children and live in Plano, TX. She loves travel, gardening, music, and movies. She is a proud board member of the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniekinser/
This past year has brought with it many challenges. The pandemic has changed the landscape of how we work and many are suffering from burnout due to the side effects such as blurred boundaries between our work and personal lives.
In this episode, Nikki shares her experience with burnout in her career. Nikki and Monica also share the signs of burnout and what you can do to build resilience so that you can prevent burnout before it happens.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights:
[01:29] The stresses of today
[05:28] What is burnout and what causes it
[07:48] Nikki’s experience with burnout
[08:33] Building your resiliency
Quotes:
“Resilience is a muscle that you have to develop.” – Monica Marquez
“Stop associating productivity with hours.” – Nikki Barua
“Set realistic goals and set boundaries for yourself and others to prevent burnout.” – Monica Marquez
“Surround yourself with like-minded people who are going to help and support you.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Are leaders born or made? That is the one of the most often-asked questions about leadership. The answer is that it’s “mostly made”. Researchers indicate that leadership is about one-third born and two-thirds made. So, in short, leaders can indeed be developed.
In this episode, you’ll meet Darja Gutnick, Co-Founder and CEO of Bunch, who believes all of us have an inner leader and the best results happen when we dance with leading, allowing ideas to flow freely, unencumbered by roles and titles. Darja shares how leadership is a mindset that can be learned and not some hidden talent that we need to discover. It’s hard work, attitudes, and behavior that we show every day. It’s showing up every day for our team.
Featured in Forbes, Darja is a rebel academic-turned-entrepreneur with a knack for making psychology tangible. Her motto is grow, inspire, and stay humble. As CEO at Bunch, she’s working to redefine leadership for millennial managers - partly because she is one, and is on her own leadership journey too.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Darja.
Highlights:
[02:19] Darja’s story
[04:07] The decision to become an entrepreneur
[09:01] Weighing the risks and rewards of a big decision
[13:47] Helping people find their inner leader
[21:51] Gaining access to the right people
[26:45] Darja’s daily success habits
[30:40] Bunch team rituals
[33:58] We are all a work in progress
[38:04] Advice to women on accelerating success
Quotes:
“In the end, being transparent, vulnerable, and straightforward wins the game. So if you can find the strength to do that, it’s always the better choice.” – Darja Gutnick
“Leadership is a mindset. You can learn it. It’s not something you’re born with. It’s not some hidden talent that we need to discover. It’s hard work, attitudes, and behavior that you show every day. It’s showing up every day for your team.” - Darja Gutnick
“The more we encourage each other to step up and lead, the more we benefit from each other.” - Darja Gutnick
“Be kind to yourself and thankful for everything you bring to the table.” – Darja Gutnick
About Darja Gutnick:
Darja is a rebel academic-turned-entrepreneur with a knack for making psychology tangible. Her motto is grow, inspire, and stay humble. As CEO at Bunch, she’s working to redefine leadership for millennial managers - partly because she is one, and is on her own leadership journey too.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darjagutnick/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/darjagutnick
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darjagutnick/
Continuous learning is the most valuable currency for career success. Careers no longer follow a simple path from learning to earning to retirement. Lifelong learning is an indispensable skill for every individual and organization.
Meet Eileen Schloss, a multidimensional, strategic and transformational human capital expert, who reveals exactly what it takes to get to the C-suite and why continuous learning is the key to success.
Eileen recommends managing your life to make sure that you're constantly learning and adapting to change.
In this episode, Eileen shares the pivotal moments in her career and how learning and preparation helped her achieve extraordinary success. She provides guidance on positioning for your dream opportunity and how believing in herself and speaking up in her interview with Steve Jobs landed her an executive role at Apple. Eileen also demystifies succession planning and executive compensation; and provides step-by-step guidance on getting board positions.
Eileen has worked with CEOs and Boards as a global Chief Human Resources Officer and senior HR leader for companies ranging from major global brands to Pre-IPO businesses needing to scale. She is a Public & Private Board Member, Senior Advisor & Human Capital Expert at Alteryx, Advent and CCC.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Eileen.
Highlights:
[02:41] Eileen’s career journey
[04:05] Pivotal moments for career advancement
[05:52] Be a continuous learner
[08:36] Eileen’s success habits
[10:44] Relationships are the key to success
[11:38] Eileen’s job interview with Steve Jobs
[18:09] How to approach your dream opportunity
[19:57] Preparing your presentation in your own voice
[22:55] Aligning yourself with succession planning
[27:40] Advice on getting to the C-suite
[33:58] Demystifying the drivers behind compensation
[42:09] Advice to women on negotiating compensation packages
[47:23] What to know in positioning yourself for a board role
[52:56] Eileen’s advice on accelerating your success
Quotes:
“Relationships are a key element of any successful venture.” – Eileen Schloss
“It is important to manage your life around making sure that you're constantly learning.” – Eileen Schloss
“Great leaders are authentic and aren’t afraid to speak up and say what's on their minds.” - Eileen Schloss
About Eileen Schloss:
Bold, insightful executive who shapes business and human capital strategy to increase enterprise value for Fortune 500 companies and pre-IPO businesses. Real-world expertise managing acquisitions, divestitures, and change initiatives while steering executive/board compensation decisions for Medidata Solutions, Rovi Corporation, and Apple Computer—crossing industries (health care, technology, media, CPG), business models, and continents (Asia, Europe, North America).
In-depth understanding of HR governance and oversight attained through 20+ years as a senior leader and strategist. Keen business acumen strengthened and supported by an astute, thoughtful approach to assessing executive talent and proposing viable, sustainable compensation strategies. Compensation expert and advisor with nearly two decades working directly with board Comp Committees.
Joined Alteryx, Inc. public board May 2017, concurrently serving on the Compensation and Nominating/Governance committees.
Joined CCC IS, private board August 2020, Chair of the Compensation Committee NACD Board Governance Fellow certification, 2018 - present
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileen-schloss-executive/
Have you ever felt like you had the perfect life plan and then suddenly life went sideways, and you were forced to just stop and hit the reset button?
In this episode, you’ll learn what to do when life throws you a curveball, and how to navigate through setbacks and obstacles.
Nikki and Monica share their own experiences of life challenges they’ve faced and how they overcame them by looking forward instead of in the rearview mirror. Nikki also shares her 5-step framework to turn barriers into breakthroughs.
Give yourself the gift of a 5-day journey from Barriers to Breakthroughs and jumpstart your transformation TODAY! Sign up with your email and get FREE access to this online course, bestselling book, and companion journal.
Visit: https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/gift
Highlights:
[01:29] Nikki’s story of facing barriers
[05:28] Monica overcoming life’s challenges
[07:48] Stop looking in the rearview mirror
[08:33] Focus on gratitude
[11:00] Turn barriers into breakthroughs
Quotes:
“If you keep wishing for what it used to be, you can’t step into what it could be.” – Nikki Barua
“Focus on what you see through the windshield, instead of what you see in the rearview mirror.” – Nikki Barua
“Every day can be a do over, every week, every year could be a do over. Look at setbacks as a stepping stone to reinvent yourself.” – Nikki Barua
“You can go from dreaming to doing as soon as you make that decision.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Do you sometimes wish you could quit your job and break out on your own? But then you stop yourself because you don’t have the experience or the funds to launch your own business.
Meet Mandy Gilbert, who shares how she left an unfulfilling job, secured a personal credit line of $8,000 and started her company, Creative Niche, the very next day.
Mandy is an entrepreneur who has built two multi-million dollar enterprises from the ground up. She is also a philanthropist, keynote speaker, investor, and bestselling author of Just Go With It: How to Navigate the Ups and Downs of Entrepreneurship.
In this episode, Mandy discusses how to invest in yourself as a leader, protect your confidence, and make your company a place where great people want to work. Mandy also reveals the lessons she has learned along the way, including the feedback that catalyzed her growth and helped her become a better leader.
Mandy shows that entrepreneurship is an adventure worth taking and that the freedom and fulfillment we seek is still possible, even if the path is rarely a straight line to the perfect life.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Mandy.
Highlights:
[02:07] Mandy’s story
[03:03] Discovering your path
[05:56] Making the decision to start a business
[09:48] Where to start – the first 6 weeks of Creative Niche
[14:20] The next chapter of Creative Niche
[17:06] Why tenacity is important in getting long-term results
[21:08] Motivation for writing “Just Go With It”
[22:16] The hardest but best lesson learned
[29:19] The leader Mandy is today
[34:34] Advice on accelerating success
[40:47] How to get in touch with Mandy
Quotes:
“Entrepreneurs should embrace the journey because it's not a destination, you've got to keep going constantly, no matter how long you've been at it, you're always working on something.” – Mandy Gilbert
“What you see in the media isn't always true. Something meaningful and long lasting doesn't happen overnight. Nobody’s success is happening overnight.” – Mandy Gilbert
“One of the hardest, but best lessons I’ve learned was understanding my shortcomings and why they were showing up the way they were.” – Mandy Gilbert
“If you want to become a leader, there are a lot of great things that you can do right now, you don't have to wait until you have a specific title.” – Mandy Gilbert
About Mandy Gilbert:
Mandy Gilbert is a speaker, investor, author, founder, and chief executive of Creative Niche, a company that provides creative staffing and workforce management solutions to multinational corporations as well as major advertising, digital and public relations agencies. Mandy has been recognized as the United Nations Global Accelerator and completed the Entrepreneurial Masters Program at MIT. She is also a Director for The Remix Project, an organization that works on leveling the playing field for young people from disadvantaged communities in Toronto and Chicago and sits on the board of her Young Presidents Organization (YPO) chapter in Toronto. She spends her time between Toronto and New York, and is the proud mom of two busy boys, Isaac and Sam.
Links:
Website: https://mandy-gilbert.com/
Mandy’s book: https://mandy-gilbert.com/book/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandygilbert/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/verynichey
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verynichey/
Do you have a dream that you’ve been putting off until you’ve figured out all of the details? What would happen if you threw caution to the wind and just took that first step forward?
Meet Ellen Bennett, founder and CEO of Hedley & Bennett, who shares why it’s important to just get started and figure out the details along the way.
In her new book “Dream First, Details Later”, Ellen shares her journey and personal playbook for starting before you stop yourself. Ellen’s hustle and willingness to leap into the unknown, time and time again, has helped her build a multi-million-dollar company, making aprons and kitchen gear worn by many of the world’s best chefs and home cooks everywhere.
In this episode, Ellen shares how she self-funded her business, and how getting comfortable with the uncomfortable allows her to navigate through change and keep leveling up. She even pivoted her business from making aprons to making masks at the beginning of the pandemic, helping to save jobs and donate over a half a million masks to those in need.
So, if you’ve ever imagined doing something and immediately thought, “that’s impossible,” or “I wouldn’t even know where to start,” or “I’m not qualified to do that”, Ellen will teach you how to push aside your inner critic and launch into action.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find shownotes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Ellen.
Highlights:
[02:39] Ellen’s story
[03:43] “Dream First, Details Later”
[06:06] Navigating challenges and setbacks
[07:48] Finding success in doubt
[10:00] Taking the first step forward
[12:23] Get comfortable with the uncomfortable
[15:50] Attracting cutting-edge talent
[19:15] Behind the scenes of success
[20:10] Start with building your community
[23:29] Staying focused on what’s right for you
[26:15] Adapting when your playbook goes out of the window
[30:30] How Ellen stays ahead of the curve
[32:15] Hold on to the scrappiness
[34:34] What keeps Ellen grounded
[38:50] Where to get Ellen’s book, “Dream First, Details Later”
Quotes:
“The best advice I could ever give to anyone is just start, you just need to begin and figure out the details along the way.” – Ellen Bennett
“Seize the opportunity and have enough confidence in yourself that you've done enough things in life to get you this far.” – Ellen Bennett
“Never feel like you are just one person and you can't have an impact in the world, your opinion and your actions matter.” – Ellen Bennett
“No matter how much building you do in life, sometimes things happen and you just have to be willing to rise to the occasion, adjust and let go of what you did before.” – Ellen Bennett
About Ellen Bennett:
Growing up, Ellen Bennett, the founder and CEO of Hedley & Bennett, the leading Los Angeles based culinary workwear brand, found herself spending summers in her native Mexico learning to cook with her abuelita. Soon after graduating high school, Ellen found herself back in Mexico City attending culinary school where she would rekindle the joys of her summer cooking adventures while learning the skills needed to tackle the hustle of the professional kitchen. Back in L.A. she put her training to work cooking in two Michelin Star restaurants, Providence and Baco Mercat. It was during this time working on the line that she experienced a “uniform” that was not aligned with the creativity and confidence found in the kitchen. This led to the vision for Hedley & Bennett; make the best aprons in the world by marrying the needs of professional chefs with the design trends for today's discerning consumers.
Today, Hedley & Bennett make more than aprons, but culinary workwear and gear that outfits over 6,000 restaurants, hotels, coffee shops, resorts and hundreds of thousands of home cooks all over the world.
This evolution has also led to creative, out-of-the-box collaborations with brands such as Vans, Madewell, Parachute Home, Rifle Paper Co., Product (RED) and more. Most recently, she pivoted the resources of her company during the global COVID-19 pandemic to make masks to meet the needs of both professionals and consumers while donating over 200k masks to front line workers. Ellen and the Hedley & Bennett story has been featured in the New York Times, Fast Company, Inc., Bon Appetit, Martha Stewart, the Today Show and more. Ellen lives in Echo Park with her husband Casey, their pet pig Oliver, and six chickens.
Links:
Website: https://www.hedleyandbennett.com/
Link to Ellen’s Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/607064/dream-first-details-later-by-ellen-marie-bennett/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmariebennett/
Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hedleyandbennett/
Do you have an intense fear of public speaking? Does your heartbeat race at the thought of standing up in front of a room full of people?
In this episode, Nikki shares her own experience with her fear of public speaking and what steps she took to overcome it.
Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes and links.
Highlights:
[01:04] Nikki’s first experience on stage
[06:34] How Nikki overcame her fear of public speaking
[08:56] Practice, practice, practice
[15:12] Get clear on your WHY
Quotes:
“You can’t get better at something if you don't invest time in it, and you can’t invest time in it, if you never schedule it.” – Nikki Barua
“The best way to overcome your fear of public speaking is to practice by seeking opportunities to speak whenever you have the chance.” – Nikki Barua
“To overcome your fear of public speaking you must practice the three “P”s - you need to prepare, you need to practice and you need to be patient.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
You’ve likely heard some leaders described as a servant leader. But what does that really mean? Servant leadership is a philosophy and set of practices that enriches the lives of individuals, builds better organizations, and ultimately creates a more just and caring world. Simply put, it is all about leading by lifting others.
Our guest today, Chloe Drew, knows a thing or two about servant leadership. Throughout her career, from her corporate executive roles to her philanthropic and political engagement, Chloe has fought for the underdog and paved the way for others to get ahead. In this episode, Chloe shares her story and how she chose a divergent career path from her Harvard College classmates and followed her passion to help others.
Chloe Drew has 20 years of experience designing, scaling and leading strategies in human resources, corporate social impact, philanthropy and diversity, equity & inclusion. She currently works as an advisor and coach to CEOs and executive teams to develop customized inclusion and diversity strategies that help unlock the full potential of leaders and teams.
Highlights:
[03:04] Chloe’s journey
[08:13] Gaining clarity on your path
[10:35] Pushing past your fear of failure
[16:11] Excelling in a new & unfamiliar environment
[19:30] Tips for making difficult decisions
[23:32] Dynamics of imposter syndrome
[26:38] Asking your community for help
[29:39] How to stay ahead of the curve and be agile
[32:32] Advice on accelerating your success
Quotes:
“The best and most profound lessons of my life have been when I've completely failed.”– Chloe Drew
“Don’t expect to have the full picture when making a difficult decision, strive to get to feeling fairly confident in your decision.” – Chloe Drew
“Asking yourself ‘what outcome are you trying to achieve?’, will help drive out the noise, assumptions and biases.” – Chloe Drew
About Chloe Drew:
Chloe Drew has 20 years of experience designing, scaling and leading strategies in human resources, corporate social impact, philanthropy and diversity, equity & inclusion.
Currently she works as an advisor and coach to CEOs and executive teams across sectors – including technology, communications, financial services, sports and fashion – to develop customized inclusion and diversity strategies that help unlock the full potential of leaders and teams.
Before that Chloe was Chief People Officer at the real estate tech firm Compass where she supported a team of 2,500 employees nationally and oversaw the full employee experience through talent acquisition, total rewards, talent management, HR policy and diversity & inclusion. She also served as President of Philanthropy and launched the firm’s first community impact program engaging all employees and 15,000 real estate agents across Compass’s 20+ markets.
Previously she was Chief of Staff at the Markle Foundation leading HR, strategy and fundraising at the $125M independent foundation dedicated to harnessing the power of technology to advance economic inclusion. From 2013 - 2015 Chloe was Director of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Appointments where she ran the Administration’s effort to recruit Commissioners and senior staff for over 60 city agencies and 200 municipal boards and commissions. From 2008 to 2013 Chloe was Executive Director of the Council of Urban Professionals, a nonprofit network of diverse business leaders in New York and Los Angeles, and from 2002 to 2007 she was Campaign Director for Congresswoman Barbara Lee in California’s 13th District.
Chloe earned an A.B. from Harvard College in History and Literature. She has served on nonprofit boards including Wellesley College Centers for Women, Latino Justice, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Emerge America and Oakland Vote. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two young children.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-drew-7ab26a4/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Chloedrew
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chloedrew7/
Have you asked yourself and really thought about what distinguishes you from everyone else? What is your unique value proposition? If you don’t know the answer to these questions or if you don’t know how to articulate your story in a compelling way, then you’re limiting your career opportunities.
In this episode, our guest, Sandra Lopez, Vice President for Intel Sports, shares how she turned an ordinary career into an extraordinary one when she finally answered these questions posed by her colleague. Sandra realized that she wasn’t embracing the characteristics and strengths that made her unique and stand out from the crowd of talent around her. This set her on a path to discovery, self-reflection and taking action.
In Sandra’s current role as VP for Intel Sports, she is responsible for partnering with the sports and media industry to provide the future fans with the next generation of immersive media experiences.
Sandra leads a team that is focused on leading the business, marketing and market development efforts of Intel Sports and Studios. She is also the co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on VR/AR/XR. And is dedicated to building the next generation of women leaders. Over the course of her career, Sandra has received numerous recognitions, including “Most Powerful Women in Tech” (National Diversity Council), “Top Women in Media” (Cynopsis), “Top 10 Latina Executives” (LatinaStyle), and the list goes on.
Prior to joining Intel in 2005, Sandra held various positions at Adobe Systems Inc., Macromedia, Computer Associates International Inc. and several other technology companies.
Highlights:
[02:37] Sandra’s journey
[06:37] Building your brand and telling your story
[11:36] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[14:46] Owning your achievements
[19:37] Difference in mentors and sponsors
[24:10] Taking risks and making decisions
[28:17] Overcoming setbacks and failures
[30:10] Sandra’s success habits
[32:57] Establishing healthy boundaries
[35:59] Advice on accelerating your success
Quotes:
“Life is like Waze, you know where you want to go, but allow yourself to explore the unexplored neighborhoods that you never knew existed.”– Sandra E. Lopez
“Tap into who you were meant to become and lean into that because everyone else is taken.” – Sandra E. Lopez
“Take baby steps towards tackling your fears and anxieties. If you get 1% better every day, imagine how much better you're going to be 365 days from now.” – Sandra E. Lopez
“We need to reframe the word failure so that failure equals growth that enables you to do better.” – Sandra E. Lopez
About Sandra E. Lopez:
Sandra E. Lopez is VP for Intel Sports and is responsible for partnering with the sports and media industry to provide the future fans with the next generation of immersive media experiences. In her role, she leads a team that is focused on leading the business, marketing and market development efforts of Intel Sports and Studios. Lopez is also the co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on VR/AR/XR.
Previously, she led and managed the fashion wearable business for Intel’s New Technology Group.
Earlier in her Intel career, Lopez held various roles within corporate marketing, including director of new business marketing and consumer marketing.
Over the course of her career, Lopez has received numerous recognitions, including “Most Powerful Women in Tech” (National Diversity Council), “Top Women in Media” (Cynopsis), “Top 10 Latina Executives” (LatinaStyle), “Most Influential and Notable Hispanic Professionals in Information Technology” (HiTec) and “Game Changer” (Sports Business Journal).
Prior to joining Intel in 2005, Lopez held various positions at Adobe Systems Inc., Macromedia, Computer Associates International Inc. and several other technology companies.
Lopez earned a B.S. in Economics and Textiles and Clothing from the University of California at Davis. In addition, she attended the Stanford’s Executive Accelerator Program in 2016. As part of contributing to the community, she is focused on building the next generation of women leaders.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lopezsandra/
Have you ever heard of the phrase “you have to see it to be it”?
It’s the beginning of Women’s History Month, and we're celebrating icons, innovators and leaders who have paved the way for women today, and why it’s important for each of us to inspire others.
In this episode, we discuss what is meant by “see it to be it” and the three ways that seeing these trailblazing women is empowering and enabling women everywhere to “see it” and “be it”.
Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes and links.
Highlights:
[00:50] The meaning of “see it to be it”
[01:09] 3 ways “see it to be it” empowers
[04:45] Visibility matters
[07:09] Women who’ve inspired us
[10:11] Who represents the future you
Quotes:
“If you're not willing to work for it, it's not a true motivation.” – Nikki Barua
“The reason “if you can see it, you can be it” works so powerfully is that it helps you clarify your what, it helps you connect to your why, and it helps you codify the how.” – Nikki Barua
“It's not just about getting to the top, it's becoming more visible so you can inspire change by sharing your story and making it possible for someone else to dream. It normalizes success.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Hustle – the Urban Dictionary defines the word hustle as: “to strive headstrong and voraciously towards a goal”. Or as Anthony Iannarino clarified in his article, “The Real Meaning of the Word ‘Hustle’”, is that you work hard every single day. It means you do the things other people won’t do, and you do them with a sense of joy and purpose because you love it.
In this episode, you’ll meet Cristina Antelo, a real-life example of the word “hustle”, who lives by Thomas Edison’s motto, “Everything comes to h[er] who hustles while [she] waits.” Cristina shares her life’s journey and how she learned to hustle.
Cristina Antelo is a founding principal and CEO at Ferox Strategies. She has spent more than a decade representing multinational corporations with her trademark hustle at Washington’s best-known government relations firms. From Wall Street to K Street, Cristina has set herself apart as a trusted advisor, skilled advocate, and effective negotiator who isn’t afraid of long, hard work.
Featured in Washingtonian magazine in “Success Stories of Washingtonians of Latino and Hispanic Descent” and identified as a "Top Lawyer," “Power Player,” and “Most Influential 40 and Under Leader” in other regional publications, Cristina provides insider advice on how public policy is created and communicated.
Highlights:
[02:35] Cristina’s journey
[07:03] Gaining clarity on your path & purpose
[13:11] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[20:15] Building your story around your strengths
[25:09] Cristina’s daily success habits
[28:21] Decision making techniques
[33:17] Building authentic relationships
[38:57] Cristina’s advice on accelerating success
Quotes:
“You will always get more information out of making a mistake than if you had done nothing out of fear of failing.” – Cristina Antelo
“There is not enough Latino representation in all of the places where decision-making happens as it related to policy.” - Cristina Antelo
“You can teach yourself anything. It doesn't matter what you know right now, in this moment, you just have to commit to learning.” – Cristina Antelo
About Cristina Antelo:
A fierce believer in Thomas Edison’s, “Everything comes to h[er] who hustles while [she] waits,” Cristina Antelo is a founding principal at Ferox Strategies.
Cristina has spent more than a decade representing multinational corporations with her trademark hustle at Washington’s best-known government relations firms. From Wall Street to K Street, Cristina has set herself apart as a trusted advisor, skilled advocate, and effective negotiator who isn’t afraid of long, hard work.
She began her lobbying career in 2004, immediately representing Fortune 500 clients at top-ranked, bipartisan government and public affairs firms in Washington, D.C. Her past clients include major chain retailers, spirits companies, national theme and amusement parks, pharmaceutical firms, and nutrition and wellness companies. Her policy areas of expertise include financial services, tax, trade, border
security, transportation and infrastructure, and crisis management.
Featured in Washingtonian magazine in “Success Stories of Washingtonians of Latino and Hispanic Descent” and identified as a "Top Lawyer," “Power Player,” and “Most Influential 40 and Under Leader” in other regional publications, Cristina provides insider advice on how public policy is created and communicated. As a founding member and former President of the Hispanic Lobbyists Association and a long stint as the interim CEO of the non- profit Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), Cristina has served as both a leader and an advocate, promoting communication, ethics, education, and bipartisanship.
Before transitioning to government relations, in the early 2000s Cristina worked as a Wall Street investment banker and wealth management advisor at major Wall Street firms including Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan. She also served as a legal fellow with the Senate Democratic Steering Committee, then chaired by former Sens. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Tom Daschle (D-SD).
Today, Cristina is active in charitable work, contributing her business acumen and political savvy on the Board of Directors of the CHCI, serving under Chairman Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), as well as the board of the National Wildlife Federation's (NWF) Action Fund supporting conservation of endangered species and habitats. Cristina further serves on the finance committee for the March of Dimes' annual Gourmet Gala, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars boosting maternal and infant health worldwide. Finally, Cristina is also on the Board of Directors for her alma mater, the Brooks School in North Andover, MA, and volunteers with Common Threads, focusing on nutrition education for children.
A native Spanish speaker, Cristina was born in Dallas and graduated from Georgetown University and the George Washington University Law School. She is married with two young daughters, Havana and Brooklyn, who are fiercely loyal to any client that provides toys...or snacks...or anything with glitter.
Links:
Website: https://feroxstrategies.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristinaantelo/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MsCEAntelo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceantelo/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ceantelo
True philanthropy requires a disruptive mindset, innovative thinking and an entrepreneurial drive to create opportunities.
Ana Marie Argilagos embodies these competencies in spades. Ana Marie is the President and CEO of Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP), a transnational network of foundations and philanthropists that make impactful investments in the Latino community in the U.S. and across Latin America. She is guiding HIP with a bold vision: to usher in a new generation of philanthropy that is for, by, and about the Latino community. Ana Marie has paved the way for a new era to democratize philanthropy.
She is an entrepreneurial thinker bridging diverse agendas with a track record of working within the philanthropic, public, and nonprofit sectors. From the Ford Foundation, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Unidos US, the Annie E. Casey Foundation to HIP, she has led with her thoughtful curiosity to bridge diverse agendas.
In this episode, Ana Marie shares her career journey and the importance of being open to opportunity and how her openness and willingness to veer away from a roadmap, led her to the exciting and fulfilling work of philanthropy.
Highlights:
[02:37] Ana Marie’s journey
[05:11] Gaining clarity on your career path
[11:10] Building influential relationships
[13:57] Identifying mentors and sponsors
[16:27] Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs
[19:38] Goalsetting and execution
[22:46] Sharing your compelling story to gain advocacy
[25:49] Hispanics in Philanthropy
Quotes:
“Have direction, but don't have a roadmap that is so defined that you actually put blinders on yourself, because you might miss some of the opportunities.” – Ana Marie Argilagos
“To disrupt, to reimagine, and rebuild, we need to build a system that listens to those with a lived experience.” - Ana Marie Argilagos
“Trust is key in collective problem solving.” – Ana Marie Argilagos
About Ana Marie Argilagos:
As President and CEO of Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP) - a network of foundations and philanthropists that makes impactful investments in the Latinx community in the U.S. and across Latin America - Ana Marie has paved the way for a new era to democratize philanthropy. From the Ford Foundation, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Unidos US, to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, she has led with her thoughtful curiosity to bridge diverse agendas. Ana Marie’s trajectory is a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit that seeks to center Latinx voices and leadership. She currently resides in Washington, DC with her husband Rodger and cat Alfie.
Links:
Website: https://hiponline.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-marie-argilagos-4747804/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AM_Argilagos
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anamarieargilagos/
HIP’s Mackenzie Scott gift: https://hiponline.org/mackenzie-scott-gifts-15m-to-hispanics-in-philanthropy/
We all know those who seem to easily command a room with their charisma and confidence.
This is referred to as executive presence, and yes, it can be learned.
In this episode, we share the 3 aspects of executive presence as taught by expert, Sylvia Ann Hewlett, as well as tips and strategies for you to gain executive presence and gravitas.
Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes and links.
Highlights:
[00:58] What is executive presence
[01:06] Sylvia Ann Hewlett: 3 aspects of executive presence
[07:24] How Nikki & Monica developed executive presence
[12:29] Exhibiting executive presence remotely
[14:22] Your choice of words matter
Quotes:
“90% of communication is how you deliver your message and 10% are the words you use to share your message.” – Monica Marquez
“Being deliberate and thoughtful when you are speaking will help you develop executive presence.” – Nikki Barua
“Your ability to signal preparedness to someone through your executive presence really comes down to creating a sense of certainty and inspiring confidence in the other person by how you show up.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
You hear it all the time from super successful people, long before they were running multimillion-dollar companies, they were strengthening their entrepreneurial muscle by selling lemonade on the corner, inventing the next “big thing” in their garage or helping their parents or grandparents run the “mom and
pop” family business after school. It seems that for most successful people, whether they are working for a company or running their own company, the entrepreneurial mindset sets them apart from the rest.
In this episode, you’ll meet Lauren Sweeney, Founder and CEO of Dotted Line, who shares her own story of growing up in a family of small business owners and how developing her entrepreneurial mindset helped her succeed in her corporate career and ultimately gave her the courage to follow her passion and
start her own business.
Dotted Line is a creative marketing company focused on helping businesses connect brands to people.
Their client roster includes Fortune 1000 companies in financial services, healthcare, real estate and development, consumer goods and services, and health and beauty.
Highlights:
[02:36] Lauren’s journey
[04:48] Making the decision to become an entrepreneur
[06:33] Overcoming your fears and limiting beliefs
[09:32] Identifying your strengths, passion and purpose
[12:36] Asking your community for help
[14:36] How to ask for someone’s time and knowledge
[16:36] Creating your personal brand
[19:27] Advice on dreaming big
[22:00] Turning failures into lessons for success
[24:35] Lauren’s success habits
[28:39] How to make the decision to delegate
Quotes:
“Changing your mindset to embrace failure gives you the freedom to dream big.” – Lauren Sweeney
“Know who you are, what you believe, and where you are headed.” – Lauren Sweeney
“When you ask for someone’s advice, share with them how you used it.” - Lauren Sweeney
About Lauren Sweeney:
Lauren Sweeney is Founder and CEO of Dotted Line, a creative marketing company. After graduating with dual degrees in Economics and Art History from a liberal arts school in Virginia, she worked in communications for a Fortune 200 financial services company. Lauren launched Dotted Line in 2014, and since then the firm has grown into a full-service agency serving 50+ clients at a national scale in financial services, healthcare, real estate and development, consumer goods and services, and health and beauty.
Lauren has been recognized as a 2017 Tory Burch Foundation Fellow with global fashion powerhouse, Tory Burch. Lauren’s involvement with Tory Burch has garnered press in MSNBC, WWD, and regional publications.
Lauren uses the Tory Burch Foundation opportunity to raise awareness for entrepreneurship and women-owned businesses at events such as the 3% Conference and the Southern C Conference, as well as at educational institutions like Virginia Commonwealth University and surrounding colleges and universities.
Lauren serves on the boards for Needle’s Eye Ministries.
Lauren is a proud wife of a fellow entrepreneur, a stepmother of a towering teenage boy, and a new mom to a 1-year old. The Sweeney family is actively involved at Hope Church in Richmond, Virginia. They enjoy outdoor activities and traveling. Recent adventures have taken them hiking in Utah, exploring the Holy Land in Israel, or traveling to Iceland.
About Dotted Line:
Dotted Line is a creative marketing company focused on helping businesses connect brands to people.
Started by Founder and CEO at the age of 26, Lauren founded a new model agency for today’s advertising world. Dotted Lines’ client roster includes Fortune 1000 companies in financial services, healthcare, real estate and development, consumer goods and services, and health and beauty. Today, Dotted Line services 50+ clients with a staff of 15.
Links:
Website: https://dottedline.agency/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dotted-line-collaborations/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dottedline.agency/
Imagine you’re at the edge of a freezing cold plunge pool. Would you dive right in? Or would you hesitate and maybe just dip your toe in the water?
Our guest, Anand Verma, likes to dive right in! Anand is a visionary leader, award-winning digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, and investor–and he believes that if you want to innovate in the digital age, you have to dive right in and embrace change no matter how scary and uncomfortable it may be.
Anand is the Co-founder of LeapX, a Design and AI startup dedicated to creating a carbon neutral world.
Previously, he was the Founder and CEO of Brilliant Basics, an award winning Global Digital and Innovation company that was acquired by Infosys. Anand also led Infosys’ digital capabilities in EMEA and was a part of the Infosys leadership team. Prior to Brilliant Basics, Anand was one of the youngest CEO's at Interpublic Group (IPG) leading IPG Media brands Ventures in EMEA. He also held leadership roles at Sapient, AKQA and Modem Media.
Anand has a track record of leading through disruptive change. In this episode, he shares what it means to be entrepreneurial, how to navigate uncertainty, why companies must be purpose-led, and how to build winning teams. He is a passionate advocate for diversity as the fuel for innovation and a champion for women in leadership. That’s why we are so proud to have him on the Beyond Barriers advisory board to guide us on our mission.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/ where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Anand.
Highlights:
[03:07] Anand’s story of entrepreneurship
[09:24] Most important lessons learned
[12:57] Being a builder vs an operator
[15:45] How confidence is built
[21:32] Anand’s current focus – bringing AI and design together
[25:00] Gaining support from sponsors and advocates
[27:25] Why diversity matters
[35:54] Biggest trends to follow
[38:28] How to prepare for future trends
Quotes:
“Perfectionism is the biggest killer of any business.” – Anand Verma
“Confidence and credibility go hand in hand.” - Anand Verma
“Every day is a good day for doing and learning something new.” – Anand Verma
About Anand Verma:
Anand is the Co-founder of LeapX, a Design and AI startup dedicated to creating a carbon neutral world. Prior to his recent ventures, he was the Owner, Founder and CEO of Brilliant Basics (acquired by Infosys), an award winning Global Digital and Innovation company headquartered in London with studios all over the world.
Successfully acquired by Infosys in 2017 to accelerate Design and Innovation for Infosys and its clients globally. Anand also led Infosys’ digital capabilities in EMEA and was a part of the Infosys leadership team. He is also deeply involved with leading design school and university partnerships for Infosys.
Anand is a digital visionary, innovator and successful entrepreneur who understands new products and services, revenue growth, operations and people. He has over 20 years’ experience in management consulting, digital and tech businesses. Anand has built a successful career by consistently delivering value through digital and customer-centricity. He loves creating value by reducing complexity in the digital world at both speed x scale.
Prior to founding Brilliant Basics, Anand was one of the youngest Presidents and CEO's at Interpublic Group (IPG) leading IPG Mediabrands Ventures in EMEA, a global advertising and media conglomerate where he led digital Operations, Innovative Products and Services and M&A. And previous to that he held leadership roles at Sapient (now a part of Publicis), AKQA (now a part of WPP) and Modem Media (now a part of Publicis).
Anand is an active investor, adviser, non-exec board director, academia, podcast host and speaker.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anandverma/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/anandverma
How much time a week do you invest in learning something new? What is your yearly budget for investing in yourself?
The shelf life of skills today is just 18 months. What is in demand today will likely not be in demand a year and a half from now. In this episode, we share why it is important to become a lifelong learner and 3 tips for learning that will keep you abreast of what skills will be needed in the future so you can make sure that you aren’t left behind.
Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode.
Highlights:
[00:48] The meaning of lifelong learning
[01:42] The shelf-life of skills today
[03:19] Companies need a culture of learning
[05:06] Just-in-time learning
[06:50] It isn’t just about the technical skills
[07:31] The most powerful skill
[08:43] Know your learning style
[09:01] Nikki’s tips on the best ways to learn
Quotes:
“A culture and mindset of lifelong learning is essential for success.” – Nikki Barua
“Shift your mindset from all-knowing to always-learning.” – Nikki Barua
“You are your best investment, make sure you are dedicating time for your growth every week.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Do you have a hard time saying no to people for fear of letting them down? Do you find yourself seeking the approval of others? Are you driven to seek validation and avoid rejection?
In this episode, we discuss the negative impact of people-pleasing on your career and share three simple principles you can apply to overcome approval addiction.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes for this episode.
Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Highlights:
[00:47] What is approval addiction
[03:36] Impact of approval addiction
[04:53] The value of being a contrarian
[06:19] Leaders need to be decisive
[08:07] The halo effect
[11:19] Stop being a people-pleaser
Quotes:
“When you have absolute certainty and conviction in your beliefs, you will care less about people-pleasing.” – Nikki Barua
“You can’t be influential if you are afraid to put your own point of view out there.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
We all have a superpower, but we don’t always know what it is, how to use it, or even when to use it. But when you get this right, and learn to harness your superpower, your impact becomes exponential.
Meet Fran Maier, serial entrepreneur, known for growing iconic businesses like TRUSTe and Match.com.
Fran shares how her superpower as a brand builder made her such a huge success and helped her create global impact. Fran is now the CEO of BabyQuip and her superpower as a brand builder has already made the company the leading baby gear rental service for traveling families. Fran is a legendary entrepreneur and has won numerous awards and accolades. She was honored by the Stanford Graduate School of Business with the Jerry I. Porras Latino Leadership Award, named one of “100 Most Influential Women in Technology” by Hot Topics. San Francisco Business Times named Fran among the 150 Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business and AlwaysOn named her among the Top 25 Women in Tech to Watch in Silicon Valley.
In this episode, Fran shares why it’s important to know your strengths and take ownership of what’s in your control. She also reveals the lessons she has learned in her career and the principles she follows as a leader. Fran is applying all of these principles as she leads BabyQuip in changing lives and improving the way families travel.
Highlights:
[02:47] Fran’s superpower
[05:54] The story of Match.com
[09:04] Keeping brand values in alignment with business decisions
[10:40] Defining company culture
[13:07] Biggest lessons learned
[18:39] The pros and cons of being early to market
[20:23] How does BabyQuip serve the community
[30:47] The effects of the pandemic on BabyQuip
[33:41] Empowering women as independent business owners
[37:17] Who should female entrepreneurs listen to for advice
[41:20] Lesson learned from working with investors
[42:38] Taking ownership of what’s in our control
[46:35] Vision for BabyQuip
[48:02] The question brand builders should be asking
Quotes:
“Be confident and allow yourself to be vulnerable and ask for help.” – Fran Maier
“Always be open to listening to everyone’s advice, but have the conviction to decide for yourself.” – Fran Maier
About Fran Maier:
Fran Maier is CEO and Founder of BabyQuip, the leading baby gear rental service for traveling families and now offering local cleaning services too.
She is a serial entrepreneur and brand builder with over 25 years experience in B2C and B2B internet businesses. She is best known for her 10+ years leading TRUSTe (now TrustArc), the leading privacy trustmark and compliance provider, and as Co-Founder and first General Manager of Match.com.
Fran speaks widely on several topics relating to women in business, including opportunities for women in the collaborative economy, addressing the lucrative family travel segment, women in entrepreneurship and on boards. She serves as an advisor to many start-ups including Portfolia, Women’s Start-up Lab, Sign-up.com, Kango, and Dabbl.
Fran is featured as an expert in the documentary film about entrepreneurship entitled “She Started It.” With Emmy Award winning journalist Kym McNicholas, she hosted a radio show/podcast called "Female Seeking Start-up" which featured interviews with female entrepreneurs. In 2016, Fran was honored by the Stanford Graduate School of Business with the Jerry I. Porras Latino Leadership Award. In 2015, she was named one of “100 Most Influential Women in Technology” by Hot Topics. In 2011, San Francisco Business Times named Fran among the 150 Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business and in 2010, AlwaysOn named her among the Top 25 Women in Tech to Watch in Silicon Valley.
She served on the board of GE Capital Bank until it was sold in 2016. In addition, she is a Member of Women Corporate Directors and is former Chair of the Steering Committee for Stanford Women on Boards. In 2012, Fran completed the Stanford Rock Center for Corporate Governance Director's College.
Fran holds a BA and MBA from Stanford University. She lives in San Francisco and Santa Fe and is the mother of two grown sons.
Links:
Website: https://www.babyquip.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franmaier/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/franmaier
Imagine you’re at an event or in an elevator, and you get introduced to a VIP that you’re honored to meet. Then they ask that dreaded question: Tell me about yourself.
The typical default is to respond with your name, title, employer and work focus, right? Imagine you no longer have that job or title. How would you tell your story?
When we’re asked to introduce ourselves, we often miss the opportunity to share our story in a powerful way that makes us stand out and highlights our unique value proposition. Instead, we respond to that question with our work history that explains our WHAT but not our WHY.
In this episode, you’ll meet Lisa Gates, a leadership and career story coach, and founder of Story Happens Here, a practice focused on helping women master their brand stories, control their narratives, and rise up. Lisa is committed to helping women be seen, heard, promoted—and rewarded—as the agents of change the workplace and the world is dying to see. Lisa stresses the importance of being able to morph your story for any situation that you are in. And how your story isn’t a one-time thing but rather a living breathing story that can always change.
Lisa has also authored several online courses available at LinkedIn Learning, including Asking for a Raise, Negotiation Foundations, Conflict Resolution Foundations, Coaching and Developing Employees, and Coaching for Results.
Highlights:
[02:50] Lisa’s story
[09:21] The key to building your story
[12:57] Techniques for overcoming fears and limiting beliefs
[19:46] Overcoming failures and setbacks
[24:23] Making decisions with confidence
[27:46] Gaining access to influential leaders
[30:00] Lisa’s daily success habits
[33:48] Advice on staying ahead of the curve
Quotes:
“Confidence comes from repetition, practice, and advocating for yourself and others.” – Lisa Gates
“Be diligent about spending time every week cultivating your influence.” - Lisa Gates
“If it’s not on your calendar, it’s not going to happen.” – Lisa Gates
“You will forget something you learn in about three days if you don’t start to implement it.” – Lisa Gates
About Lisa Gates:
Lisa is a leadership and career story coach, and founder of Story Happens Here, a practice focused on helping women master their brand stories, control their narratives, and rise up.
Lisa is committed to helping women be seen, heard, promoted—and rewarded—as the agents of change the workplace and the world is dying to see. She is a certified co-active coach with training in mediation, negotiation, conflict resolution, and Strength Finders. Prior to launching Story Happens Here in 2019, she was co-founder of the negotiation consultancy She Negotiates, which she ran for 10 years.
In addition to her work in marketing and public relations, Lisa holds a degree in theatre and a minor in journalism and has performed in countless plays, torn up the boards in several improv troupes, and participated in storytelling events for over 40 years. Lisa has authored several online courses available at LinkedIn Learning, including Asking for a Raise, Negotiation Foundations, Conflict Resolution Foundations, Coaching and Developing Employees, and Coaching for Results.
Links:
Website: https://www.storyhappenshere.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisagates/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LisaGates1
Is self-doubt preventing you from following your dreams? Are you a high-achiever who struggles with feelings of inadequacy?
In the 1970s, two researchers, Dr. Suzanne Imes and Dr. Pauline Rose Clance, embarked on researching the characteristics of high-achieving women. What they found was that despite all of these women’s accomplishments, all of their achievements, there was this level of self-doubt. This became known as Imposter Syndrome, which affects 70% of all people. Following in their footsteps, Dr. Valerie Young, expanded on their research and introduced 5 Archetypes of Imposter Syndrome and how they present.
In this episode, we'll share how you can discover your imposter syndrome archetype, what you must do to boost your confidence, and why imposter syndrome can be a career killer.
Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes and links, including the best way to connect with our guests.
Highlights:
[00:41] Beyond Barriers Mission
[01:17] About Monica Marquez
[03:28] About Nikki Barua
[06:21] What is imposter syndrome
[09:42] What the research has taught us
[12:22] 5 archetypes of imposter syndrome
[24:18] Mindset affects propensity to experience imposter syndrome
[25:33] Strategies for each archetype
[27:27] Tools for overcoming imposter syndrome
Quotes:
“Be aware that by simply change your physical stance and changing your state, you actually show up more confident even if you're not feeling it in that moment.” – Nikki Barua
“If someone pays you a compliment, write it down and add it to an ongoing list over time.” – Nikki Barua
“In this digital age of technology, realize that you're not going to know everything and be committed to constantly evolving and always learning.” – Monica Marquez
“When you find yourself procrastinating, pause, and take a moment to ask yourself, are you pushing something out that you don’t want to deal with?” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Have you ever felt stuck in a career but didn’t know how to make a change? Do you wonder how to position yourself effectively for a future role?
Our guest, Janet Van Huysse, SVP, Chief People Officer at Cloudflare, shares how she changed careers by leveraging transferrable skills and how you can do the same.
Janet started out as a school teacher in Illinois with a dream to move to California. But when she finally got there, she realized that she couldn’t afford the cost of living as a teacher and had to work nights and weekends at a small internet company. She needed a long-term sustainable solution and after exploring her options, she decided to pursue a career in HR. Her only challenge? She had no training or experience in the field!
In this episode, you’ll learn the steps that Janet took to make a career change and how it helped her achieve her dreams and accelerate success. Today, Janet leads the HR function at Cloudflare, including recruiting efforts. A veteran HR leader with over twenty years of experience in technology, Janet was the first VP of HR at Twitter, as well as the company's VP of Diversity & Inclusion. Janet is also the co-founder of TendLab, a venture seeking to transform the workplace by unleashing the power and potential of working parents.
Highlights:
[02:24] Janet’s journey
[09:26] Overcoming setbacks
[11:43] Identifying your transferrable skills
[15:16] Overcoming your fears and limiting beliefs
[20:43] The importance of Employee Resource Groups
[26:35] Tips on executing effectively
[30:39] Janet’s daily success habits
[33:30] What holds women back
[36:01] Accelerating success in the digital age
Quotes:
“Call out that inner critic that is sabotaging you.” – Janet Van Huysse
“When presenting something or a new proposal, make sure that 60 to 80% of the people in that room have seen it beforehand.” – Janet Van Huysse
“Ask yourself what are the three most important things that you need to do today and focus on those.” - Janet Van Huysse
“It is important to tell people where you want to go.” – Janet Van Huysse
About Janet Van Huysse:
Janet Van Huysse is the Head of People at Cloudflare, where she leads the HR function, including recruiting efforts. A veteran HR leader with over twenty years of experience in technology, Janet was the first VP of HR at Twitter, as well as the company's VP of Diversity & Inclusion. Janet is also the co-founder of TendLab, a venture seeking to transform the workplace by unleashing the power and potential of working parents.
Links:
Website: https://www.cloudflare.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetvh/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/janetvh
Is the glass half full or half empty? Based on your answer, you are assessed as either an optimist or a pessimist, revealing your level of “happiness”.
In this episode, Silvia Garcia, former International Marketing Director and President of the Happiness Institute of Coca-Cola, challenges us that both answers are wrong. The glass is refillable! And anyone can refill their own glass if they focus on the 8 pillars that science attributes to happiness.
As the former President of the Happiness Institute at Coca-Cola, Silvia has studied how positive and negative emotions influence consumer and employees’ decisions. Using the first scientific index of happiness at work, Silvia proves the impact of increasing employees’ happiness at work on business results.
She is one of the top worldwide leaders on happiness at work and is invited every year by the United Nations to discuss the state of happiness in the world.
Highlights:
[02:24] Silvia’s journey
[06:41] Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs
[09:32] Happiness and success go hand in hand
[11:18] Tips for happiness
[15:58] 8 pillars that science attributes to happiness
[24:13] Celebrating yourself
[26:03] Have your network of cheerleaders
[29:13] Overcoming failures and setbacks
[31:52] Silvia’s daily success habits
[34:53] Staying ahead of the curve
Quotes:
“When you avoid the things that are causing you pain, you are also avoiding the path to feeling well.” – Silvia Garcia
“Happiness is always more than one person, whether you are feeling good or feeling bad, you need to share with others.” - Silvia Garcia
“Remind yourself that failures are lessons for the future.” – Silvia Garcia
“If you don’t have challenges that are bigger than you, then there will be no learning.” – Silvia Garcia
About Silvia Garcia:
As former International Marketing Director and President of the Happiness Institute of Coca-Cola, Silvia studied how positive and negative emotions influence consumer and employees’ decisions. Silvia has inspired millions of people to do what it takes to increase sales, attract and keep more customers, build longer-lasting, healthier relationships, strengthen their leadership skills and become more profitable, happier and successful than they ever thought possible. Using the first scientific index of happiness at work, Silvia proves the impact of increasing employees' happiness at work on business results and creates new brands and products that gain immediate consumer love. Highly demanded by companies all around the world, her speeches have been said to change “lives and companies”.
Silvia is one of the top worldwide leaders on happiness at work and, as such, she is annually invited by the United Nations to discuss the estate of happiness in the world.
She is a foresighted and humorous storyteller who enjoys simplifying big, complex ideas to make them actionable for a wide range of audiences. She is known for her keynotes given in companies around the world. She is described by clients from sectors like banking, food, sharing economy, media, and various universities and business schools as a “standout favorite for audiences”, with a “rare and visionary intellect”.
Links:
Website: https://www.happiestplacestowork.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/silvia-garcia-barnechea/
Welcome to Season 2 of the Beyond Barriers podcast! If you are an ambitious woman who wants to advance in leadership, then this podcast is for you.
In each episode, we interview thought leaders, industry influencers and C-level executives from top corporations. Listen to our guests share their perspective on leadership in the age of artificial intelligence, autonomy and authenticity. From inspiring stories to cutting-edge strategies, you’ll learn exactly how our guests made it to the top and the invaluable lessons they have learned in their own journey.
This podcast is co-hosted by Nikki Barua - Digital Innovator, Serial Entrepreneur, Author & Speaker. And Monica Marquez - Senior Corporate Leader, ex-Googler, and Diversity Expert.
As thought leaders in innovation and inclusion, we bring unique insights on how to develop the skillset, mindset and toolset to get future-ready fast and accelerate your success.
Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Visit iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes and links, including the best way to connect with our guests.
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
This is our last podcast episode of the year. We are so grateful, honored and blown away by the amazing podcast guests we've had the opportunity to interview since our launch in February.
And what better way to close out the year then to share with you a recap of some of the best and inspirational seeds of wisdom that our guests planted for all of our listeners.
In this episode, Nikki and Monica discuss how the Beyond Barriers Podcast came to life, the milestones we’ve reached, and nuggets of wisdom from our most popular guest episodes.
We’d like to wish you a very Happy New Year from Beyond Barriers! Thank you for supporting us and our community of women worldwide.
Highlights:
[01:02] Launching a new podcast
[02:16] Thank you to our community
[03:44] Recap of our most popular podcasts episodes
[18:57] Happy New Year from Beyond Barriers
Quotes:
“Just by sharing your vision, you may not need to ask for help.” – Ginny Clarke
“You can't raise your net worth until you raise your self-worth.” – Audrey Bellis
“The life that you want is on the other side of a difficult conversation.” – AmyK Hutchens
“It's about talking to the right person at the right time about the right opportunity.” – Sarah Johnston
“Figure out what your self-promotional gift is and how it's going to help other people.” – Dr. Nashater Del Solheim
“Don't let a crisis pivot you from your true north.” – Carina Edwards
“The more you try to fit into a mold that wasn't made for you, the more energy you have to expend.” – Annie Jean-Baptiste
“We don't have failures, we have experiences and lessons learned.” – Iliana Quinonez
“Talk about your work like you're your own best friend.” – Judith Williams
“Sometimes others see something in you that you may not see in yourself, and you need to be open to them.” – Gail Fierstein
“It doesn't matter whether you feel confident, it matters what you actually do.” – Kara Goldin
“Asking for help allows others to know where they can use their superpowers to help you.” – Tami Rosen
“Your ability to have power and influence is limited when no one knows what you've done.” – Mallun Yen
“Having courage of voice empowers you when you take ownership of your own ideas.” – Melonie Parker
“When someone gives you feedback, make it comfortable for them to give you feedback again.” – Anilu Vazquez-Ubarri
“Exceptional leaders do not want to be the smartest person in the room.” – Katie O’Reilly
“You can't be every woman every day.” – Gizelle George-Joseph
“Put your own comfort aside so that you can create comfort for someone else.” – Daisy Auger-Dominguez
“Part of securing the seat at the table is owning the space that you want to create.” – Minda Harts
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
It's less than two weeks until the end of the year. We are in the midst of the holiday season – a time for celebration, community, giving, and reflection. It is also a time for planning for success in the new year.
In this episode, Nikki reflects back on 2020 and shares memorable moments, new competencies she’d developed over the year, and her lifelong planning rituals that help her reach her goals in the new year.
And finally, as the year comes to a close, we would like to thank our listeners for your support and ask you to help us to empower even more women worldwide. Podcast subscriptions and ratings affect the visibility of content on popular platforms, especially on Apple.
It takes less than 2 minutes and it’s easy. Please help!
Here are 3 simple steps to Subscribe, Rate, and Review.
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Click here your iPhone or Desktop.
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Click on “SUBSCRIBE”.
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Scroll down below ALL episodes and you will see “Ratings and Reviews” on the iPhone.
Click the stars to rate and then write a review.
Thank you for your support and for this precious holiday gift to our community!
Highlights:
[01:02] Nikki’s reflection on the year
[06:50] What Nikki learned this year
[14:09] 3 questions Nikki asks herself at year end
[18:01] Nikki’s ritual in planning for the new year
[25:12] Nikki’s vision for 2021
Quotes:
“Within every crisis there is opportunity.” – Nikki Barua
“Nothing mobilizes a group of people more than coming together and uniting around a common cause.” – Nikki Barua
“You can’t control everything that is coming your way, but you can control your response.” – Nikki Barua
“With focus and sustained commitment, anything is possible.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Kamala Harris recently shared that her mother always reminded her that, “You may be the first to do many things, but make sure you’re not the last.” Being a pioneer is hard. It means pushing through boundaries and overcoming great challenges, often times alone.
In this episode, Ileana Musa, Co-Head of International Wealth Management and the Head of International Banking & Lending at Morgan Stanley, shares what it was like growing up as a young Latina immigrant in a single parent home and how education and a strong work ethic laid the foundation to achieve her career aspirations. Ileana also shares why staying true to yourself and sharing your authentic story leads to awareness and stronger relationships, which ultimately leads to opportunity.
Highlights:
[03:30] Ileana’s story
[05:16] Decision to pursue a career in financial services
[07:40] Ileana’s daily success habits
[10:10] Building your personal brand
[17:42] Gaining access to influential leaders
[23:30] Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs
[29:43] Executing on your new opportunity
[37:14] Advice on staying ahead of the curve
Quotes:
“Sharing your story helps others to share their stories.” – Ileana Musa
“It's up to each of us to paint the picture of what the future holds.” – Ileana Musa
“When you give back to other employees as it relates to their development, people take notice, and that ultimately gives you access.” – Ileana Musa
“Think about what you bring to the table and how you can then build a meaningful connection.” – Ileana Musa
“The sooner you fail, the sooner you are going to learn.” – Ileana Musa
About Ileana Musa:
Ileana Musa is the Co-Head of International Wealth Management and the Head of International Banking & Lending. In this role she leads the segment and strategy that focuses on Morgan Stanley’s International Client Advisors and international clients to ensure they have access to strategic investment, cash management and lending solutions, services and thought leadership to address both sides of a client’s balance sheet. Ileana is a member of Morgan Stanley's Wealth Management Management Committee, Wealth Management Operating Committee, Latin America Management Committee, US Banks Management Committee, and the Bank Leadership Committee. Ileana co-chairs the enterprise Latino Employee Network.
Prior to joining Morgan Stanley she was the Global Client Segment and Strategy executive for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this capacity, Ileana focused on international financial advisors to ensure the delivery of a consistent, goals-based wealth management experience for international high-net-worth and ultra-high-net worth clients. Prior to this role, Ileana was head of International Credit & Banking within Bank of America’s Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM) Banking group. In this role, she led the teams that supported and delivered integrated liquidity, cash management and lending solutions and services to financial advisors and high-net-worth clients in Latin America, Asia and Europe.
Ileana held several leadership roles in the domestic, international and affluent banking platforms at Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase, where she lent her talent in growing the cross-border wealth management business.
Ileana received her BBA degree, with a concentration in finance, from the University of Miami and an M.B.A. degree in finance from Florida International University. Ileana is fluent in Spanish, is FINRA registered and is Six-Sigma Greenbelt certified.
Ileana was recently named to the Girl Scouts National Board (GSUSA) and sits on the Corporate Advisory Boards of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), Florida International University Honors College and the Cuban Heritage Collection at the University of Miami.
Ileana was named to the ‘Top 100 Most Influential Latinas’ List in 2020 by Latino Leaders. Last year she was recognized to the 2019 MAKERS class of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management as well as being recognized by Latino Justice with the 2019 Latina Trailblazer Award honoring her professional and personal achievements in opening doors and new opportunities for other professionals. Additionally, Ileana was named to ALPFA’s 2019 Most Powerful Latinas in corporate America list for a third year in a row as previously featured in Fortune magazine. In 2016 Ileana was awarded the 2015 Top 10 Corporate Executives of the Year by Latina Style magazine.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ileanamusa3
This has been an incredibly challenging year. We're navigating new circumstances in an uncertain environment. Some of us are not only dealing with everyday responsibilities, but also taking care of others – whether it’s child care, or elder care. In these situations, one of the first things that we let go of is self-care. After all, when time and energy is limited, how do you even find the time to focus on yourself?
In this episode, we're going to talk about why self-care is even more important when you're caring for others, and provide tips on taking care of yourself.
Highlights:
[00:41] Challenges of today
[02:27] Monica shares her story of elder care
[03:08] Effects of not practicing self-care
[05:48] Hitting pause and changing trajectory
[09:19] 3 key takeaways
Quotes:
“Draw boundaries with yourself and others on what is possible, reasonable and feasible.” – Nikki Barua
“Make sure that you do something to nourish yourself daily.” – Nikki Barua
“Self-care shifts caring for others from a burden to a privilege.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Have you ever felt like an outsider that didn’t belong even after you earned a seat at the table? Our guest Mallun Yen has faced and successfully overcome this challenge over and over again in her career. She reveals how being an outsider fueled her creativity and helped her tap into the power of community to find breakthrough solutions. She was able to think outside the box because she didn’t even know there was a box!
Mallun is the Founder and Partner of Operator Collective, a $50M venture fund that brings together senior operators from diverse backgrounds as Limited Partners. This is a group critical to a startup’s success but largely absent from the historically white male venture industry. Mallun has assembled a close knit community of 130 incredibly talented Operator LPs who have built up the world's most admired companies like Zoom, Stripe, Salesforce and Slack. 90% of the LPs are women, and more than 40% of them are people of color! Prior to Operator Collective, Mallun was Vice President at Cisco, founding team member at multiple category-creating startups, including RPX ($0 to $100M & IPO in 3 years) and SaaStr (world’s largest b2b software community).
In this episode, Mallun discusses why building powerful communities is the key to changing the status quo and what has helped her bring people together for a common cause. She also shares her bold vision of an inclusive world where every dreamer and every doer can go beyond barriers.
Highlights:
[02:57] Mallun’s career journey
[11:57] Being an outsider can be an asset
[18:30] What makes the Operator Collective different from traditional VC funds
[23:37] Solving for the gender gap in investors
[31:57] Facilitating power, wealth and influence for women
[37:59] Asking your community for help
[48:02] Advice on expanding your personal network
[53:39] Mallun’s biggest dream for the future
Quotes:
“Being the outsider allows you to think outside of the box.” – Mallun Yen
“Your ability to have power and influence is limited when no one knows what you’ve done.” – Mallun Yen
“When you start a relationship that is both personal and business-related, it is much more natural to continue having the business part of it.” – Mallun Yen
“Be deliberate in building your relationships.” – Mallun Yen
“You can treat people well, put culture first, build relationships, and still build an ultra-successful company.” – Mallun Yen
About Mallun Yen:
Mallun Yen is the Founder and Partner of Operator Collective, a $50M fund that brings together as LPs a group critical to a startup’s success but largely absent from the historically male and white venture industry: senior operators from diverse backgrounds. Beyond having assembled a close knit community of 130 mind-bogglingly talented Operator LPs who have built up the world's most admired companies like Zoom, Stripe, Salesforce and Slack, notably and deliberately 90% of the LPs are women, and more
than 40% of them are people of color.
Previously a Cisco Vice President, Mallun has built up multiple successful, category-creating startups, including as part of the founding teams at venture-backed RPX ($0 to $100M & IPO in 3 years) and SaaStr (world’s largest b2b software community).
Links:
Website: https://operatorcollective.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallun/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malynyn/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mallun
Did you know that 92% of people who set new year’s resolutions never achieve them? In this episode, we explore how planning can help you achieve your goals. We also discuss different styles of planning and whether to plan or not to plan.
You’ll learn how planning can save you time and energy, and provide relief from stress. You’ll also learn the steps of planning to set yourself up for success.
Highlights:
[01:09] I am not a planner
[04:29] Downside of not planning
[06:52] Steps for planning
Quotes:
“Taking the time to plan up front will save you a great deal of time in the future.” – Nikki Barua
“Creating a plan allows you to anticipate the future, explore your options, and get leverage.” – Nikki Barua
“Good planning is about anticipating the worst case scenario and rather than assuming the best case scenario.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Do you worry about what other people think of you? Have you let your fear of judgment get in the way of leading with courage?
Research has shown that when people are their authentic selves at work, they are less likely to feel stalled in their careers, more likely to be promoted and advance in their career, and more likely to build a strong sense of trust with their employers, peers and team.
In this episode, you’ll meet Katie O’Reilly, fearless leader and Executive Director at the Milken Institute, a non-profit, non-partisan think tank on a mission to increase global prosperity by providing access to capital, creating jobs and improving health.
Katie shares how being unapologetically authentic helped her earn the trust and respect of powerful global leaders, lead her team of change agents, and make massive impact in the world. Katie reveals her own challenges and how she stepped into her personal power after overcoming self-doubt and fears. Katie shares her perspective on the importance of taking chances in your life and career, always learning and growing, and building and nurturing your relationship network.
In her role as Executive Director at the Milken Institute, Katie has overseen the international expansion of the Institute’s major initiatives globally. The Milken Institute convenes the world’s leading CEOs, institutional investors and government leaders for solutions-oriented dialogues about pressing social and economic challenges while also producing independent, data-driven research and crafting meaningful policy initiatives.
Katie has spent more than 15 years working with leading organizations in the NGO, philanthropic and corporate space. She began her career as a community organizer and policy analyst for the Los Angeles Coalition to End Hunger and Homelessness and served as Senior Fundraiser for United Way. Active in many organizations, Katie currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery. She is co-chair of the U.S. Board of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. She also serves on the advisory board of Pocket Patient, a patient-centered, digital medical platform for the developing world.
Highlights:
[03:33] Katie’s story
[08:26] Connecting in your career and finding your place
[23:39] Advice on being your authentic self in difficult situations
[25:59] Overcoming imposter syndrome
[28:59] Practical tips for business development
[30:02] How to open the conversation
[33:11] Nurturing your relationships
[36:01] Common traits of exceptional leaders
[40:13] Most exciting trends for the future
[44:05] Biggest barriers that hold women back
[47:32] Katie’s success habit
Quotes:
“When you're thinking about your career, try not to think TOO big, because it's about the day to day and what you enjoy doing every day.” – Katie O’Reilly
“The best advice for your career is to be curious.” – Katie O’Reilly
“You have to be vulnerable to be a great leader.” – Katie O’Reilly
“Getting outside of your comfort zone will turbocharge your learning.” – Katie O’Reilly
“Exceptional leaders do not want to be the smartest person in the room.” – Katie O’Reilly
About Katie O’Reilly:
Kathryn (Katie) O'Reilly is an Executive Director at the Milken Institute, a non-profit, non-partisan think tank headquartered in Santa Monica, California, with offices in Washington D.C., London, and Singapore. The Institute’s mission is to increase global prosperity by advancing collaborative solutions that widen access to capital, create jobs and improve health. The Institute convenes the world’s leading CEOs, institutional investors and government leaders for solutions-oriented dialogues about pressing social and economic challenges while also producing independent, data-driven research and crafting meaningful policy initiatives.
Since joining the Institute in 2007, O’Reilly has overseen the international expansion of the Institute’s major initiatives and leads teams engaged in relationship management and program development globally. More specifically, she creates strategies for engaging in the work of the Milken Institute for a global network of supporters including financial institutions, corporations, foundations and individual philanthropists. In the area of program development, O’Reilly fosters collaborations across a variety of topics including capital market development, medical philanthropy, disease research and capital access.
From Financial Innovations Labs to conference panels and workshops, O’Reilly leads efforts which bring together leaders from different sectors and regions to design and implement market-based solutions to global challenges.
She has spent more than 15 years working with leading organizations in the NGO, philanthropic and corporate space on crafting partnerships while also helping companies and individuals leverage their philanthropic investments. She began her career as a community organizer and policy analyst for the Los Angeles Coalition to End Hunger and Homelessness and served as Senior Fundraiser for United Way.
Active in many organizations, O'Reilly currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, which coordinates a global strategy to permanently dismantle slavery systems and is co- chair of the U.S. Board of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, the largest child health research institute in Australia and one of the top three worldwide. She also serves on the advisory board of Pocket Patient, a patient-centered, digital medical platform for the developing world. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and served as an Americorps volunteer for the Jesuit Volunteer Corps.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-o-reilly-2b57894/
Did you know that for every 100 men promoted or hired into a role as a first-time manager, only 72 women are promoted or hired? The imbalance is greater for women of color, with only 68 Latinas and 58 black women hired to managerial roles per 100 men.
A survey conducted by Lean In and McKinsey in 2019 revealed that women are not getting hired at the same scale, promoted at the same pace, nor paid at the same rate as men.
While there are many institutional reasons for this gender gap that may not be in your control, here’s something that is - taking ownership of your successes!
In this episode, we share how you can demonstrate your impact, put yourself in a better position to be hired, promoted and compensated well, and stop being the best kept secret!
Highlights:
[00:41] Hiring statistics
[01:52] Why achievements of women executives are less visible
[04:08] The struggle with promoting yourself
[08:44] Make your greatest hits list
Quotes:
“There are things known, and there are things that are unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.” – Monica Marquez
“When you finish a project, you must share your results with a little self-promotion to gain the necessary visibility to advance.” – Monica Marquez
“Every accomplishment builds upon the previous one and amplifies your value to the world.” – Monica Marquez
“Your reputation allows other people to know how you can help them.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Have you ever experienced the “Resume Black Hole”? That dreaded abyss your resume falls victim to when you click “submit” after spending countless exhaustive hours searching and applying for numerous jobs online. And then, you sit and wait, and wait some more, only to get nothing but those automated “thank you” confirmation receipt emails. That’s it, nothing. Nothing but frustration and disappointment.
Sound familiar?
In this episode, you’ll meet Jena Viviano, and hear her perspective on how to avoid the “black hole” and land your dream job.
Jena is a career coach and entrepreneur who knows what it’s like to go through multiple career changes.
She’s worked on Wall Street as an investment banker, reported live from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange and scored a job at a growing career startup, The Muse, before launching her professional development business. Her sweet spot is helping ambitious female professionals articulate their personal branded career stories to land their dream jobs via her signature program Recruit the Employer.
Jena has worked with over 800+ clients from around the world and has been featured on Business Insider, Monster, Glassdoor, Bustle, The Muse and Grit & Virtue. She’s created courses for LinkedIn, LinkedIn Learning, and her resume work is highlighted in the WSJ Bestseller, The New Rules of Work. Jena also speaks on various platforms about the intersection of work, branding and faith.
Highlights:
[02:58] Jena’s story
[04:22] Making the decision to change careers
[06:02] How to identify your strengths
[07:30] Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs
[08:47] What holds women back in corporate setting
[11:16] Looking for your dream job
[13:35] Gaining access to influential people
[16:01] Job seeker key habits to develop
[18:38] How to stand out as a job seeker
[23:41] How to execute in your first 90 days at a new job
[25:45] Leveraging your network and asking for help
[27:21] Advice on staying ahead of the curve
[28:52] Leveraging LinkedIn to build your brand
[30:24] Choosing your thought leadership topics
[35:46] Accelerating your success
Quotes:
“Work on your mindset on a daily basis to show up as your most authentic self.” – Jena Viviano
“When you get friendly with rejection, your opportunities become limitless.” – Jena Viviano
“Network early, network often, and don’t only network when you need something.” – Jena Viviano
“The key to building resilience to rejection is to practice failing.” – Jena Viviano
“Think of your career more as a marketer than a historian documenting your past.” – Jena Viviano
“If you don’t believe you deserve to be in the room, you won’t be in the room.” – Jena Viviano
About Jena Viviano:
Jena is a career coach and entrepreneur who knows what it’s like to go through multiple career changes.
She’s worked on Wall Street as an investment banker, reported live from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange and scored a job at a growing career startup, The Muse, before launching her professional development business full-time. Her sweet spot is helping ambitious female professionals articulate their
personal branded career stories to land their dream jobs via her signature program Recruit the Employer. Jena has worked with 800+ clients from around the world, been featured on and written for Business Insider, Monster, Glassdoor, Bustle, The Muse and Grit & Virtue. She’s created courses for LinkedIn,
LinkedIn Learning, and various professional organizations like YNG+ and NAPW. Her resume work is highlighted in the WSJ Bestseller, The New Rules of Work, and she’s spoken at various panels, podcasts, and universities about the intersection of work, branding and faith.
Jena lives in the Nashville area with her husband Brent (ask how LinkedIn was a part of her engagement story!) and spends her days exploring new coffee shops, mulling over theological principles, launching her podcast called Your Career Story or sampling the best wine bars in town. In case you were wondering - she’s an Enneagram 3.
Links:
Website: https://jenaviviano.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenaviviano/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jena_viviano/
Did you know that 40% of your activities are driven by habits – good or bad? That means you are the product of what you do habitually. That’s why it can be a struggle to change even when you hope to exert willpower. Habits are a powerful force that makes change challenging.
In this episode, we discuss the daily habits of successful people. Highly successful people don't rise to the top by behaving like everyone else. We’ll share how you can develop new habits that make success effortless.
Highlights:
[01:21] Common habits of high achievers
[02:17] 5 most common habits of high achievers
[05:48] Summary of 5 common habits
[07:50] Nikki’s morning routine
[10:33] How to develop new habits
[12:45] How to replace bad habits with good habits
Quotes:
“High achievers have morning routines that ground them, fuel them and empower them.” – Nikki Barua
“High achievers have a habit of focusing on the most important thing and eliminating distractions.” – Nikki Barua
“Be relentless in focusing on self-development.” – Nikki Barua
“It’s not just about forming good habits, it’s replacing bad habits with good habits.” – Nikki Barua
“If you want a certain outcome, you must invest time and allocate time towards it.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Can you imagine, at the age of 26, taking a $100 birthday gift challenge and turning it into $2 million in order to turn your idea for social change into reality, all in just two weeks? Sounds unbelievable doesn’t it? Where would you even begin?
In this episode, you’ll meet Carrie Rich, the co-founder and CEO of The Global Good Fund, an organization that accelerates the leadership development of high potential young social entrepreneurs tackling the world’s greatest issues. Now, just 8 years after taking on her birthday challenge, Carrie has impacted the lives of more than 8.5 million people around the world.
Carrie is also the managing director of the Global Impact Fund, a venture capital fund created in 2016 that invests in social impact companies led by people of color and women. In addition to leading The Global Good Fund, Carrie has served on the faculty at George Washington University, Georgetown University and at the Amani Institute in Kenya, Brazil and India. Among her many awards, she was named a 2016 EY Entrepreneur of the Year, Washington Business Journal 40 under 40, Entrepreneur.com Top 30 Start-ups to Watch and is the recipient of the POLITICO Women Who Rule Award, among many more.
Highlights:
[03:19] Carrie’s story
[09:07] Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs
[10:21] Decision-making techniques
[13:17] It only takes one person believing in you to make a difference
[16:43] Tips on effective execution
[18:36] Carrie’s daily success habit
[22:06] Gaining clarity to tell your story with passion
[24:19] Challenges that hold underrepresented groups back
[26:05] Getting the most out of a mentoring relationship
[28:07] Mentors don’t have to look like you
[31:13] The impact of COVID on mentoring relationships
[33:53] Advice on accelerating success
Quotes:
“If you don't ask, the answer will definitely be a no.” – Carrie Rich
“Financial planning will help you build the confidence to take risks.” – Carrie Rich
“It only takes one person to believe in you and take a chance on you.” – Carrie Rich
“One of the greatest gifts people can make is an introduction and sharing their network.” – Carrie Rich
“The best way to accelerate your success is by investing in yourself.” – Carrie Rich
About Carrie Rich:
Carrie Rich is the co-founder and CEO of The Global Good Fund, an organization that accelerates the leadership development of high potential young social entrepreneurs tackling the world’s greatest issues.
Ms. Rich co-founded The Global Good Fund in 2012 at the age of 26 after raising $2 million in seed capital in two weeks. Ms. Rich is the managing director of the Global Impact Fund, a venture capital fund created in 2016 that invests in social impact companies led by people of color and women. Ms. Rich co-authored Sustainability for Healthcare Management: A Leadership Imperative, featured in Handelsblatt's Top 5 Business Book in 2013. Ms. Rich is the recipient of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award, POLITICO Women Who Rule Award, Washington Business Journal 40 under 40, Entrepreneur.com Top 30 Start-ups to Watch, Stevie Award for Women in Business, Asian Social Innovation CEO of the Year, and Social Enterprise Alliance 50 under 40. Ms. Rich has served on the boards of Rezon8Capital, Women in Business, Ibasho, One Planet International School and the Atlas Health Foundation. Ms. Rich served on the faculty at Georgetown University, George Washington University and at the Amani Institute in Kenya, Brazil and India. Ms. Rich advises start-ups in the health, technology and retail industries, assisting with raising capital, business strategy, and market outreach to achieve audience engagement amongst millennials, women and those who care about sustainability and social impact.
Links:
RSVP for Fund The Good 2020 on December 9th at 5:30 pm EST – A virtual event featuring Arlan Hamilton: https://globalgoodfund.org/fundthegood/virtual-event/?mc_cid=61e178eae5&mc_eid=cbdff9db7e#RSVP
The Global Good Fund – to donate or for sponsorship: https://one.bidpal.net/fundthegood/ticketing
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-rich-10b8445/
Have you ever chosen a path that you want to follow and set out with a determined commitment only to realize somewhere along the way that your just not enjoying it? What do you do? Do you keep going or do you make the tough decision to change directions even if there are sunk costs?
In this episode, Judith Williams, Head of People Sustainability and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at SAP, shares her perspective and important life lesson she learned on the economic principle of “sunk costs” and how it can also be an important career strategy. Judith shares her story of deciding to make a career pivot, leaving her well-established career as an academic professor to becoming a change agent in the world of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Judith has been at the forefront of the culture change movement in technology and entertainment –with a deep focus on analytics and strategies to identify and disrupt bias in social systems and corporate culture.
Prior to joining SAP, she ran an organization which consults with start-ups, venture capitalists, and accelerators on embedding diversity and inclusion into the foundations of their organizational cultures.
In addition, Judith also served as the Global Head of Diversity for Dropbox and was also a Diversity Programs Manager at Google where she directed the unconscious bias work stream, and built strategies for recruiting, retention, and advancement of the company’s technical employees.
Highlights:
[02:57] Judith’s story
[05:52] Understanding sunk costs
[07:43] Making the decision to pivot
[12:02] Gaining clarity on your strengths and competencies
[17:35] Overcoming your fears and limiting beliefs
[19:48] Judith’s success habits
[23:40] Building a strong network
[27:46] The impact of COVID on underrepresented groups
[29:57] Opportunities for women of color
[32:09] Staying ahead of the curve
[34:19] Accelerating your success
Quotes:
“Do the tasks you enjoy the least earlier in the day, and afterward, the tasks you do enjoy doing become a reward.” - Judith Williams
“Practice reframing something, not in terms of whether or not you can do it, but are you willing to do the work it takes.” – Judith Williams
“When you first join an organization, it is more important to listen than to talk to understand the lay of the land.” - Judith Williams
“Look for opportunities to show your value, but also look for opportunities to highlight the value of others.” – Judith Williams
“Make sure that your work is visible. And as you grow in seniority, your job shifts to include making the work of your team visible.” – Judith Williams
“Talk about your work like you're your own best friend.” – Judith Williams
About Judith Williams:
Head of People Sustainability and SVP, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, SAP SE Judith has been at the forefront of the culture change movement in technology and entertainment – with a deep focus on analytics and strategies to identify and disrupt bias in social systems and corporate culture.
She joined SAP in September 2018 as Head of People Sustainability and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer leading both diversity and inclusion and business health programs at SAP.
Previously, she ran an organization which consults with start-ups, venture capitalists, and accelerators on embedding diversity and inclusion into the foundations of their organizational cultures.
Judith has also been instrumental in the development of the ReFrame Project, a partnership between the Sundance Institute and Women and Film. The project addresses systemic barriers in the Hollywood ecosystem, and encourages gender parity at every level in film, TV and media.
Prior to that as Global Head of Diversity for Dropbox, Judith was responsible for all diversity and inclusion programs, as well as corporate social responsibility. Her efforts increased the pipeline of women and underrepresented minorities at Dropbox, creating a more inclusive corporate culture and forming deeper ties into the communities where the company operates.
In addition, Judith was the Diversity Programs Manager at Google where she directed the unconscious bias work stream, and built strategies for recruiting, retention, and advancement of the company’s technical employees. She was instrumental in implementing Google’s widely praised unconscious bias training program which was the first to call out hidden prejudices as a major contributor to the systemic lack of diversity in the tech industry.
Judith lives in San Francisco, CA.
Links:
LinkedIn: judith-michelle-williams-55751a
Happy Halloween everyone! We hope you are celebrating this holiday dressed up as your favorite character and spreading the festive spirit.
Much like Halloween gives you the opportunity to step into a different character and assume its persona and behavior, you can also do the same in everyday life by assuming the right identity for any situation.
In this episode, we discuss the power of identity and how it can be an effective tool to overcome obstacles, achieve your goals, and not let your fears and limiting beliefs get in the way of your success.
Highlights:
[01:22] Why assume a different identity
[03:59] Monica’s power identity
[04:33] Our physical state impacts our mental state
[06:26] How to take on a power identity
Quotes:
“Assuming an identity isn't about not being yourself, it's about stepping into a character that brings out the best parts of yourself.” – Nikki Barua
“Observe how you're showing up in certain situations and whether that identity is disempowering or empowering.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Given the challenges we are all facing living in this current environment of dealing with COVID, working from home or working on the frontlines, managing home schooling, racial and social tensions, and all of the political rhetoric, it’s no wonder that we all are feeling some level of stress, anxiety and overwhelm!
The question is: what are you doing about it all? Are you practicing self-care?
In this episode, I chat with Jenny Evans, speaker, author, and on-air expert on physiology and chemistry, as it relates to resiliency, confidence and performance. Jenny shares her perspective on how you can learn to recover from stress more quickly and raise your threshold for it by utilizing realistic and manageable tactics.
Jenny Evans is the founder and CEO of PowerHouse Performance and author of the award-winning book The Resiliency rEvolution: Your Stress Solution for Life –60 Seconds at a Time. Working with thousands of C-suite executives, leaders and employees worldwide, Jenny helps audiences tap into their personal power and confidence, as well as learn how to increase their capacity for stress and to recover from it more quickly and effectively.
Text “STRESSPROOF” to 44222 to receive the 365 Days of Journaling Questions in addition to other free resources.
Highlights:
[02:49] Jenny’s journey
[05:59] Gaining clarity
[09:37] The effects of cortisol on our behavior
[14:05] The importance of good sleep
[17:38] Clear your mind before making decisions
[19:53] Building trust in yourself
[25:19] Change isn’t always easy
[29:34] Tips for reducing stress
[31:27] Overcoming the stories we tell ourselves
[35:04] Rewriting your story
[40:32] The importance of your community
[44:03] Advice on accelerating success
Quotes:
“A clear sense of purpose is essential for resiliency.” – Jenny Evans
“Figure out what is your ONE best next step and take action today.” – Jenny Evans
“Let go of stories that aren’t working for you and author new stories that are a reflection of the truth .” – Jenny Evans
“The top three forms of recovery available to the human body are sleep, exercise, and nutrition.” – Jenny Evans
About Jenny Evans:
Jenny Evans is obsessed with human performance and has created a career and life designed around maximizing her own potential, and helping others do the same. With a blend of confidence, creativity, stubbornness and some naïveté (which is sometimes key), she has gone headlong into following her passion and purpose...and figured out how to make a living while doing it.
Jenny is a keynote speaker, author and on-air expert on resiliency, stress, confidence and human performance. She is founder and CEO of PowerHouse Performance and author of the award-winning book The Resiliency rEvolution: Your Stress Solution for Life – 60 Seconds at a Time. Working with thousands of C-suite executives, leaders and employees worldwide, Jenny helps audiences tap into their personal power and confidence, as well as learn how to increase their capacity for stress and to recover from it more quickly and effectively. Clients improve their performance and productivity, all while enhancing their health.
Jenny has spoken on the TEDx stage, is the resiliency subject matter expert for Optum and The Big Know’s digital courses, writes as a blogger for The Huffington Post and was an NBC Health & Fitness expert for over four years. She has been quoted on National Public Radio, in Health Magazine and Women’s Health, while being showcased on FastCompany.com, Inc.com, Entrepreneur.com, Shape.com and Elle.com.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis on Psychology from the University of Minnesota, has been an American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor for over 20 years, and is a certified Exercise Nutritionist. In her spare time she is an aerial arts performer...because you never know when you’re going to need a backup plan.
Jenny’s corporate client list includes Yale School of Management, Ameriprise Financial, U.S. Bank, AT&T, Estée Lauder Companies, Comcast, Nationwide, Procter & Gamble, Target, and many other Fortune 500 companies.
Links:
Website: https://jennyevans.com/
Book: https://jennyevans.com/products/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/powerhouseperform
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennyevans/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenny_c_evans/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JennyEvansPH/
Do you have a dream that you are not pursuing because of fear and self-doubt? Have you let other people’s opinions drown out your own? What if...you could move forward with certainty towards your dream and ignore the naysayers?
That’s exactly what we’ll discuss in this conversation with Kara Goldin, founder and CEO of Hint, and author of the bestselling book Undaunted. Kara will inspire you to move past your fears and defy the doubters. As Kara says, it doesn’t matter whether you feel confident; it matters what you actually do.
Kara has received numerous accolades as the Founder and CEO of Hint, best known for its award-winning Hint® water, the leading unsweetened flavored water. She was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 Northern California, one of InStyle’s 2019 Badass 50, Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business, WWD Beauty Inc.’s Feel Good Force and Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs.
The Huffington Post listed her as one of six disruptors in business, alongside Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg. Previously, Kara was VP of Shopping and Ecommerce at America Online where she helped lead the growth of its shopping and ecommerce business to over a $1 billion in revenue.
Highlights:
[03:32] Kara’s story
[09:20] Overcoming doubts
[15:10] Following your North Star
[22:08] Where there is a will there is a way
[29:42] Advice on overcoming fears
[33:53] Lessons learned on managing at scale
[37:33] Building your presence and why it matters
[40:15] About “Undaunted”
Quotes:
“It's not just about having a great product, it's about building a great team.”– Kara Goldin
“Becoming comfortable with letting others know that you do not know something helps build confidence.” - Kara Goldin
“Sharing with people that you don't understand something might actually get you further.” – Kara Goldin
“You gain more confidence when you don’t try to be the smartest person in the room.” - Kara Goldin
“If you put belief in self-limiting thoughts, you will not be able to do make progress.” - Kara Goldin
“Creative ideas can come from anywhere, everyone has a voice and has valuable input.” – Kara Goldin
“Sharing authentically who you are, the things you care about, and the things that you're curious about is leading.” – Kara Goldin
“You are not alone in terms of having fears and having doubts. Take action and be okay with knowing that a lot of people fail.” – Kara Goldin
About Kara Goldin:
Kara Goldin is the Founder and CEO of Hint, Inc., best known for its award-winning Hint® water, the leading unsweetened flavored water.
She has received numerous accolades, including being named EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 Northern California, one of InStyle’s 2019 Badass 50, Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business, WWD Beauty Inc.’s Feel Good Force and Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs. The Huffington Post listed her as one of six disruptors in business, alongside Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg.
Previously, Kara was VP of Shopping and Ecommerce at America Online where she helped lead the growth of its shopping and ecommerce business to over a $1 billion in revenue.
She is an active speaker and writer and, in 2017, she launched Unstoppable with Kara Goldin, a podcast where she interviews founders, entrepreneurs and disruptors across various industries. Kara’s first book, Undaunted, published by Harper Leadership, will be released in October 2020.
Kara lives in the Bay Area with her family.
Please follow Kara on her website at www.karagoldin.com and on all social channels @KaraGoldin
For more information, images, interviews, please contact press@drinkhint.com
Links:
Website: https://karagoldin.com/undaunted
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karagoldin/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karagoldin/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaraGoldin/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/karagoldin/
How do you fill your time? Do you invest it or spend it? Are you always stretched for time or do you feel flow every day?
In today’s episode, we’ll share a different perspective about time and why it’s not about time at all.
Highlights:
[01:01] Why we obsess about time
[01:53] Manage your energy instead of your time
[03:20] We all have 24 hours in a day
[04:49] Focus on what you want to create
[05:53] 10 tips to break through the tyranny of time
[10:52] Multi-tasking does not equal productivity
Quotes:
“Being busy and filling every minute of your day does not equate to creating impact.” – Nikki Barua
“Time doesn't matter. It matters only when we're trying to do something that isn't joyful.” – Nikki Barua
“One of the biggest myths is that multitasking increases productivity. Its saps your energy and your focus and actually slows you down.” – Nikki Barua
“Once you choose your top priorities for the day, be sure you know the reasons why those matter.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Do you have a goal or lifelong dream that you’ve never shared with anyone because you are afraid of being judged? Do you worry about not knowing enough or not having the right skills or perhaps questioning whether it’s the right time?
In this episode, we’re speaking with Petra Griffith, Tech Executive and Investor, who says if you want to pursue your dream, you have to start by vocalizing it.
Petra Griffith launched Wedbush Ventures to foster the next generation of technology companies solving big market problems. Having built many firsts -the first online printing software, first fitness wearable, first native ads -and even having ushered a bank into the age of technology, Petra truly understands the mindset necessary to achieve product market fit. Her leadership roles at organizations such as Netflix, Yahoo!, and 24 Hour Fitness makes Petra a coveted ally to entrepreneurs ready to scale innovation.
Highlights:
[02:29] Petra’s journey
[09:29] Switching lanes and following your dreams
[13:18] Position yourself for opportunity
[15:00] What Petra is doing today – Wedbush Ventures
[20:51] Advice on seeking venture capital
[24:36] Common traits of successful leaders
[26:39] Daily success habit
[27:52] What Petra wishes she had known earlier in her career
Quotes:
“If you’re honest with yourself about what you want to do and you think about what you're good at, what kind of environment you want to be in, that’s when you’ll find the right match and it's magic.” – Petra Griffith
“It's critical to take the time to figure out what your superpower is and what is the right environment for you to be successful.” – Petra Griffith
“The most effective leaders are those who are laser focused on what matters and focus on those things so they can make an impact.” – Petra Griffith
“Be able to verbalize your goals because people can't help you unless you tell them where you want to go.” - Petra Griffith
About Petra Griffith:
Petra Griffith launched Wedbush Ventures to foster the next generation of technology companies solving big market problems. Having built many firsts - the first online printing software, first fitness wearable, first native ads - and ushered a bank into the age of technology, Petra understands the strategic and creative mindset necessary to narrow in on a product’s core features for successful market fit. Her past leadership to product, strategy, marketing, and operations teams at established and startup organizations like Netflix, Yahoo!, and 24 Hour Fitness makes Petra a coveted product strategy ally to entrepreneurs ready to scale innovation.
Links:
Website: https://www.wedbushventures.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petragriffith/
Most people don't bother to update their resume until there's a pressing need for it, and when they do...they have no idea where to begin. Sound familiar? If you're finding yourself in need of “dusting off the ol’ resume”, no need to fear...help is on the way.
Meet our guest, Virginia Franco, a multi-certified Executive Resume and LinkedIn Writer, Coach and Storyteller, whose documents have helped clients around the globe tell their stories and land interviews in record time. In this episode, Virginia shares her expertise and insights on the “Do’s and Don’ts” in your next job search.
Virginia founded Virginia Franco Resumes after recognizing her years of corporate communications, journalism and healthcare social work offered her a unique understanding of how people read, communicate and share information.
She is one of less than 70 writers nationwide to hold the prestigious National Certified Resume Writer certification from the National Résumé Writers' Association, and holds several additional industry certifications.
In January 2020 she launched Job Search Secret Weapon with 3 industry peers, offering job search support via DIY guides, kits, scripts and templates, for those who don’t have the means to work with professionals one-on-one.
Highlights:
[02:37] Virginia’s journey
[04:57] Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs
[06:23] Building your personal brand
[11:46] Deciding which role is best for you
[13:16] Resume and job search advice
[20:51] Honing in on your transferrable skills
[27:23] Apply even when you don’t meet 100% of requirements
[30:35] The importance of your digital profile
[32:39] Maintaining your presence on LinkedIn
[37:08] Staying ahead of the curve
Quotes:
“Make a list of your proudest accomplishments and within there you will find your greatest strengths.” – Virginia Franco
“It's important to understand what you excel at, what other people believe you are good at, and what you like to do and how that aligns with market demand.” – Virginia Franco
“Instead of simple a laundry list of responsibilities, your resume should demonstrate how those responsibilities led to results.” – Virginia Franco
About Virginia Franco:
Virginia Franco is first and foremost a writer and storyteller.
She founded Virginia Franco Resumes after recognizing her years of corporate communications, journalism and healthcare social work offered her a unique understanding of how people read, communicate and share information.
You name it she’s written it – from articles for websites, local newspapers and magazines to newsletters, executive talking points and annual reports.
Today Virginia writes documents that help clients land interviews. Her customized career documents help people struggling to tell their story in a way that appeals to today’s skim, online and small screen readers.
In addition to writing their documents, she offers guidance to those testing the job search waters or making a career change on navigating the world of online job search and social media networking. She shares her insights with job seekers via a variety of publications and podcasts.
Virginia is one of less than 70 writers nationwide to hold the prestigious NCRW certification from the National Résumé Writers' Association, and holds two additional certifications as a Resume Writer and an Employment Interview Coach from the PARW-CC.
In January 2020 she launched Job Search Secret Weapon with 3 industry peers, offering job search support via DIY guides, kits, scripts and templates, for those who don’t have the means to work with professionals one-on-one.
She makes sure to squeeze in time for a bit of of yoga and walking (while listening to podcasts!). Virginia lives with her husband, their 4 children and 2 dogs in Charlotte, NC
Links:
Website: https://virginiafrancoresumes.com/ and https://www.jobsearchsecretweapon.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginiafrancoresumewriter/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vafrancoresumes
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vafrancoresumes/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VirginiaFrancoResume/
This is our 100th episode and we want to thank you for your support. Thank you to everyone who is part of our community – our listeners from around the world, our inspiring guests who contribute their time and wisdom, our production partner MZ Studios who work their magic to ensure the highest listening quality, and our dearest teammate, Cheryl Couch, who puts her heart and soul into managing this show to ensure an outstanding experience every time.
As for us, we are truly humbled by this achievement. When we began our journey, we had no idea how popular this show would become, or how much impact our message would create.
In today’s episode, we want to share our story, and why we embarked on this mission to accelerate the advancement of women in leadership.
Highlights:
[01:38] Why the mission matters
[02:32] Industry disruption and how it impacts you
[05:48] Despite progress, women are still being left behind
[08:10] 2 things that need to happen to change status quo
[10:23] Challenges women face in the workplace
[16:53] How do you develop future-ready leaders
[19:41] Challenges for senior leaders
[22:38] Democratizing access to coaching and high performance training
Quotes:
“In less than three years from now, 40% of the work will be different from what it is today.” – Nikki Barua
“If you want to stay ahead, you have to shift your mindset, not just your skill set. You have to go from all knowing to always learning.” – Nikki Barua
“Imagine a world where every woman could advance in a career because she has access to the right resources - the right training, the right coaching, and the right relationships and communities.” – Nikki Barua
“In the age of influence, visibility matters. You can change hearts and minds if you're invisible.” – Nikki Barua
“If you have something to give, something to teach, then it's time to step up and put a spotlight on yourself.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Visibility matters. How can we expect to change the world if we’re invisible? That’s what we will discuss in this episode featuring Suezette Yasmin Robotham, who is a passionate advocate for visibility and authenticity as a catalyst for change.
Suezette is a DEI practitioner, speaker, connector, coach, and a leading “Black Woman in Tech”. She currently leads Diversity Programs on the Global Product & Software Engineering Recruiting team at Facebook. Suezette has more than a decade of leadership experience, with expertise in talent acquisition, diversity & inclusion initiatives, leadership development, strategic planning and relationship building across various industry sectors. Suezette also founded a platform created to amplify the voices of Black Women in Tech and beyond, called #BlackTechBeauty in 2020.
Highlights:
[03:26] Suezette’s journey
[15:25] Building relationships
[20:55] Advice on landing a role in Big Tech
[22:18] Articulating the transferability of your skills
[26:19] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[30:32] Finding your community
[33:42] Suezette’s daily success habits
[36:44] Advice on accelerating success in the digital age
[40:09] Black Tech Beauty
Quotes:
“Be grateful for your process and trust in that process.” – Suezette Yasmin Robotham
“Assess the company landscape and gain an understanding of who are the people that you have an opportunity to learn from.” - Suezette Yasmin Robotham
“Owning who you are authentically can help you overcome imposter syndrome and increase your confidence.” - Suezette Yasmin Robotham
“Ensure that your LinkedIn profile evokes someone to want to know more.” – Suezette Yasmin Robotham
“The best investment you can make is an investment in yourself.” – Suezette Yasmin Robotham
About Suezette Yasmin Robotham:
Suezette Yasmin Robotham is a DEI practitioner, speaker, connector, coach, and a leading “Black Woman in Tech.”
She has more than a decade of leadership experience, with expertise in talent acquisition, diversity & inclusion initiatives, leadership development, strategic planning and relationship building across various industry sectors. Over her career, she has contributed her work to large urban school districts, such as Atlanta Public Schools and Metro Nashville Public Schools, as well as education reform organizations that include Teach For America, The New Teacher Project and The Achievement Network. She previously served as the lead Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Program Manager on the Google Search & Assistant team; and currently leads Diversity Programs on the Global Product &
Software Engineering Recruiting team at Facebook. Suezette also founded a platform created to amplify the voices of Black Women in Tech and beyond, called #BlackTechBeauty in 2020.
Suezette has been tapped as a speaker by a number of organizations across the U.S. and Canada for her thought leadership in authenticity in the workplace and diversity and inclusion, and she has been a featured TEDx Speaker (TEDxBeaconStreet 2015). Suezette is passionate about the power that can be realized in spaces where vulnerability, empathy and authenticity are encouraged, and she is devoted to using her talents to connect others – whether individuals or organizations – to the people, opportunities and resources that will help them realize, access and achieve their highest potential. Suezette is also a TNJ 40 Under Forty 2019 Honoree.
An alumna of the University of Florida and the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University, Suezette currently lives, works, and plays in Brooklyn.
Her words to live by: “You were brave before you were born.”-Her Mommy
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suezette/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suezette/ & https://www.instagram.com/blacktechbeauty/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/11Zette17
How many of you experience sweaty palms, shaky knees, and can feel your heart about to pound its way out of your chest the moment you have to speak or perform publicly? Glossophobia, also known as the fear of public speaking, stage fright or performance anxiety, affects an estimated 73% of the population according to a recent article in Psychology Today. Now, in this day and age, with all of the new technology and the increase in video conference meetings, you have to be prepared to speak to an audience AND be camera-ready at any given moment. Which only increases the anxiety for many people.
The good news, however, is that you can learn to control this fear. In this episode, our guest, Michele Moreno, a 14+ year Hollywood actress and a Stanford graduate, shares her perspective on how any leader can become confident on camera to build trust and influence virtually anywhere —no matter how overwhelmed or terrified they start out.
Michele teaches business leaders secrets from the acting world, where she appeared on hit TV shows such as ABC’s Boston Legal, FX’s The Shield and NBC’s Parenthood. She’s also a contributing author to 2 books by Guy Kawasaki and has appeared on dozens of online shows as a video confidence expert.
Michele believes that the most valuable currency online today is people’s attention. Learning to capture it on camera is the superpower of the 21st century. So she wants you to lead with authority, confidence and on-camera style.
Highlights:
[03:31] Michele’s story
[05:02] Overcoming failure and taking action
[07:11] Finding the right mentor
[09:22] Getting comfortable with 60% confidence
[11:05] Speaking up in a meeting
[13:55] Common mistakes made on video
[17:27] Formulating your value proposition
[21:55] Crafting your brand
[27:14] Tips on expressing your ideas confidently
[30:27] Tricks to filler words
[33:35] Accelerating success in the digital age
Quotes:
“A winner is a loser who got up one more time.” – Michele Moreno
“Grit is what makes winners.” - Michele Moreno
“Paint your results in a way so that it is a mini-story in a time and place.” – Michele Moreno
“Do a better job of saying no and knowing that you and your time are valuable.” – Michele Moreno
About Michele Moreno:
Michele Moreno believes any leader can become confident on camera to build trust and influence virtually anywhere — no matter how overwhelmed or terrified they start out.
She teaches business leaders secrets from the acting world, where she appeared on hit TV shows such as ABC’s Boston Legal, FX’s The Shield and NBC’s Parenthood. She’s also a contributing author to 2 books by Guy Kawasaki and has appeared on dozens of online shows as a video confidence expert.
The most valuable currency online today is people’s attention. Learning to capture it on camera is the superpower of the 21st century. So she wants you to lead with authority, confidence and on-camera style.
Links:
Free 20-minute chat at http://bit.ly/chatwithMichele
Website: http://videoconfidence.biz
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachmichele/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelemmoreno/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachmichelemoreno/
Do you know what people say about you when you aren’t in the room?
What people say about you, think of you, and how they perceive you is what your reputation is built upon. And your reputation is your personal brand.
Whether you want a personal brand or not, you have one! And if you aren’t actively building your brand, you are missing out on the opportunity to make your reputation work for you.
In this episode, we will share why it’s important to build your personal brand and how to get started.
Highlights:
[01:16] Why it’s important to build your personal brand
[01:50] Your digital presence
[05:37] 1 st step to building your brand – audit yourself
[08:37] 2 nd step – do an external audit
[09:28] 3 rd step – identify patterns
Quotes:
“We leave a trail everywhere we go based on how we show up.” – Nikki Barua
“If you're not aware of your personal brand and are not actively building it, you're unknowingly creating a major barrier to your success.” – Nikki Barua
“We're living in the age of influence where our reputation precedes us.” – Nikki Barua
“Look at what your digital and physical footprint and what it says about you.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Have you ever felt like you were the only one dealing with challenges that you didn’t know how to overcome? Those moments when you didn’t have an answer and wished you could get the wisdom and guidance of those who have walked that path before you.
Meet Loren Feldman, former senior editor at Inc, Forbes and New York Times, who shares his perspective on the power of community and what helps business leaders survive and thrive.
Loren Feldman is chief content officer of 21 Hats, an online platform for business owners. He currently hosts the 21 Hats Podcast and publishes the 21 Hats Morning Report, a daily email newsletter for entrepreneurs. Previously, he was a senior editor covering entrepreneurship at Inc, Forbes and the New York Times and hosted a call-in show for business owners, Mind Your Business, on Sirius XM. Loren has also spoken and moderated discussions at numerous conferences and seminars on entrepreneurship.
Highlights:
[02:44] Loren’s career highlights
[07:33] Starting a business during the pandemic
[15:14] Highlighting stories of navigating through uncertainty
[20:39] Lessons learned
[23:52] Common traits of successful leaders
[28:29] Women entrepreneurs and leaders
[33:32] The venture capital industry
[35:51] The importance of visibility
[39:02] Living in this age of uncertainty
Quotes:
“The most important part of a blog is the conversations that the content elicits.” – Loren Feldman
“To be an entrepreneur, you have to be incredibly stubborn and headstrong, you have to be willing to keep going, when people are telling you that it's not going to work.” - Loren Feldman
“The real challenge of being a successful entrepreneur is calibrating when to keep going no matter what and knowing when you need to listen to others.” – Loren Feldman
“Find your tribe, find other people going through similar challenges. It cannot be a single person, you need a diversity of opinion.” – Loren Feldman
About Loren Feldman:
Loren Feldman is chief content officer of 21 Hats, an online platform for business owners that will debut in 2020. He currently hosts the 21 Hats Podcast and edits the 21 Hats Morning Report, a daily email newsletter for entrepreneurs. Previously, he was a senior editor covering entrepreneurship at Inc, Forbes and the New York Times and hosted a call-in show for business owners, Mind Your Business, on Sirius XM. And he has spoken and moderated discussions at numerous conferences and seminars on entrepreneurship.
Links:
Website: www.21hats.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/feldmanloren/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lfeldman
Many barriers stand in the way of a Latina interested in a career in STEM...from societal and familial norms to high school counselors telling Latinas, and other women for that matter, that “maybe you’d be better suited majoring in something else”. This has been the case for decades. Even if one pushes past discrimination, there is still the challenge of a lack of resources, support and the isolation of being “the only”.
The numbers say it all: Only 2 percent of Latinas held science and engineering positions, as reported by the National Science Foundation. And that number hasn’t changed in the last 5 yrs. But Latinas in academia, the workforce, and beyond are working to change the depressing data.
In this episode, you will meet Isaura Gaeta, Vice President of Security Research and General Manager of Intel Product Assurance & Security at Intel Corporation, who is leading by example in her respective field and sharing her story in order to encourage the next generation of Latinas in STEM.
Highlights:
[03:51] Isaura’s journey
[07:53] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[09:51] Building relationships
[15:28] First experience in corporate
[18:50] Gaining access to influential leaders
[22:47] Raising your hand for opportunities
[24:33] Building your personal brand
[27:09] Tips for achieving your goals
[29:39] Staying ahead of the curve
[32:24] Opportunities for the Latino community
[36:41] Accelerating success in the digital age
Quotes:
“Engineering is about helping people. It's about making our lives better.” – Isaura S. Gaeta
“Always give more than you get back.” - Isaura S. Gaeta
“Remind yourself that you have information that is valuable to share and if you don’t share it, then you may not make the progress that is needed.” – Isaura S. Gaeta
“Utilize CPU – Commit to being your best self every day. Persist despite setbacks. Unite with your community for support.” – Isaura S. Gaeta
“Quell that little voice that is telling you that you're not good enough or you're not supposed to be here. Stand up and say - Yes, I am supposed to be here.” - Isaura S. Gaeta
“Be confident about sharing and asking for what you want.” - Isaura S. Gaeta
About Isaura S. Gaeta:
Isaura leads an engineering team focused on hardware security research including penetration testing, physical attack mechanisms, and outreach to academia. Previously she was GM of systems engineering in the Platform Engineering Group and was responsible for optimizing engineering execution capacity, quality management systems, and operational excellence for a global engineering organization of 18k people. A 30-year veteran of Intel, Gaeta spent the first two decades of her Intel career developing various semiconductor processing technologies. Her work during that period led to two patents and five Intel Achievement Awards, the company’s highest recognition. Gaeta holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Stanford University. She founded Intel’s Network of Executive Women for the Latin America region and was the chair of Intel’s Hispanic Leadership Council. Outside of Intel, she serves on the board of the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley where she chairs the Nominating and Governance committee. The Hispanic IT Executive Council has recognized her six times on the top 100 Hispanic professionals in the IT industry.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaura-s-gaeta-1a50262/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IsauraGaeta
It’s that dreaded time of the year ... performance review cycles are in process in most organizations. According to research from SHRM (the Society for Human Resource Management), 90% of performance reviews are painful and ineffective.
Managers spend 210 hours on performance management and are inundated with reviews to complete. Meanwhile employees experience anxiety about an unpredictable outcome with 22% of employees preferring to call in sick rather than face a performance review.
In this episode, we will share performance review tips so you can set yourself up for success and turn this into an opportunity and make the most of it to advance in your career.
Highlights:
[00:40] Dreading the performance review
[02:27] Actively managing your career
[05:10] Tips for last minute prep for review
[07:28] Seeking out the truth tellers for feedback
[10:24] Be curious when receiving feedback
[11:18] Always follow-up after a review
[12:44] Summary of 5 performance review tips
Quotes:
“If you're not actively managing your career, chances are that you haven't done all of the groundwork needed for you to make the most out of the feedback cycle and to leverage the review for advancement.” – Nikki Barua
“Take every opportunity to illustrate your accomplishments and share measurable results that you've created.” – Nikki Barua
“Your self-assessment is not the time to be humble. It is the time to advocate for yourself and highlight your accomplishments.” – Monica Marquez
“Utilize the STAR method in your performance reviews – Situation, Tasks, Action, Results.” – Monica Marquez
“Be strategic in who you ask for feedback and what you ask them to support you in.” - Monica Marquez
“Seek feedback to listen and learn, not to refute and reject.” - Nikki Barua
“Feedback is essential for growth, it is a gift.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
How would you feel if you knew your manager had your back? What if they lifted you up and shined a light on your accomplishments? What if they were willing to do whatever it takes to give everyone a level playing field?
Servant leadership is all about leading by lifting others. Our guest today is Tami Rosen and she is that kind of leader. She believes that leaders don’t go far if they leave others behind. Throughout her career, Tami has fought for the underdog and paved the way for others to get ahead, inspiring them to do more, learn more and become more.
In this episode, Tami shares her perspective on leadership, contribution and impact. Tami is currently the Chief People Officer at Atlassian where she is responsible for the attraction, engagement, development, and experience of Atlassian’s most important asset –its people. Prior to Atlassian, Tami has held leadership roles at Goldman Sachs, Apple, and has served as the first Chief People Officer for both Quora and Luminar Technologies. Tami brings an agile philosophy to all aspects of people operations.
Highlights:
[03:03] Tami’s journey
[07:17] Risk-reward analysis
[09:30] Seeking out feedback
[13:23] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[16:44] Tami’s superpower
[19:43] Diversity and inclusion
[24:20] Making the decision to change industries
[30:01] Asking for help
[33:33] Accelerating success in the digital age
[35:19] Becoming a change agent for others
[37:41] Tami’s final words of advice
Quotes:
“It is just as important for others to share feedback when they see someone who is high performing as it is to be asking for the feedback.”– Tami Rosen
“Building your network and relationships isn’t about the work you are doing in the moment, it’s about how you carry that forward and keep that relationship going.” – Tami Rosen
“Asking for help allows others to know where they can use their superpowers to help you.” – Tami Rosen
“Failure is an opportunity to learn and get back up and do something better and different.” – Tami Rosen
“Drive the change you want to see. See what the future should be and make sure that you can help make that change happen.” – Tami Rosen
“When you see somebody struggling, give them the support, because it's always more powerful in twos than it is by yourself.” – Tami Rosen
About Tami Rosen:
Tami Rosen is a senior HR executive passionate about enabling people to perform at their best. Through leadership roles at Goldman Sachs, Apple as well as start ups like Quora and Luminar Technologies, she brought an agile philosophy to all aspects of people operations for up to 15,000 global employees, becoming known for strengths in four key areas: HR Transformation, Employer Branding, Diversity and Inclusion, Leadership Development and Culture Education. Throughout her career, she earned distinction as a relationship builder, thought leader, connector of people, and trusted advisor to executive teams.
Tami launched her corporate career at Goldman Sachs, where she spent 16+ years advancing from technical recruiter and generalist to heading human resources for three of the firm’s largest divisions:
Technology, The Federation (back-office operations), and Investment Management.
In global and regional roles, she provided the leadership to transform HR into a strategic business asset and instill excellence into talent management programs and processes. She advocated for and engaged employees through initiatives that embraced the inclusion and growth of female, LGBT, and diverse populations, including Wall Street’s first Ally program. She developed leaders and rising-stars, and set technical and business employees on career roadmaps designed to bring out their full potential.
Recruited to Apple Inc. as Human Resources Senior Director for two technical divisions, Tami used people analytics to shape talent recruitment, development and management programs designed to attract and retain the best performers in a competitive job marketplace. Her leadership facilitated the smooth integration of several large acquisitions, including Beats by Dre. Her success resulted in a rare invitation to join Apple University as a faculty member. Tami created and conducted development programs for executives and managers that focused on building innovative cultures and engaging employees. She also led research on employee attrition factors at suppliers in Asia.
Tami also served as the first Chief People Officer, Luminar Technologies, advising the executive team on strategic planning and organizational structure to ensure business viability. She established the HR infrastructure including compensation strategy and developed an empowering corporate culture. Prior to Luminar, she was the first Vice President of People and Internal Communications at Quora where she made talent and culture a keystone of business strategy and provided executive leadership coaching.
She is currently the Chief People officer at Atlassian where she is responsible for the attraction, engagement, development, and experience of Atlassian’s most important asset – its people. She has been instrumental in developing the future of work called TEAM Anywhere and has shepherded the company through the recent pandemic.
Tami currently resides in Los Altos with her husband (Marc), two children (Emma and Justin), two cats (Ava and Max) and her husky (Alani). She is passionate about philanthropy, coaching/mentoring, democracy/equality and working with STEM programs. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Binghamton University in Law and Society.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tami-rosen-388714b/
Read Tami’s blog on Employee driven crisis response plan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tami.rosen
Twitter: @tamibrosen
What would you do if you earned a seat at the table, but you struggled to belong or simply feel welcomed in the conversation? Recent research from the Center for Talent Innovation found that exclusion is a growing issue. And, that more than 40% of those surveyed feel isolated in the workplace. Now, imagine being the “only one” on a team or in a meeting and not feeling as though you belong, or worse, “not being heard”.
In this episode, Melonie Parker, Chief Diversity Officer at Google, shares her career journey over the years as she learned to navigate the male-dominated corporate ladder, reclaim and step into her power, and become a passionate thought leader and an advocate for change.
Melonie is an HR executive committed to innovative, relevant, and contemporary HR leadership. She is responsible for advancing Google's employee engagement strategy across Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
Additionally, Melonie serves as a Minority in Energy Initiative Champion for the Department of Energy.
Highlights:
[02:58] Melonie’s journey
[04:05] Dealing with failure
[05:34] Finding clarity on your career path
[08:20] Gaining access to mentors and sponsors
[15:36] Owning your seat at the table
[18:30] Finding your voice
[20:32] Don’t let others silence you
[25:03] Feeling under the microscope as women of color
[28:59] Building powerful relationships virtually
[30:50] Opportunities for women of color
[33:21] Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
[39:06] Common traits of leaders
[44:24] Leveling up and staying ahead of the curve
[45:52] Parting words to listeners
Quotes:
“To thy own self be true, you are enough, lean into who you are, recognize what that is and how valuable you are to the rest of the world.”– Melonie Parker
“Leadership done well is servant leadership.” – Melonie Parker
“Hiring is a two-way dialogue – what are you giving to a company and what are you getting back in return.” – Melonie Parker
“Don’t only seek mentors that look like you. Mentoring is not about what fits you but what you need to add, stretch and grow.” – Melonie Parker
“We might walk into a room and be the only one, but we always come with others, our community that always has our back.” – Melonie Parker
“Have courage of voice. It empowers you when you take ownership of your ideas.” – Melonie Parker
“What's the story that you’re telling yourself when you are sitting at the table, because if you go to the table, and know that your designed to be there, that conversation is enriched because you're in it.” – Melonie Parker
“If we had representation at parity, across healthcare, education, all of these structures, we would see a huge difference.”- Melonie Parker
About Melonie Parker:
Melonie Parker is an HR executive committed to innovative, relevant, and contemporary HR leadership.
She is an advocate for change and a passionate thought leader. Parker is responsible f or advancing Google's employee engagement strategy across Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Additionally, Parker serves as a Minority in Energy Initiative Champion for the Department of Energy.
Prior to this role she served as the Vice President of Human Resources & Communications at Sandia National Laboratories. Parker was responsible for the leadership and Labs-wide management of human resources, health, benefits and employee services. She was also responsible for Sandia’s communication efforts, which include planning, strategy, executive communications, media relations, external branding, community affairs and internal communications.
Prior to joining Sandia as the VP of HR and Communications, Parker extends expertise from a career spanning over 17 years in a variety of Lockheed Martin business areas, locations, and progressive leadership roles. During her time at Lockheed Martin, she has held responsibility for employee relations, staffing, EEO/Affirmative Action, diversity programs, compensation, benefits, and K-12 outreach initiatives.
Parker received a B.A. in Mass Communications from Hampton University and an M.A. in Human Resources from Villanova University. She was named the 2016 HR Professional of the Year by the New Mexico Society of Human Resource Management. She was recognized with a Special Recognition Award at the 2014 Women of Color STEM Awards, and in 2012 graduated from Lockheed Martin’s Executive Assessment & Development Program.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melonieparker
Have you ever wondered why some organizations come up with game changing ideas while others struggle? What can leaders do to ignite creativity and spur innovation? What does it take to push for change and stand up for what you believe in?
Our guest is award-winning leader and Chief Marketing Officer Lee Ann Daly, who shares how to build great teams and let good work happen. Throughout her career, Lee Ann has been a pioneer, who is not afraid to break rules or take risks. She is a passionate advocate for bold new ideas that excite people and keep brands relevant.
Lee Ann has been a C-suite leader at public and private companies since 1998–including being CMO at ESPN, Thomson Reuters, Game Show Network. Lee Ann has won wide industry recognition from Cannes Lions to being named Top Female Sports Business Executive by Sports Business Journal. Lee Ann is also an investor and advisor to early stage companies and Board director of the EO Wilson Biodiversity Foundation and The Dean’s Advisory Board at IU’s Media School.
Visit www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Lee Ann.
Highlights:
[02:15] What drives you
[03:30] Lee Ann’s story
[08:56] Listen, write, ideate
[15:16] Lee Ann’s career journey
[25:37] Overcoming self-doubt
[30:41] Excelling and demonstrating success
[33:58] Creating strong teams
[40:37] Driving execution
[44:16] Bringing your emotions to work
[46:33] Vision for the future
[50:19] Advice for success and self-care
Quotes:
“Being brave is being scared and doing it anyway.” – Lee Ann Daly
“Whenever something comes into our consciousness that invites us to take a risk, it's there for a reason, it's coming to us as a gift.” - Lee Ann Daly
“Leadership is helping your team understand how they contribute to the overall delivery of the service to the company.” – Lee Ann Daly
“Growth is important at every stage of a career.” – Lee Ann Daly
“Bring your authentic, separate self to work because it's the only way you'll figure out who you want to become inside the context of business.” – Lee Ann Daly
About Lee Ann Daly:
Lee Ann Daly leads business strategy, content creation, marketing and communications for media entertainment, luxury and digital brands. Lee Ann’s aim is to create relevant culture in everything she do.
Lee Ann has been an Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, GM and C-suite leader at public and private companies since 1998. She has won wide industry recognition as well, ranging from Cannes Lions to being named Top Female Sports Business Executive by Sports Business Journal. Lee Ann is an investor and advisor to early stage companies and Board director of the EO Wilson Biodiversity Foundation and The Dean’s Advisory Board at IU’s Media School.
Links:
Website: https://leeanndalybio.me/
Podcast website: https://sayitforwardpodcast.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leeanndaly/
Facebook: Lee Ann Daly
Instagram: @boojumlad
Twitter: @LeeAnnDaly
Did you know that, despite accounting for over half of the college-educated workforce, women in the United States made up only 29% of those employed in science and engineering (or STEM) roles? That’s according to the latest research done by the research group, Catalyst. For women of color, the number is even smaller at 11.5%. But here’s an even more disturbing statistic, in engineering, specifically for Latinas, this figure drops to a low of 2.3%!
In this episode, we get to celebrate one of these trailblazing Latina women who has worked hard against the odds, fighting tooth and nail, to be in this elite 2.3% - Iliana Quinonez, Sr. Director of Solutions Engineering at Salesforce. Iliana shares exactly what it's like working with the boys and how we can pave the way for future female generations.
Iliana is an award winning, Latin Trailblazer Woman in Engineering and a Developer of Leaders. She is a passionate advocate and ambassador for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion. Her career in the high tech industry spans over 25 years across 3 continents and more than 15 countries, working at both enterprise and startup companies. She has held leadership positions in several functional areas including solutions engineering, product, and marketing strategy, consulting and business development. She is the former Chair of the Board for Latinoforce, the Salesforce Latinx Employee Resource Group and currently serves as their Advisor.
Highlights:
[03:42] Iliana’s journey
[08:57] Moving forward in moments of uncertainty
[11:39] Techniques in dealing with uncertainty
[15:42] Iliana’s success habits
[19:43] Keys to building your community
[23:54] Asking for mentorship
[28:06] Secret to achieving your professional goals
[35:04] How to accelerate your career in the digital age
[38:09] How to do your personal brand audit
Quotes:
“Fear is a natural response to uncertainty. But the more exposure you have, the more comfortable you become in those moments .”– Iliana Quinonez
“Practice visualizing different scenarios, as it will condition you, psychologically, to be better prepared for challenges.” - Iliana Quinonez
“At the end of each day, take some time to review your TODO list and prioritize.” – Iliana Quinonez
“Building your network so that it is broad, you need to have different circles that will add value to your network.” – Iliana Quinonez
“Find joy and fulfillment in giving to the community at a time when nobody's asking you for something.” – Iliana Quinonez
“We don’t have failures, we have experiences and lessons learned.” – Iliana Quinonez
“If you aren’t investing in networking, at least a few hours a week, it's something you need to put on your agenda.” – Iliana Quinonez
“Be sure to do a brand audit - you need to know what people are saying about you when you're not in the room.” – Iliana Quinonez
About Iliana Quinonez:
Iliana is a Latin Trailblazer Woman in Engineering and a Developer of Leaders. She is a passionate advocate and ambassador for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion. Her career in the high tech industry spans over 25 years across 3 continents and more than 15 countries, working at both enterprise and startup companies. She has held leadership positions in several functional areas including solutions engineering, product, and marketing strategy, consulting and business development. At Salesforce, she currently leads the Solutions Engineering team for the West Coast.
Iliana is the former Chair of the Board for Latinoforce, the company's Latinx Employee Resource Group and currently serves as their Advisor.
Iliana is originally from Mexico City, holds a BSc in Computer Science from Universidad Iberoamericana (Mexico) and an MSc in Information Systems from the London School of Economics (UK). She lives in San Francisco with her husband and their two daughters.
Links:
Website: www.salesforce.com
LinkedIn: iliana-quinonez-34794/
Twitter: @iquinonez1
Are you someone who doesn’t have any mentors and has no idea where to find one? OR ... are you someone who knows the right people but don’t know how to ask?
In this episode, we will discuss how to find mentors and the do’s and don’ts to build powerful mentoring relationships.
Highlights:
[01:00] Why mentorship matters
[06:18] What holds people back from getting mentors
[08:33] Three keys to finding a mentor
[10:03] Mentorship at all stages of life
[13:05] Mentorship through content
[16:19] Homework for the week
Quotes:
“Mentors shorten the learning curve by imparting their wisdom and their experience.” – Nikki Barua
“One of the greatest values of mentors is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see and to help them navigate a course to their destination.” – John C. Maxwell
“Be very specific about your areas of growth and mentoring needs.” – Nikki Barua
“A mentoring relationship is a privilege, treat it with the respect it deserves.” – Nikki Barua
“Don’t think of mentorship in terms of a specific individual that is ahead of you. Think of mentoring in the context of a mentoring circle.” – Nikki Barua
“When you are focused on yourself and doing great work, people will come to you and be excited to help you.”- Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Did you know that according to several research studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking.
Number two is death. So, that means, as Jerry Seinfeld famously said, “...if you're at a funeral, it's better to be the deceased in the casket than the person giving the eulogy”.
Stage fright is real, but the good news is you can overcome the fear of speaking publicly. More importantly, you have to remind yourself that you aren’t the only one feeling afraid.
In this episode, Billie Shepard, author of The Billie Shepard Presentation Method, shares with our listeners some tips and tools to help you get past any fears of speaking and become better presenters, leaders, collaborators, and communicators. Billie has been a presentation coach, as well as a professional actor and acting coach for over 30 years. She’s also worked with clients like Uber, Facebook, Cisco, Intuit, and Splunk to name a few, as well as, thousands of professional actors.
Highlights:
[02:16] Billie’s journey
[05:29] Intention removes fear
[10:15] Overcoming the fear of public speaking
[14:31] Tips for impromptu Q&A
[17:36] Biggest challenges in presenting
[20:29] Preparing for the presentation
[25:10] Tips on projecting your message
[30:06] Practical tips for Zoom meetings
Quotes:
“The key to intention is that it removes all fear.”– Billie Shepard
“The difference between having an intention and tying it to a feeling is the difference between being brilliant and being good.” - Billie Shepard
“Projecting your voice isn't something to fear. It's something to free your personality and energy.” – Billie Shepard
“When preparing for a presentation, NEVER start with the slides, the slides are there to support your soul and your message.” - Billie Shepard
“People may forget what you’ve said, but they never forget how you made them feel.” – Billie Shepard
About Billie Shepard:
Billie delivers a coaching experience that transforms how an actor acts and business people communicate.
Clients have said, “It seems she has a mysterious or supernatural power that influences the creativity, confidence and best abilities of a speaker or performer. What Billie does is magical.”
Billie has been a professional actor for over forty years, appearing in lead roles in Equity productions, featured television appearances and numerous national and regional commercials. An acting coach for decades, she founded two acting academies and five acting workshops in four states. Billie has produced and hosted guest-artist workshops including such notable instructors as Academy Award winner, Alan Arkin.
Twenty years ago Billie had an idea. She founded Billie Shepard & Associates, leveraging her acting experience and unique training methods into the business arena; transforming corporate speakers into influential leaders. Her clients include Facebook, Uber, Intuit, Rackspace, Lockheed Martin, as well as many financial and medical research companies. This March Billie had another idea! She merged her presentation-training methods with the virtual needs of our times and created a powerful blend of the two.
Her book: The Billie Shepard Presentation Method, describing her methods, and participant breakthrough stories of success, recently launched on Amazon.
Billie is a Dean’s Scholar with a BA in Creative Arts and Masters in Theatre Arts from San Jose State University.
BILLIE’S WEBSITE: WWW.BILLIESHEPARD.COM
Links:
Website: http://www.billieshepard.com/
LinkedIn: billie-shepard-and-associates-59b3534
Facebook: Billie Shepard & Associates
Company culture isn’t about what you say, it’s about what you do –the standards you uphold, the values you live by, and how you treat each other even when no one is watching.
In this episode, you’ll meet award-winning entrepreneur, Sherry Deutschmann, who built a multimillion dollar business by putting employees first, even ahead of customers and shareholders. Sherry reveals her recipe for building a people-first culture and how a leader’s choices directly impact employee morale, engagement, and commitment.
Sherry Deutschmann is a serial entrepreneur and author of the bestselling book Lunch with Lucy, an inspiring and instructive guide to transformational leadership through empathy. Sherry is the founder of BrainTrust, a company dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs grow their businesses to $1Million in annual revenue and beyond.
Highlights:
[02:51] Sherry’s journey
[05:00] Overcoming early struggles
[09:43] Finding focus & positivity in difficult times
[12:28] Advice on finding your north star
[17:27] Building culture from the beginning
[19:26] Sharing profits with your employees
[25:25] Helping employees buy their homes
[29:04] Lunch with Lucy
[32:58] Overcoming struggles of entrepreneurship
[35:47] Advice on dealing with imposter syndrome
[40:29] About BrainTrust
[51:31] Writing “Lunch With Lucy”
Quotes:
“Take care of your employees and they will take great care of the customer.”– Sherry Deutschmann
“Focus on what you do have, your strengths and your gifts, and less on what you don't have.” - Sherry Deutschmann
“Celebrate failures and hardships because that is where the important lessons will be learned.” – Sherry Deutschmann
“When employees have greater access to company knowledge, the more it shapes their behavior and their decisions. It empowers them to make changes that drive the bottom line.” – Sherry Deutschmann
“Knowledge and breadth of knowledge takes away lack of confidence.” – Sherry Deutschmann
“Peer-to-peer learning is the best tool for entrepreneurs and for professional development.” – Sherry Deutschmann
“You can do more good in the world when you are doing well. When your business is doing well, then you have the resources, the power, the influence, to make your reach far wider and deeper.” – Sherry Deutschmann
“The employee-first business model is the secret tool to make companies more successful.” - Sherry Deutschmann
About Sherry Deutschmann:
Sherry Deutschmann is a serial entrepreneur, author, and passionate advocate for entrepreneurship. In 2019, Sherry founded BrainTrust, a company dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs grow their businesses to $1Million in annual revenue…and beyond.
Prior to founding BrainTrust, Sherry was founder and CEO of LetterLogic, Inc., a company she grew to $40 Million and sold in 2016. LetterLogic was named an INC 5000 company (fastest growing privately held businesses in the US) for ten consecutive years.
Sherry attributes the success of LetterLogic to its unique culture in which the needs of the employees came before those of the customer or shareholder. That culture led Sherry to be recognized by EY as one of their 2009 Entrepreneurial Winning Women and LetterLogic was featured in the New York Times, Forbes Magazine, Business Leaders, INC, and Fast Company. Sherry was honored by President Barack Obama as a White House Champion of Change in 2016.
Sherry’s book, Lunch with Lucy – Maximize Profits by Investing in your People – will be released on March 20, 2020.
Links:
Websites: https://sherrydeutschmann.com/ & https://ourbraintrust.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrystewartd/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrystewartd
Facebook: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrystewartd/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherry.stewart.d/
When was the last time you asked yourself: What do I really want?
Perhaps you’ve been so busy taking care of responsibilities and serving others that you haven’t stopped to check in with yourself. But when you pause and ask that question without fear or judgment, your answer will guide you towards your true north star. And when you lead with purpose and passion, you have the power to change the world.
In this episode, serial entrepreneur and investor Sarah Dusek, shares how asking this question shaped her journey and helped her leverage the power of business to impact our world for good.
Highlights:
[02:26] Sarah’s story
[04:30] Recovering from failure
[08:00] Seeing the opportunity in crisis
[10:00] Two biggest challenges facing today’s world
[12:54] Taking risks to achieve your dreams
[17:45] Lessons learned
[19:51] Turning a dream into reality
[22:25] 3 things to showing up as an entrepreneur
[25:11] Preparing to approach a venture capitalist
[29:25] Bigger business, bigger impact
[36:09] How can you help to make an impact
[39:14] How to become a lifelong learner
[41:33] The importance of networks
[44:38] Staying grounded
Quotes:
“Crises are moments of opportunity because they are absolutely transformative in terms of the direction with which we move forward.” – Sarah Dusek
“The real essence of entrepreneurship and growing as a human being is the ability to tackle very challenging circumstances and leverage them to move us forward and propel us into what's next.” - Sarah Dusek
“When you start to ask yourself what it would take to achieve your goals, that’s when you start to find the pathway to making it happen.” – Sarah Dusek
“When you build a bigger business, you have a potential to have a much bigger platform to make a difference.” – Sarah Dusek
“If we want to change the world we live in, if we want the world to be a better place, we have to stop waiting for someone else to make that happen.” – Sarah Dusek
“Coaching is an incredibly powerful tool for helping women see what they can't see.” – Sarah Dusek
“Voracious learning, openness, listening, and being prepared for different ways of thinking is going to be enormously valuable for our journey ahead.” – Sarah Dusek
“Understanding that uncertainty is the certainty and that the only way to navigate that is to live with a higher sense of purpose and mission and belief that we all have a calling and that we have the possibility of making the world better.” – Sarah Dusek
About Sarah Dusek:
In 2019 Sarah Dusek launched Enygma Ventures, a Venture Capital fund focused on investing in women-led businesses in Southern Africa. Sarah is passionate about empowering women to reach their full potential and enabling them to grow in grow scalable, sustainable businesses that have the power to transform communities, cities and nations.
A entrepreneur in her own right, Sarah Co-Founded Under Canvas; the US’s leading adventure-hospitality company offering luxurious glamping accommodations just minutes from America’s most popular and iconic national parks. Sarah sold Under Canvas in 2018 for over $100m achieving a record breaking EBIDTA multiple. In 2017, under Sarah’s leadership, Under Canvas received a spot on the coveted Inc. 5000 list and Sarah was named to the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women list from Ernst & Young.
Links:
Website: https://www.enygmaventures.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-dusek-0b630ab/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/enygmaventuresfund
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EnygmaVentures
Do you know what it takes to land a job at the biggest and best organizations in the world? Do you have the skills, the competencies and drive, but you find the whole job search and interview process intimidating and difficult to catch a break?
Well, in this episode, we welcome Gisselle Ruiz, a key leader within the Global Talent Acquisition Teams at ByteDance and TikTok, who shares with us her journey as a proud first generation bilingual Afro-Latina with a deep connection to her Dominican roots and how taking risks and changing lanes helped her build her career as an expert recruiter, what her successes and failures have taught her and how she empowers all of her recruits by telling them, “They are lucky to have you!”.
Gisselle has led talent acquisition and DEI initiatives at top companies and organizations including The Broad Center for the Management of School Systems, NBC Universal, The Walt Disney Company, Creative Artists Agency, Google, Facebook, and most recently TikTok. She is incredibly committed to the empowerment and elevation of those from disenfranchised, marginalized, underserved, and underrepresented communities, especially Latinx and Black/Brown women.
Highlights:
[03:08] Gisselle’s journey
[06:10] Transition from academia to corporate
[11:29] Gaining clarity on your strengths
[14:53] Learning to leverage your network
[20:19] Sponsors and mentors that don’t look like you
[25:25] How to prepare for an interview
[32:00] What can make or break an interview
[38:32] Overcoming imposter syndrome
Quotes:
“Uncomfortable conversations are necessary and critical for growth and are part of our learning journey.” – Gisselle Ruiz
“When going in to an interview, be prepared to talk about some of your key highlights, accomplishments, achievements, failures, disappointments, challenges and barriers that you've had to overcome.” - Gisselle Ruiz
“Imposter syndrome keeps us away from opportunities and keeps us from shining at our highest level of vibration, it holds us back from being successful.” – Gisselle Ruiz
“Companies are not doing you a favor by giving you an interview or a role, they are lucky to have you.” - Gisselle Ruiz
“Go in to an interview truly knowing your worth and what you are bringing to that organization, which is far greater than what they are bringing to you.” – Gisselle Ruiz
About Gisselle Ruiz:
Gisselle Ruiz Ed.M is a human capital strategist, change agent, global talent acquisition executive, diversity, equity & inclusion leader who specializes in identifying, coaching, and developing best in class talent while creating access and opportunity through inclusive recruitment practices and strategies. She specializes in building and scaling inclusive and diverse workforces, workplaces, marketplaces, and transforming organizational culture.
Gisselle has 18 years of experience with both national and global organizations in both the public and private sector including:K-12 & Higher Education, Non Profit, Technology, and a decade in the Entertainment & Media industry. Throughout her career she has developed and executed engagement, outreach, recruitment and selection strategies of top talent across various functions and positions ranging from internships & apprenticeships, professional development programs, middle management, and senior
level executive leadership positions. She has led talent acquisition and DEI at top companies and organizations including The Broad Center for the Management of School Systems, NBC Universal, The Walt Disney Company, Creative Artists Agency, Google, Facebook, and most recently joined TikTok.
Gisselle is passionate and committed to transforming, disrupting and awakening organizations and leaders to how they can combat systemic inequities, create economic empowerment, challenge legacy systems, disrupt bias, catalyze equity, and shift culture. Her mantra is that representation matters and inclusion enables and ignites the best innovation.
Gisselle holds a bachelor's degree from Clark University in Urban Development and Social Change and a masters degree in Policy, Planning, & Administration in Education from Boston University. She is a proud 1st generation transnational bilingual Afro Latina with a deep connection to her Dominican heritage. She is incredibly committed to the empowerment and elevation of those from disenfranchised, marginalized, underserved, and underrepresented communities especially Latinx and Black/Brown women. She is deeply rooted in social justice reform, dismantling systemic racism and oppression, and anti recidivism. She coaches individuals and teams on owning their power, story, and journey to amplify and unlock their potential to achieve personal and professional growth.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisselleruiz/
Twitter: GRuiz1003
What happens to you when you make a mistake that gets called out? Do you get so upset with yourself that you get angry or become paralyzed and begin to doubt your worth? Or worse, you vow to never try that again or opt out of taking the lead?
In this episode, we are going to discuss the dangers of this self-defeating pattern and how you can overcome the negative self-talk and develop the confidence to move forward with an action plan.
Highlights:
[01:15] Don’t let a mistake define you
[03:27] Break the pattern of negative self-talk
[08:13] The emotional toll of negative self-talk
[11:03] How to overcome negative self-talk
Quotes:
“When you make a mistake and make it about who you are versus what you can learn, you don't see the opportunity for growth.” – Nikki Barua
“Letting go of negative self-talk allows you to take a very optimistic view of challenges and obstacles.” – Nikki Barua
“The best ways to get past making mistakes is to practice self-acceptance.” – Monica Marquez
“View mistakes as teachable moments and develop an action plan on how you'll handle the situation the next time it occurs.” – Monica Marquez
“Move past a mistake quickly by reflecting, gaining insight, and then developing an action plan.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Imagine this scenario… You take on a role and you are knocking it out of the park. Getting positive feedback from managers and leaders. So, you decide to ask for and create a new role that plays to your strengths and would elevate your team. Your idea is well received BUT instead of you for the role, your told they’d prefer someone else! What would you do?
In this episode, you’ll hear how our guest, Gail Fierstein, Chief People Officer at CaaStle, decided to advocate for herself early in her career, garner support from other leaders, and ultimately get the role she proposed.
Gail is a seasoned senior HR and Tech executive with extensive international experience transforming organizations in large scale public companies and cutting edge startups in finance, education and retail.
Gail spent several years as the SVP, Product and Technology HR Business Partner at Pearson Education.
And had a successful 25-year career at Goldman Sachs, where she was a Managing Director in Technology and Human Capital Management (HCM).
Gail is a Board member, Secretary and Nominating Committee Chair at NPower, whose mission is to bring the tech community together for social good by creating pathways to economic prosperity by launching digital careers for veterans and young adults from underserved communities.
Highlights:
[03:28] Gail’s 1 st career lesson
[06:10] 2 nd career lesson
[07:36] 3 rd career lesson
[10:13] 4 th career lesson
[15:12] Gaining the confidence to ask for what you deserve
[20:03] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[23:33] Building relationships
[29:30] Developing trust
[34:51] Preparing for success
[38:54] Accelerating success in the digital age
Quotes:
“Stay true and authentic and advocate for yourself.” - Gail Fierstein
“Sometimes others see something in you that you may not see in yourself. And you need to be open to that.” - Gail Fierstein
“Confidence gives you energy.” – Gail Fierstein
“How women process information and build relationships is the key ingredient, the secret sauce, in this digital age of accelerating success.” – Gail Fierstein
“Seek out mentors and sponsors from your day to day because they see and work with you and will have the best insight.” - Gail Fierstein
About Gail Fierstein:
Gail is a seasoned senior HR and Tech executive with extensive international experience transforming organizations in large scale public companies and cutting edge startups in finance, education and retail.
Collaborates and advises senior leaders on setting strategic direction for their people strategies and developing best in class HR capability to create an engaged workplace in ever-changing business environments.
Gail is currently the Chief People Officer at CaaStle, CaaStle is creating a new economy for apparel with its technology and services platform for retailers and fashion brands offering rental clothing subscriptions to their consumers.
Gail spent several years as the SVP, Product and Technology HR Business Partner at Pearson Education. She led Pearson’s digital product transformation by defining the organization design, culture change and aggressively building out agile teams needed to create word class digital educational products.
During Gail’s 25-year career at Goldman Sachs, she was a Managing Director in Technology and Human Capital Management (HCM). In her role as the HCM head for Business Partner teams, she developed senior executives across many areas of the firm and was an active voice for women and in particular women in Tech. Gail developed the firm’s workforce re-entry programs, The ReturnshipTM– an internship designed for people rejoining the workforce after an extended personal time off.
Gail is a Board member, Secretary and Nominating Committee Chair at NPower, whose mission is to bring the tech community together for social good by creating pathways to economic prosperity by launching digital careers for veterans and young adults from underserved communities.
Gail received a BS from Rutgers University and lives in New York City with her husband and son.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gailfierstein/
Twitter: @GailFierstein
Have you ever wondered what it takes to rise up to senior leadership roles in global corporations?
Research indicates that women leaders who’ve taken the unconventional path gain unexpected opportunities of success. So, are you willing to take on tough challenges to gain valuable experience? Would you risk failure when making decisions and follow through with conviction? And are you committed to always going above and beyond?
In this episode, you’ll meet Alyssa Altman who shares why building great teams, delivering massive value to clients, adapting to change, and continuous learning are absolutely essential.
She also reveals the choices she made in her career and the values she lives by that have led to her success.
Alyssa has been recognized by Consulting Magazine as a “Global Leader in Consulting” for Excellence in Engagement. She is a Senior Vice President at Publicis Sapient and leads the Automotive and Consumer Products industries in North America. Throughout her career at leading organizations, it has been her passion to shape and lead diverse teams. She believes that with the right people in the room actively engaging with each other, you can gain valuable insights to create innovative solutions to any business problem.
Alyssa plays an active role in shaping and executing Publicis Sapient’s MBA-like leadership program called the Fellowship in Transformation Leadership. Alyssa is also an Advisory board member of Publicis Sapient Women’s Leadership Network shaping the next generation of women leaders.
Highlights:
[03:37] Alyssa’s journey
[09:03] Mastering managing at scale
[11:19] Alyssa’s WHY
[14:01] Doing great work AND managing your career
[17:00] Being the only woman
[19:44] Gaining the courage to have a difficult conversation
[21:58] How to move your ideas forward
[25:08] Evolution of effective business development
[28:47] Approach to decision making
[31:36] Learning from failure
[39:24] Designing teams
[41:18] Top trait for success
[42:17] Common attributes of great leaders
[46:26] What Alyssa wishes she had learned earlier in her career
[47:48] Biggest trends that will impact business
[53:17] The greatest joy of Alyssa’s career
Quotes:
“Leaders should not try to be everything to everyone, but instead build a team of people that feel empowered to take ownership and to tell you when they need you.” – Alyssa Altman
“Our responsibility as leaders is to help people grow in an organization.” – Alyssa Altman
“You always need to be in the work, because it gives you the perspective, it gives you the connection.” – Alyssa Altman
“Don’t think of it as a sale, think of it as a partnership that you are helping to bring someone something they are going to see value in.” – Alyssa Altman
“As a leader you need to find ways for people to feel like they are winning, even if you have a failure.” – Alyssa Altman
“Acknowledge your successes and learn how to market them.” – Alyssa Altman
“Leaders are not afraid to make bold moves and make mistakes and then recover from those mistakes.” – Alyssa Altman
About Alyssa Altman:
Alyssa Altman is a Senior Vice President at Publicis Sapient. She leads the Automotive and Consumer Products industries in North America. In her role, Alyssa helps her clients find their digital future through the delivery of omnichannel strategies and robust technology solutions.
Throughout her 20+ years at Publicis Sapient, it has been her passion to shape and lead diverse teams who realize goals through inclusive collaboration. She believes that with the right people in the room actively engaging with each other, we gain valuable insights that create innovative solutions to any business problem we may face.
When not working directly with clients, she plays an active role in shaping and executing Publicis Sapient’s MBA-like leadership program called the Fellowship in Transformation Leadership. Alyssa also has a keen interest in shaping the next generation of women leaders as an Advisory board member of Publicis Sapient Women’s Leadership Network (WLN).
Externally, she is an Advisory board member of Debbie’s Treasure Chest and sponsors a community service initiative that teaches high-risk teens the skills necessary to enter the workforce.
Alyssa was honored by Consulting Magazine as a “Global Leader in Consulting” for Excellence in Engagement.
Prior to her tenure at Publicis Sapient, she worked for Ernst & Young in the Strategic Advisory Services Group. Alyssa has an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BA in English from the University of Michigan.
Links:
Website: https://www.publicissapient.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssaaltmanpublicissapient/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alyssa.altman/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlyssaAltman
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/altmanalyssa/
If you are someone who is torn between making a living and making a difference, this episode is for you.
We are living in very challenging times. It seems like there are new obstacles every day everywhere. But in the midst of all the crisis, we are also going through a global transformation.
Every time there is seismic shift in the world, it leads to something new, and something more profound emerges. And that creates the space and the need for change makers and leaders.
That's the opportunity we'll be talking about on this episode. And how you can be that change maker and leader - and grow your impact, income and influence.
Highlights:
[00:46] Innovation in times of disruption
[02:15] Your role in this time of innovation
[03:53] Challenges that women face in rising up
[04:46] Raising your hand for opportunities
[06:33] Asking for support and sponsorship
[10:28] The importance of having clarity
[13:59] The impact of mentors and sponsors
[14:50] Managing your career
[16:44] How coaching accelerates your success
[23:35] Democratizing access to executive coaching
Quotes:
“The greatest problems we face as a human population today will be solved by technology and the power of the human mind coming together.”– Nikki Barua
“If nobody at the top knows you, has heard your name, or knows your impact, then it's going to be tough to get the sponsorship and support when you're not in the room.” – Nikki Barua
“Research shows only 15% of women who responded said that they had clarity about their career in the next five years.” – Monica Marquez
“You have to have absolute clarity about your north star because if you don't know where you're headed, how are you going to get there?”– Nikki Barua
“You can work really hard and be great at doing your job and not be managing your career. And what gets you ahead is managing your career intentionally.” – Nikki Barua
“You don't have just one job that you have to do really well. You have two jobs, you have your day job, and you have to manage your career.” – Monica Marquez
“If you want to help other people rise up as leaders that make a difference, then you have to help yourself first.” – Monica Marquez
“Coaching paired with leadership training can act as an equalizer between men and women.” – Monica Marquez
“When you are a star athlete, coaching and training makes you an Olympian.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Have you ever caught yourself daydreaming about the day you quit your job and follow your lifelong passion, and then snap back to reality, let out a big sigh and then tuck that dream away and get back to work?
In this episode, you'll hear from our guest, Claudia Rojas how she finally took a courageous leap from daydreaming to doing what she loves and how she leveraged the power of community to get there.
Claudia Rojas, a Latina from Columbia, is the Founder and CEO of Books Made Easy. She shares her personal journey of shedding other people's expectations and following her own path.
In 2018, Claudia decided to take a leap and follow her heart by creating a solution to the leadership and professional gap she's so often witnessed in corporate America. She decided to put her love for books to work by developing concise, structured based training sessions to help others become the best leaders they can be.
Claudia has over 20 years of experience specializing in leadership and diversity in multicultural markets. She attributes her success to resilience, drive, obsession with professional development, and ability to develop relationships and her community.
Highlights:
[02:31] Claudia’s journey
[04:48] Take action, take opportunities
[06:52] Mission of Books Made Easy
[08:31] The decision to become an entrepreneur
[10:08] Preparing to follow your dreams
[14:07] How to plan and execute
[16:41] Gaining clarity on your strengths
[22:03] Overcoming failures and setbacks
[26:12] Asking for feedback
[29:00] Seeking out mentors and sponsors
[31:50] Gaining access to influential leaders
[35:38] How to accelerate your success
[39:22] Overcoming limiting beliefs
Quotes:
“Growth is in the difficult situations we encounter. Your choice is to either get stuck in the fact that something is difficult or look at it as a growth opportunity.” – Claudia Rojas
“You can spend a lifetime preparing for something, or preparing for a position or preparing for your next step. But the preparation alone, without action, will not move you forward.” – Claudia Rojas
“Break your big goal down into easier, smaller tasks that are more manageable. Completion of these tasks will give you satisfaction AND move you closer to your goal.” – Claudia Rojas
“Let people know that you are seeking their feedback as an opportunity to grow and they will be more open to giving it.” – Claudia Rojas
“When you have mentors that have a completely different background than you, you will get a different perspective, which may be a blind spot for you .” – Claudia Rojas
“Always look for opportunities for growth, whether it’s learning a new skill or honing a current skill. That is how you're going to continue to grow and evolve.” – Claudia Rojas
About Claudia Rojas:
Claudia is a Latina born in Medellin, Colombia. She has over 20 years of experience, specializing in Leadership and diversity in multicultural markets. She attributes her success to her resilience, drive, obsession with professional development, and her ability to develop relationships in her community.
In 2018 Claudia decided to take a leap and follow her heart by creating a solution to the Leadership and professional gap she so often witnessed in Corporate America. She decided to put her love for books to work to help others become the best leaders and individuals they can be, by developing concise structured book-based training sessions.
Claudia is extremely passionate about empowering others to maximize their potential and giving back to the community. Education, diversity, children and animals are the causes that inspire most of her philanthropic work.
Links:
Website: https://booksmadeeasynow.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rojasclaudia/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/booksmadeeasynow
Instagram: www.instagram.com/booksmadeeasynow
Everyone faces unique pressures, obstacles, and challenges—but it’s how you show up and overcome them that defines your life. Whether you’re a full-time career professional, a business owner, a mom, or simply a woman who wants to enjoy life at a deeper level—it all starts with granting yourself permission.
Our guest today is Patty Aubery, #1 NY Times Best-selling Author, Co-Founder & President of The Canfield Training Group who built the publishing industry’s first billion-dollar brand, Chicken Soup for the Soul®.
Patty is an internationally recognized leader in personal development and peak performance. As the business strategist behind the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series, she has worked side by side with Jack Canfield helping millions of individuals maximize their potential. For more than 30 years, Patty has been training and coaching entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders, and people from across 108 countries, how to create the life and results they desire.
Patty’s most recent book, Permission Granted, which has already soared to the top of multiple best seller lists, presents empowering stories of how life changes when you give yourself permission to show up. In this episode, Patty shares her perspective on how women need to and deserve to show up, stand up, and speak up.
Highlights:
[03:40] Patty’s journey
[07:10] Advice for getting unstuck and moving forward
[08:53] Overcoming setbacks
[09:21] Stop focusing on what you don’t want
[13:32] What Patty wishes she had known sooner
[16:43] Give yourself permission to ask for what you want
[20:55] The emergence of “Permission Granted”
[23:49] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[27:31] Standing up and standing out in a partnership
[33:49] The importance of authenticity
[36:30] Having the right mindset for feedback
[38:40] Going from dreaming to doing
[45:59] Gaining proximity to influential leaders
[49:46] Writing “Permission Granted”
[52:50] Patty’s vision
[57:45] Final words of wisdom
Quotes:
“Not making a decision is probably the biggest wrong decision you could ever make. The only failure is by not taking some sort of action.” – Patty Aubery
“Women need to give themselves permission to live their passion, their purpose, their vision, and be in alignment with their truth.” – Patty Aubery
“When we don't honor our passion, our truth, that's when the universe makes it hard.” – Patty Aubery
“Don’t talk yourself out of the equation before the game starts. Go in with clarity and confidence that you truly belong there.” – Patty Aubery
“If you aren’t scaring yourself enough then you aren’t growing.” – Patty Aubery
“By sharing your vision and your goals, you are creating accountability.” – Patty Aubery
“When you have clarity, you have confidence.” - Patty Aubery
“Give yourself permission to be high maintenance. And then your view of what high maintenance looks like might just be equality.” - Patty Aubery
“Learning transformation, self-help, and personal growth is not a one-time exercise. Practice it daily.” – Patty Aubery
“When you identify someone you want to connect with, ask yourself ‘how can I be part of their agenda and be of service to them’.” – Patty Aubery
“The universe rewards the people that take risks.” – Patty Aubery
About Patty Aubery:
As President of The Canfield Training Group, Patty Aubery has not only overseen the growth of the publishing industry’s first billion-dollar brand, Chicken Soup for the Soul®, but she’s also created a multimillion dollar training company around the success principles of author Jack Canfield. Patty has expanded these live training and coaching programs to 108 countries and prepared thousands of emerging success trainers for professional careers in the transformational field. She is a #1 NY Times bestseller.
She is the CVO for Goalfriends, and she is now dedicated to bringing her experience to women entrepreneurs, sales professionals, and corporate employees through live events, retreats, women’s summits and speaking engagements that teach audiences and small groups the Success Principles and strategic career planning.
All of Patty’s offerings are geared toward women who are ready to invest in their future and take their life and business to a new level.
Links:
Website: https://www.pattyaubery.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patty-aubery-a19869b/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PattyAuberyFan/?ref=br_rs
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pattyaubery/
Let discuss a scenario we’ve all experienced–that moment when your inner voice is telling you (sometimes maybe screaming at you) that you need to have a difficult conversation with someone. A conversation that would improve life at work for ourselves and for everyone else around. But fear drowns out that inner voice—and we put the conversation off. Meanwhile, the other individual continues to engage in interpersonal conflicts and exhibit toxic behavior, or remains completely clueless about what’s on your mind.
In this episode, we’ll share with you the strategies and insights you need to know to be able to speak up and diffuse any difficult conversation.
Highlights:
[01:26] Why diffusing difficult conversations matter
[05:19] What does the research show on these conversations
[08:22] Having difficult conversations is a skill
[10:03] 5-step framework to having difficult conversations
Quotes:
“Reframe having difficult conversations as a skill. Do you have the skill or do you not have the skill and if you don't have the skill, then like any skill, it can be learned.” – Nikki Barua
“Step 1 of the framework is to not avoid having difficult conversations. You will never develop the skill if you do not practice it.” – Nikki Barua
“Be clear on the outcome. If you're not clear about what you want, you're not going to be able to manage your physiology and your language and you're going to lose control.” – Nikki Barua
“Listen to learn. Listen from a place of curiosity and humility, where you want to learn, as opposed to listening to respond.” – Nikki Barua
“Brainstorm from a place of inquiry and creativity to figure out a solution together, creating collaboration and safety so you can engage in a more meaningful conversation.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Have you ever heard the saying, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard”? It’s such a powerful statement in that it provides both candid advice and inspiration in one sentence. On the one hand, it reminds you to never underestimate hard work even if your super talented and on the other hand, that even with ordinary talent, you can achieve extraordinary results with focus and hard work. But the bottom line, there is no substitute for hard work.
In this episode, you’ll meet Gizelle George-Joseph, managing director and global chief operating officer of the Global Investment Research Division at Goldman Sachs, who attributes her successes and achievements to living by this mantra.
Highlights:
[02:25] Gizelle’s journey
[06:01] Gizelle’s daily success habits
[08:53] Overcoming setbacks
[12:45] Building lasting work relationships
[14:59] Gaining access to influential leaders
[16:48] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[18:46] Raising your hand for new opportunities
[23:15] Seeking out feedback
[26:58] Balancing professional and personal priorities
[29:50] How to continue to accelerate your success
Quotes:
“What are the skills that you need to raise your game on a day to day, week to week basis. Get all of those into your toolbox because that's what ultimately moves your career.” – Gizelle George-Joseph
“It is important to have a good network of people around you, who can support you, because in moments when you feel like your cup is empty, they will be there to lean on.” – Gizelle George-Joseph
“Think of building relationships in terms of what are you bringing to the table that will benefit the other person and the community.” – Gizelle George-Joseph
“Always be prepared to talk about the things that you are working on and how it is moving the organization forward.” – Gizelle George-Joseph
“Surround yourself with people who are going to tell you the truth about your weaknesses and strengths. And not tell you what to do, but instead feed into your decision making process.” – Gizelle George-Joseph
“You can't be every woman every day.” – Gizelle George-Joseph
“The only way to continue to be relevant is to be constantly changing and evolving and not going back to the comfort zone.” - Gizelle George-Joseph
About Gizelle George-Joseph:
Gizelle is global chief operating officer of the Global Investment Research (GIR) Division. In this role, she works closely with divisional leadership on the management of GIR, as well as the development and execution of key strategic initiatives. Prior to assuming her current role, Gizelle was chief administrative officer for Global Macro Research and GIR infrastructure. Previously, she was the global talent advisor for the Human Capital Management (HCM) Division. Earlier in her career, Gizelle led Learning and Engagement for GIR and was a talent advisor on the GIR HCM team. She joined Goldman Sachs on the Americas Equity Research Management team in 2005 and was named managing director in 2017.
Gizelle is a founder of the Salisbury Development Organization, a nonprofit focused on hurricane relief and economic development efforts on the island of Dominica. She also serves on the Human Resources and Talen Committee for the DreamYard Project.
Gizelle earned a BS in Business Management from South Carolina State University and an MS in Clinical Psychology from Georgia Southern University.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gizelle-george-joseph-9a127319/
Thank you for listening to this podcast. We are truly grateful for your comments, feedback and advocacy. If you haven’t already, please take a moment to subscribe and rate the show. We love 5 stars!
In this episode, we'll discuss why applying for jobs without a clear strategy and effective tactics is a total waste of time. Don’t click the APPLY button on job postings simply to get rejected and demoralized. Instead, learn how to ignite your career with a dream job that is aligned with your strengths and passions. If you’re someone who is actively looking for a new role, then you’ll get actionable advice on how to stand out in a job market that’s already saturated with millions of people looking for opportunities.
Our guest, Kris Holmes is an executive recruiter with more than twenty-five years of experience. Kris provides you with the same insight that has helped thousands of her clients find fulfilling careers. You’ll learn how to develop career goals that align with your strengths, proven strategies for optimizing your resume, to practical advice on networking, finding the right company culture, prepping for interviews, and negotiating offers. You’ll even learn how to resign gracefully and how to set yourself up for success in your new role.
Highlights:
[01:00] Kris’s story
[04:26] Doing what you love every day
[05:57] What compelled Kris to write “Ignite Your Career!”
[08:29] Core principals of “Ignite Your Career!”
[12:15] Three phases of a career
[19:39] Hallmarks of success
[21:24] Advice for those nervous about the job market
[26:02] Tips on preparing your profile
[32:23] Increasing your chance with recruiters
[34:41] Preparing for the interview
[37:00] How to negotiate compensation
[41:31] Resigning gracefully
[43:26] Guidance on transition to new roles and companies
[46:13] Services offered by the O’Connell Group
Quotes:
“Figuring out your strengths and where you might leverage those is critical to set yourself up for future success.” – Kris Holmes
“When you find the right career that leverages your strengths, it’s fun, it's easy, and it's rewarding.” – Kris Holmes
“There are three phases of a career, there's the learn phase, there's the do phase and there's the leverage phase.” – Kris Holmes
“At the start of your career, it's much more important to go to a top tier company where you can learn best practices. And that allows you down the road to align your passions with your experience.” – Kris Holmes
“The real superstars are the people who focus on both building the business and the team.”– Kris Holmes
“With interview prep, you've got to understand yourself and be able to articulate your strengths and your kills so that they're believable and memorable.” - Kris Holmes
“Tell a story where your strengths have allowed you to achieve a goal. This paints a vivid picture to the interviewer and elicits a chemical reaction that helps them remember it and believe it.” – Kris Holmes
“In the first 30-60 days at a new company, it is critically important to your success to build relationships and build your knowledge base.” - Kris Holmes
About Kris Holmes:
Kris Holmes is an executive recruiter and partner at O’Connell Group, a leading executive search firm in consumer marketing and market research. With more than twenty-five years of experience, she is also a member of the Pinnacle Society, the premier consortium of industry-leading recruiters in North America.
Kris has counseled tens of thousands of candidates in setting goals and leveraging their strengths. Before shifting to recruiting, Kris worked for a decade in consumer marketing with major corporations like Johnson & Johnson, Kraft Foods, and Ralston Purina. She’s a graduate of Tufts University and has an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern.
Kris and her husband are the proud parents of three wonderful children and two happy yellow labs.
Links:
Website: https://www.igniteyourcareerbook.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kris-holmes-966548/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kris.holmes.9216
Does this sound familiar? It’s 6am and the alarm goes off. You hit the snooze button and try to catch a few more minutes of sleep. Then the alarm goes off again and you hit snooze one more time. On the third try, you finally get out of bed, grab your phone and check your email. You see several messages from your colleagues about something urgent that needs your attention.
You’d hoped to workout this morning but instead you’re responding to emails and putting out fires at work. You feel the anxiety bubbling up already and you haven’t even brushed your teeth yet!
In today's episode, we'll share with you the morning routine of successful people and how you can stop the frenzy and start the day with magic.
Highlights:
[01:34] Why your morning routine matters
[03:46] How to design the right environment and routine
[06:16] The 5-step routine
[19:22] Making time for your routine
Quotes:
“The most successful people have a very defined and intentional start to their day.” – Nikki Barua
“It's important for you to set boundaries and design the right environment and create the right routines for yourself.” – Nikki Barua
“Meditation is simply a way for you to become mindful and focus on the present moment.” – Nikki Barua
“Simply having the attitude of gratitude puts you in the right mindset to take on your day.” – Nikki Barua
“Inspiration builds that momentum to keep going every day towards your vision and goals.” – Nikki Barua
“Write down your commitment for the day to clarify what is the most important thing for you to accomplish that day to move you towards achieving your goals.” – Nikki Barua
“The 5-step process of Meditation, Activation, Gratitude, Inspiration, Commitment spells MAGIC.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Have you struggled with advancing your career and don’t know what steps to take? Do you feel stuck and don’t know who to turn to for help?
In this episode, you’ll meet 4 extraordinary women who share their stories of transformation and how their peer community helped them go beyond barriers.
Each of them overcame fears and limiting beliefs, gained confidence and conviction in their purpose, and are on a mission to create impact in the world.
Highlights:
[01:06] About Bella Mokua
[01:21] About Dominique Piñon
[01:38] About Jenean Glover
[01:54] About Jessica Medrano
[02:07] Impact of the pandemic
[05:44] Bella: Commitment to your true north
[07:56] Dominique: Putting yourself first guilt-free
[10:44] Jenean: Learning to adapt and pivot
[15:44] Jessica: Always believing in yourself
[20:50] Jessica: Don’t wait for perfection
[23:19] Dominique: Create your own narrative
[27:11] Bella: Feel the fear and do it anyway
[30:35] Jenean: Mentorship, sponsorship and championship
[34:43] What’s holding back women in the workplace
[45:10] Habits and hacks to accelerate success
Quotes:
“Own your experiences and believe that you are good enough to be successful.” – Bella Mokua
“The power of community is out there, you just have to look for it. And sometimes you have to be proactive in building it.” – Monica Marquez
“The Beyond Barriers program normalized failing and normalized success and normalized the concept that if we're failing it’s because we're pushing our boundaries.” – Dominique Piñon
“The Beyond Barriers program taught me the art of the pivot. To embrace the pivot, not fear change and make the appropriate move at the appropriate time.” – Jenean Glover
“The Beyond Barriers program helped me identify my strengths and lead with them. Now I can focus on the work at hand, motivate others and help create change.” – Jessica Medrano
“Conditions are never going to be perfect in every area, but you still need to move forward and work with the conditions that you do have.” – Jessica Medrano
“What I wish I had known sooner was feeling the fear and doing it anyway.” – Bella Mokua
“Don’t talk yourself out of opportunities. Let them tell you no.” – Bella Mokua
“You don't have to be good at everything to be enough. You're enough as you are. Remind yourself of that daily.” – Bella Mokua
“Create your own narrative and actualize yourself. No one's going to actualize things for you.” - Dominique Piñon
“It is equally as powerful when we have allies that share our stories in addition to crafting our own narrative.” - Jenean Glover
“Nothing can grow if you don't nourish your own soil.” - Bella Mokua
“After making your list of what you need to be better, make sure you look around and be grateful for what you have now.” – Jessica Medrano
About Podcast Guests:
Bella Mokua
Jenean Glover
Jessica Medrano
Dominique Piñon
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
When it comes to your finances, are you someone who is diligent, saves wisely, and knows where every penny you’ve earned goes? Or are you more carefree and you plan to get serious about saving for that “rainy day” when you are in a better place and earning more money? Well, what happens if that “rainy day” arrives unexpectedly and you’re caught without a savings umbrella?
In this episode, Stephanie Groschup, co-founder and managing partner of women-owned firm, GM Wealth Group debunks common myths and mistakes we make when it comes to our personal finances.
She also shares the success habits and mindset necessary for building wealth, not just living on your income.
Highlights:
[02:39] About Stephanie
[04:06] Moving to Wall Street
[05:16] From Wall Street Executive to Entrepreneur
[08:54] Learning to run a business
[12:51] Investment patterns across genders
[14:55] Guiding principles of wealth creation
[17:59] Advice for those just starting out
[19:51] Financial reactions to the pandemic
[24:03] Benefits of a financial advisor
[27:58] Women and the money mindset
[29:39] Income versus assets
[31:18] Stephanie’s proudest accomplishment
[32:04] Most important lesson learned
[33:10] Success habits for wealth creation
Quotes:
“Consider yourself important and pay yourself first before you pay anything else.” – Stephanie Groschup
Everyone needs to have an emergency fund. Try to have at least six months of salary and savings at all times.” – Stephanie Groschup
“Block out the noise and distractions coming at you and focus on your goals.” – Stephanie Groschup
“Sit down by yourself every morning and think about what you need to accomplish today. And make sure you focus on your budget.” – Stephanie Groschup
“Always contribute to your retirement plan, even if it is only 1%”. - Stephanie Groschup
About Stephanie Groschup
Stephanie is co-founder and managing partner of women-owned firm, GM Wealth Group, and is responsible for guiding the firm’s investment strategy, research and strategic development. With nearly two decades of experience in the financial industry, she is dedicated to helping her clients achieve their financial goals.
Stephanie has overcome career barriers by being the only female in her class to graduate from the Merrill Lynch training program. Having worked in male dominated fields, she knows first-hand how challenging it can be for women to thrive professionally and financially. That’s why Stephanie is passionate about helping women achieve financial freedom. She believes that listening to the client is of utmost importance so she can apply customized strategies to meet specific needs with a thoughtful, yet proven approach.
Specializing in investment strategy, portfolio construction, risk management, and corporate and private retirement plans, Stephanie leverages her extensive experience and professional qualifications to implement highly customized portfolios for her clients. She thrives in helping her clients build wealth and fulfill their dreams.
Stephanie, a native Texan, received her B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin. Stephanie holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities licenses, as well as life, health and long-term care insurance licenses.
She is also a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) ® .
Stephanie’s interests include architecture, wine and travel. An avid tennis player, Stephanie employs strategies to give her clients the advantages of putting the ball in their court.
Links:
Website: https://www.gmwealthllc.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-groschup/
Much has been researched and written about the lack of women in the tech sector, whether it’s representation at major tech companies, as start-up founders, or as investors. What can be done to make the tech world a more inclusive space for women?
In this episode, we feature Kate Brodock, CEO at Women 2.0 and Founding Partner of W Fund. Kate has played an active leadership role in the women in tech ecosystem for over a decade. She led a global organization focused on women in technology and entrepreneurship as its President for several years. She is passionate about applying her experience to advising and mentoring startups whether as an EIR at LaunchNY, or a mentor for Techstars.
As CEO of Women 2.0, Kate is focused on bringing diversity and inclusion in the tech and startup spaces.
Women 2.0 provides resources for founders and professionals to grow their companies and careers, as well as provide products for workplaces and the startup ecosystem to create inclusive environments that support the advancement of women and other underrepresented groups. And now with the launch of the W Fund, Kate is on a mission to fuel the startup ecosystem and deploy funds to women and diverse-led tech startups.
Kate highlights some of the challenges women face, the perceptions that need to be changed and the work that’s being done to help to promote women in tech. Kate shares her perspective on the gender gap and how to build a more diverse, equitable and inclusive world.
Highlights:
[02:50] Kate’s journey
[07:58] Kate’s vision for Women 2.0
[11:52] Challenges that women face in the workplace
[13:11] Why is mobilization important for women
[15:18] The importance of the W Fund
[18:29] Facing your fears and overcoming limiting beliefs
[25:15] Nurturing and building your community
[33:48] The fundraising process
[42:46] Kate’s success habit
Quotes:
“Mobilization is important because it is the difference between going so low against all of these hurdles and actually having a peer network.” – Kate Brodock
“List out your negative thoughts about yourself and then talk yourself out of each one of them.” – Kate Brodock
“Think of asking for advice and help as a learning opportunity and a growth opportunity.” – Kate Brodock
“Before asking for help, frame the specific problem or question and then identify those whose support you need.” – Kate Brodock
“Put structures in place to fight the apply, apply, apply instinct. The best results will come when strategic planning happens first.”- Kate Brodock
About Kate Brodock
Kate is CEO of Women 2.0 and Founding Partner of W Fund . She’s lived in the tech startup world for over 15 years, and has played an active leadership role in the women in tech ecosystem for over a decade, having led a global organization focused on women in technology and entrepreneurship as its President for several years.
She’s also an EIR at LaunchNY , and a long-time mentor for Techstars. She enjoys putting her 15-year experience in the tech industry to work advising and mentoring startups.
She was recently CMO of untapt , an AI-driven tech talent marketplace based in NYC and has held the role of Adjunct Professor in PR and Marketing at Syracuse University.
Kate has spoken at and been featured in numerous places, including SXSWi, Collision Conference, Fast Company’s Innovation Uncensored, IBT, MSNBC, TechCrunch and Al Jazeera America and writes for Forbes.
She has a BA from the University of Rochester, an MBA from Goizueta Business School at Emory University and an MA in International Relations from the Fletcher School at Tufts University.
When she’s not doing all that, she’s a very non-professional (but adventurous!) athlete, an equally as non-professional musician, can be found outdoors in any weather — skiing, biking, hiking, sailing — loves a good meal with bubbly, craft beer and good friends, hilariousness and life. She tries hard to read when she can, non-fiction only. Her husband is a startup-web-developer-turned-beer-guy and they now live on a hops farm in Upstate, NY. She can be found on Twitter at @ just_kate.
Links:
Website: http://women2.com
W2.0 Team: https://women2.com/team
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/katebrodock
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Just_Kate
Thank you for listening in. We are truly grateful for your comments, feedback and advocacy.
Thanks to you we are a highly rated show and our global community is growing rapidly. If you haven’t subscribed yet, tell us what we can do to earn your support. If you have already, please rate us (we love 5 stars). And, if you’ve already done both, tell a friend about this show.
In this episode, we’ll discuss a topic many of us are feeling – burnout. We’ll share how you can detect burnout and what you can do to regain your balance, and feel healthy and hopeful again.
Highlights:
[01:17] What is burnout
[06:36] Stress vs burnout
[07:41] Job-related burnout
[08:36] Work-life balance during a pandemic
[11:06] The susceptibility of burnout for perfectionists
[14:30] Pay attention to the signs of burnout
[15:20] The impact of the pandemic on mental health
[16:41] Steps to take to avoid burnout
Quotes:
“Burnout is when you feel empty, mentally exhausted, like you've just got absolutely nothing left to give, that's when you've lost your motivation.” – Nikki Barua
“Perfectionist often times feel the need to be in control of everything. This leaves them highly susceptible to burnout.” – Monica Marquez
“When sabotage seems like your best escape route. That's an urgent cry and a sign that you need self-care.” – Nikki Barua
“Incorporate play into your daily schedule. Being in a playful state has the ability to heal chronic stress and burnout.” – Nikki Barua
“When you feel grateful for family, health or safety, you're going to shift your focus from what you don't have to what you're blessed to have.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
How do you define success? Are you accepting someone else’s definition or are you deciding what success is for yourself?
In this episode, 5 Times Best Selling Author, Christy Rutherford shares her journey to high levels of success, but also highlights what she gave up along the way. In the last few years of her career, she realized she was digging an early grave and courageously discloses her breaking point and how she left a 6-figure career for freedom. Christy shares insights on the common experiences high performing women experience and also the things they give up to achieve success.
Highlights:
[02:53] Christy’s story
[05:21] The decision to make a career change
[08:23] Attempting to meet defined requirements for success
[10:54] Patterns of women in showing up with confidence
[14:55] Lessons learned in speaking up
[17:35] Putting both feet on the ground
[20:44] Making yourself a priority
[24:40] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[26:56] Having the right mindset
[33:58] Heal Your Brokenness
[35:35] Advice on getting unstuck
[37:42] Christy’s success habit
Quotes:
“People tend to think they need the money. But if your mind is not properly structured and healed, you're not going to get the money because it's so much strain. Seek the mindset first, the money will come after.” – Christy Rutherford
“Ask yourself how you will show up and who do you want to be.” – Christy Rutherford
“You have a chance to decide every single day whether you are going to be helpless or are you going to seek the opportunity.” – Christy Rutherford
“You have to believe that you have your fate in your hands. You create it. – Christy Rutherford
About Christy Rutherford
A globally recognized leader, Christy Rutherford assists women in leadership to get unstuck, make more money, have more peace and enjoy more fulfillment in their personal and professional lives.
She’s also a keynote speaker and author, publishing five #1 best-selling books on Amazon in eight months.
A Harvard Business School Alumna, Christy is also a certified Executive Leadership Coach from Georgetown University and has been featured in Forbes three times.
Christy is the 13th African American woman to achieve the rank of Commander (Lieutenant Colonel equivalent) in the U.S. Coast Guard’s 225+ year history where her demographic was .1%.
Christy responded to the needs of the citizens in New Orleans two days after Hurricane Katrina and had a 3-year Congressional Fellowship with the House of Representatives. Christy’s academic portfolio also includes an MBA, and a pastry chef diploma. Among her many professional accomplishments, her national recognition includes Harvard Business School’s 2018 Launching New Ventures Pitch Contest Grand Master Champion, Cambridge Who’s Who Amongst Executives and Professionals, Career Communications STEM Technology All-Star and the Edward R. Williams Award for Excellence In Diversity.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyrutherford/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/c.rutherford7
Twitter: https://twitter.com/visionfinder7
Website: https://www.christyrutherford.com/
How many times have you purchased a product, only to realize that the whoever created it, didn’t build it with you in mind? How many times have you laughed out loud when seeing a clothing tag that says, “One size fits all”...when it’s clearly obvious it would barely fit a child, needless to say, a grown adult!
Well, in this episode, Annie Jean-Baptiste, Google’s Head of Product Inclusion, shares how she helps teams make sure Google products are made for everyone. She spends her days making sure everyone matters. But, the most important message she shares is how YOUR voice, your unique experiences and what makes you different from others, is the secret to success. Stepping into your power, even if it doesn't look like the kind of cookie cutter example of what leadership looks like, is what will bring success and helps others expand their frame of reference. That authenticity fosters diversity...which fuels innovation.
Highlights:
[01:01] Annie’s story
[04:02] Imposter syndrome
[04:30] Lean into what makes you authentic
[06:53] Gaining clarity on your strengths
[10:02] Strategies to highlight value proposition
[12:40] Framework for inclusive product design
[17:42] Setting and achieving your professional goals
[18:39] Writing Building For Everyone
[22:50] Key to developing your personal brand
[27:15] Annie’s success habit
[30:13] How can women accelerate in the digital age
Quotes:
“The more that you try to fit into a mold that wasn't made for you, the more energy you have to expend.” – Annie Jean-Baptiste
“If you can find something that you're passionate about, something that gives you purpose, and you can get paid for it, that is the trifecta.” – Annie Jean-Baptiste
“Periodically assess if the things you're doing are moving you towards your goals.” – Annie Jean-Baptiste
“Find mentors, advisors, sponsors and coaches that are going to push you into uncomfortable situations so you can grow.” – Annie Jean-Baptiste
About Annie Jean-Baptiste
Annie Jean-Baptiste is the Head of Product Inclusion at Google. She leads Product Inclusion strategy across the company, including consultation, communications, scale and research and created the movement 3 years ago as a way to ensure underrepresented users felt seen throughout the product design process.
Annie is passionate about making the web and Google’s products work for underserved communities while ensuring that Google is a place where everyone shines for their differences. She’s responsible for working with Google product teams and senior leaders on the creation and execution of their inclusive design strategy. She formerly created programs related to Diversity talent management and career development within several technical product areas within Google.
She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania (go Quakers!) with degrees in International Relations & Political Science. She is an avid Boston sports fan & loves to bring her dog Hercules to work. She currently is based in San Francisco.
Outside of Google, Annie is a former American Heart Association spokesperson and a One Young World ambassador, focused on healthy lifestyles in underserved communities. She is also a former Hack the Hood mentor.
She currently serves as an intrapreneur in residence at the University Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education and a member of the IEEE's Ethically Aligned Design committee. She’s been inducted into the Haitian Roundtable’s 1804 society as “One to Watch” and inducted as one of the 30 Black Stars for Face to Face Africa in 2019.
She’s also been covered in Vogue, Essence Magazine, Business Insider, Teen Vogue, MSNBC, CNBC, ABC, Cheddar, Business Insider, the Huffington Post, the Root, the Council of Fashion Designers of America Annual Report, The Miami Times, Boston Globe and Fortune Magazine.
Her book, Building for Everyone, is available now. Follow her on social media: @its_me_ajb.
Links:
Website: https://www.anniejeanbaptiste.com/
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Building-Everyone-Practices-Googles-Inclusion/dp/1119646227
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-jean-baptiste-43511930/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/its_me_ajb/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Its_Me_AJB
Thank you for listening in. We are truly grateful for your comments, feedback and advocacy.
Thanks to you we are a highly rated show and our global community is growing rapidly. If you haven’t subscribed yet, tell us what we can do to earn your support. If you have already, please rate us (we love 5 stars). And, if you’ve already done both, tell a friend about this show.
Where do you invest your time, energy, and money?
In this episode, we’ll discuss the best investment you can make in your lifetime. And no, we are not giving advice on how to manage your finances or hot tips on the stock market. This is a different kind of investment. It has a guaranteed return. It grows exponentially over time. And it’s the one investment no one can take away from you.
Highlights:
[01:30] The best investment you can make
[05:00] Make it a habit
[07:00] When to upgrade yourself
[10:59] You are worthy of the investment
[12:45] Take control of your career development
[15:00] Best way to aspire to success
Quotes:
“The best investment you can ever make in your life, whether it's time, money or energy, is in bettering ourselves. It has guaranteed results.” – Nikki Barua
“Ask yourself what is the next level of learned competency for professional development that you need and how you do you get it.” – Nikki Barua
“Be intentional in seeking out learning for professional development.” – Nikki Barua
“You are worthy of the time, care, and attention to focus on yourself.” – Nikki Barua
“There is a misconception that your company is responsible for your career development.” – Monica Marquez
“The ultimate job security isn’t being good at your job today, it’s being highly capable and qualified to do your job tomorrow.” – Nikki Barua
“The easiest way to be successful is to find the people who you want to be like and look at what they do, not what they have.” Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
When you hear the terms, “Privilege or White Privilege”, what comes to mind for you? Do you immediately think of white people and attach the stigma of racism with it? If you answered yes, or your answer leaned towards yes...then YOU my friend, need to pause and disrupt your thinking. Because, the irony is that you, yourself, just exhibited negative unconscious biased behaviors. But, don’t beat yourself up, we ALL do this to some extent. It’s human nature. The key is to make the choice to CHANGE.
In this episode, Aubrey Blanche, Global Head of Equitable Design & Impact at Culture Amp discusses and shares how we should all be using our individual privileges to help other marginalized groups.
Especially in this current “awakened environment” of racial and economic inequities.
Highlights:
[02:54] Aubrey’s story
[08:36] Taking chances
[11:55] Solidifying identity as a Latina women
[14:22] First experience in the tech industry
[16:00] Addressing microaggressions
[21:08] Making difficult decisions quickly
[24:48] Supporting each other during the pandemic
[28:21] Working remotely and being seen
[32:25] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[35:19] Aubrey’s favorite success habit
Quotes:
“When you have something, work hard, because you've taken a seat from someone who may also deserve it, but didn't get it. And that's out of respect for those folks.” – Aubrey Blanche
“I try to connect back to my journey to find compassion, but also remember that most people are fundamentally good and have been very poorly taught.” – Aubrey Blanche
“Be compassionate to everyone, we are all doing the best we can and we don't always know what else is going on in the background.” – Aubrey Blanche
“How do we constantly think of who's going to be the worst impacted and then think about what we can do to help.” – Aubrey Blanche
“This is the greatest remote work experiment in human history.” - Aubrey Blanche
“This is a time where no one really knows what the rules are. Decide what the rules are, tell people what the rules are, and then dare them to challenge you that you're wrong.” - Aubrey Blanche
“Define the terms of the engagement for yourself. Because the fact is, the ones that are defined are going to keep you down because they're supposed to.” - Aubrey Blanche
“What you say about yourself is what you believe in, it will become true because that's where your energy is going.” - Aubrey Blanche
“You're brilliant, you're worthy, and the world needs what you're going to create.” - Aubrey Blanche
About Aubrey Blanche:
Aubrey Blanche is The Mathpath (Math Nerd + Empath), Global Head of Equitable Design & Impact at Culture Amp, and a startup investor and advisor. Through all her work, she seeks to question, reimagine, and redesign the systems and practices that surround us to ensure that all people can access equitable opportunities and build a better world. Her work is undergirded by her training in social scientific methods and grounded in the fundamental dignity and value of every person. Her professional expertise covers a broad range of equitable enterprise operations, from talent lifecycle programs and accessible product development to event design and communications & media.
She is the inventor of the balanced teams approach to building proportional representation and a culture of belonging in the workplace, as well as the Balanced Teams Diversity Assessment in the Atlassian Team Playbook. She works to open source these methods for all practitioners and business leaders, and releases thought leadership and tools to create positive change at here at aubreyblanche.com.
She is an advisor to a variety of groups seeking to build a more just world, including Aleria Research and Joonko. Her work has been featured in Wired, the Wall Street Journal, the Australian Financial Review, USA Today, Re/Code, First Round Review, and more. She also has previous academic affiliations with Stanford and Northwestern, and an appointment at the Equity by Design Lab at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Despite the accolades listed here, she asks that you engage with her work to
judge her competence: traditional proxies of merit and/or competence help reinforce the systems that keep incredible people from the opportunities they deserve.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adblanche/
Twitter: @adblanche
Website: https://aubreyblanche.com/
Medium: https://medium.com/@adblanche
If I were to go online and review your professional profile, right now, would I be able to understand who you are beyond your “JOB”. Would I know your brand, your values and your story?
Well, in this episode, you will meet Yai Vargas – who is the founder of The Latinista, a national network for Latinas and women of color invested in professional development and career mobility. She’s also been called THE LinkedIn Ninja and hosts workshops to help individuals harness the power of the platform.
Yai is also a career & diversity strategist where she helps organizations develop engaging programming focused on career and leadership development. With a background in multicultural marketing and communications, Yai is a natural-born community builder and an expert networker.
Highlights:
[02:17] Yai’s journey
[03:56] Having the courage to switch lanes
[06:12] Honing your skills and competencies
[09:03] Tap into your network for help
[12:58] Showing up with confidence
[16:43] Learn from failure and setbacks
[18:36] Staying ahead of the curve
[21:28] Managing competing personal and professional priorities
[24:57] #1 recommendation for LinkedIn profile
[27:56] Building your network
[30:03] Getting over the fear of reaching out
[31:30] Most important formula to building your community
[33:53] Who Yai admires
[36:13] Yai’s advice on accelerating your success
Quotes:
“Ask yourself what you can offer someone, whether it is a connection for a better job opportunity, a PowerPoint, or helping them with speaking in public.” – Yai Vargas
“Before asking someone for something, I would always offer first. Reciprocity makes this whole world go round.” – Yai Vargas
“Mistakes have taught me how to present a better product and service.” – Yai Vargas
“Someone else can help you be productive and it's going to cost you way less than you sitting in front of a computer for six hours trying to figure out a template.” – Yai Vargas
“The misconception with LinkedIn lies in others thinking it is only useful when looking for a job and they do not need it because they have job security. Until they don’t.” – Yai Vargas
“Develop a personal Board of Directors, 5 or 6 close colleagues or friends that have a unique interest in something that you're not great in. Rely on them whenever you have a big decision to make that you don't want to make on your own.” - Yai Vargas
About Yai Vargas:
Yai Vargas is founder of The Latinista, a national network for Latinas and women of color invested in professional development and career mobility. Today The Latinista offers a series of skill-building, activity driven, hands-on sessions, specifically designed to help identify and sharpen career and business skills required to achieve professional goals. The Latinista has chapters in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami.
Yai is also a career & diversity strategist where she helps organizations develop engaging programming focused on career and leadership development. With a background in multicultural marketing and communications, Yai is a natural-born community builder and is known as the networking and LinkedIn Ninja.
Yai has lead the Financial Women’s Association Emerging Leaders network of New York, has worked to develop money investing workshops for women with Ellevest, featured in MakersMoney, spoken on Yahoo Finance, featured in Forbes for her work in Latina Equal Pay Day and works in partnership with orgs like: Luminary , WE NYC and The Financial Gym.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaivargas/
Website: www.yaivargas.com
People are feeling overwhelmed with work and family responsibilities, while facing health risks and economic uncertainty.
As our world goes through transformative change, organizations are faced with new challenges in creating safe spaces for connection.
Employee Resource Groups play a vital role in fostering a sense of belonging, and building an inclusive and innovative culture.
In today’s episode, we’ll discuss why ERG communities matters when you’re faced with challenges and how you can get the support you need.
Highlights:
[01:58] ERGs – what are they and why they exist
[04:18] The impact of ERGs on your career
[07:39] Getting the support you need
[09:41] What if your company doesn’t have an ERG
[12:19] What you can be doing to support others
[14:05] The role of an ERG leader
[15:56] How to align ERGs to business vision
[18:26] Recommendations for new ERG leaders
Quotes:
“ERG leaders have the ability to create safe spaces for their communities and help them thrive.” – Monica Marquez
“By raising your hand to advance the impact of ERG’s, you will demonstrate your leadership and be the light that can guide other people.” – Nikki Barua
“As a new ERG leader, you need to listen, learn and find out what your community needs, what support do they need to bring their whole selves to work everyday.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
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Have you ever been in a situation where you NEEDED help but didn’t feel comfortable asking for it?
Well, you are not alone. This is an area that a lot of women struggle with. Even though we may be comfortable asking for help on personal matters, we often don’t like to ask for help when it
comes to our career goals.
In today’s episode, we’ll share how to get comfortable ASKING and GETTING the help you deserve.
Highlights:
[01:04] Nikki’s perspective on asking for help
[03:53] Asking for help in the corporate environment
[05:34] Our fears in asking for help
[06:31] Unburden yourself and gain leverage
[08:18] People want to help
[09:52] How to ask for help
[12:52] Three steps to asking for help
Quotes:
“There is a special place in hell for women who don't help other women." – Madeleine Albright
“When you don't ask for help, you're taking the slower path to success.” – Nikki Barua
"Instead of fighting your battle alone, make it everyone’s war to win.” – Nikki Barua
“If you're uncomfortable asking for help, ask for advice instead.” – Nikki Barua
“If you're burning the candle at both ends, and you're not asking for help, at some point you're going to run out of candles.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Learn more at https://www.nikkibarua.com/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader. Learn more at https://themonicamarquez.com/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Ok, it’s the first week of July and we have 6 more months until the end of the year! Despite all of the chaos we’ve experienced in the first half of the year, let’s make today our new beginning!
Over the next few weeks, we are going to address many of the common questions we get regarding, “How to jumpstart, reset, re-energize momentum and get past barriers to career success”.
In today’s episode, we’ll share practical tips for you to implement -so you can take action and gain momentum in the second half of 2020.
Highlights:
[01:20] Overcoming obstacles & recovering from setbacks
[04:17] How to bounce back quickly
[06:38] The new year mindset shift
[11:20] Focus on the present
[14:00] 5-Day Job Search and Interview Prep Challenge
Quotes:
“Pessism does not contribute to your ability to be creative and resourceful in coming up with the best solutions. ” – Nikki Barua
“By taking the smallest of steps, one step after the next, momentum builds up and that's how you ultimately achieve your goals.” – Nikki Barua
“Focus on the present, because the past is gone, and the future has not arrived yet. Focusing on the past and worrying about the future depletes your energy and distracts your focus.” – Nikki Barua
Link to 5-Day Challenge: https://www.beyondbarriersacademy.com/5-day-challenge
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Learn more at https://www.nikkibarua.com/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader. Learn more at https://themonicamarquez.com/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Can you believe that we are in the month of July!? What a year 2020 has turned out to be (and we are only halfway through it...we still have 6 more months to go)! Did you kick off this year with big dreams and aspirations, only to be faced with unexpected obstacles?
In today’s episode, we’ll share practical tips for you to implement - so you can take action and gain momentum in the second half of 2020.
Highlights:
[01:09] Nikki’s first half of 2020
[03:28] The 5 step framework to momentum
[06:16] Breaking down a big problem into smaller chunks
[07:17] Develop the skills to weather any storm
[08:16] 5-Day Challenge
Quotes:
“There will always be obstacles. The 5 step Beyond Barriers framework gives you the methodology to develop the strategies and skills to overcome those obstacles. ” – Nikki Barua
“If you want change, you have to make the decision and take massive action.” – Monica Marquez
“Break a big problem into smaller bite-sized chunks. This will make you feel more in control, give you a greater degree of certainty, and help you take action.” – Nikki Barua
“Results will come when you make the commitment and invest in yourself.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Learn more at https://www.nikkibarua.com/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Learn more at https://themonicamarquez.com/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Do you have clarity about who you are outside of your profession? Do you know your core values, what you stand for, and what lights you up? When you are really driven, you can get caught up in a never ending cycle of achievement and lose sight of what truly matters –your connection with your own self, and your connection with others.
In this episode, our guest, certified life coach and relationship expert, Irene Abbou shares why meaningful connections are key to a fulfilling life.
Irene is the creator of the Happiness Within Reach program which coaches ambitious women to open their hearts to self-love while forming deep and meaningful relationships with others. Irene has helped hundreds of women get reacquainted with their personal and professional desires and supports them to take action despite their fears.
Highlights:
[02:37] Irene’s story
[04:30] Career path discovery
[05:55] Happiness Within Reach
[10:31] Advice on having achievement and fulfillment
[12:43] Patterns of successful women
[14:30] Attachment styles
[16:20] Learn about yourself
[18:30] Advice for those struggling with isolation
[21:50] Taking time for yourself
[27:56] Strategies to grow your confidence
[30:22] Dealing with childhood trauma
[32:29] Relationship patterns
[34:37] The world post-pandemic
Quotes:
“Failure is what leads us to success.” – Irene Abbou
“It only takes 40 seconds of human interaction to change the day of both people.” – Irene Abbou
“The importance of time for self-care, self-love and self-reflection cannot be understated”. – Irene Abbou
“Knowing yourself and identifying what you love will allow for massive transformation.” – Irene Abbou
About Irene Abbou:
Irene is the creator of the Happiness Within Reach program which coaches ambitious women to open their hearts to self-love while forming deep and meaningful relationships with others. She is an ICF, ACC Certified life and business coach who holds certifications from the University of Pennsylvania on Positive Psychology and is trained in the Gottman Method for Couples Therapy. This integrates forty years of scientific research, based on the Sound Relationship House Theory. Irene has helped hundreds of women get reacquainted with their hearts most affirming personal and professional desires and supports them to take action despite their fears. Her mission is to remind women of their indisputable worthiness and capability of creating the extraordinary soul on fire life that is their birthright.
Links:
Website: https://www.happinesswithinreach.com
Free Worksheet: https://happiness-within-reach.ck.page/4d6bb63bdf
Subscribe to Happiness Within Reach: https://happiness-within-reach.ck.page/85334fd8a1
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irene-abbou-0baaa631/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/happinesswithinreach/
Have you ever struggled with being the “only one” and remaining silent when you had a different opinion from the status quo because you believed it would limit your career?
In this episode, Merary Simeon shares how she confronted her fears and limiting belief and that standing up for her values could negatively impact her career. But when she chose to do it anyway and speak up boldly, embracing her uniqueness, she discovered that it actually accelerated her success.
Merary is a wife, mother, co-founder of Color Forward podcast, board member, ministry volunteer, and proven Human Resources Executive with more than 20 years of experience working for various Fortune 100 companies in North America and Latin America. Her leadership expertise includes diversity & inclusion, talent management, leadership consulting, culture change, executive coaching, and public speaking.
Highlights:
[02:47] Merary’s journey
[06:09] Finding a sponsor
[09:29] How to gain access to influential leaders
[12:55] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[18:55] Identifying your superpower
[23:54] Doing what is right
[32:18] Being unapologetically authentic
[41:03] Lessons learned during the pandemic
Quotes:
“Sponsors are aware of your potential and capabilities. They are intentional about opening doors for you.” – Merary Simeon
“The same way that you think about bringing a product to market is the same way you should think about bringing your brand to sponsors.” – Merary Simeon
“The key to overcoming limiting beliefs is to acknowledge the fear that comes with it, but don’t let it be the driver of your ride.” – Merary Simeon
“Leadership is being able to help other people find their superpower and weather their limiting beliefs.” – Merary Simeon
“It’s important to assess what your values are and make sure that whatever you're doing does not compromise them.” – Merary Simeon
About Merary Simeon:
Merary Simeon is a wife, mother, co-founder of Color Forward podcast, board member, ministry volunteer, and proven Human Resources Executive with more than 20 years of experience working for various Fortune 100 companies in North America and Latin America. Her leadership expertise includes Diversity & Inclusion, Talent Management, Leadership Consulting, Culture Change, Executive Coaching, and Public Speaking.
Merary is currently pursuing her doctorate in strategic leadership at Regent University. Merary has a master’s degree in Human Resources from Fordham University and a bachelor’s degree from the College of Saint Elizabeth. She is a certified Hogan Assessment Coach. She also serves on the Women’s Food Service Forum board of the directors and the advisory board of Back on My Feet.
She is a native of Puerto Rico and currently resides in Plano, Texas, with her family. She credits her success to Jesus Christ. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength,” Philippians 4:13.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merarysimeon/
Twitter: @merarysimeon
Do you have a career related question that you’re uncomfortable asking your peers, managers or mentors?
We're here to address your questions. The fear of being perceived as inadequate prevents us from asking –but it causes us to pay a high price in every aspect of our lives—in lost income, slower career progress, LIMITED access to leadership roles and potential risk to well-being. So, learn to ask –and start by asking us.
Many of our listeners have asked what we wish we had known before taking a role in management. So, in this episode, we discuss the lessons we’ve learned when transitioning from an individual contributor to a manager.
Highlights:
[01:21] Management theory versus practice
[03:04] Transitioning from individual contributor to manager
[06:03] How to delegate effectively
[07:56] Right amount of oversight when delegating
[11:56] Letting go of being liked
[13:46] Be responsible for your team
[17:31] How to have effective meetings
Quotes:
“As a manager, you want to make sure that you're empowering your team and allowing them to bring their expertise, skills and competencies to the table, so that collectively, you can be effective in solving organizational challenges.” – Nikki Barua
“Have a mindset of constant succession planning. If you want to move up, the only way you can do that is if someone is ready, capable and willing to take your spot.” – Nikki Barua
“The key to delegation is to learn how to let go, while remaining accountable, and giving the other person the opportunity to figure out how to do it their way and develop the competency.” – Nikki Barua
“As a manager, you are responsible for your team and setting them up for success.” – Monica Marquez
“Don't aspire to be liked. Focus on being trusted and respected and leading with the right decisions for the organization and for the people.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Learn more at https://www.nikkibarua.com/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader. Learn more at https://themonicamarquez.com/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up? Did you grow up thinking that you wanted to become an astronaut and then go off in a completely different direction?
Well, in this episode, Vanessa Liu shares with us her career journey that took her from dreams of being an astronaut to becoming a Harvard lawyer to becoming a senior executive in digital media and technology innovation. No matter what her role has been, Vanessa has always been at the forefront of innovation.
Vanessa is the VP of SAP.iO, a global organization responsible for building an ecosystem of startups around SAP. In her role, she is overseeing SAP.iO’s North American Foundries in New York and San Francisco, including programs devoted to women and diverse-led B2B enterprise tech companies.
Highlights:
[02:13] Vanessa’s story
[08:57] Overcoming fears
[10:55] Vanessa’s superpower
[13:25] Awareness of identity
[17:07] What holds women back
[22:10] Advocacy from mentors and sponsors
[23:57] Approaching a potential mentor
[26:26] Showcase your capabilities
[30:38] Vanessa’s role at SAP.iO
[33:58] Advice for founders
[38:34] Challenges women face in raising capital
[42:43] Post-pandemic world
[46:18] Juggling competing priorities
Quotes:
“If something feels right from an impact perspective, and you are in a state of flow, because you know that your contributions are making a difference, you can then enjoy the journey, which takes a lot of the fear away.” – Vanessa Liu
“When building your network, make sure you give to the relationship so that it is just as fulfilling for the other person as it is for you.” – Vanessa Liu
“Understanding what your superpower is and matching that with organizations that also value that is essential.” – Vanessa Liu
"You need to be able to tell your story so that other people can understand it.” – Vanessa Liu
“We all have the same asset, which is 24 hours a day. And it's about how do you spend it? And how can you spend it wisely.” – Vanessa Liu
“Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It means that you know yourself well and that you know where you need help.” - Vanessa Liu
About Vanessa Liu:
Vanessa is the VP of SAP.iO, a global organization responsible for building an ecosystem of startups around SAP. In her role, she is overseeing SAP.iO’s North American Foundries in New York and San Francisco, including programs devoted to women and diverse-led B2B enterprise tech companies.
Vanessa was most recently the Chief Operating Officer at Trigger Media Group, a $22MM digital media incubator. In her role, she co-founded, incubated and oversaw business operations and strategic initiatives of Trigger’s portfolio companies: InsideHook (the essential digital lifestyle guide for adventurous and discerning men) and Fevo (SaaS technology bringing friends and networks together for group experiences at live events).
Vanessa currently serves as a board observer of Fevo and is an advisor or investor in start-ups including Bounce Exchange, Grata Data, GroundSignal, Knotel and Narrativ. She mentors female founders through Declare’s Lead Program.
Previously, Vanessa was an Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company’s Media and Entertainment Practice, based in Amsterdam, London and New York. In this role, Vanessa was responsible for serving clients in a variety of media and high tech sectors including online advertising, magazine and newspaper publishing, television, video content production, and information services, particularly on issues of digital media strategy, emerging market strategy, growth and innovation.
Vanessa graduated magna cum laude with an AB in psychology from Harvard University and cum laude with a JD from Harvard Law School. She was a Fulbright Scholar at Universiteit Utrecht in the Netherlands where she conducted independent research on the International War Crimes Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the International Court of Justice. She serves as Vice President, College Alumni Affairs, of the Harvard Alumni Association.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessawliu/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vanessawliu
If there were a fire, which way would you run? Would your first instinct be to run towards it or away from it?
Well, in this episode you will get to know Anilu Vazquez-Ubarri, who credits her success as a leader to always setting fears aside and running towards the fire. Anilu shares her journey from Puerto Rico to Princeton to Wall Street, choosing faith over fear when challenging opportunities presented themselves.
She shares her story so other young Latinx can follow in her footsteps and rise up from the ashes like a phoenix.
Highlights:
[02:35] Anilu’s story
[05:07] When opportunity presents itself
[08:05] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[11:12] Gaining access to influential leaders
[13:51] Learned success habit
[17:11] How do you find your truth tellers
[21:24] Ask for clarity in the moment feedback is given
[27:11] Having difficult conversations virtually
[31:19] Learning to adapt quickly
[36:16] What to focus on when negotiating
[42:08] The key to accelerating success
Quotes:
“Don’t expect every opportunity to look perfect in the moment you get it, you can make it your own.” – Anilu Vazquez-Ubarri
“Share your story, even when you're not completely clear on what you want to do, tell someone else because they might be able to help you with it.” – Anilu Vazquez-Ubarri
“It's important to get mentors that think differently from you. If you're a woman of color, waiting to be mentored by someone that looks exactly like you, you might be on short options.” – Anilu Vazquez-Ubarri
“When someone gives you feedback, make it comfortable for them to give you feedback again.” – Anilu Vazquez-Ubarri
“When you start a new job or a new responsibility, the tendency is to want to go in and just do. More time needs to be spent on setting the priorities and the strategy of upfront.” – Anilu Vazquez-Ubarri
“It is more important to understand why people are saying no to you than why they are supportive.” – Anilu Vazquez-Ubarri
About Anilu Vazquez-Ubarri:
Anilu Vazquez-Ubarri is a Partner and the Chief Human Resources Officer at TPG, based in San Francisco. Prior to joining TPG in August 2018, Anilu was with Goldman Sachs for more than 11 years, where she most recently was the firm’s Global Head of Talent and Chief Diversity Officer. Prior to Goldman Sachs, Anilu was an associate at Shearman & Sterling LLP in the Executive Compensation & Employee Benefits group from 2002 to 2007. Anilu received an AB in History and Latin American Studies, cum laude, from Princeton University and a JD from Fordham University School of Law. Anilu currently serves on the Board of LatinoJustice PRLDEF, the Fordham University School of Law Alumni Board, and has recently joined as a board member for Teach for America Bay Area regional board based
in San Francisco.
Links:
Website: www.tpg.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anilu-vazquez-ubarri-2aa67031/
Do you have a career related question that you’re uncomfortable asking your peers, managers or mentors?
We're here to address your questions. Our fear of being perceived as inadequate prevents us from asking –but it causes us to pay a high price in every aspect of our lives—in lost income, slower career progress, LIMITED access to leadership roles and potential risk to well-being. So, learn to ask –and start by asking us.
In this episode, we are going to address a question we get from many of our listeners. “How do I negotiate?”
Highlights:
[01:10] Always negotiate
[02:23] Statistics on negotiating
[04:15] Impact of not negotiating
[05:35] Nikki shares negotiation tips
[06:07] Myths about negotiation
[14:42] Share your questions
Quotes:
“Don’t think of negotiating in terms of salary. Think of it in terms of anything that you value and that could be PTO, education, eligibility for promotion.” – Nikki Barua
“Myth # 1 about negotiation is that it is about conflict, it isn’t. You need to reframe negotiation to be about discovery and alignment.” – Nikki Barua
“Negotiation is about establishing a long term win-win outcome.” – Nikki Barua
“Negotiation is not about money, it is about value exchange.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Learn more at https://www.nikkibarua.com/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader. Learn more at https://themonicamarquez.com/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
If you want to make a difference and not just make a living, then learn how businesses can be a force for good, and partner with nonprofits to create impact together.
Meet Danielle Holly, CEO of Common Impact, an organization that designs programs with corporations to empower their people in addressing social challenges. Danielle has helped numerous corporations navigate the new era in corporate social responsibility and skills-based volunteering, including global powerhouses like JP Morgan Chase, Charles Schwab, Marriott International, and Fidelity Investments.
Danielle envisions a world where every person is able to bring their values and personal mission to their day jobs, integrate healthy and sustainable personal lives and, as a result, have the drive and energy to make our communities more equitable and vibrant.
In this episode, Danielle shares her perspective on the transformation that can happen when people from different perspectives, disciplines and backgrounds come together to create lasting change. She also reveals how she is personally adapting to a world that is evolving rapidly, and requires new skills and bold perspectives.
Highlights:
[02:16] Danielle’s story
[05:30] Moving between diverse career paths
[06:55] Danielle’s superpower
[09:37] The unique model of Common Impact
[11:22] One of Danielle’s favorite projects
[13:57] Advice on attracting and retaining talent
[16:09] What the ideal partnership looks like
[17:53] Traits of a socially conscious leader
[19:22] Skills emerging leaders need to develop
[24:02] Impact of pandemic on nonprofits
[26:21] Advice to corporate leaders during pandemic
[28:03] Hope for the world post-pandemic
[31:37] What keeps Danielle grounded
[34:01] Danielle’s daily habit
Quotes:
“Millennials want to have social impact as part of their day job and they make career decisions based on what companies are doing for the community and society.” – Danielle Holly
“Employees see corporate social responsibility programs as an investment in employees. It's an incredible retention tool.” – Danielle Holly
“It’s in moments of crisis where the opportunities exist to break down old stereotypes and old partnerships and have a real conversation around what do we want to do together.” – Danielle Holly
“Nothing fosters creativity and innovation more than a nonprofit environment where you're working with minimal resources.” – Danielle Holly
“Socially conscious leaders activate and enable others, they lead when they need to lead. But for the most part, they're hidden and their impact and contribution doesn't have to have their signature on it.” – Danielle Holly
About Danielle Holly:
Danielle Holly is dedicated to creating previously unseen pathways for individuals to meaningfully contribute to making their communities thrive. Holly is currently the CEO of Common Impact, an organization that brings companies and social change organizations together to create meaningful change through skilled volunteerism. Recently recognized in Buzzfeed for one of the "30 Big Ideas that Can Change the World", Danielle has led the social sector movement to channel individual talents and superpowers as a force for good. For the past 13 years, she has helped Fortune 100 companies shape their community engagement and investment programs, supported nonprofits in effectively leveraging service for strategic ends and built the industry-leading tools that enable companies and nonprofits to work together effectively. In addition, she hosts the Pro Bono Perspectives podcast --a popular podcast heading into its second season which highlights the careers of cross-sector leaders.
She is a contributing writer for Nonprofit Quarterly and has been featured in the Stanford Social Innovation Review. She is a member of the NationSwell Council, Chief and serves on the Board of Directors for Women in Innovation and Fan4Kids.
Links:
Website: https://commonimpact.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-holly-%F0%9F%8F%B3%EF%B8%8F%E2%80%8D%F0%9F%8C%88-1a43741/
Twitter: @dholly8
Did you know that white women are one of the most influential demographics in America? They are the largest voting bloc, with purchasing power that exceeds any other demographic, and when they unify to demand change, they are a force to be reckoned with. Yet, so many sit idly on the sidelines, opting out of raising their hands to do, learn, and engage in ways that could make a difference. Why?
Well, in this episode, Jenna Arnold, the national organizer for the historic 2017 Women’s March, and author of, Raising Our Hands, shares the research and insights she gathered over the past few years criss-crossing the US in conversations with white women about their identity and role in the country. Jenna peels back the history that’s been kept out of textbooks and the cultural norms that are holding them back, so white women can finally start really listening to marginalized voices and doing their part to promote progress. Raising Our Hands is Jenna’s call to action for white women to stop avoiding the hard conversations, start accepting responsibility and find a place on the new frontlines.
Highlights:
[03:12] Jenna’s journey
[04:38] Writing “Raising Our Hands”
[12:29] What drives self-limiting beliefs
[22:38] Imposter syndrome
[29:26] Jenna’s biggest fear
[30:57] Where might our country be heading
[34:52] Why some struggle with acknowledging their privilege
[48:02] We have a duty to ourselves and to others
Quotes:
“Women are holding the keys to the Aston Martin, but they're asking whether or not they can drive.” – Jenna Arnold
“Women have the power, the capacity, and now, more so than ever, their voices are heard.” – Jenna Arnold
“Intentional invisibility is a symptom of women who are doing the work of laboring 4 to 10 times harder than their male counterparts. ” – Jenna Arnold
“The lesson I’ve learned on my journey is that you need to go now, speak now, tell them the idea right now, launch that idea right now.” – Jenna Arnold
“Our species depends on the power of you being part of the frontlines of this power shift that's happening.” - Jenna Arnold
“You're always a student on anything related to race, gender, class, ability.” - Jenna Arnold
“We need to take advantage of the exact moment we are in, where we are so connected and move forward and work on behalf of not only ourselves, but on behalf of everyone.” - Jenna Arnold
“Your vote in November could be the decision of life or death for people you’ll never know.” - Jenna Arnold
“Our grandmothers fought so hard for us to have the right to vote and the right to work or stay at home. What she didn't do is lower the bar of what that had to look like.” – Jenna Arnold
About Jenna Arnold:
Jenna Arnold is listed as one of Oprah’s “100 awakened leaders who are using their voices and talent to elevate humanity” because she doesn’t have much patience for the status quo. She has been called a “disruptor” in every industry in which she has dabbled from elementary school classrooms to halls of the United Nations, MTV, and the White House. For her recent work as one of the organizers of the Women’s March, Jenna was recognized with a Glamour Women of the Year award. The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Forbes, and Fast Company, to name a few, have recognized Jenna’s work as “shaking up long standing assumptions” and being one of “the biggest ideas in social change” for the work of ORGANIZE, a non-profit she co-founded focused on ending the waitlist for organ transplants in America, for which she was also named one of Inc. magazine’s “35 Under 35” list.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennaarnold/
Do you have a career-related question that you’re uncomfortable asking your peers, managers or mentors?
Well that's exactly what we're here to help you with on the Habits & Hacks show – where we will address the questions you pose via email, or on our social media channels.
Whether it’s asking for a higher salary, or a much-deserved promotion, or addressing a business or personal challenge – often times, women find it hard to “just ask”. Our fear of being perceived as inadequate prevents us from asking – but it causes us to pay a high price in every aspect of our lives—in lost income, slower career progress, LIMITED access to leadership roles and potential risk to well-being.
So, learn to ask – and start by asking us.
Highlights:
[01:39] What Monica wishes she had asked earlier
[03:10] The definition of success varies with organization
[05:25] What Nikki wishes she had asked earlier
[08:22] Stop and smell the roses
[11:28] Share your questions
Quotes:
“Don’t let the urgency of success take away the gift of learning, the gift of the experience and the journey itself.” – Nikki Barua
“The magic lies in the journey, not at the destination.” – Nikki Barua
“The one question you need to ask your manager before going in to interview for a promotion is, how do you define success?”- Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Learn more at https://www.nikkibarua.com/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader. Learn more at https://themonicamarquez.com/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Have you ever hoped for your dreams to come true or wished that you were luckier in life?
Well, if you want to succeed, then you must eliminate the words “hope,” “luck,” and “wish” from your vocabulary. That’s the message from JT McCormick whose inspiring story will convince you to follow his sage advice.
In part two of this episode special, JT shares his leadership principles, his core values and his belief that no obstacle is too difficult to conquer, and that the game can be won by anyone from anywhere. Against
all odds, JT overcame racism, poverty and abuse to achieve the American Dream, becoming a very successful businessman leading multimillion-dollar companies.
Highlights:
[04:39] JT’s leadership style
[09:24] About Scribe Media
[11:06] The role of a leader
[18:22] Sharing your story matters
[23:46] Recognize your worth
[27:47] Why believing in your message matters
[34:02] Formula for success
[41:48] Don’t let social media define your success
Quotes:
“If one person owns culture, nobody owns culture. Culture is the responsibility of the entire organization.” – JT McCormick
“No one works for me. People work with me. I'm no more important than anyone else in our tribe.” – JT McCormick
“My role in leadership is to serve, support, and be the foundation for the organization.” – JT McCormick
“My formula is mindset, choices and hard work equals success.” - JT McCormick
“Negativity has never done anything for anyone, but positivity has moved mountains.” – JT McCormick
“If a company or institution, environment, individual spouse, partner, is not honoring your self-worth, you first, aren't honoring your self-worth because you're allowing that person to not honor your self-worth.” - JT McCormick
“Everyone has a story and everyone should share that story.” – JT McCormick
“Don't let social media define success for you. Only you can define what success is.” – JT McCormick
“I have five pillars that I live by: God, health, family, business and investing. If it doesn't fall within those five pillars, I don't do it.” – JT McCormick
“Do yourself one of the greatest favors and accept that, especially if you’re wanting to be an entrepreneur, move up the corporate ladder, or be an influencer in any way, that you're never going to make everyone happy.” – JT McCormick
About JT McCormick:
JT McCormick now serves as the President and CEO of Scribe Media, a publishing company that helps you write, publish and market your book. The company has worked with more than 1,600 authors and Entrepreneur Magazine recently ranked Scribe as having the #1 Top Company Culture in America.
Previously, JT served as the President of Headspring Software, which he helped grow to a multi-million dollar, 100-plus person company that was repeatedly ranked as one of the best places to work in all of
Texas.
JT is also the author of I Got There: How a Mixed-Race Kid Overcame Racism, Poverty, and Abuse to Achieve the American Dream. His book tells the story of how he worked his way out of poverty, starting
with his career cleaning toilets and eventually becoming the President of multiple companies.
In addition to his role at Scribe Media, JT has mentored at-risk youth in the juvenile justice system, as well as youth in low economic communities. JT’s work has been featured on CNBC, Entrepreneur,
Forbes, Inc, and many others. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Megan, and their four children Ava, Jaxon, Elle and Jace.
Links:
Website: https://jtmccormick.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtmccormick/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jtscribe
Have you ever hoped for your dreams to come true or wished that you were luckier in life?
Well, if you want to succeed, then you must eliminate the words “hope,” “luck,” and “wish” from your vocabulary. That’s the message from JT McCormick whose inspiring story will convince you to follow his sage advice.
JT was born the mixed-race son of a drug-dealing pimp father and a struggling single mother. He was raised in the slums of Dayton, Ohio. He suffered incredible abuse and racism, and had multiple stints in
the juvenile justice system. He barely graduated high school and has no college degree. No one expected him to succeed.
Against all odds, JT overcame racism, poverty and abuse to achieve the American Dream becoming a very successful businessman leading multimillion-dollar companies.
Highlights:
[03:02] JT’s story
[08:14] Overcoming the odds
[16:35] Being grateful
[20:04] Refuse to use the word fail
[23:59] Don’t let shame get in your way
[32:24] Belief forces execution
Quotes:
“We all make mistakes in life and in business. The goal is to learn, grow and not repeat those mistakes.” – JT McCormick
“Refuse to use the word fail. You only fail if you stop trying.” – JT McCormick
“Don't focus on your weaknesses, focus on your strengths. If you double-down on your strengths, you can be impeccable. ” – JT McCormick
“Ask yourself who do you want to be going forward from here?” – JT McCormick
“Remove the words hope, wish and luck from your vocabulary. Replace those with “believe”. If you truly believe in something, then you know in your mind, you've got to execute.” - JT McCormick
“You can't expect someone to love or believe in you if you don't love and believe in yourself.” – JT McCormick
About JT McCormick:
JT McCormick now serves as the President and CEO of Scribe Media, a publishing company that helps you write, publish and market your book. The company has worked with more than 1,600 authors and
Entrepreneur Magazine recently ranked Scribe as having the #1 Top Company Culture in America.
Previously, JT served as the President of Headspring Software, which he helped grow to a multi-million dollar, 100-plus person company that was repeatedly ranked as one of the best places to work in all of
Texas.
JT is also the author of I Got There: How a Mixed-Race Kid Overcame Racism, Poverty, and Abuse to Achieve the American Dream. His book tells the story of how he worked his way out of poverty, starting
with his career cleaning toilets and eventually becoming the President of multiple companies.
In addition to his role at Scribe Media, JT has mentored at-risk youth in the juvenile justice system, as well as youth in low economic communities. JT’s work has been featured on CNBC, Entrepreneur,
Forbes, Inc, and many others. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Megan, and their four children Ava, Jaxon, Elle and Jace.
Links:
Website: https://jtmccormick.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtmccormick/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jtscribe
These are extraordinary times where our country is going through massive transformation. And that’s never easy – you can’t change if you avoid uncomfortable conversations like those that involve race, diversity, or policies. Because its only when we are willing to be curious, willing to listen, willing to learn, that we can together arrive at understanding and growth.
Perhaps you’re struggling with what to say or how to say it, or you said something with positive intent but came across as insensitive and offensive to the other person, only to then find yourself at a loss for words on how to address the situation and what to do next.
In this episode, we’ll discuss how to address sensitive topics, and how to apologize when you offend someone.
Highlights:
[01:53] How to address sensitive topics
[03:44] Learning from the conversation
[04:55] Take responsibility for your actions
[08:17] Two-parts of a genuine apology
[09:27] Stand and speak up for what’s right
Quotes:
“Don't stay silent when you don't know what to say. Learn how to sincerely and correctly apologize when you get it wrong.” – Monica Marquez
“A genuine apology is taking responsibility for what you've done and committing to changing your behavior.” – Nikki Barua
“If you are unwilling to tolerate the pain of growth, you won’t experience the benefit of the transformation.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Learn more at https://www.nikkibarua.com/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Learn more at https://themonicamarquez.com/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Today’s episode is a sensitive one. Our nation is in crisis – from the impact of the pandemic on people’s lives and livelihood, to public protests, rising racial tension, and general unrest throughout the country. There’s so much sensitivity right now. So many people are struggling with what to say or worried that they might inadvertently say it wrong to a friend or colleague.
So, in this episode, we’ll share recommendations and resources to guide you because while its uncomfortable and emotional, remaining silent, like Martin Luther King said, is betrayal.
Highlights:
[01:35] How to speak up in support
[02:48] Unconscious biases
[03:56] Recommended reading
[05:09] Changing our behaviors
[05:39] Recognize your own privilege
[08:06] Shifting people’s belief system
[10:04] Take action to create a more inclusive world
Quotes:
“There are systemic biases that are either going to benefit you or they're going to harm you. You can't ignore them. We must educate ourselves about these biases.” – Monica Marquez
“Be open to challenge your own biases when you see them.” – Monica Marquez
“You can either be silent about it or you can speak up and shift the mindset and the belief system of the people that you are most able to influence.” – Nikki Barua
“Think about what you can do to create a more inclusive world, where people don't have to fear for their lives or struggle for equal rights.” – Nikki Barua
Link to Google Resource Document:
https://bit.ly/2zMFnTX
Recommended books:
https://robindiangelo.com/publications/
https://www.epi.org/publication/the-color-of-law-a-forgotten-history-of-how-our-government-segregated-america
http://www.ijeomaoluo.com/
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Learn more at https://www.nikkibarua.com/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader. Learn more at https://themonicamarquez.com/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Have you ever wondered what company recruiters look for on your resume or your LinkedIn profile? Or, how much time recruiters actually spend looking for candidates on LinkedIn?
In this episode, Ricardo Horna shares his insights and perspectives as a recruiter at Google’s YouTube and how he landed his job there after a recruiter reached out to him via LinkedIn. Ricardo’s own journey, as a Latinx Googler, is inspirational and heartwarming. He sheds light on his passion to help others and how he helps them succeed in their job search.
Born in Lima, Perú, Ricardo spent his childhood between South America and Florida. After graduating from The Florida State University with a degree in Communications, he joined Teach For America where he taught elementary and middle school Spanish in Baltimore for three years, then earning a Masters in Communication Management from The University of Southern California. Aside from his core role, Ricardo hosts YouTube Orientation for NewTubers, is heavily involved in the Hispanic/Latinx and LGBTQ Employee Resource Groups at Google, and is passionate about Diversity & Inclusion, Intersectionality, Physical/Mental health, Education, and Entertainment.
Highlights:
[02:23] Ricardo’s role at Google
[03:21] Ricardo’s journey
[10:31] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[12:30] What differentiates a LinkedIn profile
[14:28] Managing competing priorities
[17:35] Fostering your community
[19:23] Connecting with influential leaders
[22:42] Learning from failures and setbacks
[27:15] Interview tips
Quotes:
“Don’t be afraid to forge your own path, but do so strategically and with intention.” – Ricardo Horna
“Ask yourself how you take key learnings from past experiences which are out of your control and develop the ability to get through those obstacles.” – Ricardo Horna
“Tailor your background and your experiences to what is being asked of you in your desired role.” – Ricardo Horna
“Before applying for a role, you have to know who you are, what you value and what you bring to the table.” – Ricardo Horna
“At the heart of community is mutual growth, you're helping others as much as they're helping you.” – Ricardo Horna
“The beautiful thing about a failure or a setback is that they are both in the past. Use the learnings from those experiences to improve and iterate.” – Ricardo Horna
“Remove SHOULD from your vocabulary. Instead say, this is what happened. This is what the result was. And here's how I'm going to move forward.” – Ricardo Horna
About Ricardo Horna:
Ricardo was born in Lima, Perú and spent his childhood between South America and Florida. After graduating from The Florida State University with a degree in Communications, he joined Teach For America where he taught elementary and middle school Spanish in Baltimore for three years. He joined TFA staff both in the Operations and Recruiting space for three years, and simultaneously received his Masters in Communication Management from The University of Southern California. He also worked as an on-air entertainment host and reporter during his time as a grad student. Ricardo joined the Google Staffing team almost 4 years ago, and currently works in the YouTube Staffing organization as a Talent Engagement Program Manager. Aside from his core role, Ricardo hosts YouTube Orientation for NewTubers, is heavily involved in the Hispanic/Latinx and LGBTQ Employee Resource Groups at Google, and is passionate about Diversity & Inclusion, Intersectionality, Physical/Mental health, Education, and Entertainment.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-horna/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ricardo.horna/
Have you ever experienced a situation where you got invited to a party and with anxious excitement you dress to impress only to walk in and find everyone wearing their favorite superhero costume? Leaving you wondering...wait….how did I NOT get THAT Memo!? Well, in this episode, we get to know Minda Harts, author of the best-selling book, The Memo, where she shares actionable advice on challenges, from microaggressions to building your network of supporters.
Minda is an Assistant Professor at NYU Wagner. She has been featured on MSNBC's Morning Joe, FastCompany, The Guardian, and Time Magazine. She also hosts a weekly podcast called Secure The
Seat.
In this episode, Minda shares how she found the courage to write this book and share vulnerable authentic stories of what it’s like to advance your career in light of the inequality and outright discrimination many women of color experience in the workplace.
Highlights:
[02:11] Minda’s journey to writing The Memo
[05:28] Getting comfortable with self-promotion
[09:23] Building relationships with leadership
[13:02] Secure the seat
[15:17] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[19:59] Dealing with microaggressions
[24:20] Building your community
[25:21] Identifying your inner circle
[27:44] Minda’s Book, “The Memo”
[30:45] Asking for help
[35:06] The importance of vulnerability
Quotes:
“Part of securing the seat is owning the space that you that you want to create.” – Minda Harts
“Learn how to have courageous conversations with your colleagues, this will allow them to be courageous listeners.” – Minda Harts
“Lean into your courage and push aside your caution because we will never know if we don't ask.” – Minda Harts
“When someone in senior leadership asks you how you are doing, don’t respond with fine, let them know the great things you are working on.” – Minda Harts
“In order to change the way the workplace works for women of color, it's going to require us to talk about some things that we hadn't talked about out loud.” – Minda Harts
About Minda Harts:
Minda Harts is the CEO of The Memo LLC, a career development platform for women of color. She is the best-selling author of The Memo: What Women of Color Need To Know To Secure A Seat At The Table. Minda is an Assistant Professor at NYU Wagner. She has been featured on MSNBC's Morning Joe, FastCompany, The Guardian, and Time Magazine. Minda frequently speaks at companies like Microsoft, Levi's, Google, and Bloomberg on topics such as Leadership, Managing Diverse Teams and Self-Advocacy. She also hosts a weekly podcast called Secure The Seat.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindaharts/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MindaHarts
Facebook: @mindaharts
Websites: http://mindaharts.com/ & https://www.myweeklymemo.com/
Memorial Day, the last Monday in May, is a holiday that originated in the years following the Civil War. It was originally known as Decoration Day. In the late 1860s, Americans began holding tributes to fallen soldiers by decorating the graves of the lost soldiers with flowers.
In this episode, Nikki and Monica discuss Memorial Day and acknowledging our brave brothers and sisters who have sacrificed their lives for our nation and our freedoms. They also discuss the need to come together to support others coping with grief on Memorial Day. Memorial Day weekend can bring up a number of emotions for people who've lost someone.
Monica is personally dealing with grief and will forever associate Memorial Day with the passing of her mother, Delma Marquez, exactly a year ago today. As a tribute to her mother, Monica shares with you a cover rendition of Bette Midler’s “Wind Beneath My Wings”, her mother’s favorite song.
Highlights:
[00:44] Memorial Day
[01:16] Remembering those who are dealing with grief and loss
[02:56] Leaning on others when coping with loss
[06:22] Reaching out to comfort others
[06:57] Monica’s tribute to her mother, Delma Marquez
Quotes:
“It's not the posters on the wall that speaks to your humanity or your care for people within your organizations. It's how you treat them at the time of their challenges.”– Nikki Barua
“It’s vital for companies to have a culture of support and know that we are human. And we have other responsibilities and that sometimes those trump work.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Learn more at https://www.nikkibarua.com/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader. Learn more at https://themonicamarquez.com/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Have you ever struggled to get traction with some people, where it feels like you’re spinning your wheels and just can’t connect with them? How do you get the results you want if you cannot influence or persuade them?
In this episode, Dr. Nashater Deu Solheim shares actionable insights based on her unique and proven framework for creating the impact and influence you need in your daily life and work.
Dr. Solheim is the author of the new book, The Leadership PIN Code - Unlocking the Key to Willing and Winning Relationships. She has a fascinating background – she is a clinical and criminal forensic psychologist, a Harvard Law School educated negotiation expert, and a business leader and strategist. Dr Solheim breaks down the art of persuasion, influence, and negotiation to a simple ABC strategy and explains how YOU can use them to have the impact you want in everyday business situations.
Highlights:
[01:58] Nashater’s journey
[09:53] 3 lessons learned from experience in psychology
[13:00] Competencies are transferrable
[15:13] Nashater’s book “The Leadership PIN Code”
[17:03] The ABCs of solving the gap between intent and impact
[23:55] Example of the ABC framework in a criminal setting
[29:23] Example of the ABC framework in the professional world
[32:49] Setting the room for success
[38:55] Advice for standing out in a meeting
[44:43] Authentic ways to be visible and have influence
[51:03] Self promote to help others
[57:26] Two keys to thriving in the digital age
Quotes:
“We often get trapped into thinking that what we're doing at work has its own set of tools and its own set of frameworks that we need to stick to. There is a lot more that we do in life that we can transfer into our work environment and vice versa.” – Dr. Nashater Deu Solheim
“Before a meeting, figure out what's in it for the other person, get out of your head and get into theirs.” – Dr. Nashater Deu Solheim
“Always start with curiosity. And be genuinely curious and interested in the other person's story without any gain.” – Dr. Nashater Deu Solheim
“Let go of comparative statements and get away from comparing yourself to anybody else in the room, you don't need to be the same. What you bring is a diverse opinion.” – Dr. Nashater Deu Solheim
“When we choose to sit away from decision makers or in a corner of the room, you're signaling to yourself and everybody else that you don’t deserve to be there and you don't have an opinion.” – Dr. Nashater Deu Solheim
“You can't communicate empathy while you're doing all the talking. Empathy is about understanding the other person's situation.” – Dr. Nashater Deu Solheim
“Summarizing another’s message using the same words that they’ve used is a great way of making sure that the other person feels listened to. And that's the heart of empathy.” - Dr. Nashater Deu Solheim
“Figure out what your self-promotional gift is and how it's going to help other people.” - Dr. Nashater Deu Solheim
About Dr. Nashater Deu Solheim:
Dr. Nashater Deu Solheim brings a new toolkit to leadership development that is backed by decades of integrated experience in the areas of business and psychology. As a former forensic psychologist with clinical research in the neuropsychology of criminal minds, she developed a deep interest in effective learning strategies for lasting success. Now, as an expert negotiator who studied at the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School, Dr Solheim has combined her experience as an executive leader in international private companies and government ministries to present The Leadership PIN Code, the definitive guide for helping business leaders secure influence and impactful results.
Links:
Website: https://www.nashaterdeusolheim.com/
Book: https://www.nashaterdeusolheim.com/book
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-nashater-deu-solheim-ba3b1a12/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nashater.solheim
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/progressingminds111/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NashaterS
There are certain conversations we all dread: the ones in which we have to deliver bad news or constructive feedback, discuss a sensitive or political subject, or talk about a project or meeting that’s gone wrong.
In this episode, communications expert and master storyteller, AmyK Hutchens shares with us powerful tips from her new book, GET IT, which is filled with conversation tips and magical phrases so you can
get exactly what you want.
AmyK Hutchens is an award-winning speaker and bestselling author, who has been featured on Bloomberg, NBC, Fox and ABC. She has helped leading corporations such as The Home Depot, Starbucks, Expedia, Walmart, and guided their executives how to confidently navigate their toughest conversations without saying something they regret, giving their power away or damaging their relationships.
Highlights:
[02:11] AmyK’s journey
[03:15] Describe your superpower
[04:42] Guidance on difficult conversations
[05:41] The skill of having tough conversations
[10:36] AmyK’s book “GET IT”
[14:14] Key message from AmyK
[15:17] Taking it one difficult conversation at a time
[19:01] Difficult conversations and gender
[23:52] Communicating with sensitivity during a crisis
[27:21] Future of work post-pandemic
[32:26] Approaching C-Suite executives
[36:55] Advice on key skill to develop
Quotes:
“The more that you do something, the more confident you become, but you have to take action. And it's no different when it comes to communication.” – AmyK Hutchens
“The things that make us feel so isolated and disconnected are the things that connect us all.” – AmyK Hutchens
“The life that you want, what you desire in your heart, is on the other side of a tough conversation.” – AmyK Hutchens
“Explaining what you are doing and why you're doing it makes you a more empathic listener, it creates more connectivity.” – AmyK Hutchens
“A leader’s role in a time of crisis is to shine the light on all of the data. Sharing what is known and what we're going to do in response to what we know.” – AmyK Hutchens
“Nobody really wants to go to a meeting, but everybody wants to go to a great conversation.” – AmyK Hutchens
“Focus on your path, do amazing things on your path. And people will start to look at what you're doing and want to invite you to a conversation.” - AmyK Hutchens
About AmyK Hutchens:
AmyK Hutchens is an international award-winning speaker, Amazon bestselling author and has over nineteen years’ experience training and consulting with clients such as The Home Depot, Starbucks Canada, Comerica Bank, Expedia, Lockheed Martin, Securian Financial, Walmart, John Paul Mitchell Systems and hundreds more. AmyK travels the globe sharing with executives, influencers and go-getters HOW to confidently & competently navigate their toughest conversations without saying something they regret, giving their power away or damaging their relationships. AmyK received her M.S. from Johns Hopkins University, and has been a featured guest on numerous TV and radio networks including Bloomberg, NBC, Fox and ABC.
Links:
Website: https://www.amyk.com/
Book: https://www.amyk.com/getitbook/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amykhutchens/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amykhutchens/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmyKHutchens
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amykhutchens
Have you ever really wanted to do something but feel like you’re too old, or too young or not good enough to do it?
Self-limiting beliefs crush our motivation, and hold us back from achieving the level of success we deserve.
In this episode, learn how to get rid of that annoying little voice that limits you and your success and how to overcome your self-limiting beliefs, once and for all.
Highlights:
[01:16] Belief systems
[03:56] Confirmation bias
[06:15] Common limiting beliefs for women
[12:22] Strategies for hacking self-limiting beliefs
[17:36] Homework for the week
Quotes:
“When you have self limiting beliefs, you tend to look for evidence that supports those negative beliefs.”– Nikki Barua
“Condition your mind to focus on positive evidence about an empowering belief.” – Nikki Barua
“You are never starting over 100 %. You are taking experierence, perspective and skills from the past with you to the next phase of your journey.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Learn more at https://www.nikkibarua.com/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader. Learn more at https://themonicamarquez.com/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
Have you ever found yourself staring at the ceiling, feeling numb and disconnected? Do you sometimes struggle to be honest with yourself because you’re afraid to face your fears and deal with change?
Our guest, Jasmin Manke, shares her story of how she went from asking herself, “What’s wrong with me?” to asking herself the simple question, “What would I LIKE my life to be?” By granting herself permission to visualize what the future could hold for her, she embarked on a journey of transformation that unlocked her potential and gave her a platform to transform the lives of people globally.
Jasmin Manke is the founder of The Confident Boss Academy. She is an expert in helping women build 6-Figure Online Coaching Businesses, creating the impact and results for their clients, while enjoying the freedom in their lives that they crave.
In this episode, Jasmin reveals powerful strategies for overcoming self-doubt, getting unstuck and achieving your ambitions. She shares her own journey of walking away from an unfulfilling corporate career to living her entrepreneurial dream. At 25, Jasmin is a self-made millionaire who inspires people all around the world and has earned thousands of followers with her authenticity and bold confidence.
Highlights:
[02:26] Jasmin’s story
[04:43] Finding your truth
[06:51] Clarity and discovering your true north star
[08:59] Giving yourself permission to dream
[12:22] Overcoming the fears of starting a business
[15:48] Make a decision with confidence
[22:45] Formula for success
[27:40] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[32:43] The most common struggle
[34:27] Success habits
Quotes:
“Having the courage to say I am not okay with this situation is where change really begins.” – Jasmin Manke
“What you choose to focus on is what will expand and grow.” – Jasmin Manke
“What if you shift your fear and questioning of what is going on right now in the world to what if this is the opportunity to rewrite my story?” – Jasmin Manke
“Ask yourself this question: are you running a business or are you living your purpose?” – Jasmin Manke
“You are always at the right time in your life's journey.”– Jasmin Manke
“Success is a science, not an ‘if this is meant to be, it will be’. It's a matter of do I want to make this happen and what should I do to make this happen.” – Jasmin Manke
“Life is too short to not show up every single day living your purpose.” – Jasmin Manke
“Focus on what you have available to you and how you can maximize that success.” – Jasmin Manke
“We need to view struggles as stepping-stones to success, rather than as tumble stones.” – Jasmin Manke
“Ask yourself what belief you hold that is in the way of you moving forward towards success.” – Jasmin Manke
“Be grateful for what you have and be appreciative of what's yet to come.” – Jasmin Manke
About Jasmin Manke:
Jasmin Manke is an International Speaker, Certified Professional Coach, Energy Leadership Master Practioner and the founder of “The Confidence Boss Academy”.
She is an expert in helping women build 6-Figure Online Coaching Businesses, whilst creating the impact and results for their clients and the freedom in their lives that they crave.
Links:
Website: Jasminmanke.com
3 steps to 6 figures Webinar: JasminManke.com/6figures
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmin-manke-63a8b1a5/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mankej
Free Female Entrepreneurs Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ownyourpowerwomen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasminmankecoaching/
Do you feel like you’ve missed your window of opportunity? That perhaps you didn’t do the right thing at the right time or the right age? And now it’s just too late to follow your dreams?
Meet Dinah Lin, who started her corporate career at age 36, rose to the top and then switched lanes to pursue a career in government at age 46, moved to China to study Mandarin at age 58, and wrote her bestselling book at age 73. Dinah lives her motto that it’s never too late.
Dinah’s professional experience ranges from high-tech start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, where she held executive roles in marketing, international business development and investor relations. Dinah also served as a senior official in President George HW Bush’s administration.
In this episode, Dinah shares her personal stories and life lessons from starting out and rising up in Corporate America, to landing a senior position with the federal government against all odds. As a Chinese American, she broke through barriers and didn’t let systemic bias or the absence of visible role models hold her back from following her dreams or believing in herself. She hilariously describes herself as someone who “did it backwards” with an unconventional journey to success. Dinah’s story is a powerful reminder that we must dare to dream because it’s never too late.
Highlights:
[02:45] Dinah’s story
[06:02] Fears of starting first job at age 36
[08:31] Challenges of climbing the corporate ladder
[11:23] Needing change and challenge for growth
[21:44] Belief in yourself and the value you bring
[23:36] Changing lanes later in life
[26:14] Moving to China
[35:51] Message to the world
Quotes:
“If your work doesn’t challenge you, then pursue change for your own growth.” – Dinah Lin
“You need to be convinced of your own value before you go into an interview.” – Dinah Lin
“Your attitude towards life makes a huge difference. I really wanted to enjoy the experience and learn as much as I possibly could.” – Dinah Lin
“America is strong because of its diversity. We need to look at diversity as a strength.” – Dinah Lin
“If you follow your dreams, you are following your heart.” – Dinah Lin
“Daring to Dream Once Again - It’s Never Too Late!” – Dinah Lin
About Dinah Lin:
As an international business executive who “did it backwards”, Dinah inspires audiences with her personal stories and life lessons that “It’s Never Too Late!”
Now 78, she has lived her message several times during her life, beginning her career at 36 (after being a full time mom for 15 years), getting her MBA from Columbia Business School at 40, climbing the corporate ladder and finally “breaking the glass ceiling” to become Vice President at a Fortune 500, before moving to Beijing at 58 to study Chinese and re-connect with her roots. A year turned into a decade, as she witnessed the unprecedented transformation of China.
Dinah and her family escaped on the last boat out of Shanghai in 1949. She grew up in a small town in Ohio where they were the only Asian family. Early marriage and motherhood dashed her dream of becoming a diplomat working to improve relations between the U.S. and China. She has always felt a deep sense of gratitude for being both Chinese and American.
Prior to moving to China, Ms. Lin was an international executive and entrepreneur with two decades of experience ranging from high-tech start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. Her expertise include marketing, corporate communications, international business development and investor relations. Dinah also served as a senior official in Washington, D.C. from 1989-1992.
Her memoir, “Daring to Dream Once Again -It’s Never Too Late!” reached #4 on Amazon in Women & Business.
Links:
Website: https://thedinahlin.com/
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Dinah-Lin/e/B00L3FAT70%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinah-lin/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thedinahlin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DinahLinMBA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedinahlin/
Have you ever felt torn between doing your best at work and giving your best at home? As a working mother, do you carry a constant sense of guilt or overwhelm? About 72 percent of American women with children are in the workforce(fulltime & partime). Is this trend good or bad? Are kids with working moms different from kids whose moms do not work? In this episode, we will share research with you that proves that you don’t need to fix anything and that it’s time to celebrate who you are, just as you are.
Highlights:
[00:40] Benefits of working moms
[03:16] Nikki’s mother – a woman focused on contribution
[11:37] Monica’s mother – a woman with enduring grace
[17:13] 10 takeaways for working moms
[24:36] Homework for the week
Quotes:
“So much of who you become is a result of modeling after the greatest inspiration in your own life, and for me, that was my mom.”– Nikki Barua
“I get my optimism from the mindset that everything works out. I'm a product of my mom and her optimism and her grace.” – Monica Marquez
“One of the most important life lessons I got from my mother was never giving up, no matter how hard it gets, no matter what it entails.” – Nikki Barua
“For every working mom out there, it's important to remember that, it’s not so much in the hours that you give, but in who you are and how you show up.” – Nikki Barua
“My mother taught me to always live in a state of gratitude.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki and Monica:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Contact Nikki and Monica:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/
In this anxious and stressful time of COVID-19, it’s hard to know what to do. Over a few short weeks, the pandemic has brought the hospitality industry to its knees. Our guest, Nick Champagne, is one of the premier connectors and luxury consultants in the hospitality industry. The pandemic brought Nick’s business to a standstill, but rather than dwell on his own challenges, he pivoted his energy and expertise from crisis to contribution.
Nick’s love for his hometown New York City and the people in it, led him to launch HOSPITAL-ity, an initiative to feed and protect frontline hospital workers while supporting local restaurants and meal-prep businesses in an effort to preserve jobs. In a little under a month, the team has sent over 6,500 meals to hospitals in NY and NJ, and has also started to deliver protective face shields and masks as well. In this episode, Nick shares his vision of not only giving back to those who need it, but also spreading positivity in even the most difficult of times.
Highlights:
[02:29] Nick’s story
[08:18] Contribution and fulfillment
[11:43] Who are you serving
[13:53] Pivoting in a crisis
[32:41] Building your community
[37:30] Focus on helping others
Quotes:
“If you live in gratitude, contribution and searching for fulfillment, not only for yourself, but for others, then the future is very bright.” – Nick Champagne
“If you don't build rapport, you're going to read things incorrectly. The other person that you're meeting with, or the people that you're dealing with, are not going to be receptive, because you're not going to be in alignment.” – Nick Champagne
“If you bring awareness to what you're doing, those people on the sidelines can support you, and it will amplify your message.” – Nick Champagne
“If you see things in a better light for the future, you can get what you want and help others get what they want, in a positive way.” - Nick Champagne
“If something's not going your way, change the channel. There are plenty of options out there.” - Nick Champagne
About Nick Champagne:
From a very early age, Nick Champagne was blessed with an unsurpassed entrepreneurial talent. Absorbing business acumen through immersion from his grandparents who owned restaurants and liquor stores, Nick has always welcomed the challenge for growth. Nick studied marketing at Saint John's University and has always been a natural in hospitality. He has 20+ years of experience in the hospitality industry ranging from food & beverage, events, marketing, brand relationships, lifestyle concierge services and luxury networking.
While many times under the radar, Nick is considered to be one of the premier connectors and luxury consultants around. He's been called the "voice of luxury". Over the years, he has hosted groups, large and small, all over the world. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ibiza, Mykonos, Cannes, Monaco and Florianopolis are some of the highlights. Experiencing new places and new cultures has always been fascinating to him. Nick loves connecting like-minded individuals and watching the magic happen. Nick and his Status Luxury Group staff and partners are almost always represented and serving clients at worldwide premium events such as Film Festivals, The Grammys, The F1 circuit, Art Basel, Super Bowl and the Fashion Week series in New York, Milan and Paris.
Links:
Website: http://www.statusluxurygroup.com/HOSPITALity/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickandreottola/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nickchampagne
Instagram: @statusluxurygroup
Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickchampagne/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickchampagne
What do you do when you put your head down, work really hard, strive to do everything right but still see yourself being quietly sidelined and marginalized? Are you exhausted from battling toxic workplace cultures, and realizing you have slowly started to lose yourself by assimilating and down-playing who you are in order to succeed in a workplace built for straight white males?
Meet Daisy Auger-Dominguez, who has made it her mission to make workplaces more equitable, compassionate and inclusive. As a workplace culture and social impact strategist, Daisy inspires and equips global organizations to think inclusively, lead with purpose, embrace courage and shape the future of work. In this episode, Daisy shares her inspiring story and also provides her perspective on how to stand up and stand out in the digital age.
Highlights:
[02:30] Daisy’s story
[09:24] Keep your head up and question
[11:37] Dealing with systemic bias
[14:35] Advice on handling microaggressions
[20:54] Learning from failure
[25:17] Standing up and standing out
[30:40] Building your network organically
[39:10] What is means to have a coach
[42:57] Daisy’s success habit
Quotes:
“Identify the people who will be your allies and champions - the people who will lift up your voice when you can't.” - Daisy Auger-Dominguez
“Put your own comfort aside so that you can create comfort for someone else. That's what an ally does.” – Daisy Auger-Dominguez
“Be very clear on what are the times when you will not bridge a gap in your values.” – Daisy Auger-Dominguez
“Those that are forward-thinking, agile and care about how the team is engaging and connecting – those are the future leaders who will get us through this.” – Daisy Auger-Dominguez
“Ask for help and do it in a way that is mutually beneficial.” – Daisy Auger-Dominguez
“When you lean on your bravery and your courage and put yourself out there, you're reducing that gap of humanity that we’ve built.” - Daisy Auger-Dominguez
“In these moments of deep uncertainty, ambiguity and real pain and loss across many levels, lean on calmness, empathy and connection.” - Daisy Auger-Dominguez
About Daisy Auger-Dominguez:
Daisy Auger-Dominguez has made it her mission to make workplaces more equitable, compassionate and inclusive. A workplace culture and social impact strategist, Daisy inspires and equips global organizations to think inclusively, lead with purpose, embrace courage and shape the future of work. Following two decades leading organizational transformations at Moody's Investors Service, The Walt Disney Company and Google, Daisy founded and leads Auger-Dominguez Ventures, a workplace culture consultancy. A dynamic and sought-after speaker and writer, Daisy also serves on the board of directors of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, and Facing History and Ourselves.
Links:
Website: www.daisyauger-dominguez.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daisyaugerdominguez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/daisyad
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daisyaugerdominguez/
Have you ever experienced temporary paralysis when you are faced with a difficult decision and you don’t know what to do? How do you handle those situations? What’s your “go to” state - fight, flight or freeze?
In this episode, we share our own lessons learned as we navigate through crisis and adversity. You'll learn from our experience and understand how to assess your risks and make decisions with confidence and certainty using powerful habits and hacks.
Highlights:
[01:12] Launching a new business during a pandemic
[07:42] How past experiences prepared us for this crisis
[09:03] Adapting and pivoting your business model
[10:45] How crisis can unlock innovation
[14:59] Switching lanes in your career
[20:39] Remaining calm in a crisis
[26:28] Learning to create boundaries
[30:36] What Monica wishes she had known at the start of her career
[32:59] What Nikki wishes she had known at the start of her career
[43:09] Nikki’s favorite word
[44:18] Monica’s favorite word
[45:13] Assess risk & make decisions with confidence
[47:57] Homework for the week
Quotes:
“Do you wait and watch, and then respond? Or do you get proactive, rethink everything, and reimagine a whole new future?” – Nikki Barua
“Adopt the mindset of disrupting yourself before you get disrupted.” – Nikki Barua
“Don't wait for a pandemic to disrupt your plans. Anticipate change and be prepared for disruption.”
“Thinking back on my corporate career, I wish I’d asked why more often and challenged the status quo sooner.” – Monica Marquez
“Every time I have achieved a big dream, I realize how much more is possible. That’s how I’ve learned to dream big.” – Nikki Barua
“Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable helps you dream bigger.” – Monica Marquez
“You can’t be outstanding, if your standards aren’t high enough.” – Nikki Barua
“Crisis can unlock innovation, but don’t let a crisis be the only reason you innovate.” – Nikki Barua
“There's nothing better than that feeling of being ahead of the curve. It builds tremendous confidence.” – Monica Marquez
“Don't be afraid to let go of your past, no matter how attached you may be. There's something more beautiful, more exciting, more meaningful that's waiting for you.” – Nikki Barua
“Recognize the power of your dreams. The size of your dreams defines your destiny.” – Nikki Barua
“Don't let what you think is possible, get in the way of what is achievable.” – Nikki Barua
“No matter what you do, go above and beyond. Aspire to more, because you are limitless. Whoever you are, you can go beyond what you think is possible.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki and Monica:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Contact Nikki and Monica:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/
Have you ever been stuck in the slow lane but didn’t know how to get ahead? Our guest is C-suite advisor, Elizabeth Shaw, who shares how taking risks and changing lanes helped her build her career.
Elizabeth Shaw is an industry thought leader and expert in marketing innovation. She brings over 20 years of experience at leading companies including Sephora, Forrester, Gartner, Cisco & Omnicom. Elizabeth is an advisor to Fortune 500 corporate leaders and guides them on how to adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of business and marketing.
In this episode, Elizabeth shares her perspective on what her successes and failures have taught her, how to step into your personal power, and why human connection is the key to success in the digital age.
Highlights:
[01:57] Elizabeth’s journey
[07:02] Discovery of career path
[06:33] Switching lanes
[09:39] Embracing change
[12:40] Advice on taking advantage of opportunities
[14:56] Proudest accomplishment
[19:07] Show up as yourself
[21:45] Guidance to women on the future of work
[29:31] Adapting to change
[34:58] Building an authentic network
[37:38] How to ask for help
[40:15] Dream contact
[42:22] The power of community
Quotes:
“You take a big hairy problem, and you start to break it down in parts. And once you start to attack the parts, then you get momentum to get to where you want to go.” - Elizabeth Shaw
“One of the highlights of my career was also one of the biggest failures that I've had and learned from.” – Elizabeth Shaw
“Don’t be afraid to help shape a job or role. It doesn't have to be this thing that lives on a paper that can't move or be tweaked.” – Elizabeth Shaw
“Ask not, get not, put that in practice. Just start asking.” – Elizabeth Shaw
“You can never lose an argument with data.” – Elizabeth Shaw
About Elizabeth Shaw:
Elizabeth Shaw is a Senior Analyst at Gartner, a global research and advisory firm. She consults with Fortune 500 chief marketing officers and senior leaders on digital transformation, marketing innovation and marketing operations. Elizabeth’s held various marketing practitioner and thought leadership roles focused on innovation and digital marketing for over 20years at leading companies including Sephora, Forrester, Constellation Brands, Cisco Systems & Omnicom Group.
Prior to Gartner, Ms. Shaw helped develop and launch Sephora’s Innovation Lab which is responsible for piloting first-to-market digital opportunities and emerging trends for the brand. During her time at Sephora, she helped launch Sephora Virtual Artist, integrated augmented reality in stores and their subscription box Play! And worked with cross-functional teams to develop a 3-year strategy for digital in Sephora’s entire fleet of North American stores. She was also responsible for managing strategic partnerships with leading technology companies and managed employee-focused innovation education initiatives. The Innovation Lab also acted as a consultative expert on digital innovation for global leaders and peers at other LVMH Maisons.
Before Sephora, Ms. Shaw managed digital marketing for a portfolio of global brands at Constellation Brands, was an analyst at Forrester Research focused on emerging technology and trends and was a senior social media marketing consultant at Cisco Systems. Ms. Shaw began her career at Ketchum and worked at two Omnicom Group agencies in account management roles.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-shaw-410bb53/
What do you do when you plan for the future of work, but the future shows up overnight? What if this COVID-19 pandemic was the colossal catalyst for the transformation and disruption of work, culture and talent development in organizations that many HR execs have long advocated for but have never been able to advance?
In this episode, Enrique Rubio shares his perspectives on Hacking HR and looking at the strategies and technologies that will help you enable those changes while elevating humanity in workplace.
Enrique Rubio is an HR, Tech and Future of Work expert and keynote speaker and founder of Hacking HR, a global learning community at the intersection of future of work, technology, business and organizations, with thousands of members of all over the world. He came to the United States from Venezuela as a Fulbright Scholar. Prior to coming to the US, Enrique was the CEO at Management Consultants, a firmed specialized in Human Resources in Venezuela. Enrique has over twenty years of experience and is an Electronic Engineer with an Executive Master’s in Public Administration from Maxwell School.
Highlights:
[02:35] Enrique’s journey
[07:02] From Engineering to HR
[11:01] Transforming Human Resources
[22:20] Work-Life integration while working from home
[30:43] Gaining access and proximity to influential leaders
[34:43] What the workplace look like post pandemic
[39:06] Advice for success during this time
Quotes:
“To meet this new world of work, we really have to put people first, in the center of all the things that we do.” - Enrique Rubio
“Successful business leaders of the future have to do two things that are very difficult. One is to see the invisible. And the other is to believe the unbelievable.” – Enrique Rubio
“Sometimes you have to believe things that contradict your own assumptions. Because it is in those things, where the next innovation is lying.” – Enrique Rubio
“Social distancing does not mean that you have to be isolated from the world.” – Enrique Rubio
“Post-pandemic, the most important thing of all is that we become way more human than we have ever been before.” – Enrique Rubio
“If we learn how to embrace that uncertainty and chaos, we will be better prepared to deal with future crisis and able to embrace future opportunities.” – Enrique Rubio
About Enrique Rubio:
Enrique is an HR, Tech and Future of Work expert and keynote speaker and founder of Hacking HR, a global learning community at the intersection of future of work, technology, business and organizations, with thousands of members of all over the world. He came to the United States from Venezuela as a Fulbright Scholar. Prior to coming to the US, Enrique was the CEO at Management Consultants, a firmed specialized in Human Resources in Venezuela. Before Management Consultants, Enrique worked in the
telecommunications sector as a Senior Project Engineer for Telefonica. He is also the cofounder of Cotopaxi, a recruitment platform focused on Latin America and the Caribbean. Enrique is a guest author in several blogs about innovation, management and human resources. Most recently Enrique worked as an advisor to the Chief Human Resources Officer at the Inter-American Development Bank. Enrique has over twenty years of experience and is an Electronic Engineer with an Executive Master’s in Public
Administration from Maxwell School.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rubioenrique/
Website: https://hackinghr.io/
Do you struggle to differentiate yourself professionally? According to a recent CareerBuilder survey, 70% of employers use social media profiles to screen candidates during the hiring process. Does your digital presence set you apart from your peers?
In this episode, you'll learn exactly how to define what you want to be known for and stand out with powerful habits and hacks so that you will be able to position yourself correctly in the marketplace.
Highlights:
[01:08] Crowded employment marketplace
[04:10] Growth of the gig economy
[05:42] Employee vs. Freelancer
[07:00] Selection criteria for hiring
[11:36] How to differentiate yourself
[13:18] Highlighting your superpower
[17:23] Homework for the week
Quotes:
“Your reputation isn't just built on what you say it is. It's how people perceive you. That’s why differentiating yourself is so important.” – Nikki Barua
“If you stand out as the expert with the solution to most pressing problems, you start attracting opportunities instead of chasing them.” – Monica Marquez
“Get really specific about who benefits from what you bring to the table, and then help them understand the transformation that you create.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki and Monica:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Contact Nikki and Monica:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/
Have you ever struggled to find the right job only to get passed over because you didn’t interview well or know how to position yourself? Or, have you stayed in the wrong job because you were afraid to take a leap of faith and pursue your dream?
Sarah Johnston, founder of Briefcase Coach, shares her own journey of struggle being in roles that were not a good fit. And, how even after she landed jobs that aligned to her interests, her self-doubt and limiting beliefs got in the way of her achieving more. Until, she finally just pushed past her fears and became The Briefcase Coach helping countless clients land roles at top companies like Google, Deloitte, Medtronic, and more.
Sarah Johnston is a former corporate recruiter and industry "insider" who got tired of seeing talented high achievers get passed over for opportunities because they did not know how to position themselves effectively. She has been featured in Inc, BBC, and Business Insider. Sarah was named a LinkedIn Top Voice in 2019 and a "top to follow" by JobScan in 2019 and 2020.
Highlights:
[02:07] Sarah’s story
[04:25] Discovering your superpower
[05:55] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[09:12] The Briefcase Coach
[09:59] How the Briefcase Coach helps people pass hurdles
[12:12] Common traits of successful high performers
[14:35] Common traits that hold people back
[21:58] Essentials for success on LinkedIn
[23:30] LinkedIn Top Voice of 2019
[26:35] Trends that will shape the future of work
[29:05] Favorite success habit
[30:30] Advice on juggling priorities
[32:09] Key to accelerating success in the digital age
Quotes:
“Just being a hard worker, doesn't mean you'll get the opportunities you want. Sometimes, it means you have to create that opportunity.” - Sarah Johnston
“My special sauce is that I can help people see the best version of themselves, better articulate their value and tell their career stories.” – Sarah Johnston
“Not moving forward was worse than failure.” – Sarah Johnston
“I just started taking small actionable steps towards this goal of running my business. And every time I took a step forward, it was kind of relieving.” – Sarah Johnston
“Sixty to seventy percent of executive jobs are landed through networking.” – Sarah Johnston
“Networking doesn't necessarily mean you're asking for a job.” – Sarah Johnston
“Ask for advice. And then often the job will come.” – Sarah Johnston
“It's about talking to the right person at the right time about the right opportunity.” – Sarah Johnston
“Research indicates that for most job seekers, they need to have an average of 42 decision maker conversations.” – Sarah Johnston
“When you allow the reader to see the value that you bring, it positions you as a thought leader.” – Sarah Johnston
“Having a service mindset has been really key to my success.” – Sarah Johnston
About Sarah Johnston:
Sarah Johnston is a former corporate recruiter and industry "insider" who got tired of seeing talented high-achievers get passed over for opportunities because they did not have the right marketing documents or know how to position themselves in interviews. She has had the privilege of helping job seekers land jobs at top startups and employers like Alphabet, Amazon, Medtronic and Deloitte. She's been featured in Inc, BBC, Business Insider and more and was named a LinkedIn Top Voice in the career space in 2019 and a "top to follow" by JobScan in 2019 and 2020.
Links:
Website: www.briefcasecoach.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdjohnston/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SarahDJohnston
Are you looking for a mentor and having a hard time finding one? Dora Maria Abreu shares with us her mentorship journey in male dominated industries where she often found herself to be the “only one”.
Dora is a Regional Program Manager for Engineering Excellence at Amazon. She has worked in the Technology, Education, Telecommunications, Aerospace and Financial sectors. She is also an Executive Director of the John Maxwell Team where she contributes her expertise as a Leadership Expert, Motivational Speaker, and Mentor.
In this episode, Dora talks about how to build your community of mentors. Dora encourages us to bond with role models outside the comforts of your environment by simply thinking outside of the box and letting go of the notion that “you need mentors that look like you”. Dora also shares how she integrates work and life to create opportunities that allow her to shine and be her best.
Highlights:
[02:14] Dora’s story
[04:06] Switching lanes and accelerating success
[06:02] Overcoming limiting beliefs
[08:18] Showing up with confidence
[11:40] Staying ahead of the curve in the digital age
[14:41] Juggling competing professional and personal priorities
[18:05] Building your community
[24:50] Getting over the fear of networking
[28:48] Who would you love to learn from
[31:58] Dora’s superpower
[34:20] The key to accelerating success
Quotes:
“Don't have just one mentor. Get a variety of mentors, so you can get different perspectives.” – Dora Maria Abreu
“Take a moment and celebrate the wins.” – Dora Maria Abreu
“Your vibe attracts your tribe.” – Dora Maria Abreu
“Having a variety of people that you mentor keeps you in sync with what's happening today.” – Dora Maria Abreu
“I frame a lot of what I do by thinking about how to make things happen so that I can help others.” – Dora Maria Abreu
“Go into networking events with good intentions and assume positive intentions of others as well. That’s the key to positive outcomes.” – Dora Maria Abreu
About Dora Maria Abreu:
Dora Maria Abreu is a Program Manager based in NY on the Engineering Excellence Team. In her previous roles she has been an avid technology and education professional. She has progressive work experience in IT Support and as a Software Engineer / Developer, IT Support, Trainer, Educator but also in career, professional and personal development skills. She has worked in the Technology, Education, Telecommunications, Aerospace and Financial sectors. Dora has received a Bachelors of Science in Computer Information Systems and Applied Math and a Master’s of Science in Management Information Systems as well from Stony Brook University and then a Master’s of Education in Technological Information Systems from Columbia University.
Outside of work, you can find her on some adventure with her family and friends, listening to audiobooks/podcasts, reading books, helping youth of all ages and community at large through mentoring, coaching and providing a variety of programs and workshops on internship preparation, leadership / professional development such as public speaking as well technical classes for those within and outside the STEM field. By being part of the John C. Maxwell Team / Toastmasters she has been able to build on these skills and reach a wider audience. She enjoys music, dance, movies, sports, photography and poetry.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmabreu/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dmabreu/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dmabreu
Do you have clarity on what makes you valuable? Are your skills and competencies aligned with what’s in demand in the marketplace? In this episode, you'll learn exactly how to keep track of market demand so you can position yourself in line with it.
According to a recent report from McKinsey & Company, by 2030, more than 800 million people will lose their jobs to automation. Could some of your tasks be easily automated? What percentage of your role might be automated in the future?
That’s why it’s so important to understand what’s growing in demand, so you can keep learning the skills and developing the competencies you will need in the future.
Highlights:
[01:08] The effects of automation on the workforce
[03:58] The shelf life of skills is getting shorter
[04:34] Focus on solving business problems
[06:55] Learning to run two races at the same time
[07:32] Hacks to identify future demand
[14:26] Homework for the week
Quotes:
“Digital transformation is unlocking organizations and making them faster, more efficient, more innovative, and ultimately creating more value for their customers.” – Nikki Barua
“You have to know exactly what is in demand so that can you can develop the right skills.” – Nikki Barua
“Focus on solving a business problem and doing it in the fastest, most elegant, most effective way.” – Nikki Barua
“You have to run two races at the same time: be great at what you're doing today, while mastering the skills to be great at what you’ll be doing tomorrow.” – Nikki Barua
“Your future is truly in your hands and you must start making changes today.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki and Monica:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Contact Nikki and Monica:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/
Have you ever missed out on a career opportunity within your organization because you didn’t know about it? Or not apply for a job because you doubted your qualifications? This episode dives into the
power of your network, taking courageous leaps, and how to manage failure and step into your resiliency.
Meet Sharleen Gutierrez, who is a leading expert in diversity, equity and inclusion. Sharleen is a Senior Leader at Google, leading a team focused on fairness and equity in Google’s talent processes. In this episode, Sharleen shares her story on how taking courageous leaps, even when she felt she wasn’t ready, paved the way to uncover her superpower. And, how her network of peers and mentors helped open doors to opportunities that accelerated her success.
Highlights:
[02:25] Sharleen’s story
[05:08] Career start at Goldman Sachs
[08:17] How I landed in Diversity & Inclusion
[11:17] The power of your community
[16:00] How to think about networking
[18:48] Discovering your superpower
[22:05] Advice for career minded parents
[26:58] Learning from failures and setbacks
Quotes:
“Shift your mindset to a place where you hold a higher value on the opportunity versus on how qualified you are for the job.” – Sharleen Gutierrez
“Understand your networking style and consider how it works for you.” – Sharleen Gutierrez
“Think of networking in three buckets, who will provide information about opportunities, who will provide advice and who will support as sponsors.” – Sharleen Gutierrez
“Non-negotiables are very important for you to know and to serve as an anchor, as you're determining your priorities.” – Sharleen Gutierrez
“Know what your priorities are, commit to them, and then let go when things are not exactly the way you want them.” – Sharleen Gutierrez
“Be mindful and approach life from a place of gratitude.” – Sharleen Gutierrez
“Staying in the wrong role does not benefit anyone, it actually does a disservice to everyone involved.” – Sharleen Gutierrez
“When thinking of success, keep human connection and interaction top of mind because it is people who create, develop, sell, implement. Whatever your business is, people are behind it.” - Sharleen Gutierrez
“In this digital age, we have to remember the human aspects of our culture. And authenticity is a key component of that.” – Sharleen Gutierrez
“Each one of us has to take responsibility for our own actions because how we show up is what cultivates company culture.” – Sharleen Gutierrez
About Sharleen Gutierrez:
Sharleen is a global thought leader on diversity and inclusion, talent management and culture change. She drives meaningful change towards greater fairness, equity and workplace inclusion in gender, race,
LGBTQ+, ability and their intersections. She started her career at Goldman Sachs, where she spent 14 years in a variety of roles across the Human Capital Management Division. While at GS, one of her highly recognized achievements was pioneering the award-winning effort focused on women of color (before intersectionality was even a topic of conversation). Sharleen brings a global perspective on diversity, having lived and worked in Japan, and led D&I engagement initiatives in both South America and Europe. Today, she leads a team focused on fairness and equity in Google's talent processes. Her team designs systemic interventions and accountability measures that decrease gaps and increase parity. Sharleen was one of Diversity Woman Magazine’s top 50 change agents. In her spare time, she can be found exploring the world with her husband and three children.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharleen-gutierrez-7961741
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharleen.gutierrez.3
What if your biggest opportunity was also your biggest challenge? Would you go for it?
Carina Edwards, CEO of Quil, shares why it’s so important to be guided by your true north, and how to make sound decisions about your life and career.
Carina is an inspiring leader who embodies grace under fire. As CEO of Quil, a digital health company, Carina is leading her organization to revolutionize healthcare by empowering patients and their care providers to have ownership of their healthcare journeys.
In this episode, Carina shares how she discovered her purpose, and what drives her to make a positive difference in people’s lives every day. Carina also provides guidance on navigating effectively through an unexpected crisis, and what it takes to lead with courage and conviction.
Highlights:
[02:21] Carina’s story
[04:36] The evolution of leadership
[08:24] Switching lanes and leveling up effectively
[11:09] Transitioning to leadership and what it takes to be successful
[14:11] What I wish I had known earlier in my career
[15:56] Taking the leap with confidence
[18:56] The mission of Quil Health
[21:27] Leading through crisis - COVID pandemic
[25:10] Post-pandemic – the birth of new innovations
[28:40] How to navigate through difficult times
[30:03] Daily habit to keep yourself grounded
[31:58] Gravitas in remote collaboration
[34:30] Advice to get future-ready
Quotes:
“If you don't deliver value, and you don't deliver results, you can't drive top line growth.” – Carina Edwards
“Always finish what you start and deliver results. Then be curious about the next thing that can truly deliver value and enhance your career.” – Carina Edwards
“Before you can lead through crisis, you have to first ground yourself in being the most authentic version of yourself.” – Carina Edwards
“Don't let the crisis pivot you from your true north.” – Carina Edwards
“New innovation needs to be grounded in delivering value.” – Carina Edwards
“If you don't get close to your customers and understand how they're going to be impacted, then you don't know how you're going to be able to help them.” – Carina Edwards
“Always bring your authentic self to both your personal life and your professional life.” – Carina Edwards
About Carina Edwards:
Carina Edwards is the CEO of Quil, the joint venture between Comcast NBCUniversal and Independence Blue Cross aimed at empowering patients and their support teams to answer “What Happens Next?” on their healthcare journeys. Quil’s digital health companion empowers users with step-by-step, personalized directions, prescribed by their doctor, from the first point of intervention through recovery delivering information where and when they need it, on their smartphone, computer, and TV.
Prior to joining Quil, Carina served in executive positions at Imprivata, Nuance, Zynx Health, and Philips Healthcare. In 2016, she was appointed to the board of directors of CHIME (The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives). In 2019, she was named by Becker’s Healthcare as “Female Health IT Leaders to Know.” Carina received her MBA from Boston College and her BS in MIS & Decision Sciences from George Mason University.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carina-edwards-aa0731/
Twitter: @cedwardski
Twitter: @quilhealth
Website: https://quilhealth.com/
Welcome to the Beyond Barriers Habits & Hacks Show! Have you ever wondered what is that one thing that you can be great at? It’s what you become known for – and what differentiates you. Well that's exactly what we're going to help you with on today's show, where you'll learn how to gain clarity on your skills and competencies with powerful habits and hacks.
When you have clarity on what makes you outstanding in your career, you can align what you do to exactly that competency. That way you can continue to hone it over time and become great at it.
Don’t waste time focusing on your weaknesses. Delegate or outsource those things. When you try to work on your weaknesses, you become mediocre at best. Double down on the strengths, you are naturally talented at or love doing versus trying to get better at something that is not a natural gift and You’ll become great at those things. That’s how you accelerate your success!
Highlights:
[01:01] The difference between skills and competencies
[02:48] Transferrable skills and competencies
[03:27] Articulate your competencies, not just your skills
[07:19] How to gain clarity on competencies and unique skills
[09:22] Homework for the week
Quotes:
“Tell a story of your competencies that translates well into your new situation, whether it’s a promotion or new role.” – Nikki Barua
“Your career trajectory follows your competency development. As long as you're leveling up in competencies, you will keep rising up.” – Nikki Barua
“Don't focus on the weaknesses, focus on the competencies that come naturally to you, because you will become excellent at those.” – Monica Marquez
“When you work on your weaknesses, you become mediocre. But when you double down on your strengths, you become great.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki and Monica:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Contact Nikki and Monica:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/
We’ve all experienced what it’s like to be led by leaders that are great, and some that are not so great. Do you want to master leadership skills and be the kind of leader you’d love to follow? Our guest, Executive
Leadership Coach, Robin Elledge provides perspective on the importance of self-development and learning to lead yourself, before leading others.
Robin leads Janus Coaching & Consulting, a firm that provides Executive Coaching and HR consulting services. Robin has held high-profile C-level roles at public corporations as well as fast growing
entrepreneurial firms. Her varied experiences have given her a unique perspective on leadership, growth, and success.
In this episode, Robin discusses what it takes to build high performing teams, and how to navigate through uncertain times. Robin also reveals the keys to success – emotional intelligence, insatiable curiosity, deep love of learning, willingness to take risks, and adapting to change.
Highlights:
[02:27] Robin’s journey
[03:43] Transitioning careers
[06:25] What it takes to drive rapid growth as a leader
[09:38] More than one way to be a successful leader
[15:26] Leading in a larger organization
[17:14] Switching lanes during a recession
[20:58] Building your dream team
[24:36] Preparing for the future of work
[27:51] The ability to navigate paradox
[33:25] Being good enough versus being perfect
[35:20] Focusing on the right thing at the right time
[37:26] Robin’s dream mentor
[41:10] Advice on asking for mentorship or sponsorship
[47:51] Put your own oxygen mask on first
Quotes:
“No matter how smart or how visionary an entrepreneur may be, to drive rapid growth you need a really strong team.” – Robin Elledge
“Leaders today have to be orchestra masters.” – Robin Elledge
“Perfection isn't a goal. It's all about a process of moving in the direction that you're headed in.” – Robin Elledge
“Prioritizing and being able to pick and choose the things that really differentiate you from a brand perspective is super important.” – Robin Elledge
“Don't rush hiring, it's one of the most important things you'll ever do. You have to get the right people on the bus with you.” – Robin Elledge
“In today’s world, the ability to learn on the fly, is the number one skill.” – Robin Elledge
“Continuous learning needs to be built as a cultural attribute for organizations.” – Robin Elledge
“One of the key leadership skill sets is navigating paradox.” – Robin Elledge
“All leadership development starts with self-development.” – Robin Elledge
About Robin Elledge:
Robin has spent the past 30 years honing her skills as a respected business leader and results-oriented change agent. She is currently an Executive/Leadership coach and HR/OD consultant through her company, Janus Coaching + Consulting. She is also currently an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Southern California (USC) in their Masters, Human Resources program.
Robin’s previous business experience includes roles as Chief Administrative Officer at an entrepreneurial firm that grew 400% during her tenure, SVP, HR at a publicly traded retailer which was a Fortune Best Places to Work organization, and Chief People Officer at a large publicly traded hospitality company during a period of complete financial restructuring, reorganization, and acquisition. During her many roles she’s developed specific expertise in Organization and Leadership Development, employee engagement, and ensuring alignment between a company’s people and business strategies.
Robin has an MBA from USC and earned an SPHR and a coaching certification (ICF). She has spoken at numerous meetings and conferences and published blogs/articles and two books on team building.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinelledge/
Website: https://www.januscoach.com/
Do you secretly wish for things but don’t how to get them? Meet our guest, Lisa Ong, who shares the power of dreaming big and wishing out loud.
Lisa Ong is widely known as a “talent gardener” and “inclusion connector”. Lisa is an executive coach, diversity strategist, and President & Founder of Wishing Out Loud LLC. Lisa was formerly Diversity and Inclusion leader at PwC where she focused on minority retention and advancement, as well as growing inclusive leaders at all levels.
In this episode, Lisa talks about how to discover your strengths, build your community of mentors and peers, and create opportunities to not only shine but, also to thrive in your career.
Highlights:
[01:55] Lisa’s story
[07:23] Switching lanes in your career
[13:07] Showing up with confidence as a woman of color
[18:05] Learning from failures and setbacks
[23:56] Managing competing personal and profession priorities
[28:54] The value of network and community
Quotes:
“Knowing my top five strengths helped me determine whether I see myself in this current role in the future” – Lisa Ong
“When I started to lean on the advice from my sponsors and really lean into it, I was actually able to accelerate my career.” – Lisa Ong
“If you're thinking about what wild success would look like a year from now, you're more likely to achieve it. If you think the sky is falling, guess what, it probably will fall.” – Lisa Ong
“When you ask for advice, you're appealing to your sense of gratitude for their wisdom and experience. And in the end, you will end up getting their help anyway.” – Lisa Ong
“Turn off that negative voice in your head. And turn it up and say you're smart enough to figure this out.” – Lisa Ong
“Confidence is how you show up.” – Lisa Ong
“If you're not having failures and setbacks, you're not learning and growing.” – Lisa Ong
“A no is a no, not now. Not a no, not ever. But if you don't even ask, you're never going to get a yes.” – Lisa Ong
About Lisa Ong:
Lisa Ong is an executive coach, speaker, diversity strategist and consultant. Lisa specializes in diversity and inclusion, leadership development, coaching and facilitation. Prior to founding Wishing Out Loud LLC, Lisa was a national diversity director in Diversity and Inclusion at PwC. She designed strategies to retain, develop and advance diverse talent. She focused on minority retention and advancement efforts as well as growing inclusive leaders at all levels.
A widely known “talent gardener” and “Inclusion connector,” Lisa helps individuals to achieve goals with an emphasis on leadership skills leading to meaningful relationships. She shares her coaching approach with her clients to discover their strengths, dream big and keep strategically “wishing out loud” to create opportunities to shine and be their best.
Lisa is a seasoned executive in business with a background in audits as well as senior human capital roles. Lisa earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Science in Management degree from the University of Texas at Dallas. She is a Texas Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Professional Certified Coach (PCC) by The International Coach Federation. She is certified in the Leadership Circle 360 tool. She also had her SPHR through 2015.
Lisa speaks on topics ranging from unconscious bias, bridging cultural differences, authentic leadership, building meaningful relationships, communicating with impact through storytelling and networking. Lisa serves on the board of the AICPA Council and the Texas Society of CPAs. She was past Chair of the Dallas chapter 2017-2018. She is an active Lifetime Member of Ascend, and served as an Executive Advisor to the North Texas Chapter from 2014-2019. She was named to The Dallas 500 in 2020 Directory by D CEO Magazine as “one of the most powerful business leaders in DFW” and awarded the 2019 CPA of the Year Award by the Dallas CPA Society. Dallas Business Journal also recognized her with a 2017 Minority Business Leaders Award for her leadership in business and the community.
Wishing Out Loud LLC, 5760 Legacy Dr Ste B3-520, Plano, TX 75024 972-489-4576
www.wishingoutloud.com Instagram: @wishingoutloud
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/onglisam/
Website: http://wishingoutloud.com/
Instagram: @wishingoutloud
Twitter: @Lisa_M_Ong
Do you have a network of friends or colleagues but don’t like asking them for help? Have you ever wanted to get access to influential leaders but didn’t know how?
In this episode, you'll learn how to tap into the resources within your network with powerful habits and hacks.
Instead of keeping your head down and doing the work, learn how to gain leverage through proximity. Career success – whether in corporate or entrepreneurial – is accelerated when you have access to the right resources and relationships.
A common misperception about networks is that it’s about taking from others. That’s why so many women struggle with tapping into their networks because they don’t want to be a burden or feel awkward about asking for help.
The truth is your network is built by giving –the more you give, the more your tribe grows. You receive a fraction of the value you create. So if you’re not getting the value you want, focus on the value you need to create for others. When you focus on how you can help others, rather than think about how they can help you, you are able to create value for them.
Highlights:
[01:06] Power of proximity
[04:34] The perspective of abundance
[07:40] How to build a strong community
[09:32] Homework for the week
Quotes:
“If you have a gift to give, then give to as many people as you can.” – Nikki Barua
“Think of your network, not as something you can take from, but rather something you give to.” – Nikki Barua
“It's not about a network. It's simply a relationship and relationships are built on shared values, trust and respect.” – Nikki Barua
“Make a list of 10 people within your reach that you want to get to know.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki and Monica:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Contact Nikki and Monica:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/
Have you ever stepped into a role and questioned if you were the best person for the job? Do you carry the shame of failure and imperfection with you everywhere you go?
Meet Danessa Knaupp, executive coach, thought leader and bestselling author, who shares how to embrace your struggles and gain true confidence in your journey.
Danessa has coached hundreds of executives across every major industry and has developed a reputation as a candid, compassionate and courageous leadership partner. She is the author of Naked at Work: A Leader’s Guide to Fearless Authenticity and regularly addresses C-suite audiences on how to harness the power of real authenticity to drive measurable business results.
In this episode, Danessa shares how you can be the strong, inspirational leader you imagine by leading authentically. She makes the case for owning your unique story and using, that real, imperfect experience
to drive your personal and team performance. Danessa also provides her perspective on leadership principles for the digital age, and how to accelerate success.
Highlights:
[02:10] Danessa’s story
[05:16] How did you discover your superpower
[07:46] Proudest career accomplishment
[10:18] Making decisions with confidence
[12:08] Overcoming your gremlins
[13:12] Dealing with fears and limiting beliefs
[16:41] Juggling changes in your personal life with your career
[18:46] Comparison and the different versions of ourselves
[20:21] Naked at Work: A Leader's Guide to Fearless Authenticity
[24:00] Authenticity and Action
[27:50] Showing up with fearless authenticity
[35:10] Critical skills for women in the future of work
[39:02] Connection in a geographically diverse workplace
[41:41] Managing competing priorities
[46:53] Who inspires you
[50:12] Recommendation on accelerating success
Quotes:
“I have been gifted with an extraordinary number of spectacular failures.” – Danessa Knaupp
“I have this superpower now, that I am resilient. It' not about me, it's about what I'm willing to try or do or say.” – Danessa Knaupp
“You want to bet smart but betting and losing doesn't mean you'e out of the game.” – Danessa Knaupp
“I quiet my own internal interference. Those fears or doubts don't serve me. They are a distraction.” – Danessa Knaupp
“Remember and believe that you are a beginner here. You haven't done this before. And you are going to be really good at it. It takes us a while to learn new things.” – Danessa Knaupp
“Think about what decisions do I need to make to show up with intention in other areas of my life.” – Danessa Knaupp
“There's a version of me that is confident, connected, intentional and strategic. And then there's the 10pm “me”, that’s a little bit tired and a little bit worried and not sure about anything. All of those versions of us are appropriate.” - Danessa Knaupp
“I wonder how everybody in this room is different. And if we harness that, what could we do as a team?” – Danessa Knaupp
“Leaders who focus and lead with authenticity have much more effective teams.” – Danessa Knaupp
“Let go of thinking everyone is looking at you and just start to think about, what's the next right thing?” – Danessa Knaupp
“Emotional intelligence will be the key differentiator for leaders. It is what keeps us separate from machines.” – Danessa Knaupp
“The single most predictive factor of the collective intelligence of a group's ability to solve a problem was whether or not there was a woman present on the team.” – Danessa Knaupp
“Be mindful of how we show up for other people. The unintentional expectations that we sometimes create, is the responsibility of our leaders.” – Danessa Knaupp
About Danessa Knaupp:
Danessa is an executive coach, CEO, and keynote speaker shifting the global conversation on leadership. She has coached hundreds of executives across every major industry and has developed a reputation as a candid, compassionate and courageous leadership partner. She is the author of the leadership manual, Naked at Work: A Leader’s Guide to Fearless Authenticity and regularly addresses C-suite audiences on how to harness the power of real authenticity (not #authenticity) to drive measurable business results.
Known for her unique ability to drive new levels of engagement and performance with key leaders, Danessa is a fresh, positive voice on leadership, authenticity, and executive team effectiveness. She has coached CEOs, senior leaders, boards, and C-suite teams on issues related to leadership effectiveness, succession planning, M&A integration, and conflict intervention. Her clients have included Anthem, Bain Capital, BlackRock, Capital One, Comcast, Genworth, Hilton, KPMG, Mastercard, Nordstrom and more.
Danessa earned her executive coaching credentials from Georgetown University, and a BA in Psychology and Sociology from the College of William and Mary. She spent more than 20 years as an entrepreneur
and a senior executive and ultimately, CEO. She is licensed by the International Coaching Federation and certified in many of the top leadership assessment tools.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danessa-knaupp/
Websites: https://www.danessaknaupp.com/
http://www.avenue8advisors.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/danessa_knaupp
Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/154450747X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_HELHEbSJP30VK
Are you frustrated with self-doubt and tired of living small? In this episode, Saren Stiegel, shares with us how to develop strength and confidence and go from living small and fearful, to living big and free.
Saren Stiegel is the People + Culture Officer for tech startup generator, ELEV^TE. Named Business Relationship Alliance's 2019 "Visionary Woman of the Year," Saren is also the best-selling author of The Glow Effect. Since its founding in 2013, the Glow Effect social enterprise has worked with over 20,000 people in 32 countries to grow their leadership impact. Saren has been featured in Real Simple, Fox News, and Entrepreneur.
Saren shares her personal journey from being a divorce attorney to becoming a conscious culture advocate who helps individuals and organizations maximize their human and team potential. She presents actionable advice on how to pursue your passion and build your legacy with continuous learning and persistence.
Highlights:
[02:26] Saren’s journey
[07:49] Discovering your unique strength
[09:13] Sales is a numbers game
[12:37] Approaching fear with humility
[14:19] Building partnerships
[18:07] Courageous conversations
[20:34] Persistency and flow
[22:50] Being successful in the digital age
[25:27] Focus on right thing at the right time
[30:22] Key to accelerating success in the future of work
[33:34] Diversity of thought
Quotes:
“It's not about me getting the courage to ask. It's about reframing it in a way that we can get this done together.” – Saren Stiegel
“When I walked into a room of women, I didn't see them as a network, I saw them as people who I can do cool things with.” – Saren Stiegel
“The goal is to distribute power more equally to make everyone feel that they belong.” – Saren Stiegel
“Your personal brand is your purpose.” – Saren Stiegel
“The top of the triangle is your idea. You need to have a novel idea but supporting that novel idea, is expertise and experience.” – Saren Stiegel
“Iteration and constantly willing to communicate and give feedback and be humble and, and learn, learn, learn, and increase your awareness. That's the future.” – Saren Stiegel
“The openness and the willingness to consider and think about that diversity of thought in all of our business strategizing, is the infinite game.” – Saren Stiegel
“If your goal is constant betterment and constant improvement and going beyond barriers, then it's okay to not know and keep going and to just know that you're consciously learning.” -Saren Stiegel
About Saren Stiegel:
Saren Stiegel is the Founder of The Glow Effect, which delivers learner-centered training contents to nurture high performance. She is also an author, activist, speaker, social entrepreneur, and people and culture officer at ELEV^TE. Saren was named “Visionary Woman of the Year” by Business Relationship Alliance 2019. As an internationally recognized thought leader, Saren made herself a vehicle to empower women to rise as revolutionary female leaders. Among her expertise are leadership coaching, diversity and inclusion employee engagement and organizational consulting. She works with individuals and organizations to leverage their strengths and hone qualities that create a profound social impact.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarenstiegel/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheGlowEffect/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGlowEffect
Twitter: https://twitter.com/youaretheglow
If you are looking for new career opportunities, then applying for a job online and hoping you get it is not an effective strategy. Regardless of your talent and experience, it’s impossible for hiring managers to spot you in a pool of thousands of candidates. That’s why relationship-based referrals account for 70% of all hires made by employers. Instead of looking for a job, focus on leveraging the power and advocacy of your community.
Community is about belonging and empowerment. Having a engaged community provides access to resources and opportunities that you may not be aware of otherwise. An influential tribe is key to learning, growing, and leveling up together. Successful careers are built on continually growing networks with strong and lasting relationships.
In this episode, you'll learn the 5 essential elements of community so that you can build your tribe and gain their support for your success. You’ll learn how to gain proximity to influential people and networks, how to build a peer group at the next level to help you grow, and how to seek feedback from your community.
Highlights:
[00:59] Definition of community
[02:18] 1 st essential element of community
[03:59] 2nd essential element of community
[05:23] 3rd essential element of community
[06:21] 4th essential element of community
[08:26] 5th essential element of community
[10:05] Nikki’s favorite habit in building community
[11:15] Homework for the week
Quotes:
“Successful careers live and breathe because of the strong relationships and networks that individuals have.” – Monica Marquez
“It's not about who you know, it's about who knows you.” – Nikki Barua
“Define your Dream list, who is within your reach that you want to learn from. And then figure out how you can add value to them.” – Nikki Barua
“When you have proximity to the right people, you get faster results because you are learning through their wisdom and experience.” – Nikki Barua
“There's a difference between mentors and sponsors. Mentors may guide you. But sponsors are the ones that have the decision making ability to influence your career.” – Nikki Barua
“Be intentional in identifying exactly you need mentorship in.” – Nikki Barua
“You become the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” – Nikki Barua
“By becoming peers with those at the next level, we start to emulate their habits and their mindset. And then success at that level becomes more accessible.” – Nikki Barua
“Feedback is a gift that someone is giving to you because they care about you.” – Nikki Barua
“When someone cares enough to give you feedback, value their perspective and their opinion, take action on it.” – Nikki Barua
“If you want to earn the trust and respect of people, be the person that does exactly what they say they will.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki and Monica:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Contact Nikki and Monica:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/
How do you respond to uncertainty caused by crisis? Do you feel paralyzed by fear and anxiety? Are you walking on eggshells but trying to hold it all together?
Meet Sheila Darcey who is an artist, innovator and founder of SketchPoetic. Sheila’s experience as a facilitator and coach, and her work with Fortune 500 companies has informed her understanding of what drives transformative growth in individuals and teams. Three years ago, in her quest for a self-care practice as a way of coping with stress and anxiety, Sheila made a personal commitment to sketch every single day. This daily practice became a catalyst for her transformation and led to Sketchpoetic – a movement for those feeling burdened by the desire for change but blocked by fear and doubt.
If you feel an evolution stirring within and are looking for transformation, stay tuned and learn how Sheila uses creative expression as a tool for self-reflection, self-care, and healing. Sheila is on a mission to share the Sketchpoetic practice with the world and to help others find their own way.
Highlights:
[03:54] Sheila’s journey
[08:58] Transformative process of sketching
[13:28] Dealing with stress and anxiety
[17:11] How grief changes us
[20:48] Fear of the unknown
[23:24] Creative expression is a powerful tool
[26:42] Curiosity about our emotions
[29:36] It’s never too late to play
[31:15] Bring your creative self into existence
[34:48] Guilt of being a working mom
[39:24] Struggle with perfectionism
[44:15] How the pandemic will change humanity
[52:02] Daily self-care practice
Quotes:
“Anxiety is the emotion that you are not releasing or expressing.” – Sheila Darcey
“Every emotion is there to guide you. It is very uncomfortable, but do not categorize it as good or bad because it's the outcome that will eventually lead you to growth, to transformation, to learning, to healing, to insight.” – Sheila Darcey
“We aren't just experiencing isolation today. It's actually making us remember the times we've actually felt this before.” – Sheila Darcey
“Creative expression is such a powerful tool. You are tapping into your imagination and focusing it in a positive way.” – Sheila Darcey
“When you are in fear, your imagination is used for the negative, and your body experiences the worst-case scenario.” – Sheila Darcey
“The power of curiosity is that it kills the inner critic, curiosity kills the judgment. If you go in with curiosity, there's no space for judgment and criticism.” – Sheila Darcey
“The challenge with being a perfectionist is that you're programming yourself to have all the answers all the time.” – Sheila Darcey
“Being a parent is the act of constantly forgiving yourself. What your children will remember is the effort, the love, and the care that you put in.” – Sheila Darcey
“Perfectionism comes from us trying to control something that is uncontrollable.” – Sheila Darcey
“On the other side of the crisis, there will be innovation, creativity, experimentation.” – Sheila Darcey
About Sheila Darcey:
Sheila has 20+ years as a facilitator, coach, and consultant in the technology and digital agency space. Her work with Fortune 500 companies informs her understanding of what drives transformative growth in individuals and teams. She earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree with a minor in Art History from the University of Memphis and certification Social Emotional Arts (SEA) from UCLA. The SEA certificate empowers educators, community arts professionals, mental health practitioners, and anyone interested in maximizing social-emotional benefits of arts experiences, and minimizing self-judgment and anxiety that can impede learning and growth.
“The beauty of SketchPoetic is in the process of creation itself. I want people to connect with the process as much as the outcome - to create without planning, without analyzing, without fear, and without expectations... because it’s liberating. It’s about being in a safe place to quiet the mind and spark the child-like curiosity we sometimes lose in our busy lives.”
What started as a personal commitment to sketch daily, soon became a catalyst for my own transformation. It also led to my greater purpose of elevating art as a tool for self-reflection, self-care, and healing. Through art, I was able to sketch and paint my way through complex emotions and process both my conscious and unconscious thoughts. The benefits of this practice became evident in my mental and emotional well- being. It also became a therapeutic tool in helping process anxiety and trauma. It has become my mission to share this practice with the world and to help others find their own way.
Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sketchpoetic/
Website: http://www.sheiladarcey.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheiladarcey/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sketchpoetic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sheiladarcey
If you are overwhelmed with fear and anxiety and don’t know what to do during a pandemic, you are not alone. We are all navigating through turbulence without a compass and there’s just a lot of risk and uncertainty. That’s why we are speaking with an expert who can guide us on what to do in this unprecedented situation. Meet Pam Isom–President/CEO of ICE Safety Solutions–an award-winning safety products and training company on a mission to mitigate illness, injury and loss of life.
Pam is a Biologist & Researcher turned entrepreneur who is driven by her desire to save lives. As an expert in safety protocols, Pam provides tips on how to protect yourself and your loved ones, what steps
you must take to manage your business and personal finances, and why it’s important to always be prepared.
Highlights:
[02:00] Pamela’s journey
[05:59] How to keep safe during Coronavirus pandemic
[13:25] What can parents do to protect their children
[15:04] COVID-19 versus common cold symptoms
[20:16] How to protect the household when a family member has tested positive
[23:17] Leading through crisis – advice for professionals from an economic perspective
[28:28] Tips for business survival during crisis
[32:03] COVID-19 Myths versus facts
[38:21] What did the pandemic teach us as a society
Quotes:
“For businesses, the first thing to do is determine your liquidity 30, 60 and 90 days. How much liquid cash do you have to survive for 30 days, for 60 days, and for 90 days?” – Pamela Isom
“Corporations are dying to fill their supply chain because their supply chain has been obliterated. If there are corporations that you were talking to in the past, and they stopped talking to you, please call them right now.” – Pamela Isom
“When you're making your business continuity plan for your family, for your parents and for your business, start identifying what you're too dependent on that maybe you need to slowly become less dependent on.” – Pamela Isom
“What are you too dependent on that is decreasing your confidence in yourself?” – Pamela Isom
About Pamela Isom:
Since she was a young girl Pam had one focus: “To be sure no one around her became ill, injured or would lose a life” While growing up in Oakland & San Jose, California she was a lifeguard, daughter, friend, sister, wife and mother, who always made sure no one around her would get hurt, she made sure children playing around her were safe or when she was traveling with friends on airplanes & hotels, she made sure everyone knew their emergency exits. Her life changing moment came as a teenager when she used her lifeguard CPR skills to recognize her father was suffering congestive heart failure and she leaped into action!
Because of her love of life, it is no surprise Ms. Isom earned a degree in Biological Sciences from UC Davis and started her career as a Biologist in Preclinical Drug Development and Cardiovascular Pharmacology. After 9 years in research, she left her career with the birth of her daughter and started an American Heart Association CPR training company.
Fast forward 20 years, ICE Safety Solutions is a nationally ranked safety company executing fun, innovative & transformational safety training, equipment and services focused on mitigating employee illness, injury and loss of life for corporations across the US. ICE Safety Solutions was recognized by Union Bank/MUFG, Toyota, Bright Horizons, Oracle, Comcast, Kaiser, Honda, Turner Construction, Golden State Warriors, Allstate and other Fortune 1000 companies as the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) Minority Business Enterprise of the Year, 2017, National Association of Women Owned Businesses (NAWBO) & WBENC Pacific as Woman Owned Business Enterprise 2018.
Ms. Isom admits that the greatest success in working with Fortune 1000 corporations delivering their CPR, First Aid and Automated External Defibrillator training, High Rise Evacuation Drills, Emergency Response Team Simulations, Earthquake/Disaster/First Aid Kits new in 2018 their innovative Virtual Reality CPR training has been the lives saved and here today because of the training, products and services we innovated. These lives and testimonials from clients are honored on the ‘Wall of Life’ at ICE Safety Solutions headquarters in Fremont, CA.
Links:
Website: https://www.getice.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-isom-mbe-wbe-17b1b02/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pamela.isom.3
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pam_icesafety
Have you ever felt overwhelmed and struggled to balance competing priorities? You can’t focus on one thing if you’re constantly worried about something else. Well, you are not alone. Did you know that human attention span is now less than a goldfish!
In this episode, we bust the myth of multitasking, how you lose focus when you switch, and why discipline gives you freedom from stress and anxiety. Tune in to learn how to establish daily rituals with powerful habits and hacks.
Highlights:
[01:45] How to remove distractions
[03:47] Favorite hack # 1
[04:51] Favorite hack # 2
[06:52] Nikki’s all-time favorite hack
[09:47] Homework for the week
Quotes:
“When you know that what you're focusing on right now is exactly the right thing to do at that point in time, you can avoid the distraction.” – Nikki Barua
“Discipline is what creates freedom.” – Nikki Barua
“Setting aside time in the morning for yourself to think about your day ahead gives you the power to decide how do you want to invest your time and your energy for that day.” – Nikki Barua
“Don't pick up your phone the minute you wake up. Instead start your day with a ritual that is meaningful and nourishing to your mind, body and soul.”- Nikki Barua
“Recognizing and rewarding yourself is a great way to not only acknowledge your accomplishments, but to celebrate progress.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki and Monica:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Contact Nikki and Monica:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/
Success often isn’t about what you know, but who you know. Although, that’s easier said than done, isn’t it? Everyone tells you to network, but no one tells you how to do it. If you’ve ever struggled with networking or reach out to an expert you could learn from or been afraid to connect with a leader who could help you, then this episode is for you. You’ll learn the secrets of building powerful and influential relationships –and exactly, how to grow your network. Our guest today is Pat Hedley, TedX Speaker, and Author of the book Meet 100 People.
Pat is an investor, advisor and founder and CEO of The Path Ahead. Pat spent 30 years in the private equity world with global growth investor, General Atlantic. Now, in her role as an independent investor, Pat identifies high growth companies in which she invests and takes on advisory roles. Throughout her career, Pat has observed what it takes for business leaders to succeed and attributes even her own success to the power of relationships.
In this episode, Pat provides motivation, inspiration and practical advice for building your network. She shares expert insights on creating meaningful relationships that will provide life-long value. She provides a framework to determine what you need, so you can reach out to those who can help you. And she gives tips and pointers on the right way to approach new people, how to connect with them, and what helps to build authentic relationships.
Highlights:
[02:25] Pat’s journey
[06:22] One conversation can change your path
[13:19] Overcoming fear
[17:41] Turning rejection into successful outcomes
[21:38] Common traits of successful leaders
[26:35] “Meet 100 People”
[33:53] Building your network
[41:03] Challenge yourself to make things specific
[43:30] Daily habits to building successful relationships
[52:33] Growth mentality
[54:03] Biggest trends impacting business
[58:17] How to get future-ready
Quotes:
“I did not need to be an expert in everything or in fact, in anything, what I needed to do well, was needed find people who had that expertise.” – Pat Hedley
“In a business setting when someone says, no, this doesn't work for me, it might only mean that the timing is not right, or that the timing is not right, in this way.” – Pat Hedley
“One of the most important things that an entrepreneur or a senior executive thinks about, day to day, is to make sure that they have the right talent in place, that they retain that talent, that they continue to motivate that talent.” – Pat Hedley
“Anything that you practice often and regularly, you can become better at.” – Pat Hedley
“People are willing to help you if you approach them the right way. If you'e specific about what you need and what you would like, if you can ask the right questions and ask for the assistance that you need, you will get help.” – Pat Hedley
“A no today does not mean a no tomorrow.” – Pat Hedley
“Persistence should not be undervalued or underestimated ever. Persistence is what wins the game. Persistence is what wins marathons.” ‘ Pat Hedley
“There is real talent in recognizing how to take this great idea that you've started with, and then scale it over time.” – Pat Hedley
“Entrepreneurs who are good at networking and good at relationship building, really do have an edge.” – Pat Hedley
“It's important to approach relationship building with a spirit of generosity, you're for sure going to learn in the process of meeting someone and talking to someone, but also approach it with the thought that you're going to give something to.” – Pat Hedley
“On networking, the first and most important thing is to look within yourself and to figure out what you need and what you want.” – Pat Hedley
“Talk to people who are very different from you, because sometimes those people can inspire you in ways you cannot predict.” – Pat Hedley
“You need to know where you're going in order to figure out how to get there.” – Pat Hedley
“Treat every relationship as if you're going to see the person again.” – Pat Hedley
“It's incumbent upon each one of us to share what's important to us, or to be specific about what we might need.” – Pat Hedley
“I think that the future is in customization, applying data and technology to making things efficient and easy for us.” - Pat Hedley
About Pat Hedley:
Pat is an investor, advisor and the author of Meet 100 People. As the founder and CEO of The Path Ahead, Pat identifies high growth companies in which she invests and takes on either formal or informal advisory roles. Since 2016, Pat has invested in over a dozen innovative private companies, more than half led by women.
Prior to her current role, Pat spent 30 years with global growth investor, General Atlantic, most recently as managing director. While at General Atlantic, Pat was an investor focused on software and services and led the firm’s global marketing and human capital efforts. She began her career as a consultant with Bain & Company. Pat is a graduate of Dartmouth College with a degree in computer science and holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School.
Inspired by the experiences of thousands of people she has interacted with over her own thirty-year career, Pat wrote Meet 100 People to encourage us all to proactively and consistently meet people in person. Her goal is not only to inspire but to provide practical steps to expanding your network. Pat speaks regularly at colleges, to alumni groups and to corporations. She gave a TedX Talk at Dartmouth College in 2018.
Links:
Website: www.meet100people.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pathedley/
Twitter: @meet100people.com
When it comes to professional networking, we all know that LinkedIn is the place to be. But do you feel lost when it comes to presenting yourself or your business? Are you missing out on opportunities because you just don’t know what to post or how to network online? On today’s episode, Jennifer Corcoran shares how professionals and entrepreneurs can stand out and become super connectors on LinkedIn.
Jennifer is an award-winning social media influencer and the founder of My Super Connector – a LinkedIn Training & Consultancy firm. As someone who has worked through shyness and introversion, Jennifer knows first-hand that confidence and networking skills can be learned and honed. Jennifer uses her experience to help others overcome confidence gaps and achieve sustained visibility and success online.
In this episode, Jennifer gives expert tips on the best way to network on LinkedIn. She proves that you don’t need to be the loudest person in the room to get noticed. She shares do’s and don’ts so you can stand out professionally. You’ll learn how to set up your professional profile, highlight your unique competency, and get noticed by your target audience.
Highlights:
[02:11] Jennifer’s LinkedIn superpower
[03:45] More to LinkedIn than the home feed
[12:29] LinkedIn premium versus free version
[17:29] Designing your profile page
[21:02] LinkedIn headline is your introduction
[23:59] Highlighting your competencies
[26:46] LinkedIn posts vs. articles
[29:22] Engaging with your community
[30:38] Thriving in the digital age
Quotes:
“Too many people compare themselves to others, they get a bit of imposter syndrome. I think when you just start to be you and you are authentic, then it is actually easy.” – Jennifer Corcoran
“Focus on increasing your LinkedIn recommendations. Think of it like TripAdvisor, when you want to book a hotel, you look up reviews.” – Jennifer Corcoran
“Applying for a job? Review the job description and use some of the keywords in your profile.” – Jennifer Corcoran
“When people are on the LinkedIn app on their phone, they're going to judge you on the cover banner, your headshot and the headline, and they're going to decide if they're bothered to read on about you. And I think if you don't grab them within those few seconds and make an impact, they're not going to read on.” – Jennifer Corcoran
“When you are consistent, people will start to trust you, you will get the know, like, and trust factor.” – Jennifer Corcoran
“Adopt the 80/20 rule, 80% of the time, when you are posting, it's all about inspiring, educating, motivating, giving value. And then the 20% is about you.” – Jennifer Corcoran
About Jennifer Corcoran:
As an award-winning social media influencer, Jennifer Corcoran knows a thing or two about leaving her comfort zone behind. She uses her experience to help others achieve sustained visibility and success.
Too many of us feel lost when it comes to selling ourselves or our businesses online. Jennifer's mission is to help entrepreneurs, individuals and businesses stand out on LinkedIn.
Her business, My Super Connector, proves that you don’t need to be the loudest person in the room to get noticed. While working in The City as an Executive PA, Jennifer used social media to elevate her reputation. This helped her win regional, national and global awards. A back injury cut her City career short but led Jennifer to find her true calling –as a LinkedIn trainer and networking adviser.
Jennifer is more than a skilled social media scheduler or self-pronounced “Expert”. Her talent and hard work is evident in her list of qualifications and awards. As a Pitman-accredited LinkedIn trainer, she has qualified in LinkedIn and Social media for business. Her expertise is evident in her list of prestigious awards such as Social Media Influencer of the Year in the Venus Awards. She has also been spotlighted in national campaigns such as F-Entrepreneur. Jennifer’s clients include London South Bank University, London Chamber of Commerce, Exeter College, the FSB and Enterprise Nation. Her work has been featured in many publications and websites including The Guardian, BrightTALK, Grow Exeter and LBC.
Learn more about Jennifer and her work at MySuperConnector.co.uk.
Links:
Website: https://mysuperconnector.co.uk/
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifercorcoran1/
LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13618082/
LinkedIn Company Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-super-connector
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mysuperconnector/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/superconnector
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysuperconnector/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/superconnector/
Free Access to ‘How to Master Your Visibility on LinkedIn’ and BrandMe! 2020 Visibility Summit (valid until March 23rd ):
https://visibility-summit-2020.heysummit.com/tickets/?coupon=VIPAccess
Do you define your vision and goals but struggle to stay on track? If you can relate to missed deadlines and dreams, don’t worry you are not alone. A shocking 92 percent of people do not achieve their goals!
In this episode, you'll learn the 5 essential elements of commitment so that you can set AND achieve your goals.
You’ll learn how to focus on the right thing at the right time. You’ll understand the secret to staying motivated as you pursue your goals. And you’ll learn how to develop the right roadmap that helps you keep track of your results, adapt as needed, and celebrate your progress.
Master these habits and hacks and turn your dreams into your destiny!
Highlights:
[01:13] No secret to success
[01:55] 1st Essential Element of Commitment
[02:57] 2nd Essential Element of Commitment
[04:58] 3rd Essential Element of Commitment
[06:38] 4th Essential Element of Commitment
[07:58] 5th Essential Element of Commitment
[11:07] Nikki’s favorite habit or hack
[16:49] Homework for the week
Quotes:
“Success is about staying motivated and focusing on the right thing at the right time.” – Nikki Barua
“Break down a really big dream into measurable tangible goals so you know what to focus on.” – Nikki Barua
“Having clarity on a week to week level to say what is that one thing that I must get done is really important to move you forward.” – Nikki Barua
“It's who we are becoming in the journey and what we're learning in the journey that defines the experience and fulfillment we have.” – Nikki Barua
“Focus allows you to excel at what you're doing, give your best to it, and gives you greater fulfillment because you're not just chasing, you're enjoying the process.” – Nikki Barua
“It’s important to reflect back on our accomplishments as we tend to forget how many things we’ve actually done, because we're so busy doing them.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki and Monica:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Contact Nikki and Monica:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/
What if your dreams are way bigger than your reality? Who would you ask for help? How would you find the courage and confidence to take action?
Anu Bhardwaj, serial entrepreneur and investor, shares her journey of struggling financially, being nobody and knowing no one, to building a global movement championing economic empowerment for women worldwide.
Anu is the founder of Women INVESTING in Women DIGITAL, the world’s largest digital media platform focused on Women & Investing with over 1,000,000+ followers across 120 countries. She is also founder of the State of Women Radio Network that shares stories of role models, thought leaders and changemakers with a mission to make an impact on the state of women everywhere. In this episode, Anu takes us through her journey and how she discovered her why and defined her path. She is candid about the obstacles she faced, why she is unapologetically authentic, and how her tenacity and optimism have helped her overcome barriers. She lives her life outside the box and in pursuit of a really big mission. She shares why it’s so important for women to have equal opportunity and access to education, and positions of power and influence.
Highlights:
[02:22] Anu’s background
[04:31] Story of Women Investing in Women Digital
[06:11] Women Investing in Women Digital Mission
[09:56] Focus on “can do” versus “can’t do”
[13:32] Creating impact in the world
[14:56] Understanding gender equality and parity around the globe
[18:10] Millennials and Gen Z – what business leaders need to know
[20:54] Making it all happen
[29:51] Gaining access and earning trust
[34:24] Building relationships
[39:52] The future for women of color
[43:58] Embracing success in the digital age
[45:05] What is your Why
Quotes:
“If you're going to get something done, you need confidence.” – Anu Bhardwaj
“I think it's very important for you to have role models and leaders within your organization that really speak to millennials and Gen Z.” - Anu Bhardwaj
“It's not what don't I have, it's what do I have that you have to really focus on and, and just run with it.” – Anu Bhardwaj
“There's this common sisterhood where we can support one another and invest in one another.” – Anu Bhardwaj
“Focus on your strengths, what is it that you have that no one else has. Because ultimately, that's your differentiator.” – Anu Bhardwaj
“My Why is ultimately paving the way for girls who did not have the opportunity and I think it's our duty and our obligation to help.” – Anu Bhardwaj
About Anu Bhardwaj:
Anu is the founder of SHEQ+, Krypto 4 Kids, Qrpto Queens, & Women INVESTING in Women DIGITAL, the world’s largest digital media platform focused on Women & Investing.
Launching in December2014, WIIW Digital includes over 1,000,000+ followers across 120 countries; the “Women INVESTING in Women and Girls” Radio show on Voice America Kids now featured on the State of Women Radio Network, and the WIIW Global Summit & Women in Private Equity Roundtable Series, which took place in New York City, Stockholm, Johannesburg, San Diego, Scottsdale, Muscat, Singapore, Phoenix, Vienna, & Ankara.
Prior to founding WIIW DIGITAL, Bhardwaj spearheaded the 2010-2013 U.S. Department of Commerce Private Equity/Venture Capital Certified Trade Missions to the Nordics and Middle East, representing over $175 billion USD private-equity and venture-capital interests in collaboration with the International Trade Administration, the U.S. Embassies in Sweden, Denmark.
Links:
Website: http://www.thestateofwomen.com/
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/anu-bhardwaj-1726b41b
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomenInvesting/
Twitter: @womeninvesting
Do you find yourself stuck in a situation that is no longer right for you but you’re afraid to make changes? Audrey Bellis, founder of Worthy Women, shares with us why it’s important to focus on what’s good for you, how to step up from a place of service, and why you can’t raise your net worth until you raise your self-worth. In this episode, Audrey shares her personal journey of shedding other people’s expectations and following her own path. She provides practical tips on how to overcome fears, embrace your authentic self, and become a worthy woman.
Highlights:
[02:01] Broken to worthy woman
[02:45] Story of Worth Women
[09:13] Sales is a numbers game
[12:56] Getting past rejection
[19:05] Overcoming your fears
[20:08] Focus on what matters
[24:48] Lean on your community
[27:13] Authenticity fuels success
Quotes:
“People struggle to switch lanes because they are so invested in how it needs to be.” – Audrey Bellis
“Everything you do comes from a place of self-worth. And if you do not feel worthy of asking for the multimillion-dollar sale, you're not going to get it.” – Audrey Bellis
“As a leader, if you don't feel empowered in who you are and have clarity in what you stand for, you won’t be able to lead others. Leadership is a top-down experience.” – Audrey Bellis
“Everything is a numbers game. Integrity is the key.” – Audrey Bellis
“You need to do what's right for you but also give yourself permission that it isn't set in stone and it can change. And that’s okay.” – Audrey Bellis
“Nobody owes you anything. You create your own opportunities.” – Audrey Bellis
“The key to accelerating in a digital world is to stop trying to be like everybody else. Show up as you.” – Audrey Bellis
“The way that we accelerate is being clear and honest with ourselves. It’s our willingness to be vulnerable and have boundaries.” – Audrey Bellis
“You can’t raise your net worth until you raise your self-worth.” – Audrey Bellis
About Audrey Bellis:
As the Founder of StartUp DTLA, Audrey gets to help bring tech and creative companies into Downtown LA during what has been called the ‘downtown renaissance.’ Connecting these companies with office space, resources, and funding has been one of her greatest joys while having the opportunity to help build a city.
While Audrey loves serving the tech community, the #WorthyWomen tribe holds a special place in her heart. Through this platform, she has had the opportunity to not only serve the public, but also been able to work with enterprise leaders and top female executives. Worthy Women is the story of how she found her deepest self-worth and helped women find theirs. You can find Audrey urban exploring across Los Angeles, often with a book under her arm. She is a lover of a well-aged single malt, strong coffee, and her dog Tapatio.
Links:
Website: http://www.audreybellis.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audreybellis/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/audreyrbellis
Twitter: https://twitter.com/audreybellis
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCely90sEUuYthFrawhBLn0A
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/audreybellis/
Have you ever been derailed because of something you didn't anticipate?
Artificial intelligence has grown 30,000 times since 2012 and its capacity is doubling every 105 days. Automation is changing the nature of business and creating new opportunities and challenges in the workplace.
While we can’t predict the future, we must be prepared for it. As disruption accelerates and the workplace evolves, your ability to learn quickly becomes your core skill. If you anticipate challenges, learn new skills, and pivot faster, you will eventually overcome every obstacle and get ahead of disruption.
Conviction empowers you to achieve your goals, no matter what happens because you have the skillset, mindset and toolset to get ahead of change. Learn how to anticipate change and prepare yourself with powerful habits and hacks.
Highlights:
[00:16] Growth of artificial intelligence
[00:26] How do you prepare for rapid change
[03:20] Favorite hack #1 to anticipate change
[07:18] Correlation of disruption and innovation
[08:50] Favorite hack #2 to anticipate change
[09:38] Just-in-time learning
[10:59] Homework for the week
Quotes:
“We’re living in a time of so much change and such rapid change, that it's not enough to just be fit. You also have to be fast.” – Nikki Barua
“The faster you let go of previous beliefs and open yourself up with curiosity and humility, and be willing to learn, that's what's going to help you adapt faster.” – Nikki Barua
“You miss out on opportunities when you’re worried about what could go wrong.” – Nikki Barua
“Technology is creating the solutions for the things that people feel technology is disrupting.” – Monica Marquez
“You have to know where the demand is and align your skills and your competencies to where that demand is. Then you can be the one that is benefiting from these opportunities as opposed to being displaced.” – Nikki Barua
“There are opportunities for everyone to combine the power of technology with the beauty of the human mind.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki and Monica:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Contact Nikki and Monica:
Email: hello@beyondbarriers.co
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/
Can you imagine a world where your voice is not heard, and products and services are not designed for you?
Alfia Ilicheva, Co-founder of WIN, shares why gender inclusion matters even more in the digital age, and how WIN is creating impact globally. WIN is a non-profit organization on a mission to close the gender gap in innovation.
Alfia also shares her personal journey of transformation from an immigrant with no fluency in English to becoming an influential leader of a global movement, while holding a fulltime corporate job, and being a mom to three children. Alfia discloses exactly how she integrates work, life and community service, and how you too can manage competing priorities, achieve your goals and live your best life.
Visit www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find shownotes and links to all the resources referenced in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Alfia.
Highlights:
[00:41] About Alfia Ilicheva
[04:32] Alfia on life changing immigration story
[07:22] Alfia on innovation
[08:35] Alfia on her superpower
[10:34] Alfia on duality of intuition and data driven analysis
[13:00] Alfia on proudest accomplishment
[16:17] Alfia on fear and commitment
[18:32] Alfia on founding WIN
[23:59] Alfia on womens’ impact on innovation
[30:45] Alfia on leadership
[35:24] Alfia on approach to hiring
[38:05] Advice on one key skill to develop
[40:38] Advice on relationship building
[46:51] Alfia’s habit or hack
[53:27] Advice on juggling career and being a mom
Quotes:
“I think if you really want to build change in the world, if you want to bring people along and create something beautiful, then your heart has to be there” – Alfia Ilicheva
“When you believe that you're not fully formed, that you can always become better, then with that mindset the sky's the limit.” – Alfia Ilicheva
“The beautiful side of the American dream is the core belief that we can shape our own dreams.” – Alfia Ilicheva
“Seeing both the beauty and the imperfections helps me grow.” – Alfia Ilicheva
“Part of a superpower is actually realizing that you have one.” – Alfia Ilicheva
“Instead of saying don't be afraid, don't feel anxiety it’s using those things to create momentum.” – Alfia Ilicheva
“We must create an equitable future where women are making decisions on how we innovate the world.” – Alfia Ilicheva
“Leadership, it's not about telling people what my vision is, and then making them do it. But it' about bringing them along and co-creating with them at the same time.” – Alfia Ilicheva
“A specific skill that is really important for women is collaboration skills.” – Alfia Ilicheva
“Oftentimes, in disagreements and debates, are sparks that could change the way you might approach something.” – Alfia Ilicheva
“Being a super woman does not mean that you are invincible and can do it all. It's actually recognizing what you can't do and not saying no, but saying yes to yourself, and finding that balance.” – Alfia Ilicheva
About Alfia Ilicheva:
Alfia is the Co-Founder of WIN: Women in Innovation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with an international mandate and a mission to close the gender gap in innovation. Under her leadership, WIN transformed from a local New York-based initiative into an industry-leading and globally-recognized organization. Ilicheva was the architect behind the original governance structure, operating model and the strategic roadmap and global growth plan. She now serves on the Board of Directors.
Ilicheva was previously Managing Director at R/GA Ventures, an award-winning venture investment division of R/GA, where she led the strategy practice and connected corporate businesses and private-equity backed portfolio companies with startups and
emerging technology resources.
Prior to her role at R/GA Ventures, Ilicheva was Group Director at R/GA’s Business Transformation team, where she advised C-suite executives of Fortune 500 businesses on strategic growth opportunities, with a specific focus on catalyzing new revenue
streams, launching sustainable products and services, and building internal innovation capabilities.
Prior to R/GA, Ilicheva was an Engagement Manager at Fahrenheit 212, an innovation and design consultancy, where she led high-impact innovation engagements for Anheuser-Busch, Charles Schwab, Citigroup, Discover, Nestle, Pfizer, and Uber. Prior to Fahrenheit 212, Ilicheva was the President of Five Boroughs Foundation of Photography, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization focused on providing photography mentorship programming in underserved schools. She was previously an analyst at the Royal Bank of Scotland, where she implemented capital issuances across technology, retail, natural resources, and CPG industries.
Ilicheva is an Ariane de Rothschild Fellow, a Presidential Leadership Scholar and a Founding Member of Columbia Business School’s Women’s Circle. Additionally, Ilicheva serves as a member of Columbia Business School’s Hermes Society Leadership Council.
Ilicheva is a frequent speaker and moderator at innovation industry conferences (Fast Company Innovation Festival, SxSW, 500 Startups Unity + Inclusion Summit, Grace Hopper) and academic institutions (Columbia Business School, Harvard Business School, and MBA Innovation Summit).
Ilicheva graduated from Georgetown University with honors in international business diplomacy and received an MBA from Columbia Business School. She was the first undergraduate editor-in-chief of the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, a
university-wide publication. Ilicheva resides in Weston, CT with her husband and their three children.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alfia-ilicheva-3b01275/
Instagram: @womenininnovation
Website: https://womenininnovation.co/
Are you looking for a new challenge and digging through the abyss of job postings and company profiles that you don’t quite understand? Why not consider looking internally within your own organization and build upon the foundation you already have?
Mia Phillips shares with us her 30-year career journey from a summer job at a car wash to becoming a senior executive leader for the world’s largest automaker, Toyota. Mia is candid about her own experiences and how she learned to take risks, overcome limiting beliefs, fail fast, and keep adapting.
Visit www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find shownotes and links to all the resources referenced in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Mia.
Highlights:
[00:58] About Mia Phillips
[07:35] Mia on being adaptable
[09:37] Mia on taking risks
[18:00] Mia on limiting beliefs
[27:12] Mia on convictions and beliefs
[32:26] Mia on showing up confident at work
[37:12] Mia on failing fast
[46:26] Mia on success habits
[48:55] Mia on balancing personal and professional demands
[55:13] Mia on her role model
[66:45] Mia on preparing for the future
Quotes:
“Be adaptable. Don’t take things at face value. Look at the possibilities beyond what is presented.” – Mia Phillips
“What I did to overcome my fears is rely on the things that got me there.” – Mia Phillips
“I had to step back at look at my breadth of experience as someone outside the company would in order to see the value that I bring to the table.” – Mia Phillips
“There is a fine line between confidence and cockiness.” – Mia Phillips
“Your confidence can stem from things you’re already doing and leverage those things in more situations.” – Mia Phillips
“Spending a half hour in the morning to think about all things that need to get done that day and prioritizing them has driven my success for the past 30 years.” – Mia Phillips
“Start by finding and developing relationships with people around you, in your circle, who you feel comfortable having those conversations with.” – Mia Phillips
“Embrace the change. Learn as much as you can. Curate information in your field AND adjacent fields. Always have the learner mindset.” – Mia Phillips
About Mia Phillips:
Throughout her career, Mia has gained diverse experiences within Toyota taking on exciting challenges with new responsibilities. Mia spent her early years working in field operations collaborating with Toyota dealerships. She gained consumer invaluable insights that helped her succeed in future roles. From sales operations to marketing and advertising, Mia has helped Toyota authentically connect with its consumers, especially to its multicultural population. Her work has won numerous awards and she is now
responsible for advertising and media strategies for Lexus.
Links:
Email: mia.phillips@lexus.com
Welcome to the Beyond Barriers Habits & Hacks Show! Have you ever worried about getting left behind? Well, on today's show, you'll learn the 5 essential elements of conviction so that you can achieve your goals and get ahead of disruptive change.
According to a report by the World Economic Forum (2019), about 42% of core skills required to perform most roles will change in 3 years. With the rapid pace of automation and innovation, the average life span of skills is about 18 months before becoming obsolete.
As disruption accelerates and the workplace evolves, your ability to learn quickly becomes your core skill. If you anticipate challenges, learn new skills, and pivot faster, you will eventually overcome every obstacle and get ahead of disruption. Conviction empowers you to achieve your goals, no matter what happens because you have the skillset, mindset and toolset to get ahead of change.
Highlights:
[00:40] The importance of conviction
[01:07] Artificial intelligence and automation – Fourth Industrial Revolution
[03:25] Essential element #1
[04:32] Essential element #2
[05:36] Essential element #3
[07:06] Essential element #4
[08:38] Essential element #5
[10:59] Nikki’s favorite habit or hack
[12:41] Homework for the week
Quotes:
“We're living in the age of artificial intelligence and automation, often described as the fourth industrial revolution, because the scale and scope of change is so massive.” – Nikki Barua
“Instead of being rigid in your views, or the skills you had in the past, or the beliefs you had, if you simply look at everything as an iterative process, you're just constantly in a state of motion and state of evolution moving upward and onward.” – Nikki Barua
“When everything is changing, your superpower becomes your ability to learn faster than the pace of change.” – Nikki Barua
“Look at failure as feedback, where you're getting evidence of what not to do, or maybe you're identifying an area of growth that you need to take action on.” – Nikki Barua
“Figure out how you can invest in your own self development, in your own growth by continuously learning, you have to become a lifelong learner and make learning a daily habit.”
“When you reframe failure as a learning opportunity and failure as feedback, you're able to keep moving forward, you are able to stay agile, adapt to change.”
“Success, ultimately, comes from consistent execution.”
About Nikki and Monica:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Contact Nikki and Monica:
Email: hello@beyondbarriers.co
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/
Have you ever been in a room full of powerful and influential people but didn’t know how to approach them? Or perhaps you needed a deal or an investment but didn’t have access to the
right decision makers?
Meet Tami Holzman, the queen connector, who shares with us her journey from C-Student to C-Suite by building lasting relationships, how your network fuels your net worth, and why emotional intelligence matters even more in the digital age.
Tami is an investor, advisor, entrepreneur, motivational speaker and author of the bestselling book “From C-Student to the C-Suite” a modern-day guide to business and relationships.
Tami shares actionable strategies on getting access to powerful people, always creating value in relationships, and showing up confidently and authentically to level up in your career.
Visit www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find shownotes and links to all the resources referenced in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Tami.
Highlights:
[00:54] About Tami Holzman
[04:11] Taking advantage of opportunities
[06:17] What success looks like for you
[06:55] Tami’s book, “C-Student to the C-Suite”
[08:55] Tami on Imposter Syndrome
[11:45] The power of emotional intelligence
[16:41] Don’t wait for perfection to act
[19:10] Finding an accountability partner
[20:30] How to gain access and expand your network
[23:32] Find ways to add value to someone else
[31:42] Lessons learned from failures and successes
[37:25] Advice on the key to success
Quotes:
“I think if you see opportunity along the way, and you're daring enough to go for it, then you
should pivot.” – Tami Holzman
“I think one thing we should all think about as we meet people in our careers is meet interesting people, you don't need the relationship maybe today, but you might need it tomorrow.” – Tami Holzman
“What does success look like? Success could be how you feel about yourself. Success can be how other people perceive you. Success is happiness. It has different forms along your journey.” – Tami Holzman
“I think the minute you could be your true self with people as much as possible it allows them to be themselves.” – Tami Holzman
“You should have mentors that are much much older than you and much much younger than you.” – Tami Holzman
“The smartest thing to do is surround yourself by people that are smarter than you.” – Tami Holzman
“If you have imposter syndrome, there's a good chance it's because you're pushing yourself to go further, and you're taking chances.” – Tami Holzman
“If you let people see that you may not know everything and you need help, then people can teach you and they can mentor you. And that's how you build strong relationships.” – Tami Holzman
“We're going to be a people-first economy with a people-first approach to business” – Tami Holzman
“Empathy is by far the most important skill set for a leader. If people are intimidated to talk to you, that's when the business is going to go south.” – Tami Holzman
“85% of getting business is due to your EQ and 15% due to logic. People will work with you if they like you and trust you.” – Tami Holzman
“Ask for money, get advice. Ask for advice, get money twice.” – Tami Holzman quoting PitBull
“I think no matter what you are, what level you are in, if you can add value to somebody else, that changes the course of your relationship.” – Tami Holzman
About Tami Holzman:
Tami loves to make people happy – whether that means giving a confidence boost, an introduction to that person they just can’t seem to get to, or strategic counseling on a not yet fully baked idea. She is passionate about helping people succeed.
Tami Holzman is the author of From C-Student to the C-Suite ; in just three days from launch, From C-Student to the C-Suite became an Amazon best seller and was ranked in the top 1% of
sales on Amazon.
From C-Student to the C-Suite is a modern-day guide to business and relationships – showing how a girl with straight C’s in school but straight A’s in Emotional Intelligence became savvy in the cutthroat business world.
Tami began her career in the entertainment industry as a talent agent, show creator and executive producer, with development deals at NBC, HBO and the Fox Network. She segued into a successful career as the EVP of avVenta, a marketing services firm leading global business development, which led to a successful acquisition to Accenture. Shortly after, Tami served as a Chief Brand Officer of the Plastic Bank, a social impact company turning waste into currency. Today, Tami is a LP with Halogen Ventures, angel investor, advisor, entrepreneur, motivational speaker and brand ambassador. Tami loves to mentor and promote opportunities for women.
Tami lives in Pacific Palisades, overlooking the Pacific Ocean where you can find her hosting friends while saluting the sun with a cocktail in hand and an ever-present smile on her face.
Tami is a guest lecturer at UCLA Marketing, USC and Loyola Marymount Entrepreneurship courses. In addition, Tami has a Certificate of Expertise from the University of Pennsylvania in
Positive Psychology, with an emphasis on emotional intelligence, resilience skills, mental agility, and optimism.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamiholzman/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/queenconnector/
Twitter: @queenconnector
Website: https://www.tamiholzman.com
Book: From C-Student to the C-Suite
(https://www.amazon.com/dp/161961412X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_kncvEb6ERXDYV)
Are you an ambitious woman who wants to dominate your career? Nikki Barua and Monica Marquez help you develop skillset, mindset and toolset to accelerate your success by developing courage.
In this episode, Nikki and Monica discuss Imposter Syndrome and its five archetypes. They share which archetypes they embody and their favorite habit or hack in tackling limiting beliefs, building confidence, and taking the next big leap.
In conclusion, Nikki and Monica challenge you to take one habit or hack and apply it to your personal life. In addition, they’d love for you to share it with them on Instagram. They look forward to hearing from you!
Highlights:
[00:40] Intro to Imposter Syndrome
[05:00] Five archetypes of imposter syndrome
[14:00] Hack to manage imposter syndrome
[18:00] Homework for the week
Quotes:
“Imposter syndrome creates this self-doubt where you pass up opportunities or not negotiate strongly for yourself.” – Monica Marquez
“Make a list of all of the accomplishments and the things that you are most proud of, that you’ve accomplished in your career.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki and Monica:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
As thought leaders in innovation and inclusion, they bring unique insights on career success in the digital age.
Contact Nikki and Monica:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/
Are you an ambitious woman who wants to dominate your career? In this episode, Monica Marquez talks with Ginny Clarke, Director of Leadership Staffing at Google and author of Career Mapping: Charting your Course in the New World of Work. Ginny shares critical insights on what you need to do to gain clarity about your strengths and how to communicate with recruiters to level up in your career.
Ginny is a single mom who faced adversity yet learned about herself and her strengths through each season on the way to becoming a leader in her executive recruiting career. She shares
pearls of wisdom, specifically for women, that she has learned along the way while encouraging the listeners to continually develop their skill set, not be bound by limited beliefs or fear, and
stretch beyond here and now in their career.
Ginny underscores that finding your success is a mindset which involves discovering your strengths and core competencies while pushing past what others think you should be doing. In addition, she shares consistent patterns that she sees hinder women from having confidence and owning their success.
She also expands on the importance of balancing personal and professional goals with boundaries, building a community around you, and the value of communication and time management skills. Tune in to level up your self awareness and practical life application while learning the intel to owning an interview and the future of your career.
Highlights:
[1:03] About Ginny Clarke
[5:34] How someone discovers their unique strengths in order to communicate to people
[7:40] How do you use those transferable skills to switch industries or switch roles?
[12:19] Struggling with fear and limiting beliefs
[16:04] Patterns that prevent women from showing up with confidence and owning their success
[20:56] Expiring skill sets and stretch opportunities
[24:58] Balancing personal and professional goals and setting boundaries
[30:02] Importance of community
[34:32] Future of work in digital age
[38:00] Advice on digital interviews
Quotes:
“Often what we love to do, is what we’re good at..often, that can mean we have to push away what other people expect of us.” – Ginny Clarke
“I’ve watched so many people get locked into one thing and what they don’t understand is they are a free agent and can own this process.” -Ginny Clarke
“Part of growing up is learning to deal with the ambiguity of uncertainty….You can’t be rigid and risk averse because that will limit you.” -Ginny Clarke
“Some of the mistakes women make in interviews and more broadly in their careers, they don’t come in willing to assert, ‘This is what I’m good at and this is how I do it.’” -Ginny Clarke
“Competencies trump experience...you have to be your own advocate. In the digital world, go learn it in your own time...to keep moving.” -Ginny Clarke
“Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re weak...if you’re sharing your vision, sometimes you don’t even have to ask for help.” -Ginny Clarke
“Communication is essential...one way to stand out is to be a really good writer and communicate effectively...be able to have a conversation and drive meetings.”
“Be crisp and clear what you want to share about yourself. Don’t just respond to questions...take yes and no questions and extrapolate.”
About Ginny Clarke:
Ginny Clarke joined Google in 2016 and leads the non-tech Leadership Recruiting Team as well as Diversity and Internal Mobility in Mountain View, CA. She oversees a team of recruiters who hire senior leaders (Directors +) for finance, sales, marketing and other G&A functions across North America. Additionally, she is responsible for driving diversity for all of Leadership Staffing, and for Internal Mobility of senior Googlers, globally.
Ginny is the author of “Career Mapping: Charting Your Course in the New World of Work” (published by Morgan James, 2011). The book provides a framework that empowers individuals to plot and assess their professional competencies, and strategically navigate their careers by leveraging their network to create opportunities for themselves.
She earned her BA in French and Linguistics from the University of California at Davis, and her MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School.
Links:
Website (coming soon): https://www.ginnyclarke.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginnyclarke/
Twitter: @ginnyclarke
Are you an ambitious woman who wants to dominate your career? In this episode, Nikki Barua and Monica Marquez help you develop the skillset, mindset and toolset to accelerate your success by discussing courage. They share the difference in fear and faith and the five essential elements to being courageous.
Along with sharing 5 essential elements to being courageous, Nikki shares her favorite habit or hack in tackling limiting beliefs and fear and becoming courageous. She shares that this hack has built a belief system where the past doesn’t matter but it’s about who you’re becoming. She encourages listeners that once you take action and get results, your confidence builds.
In conclusion, Nikki and Monica challenge you to take one habit or hack and apply it to your personal life. In addition, they’d love for you to share it with them on Instagram. They look forward to hearing from you!
Highlights:
[00:14} About Nikki Barua
[00:18] About Monica Marquez
[00:37] Welcome to Habits and Hacks
[00:43] Defining courage
[02:40] Courage in the five essential elements
[09:46] Nikki’s favorite habit or hack
[13:07] Homework for the week
Quotes:
“Courage is not the absence of fear but being able to move forward despite your fears.”
“Courageous people have more faith (belief something positive will happen) than fear (belief that something negative will happen).”
“Courageous people aren’t fearless. They just have learned to embrace faith more than fear and move forward with confidence.”
“The five essential elements:
1. Knowing how to assess your fears and limiting beliefs that are holding you back
2. Knowing how to assess you risks and make decisions with certainty and confidence
3. Knowing how to adopt powerful identities to achieve your goals
4. Knowing how to communicate and show up with confidence
5. Knowing how to own your achievements and promote the impact”
About Nikki and Monica:
Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
As thought leaders in innovation and inclusion, they bring unique insights on career success in the digital age.
Contact Nikki and Monica:
Email: hello@beyondbarriers.co
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/
Have you ever taken a chance and switched jobs? In this episode, we learn how to prepare for the first ninety days on the new job and the ways to make the most out of networking opportunities. Founder of KD Leadership Strategies, Executive Coach & Consultant, Kameka Dempsey joins the show.
Kameka partners with business leaders to deliver their business strategy through coaching, off-sites, team/individual development and assessments. She also currently serves as a Strategic Advisor, Facilitator and Executive Coach at BlackRock. Prior to starting her firm, she was Vice President Global Talent Management at BlackRock.
Kameka says that mentorship has been critical in her career. Her mentors have given her critical feedback that assisted her in climbing the corporate ladder. The best advice, in particular, was that you could have it all, you can’t have it all at the same time.
When joining a new role, Kameka says to spend the first ninety days doing a listening tour. Who should you be talking to in order to understand the organization? It takes between ninety and one-hundred days to do it well. A manager can help you lay the foundation.
Women do not think about the importance of strategic networking. Anytime that Kameka has had a misstep - she was able to course-correct via someone in her network. There should be people you know in your organization that you can go to. Often, women are not getting good feedback, that’s why networking and mentorship is so critical.
Stay tuned while Kameka explains how to balance personal and professional goals, ways to leverage your network, and how women can stay ahead, given the future of work.
Highlights:
[02:00] About Kameka Dempsey
[06:00] The importance of seeking mentorship
[09:50] What to do when joining a new organization
[13:25] Find people to deepen relationships with
[17:00] Struggling with imposter syndrome
[20:20] Competing between personal and professional goals [26:00] Leveraging and building your network
[31:50] How women can stay ahead given the future of work
Quotes:
“What are the important legs on my three-legged stool?” -Kameka Dempsey
“Make sure it’s the kind of environment that’s going to enable you to be successful.” -Kameka Dempsey
“Find 2-3 people that you can help, help you.” -Kameka Dempsey
“You may have to create an environment in which people give you feedback.” -Kameka Dempsey
“I said yes to everything – I took sixteen flights; ten flights were simply for work.” -Kameka Dempsey
“Always be learning.” -Kameka Dempsey
About Kameka Dempsey:
Kameka M. Dempsey, Founder of KD Leadership Strategies, is an Executive Coach, consultant and globally fluent facilitator. She partners with business leaders to deliver their business strategy through coaching, off-sites, team/individual development and assessments. She also currently serves as a Strategic Advisor, Facilitator and Executive Coach at BlackRock.
Prior to starting her firm, she was Vice President Global Talent Management at BlackRock. At BlackRock, Kameka was responsible for a wide-range of Talent Management activities including the global design and delivery of BlackRock’s leadership & management development programs. She was specifically responsible for various aspects of the talent strategy, program design and facilitation, assessments, Executive Coaching and other firm-wide development initiatives. In addition, she has been part of the Women's Leadership Forum design, facilitation and implementation team since its post-pilot launch. She also led BlackRock’s emerging work on unconscious bias through the Driving Better Decisions program.
Prior to her role at BlackRock, Kameka was with Goldman Sachs in the Office of Global Leadership & Diversity in a diverse talent strategy role covering six businesses. Kameka returned to the private sector from her appointment in the Senior Administration of Yale University, where she was also on the teaching staff of the Yale School of Management. Prior to her role at Yale, Kameka designed and delivered executive level educational programs at Duke Corporate Education for clients in various industries including financial services, technology, pharmaceuticals, beauty and government. Kameka began her career as a business consultant with Accenture, her focus being strategy consulting and business process design.
Kameka is a 2012 Women’s Leadership Fellow of the Impact Center’s Women’s Leadership Institute. Kameka holds a Bachelor’s degree from Yale University and Masters of Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is certified in the Hermann Brain Dominance Instrument, the Hogan Suite and various 360 instruments. She is a graduate of the Institute for Excellence in Coach Training Program, accredited by the International Coach Federation. She is a board member of the Phelps Association. She lives in New York City.
Links:
Website: www.kdleadershipstrategies.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kd-leadership-strategies
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kdlssays
How do you gain clarity? In this episode, Nikki Barua and Monica Marquez explain how they found their passions and identified their unique skills.
Change is constant; the only species that survive are the ones that adapt to the change. The challenge in innovation is about anticipating change and adapting quickly. Nikki built her reputation as an innovation expert and has guided people and organizations in adapting to change quickly. That’s why she is known as the Darwin of the Digital Age.
Early in her career, Nikki would attempt to fit into a box and define herself narrowly. However, she learned that your unique skill is something that comes effortlessly. Nikki discovered that her unique skill is her ability to see the big picture, connect-the-dots, and recognize patterns. Nikki says that to grow your impact, you must find the most significant platform where you can reach the most people, solve their problems and deliver massive value.
Monica always had a knack for finding creative solutions to problems. She didn’t see the lack of resources or tools as a limitation. Instead she had a gift in being resourceful and creative to solve the most challenging problems. She discovered that her unique skill was creativity and resourcefulness and it was something people valued greatly.
Monica wants to help other underdogs figure out the way and find opportunities. She takes her creativity and resourcefulness to pave the way for other underdogs. That’s why she is known as the McGyver of the Marginalized.
Highlights:
[01:00] How Nikki gained clarity
[04:50] How Nikki discovered what she wanted to be known for
[07:30] How Monica gained clarity
[12:10] How Monica discovered what she wanted to be known for
Quotes:
“I was always equal parts creative and analytical.” – Nikki Barua
“Every business is trying to adapt a change; you need to understand what change is likely to happen.” – Nikki Barua
“Change is happening so fast; if you don’t get ahead of that change, then you are going to be left behind.” – Nikki Barua
“It’s all about survival of the fastest and I help people adapt to change quickly. That’s why I am the Darwin of the Digital Age!” – Nikki Barua
“I learned that my creativity and resourcefulness was a skill I could use to be successful.” – Monica Marquez
“Identify the largest platform, share the message, and create opportunities for others to become aware.” – Monica Marquez
Links:
Take the Quiz: https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz/
In this episode, senior corporate leader and diversity expert, Monica Marquez joins the show. Throughout her career, Monica has pioneered industry-leading programs to help the disadvantaged gain breakthrough access to opportunities.
Monica decided that anytime an opportunity presented itself, she would take it, even if she struggled with self-doubt and fear. That led her to transitioning from academia to corporate and eventually to her entrepreneurial journey. You must focus on learning and growing and not let fear hold you back from taking on new opportunities.
Gender challenges are global. The biggest challenge we see for women is a lack of representation at the senior levels. There is a drop-off in mid-career where women do not get to a certain level of promotion. Some women choose to take a career break, which will take them on a more scenic route to the top.
There is a lack of support systems in the junior level. Women tend not to raise their hand and take more glamorous roles in an organization. They shy away from a more visible role. However, visibility will help women catapult in their careers.
Stay tuned to hear Monica reveal the top three things that helped her succeed, the future of work, and the importance of community.
Highlights:
[01:00] About Monica Marquez
[03:35] Transitioning from academia to corporate
[07:30] Entering the technology world
[11:15] Challenges that affect women in the workplace
[15:45] What Monica is most proud of in her career
[19:30] The top three things that helped Monica succeed
[22:45] The future of work
[27:20] Final advice from Monica
Quotes:
“Don't let an opportunity pass you by just because you don't know everything yet.” – Monica Marquez
“Each organization has its own unique culture. Immerse yourself in that culture, understand that culture, but most importantly, identify how success is defined in that particular culture.” – Monica Marquez
“Sometimes people have this habit of coming in and then wanting to figure it out themselves or being afraid to ask. I learned really quickly to get over the fear of asking questions.” – Monica Marquez
“If an opportunity presents itself, take it, then figure out what are the resources, what are the things that you need to do.” – Monica Marquez
“If you don't have enough diverse individuals and people coming from looking at problems and solutions from a different perspective, you are not be as successful. Diversity of thought helps organizations level up quicker and faster.” – Monica Marquez
About Monica Marquez:
Monica Marquez is a consciousness creator on a mission to champion equity for all in life, work and community. Throughout her career, Monica has pioneered industry-leading programs to help the disadvantaged gain breakthrough access to opportunities. She has led diversity and inclusion initiatives at some of the world’s best companies such as Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Ernst & Young, and Google.
As a young Latina growing up in a small West Texas town, Monica was the first in her family to go to graduate school and achieve significant professional success. Her experiences taught her that drive and determination alone are not enough – access to opportunities is essential for success. She became a relentless advocate for equity and is committed to rewriting the narrative for marginalized communities.
As a former radio show host, Monica knows how to connect with people across all walks of life. She is an opera singer who can fill any void with melody. And as an aerial acrobat, she is determined to always find a way.
Links:
Website: www.themonicamarquez.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez
Facebook: www.facebook.com/themonicamarquez
Instagram: @themonicamarquez
Twitter: @themmarquez
Have you ever wondered how to turn your obstacles into opportunities? In this episode, we talk about breaking through your barriers and owning your power. Serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, influencer, and international keynote speaker, Nikki Barua joins the show.
Nikki came to America as an immigrant from India. She worked hard, learned the best strategies, and the right habits. She climbed to the top of the corporate ladder, quit her job, and started her own business. After facing numerous rejections and failures, she overcame the barriers and built up a multi-million dollar business. Her journey taught her that obstacles give us the opportunity to level-up and get stronger and bolder.
How do you get the courage to make big moves? Nikki says we must have clarity about what we want and why we want it. That's what helps us take consistent action and then success becomes inevitable. Do not lose focus – it takes a lot of discipline and the right kind of mindset. Look at your failures as feedback. Keep trying new things until you figure out what works.
Entrepreneurship isn’t about building a business; it’s a journey about self-awareness. You discover what you are truly made of and what’s holding you back. Ultimately, you learn how to become the best version of yourself.
The three big lessons Nikki learned in her entrepreneurial journey:
1. Focus. It all comes down to focusing on the right thing.
2. Leverage. It’s hard to gain momentum without leverage.
3. Execution. It's about taking massive and consistent action.
Stay tuned to hear Nikki speak about her habits for success, the most significant technology trends, and the top business skills that are growing in demand. Plus, Nikki reveals three things that have helped her succeed and what she’s looking forward to in her career.
Highlights:
[01:00] About Nikki Barua
[03:05] How to find courage in ourselves
[04:30] Leaping into entrepreneurship
[07:55] What it’s like starting your own business
[11:50] Habits are truly a superpower
[18:30] The most significant trends in technology
[22:20] Business skills that will be in demand
[25:30] The top three things that helped Nikki succeed
[27:10] What Nikki is most looking forward to in her career
[30:20] Final advice from Nikki
Quotes:
“Our obstacles are the opportunity. Every time we face an obstacle, it's an opportunity for us to level up and get even stronger, even bolder, and even more of the best versions of ourselves.” – Nikki Barua
“The first step to courage is clarity. Part of what's holding us back is we're not really clear about what we want and why we want it.” – Nikki Barua
“I would regret never following my dream, much more than experiencing short term pain or loss.” – Nikki Barua
“Habits are truly a superpower. If you look at any successful person, they are all a product of great habits.” – Nikki Barua
“I'm actively choosing to make an investment of my time as opposed to expanding my time.” – Nikki Barua
“Whatever you're great at today, there isn't going to be a market for that tomorrow. You have to figure out how do you get ahead of the curve and disrupt yourself instead of being disrupted.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua:
Nikki Barua is a serial entrepreneur, international keynote speaker and bestselling author who is passionate about making the world more inclusive and innovative.
Nikki leads Beyond Barriers, a global leadership platform that empowers women professionals with digital-age skills to accelerate success.
Nikki has won numerous awards, including Entrepreneur of the Year by ACE, named as an EY North America Entrepreneurial Winning Woman, recognized as LA Woman of Influence by The Business Journals and Women of Entrepreneurship by LA Lakers and Comerica Bank. Her inspiring story of turning barriers into breakthroughs has been featured in national media including Fortune and Forbes.
Links:
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
What does it mean to have clarity?
Clarity is discovering your purpose and finding your path. Clarity is the key to success and a source of courage and confidence.
The five essential elements of clarity are:
-
Clarity on what you are passionate about and enjoy doing.
What inspires and elevates you? When you can sustain momentum, that’s how you become successful in your career. Gain clarity on your passion by discovering what that special something is that makes you want to jump out of your bed. It should be something you would do even if you weren’t getting paid for it. Identify your top ten heroes and think about what makes them heroic. -
Clarity on your unique skills, strengths, and competencies.
There is usually one thing that we can be the best at. Identify the one thing that you enjoy and are highly skilled at. This can be the result of experience. Ask your colleagues for feedback in order to identify your most valued skill. Another thing you can do is look at your past successes. -
Clarity on which of those competencies are highly valued in the market.
The market is constantly shifting. A skill that is in demand today may not be in demand tomorrow. Have a pulse on where your industry is headed – you have to know where the demand is shifting. -
Clarity on what you want to be known for in the world.
Identify the niche you want to dominate that is aligned with your passions and purpose. What do you want to build your reputation and personal brand around? Define a specific market segment that you want to focus on. -
Clarity on how to accelerate what I want to be known for.
Keep taking on new challenges and experiences. Determine how to get the most leverage and evaluate the best options to achieve your goals. Are you taking the right route to get where you need to go?
Highlights:
[00:50] Understanding what drives clarity
[01:55] I have clarity on what I’m passionate about and enjoy doing
[06:30] I have clarity on my unique skills, strengths, and competencies
[10:30] I have clarity on which of those competencies are highly valued in the market
[15:05] I have clarity on what I want to be known for in the world
[16:50] I have clarity on how to accelerate what I want to be known for
Quotes:
“Don’t confuse your passions with your hobbies.” – Nikki Barua
“You have to be great at what you’re doing today while learning how to be great at what you’ll have to
do tomorrow.” – Nikki Barua
“Assess what you’re doing and how that maps to what you want to be known for.” – Nikki Barua
“What do you need to do to help you get there faster?” – Nikki Barua
Links:
Website: https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iBeyondBarriers
Whether you are just getting started or hungry to get ahead, simply working hard is no longer enough to advance your career. You must keep learning new skills and adapt to a rapidly changing business landscape.
If you are an ambitious woman who wants to dominate your career, then the Beyond Barriers podcast is for you. Discover why traditional career strategies are outdated, what skills are growing in demand, and how to stand up and stand out in the workplace.
This podcast is co-hosted by Nikki Barua - Digital Innovator, Serial Entrepreneur, Author & Speaker. And Monica Marquez - ex-Googler, Diversity Expert and Senior Corporate Leader. As thought leaders in innovation and inclusion, we bring unique insights on career success and what it takes to turn your barriers into breakthroughs.
In each episode, we interview C-level executives, industry influencers, and business leaders from top corporations. Listen to our guests share their perspectives on opportunities and challenges in the age of artificial intelligence, autonomy and authenticity.
From inspiring stories to cutting-edge strategies, you’ll learn how to develop the skillset, mindset and toolset to get future-ready fast and accelerate your success.
Share comments and topic suggestions on https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com and we’ll be sure to address them in future episodes. We’d love to hear from you!
Links:
Website: https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iBeyondBarriers