How Women Inspire: Invest, Lead, Give: Recent Episodes
How Women Lead
How Women Inspire: Invest, Lead, Give sets out to bring the voices of empowered and inspiring women forward to share their stories of stepping into leadership positions. We aspire to share what is possible and encourage more women to leap, striving for these board and c-suite positions themselves to change the path towards a more inclusive future. This podcast will share stories on how women lead and how their leadership opens the doors for the greater value of opportunities for others. By listening to this podcast, listeners will feel empowered to level up themselves or invest in women-led and women-founded companies to change the world of business. Find out more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/
Are you a woman with financial resources, feeling frustrated by the challenges you see in the world, from limited representation for women in leadership to underfunded female-led companies? Do you believe your money could do more than just grow in a traditional portfolio – that it could be a powerful tool for change? In this episode of How Women Inspire, we tackle the exciting intersection of women’s wealth and global impact with Laura Henson. Discover how women hold the key to transforming industries, driving innovation, and solving critical problems by intentionally investing in the future they want to see. This week’s episode 179 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about building wealth through values-aligned investing!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Laura Henderson is sharing the importance of investing with purpose and aligning investments with personal values. and actionable steps you can take right now to take control of where your investments are directed.
Laura Henderson is the Founder and CEO of HVM Communications. A seasoned marketer with more than two decades of experience in high-level strategic communications, Laura launched HVM Communications in 2009. A communications expert who specializes in business and lifestyle, she has developed strategic plans, and managed campaign execution for some of the world’s most admired brands, such as Hermès, PHYTO Paris, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, Method, European Wax Center, Asprey, Pratesi, Missoni and Salvatore Ferragamo.
Some of the talking points Julie and Laura go over in this episode include:
- The power and influence women have by currently controling 52% of the wealth.
- Aligning your investments with female founders to help close the funding gap.
- The importance of discussing investing with your friends and other women you know to help break the stigma that women “don’t know about investments.”
- How venture investing is more accessible than people think - often starting at $25,000.
Your investments can be a direct reflection of your values. Don't sit on the sidelines when you can be a catalyst for change. Take control of your financial power and step into the venture space. Explore investment opportunities, join communities like How Women Inspire that connect you with funds and female founders, and start making your money work for the world you envision.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH LAURA HENSON:
HVM Communications
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
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Facebook - HWL
Content Warning: This episode includes mention of child and animal neglect and abuse.
There’s a developmental stage between 45-65 where having an impact is one of the most important parts of this stage in our lives and it is so important to take a moment to reflect on the impact we want to have on the world.Today, we’re focusing on Julie’s story and how she came to the work she does today with How Women Lead. This week’s episode 178 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about philanthropy, racial justice, and feminist leadership!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams shares how her childhood experiences were the foundation for her decision early in life to spend the rest of her life trying to make the world a better place and reflecting on her continued efforts to open her heart and door to others by caring for them and loving and accepting them as they are.
Some of the talking points Julie goes over in this episode include:
- Being cognizant of the power dynamics in nonprofit organizations and setting realistic expectations of gratitude.
- Sharing Maimonides ‘Ladder of Philanthropy’ and the high value placed on philanthropy through partnership.
- The 3 levels of impact Julie focuses on and examples of how this has played out in her life.
- Encouraging you to have a north star of your own values to drive the impact and influence you have on the world.
Julie shares her story to show that being a life-long philanthropist and living a life of service is not easy but the gifts that come for both you and the people you help are immeasurable.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Are you a woman leader or entrepreneur considering a career pivot, especially from academia to the dynamic startup world? Do you wonder how to navigate this transition, build crucial relationships, and drive innovation in a new industry? This episode of How Women Inspire addresses these very challenges, offering invaluable insights into making a successful leap and fostering meaningful connections.This week’s episode 177 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about transitioning from academia to startups!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Grace Wei is sharing the importance of building relationships and maintaining connections with experts and mentors. and actionable steps you can take right now to build a team culture at your startup.
Grace Wei has held the position of COO at Encellin since 2016. Prior to that, Grace worked as a biologist at UCSF from 2005 to 2015. Grace Wei has a Bachelor's Degree in Human Genetics from McGill University and a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Chicago. Grace also completed programs at Stanford University Graduate School of Business and Y Combinator.
Some of the talking points Julie and Grace go over in this episode include:
- Why building and maintaining strong relationships is paramount for founders and leaders
- The unique benefits of different accelerators and how they can provide access to experts, community, and professional coaching for your startup journey.
- How transitioning from a specialized field like academia to a startup environment requires humility and a willingness to seek advice
- The importance of team culture for startup success, and how that differs from academia.
What steps will you take today to cultivate your network and embrace new challenges?
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH GRACE WEI:
Encellin
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Are you a top executive woman feeling the call for a significant career change, but grappling with the fear of the unknown, the exhaustion of past challenges, or the question of "who am I" outside of your corporate identity? In this episode of How Women Inspire, Julie Castro Abrams, JeanAnn Nochols, and Lori Igleski dive deep into the world of career pivots, offering a roadmap to make your transition less stressful and more fulfilling. Join them as they explore how to align your mindset, leverage community support, and discover your true north in your next professional evolution. This week’s episode 176 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about career pivots: navigating your next chapter with joy and success!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, JeanAnn Nichols and Lori Igleski are sharing the importance of aligning professional choices with personal values and actionable steps you can take right now to prepare yourself for a meaningful career pivot.
JeanAnn Nichols is an accomplished executive with more than 30 years of diverse professional experience. She has managed engineering, product design, manufacturing, marketing, sales, communications, and IT operations for Fortune 500 companies. Most recently she served as a Vice President and General Manager for a $60B global technology company.
Lori Igleski founded Heart-Led Ventures LLC in 2022, leveraging decades of financial services experience to guide organizations through transformational change and ensure the next generation of diverse leaders benefits from her expertise. Throughout her career, she spearheaded over 35 significant merger and acquisition integrations, reorganizations, and technology implementations, passionately advocating for both the client and employee experience by building robust change management and employee engagement strategies.
Some of the talking points Julie, JeanAnn, and Lori go over in this episode include:
- Prioritizing professional rest and mindset alignment.
- Addressing common fears during a career pivot and embracing self-discovery.
- Leveraging community support for resilience.
- Building a portfolio career to fulfill diverse needs.
What is one small step you can take today to align your current professional path with your deepest values? Share this episode with a friend who might be contemplating their own career pivot, and subscribe to How Women Inspire for more insights on leading, investing, and giving.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH JEANANN NICHOLS:
Website
CONNECT WITH LORI IGLESKI:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Moving your career to the boardroom can be nerve-racking, but it’s never a journey you take alone. Join us as we sit down with Essye Miller, a distinguished public and private company board director. Drawing from her extensive 35-year career at the Department of Defense, including roles as CIO and CISO, Essye shares her unique journey transitioning from government service to corporate boardrooms. She offers invaluable guidance on leveraging public sector experience for private industry opportunities, navigating board interviews, building a robust digital presence, and her core philosophies on leadership and mentoring the next generation. This week’s episode 175 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about translating your experience for the board room!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Essye Miller is sharing the importance of reframing your work experience for your board journey and actionable steps you can take right now to prepare yourself for the search for board opportunities in both the public and private sectors.
Essye Miller is the former CIO of the United States Department of Defense, where she held governance, charted strategy, piloted the DoD’s information enterprise overseeing its 11-figure budget, and influenced the overall technology strategy. Today, Essye is a public and private company board director and the CEO of Executive Business Management, her consultancy focuses on providing services and advisory to corporate businesses, government, and NGO clients on cybersecurity, information management, information technology, and national defense.
Some of the talking points Julie and Essye go over in this episode include:
- Knowing when to pivot to a new direction in your career, such as from corporate to board service.
- The importance of understanding the culture, dynamics, and values of the company before joining their board.
- Creating a body of work with speaking engagements, articles, etc. for people to find you beyond your LinkedIn profile.
- Recognizing that Superwoman does not exist and that communication is key in balancing family and work.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH ESSYE MILLER:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
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Facebook - HWL
Now more than ever, we need more diverse voices in positions of leadership, and preparing and supporting women on their journey to getting a board seat is what we do here at How Women Lead. In this episode, Robin Washington shares with us insights behind her remarkable career, emphasizing the power of self-assurance, strategic networking, and authentic leadership. We discuss discusses the crucial work of increasing Black women's representation in C-suites and boardrooms, offering invaluable advice for anyone seeking to amplify their influence and drive meaningful change. This week’s episode 174 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about diverse and inclusive board representation!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Robin Washington is sharing the importance of diversity of thought and inclusivity in business and actionable steps you can take right now to create space for authenticity through your leadership.
Robin Washington is President and COFO at Salesforce, where she leads Business Strategy and Operations, Global Finance, Employee Success, Global Strategic Customers and Partners, Marketing, Communications, and Real Estate and Workplace Services. She is responsible for driving profitable growth and operational excellence—while accelerating the transformation of every company into an Agentforce company, in the new agentic era. Robin also currently serves on the board of directors of Alphabet.
Some of the talking points Julie and Robin go over in this episode include:
- Robin’s top ten words of wisdom for women everywhere.
- The critical importance of increasing Black women's representation in C-suites and boardrooms.
- Strategies for building powerful connections and finding allies.
- The importance of creating space for your employees and team members to be their authentic selves.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH ROBIN WASHINGTON:
Black Women on Boards
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
In this powerful episode of How Women Lead, host Julie Castro Abrams dives deep into the often-underestimated power of mentoring, sponsorship, and advising. Join Julie as she shares crucial insights on how women leaders can fiercely advocate for each other, counter damaging cultural narratives, and actively work to close the gender funding gap. Discover actionable strategies for becoming a vital partner and guide, particularly for women innovating in critical fields like climate tech and social impact, and learn why your unique experience is exactly what the next generation of leaders desperately needs. This week’s episode 173 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about shaping the future through mentoring and sponsorship!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams is sharing the importance of supporting founders more than monetarily and actionable steps you can take right now to start mentoring other women.
Some of the talking points Julie goes over in this episode include:
- The importance of senior leaders showing up as partners and guides.
- Practical advice for mentors, including thinking about new perspectives you can offer.
- The role of advisors in supporting social impact leaders and nonprofit organizations.
- Ways to begin your mentorship journey, including the Global Advisor program.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Are you standing at a crossroads, wondering where your life force should go next? This week on How Women Inspire, Julie Castro Abrams invites you to explore middlescence and what it means for your future. It's a time for honest reflection, taking stock of what you've built, and considering the true cost of continuing on the same path. Julie shares her personal journey and insights into the courage required to unlearn, redesign your life to align with your deepest values, and step into your next chapter with greater meaning and impact. This week’s episode 172 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about unlocking your portfolio life in middlescence!
In this episode of the How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams is sharing the importance of taking time to reflect on where you are currently in your career and actionable steps you can take right now to begin exploring new options for your next stage of life.
Some of the talking points Julie goes over in this episode include:
- How to navigate career transitions and make meaningful changes.
- Strategies for overcoming cultural narratives and embracing your true self.
- The importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing your well-being.
- Tips for leveraging your experience for board seats, social impact, and more.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Ever wondered what keeps board members up at night, beyond just the financial spreadsheets? Today we’re diving into the complex world of corporate governance in the digital age with Dottie Schindlinger, Executive Director of the Diligent Institute. In this conversation, Dottie unpacks the critical issues facing modern boards, from AI ethics and climate leadership to the ever-evolving landscape of cyber risk and the looming potential of quantum computing. This week’s episode 171 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about corporate governance in the digital age!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Dottie Schindlinger is sharing the importance of corporate boards addressing climate change and other major issues and actionable steps you can take right now to continue to educate yourself as a board member.
Dottie Schindlinger is the Executive Director of the Diligent Institute, the independent corporate governance research arm and think tank of Diligent Corporation. The Diligent Institute informs, educates, and connects leaders to champion governance excellence by providing cutting-edge research on the most pressing issues of corporate governance and offering certifications and educational programs that equip leaders with the knowledge and credentials needed to guide their organizations through existential challenges. Dottie also hosts The Corporate Director Podcast.
Some of the talking points Julie and Dottie go over in this episode include:
- Dottie’s journey into the world of corporate governance and building BoardEffect.
- Issues likely to be discussed in boardrooms over the next few years, including quantum computing.
- The three main jobs of a board: insight, oversight, and foresight.
- The importance of board chairs building strategic partnerships with their CEOs and fostering trust and goodwill.
Don’t forget to check out Dottie’s book Governance in the Digital Age: A Guide for the Modern Corporate Board Director!
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH DOTTIE SCHINDLINGER:
X (formerly Twitter)
Diligent Institute
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Ever wondered what it truly takes to shatter glass ceilings and secure a seat at the corporate boardroom table? In this powerful episode, we dive deep into the journey of Kimberley Goode, Senior Advisor at BMO Financial Group as she unravels the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of women navigating the path to board leadership. This conversation offers invaluable insights and actionable steps for anyone aspiring to make a significant impact in the world of corporate governance and beyond. This week’s episode 170 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about preparing women for corporate boards!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Kimberley Goode shares the importance of networking before you’re ready to be on a board and actionable steps you can take right now to prepare yourself for your search for a board seat.
Kimberley Goode is Senior Advisor at BMO Financial Group and a board director at Providence Health Plan. She is a leader with passion for stakeholder engagement strategies, integrated communication, reputation management, brand building, corporate social responsibility, culture, diversity and inclusion. Kimberley has been recognized on the Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business list by the San Francisco Business Times, as one of the Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America by Savoy magazine, and many others.
Some of the talking points Julie and Kimberley go over in this episode include:
- Utilizing board readiness classes and opportunities to prepare you for board service when the time is right.
- The importance of relationships and accountability in board service.
- Prioritizing board service based on stage and season of life.
- The need for diverse perspectives on boards to avoid recreating institutional biases in the changing world.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH KIMBERLEY GOODE:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Ready to shatter the glass ceiling of venture investing? Let’s dive deep into the transformative world of women-led investments. In this episode of How Women Inspire, Amy Dawson and Alissa Livingston unpack the stark reality that women control 52% of wealth yet receive only 2% of venture funding - and why that's about to change. With candid insights, personal stories, and a roadmap for getting started, this conversation is a rallying cry for women to step into their financial potential, challenge traditional investment narratives, and create meaningful economic impact. This week’s episode 169 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about how women investors are changing the venture investing landscape!
This episode was created in partnership with the Nasdaq Foundation. Together, we are working to educate, inspire, and engage women from diverse backgrounds on venture investing and entrepreneurship. Did you know that only 2% of venture funding goes to women-led companies? Together, we are working to show that women are the new face of venture investing.
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Amy Dawson and Alissa Livingston are sharing the importance of approaching investing as a community and actionable steps you can take right now to overcome your internal roadblocks keeping you from investing.
Alissa Livingston is the AVP of Finance Strategies & Initiatives at Saks Global. When she's not using data to analyze new business opportunities, she's taking trapeze lessons or traveling with her two children. Alissa received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University in Chicago, and an MBA from Columbia Business School in the City of New York. She's spent time in Technology Consulting, Investment Banking, and Luxury Retail.
Amy Dawson is a product executive with over 20 years of experience in transforming visions into successful commercial ventures. She excels at identifying product-market fit, developing bundled solutions, scaling new product development from concept to profitability, and driving cross-functional execution for sustainable growth. Amy also serves as a board member for How Women Lead.
Some of the talking points Amy and Alissa go over in this episode include:
- The benefits of learning together, the welcoming and collaborative nature of the venture ecosystem.
- How seeing other women successfully invest can inspire you to confront your investing fears.
- Using your investing journey to teach the next generation about financial literacy and establishing new norms in investing.
- The personal satisfaction and impact of supporting women founders who address issues affecting women and society.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH ALISSA LIVINGSTON:
CONNECT WITH AMY DAWSON:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
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Facebook - HWL
Are you ready to unlock the secrets to financial empowerment and strategic vision? Today’s episode features a dynamic conversation with Anne Myong, a global transformational leader and operating partner at How Women Invest. Join Julie Castro Abrams as they delve into the critical aspects of financial intelligence, portfolio decisions, and building wealth, specifically tailored for women investors. Anne shares her remarkable journey from Fortune 100 boardrooms to startup success, offering invaluable insights on navigating economic cycles, leveraging compounding interest, and making impactful investment choices. Get ready to elevate your financial acumen and gain the strategic perspective needed to achieve your investment goals and create lasting financial freedom. This week’s episode 168 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about financial intelligence and strategic vision for women investors!
This episode was created in partnership with the Nasdaq Foundation. Together, we are working to educate, inspire, and engage women from diverse backgrounds on venture investing and entrepreneurship. Did you know that only 2% of venture funding goes to women-led companies? Together, we are working to show that women are the new face of venture investing.
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Anne Myong is sharing the importance of starting your investing journey early and actionable steps you can take right now to have financial conversations with your kids to impact them for a lifetime.
Anne Myong is a board member, investor, and advisor to eCommerce, medical device, technology, social media, AI, and retail organizations on finance, audit, mergers & acquisitions, business development, and corporate governance. Anne is on the board of Align Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALGN), Audit Committee Chairperson, a SEC-qualified financial expert, and a member of the Compensation and Human Capital Committee. From 2016-2022, she was a Board Director, Treasurer, and Chairperson of the Audit and Finance Committees of Goodwill Industries International, a $6B donated goods retail and workforce development non-profit organization.
Some of the talking points Julie and Anne go over in this episode include:
- Opportunities for women to start investing, even with small amounts, and exploring venture capital as an investment class.
- How women can educate themselves about finance and investing.
- Anne’s leadership experience across countries and companies.
- Building wealth and long-term financial strategies.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH ANNE MYONG:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Feeling overwhelmed by the world of investing? You're not alone! Today, we take a dive deep into demystifying financial planning and wealth building with Julianne Averill, an extraordinary CFO, investor, and board advisor. Julianne shares her journey from a music major to a financial powerhouse, revealing accessible strategies for everyone—from those starting with a small windfall to seasoned professionals looking to diversify their portfolios. Get ready to learn practical tips on automation, risk management, and how to confidently step into your investment power, no matter your experience level. This week’s episode 167 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about automation, venture capital, and wealth building!
This episode was created in partnership with the Nasdaq Foundation. Together, we are working to educate, inspire, and engage women from diverse backgrounds on venture investing and entrepreneurship. Did you know that only 2% of venture funding goes to women-led companies? Together, we are working to show that women are the new face of venture investing.
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julianne Averill is sharing the importance of setting long-term investment plans and actionable steps you can take right now to simplify your investing journey.
Julianne Averill is a healthcare AI executive, strategic CFO, and board leader with 20+ years of experience scaling digital health and biopharma companies, driving billions in capital raises and M\&A. She advises boards and investors on strategy, leveraging her expertise in digital transformation, CPA, SHRM-CP, GenAI, and board certification (NACD.DC). Currently, she is Audit Committee Chair for CureSearch, Operating Advisor to How Women Invest, and Managing Director at Danforth Advisors, leading growth in the SF/West Coast market and serving as interim CFO for late-stage companies, advising on IPOs and capital markets transactions. Her prior leadership roles include finance and strategy at global institutions and venture-backed companies across banking, techbio, and health tech.
Some of the talking points Julie and Julianne go over in this episode include:
- Julianne’s definition of success in investing and investment journey.
- Automating your investments for your busy life.
- Starting small and other advice for beginner investors.
- Setting up and dividing your investment “buckets” based on your income.
Remember, you have what it takes to start making knowledgable investments for your future, and you don’t need a lot of money to get started!
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH JULIANNE AVERILL:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Join us for a powerful conversation about women, wealth, and wielding your influence! Today, certified financial planner Sherry Finkel Murphy, founder of MadrinaMolly, shares with us how she’s revolutionizing how women approach their finances and futures. We talk about the cultural narratives, understand the intricacies of risk and opportunity, and learn how to leverage your unique strengths to build a secure and impactful financial legacy. This isn't just another money talk; it's about stepping into your power and creating the future you truly desire. This week’s episode 166 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about financial wisdom and building a secure future!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Sherry Finkel Murphy is sharing the importance of beginning to learn about the details of your financial life at any age and actionable steps you can take right now to handle your money responsibly and plan for your future.
Sherry Finkel Murphy is Founder and CEO of MadrinaMolly, LLC, a content community and platform that creates and distributes financial and longevity planning education through powerful storytelling. Sherry is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional (CFP®,) Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®,) and Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®.) With 40+ years in multiple successful careers, she excels in helping clients fund both retirement and continuous reinvention. Focusing on a cohort of (mostly) women from 40s to 70s, Sherry delivers financial and longevity planning education in easy-to-understand language.
Some of the talking points Julie and Sherry go over in this episode include:
- Balancing risk and safety in your finances using a pie analogy.
- Automating your savings and investment contributions to ensure consistent growth.
- The role of community and affinity groups in supporting women's financial education and success.
- The benefits of investing in venture through a self-directed Roth IRA.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH SHERRY FINKEL MURPHY:
Website
MadrinaMolly™
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Did you know over 60% of California families speak multiple languages at home? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Anya Hurwitz, Executive Director of SEAL, to unravel the complexities and triumphs of educational equity for multilingual learners. We explore Dr. Hurwitz’s passionate dedication to redesigning education, balancing emotional support with systemic change, and empowering teachers to unlock the full potential of every child. Discover the power of language, the importance of cultural inclusion, and how to transform challenges into opportunities for collective impact. This week’s episode 165 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about educational equity for multilingual learners!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Anya Hurwitz is sharing the importance of unlocking all of a child’s potential and actionable steps you can take right now to build a team of mentors and supporters in our lives.
Dr. Anya Hurwitz is the President and Executive Director of Sobrato Early Academic Language, a nonprofit in California that works with school districts, county offices of education, schools, preschool LEAs, teachers, families, California Department of Education, and many other education champions to advance educational outcomes of English Learners and Dual Language Learners. Dr. Anya has a longstanding commitment to creating the conditions for public schools to meet the diverse needs of their students’ academic and socio-emotional development. She has worked as a teacher, school leader, district administrator, and within the educational nonprofit sector.
Some of the talking points Julie and Anya go over in this episode include:
- SEAL's mission to help multilingual learners in California and beyond learn, thrive, and lead.
- Several barriers to multilingual education, including the historical context of language policies and the lack of bilingual teachers.
- The balance between fear and courage in leadership roles.
- The power of relationships across different ages and the importance of learning from younger people.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH ANYA HURWITZ:
X (formerly Twitter)
SEAL website
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
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Imagine a world where freezing your eggs isn't just a luxury for the wealthy, and starting a family is a journey filled with ethical considerations and genuine support. That world is becoming a reality thanks to Lauren Makler, founder of Cofertility. In this episode of How Women Inspire, Julie sits down with Lauren to explore the revolutionary ways Cofertility is changing the landscape of reproductive health. From their innovative 'split program' making egg freezing accessible, to their commitment to ethical egg donation and supporting diverse family structures, Lauren's vision is reshaping how we think about family building and gender equality. This week’s episode 164 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about revolutionizing egg donation and fertility solutions!
This episode was created in partnership with the Nasdaq Foundation. Together, we are working to educate, inspire, and engage women from diverse backgrounds on venture investing and entrepreneurship. Did you know that only 2% of venture funding goes to women-led companies? Together, we are working to show that women are the new face of venture investing.
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Lauren Makler is sharing the importance of education and opportunities around fertility solutions and actionable steps you can take right now to support others in their family planning.
Lauren Makler is the Co-Founder and CEO of Cofertility, a human-first fertility ecosystem rewriting the egg freezing and egg donation experience. Previously, as an early Uber employee, Lauren founded Uber Health, a product that enables healthcare organizations to leverage Uber’s massive driver network in improving healthcare outcomes through patient transportation and healthcare delivery. After a rare disease diagnosis, Lauren’s fertility journey led her to believe that everyone should have the opportunity to freeze their eggs–and that there should be better access to egg donors. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their miracle baby girl.
Some of the talking points Julie and Lauren go over in this episode include:
- The lack of diversity in egg donors and the transactional nature of traditional egg donation.
- Lauren’s personal journey with fertility and how it inspired her to pursue creating Cofertility.
- The importance of inclusive regulatory policies that support all types of families.
- The concerns of Gen Z women about their fertility and encouraging awareness and education.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH LAUREN MAKLER:
Cofertility
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
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In the US, women control roughly 85% of the household purchases, which means shopping isn’t just a necessity, it’s a superpower we wield. Diane Osgood, author of the forthcoming book 'Your Shopping Superpower' and co-author of 'The Carbon Almanac.’ Diane, a seasoned expert with over 30 years of experience in sustainable and ethical products and services, delves into the transformative power of women's consumer spending, supporting women-owned and minority-owned businesses, combating climate change, and more through reevaluating and changing how we spend our money. This week’s episode 163 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about understanding your shopping superpower!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Diane Osgood is sharing the importance of understanding the implications of your spending habits and actionable steps you can take right now to research and shop in a sustainable way.
Diane Osgood is an author and sustainability strategist with 30 years of experience. She helps businesses embed sustainability and ESG into their operations to increase profits, create sustainable products and services, and manage risks. She works with brands, HR, business and product innovation, customer experience, environmental performance, reporting, and charitable activities. Osgood was a senior advisor to President Clinton for the Clinton Global Initiative and served on the Vatican Arts and Technology Council. As VP for Sustainability Strategy at BSR, she co-led BSR’s transformation by growing revenue by 28% over three years. She specializes in sustainability strategy, climate change action, sustainable finance, innovation, social-enterprise, and impact assessment and reporting.
Some of the talking points Julie and Diane go over in this episode include:
- The impact of consumer spending on the economy and how women control roughly 85% of household spending.
- Diane’s journey to study and work in environmental economics, started by witnessing the impact of deforestation.
- Practical steps for sustainable, well-researched shopping.
- Supporting women and minority-owned businesses as a way to vote for a more equitable economy.
Don’t forget to hear over to https://www.dianeosgood.com/books to pre-order your copy of Your Shopping Superpower!
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH DIANE OSGOOD:
Osgood Consulting
Website
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
In this challenging world that’s full of bias against women, the only person guaranteed to advocate for you is you. Today, we sit down with marketing powerhouse Patti Newcomer for an insightful conversation that's sure to ignite your ambition. Patti shares her personal journey, career advice for women in STEM and leadership, and valuable strategies for building intergenerational wealth. She dives deep into overcoming systemic bias, creating your own personal board of directors, and the importance of financial literacy. No matter where you are in your career, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you step into your power and create the future you envision. This week’s episode 162 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about career advice, investing, and overcoming systemic bias!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Patti Newcomer is sharing the importance of always having a point of view in your career and actionable steps you can take right now to build your personal board of directors.
Patti Newcomer is the Chief Marketing Officer at Centerbase, a cloud-based legal practice management solution that gives mid-sized firms the power to streamline their daily tasks with ease and efficiency.. Patti has a unique analytical background and extensive experience in product design and development, marketing strategy and campaigns, consumer research and insights, direct marketing communications, customer experience design and brand strategy and advertising. Patti has a passion for starting from the consumer to develop business-building marketing plans.
Some of the talking points Julie and Patti go over in this episode include:
- Setting boundaries and priorities in the workplace and at home.
- The difference between mentorship and advocacy and the impact of having a supportive manager.
- Unique challenges women face in leadership roles, such as managing emotional work and dealing with systemic bias.
- The importance of financial literacy and planning for the future.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH PATTI NEWCOMER:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Now more than ever, it’s important for women to master their money and business strategies for financial freedom and success. Forget the myth that money is just 'numbers' - in today’s episode, Melissa Houston is tackling the emotional side of finance, unraveling cultural narratives that hold women back, and equipping you with actionable strategies for sales, marketing, and securing venture funding. Get ready to unlock your financial confidence and turn your business dreams into a profitable reality! This week’s episode 161 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about women’s financial confidence and breaking through business barriers!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast,Melissa Houston is sharing the importance of understanding your business’s finances and actionable steps you can take right now to find the right CPA for your business.
Melissa Houston, CPA, and founder of She Means Profit™, is an internationally-selling author and Forbes.com contributor with over 25 years of experience in financial management for small businesses. She helps professional Gen X women build wealth through her proprietary 6-step P.R.O.F.I.T. Method™ Framework.
Some of the talking points Julie and Melissa go over in this episode include:
- The importance of mindset in financial success.
- Overcoming self-limiting beliefs about money to improve business success.
- The cultural narratives that hold women back, including that sales aren’t for women.
- Creating a professional relationship with a CPA.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH MELISSA HOUSTON:
She Means Profit
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
By 2030, it’s estimated that women will have control of over 60% of wealth in the United States. But historically, not only have women not played a big role in investing, but companies founded and led by women only receive around 2% of available venture funding. It’s time for us to take the reins, invest in the technology and women of the future, and make it part of our sound wealth-generating strategies. Rachel Zayas, CEO of AGED is here today to share her story of starting her company, pivoting when necessary, the difficulties of raising funds, and more. This week’s episode 160 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about values-based investing in women-lead startups!
This episode was created in partnership with the Nasdaq Foundation. Together, we are working to educate, inspire, and engage women from diverse backgrounds on venture investing and entrepreneurship. Did you know that only 2% of venture funding goes to women-led companies? Together, we are working to show that women are the new face of venture investing.
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Rachel Zayas is sharing the importance of investing in companies founded and led by women and actionable steps you can take right now to support women founders beyond monetary investments.
Rachel Zayas is the Founder and CEO of Active Genomes Expressed Diagnostics (AGED), a diagnostics venture focused on developing diagnostic tools for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH, liver disease) and fibrosis (liver scarring). Her expertise ranges from genetics, clinical research, grant writing to product development. Rachel has a Masters in Biotechnology and Business from American University.
Some of the talking points Julie and Rachel go over in this episode include:
- The challenges of raising capital, especially in the last few years.
- Clear communication and confidence when pitching and talking to investors.
- Listening to customers and pivoting when necessary - it's rare to get it right the first time!
- Being unapologetically bold, present, and courageous as a woman leader.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH RACHEL ZAYAS:
AGED Diagnostics
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
In this episode, Julie and Liz Mabey share insights from a recent How Women Lead trip to Puerto Rico, focusing on the power of connection and authenticity among women leaders. They cover topics like escaping the "performance mode" we’re often in as women, overcoming self-limiting beliefs, and the impact of deep friendships formed during shared experiences. This week’s episode 159 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about breaking out of performance mode!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Liz Mabey are sharing the importance of taking time away from work and actionable steps you can take right now to create space for growth.
Some of the talking points Julie and Liz go over in this episode include:
- The importance of escaping professional “performance mode” to recharge.
- Sharing a trip with other professional women who understand your circumstances and can support you.
- Creating room to challenge yourself and grow.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH LIZ MABEY:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
What if I told you that women are poised to control trillions of dollars in wealth, yet only a fraction of venture capital funding goes to women-led businesses? It's time to change that narrative. Today, Julie Castro Abrams and Jackie Schafer discuss how we can support women founders, close the gender funding gap, and create a future where women's leadership thrives. This week’s episode 158 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about closing the funding gap and supporting women founders in venture capital!
This episode was created in partnership with the Nasdaq Foundation. Together, we are working to educate, inspire, and engage women from diverse backgrounds on venture investing and entrepreneurship. Did you know that only 2% of venture funding goes to women-led companies? Together, we are working to show that women are the new face of venture investing.
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Jacqueline Schafer is sharing the importance of investing in and supporting women founders and actionable steps you can take right now to start your investing journey.
Jacqueline Schafer is the founder and CEO of Clearbrief (Winner, Litigation Technology Product of the Year, Legalweek 2023). Schafer serves as one of inaugural members of the Texas Bar’s AI Taskforce, and she was chosen by the American Bar Association as one of the “2022 Women of Legal Tech” and named to the 2022 Fastcase 50, Honoring ‘Innovators, Techies, Visionaries and Leaders’ in Law, Schafer also received the 2021 Washington State Bar APEX Award for Legal Innovation for founding Clearbrief as well as for her 2020 law review article ("Harnessing AI for Struggling Families").
Some of the talking points Julie and Jacqueline go over in this episode include:
- Why it's crucial to support women-led companies, especially in AI and emerging tech.
- The value investors can bring to a new company beyond the money.
- Committing to making introductions for other women as a rule.
- Why it's crucial to support women-led companies, now more than ever.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH JACQUELINE SCHAFER:
Clearbrief
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Ever feel like you're playing it safe, sticking to what you know? What if the key to unlocking your full potential was simply to lean into what scares you? In this episode of How Women Inspire, Julie sits down with Tamesa Rogers, a seasoned Chief People Officer and venture investor. Tamesa shares her incredible journey of scaling NETGEAR from $300 million to $1.3 billion, building an HR function from scratch, and the pivotal moments that shaped her fearless leadership style. But beyond the impressive career milestones, Tamesa dives deep into the importance of personal growth, overcoming burnout, and why investing in women founders is not just good for business—it's essential for building a better future. This week’s episode 157 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about developing high-performing teams and avoiding burnout!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Tamesa Rogers is sharing the importance of training your team to take over after you and actionable steps you can take right now to recover from burnout.
Tamesa Rogers is an experienced Chief People Officer with over 25 years in tech. She has scaled businesses, built global teams, and achieved high employee retention rates. Tamesa was instrumental in M&A, IPOs, and ESG reporting. She led HR at NETGEAR for over 20 years, building the HR organization from scratch, scaling the company, and leading cultural transformations. She also served as SVP and VP of HR, where she launched engagement, retention, and diversity programs and oversaw M&A integrations. Tamesa has been recognized for her leadership and is a member of professional organizations.
Some of the talking points Julie and Tamesa go over in this episode include:
- Tamesa’s leadership journey and defining career moments.
- Developing team members to eventually replace the leader.
- Overcoming burnout and finding balance.
- Investing in women and building community.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH TAMESA ROGERS:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Ever feel like you're leaving money on the table or that your financial growth is always taking a backseat to everything else? You're not alone. In this episode of How Women Inspire, we dive deep into the world of venture investing and women's empowerment with the incredible Cheryl Beninga. Cheryl shares her personal journey, the secrets to attracting more capital for women-led ventures, and actionable steps to confidently step into the world of investing—no matter where you are in your journey. This week’s episode 156 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about breaking the glass ceiling in venture capital!
This episode was created in partnership with the Nasdaq Foundation. Together, we are working to educate, inspire, and engage women from diverse backgrounds on venture investing and entrepreneurship. Did you know that only 2% of venture funding goes to women-led companies? Together, we are working to show that women are the new face of venture investing.
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Cheryl Beninga is sharing the importance of an abundance mindset for women and investing and actionable steps you can take right now to balance your career, personal life, and investment goals.
Cheryl Beninga is an experienced venture investor in high-growth organizations that are innovating in clean technology, mobile software, MedTech, and enterprise software and services. She is the Managing Director of Wai-Mohala Ventures and Beninga Advisors. Cheryl is also the Co-Founder of FourthWave, an accelerator program for leading female founders in technology sectors, which provides mentorship, conscious leadership training, and access to capital.
Some of the talking points Julie and Cheryl go over in this episode include:
- How to overcome anxiety around wealth and start investing.
- The evolution of women in venture capital and the current landscape.
- Why investing in women-led businesses is crucial.
- Cheryl's advice for aspiring female leaders and investors.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH CHERYL BENINGA:
FourthWave
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Embracing human-centric leadership, cultural intelligence, and authentic self-expression are the key ingredients to a successful company. Lori Adams-Brown, a global talent development director, podcast host, and advocate for women in leadership, is here today to share her insights on the unique perspectives women bring to leadership, the importance of a global mindset, and how to cultivate inclusive, human-centric leadership in today's world. Lori also offers advice on how women can overcome self-doubt and step into their power. This week’s episode 155 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about cultivating inclusive, human-centric leadership!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Lori Adams-Brown is sharing the importance of cultural intelligence in navigating global teams and actionable steps you can take right now to overcome self-doubt.
Lori Adams-Brown is a combination of international speaker, business executive, podcaster, and relief and development expert. She hosts the popular podcast A World of Difference, celebrating humanity’s unique differences and encouraging us all to make a difference around the world. She worked in disaster relief in the 2004 Indonesian tsunami, where she consulted with the UN coordination efforts, and she has spoken to audiences in Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand, Malaysia, Venezuela, and around the U.S. Lori speaks 6 languages, and brings a rare multicultural perspective into her speaking, training, coaching, and business consulting. She serves on the board of Justice Revival and volunteers to help resettle Afghan refugees in the SF Bay Area.
Some of the talking points Julie and Lori go over in this episode include:
- The impact of global experiences on leadership and the importance of diversity in decision-making.
- How companies with diverse teams generate higher revenue and make better decisions.
- Challenges women face in leadership, including self-doubt and the likability trap.
- The long-term impact of leadership and the importance of leaving a positive legacy.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH LORI ADAMS-BROWN:
Website
A World of Difference podcast
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Ever heard the saying "shirt sleeves to shirt sleeves in three generations"? It's a stark reminder that generational wealth doesn't simply happen; it requires intentional planning and a focus that goes beyond finances. In this episode of How Women Inspire, we sit down with Thomasina Williams, founder of Sankofa Legacy Advisors, to discuss the often-overlooked human element of building a lasting family legacy, the concept of parallel planning, and more. This week’s episode 154 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about parallel planning for growing generational wealth!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Thomasina Williams is sharing the importance of intentionality around generational wealth and actionable steps you can take right now to keep human capital at the forefront of wealth conversations.
Thomasina Williams partners with families to develop leaders. Working at the intersection of family business, family systems, and leadership development, she helps clients build multigenerational legacies of connected and capable families who are engaged stewards of their resources. Clients have described her as their “high-beams,” lighting the way and guiding them through unfamiliar and uncomfortable territory. An accomplished lawyer and philanthropy strategist, Thomasina is the founder of Sankofa Legacy Advisors.
Some of the talking points Julie and Thomasina go over in this episode include:
- The concept of "shirt sleeves to shirt sleeves in three generations," in regards to families' maintenance of generational wealth.
- The tendency for families to focus solely on financial assets and forget the human element.
- Examples of how families can be purposeful in developing their human capital.
- The meaning of legacy and being intentional in designing our lives.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH THOMASINA WILLIAMS:
Website
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Diversity of thought is one of, if not the most important thing we can bring into the boardroom with us as leaders. Considering a variety of perspectives allows us to find solutions to complex problems more quickly than if everyone had the same backgrounds and frames of mind. Few know this better than Lynda Grindstaff, board director and cyber security expert. In this episode, Lynda shares her incredible journey from corporate executive to board member and investor, overcoming imposter syndrome, and more! This week’s episode 153 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about leveraging an engineering mindset in the boardroom!
This episode was created in partnership with the Nasdaq Foundation. Together, we are working to educate, inspire, and engage women from diverse backgrounds on venture investing and entrepreneurship. Did you know that only 2% of venture funding goes to women-led companies? Together, we are working to show that women are the new face of venture investing.
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Lynda Grindstaff is sharing the importance of finding your support network and actionable steps you can take right now to decide if board leadership is right for you.
Lynda Grindstaff is a cybersecurity executive and board director who transforms consumer and technology trends into high-margin, multibillion-dollar strategies for global products. She was named 2024 Cybersecurity Woman Leader of the Year by the United Cybersecurity Alliance. Lynda excels in driving innovation and cybersecurity solutions for F500 B2B and B2C technology companies, bringing 30 years of experience in technical engineering, product marketing, and strategic planning to leadership teams and boardrooms. As a board member, she brings a strategic framework to companies needing growth and transformation. She ensures the right technologies and ecosystems are brought to market and optimizes people, processes, and technologies for internal growth and efficiency.
Some of the talking points Julie and Lynda go over in this episode include:
- The importance of having a growth mindset and looking out for others.
- Building a network of support and encouragement around yourself.
- The unique perspective engineers bring to the boardroom.
- Becoming an investor, one small investment at a time.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH LYNDA GRINDSTAFF:
Website
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
In a tech world that's constantly evolving, how do you stay ahead of the curve and become a truly impactful leader? In this episode of How Women Inspire, Brandy Goolsby, a seasoned tech executive, shares her incredible journey from finding her voice to empowering the next generation of tech innovators. Brandy and Julie dive deep into the challenges of fostering innovation, the power of strategic partnerships, and the importance of finding your voice amidst the noise. This week’s episode 152 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about unlocking the power of strategic partnerships and vulnerability!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Brandy Goolsby is sharing the importance of moving from the familiar to the new and innovative, and actionable steps you can take right now to build strong, strategic relationships.
Brandy Goolsby’s focus lies in empowering developers with the software, tools, and environment they need, enabling them to concentrate on innovation and automation, leading to an elevated customer experience. Her work centers on equipping developers with the tools and in the environment where they can create exceptional customer experiences. She's worked with industry giants like Ford, GM and Wind River, among others to shape their strategic partnerships and pioneer different breakthrough technologies.
Some of the talking points Julie and Brandy go over in this episode include:
- The importance of software and the challenges of embracing innovation.
- How leaders set the tone for their teams when exploring new technologies.
- Building strong relationships through open communication, trust, and a shared vision.
- Pushing through fear and doubts to achieve success.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH BRANDY GOOLSBY:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Women have powerful voices and have been using them to voice concerns and demand change forever. But when society is full of naysayers and those who undervalue women, it can be easy to back off of your convictions. In this episode, Denise Brosseau delves into the transformative power of finding your voice and building trust and shares her journey to becoming a champion for women's voices and a leading voice on moral leadership, offering invaluable insights on how to make a real impact. This week’s episode 151 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about trust, moral leadership, and finding your voice!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Denise Brosseau is sharing the importance of trusting your own perspective and actionable steps you can take right now to start sharing your thought leadership.
Denise Brosseau is a visionary leader and CEO of Thought Leadership Lab, a company dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to build more influence, have more impact, and leave a legacy that matters. With over 20 years of experience in the field of leadership, thought leadership, and organizational development, Denise is a respected expert and speaker on the topics of personal branding, thought leadership, change management, and women’s leadership.
Some of the talking points Julie and Denise go over in this episode include:
- How Denise’s time at Wellesley College shaped her career.
- The importance of seeing women in leadership roles across careers and fields.
- Exploring the role of leaders in using voice and platform for moral leadership.
- How purely performative acts of solidarity hurt companies in the long run.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH DENISE BROSSEAU:
X (formerly Twitter)
Thought Leadership Lab
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Do you feel confident that you’re in control of your financial future? With the huge transfer of wealth to women in this country, it’s more important than ever to be financially literate and feel confident in the conversation. In today’s episode, Megan Schottmer shares her inspiring journey of overcoming shyness and self-doubt to become a trailblazing leader in the financial services industry. Megan candidly discusses the importance of financial empowerment for women, the critical role of mentors and sponsors, and strategies for navigating the corporate ladder as an introvert. This week’s episode 150 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about building women’s financial independence and fixing the broken rung!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Megan Schoettmer is sharing the importance of ensuring women take an active role in their financial lives and actionable steps you can take right now to leverage your authentic self to succeed in a male-dominated industry.
Megan Schoettmer is regional president of PNC Bank, Northern California. Prior to joining PNC in August 2022, she served as managing director and Commercial Banking leader of middle market banking for Wells Fargo focusing on various industries including technology, commercial and industrial, and commercial real estate in Silicon Valley and the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Active in the community, Schoettmer serves as a board member for the Bay Area Council and the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose. She serves on the advisory board for Santa Clara University's Ciocca Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and is co-chair for How Women Lead #GetOnBoardWeek.
Some of the talking points Julie and Megan go over in this episode include:
- The importance of finding one's "why" and aligning with an advisor who shares similar goals.
- The concept of the “broken rung” in the workforce and the need to address the gender gap in promotions.
- How financial stress affects career advancement and the importance of financial independence.
- Building a personal board of directors and having diverse perspectives to guide your career and personal life decisions.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH MEGAN SCHOETTMER:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
As women in the workplace, the odds of success and growth are not usually in our favor. So, what can we do to improve our odds and set ourselves up for success? In this episode of How Women Inspire, we sit down with Shellye Archambeau, experienced CEO, board director, and author of Unapologetically Ambitious. Shellye shares her inspiring story of overcoming the odds as a Black woman in tech to become a CEO, emphasizing the importance of setting goals, making intentional decisions, and more. This week’s episode 149 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about embracing ambition and rejecting apologies!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Shellye Archambeau is sharing the importance of making daily decisions that align with your goals and actionable steps you can take right now to create a self-care plan to keep yourself healthy.
Shellye Archambeau is an experienced CEO and board director with a track record of building brands, high-performance teams, and organizations. She currently serves on the boards of Verizon, Roper Technologies, and Okta. She's also a strategic adviser to Forbes Ignite and the president of Arizona State University and serves on the board of two national nonprofits Catalyst and Braven. Shellye is also the author of “Unapologetically Ambitious: Take Risks, Break Barriers, and Create Success on Your Own Terms.”
Some of the talking points Julie and Shellye go over in this episode include:
- The importance of being unapologetically ambitious and the societal pressure to apologize excessively.
- Strategic goal setting and mankind decisions to support your plan.
- The societal pressure on women to "have it all”.
- Identifying your own three, non-negotiable self-care practices for your health.
Check out Shellye’s book Unapologetically Ambitious: Take Risks, Break Barriers, and Create Success on Your Own Terms.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH SHELLYE ARCHAMBEAU:
Website
X (formerly Twitter)
In a world where the gender funding gap remains stubbornly wide, women are on a mission to change the game. Erin Harkless Moore is at the forefront of driving breakthrough innovations and social impact through strategic investments. In this episode, Erin shares her journey from Wall Street to impact investing, and the powerful strategies she's employing to empower women-led funds and companies that are reshaping industries and communities. From tackling the challenges of biased funding practices to championing the importance of diverse decision-makers, her insights offer a roadmap for anyone passionate about leveraging the power of capital to create a more equitable future. This week’s episode 148 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about driving breakthrough innovations and impact!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Erin Harkless Moore is sharing the importance of aligning your work with your personal values and actionable steps you can take right now to level up your leadership qualities.
Erin Harkless Moore is the Senior Director of Investments at Pivotal Ventures created by Melinda French Gates to accelerate social progress in the United States. She leads the organization's fund and direct investment decisions, overseeing a diverse portfolio that drives breakthrough innovations and impact for people in this country. Erin has nearly 20 years of investment experience previously working as the Managing Director at Cambridge Associates.
Some of the talking points Julie and Erin go over in this episode include:
- The importance of aligning your values and your work with your professional interests.
- Challenges and opportunities for women in the venture capital space.
- Recognizing the biases that hold women back from raising capital.
- Erin’s biggest lessons that have defined her career.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH ERIN HARKLESS MOORE:
Pivotal Ventures
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Are you a woman in leadership struggling to manage stress and are not feeling like your authentic self? In this episode of How Women Inspire, Liz Sklar, Director of Stand and Deliver and actress, shares her journey from stage to C-suite and how she helps leaders find their authentic voice and communicate powerfully. Liz and Julie discuss the importance of managing stress, setting boundaries, and embracing your personal values to become a more impactful and authentic leader. They also explore the power of storytelling, emotional resilience, and overcoming self-doubt for women in leadership.
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Liz Sklar is sharing the importance of managing stress and setting boundaries and actionable steps you can take right now to lead with authenticity and sincerity.
In her work with clients including Genentech, Gilead, Twilio, Google, IVP, CZI, Waymo, and the Cartier Women’s Initiative, Liz’s work has crossed industries from pharma to finance and frequently focuses on leaders in the innovation economy. She is especially inspired by female entrepreneurs and executives and is invested in empowering them to harness their innate power and wisdom to further their careers and expand their missions. Liz has acted professionally in both film and theater, including leading roles at premier regional theaters such as California Shakespeare Festival and American Conservatory Theatre.
Some of the talking points Julie and Liz go over in this episode include:
- How Liz’s experience in theatre informs her leadership coaching in the corporate world.
- Emphasizing the value of finding and showcasing one's authentic self.
- Managing stress and influencing without authority in the workplace.
- Encouraging and supporting women leaders through empathy and public speaking.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH LIZ SKLAR:
Website
Stand & Deliver
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
The healthcare industry has long overlooked the unique needs and experiences of women, but that tide is finally turning. Today, we’re sitting down with Elyse Heob, a multi-time healthcare startup founder and expert in bringing groundbreaking innovations to market. Elyse shares her insights on the critical importance of women-led research and product development, the myths surrounding startup chaos, the power of betting on yourself as a female entrepreneur, and more. This week’s episode 146 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about revolutionizing the healthcare landscape!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Elyse Heob shares the importance of strategic planning and treating startups like a regular job and actionable steps you can take right now to bet on yourself and get more comfortable with risks.
Elyse Heob is an expert in transforming groundbreaking healthcare ideas into thriving businesses with a main focus on patient care. She is the Founder and CEO of Elyse Heob Consulting, where she supports startup founders to scale their health innovations. Previously, she co-founded ClearMask, the first FDA-cleared transparent surgical mask, growing it from zero to $45 million in just two years with zero outside investment.
Some of the talking points Julie and Elyse go over in this episode include:
- The difference between inventing a health innovation and running a startup.
- Key considerations for designing successful health technologies.
- The lack of research on women's health and the need for better care and detection.
- Encouraging women to embrace their potential and take on leadership roles in healthcare and entrepreneurship.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH ELYSE HEOB:
Website
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Only 2% of all founders of AI companies are women, and Jacqueline Schafer is one of those women leading the way in tech. Jacqueline is here this week to share her inspiring journey from her early days as a lawyer at a top firm to founding her own innovative company set on changing the legal landscape. She discusses the importance of partnering with strong women investors and building a company with a focus on security and ethical considerations, the challenges she has faced as a female founder, and more. This week’s episode 145 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about pioneering AI in legal tech!
This episode was created in partnership with the Nasdaq Foundation. Together, we are working to educate, inspire, and engage women from diverse backgrounds on venture investing and entrepreneurship. Did you know that only 2% of venture funding goes to women-led companies? Together, we are working to show that women are the new face of venture investing.
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Jacqueline Schafer is sharing the importance of preparation and persistence when finding supporters and investors and actionable steps you can take right now to support women-founded ventures.
Jacqueline Schafer is the founder and CEO of Clearbrief (Winner, Litigation Technology Product of the Year, Legalweek 2023). Schafer serves as one of inaugural members of the Texas Bar’s AI Taskforce, and she was chosen by the American Bar Association as one of the “2022 Women of Legal Tech” and named to the 2022 Fastcase 50, Honoring ‘Innovators, Techies, Visionaries and Leaders’ in Law, Schafer also received the 2021 Washington State Bar APEX Award for Legal Innovation for founding Clearbrief as well as for her 2020 law review article ("Harnessing AI for Struggling Families").
Some of the talking points Julie and Jaqueline go over in this episode include:
- How every role in her career helped pave the way for Clearbrief.
- The challenges of raising capital for a legal tech company, especially during the pandemic.
- The role of women investors for success and the support networks they create.
- The need for strict security requirements to succeed with large enterprise firms and government agencies.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH JACQUELINE SCHAFER:
Clearbrief
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
In the professional world, having a mentor to guide you in making the best choices for yourself can make all the difference. Having a mentor can help you unlock your curiosity, seek out opportunities you didn’t think were possible, and make significant changes to the world. Mentorship is even more critical for people from underrepresented backgrounds, especially first-generation students from low-income families, as they go through the academic world and into professional life. In this episode, Dr. Julie Huang provides invaluable insights on supporting young women and girls in STEM, the unique superpowers that first-generation students bring to the table, and more! This week’s episode 144 of How Women Inspire Podcast concerns mentorship, curiosity, and the immigrant experience!
In this episode of the How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Huang discusses the importance of diversity and mentorship for underrepresented students and early career professionals and actionable steps you can take right now to start taking a practical approach to abundance.
Julie Huang is a scientist, leader, mentor, and advocate with a mission to enable scientific breakthroughs and to forge a diverse, empowered future generation in STEM. She leads teams and orchestrates scientific strategies for clinical trials that hold promise in transforming the treatment landscape for neurodegenerative diseases. Julie is a TedX and keynote speaker, board member, and nonprofit leader.
Some of the talking points the two Julie’s go over in this episode include:
- The importance of mentorship and community in overcoming self-doubt and limiting beliefs.
- How overcoming scarcity in resources and mindset has allowed Julie to create opportunities and pursue her dreams.
- Mentoring others and helping them see their potential, especially young professionals from underrepresented backgrounds.
- The superpowers of being a child of immigrants, including courage, determination, and finding opportunities.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH JULIE HUANG:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Women’s health continues to be an important issue for many of us, and more and more medical technoplogy startups are getting on board with turning their attention to women’s health issues across the globe. Dr. Vinona Bhatia, a trailblazer in medicine, technology, and global health, is here this week to discuss her work in cancer screening and care both here and in Africa, as well as advocating for inclusive leadership, networking, and mentorship. This week’s episode 143 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about unlocking barriers to cancer screening and care!
This episode was created in partnership with the Nasdaq Foundation. Together, we are working to educate, inspire, and engage women from diverse backgrounds on venture investing and entrepreneurship. Did you know that only 2% of venture funding goes to women-led companies? Together, we are working to show that women are the new face of venture investing.
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Vinona Bhatia is sharing the importance of innovation to meet women's needs and wants in healthcare and actionable steps you can take right now to seek opportunities to make a difference.
Vinona Bhatia is a Medical Oncologist trained at U Penn and UCSF, with an MPH in Global Health and Population from Harvard. Vinona is the Founder of Partnering for Cancer Innovation, an organization working to improve outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients, and ensure that cancer is treated equitably in all parts of the world. Her primary goal is to unblock millions of individuals from the barriers they face accessing cancer screening and care.
Some of the talking points Julie and Vinona go over in this episode include:
- The shift in focus from general women's health to specific issues like menopause and perimenopause.
- The importance of not being elitist about innovation and recognizing that innovation can take many shapes and forms.
- The need for clinical studies pre-launch of medical technologies to ensure effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.
- Seeking opportunities and educating oneself to make a difference.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH VINONA BHATIA:
Partnering for Cancer Innovation
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Growing a business is no easy feat, but here at How Women Lead, we have the pleasure of knowing many women who are leading high-growth companies. Their difference? The companies are not only high-growth, but high-impact, aligning their business values with their personal values aiming for a better world. Coco Sellman is here today to share her journey growing her business and using it as a force for good, and her upcoming book by the same name. This week’s episode 142 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about unlocking the secrets of high-growth, purpose-driven companies!
This episode was created in partnership with the Nasdaq Foundation. Together, we are working to educate, inspire, and engage women from diverse backgrounds on venture investing and entrepreneurship. Did you know that only 2% of venture funding goes to women-led companies? Together, we are working to show that women are the new face of venture investing.
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Coco Sellman is sharing the importance of having a data-driven approach in business, even if the founder is not naturally data-oriented and actionable steps you can take right now to align your business practices with what consumers and employees want.
Since 1998, Coco has been on a mission to align business purpose with profit. As a serial entrepreneur and a consultant to founders, Coco has built and supported hundreds of businesses. Most recently, Coco was the founder of Allumé Home Care, a home health company serving medically fragile children and adults. Allumé merged with All Pointe Care in 2021, creating the second-largest provider of in-home pediatric nursing in the state of Connecticut; Coco now sits on the board. Over the course of her career Coco has worked with hundreds of founders to grow successful, sustainable businesses that lead in impact and profits.
Some of the talking points Julie and Coco go over in this episode include:
- The importance of resilience and integrity when scaling a business quickly.
- The unique strengths women bring to leadership, particularly in managing multiple stakeholders and understanding emotional intelligence.
- The critical role of emotional intelligence in leadership, especially in understanding and motivating teams.
- Key skills and mindset needed for successful leadership, including self-awareness, adaptability, and a focus on impact.
To learn more about Coco’s Book A Force for Good and to pre-order your copy, visit the A Force for Good website today!
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH COCO SELLMAN:
A Force for Good
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
If anyone knows about the importance of grit and determination, it’s immigrants. Hispanic people are the fastest growing worker group in the US, and young Hispanic people attending college and universities are truly the workforce of tomorrow. Despite this, Latina and Latino voices are grossly underrepresented in the biggest rooms of power. Marisela Barbosa is here today to talk about her journey supporting her community through her entrepreneurial journey, standing up for Latina voices, encouraging women to pursue civil leadership, and more! This week’s episode 141 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about leveraging entrepreneurship to drive positive change in Latino communities!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Marisela Barbosa is sharing the importance of raising Latina voices in business and local politics and actionable steps you can take right now to build strong relationships and networks.
Marisela Barbosa is a small business owner and civic leader dedicated to fostering sustainable economic growth in the community. Marisela is the co-founder of Monarch Engineers, an engineering firm specializing in civil, structural, and mechanical engineering. In 2016, she founded Green Hive Spaces, a coworking space in downtown Vallejo with a focus on sustainability.
Some of the talking points Julie and Marisela go over in this episode include:
- The significance of breaking barriers and opening doors for Latinas.
- Encouraging Latina women to get involved in local politics and civic leadership.
- The importance of building and serving communities as an entrepreneur.
- The importance of building strong relationships and networks in achieving success.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH MARISELA BARBOSA:
Website
The Time is Ya
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Even if we think our career is on a straight path, life has a funny way of presenting us with unexpected opportunities and changing our trajectories. Deborah Smith knows this firsthand, having moved around in the financial industry and taken almost every opportunity that presented itself before founding The CenterCap Group, a boutique investment bank serving the real estate industry. Deborah is here this week to share her journey with us, as well as offer advice on our career mindsets, surrounding ourselves with a support network, and more! This week’s episode 140 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about overcoming barriers with confidence, resilience, and determination!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Deborah Smith is sharing the importance of keeping your eyes open for unexpected career opportunities and actionable steps you can take right now to approach your career with confidence.
Deborah Smith is Co-Founder and CEO of The CenterCap Group, LLC and heads the firm's Strategic Capital and M&A and Execution efforts. Prior to forming The CenterCap Group, LLC, Ms. Smith was Co-Head of M&A and a Senior Managing Director with CB Richard Ellis Investors (CB Richard Ellis's $40 billion AUM investment management business). She joined CBREI in July 2007 to co-head the build out of the firm's M&A efforts and led the firm's negotiation and acquisition of a majority interest in Wood Partners (one of the largest multifamily developers in the United States) in 2008.
Some of the talking points Julie and Deborah go over in this episode include:
- Accepting support and not overthinking decisions.
- The challenges of balancing a demanding career with raising a family.
- Approaching opportunities with a “how hard can it be” mindset.
- The importance of confidence and persistence.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH DEBORAH SMITH:
The CenterCap Group
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
As technology advances quickly, it can be hard for regulation to keep up with innovation. So what are developing technology companies to do when regulations are so vague, and standards are yet to be developed? One answer is to work on self-regulation. Jessica Nall is here to talk about her work as a lawyer whose mission is to defend and support tech companies, founders, CEOs, and more! This week’s episode 139 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about balancing technological innovation with responsibility!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Jessica Nall shares the importance of self-regulation and consumer consent in the tech industry and the actionable steps you can take right now to diversify your thoughts and perspectives in driving innovation.
Jessica Nall is a technology investigations partner practicing at the forefront of government enforcement in the technology industry. Jess leads Baker McKenzie's investigations and compliance practice on the West Coast. For more than two decades, Jess has defended companies and individuals in government investigations and conducted internal investigations involving cutting-edge technology issues, including AI, cybersecurity, and alleged misuse of all kinds of data. Jess has defended companies and individuals across the Asia Pacific region since the first DOJ Antitrust cartel investigations in 2003 and has a deep understanding of cultural issues impacting investigations in that region and across the globe.
Some of the talking points Julie and Jessica go over in this episode include:
- The intersection of tech innovation and government regulations.
- The role of board members in managing AI and emerging technologies.
- Self-regulation and consumer consent in maintaining trust and control.
- The potential of new tech tools to disrupt the traditional legal industry and create more inclusive and effective practices.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH JESSICA NALL:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
One of the most powerful tools you can have as you navigate your career is a well-rounded network. The relationships you build with mentors and colleagues have a massive effect on your trajectory, and few know this better than Shannon Nash. Shannon is here today to offer us her insights on the power of relationships, the value of diverse perspectives in the boardroom, and the importance of following your passions, and to offer inspiration and practical wisdom for aspiring leaders across industries. This week’s episode 138 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about mentorship, resilience, and the power of relationships!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Shannon Nash is sharing the importance of being present and fully committed to various aspects of life, including work, family, and personal interests, and actionable steps you can take right now to explore relationship-building in your career.
Shannon Nash is a seasoned global leader, financial expert, attorney, and CPA. She serves as an independent director on the boards of NetScout Systems (Audit Committee), SoFi Bank (Risk and Chair, Compensation Committees), and Lazy Dog Restaurants (Chair, Audit Committee). Shannon brings CFO expertise from Wing (an Alphabet company), Reputation.com, and Inside Source. Recognized for her leadership, she has been honored by Accounting Today as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting, Diversity Woman Magazine’s Elite 100, and Silicon Valley's 100 Most Influential Women. Shannon holds a degree in accounting and a JD from the University of Virginia. She is also an award-winning documentary film producer and co-produced "OnBoard," the story of Black women on boards, which debuted at Tribeca.
Some of the talking points Julie and Shannon go over in this episode include:
- The importance of finding something you're passionate about outside of work.
- Mentorship as a two-way street and the value of investing time in relationships.
- Diversity and inclusion in corporate leadership, especially in the boardroom.
- Investing in women-led businesses to create a better future for future generations.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH SHANNON NASH:
X (formerly Twitter)
OnBoard: The Film
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
There has been a significant increase in women-led venture firms, going from 12 in 2010 to nearly 300 in 2020, emphasizing the potential for women to manage $30 trillion in wealth by 2030. And despite women-founded companies outperforming their male counterparts, they received only 1.8% of venture funding last year. But as women have more control over money and assets, we can demand and bring about change. Mandy Bynum is here today to share her journey into investing in women, the need for women to take control of their financial decisions, seeking funds that align with your values, and more. This week’s episode 137 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about unlocking the wealth and influence of women!
This episode was created in partnership with the Nasdaq Foundation. Together, we are working to educate, inspire, and engage women from diverse backgrounds on venture investing and entrepreneurship. Did you know that only 2% of venture funding goes to women-led companies? Together, we are working to show that women are the new face of venture investing.
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Mandy Bynum shares the importance of women demanding change and performance in the venture capital market and actionable steps you can take right now to expand your professional opportunities through investing in venture funds.
Mandy Bynum is a highly sought-after super-connector. A skilled strategy consultant and advisor, she helps individuals and organizations build capacity and valuable relationships with people and the communities that matter to them. Blending her experience in venture capital, startup, and nonprofit leadership, Mandy advises a wide range of companies on how to build authentic relationships with different audiences, as well as professionals looking to integrate their creative pursuits, increase revenue streams, and advance social activism in order to design meaningful, impactful, and sustainable multidimensional careers.
Some of the talking points Julie and Mandy go over in this episode include:
- The significant wealth and influence of women, with American women expected to manage at least $30 trillion by 2030.
- The value of following curiosity and building a network to find the right investment opportunities.
- The benefits of being a limited partner over directly investing in a company.
- Aligning your investments with your values, and making your own decisions as an accredited investor.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH MANDY BYNUM:
Website
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Everyone has a different path and purpose in life, and those on the entrepreneurship journey often feel it most. But fighting loneliness by building community with and supporting other women and women entrepreneurs leads to incredible collaboration, better health, and lasting societal change. Dr. Keera Godfrey is here today to talk about the importance of investing in women, choosing the path that’s right for you, and more! This week’s episode 136 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about leaving normal and embracing change!
This episode was created in partnership with the Nasdaq Foundation. Together, we are working to educate, inspire, and engage women from diverse backgrounds on venture investing and entrepreneurship. Did you know that only 2% of venture funding goes to women-led companies? Together, we are working to show that women are the new face of venture investing.
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Dr. Keera Godfrey shares the importance of a supportive ecosystem for founders and entrepreneurs, and actionable steps you can take right now to support other women on their entrepreneurial journeys.
Dr. Keera Godfrey is the CEO and Founder of Naris Communications and the Naris Leadership Academy. Dr. Keera helps global organizations with a focus on digitization and digital transformation to define and align their workforce culture to embrace new ways of working bringing her 25 years of experience as a communications and change strategist, activating performance strategies for the U.S. Army, global manufacturers, healthcare systems, and non-profit organizations. She is a trusted advisor, change management consultant, speaker, and author utilizing emotional intelligence, strategic communications, and performance improvement techniques to maximize business results.
Some of the talking points Julie and Keera go over in this episode include:
- The value of diverse contributions in all areas of society and how it will shape the future.
- The emotional and financial benefits of investing in women-led businesses.
- Integrating family and work instead of a “work-life balance”.
- How community, support, and validation in women’s professional and personal lives changes the game.
To get Dr. Keera’s book, Leaving Normal: How to Let Go and Move The Heck On, you can head over to Amazon.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH DR. KEERA GODFREY:
X (formerly Twitter)
Naris Communications
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Women currently own 52% of wealth but receive only 2% of venture funding, despite returning 34% more to investors. It’s our mission here at How Women Lead to lift each other up in every way we can, including funding women startups and business owners looking for funding. Because when we invest in our values and put our money into what we believe in, everyone wins. This week’s episode 135 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about leveraging venture investing for impact!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Gaby Darbyshire is sharing the importance of having a diverse investment portfolio and actionable steps you can take right now to leverage your investments to also make more philanthropic donations.
This episode was created in partnership with the Nasdaq Foundation. Together, we are working to educate, inspire, and engage women from diverse backgrounds on venture investing and entrepreneurship. Did you know that only 2% of venture funding goes to women-led companies? Together, we are working to show that women are the new face of venture investing.
Gaby Darbyshire is a global executive and entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience building tech and media businesses in London, San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles. In her current role as General Partner at Dangerous Ventures, an early-stage VC fund, Gaby is focused on investing in solutions to the world’s most pressing climate challenges, a lifetime interest that dates back to building an electric car when she was 16 years old. Born in Beirut and raised in London, Gaby began her career as a barrister, practicing environmental and criminal law and working pro bono on death row appeals. After leaving the Bar, she spent several years as a management consultant, developing strategies in the tech, utilities, financial services and pharmaceutical industries.
Some of the talking points Julie and Gaby go over in this episode include:
- The benefits of investing in climate solutions.
- The role of philanthropy in complementing for-profit investments.
- How being a generalist with a wide array of interests benefits you in investing.
- Closing the wealth gap by teaching women to start investing early.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH GABY DARBYSHIRE:
X (formerly Twitter)
Dangerous Ventures
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Women CEOs are incredible - they have to be to get to the top - so it only makes sense that their companies outperform others in the stock market. So why aren’t more people actively investing in women?Patricia Lizarraga is here today to talk about raising visibility and funds for women-led companies that consistently outperform in all different markets. This week’s episode 134 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about investing in Women CEOs!
This episode was created in partnership with the Nasdaq Foundation. Together, we are working to educate, inspire, and engage women from diverse backgrounds on venture investing and entrepreneurship. Did you know that only 2% of venture funding goes to women-led companies? Together, we are working to show that women are the new face of venture investing.
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Patricia Lizarraga is sharing the importance of giving everyone the opportunity to invest in companies led by women CEOs and actionable steps you can take right now to start investing today.
Patricia Lizarraga is the managing partner of Hypatia Capital and the issuer of the
Hypatia Women CEO EFT, an actively managed Exchange Traded fund that invests in all publicly traded American companies that have female Chief Executive Officers. Patricia founded Hypatia over 15 years ago, when she'd already been working in finance as an investment banker for 20 years, committed to investing in women in leadership.
Some of the talking points Julie and Patricia go over in this episode include:
- Making investing in women accessible to everyone, regardless of their investment amount.
- The numerous studies by major institutions that show the outperformance of women in both public and private markets.
- The need for AI and large language models to recognize and promote women CEOs more effectively.
- Educating women about investing, starting at a young age.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH PATRICIA LIZARRAGA:
X (formerly Twitter)
WCEO EFT
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
The importance of getting more women involved in venture and angel investing cannot be understated. As more women earn more money, the value of getting women seats at the table and in positions that decide what their money is being used for grows. Marcia Dawood is here today to share with us how we can be more involved in investment decisions, combat bias in finance, and more. This week’s episode 133 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about how you can do good while doing well!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Marcia Dawood is sharing the importance of understanding your investment options and actionable steps you can take right now to diversify your investment portfolio.
Marcia Dawood is an early-stage investor who serves on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee. She is a venture partner with Mindshift Capital, a member of Golden Seeds, and the Chair Emeritus of the Angel Capital Association (ACA), the global professional society for angel investors. In 2022, Marcia spoke at TEDx Charlotte and she currently hosts The Angel Next Door Podcast.
Some of the talking points Julie and Marcia go over in this episode include:
- Investing in early-stage companies that make a positive impact.
- The transparency and democratization of information on crowdfunding platforms.
- How philanthropic dollars can be directed to for-profit companies, providing a triple win of social impact, financial returns, and tax deductions.
- The value of cheerleading and social media support for entrepreneurs and offering expertise, networks, and mentorship.
You can find Marcia’s book, “Do Good While Doing Well” wherever you get your books, or by visiting her website!
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH MARCIA DAWOOD:
Website
The Angel Next Door podcast
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
It feels like AI has taken over the world since Open AI released ChatGPT at the end of 2022. The widespread use of large language models, however, has shown a great deal of bias and misinformation, in addition to being less than intuitive. So how do we create better AI? Ewa Ding is here this week to share her thoughts and mission to make AI more human-friendly! This week’s episode 132 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about designing human-centered AI!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Ewa Ding is sharing the importance of understanding AI's capabilities, limitations, and ethical considerations. and actionable steps you can take right now to educate ourselves about AI and its uses.
Ewa Ding is a product and design leader on a mission to make AI more human-friendly and genuinely useful. As the founder of UX4AI, she blends her passion for impactful experiences with expertise in human-centered AI strategies, digital transformation, product strategy, and UX design.
Some of the talking points Julie and Ewa go over in this episode include:
- Understanding AI's capabilities and limitations as we reach a peak in its use.
- The challenges of applying human-centered design principles to AI.
- The need for AI to be designed with user needs, values, and ethical considerations in mind.
- Encouraging women to become involved in AI development and to demand safe and privacy-protecting AI tools.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH EWA DING:
Website
UX4AI
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Women’s voices have been and continue to be culturally dismissed and discouraged. Women are very rarely quoted in science and financial journals, as well as make up only about 25% of all of the people who are quoted as experts in the news media. The fourth element of our credo at How Women Lead is to Be Unabashedly Visible, and today, Julie is sharing her journey to be more visible. This week’s episode 131of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the fourth tenet of ouw How Women Lead Credo: being unabashedly visible!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams is sharing the importance of public speaking in creating change and actionable steps you can take right now to be visible and take up space.
Some of the talking points Julie goes over in this episode include:
- The cultural narratives that hold women back that we have heard from a young age.
- Embracing your power and influence, and overcoming self-doubt.
- How public speaking can create change, and how you can improve your public speaking skills.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Every woman has an instance in her childhood where her voice was ignored. Maybe she was told to be seen and not heard, maybe she was looked over in class to speak, or maybe she was told to take up less space. This cultural bias against women’s voices needs to be put to an end, and it starts with us supporting one another and speaking up to affirm another woman and make her voice heard. This week’s episode 130 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the third tenet of the How Women Lead Credo: reinforcing other women’s voices when they speak up!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams shares the importance of supporting other women when they speak and actionable steps you can take right now to open opportunities for women’s voices to be heard.
Some of the talking points Julie goes over in this episode include:
- Women being ignored is a cultural problem, not an isolated incident.
- How Harvard Business School documented gender bias that kept women from reaping the full benefits of attending the school.
- All women have been told to be seen and not heard as children; this carries over well into adulthood.
- Steps we can take to open doors and create opportunities for ourselves and the women around us.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast.
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
“Deals are made on the golf course.” “Your network is your net worth.” How often have we women heard these phrases throughout our lives, only to be scolded or warned against doing these same things that men are encouraged to do? It’s time for us to change the cultural narrative around using our connections to create professional opportunities for ourselves and the women around us. This week’s episode 129 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the second tenant of the How Women Lead credo: saying yes to helping each other!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams is sharing the importance of making introductions for other women and actionable steps you can take right now to increase opportunities for yourself and women around you!
Some of the talking points Julie goes over in this episode include:
- It's not what you know, it’s who you know.
- How women are discouraged from making introductions for one another when men are encouraged to do so.
- The power of actively making connections.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
In a world where women leaders are still facing immense challenges and criticism, our role as advocates for each other has never been more important. Too often, we've seen women tear each other down, rather than lifting each other up. But when we commit to refusing to participate in the toxic dynamics that hold us back and instead use our voices to build other women up, amazing things happen. We’re thrilled to share this replay of Julie Castro Abrams discussing the first pillar of our How Women Lead credo. This week’s episode 128 of How Women Inspire is about the first tenet of the How Women Lead credo: be fierce advocacy for all women and transforming work culture!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams shares the importance of lifting up and supporting other women and actionable steps you can take right now to advocate for the women in leadership roles in your life.
Some of the talking points Julie goes over in this episode include:
- The physical toll of microaggressions in the workplace.
- What leadership is like for women in a world designed for men.
- The oxymoron of ‘women’s leadership” in America and the lack of models for women leaders.
- How being fierce advocates for one another will help women step into their confidence and power as leaders.
It's time we change the culture of how we are together so that all women can feel like they have a path forward and do it with fewer battle scars.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
The workforce in the US is more diverse than ever. And with a large part of the educated workforce being made up of Latina women, strategies and ideas around investments are shifting. Emma Rodriguez-Ayala is here today to talk about how investors need to learn how Latino communities view and value money, bridging the financial literacy gap by teaching kids about money from a young age, and much more. This week’s episode 127 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about unlocking the power of Latina investors and bridging the financial literacy gap!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Emma Rodriguez -Ayala is sharing the importance of investing in Latino communities and overcoming barriers to inclusion. and actionable steps you can take right now to start teaching your kids what they need to know about money.
Emma Rodriguez -Ayala serves as Ariel’s Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel as well as Board Secretary of Ariel Investments and Ariel Alternatives. With almost two decades of experience in investment management, Emma is a seasoned legal and operations executive with a passion for impact investing, DEI, risk management, and corporate governance.Emma is an independent director of First Bank Chicago, one of the largest privately held banks in Chicagoland. She serves on the board of Chicago television station WTTW and the Chicago classical music station WFMT. Additionally, she is a founder and board member of Angeles Investors, a Latino-focused angel investing group and is a member of the Latino Corporate Directors Association.
Some of the talking points Julie and Emma go over in this episode include:
- The growth of women in investment management.
- Investing in financial literacy and teaching kids about money from a young age.
- The importance of understanding the Latino community's value system when engaging with them financially.
- How leadership means looking at the big picture and watching for obstacles for your team.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH EMMA RODRIGUEZ-AYALA:
Ariel Investments
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
While women in general are underrepresented in leadership roles and corporate America, those least represented are Latina women. Despite being one of the largest sections of the workforce, Latina women make the least money of any demographic in the country; on average only being paid 62 cents for every dollar made by a white man. Marilyn Alverio founded Latinas & Power as a way to bring Latina women together to share their experiences, elevate their voices, build strong networks, and navigate the changing workplace landscape together so that all women have opportunities in leadership. This week’s episode 126 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about elevating Latina voices!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Marilyn Alverio is sharing the importance of creating work environments where you can bring your whole self to work and actionable steps you can take right now to build up your network.
Marilyn Alverio is the Founder and CEO of Latinas & Power Corp., a non-profit organization that empowers Latinas to succeed as influential leaders and advocates in their careers and communities. She has over 30 years of experience in marketing, sales, and brand management, working with Fortune 100 companies and diverse audiences. Marilyn is also a keynote speaker on topics that include; DE&I, Women’s Market, Latino Market and ERG’s.
Some of the talking points Julie and Marilyn go over in this episode include:
- The problem with being the “only” in the room in corporate settings.
- Slowly building a nonprofit from a small group of individuals sharing their experiences.
- Underrepresentation of Latinas in leadership roles and the impact of their experiences on their leadership.
- Prioritizing self-care and authenticity for Latina leaders.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH MARILYN ALVERIO:
X (formerly Twitter)
Latinas & Power
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
Women-led venture firms grew from 12 in 2010 to over 300 in 2020, representing new opportunities for women in leadership and innovation. As the first generation of women with decades of work experience and control of 50% of wealth, it’s up to us to invest in companies who share our values, especially in women’s healthcare. Ariane Tom is here this week to share about the importance of investing in healthcare technology, especially neuroscience technologies. This week’s episode 125 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about investing in her wellness!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Ariane Tom is sharing the importance of involving women in venture capital and actionable steps you can take right now to find venture firms to invest in that align with your values.
Dr. Ariane Tom is Founder & Managing Director of Kaleida Capital, investing in neurotech with domain expertise across deeptech, AI, and neuroscience. Throughout her academic career at Stanford, Ariane spearheaded research programs in neural interfaces with applications in brain-mapping, prosthetics, drug delivery, and neuromodulation. She is a published co-author in top-tier research journals Science Magazine and Nature Portfolio, collaborating across disciplines with luminaries Karl Deisseroth (optogenetics & CLARITY), Zhenan Bao (electronic skin), and Sergiu Pasca (organoids). Beyond the bench, she has applied over a decade of research insight to venture capital, patent law, and public policy, cultivating a top-performing investment track record by identifying and backing technologies of multiple Nobel Laureates.
Some of the talking points Julie and Ariane go over in this episode include:
- Investing in neuroscience technology for the future of women’s health.
- The unique perspective women bring to the role of innovation.
- Finding venture firms that align with your values to invest in.
- A primer on how venture investing works and what you can expect.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH ARIANE TOM:
X (formerly Twitter)
Website
Kaleida Capital
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
As we mark two years since the Dobbs decision which overturned Roe v. Wade, highlighting inequality in healthcare is more important than ever. Limiting access to essential reproductive care disproportionatelty affects women of color, non-English speaking folks, people living in poverty, and other marginalized groups. Kwajelyn Jackson is here this week to discuss her work in fighting for reproductive justice in Georgia and across the US, as well as addressing the intersections of issues like economic insecurity, racism, and lack of community support. This week’s episode 124 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about intersectional reproductive justice!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Kwajelyn Jackson is sharing the importance of considering multiple identities and systems of oppression when advocating for reproductive justice. and actionable steps you can take right now to support equal access to reproductive healthcare for all.
Kwajelyn Jackson currently serves as Executive Director at Feminist Women’s Health Center (FWHC) in Atlanta, GA, leading the entire organization’s operations, abortion clinic, civic engagement, education and outreach teams. Since 2013 she has led the expansion of FWHC’s statewide and national impact, and significantly deepened community partnerships. Kwajelyn has been named one of the 500 most powerful leaders in Atlanta by Atlanta Magazine for five consecutive years.
Some of the talking points Julie and Kwajelyn go over in this episode include:
- The importance of acknowledging and addressing white supremacy and racial discrimination in policy.
- Community engagement and support for local organizations crucial for reproductive healthcare access.
- Challenges faced by independent clinics, including high costs of abortion care.
- Integrity-rooted leadership and balancing pragmatism and wild optimism.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH KWAJELYN JACKSON:
X (formerly Twitter)
Feminist Women’s Health Center
Black Mamas Matter Alliance
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
Local politics is often regarded as the most important level of government. It is where decisions are made that affect you and those in your community directly and daily, and where people come together to improve where they live. Aja Brown became mayor of Compton, California in 2013 by doing just that, caring for her community and inspiring others to do the same. She is here today to talk all about her time as mayor, her passion for creating effective technology, and more. This week’s episode 123 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about transforming communities through visionary leadership!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Aja Brown is sharing the importance of data in driving equity and justice and actionable steps you can take right now to be an effective, values-driven elected official.
A visionary leader with an unshakeable commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, Aja Brown stands at the forefront of catalytic growth, harnessing technology to transform government, deliver efficiencies that remove red-tape, and empower stakeholders of communities across the U.S. through the democratization of data. Throughout her career, she has been a driving force for transformation, impacting people and places around the world through her leadership, fresh perspective and ability to strongly connect with people of diverse backgrounds and experiences. As Mayor, Aja pioneered groundbreaking initiatives that revolutionized city administration, broadened access to technology, and cultivated a culture of innovation and growth.
Some of the talking points Julie and Aja go over in this episode include:
- Aja’s journey to Compton and call to run for mayor.
- The 12 point vision for sustainable community development.
- The challenges of being a young, female leader and the physical toll it can take.
- The government's role in creating a demand for effective and efficient technology.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH AJA BROWN:
X (formerly Twitter)
Website
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
Having diverse perspectives in your workplace is good not only for productivity and output, but also for creating a comfortable environment where all people can do their best work. In recent years, however, we have seen shifts on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) regulation. Nancy Geenen is an expert in DEI in the workplace, and on today’s show she’s sharing insights from her book The Advantage of Other: A Leader’s Guide to Building an Equitable, Dynamic, and Productive Workplace. This week’s episode 122 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about building an inclusive workplace culture for high performance!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Nancy Geenen is sharing the importance of finding your voice and actionable steps you can take right now to get involved in causes you care about.
Nancy Geenen is the CEO of Flexability, a workplace equity & inclusion consulting firm. Nancy is an accomplished entrepreneur, trial attorney, and strategic facilitator. She is a sought-after advisor on matters of company culture, retention, career development, and leadership. Early in her career, she was a Senior Legal Officer for the United Nations in Geneva focused on adjudicating damages arising from Iraq’s unlawful invasion of Kuwait. Following her passion, Nancy writes and speaks on topics related to the social impact of employing individuals with disabilities
Some of the talking points Julie and Nancy go over in this episode include:
- Nancy’s entrepreneurial journey, starting with a women's group meeting in the conference room at her law firm.
- Affirmative Action rulings and how they will affect equal opportunity in the workplace.
- The importance of finding belonging in the workplace and in networks that share your values.
- How showing up is easier if you’re making a difference.
Don’t forget to order Nancy’s book, The Advantage of Other: A Leader’s Guide to Building an Equitable, Dynamic, and Productive Workplace!
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH NANCY GEENEN:
Website
Flexability
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
As women-founded companies receive only 2% of venture funding year after year, it’s more important than ever for women founders and women venture capitalists to band together to reshape what it means to be an investor and an entrepreneur. Winsome Kirton and Tatijana Janko are two women advocating for and leading this change. They’re here today to discuss diversity in investment, their experiences with bias in the investment space, and more. This week’s episode 121 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about women leading change in startups and capital!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast,Winsome Kirton and Tatijana Janko are sharing the importance of investing in diverse women founders, both ethically and financially and actionable steps you can take right now to begin investing with your values.
Winsome Kirton is the founder and CEO of Heard.io, a B2B ecosystem that drives and measures social impact by connecting businesses with companies that meet their ESG goals. After working as a media director and working on her first startup, Pack Elephant, Winsome realized how difficult it was to work with small and diverse-owned businesses on a big scale. She started Heard.io to combat those difficulties and allow companies to shop thoughtfully and intentionally for their corporate gifting needs.
Tatijana Janko is the Founder and General Partner at Fjor venture capital. She most recently was a Mucker Capital backed founder of a software startup built for managing workflows of matrixed investment teams. As a fintech entrepreneur and independent sponsor she closed $56M in investments and helped to secure securitization and forward flow arrangements for insurance companies and hedge funds.
Some of the talking points Julie, Winsome, and Tatijana go over in this episode include:
- New Table’s mission to get 10,000 women investing.
- The challenges of being a black woman entrepreneur.
- The importance of amplifying women-owned and founded companies.
- The grit and unique perspectives offered by immigrant entrepreneurs.
To learn more and join The New Table, visit the How Women Lead website today!
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH WINSOME KIRTON:
Heard.io
CONNECT WITH TATIJANA JANKO:
Fjor
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
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Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
In the world of founders and business owners, you’ll find many people who start more than one company. You’ll be hard-pressed, however, to find someone who has not only started multiple successful companies and a venture fund, but imbues all of her projects with as much passion, authenticity, and respect for her culture and values as Betsy Fore. Betsy has taken her success and turned to mentoring, funding, and supporting the next generation of Native American entrepreneurs through her from Velveteen Ventures, the non-profit Natives Rising, and more. Betsy is here today to talk about all of that and more! This week’s episode 120 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about inspiring and funding Native American entrepreneurs!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Betsy Fore is sharing the importance of understanding one’s deep inner ‘why’ and actionable steps you can take right now to support Native American entrepreneurs, founders, and young professionals.
Betsy Fore is the Founding Partner and Managing Director of Velveteen Ventures, a venture firm investing in Children & Planet for the next seven generations. Previously, she was the Co-Founder and CEO of Tiny Organics, Founder and CEO of Wondermento, creators of WonderWoof. Betsy is also Co-Founder & Board Member for Native Rising, a career accelerator for Indigenous founders & Indigenous technologists that provides funding and opportunities through mentorship, networking, events, job placements and career development.
Some of the talking points Julie and Betsy go over in this episode include:
- The challenges of being a "ceiling breaker" as a woman of color in the tech industry.
- Lifting up other entrepreneurs to help them build companies and generational wealth.
- Overcoming fundraising challenges as a Native American woman through authenticity and passion.
- Partnering with indigenous organizations for economic empowerment.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
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CONNECT WITH BETSY FORE:
Natives Rising
Velveteen Ventures
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Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
Women control 52% of wealth in the United States. Despite that, less than 5% of women who can invest in venture capital actually do so. Venture capital is often portrayed as an avenue of wealth for the “bros” but if we come together as women, our unique value sets and perspectives can change the world by funding innovative, women-founded startups looking to find solutions that benefit everyone, rather than a privileged few. Today, Julie and Barbara Iyayi, CEO and Founding Partner of Unicorn Growth Capital, invite you to learn about venture capital as an opportunity to grow your wealth and help women across the globe. This week’s episode 119 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about investing with purpose and power!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Barbara Iyayi is sharing the importance of investing in women-led companies and creating a more inclusive innovation economy. and actionable steps you can take right now to start investing in women-founded companies creating a better future.
Barbara Iyayi is the CEO & Founding Partner of Unicorn Growth Capital, a Web3 VC fund that invests in the future of Finance, bridging TradFi & DeFi, to transform the financial infrastructure of the digital economy. Shei is an experienced venture capital and growth equity investor, and entrepreneur with over 17 years’ experience in financial services, spanning venture capital, private equity, investment banking/M&A and technology.
Some of the talking points Julie and Barbara go over in this episode include:
- How decentralized finance can open up investment opportunities worldwide.
- Aligning your investments with your values to help underserved markets.
- Investing in women-founded companies can help solve problems others ignore.
- The importance of investing in women-led companies and creating a more inclusive innovation economy.
To learn more and join The New Table, visit the How Women Lead website today!
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
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CONNECT WITH BARBARA IYAYI:
X (formerly Twitter)
Unicorn Growth Capital
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Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
Entrepreneurship is never easy and it proves to be more difficult for women. But with resilience, determination, and support from a strong network, entrepreneurship is attainable for all women. Soon Hagerty knows more than most about what it takes to be a successful business owner and has made it her mission to support and mentor other women on this journey through the Boundless Futures Foundation. She is here this week to talk about all this and more. This week’s episode 118 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about empathy in philanthropy and entrepreneurship!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Soon Hagerty is sharing the importance of leading and mentoring others with empathy and compassion and actionable steps you can take right now to contribute to your community, no matter what stage of life you’re in.
Soon Hagerty is the Co-Founder and President of the Boundless Futures Foundation, a non-profit that provides financial support and leadership resources for aspiring female entrepreneurs building businesses to solve today’s biggest social issues so they can have a boundless impact in society. She has co-owned several PR/marketing firms including Luxe Communications, which she founded, and Centigrade. In 2022, Soon was named one of the U.S.’s “Top Women in Communications” by Ragan Communications for her work in transforming the Hagerty brand.
Some of the talking points Julie and Soon go over in this episode include:
- The founding and mission of the Boundless Futures Foundation is to help young women start businesses.
- How providing mentorship to grant recipients can mean more to them than the money.
- Soon’s story of immigrating from Vietnam and how that has shaped her principles today.
- Viewing “giving back to the community” as “contributing to society” instead.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
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CONNECT WITH SOON HAGERTY:
Boundless Futures Foundation
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LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
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Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
Investing in venture capital has historically been a men’s game, and the companies that receive funding reflect that. Less than 2% of venture funding is awarded to women-led companies, and that number has remained the same for many years. But as the pool of venture investors diversifies, we believe that number should grow. Tessa Flippin, Founder of Capitalize VC and Julie spoke about this topic in a LinkedIn Live that we’re sharing with you today. This week’s episode 117 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about rewriting the playbook for women’s investing!
In this episode of the How Women Inspire Podcast, Tessa Flippin discusses the importance of investing in women-founded and diverse companies and actionable steps you can take right now to demystify investing jargon.
Tessa Flippin is the Founder and Managing Partner of Capitalize VC, a Chicago-based VC fund investing in pre-seed stage, diverse founders in the multi-trillion dollar, rapidly growing commerce industry at the intersection of commerce enablement, commerce infrastructure, fintech and consumer brands. Tessa began her career in venture capital as a venture investor at TechNexus, a Chicago-based fund, where she invested in enterprise SaaS technologies at the seed stage. She joined Genius Guild Greenhouse Fund as a Venture Partner, investing in founders in fintech, health tech and connectivity.
Some of the talking points Julie and Tessa go over in this episode include:
- The challenges faced by diverse founders, including women and underrepresented groups, in accessing funding.
- Investing in social impact funds to drive financial return and support sustainable practices.
- The importance of diversity and inclusion in the entrepreneurial space.
- The impact of women-led businesses on society and the environment.
If you’re interested in joining The New Table, head over to our website for more information!
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of it to post in your stories and tag me! Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH TESSA FLIPPIN:
X (formerly Twitter)
Capitalize VC
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
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Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
Less than 2% of all venture funding every year goes to women-founded businesses. But while that number has not changed in recent years, the amount of women actively investing has increased significantly. Our mission at How Women Lead is to create opportunities and access for women investors to help increase the amount of funding for women in the venture space. Naseem Sayani, Co-founder and GP of Emmeline ventures, joined Julie for a LinkedIn Live that we’re sharing with you today. This week’s episode 116 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about investing with purpose and making a difference in investing as women!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Naseem Sayani is sharing the importance of investing in women-founded companies and actionable steps you can take right now to begin your investing journey today.
Naseem Sayani is the Co-founder and Director of Emmeline Ventures, a female-founded early-stage fund investing in ambitious female founders building businesses that are helping women, in particular, manage their health, build their wealth, and live in a cleaner, safer world. Naseem has over 20 years of expertise in investing and business-building, and has experience as an angel investor on her own.
Some of the talking points Julie and Naseem go over in this episode include:
- The underrepresentation of women in venture capital and how the numbers have changed in the past few years.
- How women-led companies perform better for their investors, are more capital efficient, and continue to grow despite challenges in the industry.
- The importance and power of values-based investing.
- Making entering the venture capital space clear and accessible for women everywhere.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
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CONNECT WITH NASEEM SAYANI:
Emmeline Ventures
X (formerly Twitter)
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LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
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Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
As we progress in our careers, we better understand the importance of mentorship and coaching in ourt professional lives. Too often though, career coaching and professional development resources aren’t accessible to young professionals, whether it’s cost- or time-prohibited. Ivoree Jordan and Myshell Gresham have started We Have Range to change that and create accessible resources for young professionals, especially women. This week’s episode 115 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about supporting young professionals through early career development!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Ivoree Jordan and Myshell Gresham are sharing the importance of creating access to career development resources for young professionals and actionable steps you can take right now to continue your professional self-discovery journey.
Ivoree Jordan is the Senior Vice President of Business Insurance at Newfront insurance and co-founder of We Have Range, a firm that combines coaching, business consulting, and emerging media. Ivoree was recently named one of the Top 25 Agents of 2021 by the Insurance Journal, one of only four women and the only black professional honored on that list. She was also awarded the 2022 Woman of the Year by her firm for her commitment to clients, colleagues in the community.
Myshell Gresham is the Senior Vice President of Partnership Engagement - West Region at the Ascot Group and co-founder of We Have Range. An award winning insurance industry expert, Myshell has consistently demonstrated her capacity to drive partnerships, growth, and portfolio management through her 20 plus year career. Through her various leadership roles, she has found a love for helping others develop their professional careers, and is an executive coach.
Some of the talking points Julie, Ivoree, and Myshell go over in this episode include:
- The importance of career development and how it often starts too late in the career.
- How building professional networks early in your career helps in the long term.
- Approaching your professional life with authenticity and honoring your identity at work.
- While others can help, self-discovery is primarily a solo journey.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
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Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
Venture capital has a reputation for only funding certain demographics of entrepreneurs, particularly white men. As both entrepreneurs seeking funding and investors looking to support them become more diverse, we don’t necessarily see that trend change. Gayle Jennings O’Byrne is here today to talk about the power of storytelling in venture capital and how it can help build trust, break down barriers, and get capital into the hands of those who need it, especially women entrepreneurs. This week’s episode 114 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the power of storytelling in venture capital!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Gayle Jennings O'Byrne is sharing the importance of diverse teams in the venture capital space and actionable steps you can take right now to break down barriers through storytelling.
Gayle Jennings O'Byrne is the CEO of Wocstar Capital, and Co-Founder and General Partner of the Wocstar Fund, an early-stage venture fund that invests in the future of consumption and innovation using a female arbitrage strategy — women of color tech entrepreneurs (“WOCstars”). Gayle was named one of "10 Women Changing the Landscape of Leadership'' by the New York Times, March 2021, one of the top Black venture capitalists, Business Insider, February 2024, and one of the top “10 Women of Influence” by Venture Capital Journal, July 2022. She is an instructor at Wocstar Academy and co-founder of the Ally Capital Collab, an initiative aimed at tackling systemic underinvestment in women of color fund managers.
Some of the talking points Julie and Gayle go over in this episode include:
- Gayle’s story and why she started Wocstar Capital to support women entrepreneurs.
- Women’s role in making consumer decisions and therefore the market in general.
- Raising capital by using storytelling to break down barriers.
- The importance of mentorship and leadership development for women in the tech industry.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
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CONNECT WITH GAYLE JENINGS O’BYRNE:
Wocstar
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Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
There is no better time to prepare for your search for a board position than in the seasons of life leading up to it. And with 30% of those on public company boards now being women, there are more resources than ever to prepare you and stories from other women who have already made the journey to learn from. Join us for a replay of our recent Linkedin Live with Kimberley Goode where she shares the blend of industry expertise, strategic networking, and impactful initiatives that paved the way for her recent board appointment. This week’s episode 113 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about preparing for the boardroom and strategies for success as a board member!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Kimberley Goode shares the importance of networking before you’re ready to be on a board and actionable steps you can take right now to prepare yourself for your search for a board seat.
Kimberley Goode is the Chief Communications and Social Impact Officer of BMO Financial Group and a board director at Providence Health Plan. She is a leader with passion for stakeholder engagement strategies, integrated communication, reputation management, brand building, corporate social responsibility, culture, diversity and inclusion. Kimberley has been recognized on the Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business list by the San Francisco Business Times, as one of the Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America by Savoy magazine, and many others.
Some of the talking points Julie and Kimberley go over in this episode include:
- Living by the How Women Lead credo.
- The importance of relationships and accountability in board service.
- Prioritizing board service based on stage and season of life.
- The need for diverse perspectives on boards to avoid recreating institutional biases in the changing world.
You can head to the How Women Lead Linkedin page to catch the original conversation!
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
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Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
We have all learned rules around when our voices should and should not be heard; when it’s safe to speak up and moments when it’s too costly to use our voices. Anyone who carries a subordinated identity, particularly women, experience the expectation of silence baked into corporate policies and practices, while it goes unnoticed or misunderstood by leaders. Elaine Lin Hering is here today to share wisdom from her book, Unlearning Silence, and encourage us all to start our journey to speaking up. This week’s episode 112 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about unlearning silence and promoting open communication!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Elaine Lin Hering is sharing the importance of agency and choice in communication and actionable steps you can take right now to start unlearning the versions of silence we have learned over time.
Elaine Lin Hering works with organizations and individuals to build skills in communication, collaboration, and conflict management. Elaine has worked on six continents and with a wide range of corporate, government, and nonprofit clients. She has trained mental health professionals, political officials, religious communities, and leaders at companies including American Express, Capital One, Google, Nike, Novartis, Shell, Pixar, and the Red Cross. Elaine is a former Managing Partner of Triad Consulting Group and Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School, specializing in dispute resolution, mediation, and negotiation.
Some of the talking points Julie and Elaine go over in this episode include:
- Why encouraging someone to ‘just speak up’ doesn’t work.
- Recognizing systems, policies, and practices that silence marginalized voices.
- The four anchors of speaking up.
- Creating space for alternative methods of communication.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
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CONNECT WITH ELAINE LIN HERING:
Website
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Healthcare technologies continue to see innovation faster than ever before. But as technologies change to ideally improve healthcare for everyone, we cannot have the only minds in the space be white men. Michele Colucci is here today to talk about the shift towards more women getting involved in venture funding for healthcare technologies. This week’s episode 111 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about women-led healthcare innovation and investment!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Michele Colucci is sharing the importance of collaboration in heathcare and actionable steps you can take right now to invest in women-led ventures.
Michele Colucci is the CEO and Managing Partner of DigitalDx Ventures, a majority woman-owned impact fund investing in early-stage health technology companies that deliver innovative solutions using artificial intelligence (AI) to better diagnose + treat illness. Michele has authored six patents in the technology space and founded companies in the legal, technology, retail, and entertainment spaces.She has worked at law firms including Hughes Hubbard & Reed, run her own media production company, owned and operated a chain of retail stores in the political space, run a political fundraising venue, and founded a legal technology company.
Some of the talking points Julie and Michele go over in this episode include:
- How experience working across different vertices leads to unique problem-solving abilities.
- The importance of collaboration in the development of healthcare technologies.
- Three uses for AI in healthcare.
- Why it is important for women to participate in venture investing.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
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CONNECT WITH MICHELE COLUCCI:
Email Michele
DigitalDx Ventures
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Society and business are slow to change. Without leaders using disruption to create positive change, we would likely never see improvements to our quality of life, both personally and professionally. But there is evidence that shows women are less likely to be disruptors, since we grow up hearing that being disruptive is a negative trait. Charlene Li is here this week to encourage women to embrace disruption and see it as a strength. This week’s episode 110 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about empowering women to embrace disruption and drive positive change!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Charlene Li is sharing the importance of learning to embrace disruptive thinking as a woman and actionable steps you can take right now to incorporate generative AI into your work as a leader.
Charlene Li is the Founder and CEO of Quantum Networks Group, an organization founded with the goal of helping disruptors and innovators succeed by providing a community—live and virtual—of like-minded individuals. She is a New York Times bestselling author of six books, including The Disruption Mindset, Open Leadership, and the critically acclaimed Groundswell. Charlene is a sought-after expert on disruptive transformation, leadership, customer experience, and the future of work, having worked with hundreds of organizations to provide winning strategies for disruptive growth.
Some of the talking points Julie and Charlene go over in this episode include:
- The gender gap in distuprive thinking and how women should embrace disruption.
- How generative AI can be a useful tool in disruptive change and leadership work.
- Taking care of yourself before giving of yourself to others.
- Being decisive and clear about what you want.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH CHARLENE LI:
Website
YouTube
X (formerly Twitter)
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How Women Lead
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LINKS MENTIONED:
Navigating Generative AI: A CEO Playbook
Climate change is at the top of many people’s minds as we experience more and more of its effects each year. Finding ways to reduce your carbon emissions and even achieve carbon neutrality is easier than ever as technologies advance and we create smarter systems to achieve our business goals without using as many natural resources. Cathleen Turner, the founder of CZero is here this week to talk about the steps you can take as a business owner or executive to reduce your business's carbon footprint. This week’s episode 109 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about achieving carbon neutrality!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Cathleen Turner is sharing the importance of carbon neutrality for businesses and actionable steps you can take right now to take care of yourself as a high-achieving person.
Cat Turner is the Founder of CZero, a cutting-edge platform that allows for frictionless, carbon-neutral distribution for food and technology businesses. Through CZero, brands have access to carbon accounting, enabling them to shift towards eco-friendly logistics and achieve carbon neutrality.
Some of the talking points Julie and Cathleen go over in this episode include:
- The importance of taking steps toward carbon neutrality now, no matter the size of your business.
- The four steps to addressing your company’s carbon emissions.
- How CZero reduces carbon impact by utilizing empty commercial vehicles for cargo sharing.
- Taking care of yourself to keep yourself healthy and able to achieve great things.
To read more on what was covered in today’s episode, check out Cat’s blog post on going carbon-neutral today.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
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CONNECT WITH CATHLEEN TURNER:
CZero
Email Cat
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LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
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Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
Healthcare is an industry that affects everyone, no matter your race, gender, and age. With every person needing healthcare access, having a diverse group of voices and minds both in clinics and in companies developing healthcare technologies is more important than ever. Andrea Henderson knows this and has made it her life’s mission to not only find these diverse voices, but also invest in technologies to improve healthcare for underrepresented groups. This week’s episode 108 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about improving health outcomes through diversity!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Andrea Henderson is sharing the importance of diversity in healthcare and actionable steps you can take right now to ask yourself how you can achieve anything you set your mind to.
Andrea Henderson is the Partner in the Life Sciences, Healthcare, Diversity, and Board & CEO Practice Groups at DHR Global, a provider of executive search, leadership consulting, and emerging leader search solutions in more than 50 markets spanning 22 countries.. She is an executive talent strategist and people architect, and previously served as the Director of Partner Solutions and Executive Search at a career acceleration and talent sourcing platform for underrepresented healthcare and life science leaders. Andrea is passionate about health equity and women's health.
Some of the talking points Julie and Andrea go over in this episode include:
- The need for diverse clinicians and medical professionals for the betterment of everyone’s health.
- Tithing one’s time and giving back to the community.
- Making investing more accessible to women hoping to help find solutions with limited resources.
- The importance of aligning one’s actions with their values.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
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How Women Lead
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Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
Every day, we see technology improving the systems and industries all around us. From finance to environmental science and more, technological advances are allowing us to make great changes to the way we live and work. The medical field is no exception, with scientists and inventors working tirelessly to improve healthcare across the board. Crystal Nyitray, the CEO of Encellin, is here today to talk about how her company is changing the game by introducing cell-based therapies, allowing healthcare to become even more personal. This week’s episode 107 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about revolutionizing medicine with cell-based therapies!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Crystal Nyitray is sharing the importance of disruptive technology to improve our lives and actionable steps you can take right now to get involved with Encellin.
Crystal Nyitray is the Founder and CEO of Encellin. She is an alumna of UCSF, Sanofi, and Y Combinator. She led Encellin’s over $5M seed raise, authored over 10 patents, and is an awardee of MedTech Innovator, Rosenman Innovators, and American Diabetes Innovator.
Some of the talking points Julie and Crystal go over in this episode include:
- The potential of encapsulated cell replacement therapy to revolutionize medicine.
- How startups have the luxury of risk and can experiment with emerging technologies to benefit everyone.
- Embracing inexperience as a strength and building networks from scratch.
- How being comfortable with being different can lead to disruptive innovation and impactful change.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
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CONNECT WITH CRYSTAL NYITRAY:
Encellin
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LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
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Since the release of ChatGPT at the end of 2022, the whole world has been buzzing about AI. While it has proven incredibly useful in businesses and is sure to keep changing the technology game, AI and large language models don’t come without their fair share of problems to be corrected. Inaccuracies and biases in the data used in AI present many problems. Katie Trauth Taylor is no stranger to these issues and is working through her company Narratize to create a platform that corrects these issues for innovative enterprises. This week’s episode 106 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about generative AI storytelling and responsible AI!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Katie Taylor shares the importance of creating AI that accounts for bias and actionable steps you can take right now to utilize AI for storytelling at an enterprise level.
Katie Trauth Taylor, Ph.D. is CEO & Co-founder at Narratize AI, the Generative AI storytelling platform for innovative enterprises. Katie is a growth-focused entrepreneur executive with 10+ years experience inspiring teams to design and deliver magnetic products, memorable experiences, and groundbreaking impacts. She has led strategic innovation narratives and served as a senior content strategist within fast-growth tech startups and the Fortune 500, including Boeing, NASA, Hershey, Sunoco, the United Nations, and many more. She believes that everyone can be an innovator--when empowered to share their bold ideas.
Some of the talking points Julie and Katie go over in this episode include:
- The lack of women founders in the AI industry and its effect on data bias.
- What is responsible AI and how does it address bias?
- Using AI and large language models to increase effective communication of scientific discoveries.
- The importance of storytelling in enterprise growth.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH KATIE TRAUTH TAYLOR:
Narratize
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
When women are in positions of power and influence, it’s better for people, profits, and the planet. But society up to this point has not been conditioned to see women as influential, successful leaders. We at How Women Lead are working to change how the world perceives women leaders and our credo is our guiding light on this journey. Today we are compiling Julie’s episodes about the four tenets of our credo into one place to inspire and motivate you to help us in our cultural transformation. This week’s episode 105 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the How Women Lead credo!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams is sharing the importance of reinforcing the voices of other women and actionable steps you can take right now to be unabashedly visible in whatever you do.
Some of the talking points Julie goes over in this episode include:
- The importance of creating a countercultural credo to amplify women’s leadership and capabilities.
- Empowering women through making connections and using your network to benefit others.
- Combatting the cultural dismissal of women’s voices through media representation.
- Julie’s personal journey in overcoming self-doubt and a fear of public speaking.
Don’t forget to head over to How Women Lead to learn about the different branches of the organization and how you can get involved.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
While we have made strides in increasing women’s representation in investment management roles, male portfolio managers still control around 12 and a half times more capital than women. This lack of diversity in making investing decisions leads to a lack of funding for women-owned and diverse businesses. Without more perspectives in the room, everyone misses out on opportunities that will benefit the many. Ruth Shaber is here today to discuss her work driving gender diversity in portfolio decisions, her experience founding reproductive health ventures, and much more. This week’s episode 104 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about unlocking higher returns and lower risk through gender diversity in finance!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Ruth Shaber shares the importance of diversity in asset allocation decisions and actionable steps you can take right now to increase gender diversity in your portfolio.
Ruth Shaber, MD is the Founder and President of the Tara Health Foundation. This foundation advances health and economic justice by transferring all of our resources and assets to invest in and elevate solutions at the intersection of race and gender. Ruth is also the co-founder and board chair of Rhia Ventures, a group of foundations and investors that collaborate to bring new types of capital and enterprise to the field of reproductive health in the United States. Recently, Ruth co-authored “The XX Edge: Unlocking Higher Returns and Lower Risk”.
Some of the talking points Julie and Ruth go over in this episode include:
- Prioritizing women's health and reproductive rights and seeking to address systemic issues.
- Women and men’s different approaches to decision-making.
- The importance of bringing one’s full, authentic self to the table including lived experiences.
- How women are often closer to the problems they're trying to solve, bringing unique perspectives and innovation to the table.
To order Ruth’s book, The XX Edge: Unlocking Higher Returns and Lower Risk, you can head to https://thexxedge.com/ today!
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH RUTH SHABER:
X (formerly Twitter)
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
As women reach midlife, we find that not only our physical selves change but also our values, leadership styles, and how we want to leave an impact in the world. And as we live longer lives with more years in “middlescence”, we are searching for new techniques and advice for navigating this stage. Barbara Waxman, a leadership coach with expertise in gerontology and life stages, is here this week to explain the concept of “middlescence”, how we change as we age, steps we can take now to increase our longevity, and more! This week’s episode 103 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about leadership, longevity, and the modern matriarchy!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Barbara Waxman shares the importance of self-reflection and intellectual curiosity in the next stage of life and actionable steps you can take right now to reverse engineer your life for joy and independence at age 100.
Barbara Waxman, founder of Odyssey Group Coaching, is passionate about building leaders’ personal and professional skills so they can thrive while increasing their ability to manage complexity and maximize their effectiveness. With over two decades of experience coaching CEOs, C-suite leaders, and entrepreneurs, Barbara utilizes a holistic approach to help clients lead and communicate authentically, sustain high performance, and expand their influence and impact.
Some of the talking points Julie and Barbara go over in this episode include:
- Recognizing and valuing the through lines of our life's journey in forming our authentic, powerful leadership.
- The concept of the “modern matriarchy” and how it affects our leadership as women.
- The new life stage known as “middlescence” and how it affects our careers, personal lives, and everything in between.
- The importance of maintaining meaningful connections and relationships, especially with other women, during periods of change and growth.
Barbara’s Seven Lifestyle Levers Assessment and her weekly newsletter are available through her website. Don’t forget to check them out!
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH BARBARA WAXMAN:
Website
YouTube
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
As we continue to seek more diverse voices in the corporate world and demand more representation for women and People of Color, we see experienced women leaders leading the demand for change. Robin L. Washington, who joins us on the podcast today, is the Co-founder of Black Women on Boards, an organization that removes obstacles that the world’s top Black female executives can face when pursuing board of director appointments. We talk about authenticity in the workplace, diversity of thought and representation at the board and C-suite level, and so much more. This week’s episode 102 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about advancing diversity in the boardroom and c-suite!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Robin Washington is sharing the importance of diversity of thought and inclusivity in business and actionable steps you can take right now to create space for authenticity through your leadership.
Robin L. Washington is a Fortune 100 board member and operating executive, currently serving on the boards of Alphabet, Honeywell, and Salesforce, where she is the Lead Independent Director. A CFO with significant expertise in Life Sciences and Enterprise Software, Robin is passionate about human capital management and deeply committed to accelerating the next generation of innovative leaders and entrepreneurs. Robins is the Co-founder of Black Women on Boards, and the recipient of the Get on Board Week Fearless Leader Award through How Women Lead.
Some of the talking points Julie and Robin go over in this episode include:
- Robin’s top ten words of wisdom for women everywhere.
- The importance of creating space for your employees and team members to be their authentic selves.
- Using leadership to inspire and set direction, not task management.
- The importance of diversity of thought and increasing representation in business.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH ROBIN L. WASHINGTON:
Black Women on Boards
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
At How Women Lead, we strongly believe in women finding their voice and being unabashedly visible in what they do. But finding your voice and learning to use it for your mission does not come naturally to everyone. Liz Sklar, actress and Director at Stand & Deliver, helps leaders across all industries find their voice and use it to be effective, inspiring leaders. She’s here today to talk about her journey, how you can find your unique voice, and much more! This week’s episode 101 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about improving your communication skills to find your voice!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Liz Sklar is sharing the importance of choosing to believe in yourself and your voice and actionable steps you can take right now to take care of yourself in today’s stressful world.
In her work with clients including Genentech, Gilead, Twilio, Google, IVP, CZI, Waymo, and the Cartier Women’s Initiative, Liz’s work has crossed industries from pharma to finance and frequently focuses on leaders in the innovation economy. She is especially inspired by female entrepreneurs and executives and is invested in empowering them to harness their innate power and wisdom to further their careers and expand their missions. Liz has acted professionally in both film and theater, including leading roles at premier regional theaters such as the California Shakespeare Festival and American Conservatory Theatre.
Some of the talking points Julie and Liz go over in this episode include:
- How Liz’s experience in theatre informs her leadership coaching in the corporate world.
- Emphasizing the value of finding and showcasing one's authentic self.
- Managing stress and influencing without authority in the workplace.
- Empowering women leaders through empathy and public speaking.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH LIZ SKLAR:
Website
Stand & Deliver
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Women’s voices have been and continue to be culturally dismissed and discouraged. Women are very rarely quoted in science and financial journals, as well as make up only about 25% of all of the people who are quoted as experts in the news media. The fourth element of our credo at How Women Lead is to Be Unabashedly Visible, and today, Julie is sharing her journey to be more visible. This week’s episode 100 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about being unabashedly visible!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams is sharing the importance of public speaking in creating change and actionable steps you can take right now to be visible and take up space.
Some of the talking points Julie goes over in this episode include:
- The cultural narratives that hold women back that we have heard from a young age.
- Embracing your power and influence, and overcoming self-doubt.
- How public speaking can create change and how you can improve your public speaking skills.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Women have powerful voices and have been using them to voice concerns and demand change forever. But when society is full of naysayers and those who undervalue women, it can be easy to back off of your convictions. Denise Brosseau has been on a mission for decades to help women crystalize their voices and use them to stand up for the causes they believe in. Today, she is here to talk about her causes and how she helps women find their voices! This week’s episode 99 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about amplifying your voice and message!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Denise Brosseau is sharing the importance of trusting ourselves and actionable steps you can take right now to start finding your voice.
Denise Brosseau is a thought leader, strategist, author, and CEO of Thought Leadership Lab. Passionate about amplifying inspiring voices, she assists leaders and changemakers in expanding their influence and impact. As the co-founder of Watermark (now Upward) and Springboard Enterprises, Denise champions women-led companies and their access to capital.
Some of the talking points Julie and Denise go over in this episode include:
- How Denise’s time at Wellesley College shaped her career.
- The importance of seeing women in leadership roles and how it inspires other women.
- Exploring the role of leaders in using voice and platform for moral leadership.
- How purely performative acts of solidarity hurt companies in the long run.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH DENISE BROSSEAU:
X (formerly Twitter)
Thought Leadership Lab
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Content warning: Discussion of sexual assault, eating disorders, and suicide.
There is a youth mental health crisis in the United States. On average, there is an 11-year age gap in youth mental health between when children experience their first symptoms and signals of mental illness to the first intervention and seeking of treatment. Kenzie Butera Davis started Maro to eliminate that age gap and provide early intervention and risk detection starting with a school-based mental health screening. She is here today to talk to us about the strides Maro has made thus far and how we can support their mission. This week’s episode 98 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about using technology to increase access to youth mental health services!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Kenzie Butera Davis is sharing the importance of screening for mental health symptoms at school and actionable steps you can take right now to support Maro and its mission to screen 1 million kids.
Kenzie Butera Davis is the Founder and CEO of Maro, a digital health company that has been awarded the Leading Innovative Early-Stage Pediatric Health Company by Oracle Cerner and the World's Most Innovative Ed Tech Startup by ASU GSB for their work at the intersection of healthcare and education. Maro makes mental health an asset to student success instead of a roadblock by screening for warning signs of mental health problems in students and working with schools to engage families and provide access to resources.
Some of the talking points Julie and Kenzie go over in this episode include:
- When Kenzie knew Maro was starting to make a difference.
- Tracking social return on investment in addition to financial return on investment.
- The importance of mental health screenings for children at school.
- Building partnerships with schools and mental health providers.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH KENZIE BUTERA DAVIS:
Maro
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Content Warning: This episode includes mention of child and animal neglect and abuse.
There’s a developmental stage between 45-65 where having an impact is one of the most important parts of this stage in our lives and it is so important to take a moment to reflect on the impact we want to have on the world. In this week’s episode 97 of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie shares her journey of philanthropy and impact!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams shares how her childhood experiences were the foundation for her decision early in life to spend the rest of her life trying to make the world a better place and reflecting on her continued efforts to open her heart and door to others by caring for them and loving and accepting them as they are.
Some of the talking points Julie goes over in this episode include:
- Being cognizant of the power dynamics in nonprofit organizations and setting realistic expectations of gratitude.
- Sharing Maimonides ‘Ladder of Philanthropy’ and the high value placed on philanthropy through partnership.
- The 3 levels of impact Julie focuses on and examples of how this has played out in her life.
- Encouraging you to have a north star of your own values to drive the impact and influence you have on the world.
Julie shares her story to show that being a life-long philanthropist and living a life of service is not easy but the gifts that come for both you and the people you help are immeasurable.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
We’re always talking about diversity and the importance of having different perspectives in the room where decisions are made in every organization. Asking questions others haven’t thought of and offering a new way to look at a problem allows for a more informed decision to be made, no matter the issue. No one knows this better than Kristyn Shapiro, who has spent much of her career at the FBI as a senior executive and now at Guidehouse, helping organizations make tough decisions and guiding them through crises. Kristyn is here this week to talk about how her different perspective helped her have a strong presence in her career and so much more. This week’s episode 96 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about thinking differently and providing your unique perspective in every situation!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Kristyn Shapiro is sharing the importance of recognizing that your perspective is different than those around you and actionable steps you can take right now to reach out and give others a voice.
Kristyn Shapiro is an Associate Director of Defense and Security at Guidehouse, a leading global provider of consulting services to the public sector and commercial markets, with broad capabilities in management, technology, and risk consulting. She excels at bringing organizations from chaos to organization after spending 11 years with the FBI and six years with the Office of Naval Intelligence. Kristyn also thrives in environments where she can bring her outsider view to rethink how things have always been done.
Some of the talking points Julie and Kristyn go over in this episode include:
- Are women better leaders during times of crisis?
- Challenging groupthink with your unique perspective.
- Advocating for others' voices and leaning into the way you think.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions, others might have the same questions and not speak up.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH KRISTYN SHAPIRO:
Guidehouse
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Poverty is a growing problem in the United States and 35% of single mothers face living in poverty. Eliminating poverty will take systemic and legislative change, but the fight against poverty begins and is currently most impactful at the local level through non-profits. These organizations strive to provide access to education and resources to those in need. WANDA, headed by Danika Dellor, strives to connect single mothers with these resources and teach women that of all the assets, they are the most valuable. Today, Danika Dellor is here to talk to us about all of that and more. This week’s episode 95 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about empowering single mothers through economic opportunity!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Danika Dellor shares the importance of recognizing individuals as their best assets and actionable steps you can take right now to involve diverse voices in your decision-making process.
Danika Dellor is the President and CEO of WANDA Silicon Valley. Danika brings a wealth of executive and fundraising experience accumulated over many years working with various growth-based nonprofit organizations. Her track record includes cultivating and sustaining philanthropic relations with foundations, donors, government agencies, and civic organizations. Danika’s expertise extends to establishing organizational policy, strategy, and program design in the fields of education, arts, health, and human services.
Some of the talking points Julie and Danika go over in this episode include:
- The importance of recognizing individuals as their own best assets.
- A framework for combatting poverty, including private, public, and open assets.
- Universal Basic Income as a stepping stone for systemic change.
- The importance of having diverse voices in making decisions in the non-profit space.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH DANIKA DELLOR:
WANDA
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Climate change is a constant topic of conversation. And while headlines may seem bleak, the climate technology sector continues to grow and innovate to improve our use of resources and impact on the environment. With this sector expected to continue to see rapid substantial growth, it’s time for women to explore it as an option, no matter their professional field. Linda Kinney is here today to talk about the lack of women in climate tech, and what we can do to change it. This week’s episode 94 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the role of women in climate tech!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Linda Kinney shares the importance of encouraging women to take jobs in climate technology and actionable steps you can take right now to invest in the future of climate technology companies.
Linda Kinney is a climate tech visionary who served as the head of ESG and Product Regulatory Legal at Intel, which is repeatedly ranked at the top of Barron's list of the most sustainable public companies. She's an impact investor and plays an active role in advising climate tech CEOs and leadership teams. Before she moved to the private sector. Linda served in the federal government during three administrations, receiving the highest levels of civil service appointment as a career member of the senior executive service.
Some of the talking points Julie and Linda go over in this episode include:
- Linda’s hope for climate technology because of government and private sector investment in climate tech.
- The current lack of women’s involvement in climate tech.
- Educating and empowering women to enter the climate tech space, no matter their career field.
- Adjusting investments on both personal and corporate levels to include climate technology.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH LINDA KINNEY:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
LINKS MENTIONED:
Canary Media
The majority of invested assets owned by women are not managed by women. Only 1.4% of assets are managed by women and people of color combined! With up to 70% of wealth projected to be controlled by women by 2030, that gender gap simply won’t do. Barbara Pierce, founder of Women with Capital, has made it her mission to empower women with financial literacy and teach women that they are in control of their investments. She is here today to talk about the community she has created with Women with Capital, and how women should be thinking about their investments. This week’s episode 93 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about unlocking women’s financial power!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Barbara Pierce is sharing the importance of financial and investing literacy for women and actionable steps you can take right now to take control of your own wealth management, while still being supported by professionals.
Barbara is the founder of Women with Capital, a private learning community to inspire, educate, and support women in using their wealth as a tool for change. In addition to her roles as an individual investor and founder of Women with Capital®, Barbara has 25 years of experience facilitating partnerships between top philanthropists and nonprofits.
Some of the talking points Julie and Barbara go over in this episode include:
- Realizing early that investing is the key to building wealth.
- Empowering women through financial literacy and investing, especially for social good.
- The problem of women’s wealth predominantly being managed by men.
- The psychology of wealth and how it guides people's actions, beliefs, and feelings of worthiness.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH BARBARA PIERCE:
Women with Capital
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
The technology industry is predominantly led by white men under the age of 45. While this has been the case for a long time, many different types of founders are starting to enter the space and attempting to get venture funding. Venture firms and funds that focus on often underrepresented founders, especially women of color, are truly making an impact in the technology space and paving the way to change other investor’s attitudes toward whom they invest in. Victoria Kennedy is here to talk about Seed to Harvest Ventures and how they put women of color first in their firm. This week’s episode 92 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about investing in women of color entrepreneurs and founders!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Victoria Kennedy share the importance of using one's existing skills and strengths to pursue their passions and actionable steps you can take right now to build community and network as you seek funding.
Victoria Kennedy is the Founder and GP at Seed to Harvest Ventures, a venture firm committed to setting up early-stage companies that are historically overlooked and providing them with education, resources, and connections to scale their business. Victoria has unparalleled expertise in building products and assembling high-performance teams and has consulted for companies like Goldman Sachs and The Today Show with NBC.
Some of the talking points Julie and Victoria go over in this episode include:
- Transitioning careers from a product leader to starting a venture firm.
- Women of color founders deliver 35% higher ROIs than white male founders.
- The challenges of being a black woman in a predominantly white male-led industry.
- Using your existing skills to pursue your passions.
You can listen to Seed to Harvest’s podcast, Adventures in Fun(d)land, on Spotify!
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH VICTORIA KENNEDY:
Seed to Harvest Ventures
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Food technology and the food industry is a $9 trillion business, but most people wouldn’t think of it. Food and how we eat is often seen as a far more personal choice than a large industry. Because of this, there is ample opportunity for investors to get involved in the early stages of many companies. Brita Rosenheim is here today to talk about her experience in the food industry and how it will change in the years to come. This week’s episode 91 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about investing opportunities and innovation in food technology!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Brita Rosenheim is sharing the importance of specialization in venture capital and actionable steps you can take right now to support new food chain technology.
Brita Rosenheim is the Managing Partner at Vita Vera Ventures, a venture firm that supports early-stage tech entrepreneurs defining our future by advancing the resiliency, efficiency, and sustainability of the food industry. Brita has been recognized as an expert on the food tech ecosystem for over a decade; recently named a “Tech Power Player” from BI and featured in NRN's annual "Power List" for the industry. She has 20 years of experience as a food & tech investor, M&A advisor, and corporate development professional.
Some of the talking points Julie and Brita go over in this episode include:
- The intersection of technology and the food supply chain.
- How the food industry is ubiquitous and recession-proof, yet is often overlooked as an investment opportunity.
- The need for digitization in the food technology industry to lay a foundation for progress.
- Vita Vera’s commitment to investing in companies with diverse leadership.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast.
CONNECT WITH BRITA ROSENHEIM:
X (formerly Twitter)
Vita Vera Ventures
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
For many of us, we were told that talking openly about money was rude or even taboo. But times have changed, and financially empowering women is not only good for women but good for everyone. We see time and time again that when money is in the hands of women, they invest in the common good and bring everyone up with them. AdaPia d’Errico is here this week to talk about her journey of teaching women in her life about money, the impact of women’s investing, and more. This week’s episode 90 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the intersection of impact and women’s investing!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, AdaPia d’Errico shares the importance of financial literacy for women and actionable steps you can take right now to support women-owned projects.
AdaPia d'Errico is an accomplished entrepreneur, investor, and advisor with over 20 years of experience in the financial industry. AdaPia’s 20-year career has spanned banking, insurance, hedge funds, private equity, real estate, venture capital, and digital assets. As a founder, angel investor, lifelong entrepreneur, and advisor, AdaPia brings a wealth of acumen and experience to the table.
Some of the talking points Julie and AdaPia go over in this episode include:
- The importance of demystifying money for women.
- How and why women’s investments are hugely impactful, changing everything for the better.
- The massive transfer of wealth happening and the shifting landscape of women’s finances.
- AdaPia’s journey in angel investing and wanting to support women founders and learn alongside them.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH ADAPIA D’ERRICO:
Website
Womxn of Wealth
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
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LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Every woman has an instance in her childhood where her voice was ignored. Maybe she was told to be seen and not heard, maybe she was looked over in class to speak, or maybe she was told to take up less space. This cultural bias against women’s voices needs to be put to an end and it starts with us supporting one another and speaking up to affirm another woman and make her voice heard. This week’s episode 89 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about reinforcing women’s voices when they speak up!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams shares the importance of supporting other women when they speak and actionable steps you can take right now to open opportunities for women’s voices to be heard.
Some of the talking points Julie goes over in this episode include:
- Women being ignored is a cultural problem, not an isolated incident.
- How Harvard Business School documented gender bias that kept women from reaping the full benefits of attending the school.
- All women have been told to be seen and not heard as children, and this carries over well into adulthood.
- Steps we can take to open doors and create opportunities for ourselves and the women around us.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
We often hear the importance of shopping locally, shopping small businesses, and purchasing from minority and underrepresented groups. And while this is quite easy to do on a personal level, it’s more difficult to accomplish on a company- or corporate-wide level. Not all smaller businesses are equipped to handle large requests, and often getting ESG certifications is too difficult and time-consuming for the small business owner. Today, Winsome Kirton is here to talk about her journey creating Heard.io to help close those gaps. This week’s episode 88 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about leveraging AI to empower diver entrepreneurs!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Winsome Kirton is sharing the importance of supporting small and ESG-aligned businesses on a larger scale and actionable steps you can take right now to encourage your employer to seek small businesses for their corporate gifting needs.
Winsome Kirton is the founder and CEO of Heard.io, a B2B ecosystem that drives and measures social impact by connecting businesses with companies that meet their ESG goals. After working as a media director and working on her first startup, Pack Elephant, Winsome realized how difficult it was to work with small and diverse-owned businesses on a big scale. She started Heard.io to combat those difficulties and allow companies to shop thoughtfully and intentionally for their corporate gifting needs.
Some of the talking points Julie and Winsome go over in this episode include:
- Recognizing and addressing imposter syndrome in high-achieving women.
- Challenges faced by small businesses in reaching ESG certifications.
- Using AI to vet small businesses for diversity and ESG dimensions for greater visibility.
- The importance of supporting small businesses and ESG-aligned companies during the holiday season.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH WINSOME KIRTON:
Heard.io
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Earlier this year, the Surgeon General released an advisory about an “epidemic of loneliness” here in the United States, and steps we can take to increase community connections. One effective step someone can take to increase their community and social connections is to volunteer and serve their community. Benita Mosley, CEO of Multiplying Good, is here today to discuss her mission to promote service, introduce young people to service, and more. This week’s episode 87 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about inspiring service and leadership!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Benita Mosley shares the importance of self-belief and service in achieving success and actionable steps you can take right now to get involved in your community.
Benita Fitzgerald Mosley is an Olympic gold medalist and an established international leader in the sports and business sectors and has a passion for helping people and organizations win gold medals in life and work. With over 20 years of experience leading organizations, Mosley aims to bring her vast leadership and media experience to lead Multiplying Good into the organization’s next chapter of growth and success. Mosley also served as the Vice President of Community and Impact and President of FundPlay Foundation for LeagueApps, and Chief Executive Officer of Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA.
Some of the talking points Julie and Benita go over in this episode include:
- Benita’s family's legacy of service, leadership, and civil rights activism.
- How to make a positive impact in the community by leveraging personal gifts and expertise.
- The rewards and challenges of transitioning from professional athlete to corporate roles.
- The importance of self-belief, and why more women need to think, ‘Why not me?’.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH BENITA FITZGERALD MOSLEY:
Multiplying Good
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
The global supply chain has been under the spotlight more and more since the COVID-19 pandemic caused massive disruptions. Supply chain technology is growing and changing, but what can we do to manage and change the supply chain to be more sustainable, especially in industries like fashion? Lisa Morales-Hellebo is here to talk about sustainability in the global supply chain and fashion industries today. This week’s episode 86 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about refashioning the global supply chain for sustainability!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Lisa Morales-Hellebo shares the importance of finding your people and actionable steps you can take right now to reduce your textile consumption and waste.
Lisa Morales-Hellebo is passionate about helping fashion tech and supply chain startups achieve industry adoption and growth. As a VC, seasoned entrepreneur, product strategist, and community builder, Lisa knows what it takes to spot and coach a winning team — backed by 25 years of working with startups to F500s on strategy and execution across branding, product development, and innovation. Lisa is currently co-founder of The Worldwide Supply Chain Federation, an organization that is changing how supply chain professionals learn about, collaborate, and adopt supply chain innovation around the world. She is also co-founder and general partner of REFASHIOND Ventures — an NYC-based, early-stage supply chain technology venture fund that invests in startups refashioning global supply chains.
Some of the talking points Julie and Lisa go over in this episode include:
- Why digitizing supply chains is the key to solving the climate crisis.
- How fast fashion is unsustainable and how overproduction and consumer addiction must be addressed through disruption or legislation.
- The role of venture capital in the fashion industry.
- The impact of microplastics on human health and the importance of eliminating poly and microplastics from daily life.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH LISA MORALES-HELLEBO:
X (formerly Twitter)
Website
REFASHIOND
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
The demands and challenges companies face are changing in the digital age. Because of this, the way corporate boards operate, discuss, and tackle these issues is also changing. From having more diverse voices represented to acknowledging and responding to global issues like climate change and supply chain disruptions, the job of the corporate board is more difficult now than ever. Dottie Schindlinger is here to talk about the impact of these changes and what we should expect going forward in the world of corporate boards. This week’s episode 85 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the future of corporate governance!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Dottie Schindlinger is sharing the importance of corporate boards addressing climate change and other major issues and actionable steps you can take right now to continue to educate yourself as a board member.
Dottie Schindlinger is the Executive Director of the Diligent Institute, the independent corporate governance research arm and think tank of Diligent Corporation. The Diligent Institute informs, educates, and connects leaders to champion governance excellence by providing cutting-edge research on the most pressing issues of corporate governance and offering certifications and educational programs that equip leaders with the knowledge and credentials needed to guide their organizations through existential challenges. Dottie also hosts The Corporate Director Podcast.
Some of the talking points Julie and Dottie go over in this episode include:
- Dottie’s journey into the world of corporate governance and building BoardEffect.
- Issues likely to be discussed in boardrooms over the next few years, including quantum computing.
- The three main jobs of a board: insight, oversight, and foresight.
- The importance of board chairs building strategic partnerships with their CEOs and fostering trust and goodwill.
Don’t forget to check out Dottie’s book Governance in the Digital Age: A Guide for the Modern Corporate Board Director!
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH DOTTIE SCHINDLINGER:
X (formerly Twitter)
Diligent Institute
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
The feelings of belonging and making a notable difference are important to our sense of professional worth. It is the job of the leader, a CEO or founder, to build an equitable, dynamic, and productive workplace for their employees. And while this discussion does take place, it doesn’t happen nearly as often in the realm of entrepreneurs and small business owners. Nancy Geenen is here today to change that and talk about her experiences making this conversation more prevalent. This week’s episode 84 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about Nancy’s book, The Advantage of Other, and asking ‘what if?’!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Nancy Geenen is sharing the importance of finding your voice and actionable steps you can take right now to get involved in causes you care about.
Nancy Geenen is the CEO of Flexability, a workplace equity & inclusion consulting firm. Nancy is an accomplished entrepreneur, trial attorney, and strategic facilitator. She is a sought-after advisor on matters of company culture, retention, career development, and leadership. Early in her career, she was a Senior Legal Officer for the United Nations in Geneva focused on adjudicating damages arising from Iraq’s unlawful invasion of Kuwait. Following her passion, Nancy writes and speaks on topics related to the social impact of employing individuals with disabilities.
Some of the talking points Julie and Nancy go over in this episode include:
- Nancy’s entrepreneurial journey, starting with a women's group meeting in the conference room at her law firm.
- The recent Affirmative Action ruling and how that will affect the work and fight for equal opportunity.
- The importance of finding belonging in the workplace, as well as in networks that care about the same causes as you.
- If you’re not making a difference, it can be hard to show up.
Don’t forget to order Nancy’s book, The Advantage of Other: A Leader’s Guide to Building an Equitable, Dynamic, and Productive Workplace!
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH NANCY GEENEN:
Website
Flexability
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
US Census population predictions indicate that by the year 2045, white Americans will make up less than 50% of the US population. While we see this shift in population, that is far from the case when it comes to venture funding. There is a massive massive imbalance in the amount of capital that is going to minority and underrepresented founders. Carmen Palafox is here today to talk about how we can correct this imbalance and her work with 2045 Venture. This week’s episode 83 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about investing in underrepresented founders!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Carmen Palafox is sharing the importance of understanding the founders you invest with and actionable steps you can take right now to address the funding imbalance in venture capital.
Carmen Palafox has over 20 years of experience in finance, and an established record of investing across industries including Climate tech, Fintech, Health tech, and consumer. Carmen is the founding partner at 2045 Ventures, a partner at MiLA Capital, and a venture partner at How Women Invest. She is also an Adjunct Professor teaching venture capital at USC Marshall School of Business. Prior to venture capital, she was Vice President at Dimensional Fund Advisors where she scaled investment operations going from $75 Billion AUM to $300 Billion AUM.
Some of the talking points Julie and Carmen go over in this episode include:
- Carmen’s journey from traditional finance to venture investing.
- Addressing funding imbalance for underrepresented founders to bring economic empowerment.
- The importance of understanding founder motivation and how best to support the founders in which you invest.
- The benefits of investing in early-stage or day-zero companies.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH CARMEN PALAFOX:
X (formerly Twitter)
2045 Ventures
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Women have powerful voices and have been using them to voice concerns and demand change forever. But when society is full of naysayers and those who undervalue women, it can be easy to back off of your convictions. Denise Brosseau has been on a mission for decades to help women crystalize their voices and use them to stand up for the causes they believe in. Today, she is here to talk about her causes and how she helps women find their voices! This week’s episode 82 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about amplifying your voice and message!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Denise Brosseau is sharing the importance of trusting ourselves and actionable steps you can take right now to start finding your voice.
Denise Brosseau is a thought leader, strategist, author, and CEO of Thought Leadership Lab. Passionate about amplifying inspiring voices, she assists leaders and changemakers in expanding their influence and impact. As the co-founder of Watermark (now Upward) and Springboard Enterprises, Denise champions women-led companies and their access to capital.
Some of the talking points Julie and Denise go over in this episode include:
- How Denise’s time at Wellesley College shaped her career.
- The importance of seeing women in leadership roles and how it inspires other women.
- Exploring the role of leaders in using voice and platform for moral leadership.
- How purely performative acts of solidarity hurt companies in the long run.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH DENISE BROSSEAU:
X (formerly Twitter)
Thought Leadership Lab
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Join us for Get On Board Week from October 16-20, 2023. Registration is now open at https://www.howwomenlead.com/getonboard
Women in leadership positions are extraordinarily familiar with the feelings of uncertainty and doubt that come with taking on larger roles. But these worries of inadequacy and under-preparedness, while ingrained into us at a young age, are completely unfounded. Our guest today, Ellen Taaffe uses her metaphor of the mirrored door to better our understanding of these feelings on today’s episode. This week’s episode 81 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about advancing women in leadership!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Ellen Taaffe is sharing the importance of talking about yourself differently when doing something new and actionable steps you can take right now to take advantage of new opportunities.
Ellen Taaffe is an author, a Board Director, an MBA Professor, an Executive Leadership Coach/Advisor, and a Speaker. She serves as the Director of Women’s Leadership Programs at the Kellogg School of Management and serves on the boards of three company boards, where she chairs several committees.
Some of the talking points Julie and Ellen go over in this episode include:
- The mirrored door and how it portrays the lack of confidence in women’s leadership behaviors.
- The importance of talking about yourself differently when doing something new.
- Taking small risks when the stakes are lower to build up to larger opportunities.
- Getting clear and direct feedback from colleagues and mentors.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH ELLEN TAAFFE:
Website
Pre-order “The Mirrored Door” today!
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Only 2.1% of venture capital went to women-founded companies in 2022. We are done waiting or fighting for a seat at the table—today, we are committing to build The New Table; women-funded, women-run. I invite you to invest in your power, don't wait—join The New Table today.
Venture capital has been dominated by cis white men since the practice first began. While the founders and innovators seeking funding are starting to vary from that profile, many of those still writing the checks and offering funding fall into that dominant profile. Naseem Sayani is one woman who is trying to change that. Naseem, the co-founder of Emmeline Ventures, is here today to talk about what can be done to support women from many different backgrounds, minorities, and underserved demographics. This week’s episode 80 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about changing demographics in venture capital!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Naseem Sayani is sharing the importance of changing the demographic of investors and actionable steps you can take right now to support diverse communities of women.
Naseem Sayani is the Co-founder and Director of Emmeline Ventures, a female-founded early-stage fund investing in ambitious female founders building businesses that are helping women, in particular, manage their health, build their wealth, and live in a cleaner, safer world. Naseem has over 20 years of expertise in investing and business-building, and has experience as an angel investor on her own.
Some of the talking points Julie and Naseem go over in this episode include:
- The importance of investing in women with diverse backgrounds.
- Breaking stigmas around women’s health and the myth that women’s health is “niche”.
- How women have been wrongfully convinced that they make poor money choices.
- Setting the precedent for pay transparency.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH NASEEM SAYANI:
Emmeline Ventures
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Only 2.1% of venture capital went to women-founded companies in 2022. We are done waiting or fighting for a seat at the table—today, we are committing to build The New Table; women-funded, women-run. I invite you to invest in your power, don't wait—join The New Table today.
The fitness industry has seen many changes, especially since the Pandemic. One of those changes is the popularity of at-home fitness which is still led by professional instructors. Lauren Foundos, Founder of FORTË, is changing the game by creating opportunities for more gyms and studios to reach their members, even when those members want to work out at home. Lauren is here this week to talk about her journey from working on wall street to helping advance technology in the fitness industry and more. This week’s episode 79 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about investing in the fitness industry!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Lauren Foundos is sharing the importance of lowering the barrier to entry for fitness for everyone and actionable steps you can take right now to build your business support system.
Lauren Foundos is the Founder and CEO of FORTË, a digital platform that allows gyms and fitness studios to provide their own fitness classes as an on-demand streaming platform for their members. FORTË has created digital experiences with many companies including the YMCA, the NFL Players Association, the UFC, and more. Lauren founded FORTE after a career in the financial industry, working on Wall Street with Whitaker Securities.
Some of the talking points Julie and Lauren go over in this episode include:
- Lauren’s background in fitness and how she’s people’s interest in fitness change since the pandemic.
- The journey of becoming a woman founder after working on Wall Street.
- How having supportive, active investors makes a difference in a company.
- What lobbying for the PHIT Act in Washington DC taught Lauren about legislation.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH LAUREN FOUNDOS:
FORTË
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Only 2.1% of venture capital went to women-founded companies in 2022. We are done waiting or fighting for a seat at the table—today, we are committing to build The New Table; women-funded, women-run. I invite you to invest in your power, don't wait—join The New Table today.
Women are often underserved in the healthcare system, and this gap in quality of care is a large detriment to society as a whole. Coyote Ventures, founded by Jessica Karr, is one of the only venture capital finds investing in women-led startups creating women’s healthcare solutions. Join us in our conversation today where we talk about women’s healthcare, how to empower women and girls, and more! This week’s episode 78 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about expanding women’s health venture capital!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Jessica Karr is sharing the importance of being collaborative to get the best results and actionable steps you can take right now to build a strong professional network.
Jessica Karr is the Founder and General Partner at Coyote Ventures, a venture capital fund investing in early-stage startups that are innovating women's health & wellness. Jessica is passionate about innovation that drives positive change in human health, equality, and our relationship to the earth. She worked for 6+ years designing and launching the Impossible burger as the 12th employee. Moreover, Jessica has advised and consulted over a dozen companies internationally on product strategies.
Some of the talking points Julie and Jessica go over in this episode include:
- Jessica’s choice to have Coyote Ventures focus on women’s healthcare solutions.
- The cost of a lack of women’s healthcare on society, families, and employers.
- The balance of masculine and feminine characteristics for well-rounded leadership.
- Jessica’s two most important things to look for in a startup.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH JESSICA KARR:
Coyote Ventures
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
From titles to resumes and everything in between, government careers appear very different from civilian careers. The two, however, are far more similar than what meets the eye. In order to transition from one to the other, you need to be able to translate the experiences into the language understood by the other industry. Essye Miller is here today to discuss her journey and the lessons she learned from transitioning from the Department of Defense to a board director. This week’s episode 77 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about transitioning from a government position to a board position!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Essye Miller is sharing the importance of repositioning yourself and your experiences and actionable steps you can take right now to prepare yourself for the search for board opportunities in both the public and private sectors.
Essye Miller is the former CIO of the United States Department of Defense, where she held governance, charted strategy, piloted the DoD’s information enterprise overseeing its 11-figure budget, and influenced the overall technology strategy. Today, Essye is a public and private company board director and the CEO of Executive Business Management, her consultancy focuses on providing services and advisory to corporate businesses, government, and NGO clients on cybersecurity, information management, information technology, and national defense.
Some of the talking points Julie and Essye go over in this episode include:
- Transitioning from a major government role to supporting public and private company boards, and what that transition looks like.
- How Essye built her network of support while searching for board opportunities.
- Maximizing public speaking engagements and articles to be relevant and true enough for future opportunities.
- Recommendations for those thinking about how to architect the next phase of their career.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH ESSYE MILLER:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
In the year following the historic Dobbs decision that changed the landscape of women’s reproductive health, access to emergency contraceptives and abortion services is more important and sought after than ever. While navigating reproductive healthcare in the Post-Roe world can be daunting, there are groups, like the American Society for Emergency Contraception, who are there to help make it easier. This week’s episode 76 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the fight for accessible emergency contraception!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Kelly Cleland is sharing the importance of breaking the stigmas around abortion and emergency contraception and actionable steps you can take right now to support organizations supporting women’s reproductive health.
Kelly Cleland is the Executive Director of The American Society for Emergency Contraception. Kelly worked as a researcher at Princeton University for 14 years, with an emphasis on emergency contraception and medication abortion. She is an enthusiastic mentor to young people and is a proud graduate of the women leaders for the World program.
Some of the talking points Julie and Kelly go over in this episode include:
- How the American Society for Emergency Contraception contributes to advancing access to emergency contraception.
- Student leaders taking access to emergency contraception access on campuses into their own hands.
- How many pharmacies have unnecessary or outdated hurdles in place for those wanting to get Plan B and other emergency contraceptives.
- The importance of mentorship and groups of all-women contemporaries.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH KELLY CLELAND:
Website
American Society for Emergency Contraception
Emergency Contraception for Every Campus
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Influencer marketing is a fast-growing marketing strategy that gets active, engaged audiences in front of a brand’s product. But how does it work? What are these ‘micro-influencers’ and how is this business lucrative for them? Today, Kristen Wiley sits down with us to teach us about influencer marketing and how her platform Statusphere makes the process of partnering brands with influencers easier than ever. This week’s episode 75 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the benefits of micro-influencer marketing!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Kristen Wiley is sharing the importance of building trust as an influencer and actionable steps you can take right now to see if influencer marketing is right for you.
Kristen Wiley is the Founder and CEO of Statusphere, a platform that helps brands scale their micro-influencer marketing in a fraction of the time it would take on their own. Before founding Statusphere, Kristen was the Chief Marketing Officer at GreenHouse Agency, a digital marketing agency specializing in small and startup brands.
Some of the talking points Julie and Kristen go over in this episode include:
- The definition of a ‘micro-influencer’ and influencer marketing.
- Why influencer marketing is hard for a brand to scale on their own.
- The snowball effect brands experience once influencer marketing takes off for them.
- The importance of always learning and staying positive.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH KRISTEN WILEY:
Statusphere
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Only 2.1% of venture capital went to women-founded companies in 2022. We are done waiting or fighting for a seat at the table—today, we are committing to build The New Table; women-funded, women-run. I invite you to invest in your power, don't wait—join The New Table today.
As climate change becomes more and more apparent an issue, working together with the people most affected by it is imperative to adapting and slowing down the rapid changes. But in Nigeria and other places where the women working the land aren’t even allowed to own it, their voices and innovative ideas are often left out of the conversation. Today, Olanike Olugboji is here to talk about her work raising women’s voices and her mission to expose women to new technologies, allowing them to lead the way. This week’s episode 74 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about women working for environmental sustainability!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Olanike Olugobji is sharing the importance of involving women in climate change technologies and actionable steps you can take right now to improve your leadership qualities.
Olanike Olugobji is the executive director of the Women's Initiative for Sustainable Environment and the lead for the WISE Women’s Renewable Energy Training. At a very young age, she took a journey into the world of social activism where she founded the environmental management and protection network. Olanike’s work became centered on engaging grassroots women and natural resource stewarding and peacemaking. To date, her efforts have directly impacted over 20,000 women at the grassroots.
Some of the talking points Julie and Olanike go over in this episode include:
- Olanike’s journey with environmental activism, which started at a very young age.
- Women are the ones who are most affected by environmental challenges, and they are best positioned to drive the solutions.
- How exposing women to technology allows them to take the lead.
- The influences on Olanike’s leadership and what her next 5 years looks like.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
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How Women Lead
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Every woman will go through a career transition at some point in her life. And while the idea of changing paths can be daunting, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a strong support network and a deep understanding of your strengths, transitioning careers can set you up for success going forward. Lena Cheng is here to talk about all that and more. This week’s episode 73 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about navigating career transitions!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Lena Cheng is sharing the importance of doing something every day to prepare for your career transition and actionable steps you can take right now to make the most of your networking between careers.
Lena Cheng is the co-founder of Best Friend Jack, a health-tech marketing branding agency that partners with ambitious, venture-backed startups to supercharge growth in pursuit of a shared goal — smarter, faster, more accessible healthcare for all. Lena pivoted from the medical field to marketing after earning her MD from the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University.
Some of the talking points Julie and Lena go over in this episode include:
- How and why Lena went from a career as a doctor to a marketer.
- Balancing the practicalities of life with transitioning careers.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help in more than one way.
- Using the Regroup model to start a women’s support network.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH LENA CHENG:
Best Friend Jack
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“Deals are made on the golf course.” “Your network is your net worth.” How often have we women heard these phrases throughout our lives, only to be scolded or warned against doing these same things that men are encouraged to do? It’s time for us to change the cultural narrative around using our connections to create professional opportunities for ourselves and the women around us. This week’s episode 72 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the second tenant of the How Women Lead credo: saying yes to helping each other!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams is sharing the importance of making introductions for other women and actionable steps you can take right now to increase opportunities for yourself and the women around you!
Some of the talking points Julie goes over in this episode include:
- It's not what you know, it’s who you know.
- How women are discouraged from making introductions for one another when men are encouraged to do so.
- The power of actively making connections.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
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Poverty among women, especially women of color, continues to be a problem throughout the world. In impoverished countries, rates of femicide are much higher, and that problem was brought even more to light during the pandemic. But Mpho Hansjee is one of many women working to end the poverty of women artisans in South Africa by teaching entrepreneurial skills and providing access to larger markets. This week’s episode 71 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about ending women’s poverty with e-commerce!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Mpho Hansjee is sharing the importance of taking risks and living life fully and actionable steps you can take right now to support women entrepreneurs all over the world.
Mpho Hansjee is the founder and CEO of Women Enabled Enterprises, which strives to help low-income women of color artisans in African countries grow their craft business for self-sufficiency through a virtual, mobile-phone-based, retail entrepreneurship skills-building program, access to international markets through our USA online marketplace (ShopConsciously), micro-funding from VC impact partner investors and ongoing alumni support. For more than 15 years, she has helped fortune 500 retail companies analyze customer and product data and leverage it to adopt strategies and operation solutions that drive great meaningful business results. She increases category sales, establishes world-class best practices, streamlines processes, and optimizes performance.
Some of the talking points Julie and Mpho go over in this episode include:
- The connection between silicon valley entrepreneurial spirit and gender equity.
- How growing up in South Africa shaped Mpho’s view of women in entrepreneurship.
- Women entrepreneurs create sustainable businesses and solve environmental issues.
- How Women Enabled Enterprises is growing and expanding into many South African markets.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH MPHO HANSJEE:
Women Enabled Enterprises
ShopConsiously
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Accessing funding and capital as a small business is challenging, especially so for those who belong to minority communities. But there are people out there rooting for the “new majority” and investing in their businesses and ventures. Today, Elizabeth Gore from Hello Alice is here to talk about investing in minority-owned businesses and more. This week’s episode 70 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about funding new majority small businesses!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Elizabeth Gore is sharing the importance of leading with your values and advice you can use right now to weather the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.
Elizabeth Gore is the Co-founder and President of Hello Alice, a FinTech platform helping over 1 million small business owners access capital. She served as Entrepreneur in Residence at Dell Technologies, the United Nations Foundation, and was a Peace Corps volunteer in Bolivia. Elizabeth has been passionate about breaking down barriers for entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, including women, people of color veterans, and people with disabilities.
Some of the talking points Julie and Elizabeth go over in this episode include:
- How Elizabeth and Carolyn came together to form Hello Alice.
- How using outdated technology to assess creditworthiness hurts small business owners.
- Using their mission to support businesses through Covid-19.
- Elizabeth’s tenants for leadership and how they’ve changed over the years.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH GORE:
Hello Alice
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LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
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Only 2.1% of venture capital went to women-founded companies in 2022. We are done waiting or fighting for a seat at the table—today, we are committing to build The New Table; women-funded, women-run. I invite you to invest in your power, don't wait—join The New Table today.
AI is one of the biggest topics of conversation in our world right now. With so many uses of this powerful technology, it’s important to look at both the benefits and the risks of integrating this technology into our businesses. Today, Lake Dai is here to talk about the ever-changing landscape of AI. This week’s episode 69 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about using AI to create a positive impact!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Lake Dai is sharing the importance of understanding AI and what it means for the future of business and actionable steps you can take right now to utilize AI technologies for good.
Lake Dai is the Founder and Managing Partner of Sancus Ventures, investing in the next-gen software infrastructure of AI, artificial intelligence, and blockchain. She is an Applied AI adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon University. Lake has led global product and engineering organizations and public companies and tech startups and is an inventor with five US patents.
Some of the talking points Julie and Lake go over in this episode include:
- Why it’s important to start building AI into you company.
- How ChatGPT and other AI can speed up the process of content creation.
- The three-step process for assessing risk in technology ventures.
- Balancing your head and your heart in the boardroom.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
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Organizations are always moving, changing, and evolving. And it's important for those in a leadership position to be able to keep up and adapt to those changes. One of the most effective ways to do this is by embracing the innovation mindset. Today, Jennifer Kenny is here to talk about all that and more. This week’s episode 61 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about transforming an organization with an innovation mindset!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Jennifer Kenny is sharing the importance of having a gender-diverse team and actionable steps you can take right now to change your mindset for better leadership.
Jennifer Kenny is a master of innovation practices and bestselling author of The Innovation Mindset. She increases the capacity of leaders, teams, and organizations to fuel innovation, performance, and revenue in complex and emergent technology ecosystems. Jennifer is passionate about helping amazing people deliver highly successful projects by amplifying others.
Some of the talking points Julie and Jennifer go over in this episode include:
- What is the innovation mindset and how can it transform an organization?
- The importance of gender-balanced teams and how they have a significant impact.
- Power with verses power over in leadership structures.
- How social justice efforts are going to serve us all better in the long run.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH JENNIFER KENNY:
Website
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LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
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Women founders and their companies are vastly overlooked when it comes to venture funding. Only 2 percent of funding is given to women-led teams, and that number gets even smaller when it comes to women of color. Erin Harkless Moore is here today to talk about why this number hasn’t gone up, and what we can do about it! This week’s episode 67 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about women-first investing and knowing your power!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Erin Harkless Moore is sharing the importance of aligning your work with your personal values and actionable steps you can take right now to level up your leadership qualities.
Erin Harkless Moore is the Senior Director of Investments at Pivotal Ventures created by Melinda French Gates to accelerate social progress in the United States. She leads the organization's fund and direct investment decisions, overseeing a diverse portfolio that drives breakthrough innovations and impact for people in this country. Erin has nearly 20 years of investment experience previously working as the Managing Director at Cambridge Associates.
Some of the talking points Julie and Erin go over in this episode include:
- The importance of aligning your values and your work with your professional interests.
- Challenges and opportunities in the venture capital space.
- Recognizing the biases that hold women back from raising capital.
- Erin’s biggest lessons that have defined her career.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH ERIN HARKLESS MOORE:
Pivotal Ventures
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Defining and sticking to a set of core values is essential for quality leadership. So is seeing the value and potential in taking on projects that are less than ideal. Today, Jennifer Lee is here to tell us about her experiences with ugly projects, leadership, and more. This week’s episode 66 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about leading with your values and tackling ugly projects.
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Jennifer Lee is sharing the importance of having a core set of values and actionable steps you can take right now to lead with honesty, integrity, and ethics.
Jennifer Lee is the Founder and Strategic Advisor behind J. LEE Consulting, which builds on her deep experience and success in biotech and pharma. Jennifer has 20 years of experience accelerating breakthrough therapies from which we've all benefited, from discovery to commercialization. She is also o she is also a board member, an investor, and a startup advisor. And she's passionate about promoting diversity, startup and private boards, and economic equity for women and women of color.
Some of the talking points Julie and Jennifer go over in this episode include:
- How tragic events can shape your passion and purpose.
- Living and leading by the drumbeat of your values.
- The importance of honesty - and the story of The Empty Pot.
- Jennifer’s study of biases and economic equality for women.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
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As the nature of work and professional careers change, so too must the way we approach leadership. Building trust with your team and putting your people first has become more important than ever. Today, Mai Le is here to share her leadership experience in some of the world’s largest companies and tell us how we can be better leaders. This week’s episode 65 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about building trust with large teams and people-first leadership!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Mai Le is sharing the importance of leading with your values and actionable steps you can take right now to ready yourself for more leadership opportunities.
Mai Le is Vice President of Amazon Web Services (AWS). Mai has extensive leadership history leading organizations in the United States, the EU, Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. She has been building business products, tech foundations, and organizations for over 30 years for some of the world's largest companies, including Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Microsoft, and Yahoo.
Some of the talking points Mai and Julie go over in this episode include:
- Looking at how to scale a business into the next decade, not just keeping up with the market.
- Building trust with your team, no matter what size.
- How to remain motivated and lead teams during difficult times.
- MAi’s advice for younger leaders and those looking to fill leadership roles.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
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{CW: This episode discusses adult content such as pornography, rape culture, and sex. Listener discretion is advised.}
In today’s society with a lack of real sex education, pornography tends to become the de facto sex education for lots of young people, especially men. But the sex in the porn world and sex in the real world are very different. Today, Cindy Gallop is here to talk about her mission to end rape culture by spearheading the social sex revolution. This week’s episode 64 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about destigmatizing sex in the real world!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Cindy Gallop is sharing the importance of having examples of real-world, consensual, communicative sex and actionable steps you can take right now to end rape culture and promote sex-positive values.
Cindy Gallop is the founder and CEO of MakeLoveNotPorn, the world’s first and only 100% human-curated, real-world sex video-sharing platform. With over 30 years of experience in brand-building, marketing, and advertising, she continues to do brand consulting and executive coaching alongside running her businesses. Cindy is an outspoken advocate of diversity and inclusion in advertising, tech, and business.
Some of the talking points Julie and Cindy go over in this episode include:
- MakeLoveNotPorn’s mission to end rape culture by showing great, consensual, communicative sex in the real world.
- The importance of emotional vulnerability for men.
- Cindy’s fundraising and investor-finding strategy.
- MakeLoveNotPorn’s future plans on expanding into a sex education platform with content appropriate for all ages.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH CINDY GALLOP:
Website
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How Women Lead
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Investing is a powerful tool for creating generational weather and creating a secure financial situation. Often, however, women have less education on investing and are spoken down to by advisors, even though women are more likely than men to take their advice. Freda Zietman is here this week to talk about the importance of women having financial literacy and finding happiness in their lives. This week’s episode 63 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about happiness and investing strategies for women!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Freda Zietlow are sharing the importance of financial literacy and actionable steps you can take right now to increase your happiness.
Freda Zietlow is an international investment banking and wealth management executive. She has over 25 years of experience. She's served on many nonprofit boards and corporations in the last decade. Today, she's the managing director of the Fiduciary Trust, a subsidiary of Franklin Trust with $30 billion of assets under management.
Some of the talking points Julie and Freda Zietlow go over in this episode include:
- Courageous stances for women in leadership positions to take.
- The type of women Freda likes to advise and work with.
- Current hot topics in the corporate boardroom.
- What we can do to live happier lives as we age.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
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Women CEOs are incredible - they have to be to get to the top - so it only makes sense that their companies outperform others in the stock market. So why aren’t more people actively investing in women? Because the information has not been there, until now. Patricia Lizarraga is here today to talk about how we can consciously invest in women now and in the future. This week’s episode 62 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about WCEO and investing in the future of women’s leadership!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Patricia Lizarraga are sharing the importance of designing the world you want to see and actionable steps you can take right now to invest in women now and in the future.
Patricia Lizarraga is the managing partner of Hypatia Capital and the issuer of the
Hypatia Women CEO EFT, an actively managed Exchange Traded fund that invests in all publicly traded American companies that have female Chief Executive Officers. Patricia founded Hypatia over 15 years ago when she'd already been working in finance as an investment banker for 20 years, committed to investing in women in leadership.
Some of the talking points Julie and Patricia go over in this episode include:
- Breaking ground by collecting data on women outperforming in investing.
- Women CEOs are incredible - they have to be to make it to the top.
- What an EFT is and why you should invest in WCEO.
- If you want a certain kind of world, you have to build it yourself.
To learn more about Hypatia and the Women CEO EFT, go to https://www.wceoetf.com/.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
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Local government is more impactful than most people may realize. Leaders in local government are able to fly high and change the world, but stay grounded enough to be able to see your impact and know the people your decision affect. Libby Schaaf, former mayor of Oakland, California is here today to talk about her time in local government leadership and how we can support and encourage other women to run for office. This week’s episode 61 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the value of local government and encouraging women to run for office!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Libby Schaaf is sharing the importance of leadership in local government and actionable steps you can take right now to support the women in your life taking on leadership roles!
Libby Schaaf served as Mayor of her hometown Oakland, California from 2015 to 2023. Prior to being mayor, she worked as an attorney, a mayoral and legislative aide, public affairs director at the Port of Oakland, and Councilmember. Currently, Libby is the interim Executive Director of Emerge California, the nation's premier organization that recruits, trains, and provides a powerful network to Democratic women who want to run for office.
Some of the talking points Julie and Libby go over in this episode include:
- How to deal with the constant criticism women face in the public eye.
- The importance of local government and how local politics makes a difference.
- Why women wait to run for office, and how to change that narrative.
- How to support the women in your life running for office or making other big waves.
For more information and to connect with Emerge, check out their website at emergeamerica.org.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
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Choosing a life partner and raising children are two of the biggest challenges people face in life. While this path is different for everyone, there are certain lessons Julie has learned along the way that she feels would be helpful for those asking her to share her personal experiences. This week’s episode 60 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about building strong relationships with your partner and children!
In this episode of the How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams is sharing the importance of finding a steadfast life partner and actionable steps you can take right now to develop a positive relationship with your kids.
Some of the talking points Julie goes over in this episode include:
- Choosing a life partner that shares your values.
- The difficulties of one partner coming from a very gendered environment.
- Taking about your children in a way that sets them up for success.
- Being present with your children while they practice their hobbies will create a stronger bond between the two of you.
Relationships and parenting are not a one-size-fits-all approach, but Julie is happy to share some of these parts of her life and what worked for her.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
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How Women Lead
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Authenticity and empathy are two essential qualities for successful leadership. No one exhibits those qualities more than Ebony Beckwith, who also ensures that those she mentors take those principles to heart. This week’s episode 59 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about authenticity and empathy in leadership.
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Ebony Beckwith are sharing the importance of making time for mentoring and actionable steps you can take right now to bring authenticity to your leadership position.
Ebony Beckwith is the Salesforce Chief Business Officer & Chief of Staff to Marc Benioff. She is also the CEO of the Salesforce Foundation, overseeing the company’s global philanthropic strategy. Additionally, she is the CEO of the Salesforce Foundation, overseeing the company's global philanthropic strategy.
Some of the talking points Julie and Ebony go over in this episode include:
- How important it is for working women to let their daughters see into their professional life.
- Having a clear goal does not mean your path will be linear.
- Taking inspiration from the fact that people have not lost hope.
- Tips for searching for your first board opportunity.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
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Success comes in all shapes and sizes. But one of the biggest marks of success is being an approachable leader who connects with empathy and humility while still getting the important work done. This week’s episode 58 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about being more human in leadership!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and JeanAnn Nichols share the importance of empathy in leadership and actionable steps you can take right now to network in ways that make sense for YOU and fit into your everyday life!
JeanAnn Nichols is an executive coach and keynote speaker with a recognized ability to enable leaders to seek their full potential through coaching, mentoring, and accountability toward desired goals. Through her executive coaching, she partners with C-suite executives who want to deliver superior business results in rapidly changing environments. JeanAnn is also a leadership professor at Stanford University.
Some of the talking points JeanAnn and Julie go over in this episode include:
- In the midst of the Great Resignation, why did only 8% of women in leadership leave their roles?
- The HEARTI Leadership Quotient and the importance of “soft skills” in leadership.
- Networking isn’t always going to big conferences. You can network YOUR way.
- Expanding your perspective and learning global perspectives from books of all sorts.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH JEANANN NICHOLS:
Website
Stanford Continuing Studies
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Between apologizing too much, not knowing how to actually achieve their goals, and the odds of success in an unfair world rarely being in our favor, women have to work hard and take risks to achieve their goals. Shellye Archambeau is here today to talk about what you can do to help yourself reach your goals. This week’s episode 57 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about how to be unapologetically ambitious!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Shellye Archambeau are sharing the importance of goal setting and actionable steps you can take right now to plan out your future successes.
Shellye Archambeau is an experienced CEO and board director with a track record of building brands, high-performance teams, and organizations. She currently serves on the boards of Verizon, Roper technologies, and Okta. She's also a strategic adviser to Forbes Ignite and the president of Arizona State University and serves on the board of two national nonprofits Catalyst and Braven. Shellye is also the author of Unapologetically Ambitious: Take Risks, Break Barriers, and Create Success on Your Own Terms.
Some of the talking points Julie and Shellye go over in this episode include:
- How hard things that happen in our childhood and how our parents address them shape our adulthoods.
- Why knowing how to achieve your goals - not just setting them - is the key to success.
- Why women are supposed to ‘have it all’, and why men aren’t spoken about that way.
- Finding the type of self-care that’s right for you, so you can keep yourself healthy.
Check out Shellye’s book Unapologetically Ambitious: Take Risks, Break Barriers, and Create Success on Your Own Terms.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
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Website
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LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
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Investing is a great way to achieve financial security and independence, but it can be difficult to get started if you don't know where to begin. All too often, women are left out of conversations about investments that would help reduce the wealth gap. This week’s episode 56 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about how to achieve gender equity in investing!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Kristin Hull are sharing the importance of expanding access to information on investing and actionable steps you can take right now to invest in the causes and beliefs that align with your values.
Kristin Hull is the Founder and CEO of Nia Impact Capital, a woman-led registered investment advisor leading the charge to change the face of finance. She has been an impact investor since 2007. Prior to devoting her career to transforming our financial system, Kristin was a full-time educator.
Some of the talking points Julie and Kristin go over in this episode include:
- How much we can do together when we put respect first.
- All of the opportunities that exist for women investors, and how more opportunities open us as more conversations are had.
- The importance of a woman-founded mutual fund and how it democratizes investing.
- What it means to invest with an ESG lens.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
Links mentioned in today’s episode:
Invest for Better
CONNECT WITH KRISTIN:
The Money Doula blog
Nia Impact Capital
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
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Creating a clear cultural framework that invites us to kick the cultural behaviors that hurt women has been important to us as How Women Lead from the start. This week’s episode 55 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the first tenet of the How Women Lead credo: be fierce advocates for each other!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams shares the importance of advocating for other women and actionable steps you can take right now to advocate for the women in leadership roles in your life.
Some of the talking points Julie goes over in this episode include:
- The physical toll of microaggressions in the workplace.
- What leadership is like for women in a world designed for men.
- The oxymoron of ‘women’s leadership” in America and the lack of models for women leaders.
- How being fierce advocates for one another will help women step into their confidence and power as leaders.
It's time we change the culture of how we are together so that all women can feel like they have a path forward and do it with fewer battle scars.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
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Facebook - HWL
Women’s Health is still seen as a niche market by most venture capitalists. But when talking about the health of half of the world’s population, that couldn’t be further from the truth. This week’s episode 54 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about funding and equity for women’s health!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Erika Seth Davies share the importance of using venture capital to improve women’s health equity and actionable steps you can take right now to advocate for justice in women’s health.
Erika Seth Davies is the Chief Executive Officer at Rhia Ventures and Founder of The Racial Equity Asset Lab (The REAL), a venture that centers racial equity in impact investing and works to shift capital to address the persistent racial wealth gap. She previously served as Vice President of External Affairs at ABFE (Association of Black Foundation Executives) where she designed the SMART Investing Initiative, a field-wide effort to encourage foundations to incorporate a racial equity lens in endowment management practices through increased access for racially diverse- and women-owned investment management firms.
Erika is a Social Entrepreneur in Residence with Common Future and a former Fellow, Equitable Access to Capital Markets in the Fair Finance portfolio of the Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation at Georgetown University. She was a member of the inaugural class of the ABFE Connecting Leaders Fellowship program, a recipient of the NYU Wagner School of Public Service IGNITE Fellowship for Women of Color in the Social Sector, and a member of the class of 2017 for Executive Leadership Institute of CFLeads.
Some of the talking points Julie and Erika go over in this episode include:
- Leadership skills that have proven themselves in the last three years.
- Leveraging capital to advance reproductive and maternal health equity.
- Innovations coming in the women’s reproductive and health space.
- The importance of believing in your capabilities, even when times are tough.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
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LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
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Being a Woman of Color in corporate can be difficult, especially if you feel alone. That’s why we encourage the people in our circle of influence, especially those with diverse backgrounds, to lead and mentor those who are coming up behind them. This week’s episode 53 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about gratitude and giving back!
Rashida Hodge is the VP of Azure Data and AI Customer Success at Microsoft. She recently won the North Carolina Tech 2021 Tech Woman of the Year award and sits on the board of Girls, Inc. Rashida is passionate about her family, volunteering in her community, technology innovation, and always learning.
Some of the talking points Julie and Rashida go over in this episode include:
- How important it is to lift others up and create opportunities for them.
- Authenticity in leadership and its role as a differentiator.
- A “T” shaped career and the value of having a varied background when sitting on a corporate board.
- Giving back during your working career versus waiting until later in life.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
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LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
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Women who step up to mentor other women in their careers have a direct and lasting impact on diversity and representation in their industry. This week’s episode 52 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the importance of networking and mentoring women of color in leadership roles!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Shannon Nash share the importance of dreaming big and networking in the tech industry and actionable steps you can take to help other women pursue new career opportunities.
Shannon Nash is the CFO of Wing, a subsidiary of Alphabet. She sits on the boards of several companies, including Netscout, Lazy Dog restaurants, and SoFi bank.
Shannon is also an executive board member of How Women Lead, a board advisor for Black Women on Boards, and mentors others on their board journey.
Some of the talking points Julie and Shannon go over in this episode include:
- The importance of getting women, especially black women, on boards.
- Why diversity on the boards of tech companies looks different in different parts of the country.
- Advice for young women working in tech who want to pursue C suite and board opportunities.
- How storytelling through film and digital media will help move the diversity needle forward.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH SHANNON:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
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LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Diversity and representation in the venture capital and technology spaces are as important as ever.This week’s episode 51 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about creating inclusive and diverse representation in venture capital!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Asmau Ahmed are sharing the importance of supporting diverse groups with capital and tips to better understand the changing technological landscape in terms of AI and machine learning.
Asmau Ahmed is a senior leader at X (formerly Google X), Alphabet’s innovation factory. She sits on the boards of CAA (Creative Artists Agency) and Quinstreet. She serves as an advisor to the Yale Entrepreneurship Society and is a member of the Opportunity Leadership Council.
Asmau has a foundation in Engineering and Finance and over 20 years of experience as a venture-funded CEO, operating executive, and management consultant. She has led over $10B in digitally enabled innovations and operations spanning multiple industries including technology, consumer retail, manufacturing, and financial services. She is skilled at balancing disruptive innovation with operational, fiscal, risk management and regulatory compliance rigor.
Some of the talking points Julie and Asmau Ahmed go over in this episode include:
- How race and gender factor into venture capital.
- The importance of diversifying investment portfolios and funding those often underfunded.
- How machine learning technology has changed over the past few decades, especially in regards to bias in data.
- How maching learning and AI could affect higher education in the future.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH ASMAU AHMED:
Website
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
One of the threads of leadership is to be connected with those who are in our organizations who are at various points in their careers and who may need somebody to help them get to where they want to go.This week’s episode 50 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the value of the general counsel perspective on a corporate board!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Shawnte Mitchell share the importance of diversity in a company's leadership (especially the C suite) and actionable steps you can take right now to be the best possible board member.
Today’s guest, Shawnte Mitchell, is the Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel at Genomatica. An accomplished attorney, she has nearly 20 years of experience of advising both publicly traded and privately held companies in the healthcare and life sciences industries. She joins Geno from Zogenix Inc., where she was most recently executive vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary, contributing to the development and execution of the company’s strategic and operational plans and overseeing compliance, governance, SEC, intellectual property, data privacy, and contractual matters.
Her background starts with a Biology degree from Stanford and a JD from George Washington University Law School. In her spare time, Shawnte likes to volunteer with a number of organizations, such as How Women Invest, and spend quality time with her two daughters.
Some of the talking points Julie and Shawnte go over in this episode include:
- The importance of representation and diversity in leadership.
- The role of general counsel and the assets they bring to a board.
- Elements that make a board director stand out.
- Giving yourself grace while working towards your goals.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH SHAWNTE MITCHELL:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
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Content Warning: This episode includes mention of child and animal neglect and abuse.
There’s a developmental stage between ages 45-65 where having an impact is one of the most important parts of this stage in our lives and it is so important to take a moment to reflect on the impact we want to have on the world. In this week’s episode 49 of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie shares her journey of philanthropy and impact!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams shares how her childhood experiences were the foundation for her decision early in life to spend the rest of her life trying to make the world a better place and reflecting on her continued efforts to open her heart and door to others by caring for them and loving and accepting them as they are.
Some of the talking points Julie goes over in this episode include:
- Being cognizant of the power dynamics in nonprofit organizations and setting realistic expectations of gratitude.
- Sharing Maimonides ‘Ladder of Philanthropy’ and the high value placed on philanthropy through partnership.
- The 3 levels of impact Julie focuses on and examples of how this has played out in her life.
- Encouraging you to have a north star of your own values to drive the impact and influence you have on the world.
Julie shares her story to show that being a life-long philanthropist and living a life of service is not easy but the gifts that come for both you and the people you help are immeasurable.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
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Facebook - HWL
Venture capital is the most expensive form of capital there is because of the equity and control you’re giving up so it is in your best interest to do your due diligence to research the people behind the big decision-making. This week’s episode 48 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about securing the right VC as a female entrepreneur!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Lara Druyan share the importance of women mentoring, supporting, and lending a helping hand to other women in the ways that men often do and actionable steps you can take right now to pitch yourself to secure VC with investors that are in alignment.
Today’s guest, Lara Druyan is the managing director with Silicon Valley Data Capital, a seed and early stage venture capital fund focused on enterprise software and financial technology Fintech. She serves on the board of directors of CIBC, US Bancorp and Syncron, the leading global digital transformation consulting firm focused on financial services. Lara also has 25 years of experience in all phases of technology, product creation, and associated change management. She is an award winning business transformation leader and leverages her understanding of how large enterprise buys technology to advance startups in which she invests. As she puts it, she is one of the very few venture capitalists who has been on the buying side of technology, an impressive accomplishment to say the least.
Some of the talking points Julie and Lara go over in this episode include:
- What it means to be a product manager in every role you hold.
- Advice for female entrepreneurs to find the right investor for them (not all money is good money).
- Starting a company and investing in an economic downturn.
- The impact and influence working moms have on their children.
- Prioritizing relationships to maintain and expand your network.
Achieving things that are difficult means that you are going to fail a lot of the time and that’s totally fine. The whole point is to dust yourself off, realize it wasn’t the right opportunity for you, and have the tenacity to keep going.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH LARA DRUYAN:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
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Facebook - HWL
The climate crisis has seen major changes in the past few decades. We’ve seen companies starting to step up to make positive climate changes and there are ways you can help with that. This week’s episode 47 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about how you can positively impact the climate crisis!
In this episode of the How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Virginia Klausmeier share the importance of massively curbing carbon emissions. We also chat about actionable steps you can take right now to make changes in your own business and life to support our climate.
Virginia has dedicated the last 10 years to solving climate change, and on this life path, she founded a venture-backed climate tech company, Sylvatex (SVX) Inc. Sylvatex has won numerous awards/funding at industry conferences and venture competitions and is an affiliate with National Laboratories (LNBL) and USDA. Virginia is currently active in advising climate tech and minority-led organizations as well as a fellow/member of All Raise, Unreasonable Group, Alliance of CEO’s, Astia, Silicon Valley Leadership Group and is actively working on the growth and commercialization of Sylvatex Inc.
Virginia attended Singularity University and the University of Oregon earning her B.S. in Chemistry/Economics and a M.S. in Engineering. Virginia currently has a number of patents pending and has been a speaker at a number of domestic and international events. Prior to this venture, she managed the new development ideas for a fortune 500 medical device companies and led the US clinical and biomechanical research. Virginia was featured as one of the "Top 10 women in biofuels" and was selected by Forbes for "30 under 30 in Energy". Last but not least, she is the proud partner to Ryan Irwin Klausmeier and the mother to two little boys River and Dakota.
Some of the talking points Julie and Virginia go over in this episode include:
- How her life journey has been a series of epiphanies that have led her to this moment.
- The power of being a coachable person and how that helps her bring her education and interests into her work and business.
- How to create substantial amounts of carbon change in our world.
- Ways that collaboration has had such a huge impact on being able to create positive climate change.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH VIRGINIA KLAUSMEIER:
Sylvatex
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
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Facebook - HWL
When you start to do simple things every day that make an impact, those things will start to add up and cause a ripple effect to make a larger, more impactful change. This week’s episode 46 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about taking small steps to cause a ripple effect of change!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Rana Dajani share the importance of fostering the curiosity to continue learning, exploring, and growing in everything we do and actionable steps you can take right now to take responsibility for the change you want to see in the world.
Today’s guest wears many scarves in our society. Rana Dajani is a mother, grandmother, teacher, scientist, social entrepreneur, and human rights activist. She is currently a molecular biology professor at Hashemite University, President of the Society of Advancement of Science and Technology in the Arab World (SASTA), and President of the Jordan chapter of The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD).
Rana recently won the 2022 Social Entrepreneurship Award from the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, the sister organization of the World Economic Forum. Her organization We Love Reading aims to install the love of reading and therefore knowledge in women across the world. We love reading won the Best Women in Film Documentary award, The Neighborhood Storyteller at the Mountain Film Festival in Telluride, Colorado, for its work on changing mindsets through reading to create change makers across Jordan.
Rana is a sister of mine, a Women Leaders for the World graduate alum of that fellowship program. She continues to serve on the Women Leaders for the World Alumni Council. Most recently, her documentary was selected for the LA International Film Festival and she was a speaker at the United Nations to discuss how to achieve the SDGs through social and inclusive innovation. It is no surprise that Rana Dajani is a master of many scarves.
Some of the talking points Julie and Rana go over in this episode include:
- The fundamental values that guide Rana’s life and what she does to reinforce these values.
- How the organization We Love Reading helps children fall in love with reading through fostering role models.
- Finding balance in your roles by building a support network and following your passions.
- Creating partnerships and investing in the agency of others so that we can all move forward, together.
When you look at the world as a Kaleidoscope, you can celebrate the idea that everyone brings their unique value together to create something beautiful for the greater whole.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH RANA DAJANI:
We Love Reading
Five Scarves book
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
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Tricia Montalvo Timm was reading an article with a very low statistic of the number of Latinas who get a board seat - and it was at that moment that she realized she had the qualifications to do so herself and be the role model for others to take that step too. Tricia Montalvo Timm, a passionate advocate for Latinas, knows what it means to be the only or one of few in a room. That’s why episode 45 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about believing in your belonging!
Ms. Timm is an established Silicon Valley leader with cross-functional experience in public and private companies. Ms. Timm has grown and scaled businesses from early-stage to multi-billion-dollar companies, including the sale of Looker to Google for $2.6 billion. She has been the first lawyer at 3 different high-growth start-ups and has extensive public company and corporate governance experience, advising management and boards on executive compensation, financial reporting and compliance matters. Throughout her 25-year career, Ms. Timm has sat in the boardroom at both private and public companies, presenting at board and committee meetings and advising on strategic issues. Given her experience, Ms. Timm can sit all on three board committees - Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Governance.
In addition to the law, Ms. Timm has a passion for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). While at Looker she launched the Company’s first DEI program where they developed a multi-prong solution that consisted of recruiting and retaining diverse talent, cultivating a culture of belonging and establishing the company as a DEI thought leader.
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Tricia Timm is sharing the importance of believing in yourself and that you belong and actionable steps you can take right now to start showing up with confidence.
Some of the talking points Tricia and I go over in this episode include:
- How Tricia got started with board positions, and the strong power of opportunity women can give each other to succeed and project us all forward.
- How investors look different with different backgrounds, and how the stereotype of what an investor is shouldn’t hold you back from investing.
- The importance of being visible, especially as a Latina, and the power of providing a role model for future generations.
- The power of being let in and why it all begins with you believing you belong in order to succeed.
If you’re in a position of influence, it’s important to let others in, and if you’re not yet in a position of influence it’s important to believe you belong there, even if you’ve never seen someone like you in that seat before. So be sure to tune in to all the episodes and hear even more about the points outlined above.
Thank you for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
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LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
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There is this narrative in the corporate world, particularly for women of color, that they are expected to emulate this white male culture in order to be successful. In reality, everything they need to have a successful corporate career is already innately within themselves. This week’s episode 44 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about courageous and value-based leadership!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Lizette Williams share the values Lizette lives by that allow her to lead courageously in every role and advice for people of color to stand up for themselves and what they want in a corporate environment.
Lizette Williams is a leading marketing and advertising executive who drives the convergence of brand culture and digital, something we all need. In her current role, she serves as the Global Head of Vertical Solutions and Marketing at Meta (formally known as Facebook). In 2020, Lizette was named Advertising Woman of the Year by the Chicago Advertising Federation and has been listed as Crain’s Chicago Business 40 under 40, Advertising Age Women to Watch, and Black Enterprise Top Women Executives in advertising and marketing. She is a leader and extremely well-known in her field. If you think she's already impressive as is, Lizette also serves on the Board of Directors of Real Self, a leading healthcare marketplace for people considering an elective cosmetic treatment. Additionally, she serves on the American Advertising Federation Hall of Achievements Election Committee. She has a passion for serving young people of color and women and as a result, has countless mentees across the country. Lizette is truly someone who leads courageously with her values.
Some of the talking points Julie and Lizette go over in this episode include:
- Fostering an inclusive culture in the workplace by weaving it throughout the DNA of the company and measuring it over time.
- How the mentorship that Lizette received when she was young influences the ways she gives back by mentoring others.
- Investing in your team members to give them the best possible work experience while increasing productivity.
- Advice for people of color to confidently ask for what they want and courageously demand to be recognized.
- Removing the guilt of being a working mom by highlighting the lessons we are modeling for our children.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH LIZETTE WILLIAMS:
Website
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
When it comes to being a woman of color in the C-suite or corporate side of business, there can be a lot of pressures and residual inner dialogue that can make your own identity a blur. Women have edited themselves to fit the mold or the leader before them for a really long time, and this is even stronger in relation to those of color or with a different cultural belief than their white male counterparts. This week’s episode 43 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about understanding and redefining the shadow side to being a woman of color in business, with Deepa Purushothaman!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Deepa Purushothaman are sharing the importance of redefining success for yourself, no matter what culture or society deems accurate for you, and actionable steps you can take right now to step into your power as a woman of color and powerful leader.
Some of the talking points Julie and Deepa go over in this episode include:
- The significance and role of work on women of color, and how this plays a huge role in their lives and identities.
- How we as women edit ourselves and put ourselves on mute more times than we shout unless that’s the expectation.
- The shadow side to being a woman of color in business, and how this can lead to not only being forced to fit stereotypes but the other significant (unpaid) roles we play in corporations.
- Hiding your identity: why some people choose to do that, and how easy or difficult it may be to do that.
In this episode, Deepa shares her new book, along with a few of the amazing stories held within, to help share how women of color are truly stepping into their calling as the power brokers of the future. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH DEEPA PURUSHOTHAMAN:
Website
Get Her Book
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
When you put yourself out there for the service of others, that will come back to you tenfold in the number of people that show up in support of you. This week’s episode 42 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about supporting women to step into positions of power!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Jaclyn Jackson share the importance of setting the example of what it looks like to wholeheartedly support others and how you can put yourself out there in service of other women leaders.
Today’s guest, Jaclyn Jackson is the Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for our country’s National Equity Fund. She leads talent development, culture, and strategic planning and even oversees marketing communications so that they can meet their mission to deliver innovative and collaborative financial solutions and expand the creation and preservation of affordable housing in this country. Jaclyn is a brilliant, strong, and mission-driven agent of change who has committed her career to maximize the impact of all nonprofits, including her own. She has an MBA and a Masters in Human Resources from the Kellogg School of Management and a Bachelors in Business Administration from Devry University. Jaclyn is a board member of NHRMA Workers Comp Insurance company as well as my board for How Women Lead in Chicago. She sets a brilliant example for the world and I am honored to share her story with you all today.
Some of the talking points Julie and Jaclyn go over in this episode include:
- The importance of providing access to affordable housing.
- Creating a network of supportive women to surround yourself with and grow together.
- A common trait that most male allies share that is valuable in their efforts to lift women up alongside them.
- The call to action for all of us in supporting women to step into positions of even greater power.
- Leadership skills that allowed Jaclyn to get to where she’s at today.
It is our purpose in life to support one another and encourage our fellow women to step into the leadership positions that will make an impact.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH JACLYN JACKSON:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
We often talk about scaling your business and team members but lack when it comes to planning and preparing for your exit. This week’s episode 41 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about planning your exit strategy!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Stephanie Gaffin discuss the upcoming wave of exits for women-owned business owners and actionable steps you can take right now to prepare your exit strategy BEFORE you’re ready to leave your business behind.
Today’s guest is an accidental entrepreneur that leveraged her passion for helping people and integrated it into every aspect of her very successful career. After spending her career in healthcare, Stephanie Gaffin became the co-founder and Managing Partner of SLS Capital Investors and the Gaffin Group, where she now works with companies to innovate and build infrastructure for growth and successful exits. She is a proven executive with a strong track record for driving change in organizations. Stephanie helps create a common vision and a pragmatic plan to get there so everyone involved wins. She has such a unique ability to bring people together and, let’s be clear, we’re all more effective, find common ground, and solve problems better when we come together.
Some of the talking points Julie and Stephanie go over in this episode include:
- The rate at which women-owned businesses and women-owned firms have grown over the years.
- Advice for women-owned business owners planning their exit strategy.
- Scaling goals you should prepare to hit in order to have a higher chance of selling your business.
- The challenges women entrepreneurs face when it comes to securing funding.
- Stephanie’s mantra that covers the 3 elements that, in the right proportions, are critical to doing anything worthwhile.
Before you settle on closing your business, I invite you to see the value in the company you’ve built and consider selling it to continue your wealth.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH STEPHANIE GAFFIN:
SLS Capital Advisors & The Gaffin Group
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
When we take calculated risks, we are rewarded with new opportunities and experiences that will have an impact both personally and professionally. This week’s episode 40 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about taking calculated risks!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Racquel Harris are sharing how Racquel has designed her life around finding curiosity and joy through a fulfilling career and the encouragement you need to open yourself to taking risks and reaping the rewards that come.
Today’s guest, Racquel Harris is an experienced leader with over 25 years working with Fortune 500 companies under her belt, including expat assignments in Canada, the UK and Switzerland. She has been a brand builder, leader, and former VP of merchandising for a billion dollar adult beverage business and the SVP of marketing for Sam’s Club, the $500 billion division of Walmart. If you thought she was impressive already, Racquel also spent 15 years leading the marketing portfolio of several grocery brands at Kraft Foods, working in brands like Digiorno Pizza, Kraft Singles, Cheez Whiz, Cool Whip, Jello and more. Now that she is retired, she spends her time as an independent director, mentoring aspiring executives, and most important of all- enjoying her life. She is the director on the board of Beta Rudder, an advertising and marketing services company and also serves on the Board of Trustees of our favorite theatre company, the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. The list goes on. Racquel is also on the advisory board of a family owned industrial products company and recently joined me and our community on the Chicago Executive Board for How Women Lead. She has one of the most impressive resumes and I am honored to call her my friend.
Some of the talking points Julie and Racquel go over in this episode include:
- The top leadership skills that allowed Racquel to have such a huge impact everywhere she went.
- Taking risks to further yourself in your career and how to know which risks are right for you to take.
- Advice for people looking to travel and get the gift that experiencing other cultures brings.
- The 3 question buckets to ask yourself in figuring out if you are on the right career path.
- What you need to know and do if you are preparing to retire early.
We encourage you to life your life fully with intention, be open to evolving, and focusing on becoming the happiest version of yourself by taking whatever risks it takes to get you there.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH RACQUEL HARRIS:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
As empowered women in thought leadership, we spend the majority of our careers making an impact in the industry we serve. But what happens after you retire? Retirement opens a new set of doors for you to explore your interests, find your passion and expand your impact in new ways, using what you’ve learned in your career to do so. This week’s episode 39 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about repositioning yourself after retirement and extending your impact beyond your professional career.
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Violet Clark are sharing how you can reposition yourself after retirement and giving you the permission to explore and experiment with your interests to find what it truly is you want to do with your life.
Today’s guest is undoubtedly a ceiling breaker. Violet Clark has been with Laner Muchin since 1988 and has been a partner at the firm since 1994. She collaborates with CEOs and their management teams to really focus on designing strategies, helping them achieve all of their business goals regarding human resource management to avoid the pain of labor issues and employment liability. She has more than 3 decades of experience representing both for-profit and nonprofit companies of all sizes and industries, as well as working with and for government and regulatory bodies, both on the local and federal levels. Violet was the first female and the first African American partner in her firm and has continued her legacy as a role model showing other women that they too can break ceilings and be successful in any position they set their goals to.
Some of the talking points Julie and Violet go over in this episode include:
- The resilience it took for Violet to become the first female and the first African American partner at her firm and stick with that same firm for 35 years before retiring.
- Advice for making the greatest impact on society this season.
- Permission to play with your interests and release the things that are no longer adding value to your life.
- Extending your impact beyond your professional career through mentoring or using your knowledge and experience and applying it to something new.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH VIOLET CLARK:
Laner Muchin
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Inclusive leadership is more important than ever. But what does it actually take to be a leader that shows the skills needed to be a good and inclusive leader? Our guest this week shares practical tips and strategies for being a better leader. This week’s episode 38 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the essential skills needed to become an inclusive leader!
*With high hopes and tons of aspiration, fresh from business school, Dr. Debra Clary started her career as a Frito-Lay Route Driver. In this role, which required long hours of physical labor, she learned the value of hard work and the value of an education. Dr. Deb has nearly three decades of experience with Fortune 100 Companies, holding executive roles at Frito-Lay, Coca-Cola, Brown-Forman (marketing Jack Daniel’s), and currently, Humana, a leading health and well-being company.
Her roles span from sales management, operations, and marketing, to strategic planning and executive leadership development. While serving as the VP of Strategy for Brown-Forman, Dr. Deb earned her doctorate degree at George Washington University in Leadership and Organizational Development. Today, she works with leaders that want to improve their impact and contribution. She is a student and teacher of narrative leadership (storytelling), resilience, transformation, and change. She draws on her corporate experiences, academic research, and her performance as a standup comic to inspire others striving to live with purpose.*
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Dr. Debra Clary share the importance of leadership skills if you want to join boards and actionable steps you can take right now to be a thoughtful leader who truly listens to those around them.
Some of the talking points Julie and Debra go over in this episode include:
- An innovative approach to inclusive leadership and why it’s so important.
- The four characteristics of inclusive leadership, which are visible commitment, humility, awareness of your blind spots, and curiosity.
- Structural ways to put these into practice so that you can become a better leader.
- Building these leadership skills through asking good questions and being curious.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH DR. DEBRA CLARY:
Website
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
In major cities, there is no more room for landfill. In NYC alone, they are trucking their waste 6 hours north. The single-use products contribute significantly to the environmental crisis. This is no longer a tomorrow event. This is a current issue, and we need to do something about it. This week’s episode 37 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about using the circular economy to tackle global challenges!
In this episode of the How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Caroline Vanderlip share the importance of the circular economy and what it means for climate change.
Caroline Vanderlip puts her passions and creativity into building businesses like Re:Dish, and is excited to be able to tell its huge environmental impact story. A successful entrepreneur, Caroline has launched businesses within parent companies (CNBC, AT&T Personal Online Services), as well as independent entities like the publishing technology company, SharedBook. Armed with a BA from Vassar and an MBA from NYU, Caroline is a life-long learner, now focused on sustainability and the huge impact that Re:Dish can have as it supports a shift from a linear to a circular economy.
Some of the talking points Julie and Caroline go over in this episode include:
- Starting a company at the start of the pandemic.
- Using transferable skills and a great team to grow a new business.
- The product that causes the most issues with climate change and has the biggest impact.
- The transition from tech to operationally heavy businesses in where future investments and funding will be going.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH CAROLINE VANDERLIP:
Re:Dish
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
With the Western Hemisphere consisting of the majority of the world’s Latinx population, it’s important that we think about how we can ensure that there are Latinas in political leadership positions both locally and throughout the hemisphere. What are we doing collectively as Latinas– especially executive Latinas– to support each other to ensure there is a broader vision for Latina leadership? This week’s episode 36 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about ensuring political and economic equality for Latinas with Helen Torres!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Helen Torres share the importance of helping to create opportunities for more Latinas in leadership positions. They also discuss actionable steps you can take right now to support Latinas from both leadership and political stances.
Helen Iris Torres is CEO of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE), where she leads one of the state and nation’s most influential Latina organizations. She has been instrumental in the development and implementation of the HOPE Leadership Institute (HLI), a program that prepares adult Latinas for their next level of civic participation. HLI has resulted in more than 180 Latinas being appointed to state and local commissions, and over 200 Latinas serving on nonprofit boards to improve local communities.
Some of the talking points Julie and Helen Torres go over in this episode include:
- Leadership lessons learned over 20 years of political equality work.
- What it takes to get more Latinas into politics.
- The challenges and barriers facing Latinas in getting and keeping leadership roles.
- Three ways to truly deliver on the mission to ensure political and economic equality for Latinx folks.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH HELEN TORRES:
Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE)
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
We’ve seen from the statistics that when more People of Color and women invest in ventures, more companies founded by People of Color and women get those funds. With a background in founding and investing, our guest has some very unique insights that can help us see the big picture. This week’s episode 35 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the foundational skills needed for both founders and investors!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Nancy Hayes share the importance of confidence in both founders and investors. They also chat through some actionable steps you can take right now to find strategic support at the right time in your business.
After serving as a senior executive in a Fortune 5 corporation, CEO of 2 non-profit organizations, dean of a large college of business, and CFO of a state university, Nancy Hayes became an entrepreneur and then an investor. She consults on leadership, career, and organizational effectiveness, with a special emphasis on coaching women executives. She is an active angel investor and advisor/mentor to women entrepreneurs and founders of color.
Nancy left the IBM Corporation as a senior executive after a long and satisfying career to bring her leadership and management skills to the nonprofit social services sector. She became CEO of the STARBRIGHT Foundation, an innovative national nonprofit chaired by Steven Spielberg and General H. Norman Schwarzkopf. It developed technology and media-based solutions to help seriously ill children deal with the psycho-social aspects of their illnesses. Later, she was CEO/President of WISE Senior Services, a nonprofit tackling the issues of isolated low-income seniors and fighting elder abuse and financial fraud against the elderly.
Nancy also served 6 years as dean of the College of Business at San Francisco State University and then was CFO and Chief Administrative Officer of SF State for 2 years. In 2013, she co-founded MoolaHoop, a unique rewards-based crowdfunding platform for women-owned small businesses. She’s been an active angel investor since 2014 with a portfolio of more than 30 women-led companies. She was Managing Director of Golden Seeds, an angel group focused on women entrepreneurs, for over 3 years.
Some of the talking points Julie and Nancy Hayes go over in this episode include:
- Why it’s essential for People of Color and women to invest in venture capital.
- Long-term strategy and tactical impact are what make a successful founder.
- What we need to capitalize on women and people of color run companies.
- Essential leadership skills needed at each phase of growing a business.
- How to understand when you might need to step out of the business you’ve founded.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH NANCY HAYES
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Currently, 70% of all the people quoted by reporters, editors, producers, and hosts are men. And within the first portion of that media, 90% of the experts quoted are men. One of the main reasons that this happens is that women tend to refrain from putting themselves out there. This week’s episode 34 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about amplifying your voice in media!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Lee Caraher share the importance of closing the “say gap” and actionable steps you can take right now to get your voice out there as an expert in your field.
Lee is the founder and CEO of a highly sought-after communications firm, Double Forte, known for producing great results with its innovative approach to traditional, digital and experiential programs. She has a long history of leading high-performing, multi-generational teams that enjoy working together. Lee is a champion for creating a positive workplace culture that fully supports its talent, even when they choose to move on. She takes the long view to support employees building their own personal brands that balance loyalties to themselves and their employers. Lee believes that companies able to inspire lifetime loyalty from employees — currently or formerly employed — are the companies that are best suited to thrive. She has long recognized that people will leave employers and understands the real problems this causes for companies.
Some of the talking points Julie and Lee Caraher go over in this episode include:
- The #1 reason why women don’t tend to put themselves out there.
- How to amplify the voices of the women around us.
- The steps you need to take to get found so that media starts coming your way.
- How to determine what you want to be known for and move toward being an expert in that.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH LEE CARAHER:
Website
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
It’s important that, as women, we fight for our rights to reproductive health and one of the ways to do that is through our political fundraising. This week’s episode 33 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about reproductive health and political fundraising!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Gretchen Sisson share the importance of understanding the data behind reproductive health and where it’s headed in the future. They also discuss actionable steps you can take right now to put your dollars to work for the values you hold dear to you.
Gretchen Sisson, Ph.D., is a qualitative sociologist whose research focuses on social constructions of parenthood, specifically examining abortion and pregnancy decision-making, teen pregnancy and young parenthood, infertility and assisted reproductive technologies, and adoption and birth/first motherhood. She is the lead investigator for ANSIRH's Abortion Onscreen program, which examines the representation of abortion on American film and television and the impact of such portrayals.
Dr. Sisson also studies adoption within the context of the reproductive health and justice movements and is working on a book about contemporary first motherhood. She serves on the Boards of Directors for WDN Action (a sister organization of the Women Donors Network) and Emerge America. She received her BA from Amherst College and her Ph.D. from Boston College.
Some of the talking points Julie and Gretchen go over in this episode include:
- Why so many institutions have not historically funded reproductive work.
- How adoption doesn’t work in the discussions around reproductive health and the data behind that.
- Where politics fits into reproductive work and why it’s an important part.
- How to put your political donations to work so that you can see the results you want.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH GRETCHEN SISSON:
Website
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
LINKS MENTIONED:
The Turnaway Study by Diana Greene Foster
Our guest this week has had a very interesting journey toward being a leader and board director. She started her career with a hard hat and now sits on the board of a public company. Her journey is inspiring, and she gives insights on how you can live every day to its fullest potential. This week’s episode 32 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about leading with self-realization!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Kathryn Henry share the importance of showing up as an authentic leader. They also discuss what living to your full potential really looks like and how it has a positive impact on how you show up in the world.
Kathryn Henry is currently serving as CEO & Co-Founder of LightBrite and Independent Board Director at lululemon since February 2016. She’s a member of Audit and Compensation Committees focusing on Technology, Operations, Cyber Security, People Development, and Social Impact/ESG. She’s led strategic planning and program management for Blue-Chip global firms, including Gap Inc., Levi Strauss & Company, lululemon, Ernst & Young, and Deloitte & Touche. Kathryn also serves as a limiter partner at How Women Invest, a venture firm disrupting the unequal investment in women-owned ventures and propelling women-led businesses forward.
Some of the talking points Julie and Kathryn go over in this episode include:
- The unique situation of being on the team at lululemon and then joining the board.
- How a background with technical and people skills is helpful for board members.
- Finding your meaning through meditation and spiritual practice of quiet.
- How we as a society are becoming more awakened to our broader consciousness.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH KATHRYN HENRY:
MySoul Vibe App
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
LINKS MENTIONED:
Living with the Himalayan Masters
Autobiography of a Yogi
Did you know that women who invest generally earn more than 1-2% over their lifetime than their male counterparts? Women are fantastic investors, but it’s up to us to take that step and take control of our finances. This week’s episode 31 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about becoming more financially empowered now through investing!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Haleh Moddasser share the importance of being financially empowered and actionable steps you can take right now to better understand your financial status.
Haleh Moddasser is a Senior Financial Advisor at Stearns Financial Group and the Managing Partner of their Chapel Hill office. Over the last ten years, Haleh has built a practice devoted primarily to women and their financial empowerment, a topic she is passionate about. In addition to her client engagements, Haleh has written about women and finance and has frequently been interviewed for national media outlets such as Forbes, Barron’s, Reuter’s, Bloomberg, and Kiplinger’s among others. Haleh also has spoken at various conferences around the country; most recently at Harvard's Chan School of Public Health.
Some of the talking points Julie and Haleh go over in this episode include:
- How women are different from other types of investors.
- Your wealth status might correlate with your sense of financial empowerment and how that impacts your investment.
- Valuing your marital estate from a place of power and understanding.
- How to find a trusted financial advisor who can help you make good choices with your money.
We must band together and stop viewing ourselves as a group of empowered people who can make a difference in this world.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH HALEH MODDASSER:
Website
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Who is going to define the political future? Within four years, our guest was able to redefine the political landscape. We made space in American culture for the potential of something new that’s a politics we haven’t seen yet. This week’s episode 30 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about making space for new political practices!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Aimee Allison share how she was able to make the term “Women of Color” shorthand for something beautiful. It’s not just about solidifying a multi-racial coalition of women. It’s not solidarity. It’s also shorthand for a political vision that’s grounded in a re-founding of America.
Aimee Allison is a writer, democratic innovator, and visionary champion of racial and gender justice. She is the Founder and President of She the People, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to an America redefined and inspired by women of color.
Renowned for her national efforts to build inclusive, multiracial coalitions, Allison organized and moderated the nation’s first presidential forum for women of color, attended by Presidential candidates and more than 1000 women from across the country, garnering major national press.
Some of the talking points Julie and Aimee Allison go over in this episode include:
- How she got started with She the People and what led to its birth.
- The shift to helping women of color shows up as an important group of people from a political standpoint.
- Removing overwhelm, negativity, and the sense of individualism that keeps us from moving forward with the vision of what our political future could look like.
- An overview of what we are dealing with on a political landscape.
- How stories can be used to continue to drive the activism needed to further the cause.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH AIMEE ALLISON:
She the People
Website
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
The climate crisis has seen major changes in the past few decades. We’ve seen companies starting to step up to make positive climate changes and there are ways you can help with that. This week’s episode 29 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about how you can positively impact the climate crisis!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Virginia Klausmeier share the importance of massively curbing carbon emissions. We also chat about actionable steps you can take right now to make changes in your own business and life to support our climate.
Virginia has dedicated the last 10 years to solving climate change, and on this life path, she founded a venture-backed climate tech company, Sylvatex (SVX) Inc. Sylvatex has won numerous awards/funding at industry conferences and venture competitions, and is an affiliate with National Laboratories (LNBL) and USDA. Virginia is currently active in advising climate tech and minority-led organizations as well as a fellow/member of All Raise, Unreasonable Group, Alliance of CEO’s, Astia, Silicon Valley Leadership Group and is actively working on the growth and commercialization of Sylvatex Inc.
Virginia attended Singularity University and the University of Oregon earning her B.S. in Chemistry/Economics and a M.S. in Engineering. Virginia currently has a number of patents pending and has been a speaker at a number of domestic and international events. Prior to this venture, she managed the new development ideas for a fortune 500 medical device companies and led the US clinical and biomechanical research. Virginia was featured as one of the "Top 10 women in biofuels" and was selected by Forbes for "30 under 30 in Energy". Last but not least, she is the proud partner to Ryan Irwin Klausmeier and the mother to two little boys River and Dakota.
Some of the talking points Julie and Virginia go over in this episode include:
- How her life journey has been a series of epiphanies that have led her to this moment.
- The power of being a coachable person and how that helps her bring her education and interests into her work and business.
- How to create substantial amounts of carbon change in our world.
- Ways that collaboration have had such a huge impact on being able to create positive climate change.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH VIRGINIA KLAUSMEIER:
Sylvatex
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Women tend to create businesses that are making a bigger positive impact globally. We want to solve those BIG problems faced in our society. So the companies we create are value-based companies. Yes, we want to make money with our business, but we also want to make a difference.
Our guest this week, Kathryn Moos, has a unique perspective with her well-rounded experience as an athlete, business owner, and now investor. This week, episode 30 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about how we can invest in (and create) value-based companies that impact the world around us!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Kathryn Moos share the importance of finding a work-life balance that still allows you to work hard while living the life you want to live. They also chat about the leadership skills needed on both the entrepreneur side and the investor side.
Some of the talking points Julie and Kathryn go over in this episode include:
- How being a woman athlete has shaped her life and helped her be the successful person she is today.
- The journey from being an entrepreneur into an investor and how that has uniquely positioned her to support the businesses she invests in.
- The skills needed for successful entrepreneurship
- Why having an impact and creating a legacy is the foundation of her company and venture.
- The benefits to women investing in solutions that are positively impacting the world.
Remember, women have the unique ability to create and invest in businesses that can make a big impact on the world. Let’s do our part!
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH KATHRYN MOOS:
OWYN
Groundswell Venture
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Do you believe that venture can be used as a global catalyst for change? We do. We’ve seen it time and time again with How Women Invest.
Cheryl Beninga, our guest this week, believes that we can each make our mark on the work by investing in women-owned companies. This week’s episode 27 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about using venture as a global catalyst for change!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Cheryl Beninga share the importance of owning your power as a woman in male-dominated spaces. They also chat about how venture capitalism can be an intentional vehicle for change in our world.
Cheryl has 20+ years of investment experience working with leading technology investors, including Intel Capital and GE Ventures, on all stages of technology investing. She has been responsible for billions of dollars in venture investing, with over $50M in early-stage technology investments yielding over $2B in value. Cheryl is experienced at the board and operations level at all venture stages, from Seed round to IPO, and has experience in M&A transactions.
She is Co-Founder of FourthWave, a non-profit accelerator program for female-led, high-potential technology companies providing business mentorship, personal potential coaching, and access to capital. FourthWave cohort members have raised over $25M in capital, participated in Y Combinator, and earned national growth recognition from INC., TechCrunch, and others.
Some of the talking points Julie and Cheryl Beninga go over in this episode include:
- Power in having support when you are juggling so many endeavors.
- Learning by doing and taking risks.
- Investing in positive impact technology so we can make the world a better place for future generations.
- Women try to hide their intuition and fit in within male-dominated spaces. That’s a disservice to ourselves and those around us.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH CHERYL BENINGA:
FourthWave
Wai Mohala Ventures
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Over the last twenty years, there have been major shifts and changes to the American boardroom. We are seeing more gender diversity and inclusion now more than ever, but this is just the tip of what we hope to accomplish for the women who are coming up behind us.
There are certain things needed to be a great board member. Trustworthiness and authenticity are two of the major points that will make or break you as a board member. This week’s episode 26 of How Women Inspire Podcast with Nancy Sheppard is about what makes a trustworthy and great board member!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Nancy Sheppard are sharing the importance of being able to adjust and pivot when it comes to being a board member. They also chat about things you can do on your journey to a board seat to ensure that your peers trust you.
Nancy Sheppard is passionate about helping to lead the movement to have more qualified women have a seat at the board table. She founded Women2Boards as a way to assist both corporate boards and women connect and improving gender diversity in the boardroom. She joined The Athena Alliance in 2017 as part of their leadership team to continue her mission. She advises women on the path to the boardroom, speaks on the subject nationally, and works with corporate boards that want to find talented individuals for their boardroom (who happen to be women).
Nancy has 30+years of management and governance experience in banking associations, the financial services industry, and legislative, regulatory & political environments. She was the CEO of Western Independent Bankers, the largest regional banking association in the US, for over 20 years, served on two private company boards for financial institution products, created educational programs for directors and senior executives, and worked with hundreds of bank CEOs and board members.
Some of the talking points Julie and Nancy go over in this episode include:
- The journey that led to Nancy’s current place in business and life.
- How seeing injustice from an early age had a direct impact on her passion for social justice.
- Challenges that come with trying to adapt to situations that are particularly difficult.
- How to take risks and pivot when you are ready for a change in your career.
- Ways to utilize transferable skills from one career path to another.
We hope you are feeling a sense of hope and clarity. And that you have a roadmap now for how to be seen as an authentic and trustworthy leader. Don’t forget to take your shot!
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH NANCY SHEPPARD:
Women 2 Boards
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
There’s pressure in society today for hard-working women in leadership to put work or family first. Still, Val Red-Horse Moh is one of the amazing women able to put all her passions and responsibilities together. Much like an apple pie, it all starts with a strong foundation. In Val’s case, that’s faith and family. This week’s episode 25 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about solidifying your foundational principles for a strong life and career!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Val Red-Horse Mohl are sharing the importance of understanding and developing your strong foundation and actionable steps you can take right now to have a more meaningful life and career at the same time.
Some of the talking points Julie and Val go over in this episode include:
- How faith has impacted Val’s life and career, and how she uses it as a compass to guide her on her path to success.
- Balancing life and career and family; how she equates this to an apple pie and how to think about all your responsibilities.
- The commonalities between finances and film, and how being multi-passionate has helped elevate her career and helped her deliver for her clients.
- What you need in a life partner, and how to live a more meaningful life with them.
As a successful woman, you can have it all. It just takes an intentional look at life, career, family and other responsibilities and dedication to the cause. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH VAL RED-HORSE MOHL:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Do you ever feel overwhelmed with your life responsibilities? Feeling pulled under by all the demanding aspects of your life, from work, business, family, and other tasks or things taking your attention? Are you entering burnout?
This episode will help you see your daily tasks and responsibilities in a new, optimistic light and allow a breath of fresh air and appreciation for what you get to do each day to wash over you. This week’s episode 24 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about going with the flow and appreciating your responsibilities!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Mia Umanos are sharing the importance of learning to love and appreciate your daily responsibilities and actionable steps you can take right now to be an active listener as a leader.
Some of the talking points Julie and Mia go over in this episode include:
- What it means to truly go with the flow, and how you can enjoy even the mundane tasks in your life and daily activities in order to live a more fulfilled life.
- How and why she started her business, Clickvoyant, and the power in feeling like you’re doing good work.
- How to juggle everything on your to do list in a positive, optimistic manner that helps make it more manageable to accomplish.
- Why listening is so valuable as a leader and as a new business, and how Mia really has learned to implement it in her company and with her staff.
This episode is a great reminder that we get to do things each day that others only dream about, and the true power in being able to say what you do each day is for the better good. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH MIA UMANOS:
Website
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
When it comes to being a good leader, Sonita Lontoh believes it’s all about guiding principles that guide us to be the best leaders we can be, no matter where we are starting as a leader. Sonita was inducted into the United States Asian Hall of Fame in 2017, and recently has started her own board member journey, and today she’s sharing her journey with you. This week’s episode 23 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the guiding principles to becoming a better leader, with Sonita Lontoh!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Sonita Lontoh are sharing the importance of leadership styles and actionable steps you can take right now to be a better leader, no matter what level of a leader you are right now.
Some of the talking points Julie and Sonita go over in this episode include:
- What Sonita did to earn herself a spot in the United States Asian Hall of Fame, and the sense of added responsibility she feels since being inducted in 2017.
- When she started living by certain guiding principles in both personal and professional aspects, and how she’s been guided by them throughout her life and career.
- How, and why, women are more likely to be in a career field long-term if they feel a meaningful connection or a purpose for their work.
- Ways you can define leadership, and how it all starts at the top when it comes to change and diversity.
This episode is sure to help guide you to becoming the best leader you can be. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH Sonita Lontoh:
Website
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Many come into a career with the expectation of starting here and wanting to be at the next level at a certain very rapid point. Sure, technology has made some changes to that; but we’ve lost the importance of what you can learn in the process of building from the ground up. This week’s episode 22 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about supporting and mentoring our next generation of women leaders!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Heather Jerrehian are sharing the importance of surrounding yourself with people who can help raise you up. So many of us grew up in an era where there was only one seat at the top. There’s abundance for all of us, and How Women Invest showcases that spectacularly.
Heather Jerrerhian is an award-winning entrepreneurial leader and turnaround expert with key executive roles as a startup founder, CEO, COO, CFO, and VP/GM for Fortune 500 enterprises and startups with extensive software, consumer, and technology expertise. Global business builder recognized for cultivating key strategic partnerships, accelerating sales through robust GTM strategies, maximizing distribution channels (B2B + B2C + B2B2C), and demonstrating the operational acumen to architect systems and infrastructure to support large-scale organizations.
She has full 360-degree knowledge of SaaS, marketplaces, e-commerce, retail, wholesale, and manufacturing across multiple consumer categories, including hardware, electronics, clothing, accessories, and food – as well as technology expertise using AI + ML across HRTech, EdTech, AgTech, and FashionTech. Known for the ability to identify trends and quickly capitalize on growth opportunities, having a consistent record of building multi-million-dollar businesses ($0 to $75M) and driving triple-digit increases while maintaining financial controls for profitability and extraordinary people leadership skills to enable the impossible.
Some of the talking points Julie and Heather go over in this episode include:
- Stepping out and taking the shot to meet the right people
- How being a hexagon has helped her better articulate and shift the conversation to how she can best support the role she wanted.
- Pivotal qualities that served her well through all her career shifts.
- The most critical skills for any new entrepreneur or startup CEO
- How to create an advisory network that will best serve you in your different roles.
- The most important thing the younger generation needs to know as they step into these leadership roles.
- What to do when you are in the middle of a struggle in your career.
There’s a time and a moment for all of us. Grab the moment when you can because you never know what will come out of it.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH HEATHER JERREHIAN:
Hitch Works
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Being a woman in a boardroom or a political office can be challenging, but being transgender is a whole other level of power, grace, and representation issues. Today, we invited Lisa Middleton, who is the third transgender person in US History to serve as Mayor of an American city, and the first transgender person to serve as Mayor in the state of California. This week’s episode 21 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about being transgender in the political space!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Lisa Middleton are sharing the importance of transgender diversity in board rooms and in political spaces and actionable steps you can take right now to support and encourage other transwomen.
Some of the talking points Julie and Lisa Middleton go over in this episode include:
- What LGBTQ+ communities and political stances have been throughout the last 50 years of change, and how Lisa has seen this firsthand.
- The power of having LGBTQ+ diversified representation in boardrooms, and what we all bring to the table.
- The most powerful thing corporate leaders can do following what we’ve learned in the pandemic and during the great resignation.
- How being transgender has become politicalized and how best to support your fellow trans-community members.
I hope this conversation made you puff up in pride for Pride Month. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH Lisa Middleton:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
It certainly takes a village to be successful, and no one knows that better than Cheemin Bo-Linn. Recognized by multiple Presidents of the United States for her successful and inspiring leadership skills, Cheemin comes to us today to instill in us the leadership skills and lessons she’s learned throughout her career so far. This week’s episode 20 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about how to get to the top of the board room; the board director!
Cheemin leverages tech to make the seemingly "impossible...possible " and leapfrogs competition with a time to market advantage. .. from AI/neuron "human thinking" machines, to POS checkout with concurrent loan access, to EV trucks and drones "scaleup" for mass zero carbon transport, to "smart" cities, to 3D physical to digital transformation, or leveraging tech in new markets or patient care. Currently, she is CEO of Peritus Partners Inc. Prior, she was recruited to scale growth as IBM Vice President running a $3.5b P&L, M&A partner, and other financial expert and "go to market" roles. Also she has served in roles such as digital Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Revenue Officer and multiple roles in mobile, internet, e-Commerce, software, energy, financial, semiconductor, and industrial sector companies.
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Cheemin Bo-Linn are sharing the importance of others’ help in your success journey and actionable steps you can take right now to be a positive leader evoking positive change in your circles.
Some of the talking points Julie and Cheemin go over in this episode include:
- Ways Cheemin has felt recognized in her role as one of the best board directors in the country, and possibly internationally.
- A powerful lesson Cheemin makes sure to instill in younger generations in board positions that will help you succeed now.
- The top leadership skills that helped Cheemin make her who she is today, and taken her where she has been.
- How Cheemin has navigated her ethnic and cultural background in the C-suite and board rooms, while also being American-born, and the ethnicity challenges she’s faced.
A huge theme in this episode is the power of others’ help in getting you to the top, and I couldn’t agree more with the power of community and helping the woman next to you also succeed. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH CHEEMIN BO-LINN:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Sue Harnett knows a thing or two about helping others’ voices be heard, and she’s a fierce advocate for others. Through her many years in Fin-Tech and banking, as well as her experience being an angel investor and helping start ups. Sue has a heart for women leaders and business owners. This week’s episode 19 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about growing your network and asking the right questions to help others expand their horizons and ideas!
Sue currently serves as Independent Director, Nomination & Governance Committee Chair, and a member of the Risk Committee of the OFG Holding Company Bank Board (NYSE:OFG) and a member of the Compensation & Human Capital and Audit Committees of Life Storage (NYSE:LSI). She recently joined the Board of American Enterprise Group, a mutual insurance company and is a member of the Audit Committee. Previously she served on the Board of Directors of First Niagara Financial Group. She is certified by the National Association of Corporate Directors as a Director and a Governance Fellow and a Qualified Risk Director when she was awarded a Certificate in Risk Governance from the DCRO Institute.
To give back, Sue is a founding limited partner of How Women Invest and a member of the Executive Board of How Women Lead an organization committed to increasing venture funding to women led companies.
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Sue Harnett are sharing the importance of asking great questions and actionable steps you can take right now to help other women succeed beside you.
Some of the talking points Julie and Sue go over in this episode include:
- Balancing Motherhood, careers, and other challenges throughout the ages as women in successful career fields.
- The power in asking good questions in board meetings, and the role you play as a board member, whether it’s in banking or start ups.
- Why it’s important for other women to join boards and why Sue puts in extra work to help fellow women join them.
- Innovations in Fin-tech that Sue sees that have a strong potential to change the trajectory of women in finances.
This episode will encourage you to humbly help others and be a fierce advocate for others through networking. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH SUE HARNETT:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
LINKS:
Book: Lean In
www.goalsetter.co
Rosie Rios noticed while on a lunch break the lack of women representation in statues in DC, which led her down a rabbit hole of currency changes that would soon take effect. Now, Harriet Tubman and other women of influence from our history will grace the United States currency. All because she was inspired by the invisible. Rosie Rios, the 43rd Treasurer of the United States, comes to us today to remind us that with a little inspiration and a lot of commitment to the cause, you can make an impact on the world. This week’s episode 18 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about how Rosie Rios changed the United States currency to include women, and why it’s so important!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Rosie Rios are sharing the importance of women’s history being shared publicly and actionable steps you can take right now to make changes in your local areas and industries to allow for more women's representation.
Some of the talking points Julie and Rosie go over in this episode include:
- How, and why, Rosie came to the conclusion that the currency of the United States needed an adjustment, and the process it takes to change currency while remaining integrity in our currency.
- When Rosie knew the turning point in her career was coming, and the hints she got along the way that helped remind her she was on the right path for her.
- How to, and why you want to, analyze for risk when proposing projects and future events and changes.
- The future of currency; where Rosie thinks it’s going, based on where it is today, and how we as women leaders and founders can make even more amazing initiatives happen.
This episode will surely encourage you to be inspired by the invisible throughout history. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH Rosie Rios:
Unicorn Hunters
Empowerment 2026
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Millicent Tracey is a seasoned FinTech and financial services product management executive who for years has helped FinTech companies and startups. She’s also helped develop b2b payment strategies. She is just a brilliant, kind leader who steps up and makes things happen Millicent Tracy spent just about 20 years at Wells Fargo working on online banking for business and building digital payment platforms like Zelle which we all use. This week’s episode 17 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the importance of knowing your values for furthering your career intentionally!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Millicent Tracey are sharing the importance of understanding your own values and actionable steps you can take right now to grow your career or take on the board seat once you understand who you are and what you want.
Some of the talking points Julie and Millicent go over in this episode include:
- How you can help consumers through a cultural shift when launching a new product or service.
- Up and coming trends in financial technology that women owned start ups should know about.
- What Millicent learned from her immigrant parents and what she didn’t learn from them but found valuable to her career expansion.
- What ESG is, and how it’s impacting board seats and governance of companies today and in the future.
This episode will empower you to understand your personal and professional values and life lessons that matter to you in order to further your career in a positive way. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH MILLICENT TRACEY:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Showing up can position yourself in a dynamic way that allows no room for negotiation; you deserve that raise! This week’s episode 16 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the stepping stones of showing up that lead to success.
Preethy Padmanabhan is a seasoned technology executive with 20 years of experience across engineering, sales and marketing. She's the host of 10 Times Growth Strategies podcast, and she’s an investor with many years experience on boards and various roles. She understands the importance and the value in showing up, even as a volunteer, until you become successful.
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Preethy Padmanabhan are sharing the importance of being unabashedly visible and actionable steps you can take right now to grant yourself success through showing up thoughtfully and intentionally.
Some of the talking points Julie and Preethy go over in this episode include:
- What it was like for Preethy moving to the United States as a woman in tech who didn’t yet understand English well, and the challenges she overcame to be successful despite a language barrier.
- The biggest leadership skills Preethy learned through her various roles, and how her unique perspective guided her to be the leader she is today.
- How to negotiate higher pay, an equal salary, more responsibility or that raise, as a woman, and do it in a way that creates no room for doubt.
- Preethy’s five “S”s to success: self-awareness, self-care, seeking help, setting boundaries and stretching ourselves.
Preethy has served on lots of nonprofit boards, and you'll get to know her and her deep commitment to the world and the community through this episode. But her big focus is on economic empowerment for women, children and education. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to hear even more about the points outlined above.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH PREETHY PADMANABHAN:
Podcast
Music
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
With nonprofits, there’s a lot of hush hush about money - many companies don’t talk about where they got funding or how they got it, and rarely talk about bankruptcy or anything else negative without a victory story.
After 20+ years of hands-on experience in financial services, including investment product design, portfolio management, risk modeling, and private banking, Vivienne Hsu decided to form LENDonate, an online collaborative marketplace of loan+donation to nonprofit organizations. The idea of this new financial ecosystem for nonprofit is also a result of her 10+ years of fundraising and constantly thinking "there must be a better way." This week’s episode 15 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about nonprofit funding and support options!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Vivienne Hsu are sharing the importance of seeking help when you need it, especially when it comes to needing money loans and actionable steps you can take right now to utilize crowdfunding opportunities to help your nonprofit succeed.
Some of the talking points Julie and Vivienne go over in this episode include:
- How crowdfunding actually works and who the investor is in that type of funding relationship.
- Different ways nonprofits can utilize crowdfunding, bank loans, and other support to grow, sustain or even save their businesses.
- Why banks are usually overly cautious when it comes to funding, and why it may feel like you have to jump through a lot of hoops to get approved.
- Different support and investment options and opportunities for nonprofit leaders, as well as things to pay attention to and look for when it comes to funding opportunities.
This episode is going to help you see behind the curtain at what it’s like on the other end of funding and investment opportunities, what banks and lenders look for in a business looking for a loan, and more. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH Vivienne Hsu:
Website
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
When you get too many people in the room with the same perspective and expertise, you tend to get “group think”; no fresh ideas, and everyone on too much of the same page. Luckily, Evelyn Dilsaver knows the solution to get out of that funk - getting skills in various fields! Evelyn is one of the most responsible, disciplined philanthropists and leaders that Julie’s ever met.
Evelyn is a CPA by trade, having spent the first 17 years of her career in Audit and Finance before becoming president and CEO of the Charles Schwab investment management firm. She was one of the first Asian women board directors in the United States of America. This week’s episode 14 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the tips she’s learned and been taught in the C-Suite spaces!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Evelyn Dilsaver share the importance of getting multiple perspectives on a subject and actionable steps you can take right now to ask insightful questions to provoke change.
Some of the talking points Julie and Evelyn go over in this episode include:
- The lessons Evelyn learned through sports growing up and throughout her parenting days, and why women in sports tend to grow up to be leaders.
- The 3 top C-suite tips she learned from a mentor that helped her become the powerful and thoughtful leader she is today, and how you can too.
- The reason she varies her industry and expertise in order to learn more and free her mindset and perspectives.
- The power behind an insightful question, as opposed to an insightful comment, and why that has led to Evelyn’s ability to ask questions in such a thought-provoking manner.
There are a lot of negative effects of “group think”; hopefully today’s conversation sparks that creative, new perspective for you to help take your team, group or c-suite to the next level by sparking a new conversation and fresh ideas. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH Evelyn Dilsaver:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
I met Hannah Kain while being co-authors for Scrappy Women in Business; Living Proof that Bending the Rules isn’t Breaking the Law. Hannah Kain, who is the very first supply chain expert that we’ve had on the show, is a bright light who encourages giving and giving well to others, she’s a humble example of a power player in the female entrepreneurial and C-suite space, and a strong believer in the power in being yourself. This week’s episode 13 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about finding you in your own success journey!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Hannah Kain are sharing the importance of being yourself and being confident in who you are and actionable steps you can take right now to continuously give back to the ecosystem that is women in entrepreneurial positions.
Some of the talking points Julie and Hannah go over in this episode include:
- The supply chain issues of 2020 that caused the industry cause for concern, like the toilet paper demand and the concern of when things will go back to normal.
- How Hannah managed to built and maintain a strong team of employees throughout the pandemic, despite the huge dip in employee retention.
- How giving back through different outlets and endeavors has contributed to the ecosystem of women in business.
- How the dynamic of being a woman in the CEO space has been like throughout the years, but shoulder pads and pencil skirts, to the rockstar women, are today in power positions.
So many words of wisdom come with this episode, from understanding that you don’t have to be like anyone else to be successful, to remembering to hold tight to words of encouragement and compliments from others for a rainy day, this episode is sure to inspire and uplift you. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to hear even more about the points outlined above.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH HANNAH KAIN:
Website
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
When it comes to being a woman of color in the C-suite or corporate side of business, there can be a lot of pressures and residual inner dialogue that can make your own identity a blur. Women have edited themselves to fit the mold or the leader before them for a really long time, and this is even stronger in relation to those of color or with a different cultural belief than their white male counterparts. This week’s episode 12 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about understanding and redefining the shadow side to being a woman of color in business, with Deepa Purushothaman!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Deepa Purushothaman are sharing the importance of redefining success for yourself, no matter what culture or society deems accurate for you, and actionable steps you can take right now to step into your power as a woman of color and powerful leader.
Some of the talking points Julie and Deepa go over in this episode include:
- The significance and role of work on women of color, and how this plays a huge role in their lives and identities.
- How we as women edit ourselves and put ourselves on mute more times than we shout unless that’s the expectation.
- The shadow side to being a woman of color in business, and how this can lead to not only being forced to fit stereotypes but the other significant (unpaid) roles we play in corporations.
- Hiding your identity: why some people choose to do that, and how easy or difficult it may be to do that.
In this episode, Deepa shares her new book, along with a few of the amazing stories held within, to help share how women of color are truly stepping into their calling as the power brokers of the future. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH DEEPA PURUSHOTHAMAN:
Website
Get Her Book
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
We know there’s a difference between the funds donated and provided for philanthropic groups that are white, and those that are black-owned. But do you know the actual numbers? Rebecca Darwent does, and she’s literally speechless as she shares the numbers with us on today’s podcast. This week’s episode 11 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the disparity between black-owned philanthropies and other organizations, and how less than 7 cents for every $100 of philanthropic money goes towards Black-owned philanthropies!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Rebecca Darwent are sharing the importance of funding equity groups and actionable steps you can take right now to help provide support and resources to these groups, no matter your own sexual orientation or philanthropic segmentation.
Some of the talking points Julie and Rebecca go over in this episode include:
- Biases around the Black community and a sense of diminishing that occurs around the “professional” ideation around supporting Black communities as a Black leader.
- The call to action Rebecca has for us all to help support and provide resources for equity groups of all types, and how anyone can help.
- What the Unfunded Black Communities Overlooked by Canadian Philanthropy report has done for Rebecca; taking her from the number two for everyone to the number one spot as a leader in her field.
- Taking yourself off mute; why now is the time to stop being silent and the best ways to be loud, bold, and proud.
Rebecca is a great leader of inspiration in our community who will inspire you to be proud and bold about yourself and your community. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to hear even more about the points outlined above.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH Rebecca Darwent:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Venture capital, which is one type of investing, can be confusing to understand unless, of course, you’re talking to Erika Cramer, Managing Member and General Partner of How Women Invest, who has over 25 years of experience in investment banking. Today we will break down just what it is, how to start investing in this way, and how businesses can secure these types of investors. That’s why episode 8 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about venture capital investing, with Erika Cramer!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Erika Cramer is sharing the importance of venture capital investing to ease the gender wage gap and actionable steps you can take right now to either start investing or get an investor.
Some of the talking points Erika and I go over in this episode include:
- The identity shift Erika went through when she retired from investment banking, and how she handled the loss of a title to recreate her identity.
- Why women in venture capital is such a huge passion for Erika, and how important the gender wealth gap is in this as well.
- What Erika believes is most exciting for those limited partners when it comes to venture investing, and what venture capital investing is.
- Some of the trends Erika is seeing in venture today, and what she’s seeing in the market for both the investors and the businesses looking for investors.
If you’ve ever been curious about what venture is, how to be a part of it, or how to secure venture capital investors for your own business, this episode cannot be skipped! So be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.
Thank you for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH ERIKA CRAMER:
Website
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
It can be difficult to run a successful start-up - the ups and downs aren’t for everyone and it can be a challenge. Someone who truly understands this experience is Fran Maier, co-founder of Match.com, who is well known for her 10+ years running TRUSTe (now TrustArc), and is now the CEO and founder of Babyquip. This week, episode 09 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about how to create a startup that’s truly a trusted brand!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Fran Maier is sharing the importance of being a trusted brand and the actionable steps you can take right now to build that trusted brand from the ground up.
Some of the talking points Fran and I go over in this episode include:
- How Fran created her hospitality and travel start-up in the beginning of the pandemic and how she managed to get through to a record-breaking month with almost 1 million bookings under her belt.
- How to build a trusted brand; through consistency and understanding your market well enough to build it to be trustworthy.
- Fran’s best tips for hiring your first employees and your own responsibilities as a start-up founder.
- How Fran keeps her creativity going and how she takes care of herself so she can run a successful business in a great headspace.
Fran Maier is a leader and inspiration to so many startup founders and entrepreneurs and I cannot wait for you to listen to this episode. So be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH FRAN MAIER:
BabyQuip Website
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Allison Martin is the founder and former CEO of UDoTest, a first-of-its-kind company to significantly reduce cervical cancer in Africa. In 2021 Allison was able to do what a lot of us want to eventually be able to do; she sold her company! That’s why episode 08 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about lessons Allison has learned throughout her journey as a mission-driven entrepreneur!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Allison Martin is sharing the importance of having the courage to dream big and actionable steps you can take right now to find opportunities through generosity in others.
Some of the talking points Allison and I go over in this episode include:
- The creation of UDoTest, a way of doing personal health that got a lot of kickback for being well ahead of its time in women’s health advancements in third world countries.
- Lessons Allison has learned throughout the years as an entrepreneur and true market disruptor, including the power in being prepared and the courage to think BIG.
- How her change of role, pace, and responsibilities have shaped a new narrative for her since selling her company and becoming co-founder.
- How generosity can be a vital weapon for startups and business leaders to utilize and give, and how culturally the generosity in the United States both shocked and excited Allison.
Through generosity and building honest connections with people because she cares, Allison built a company and sold it in under 10 years. There are many lessons she’s learned and shared in this episode that I think anyone can relate to and learn from. So be sure to tune in to all the episodes and to hear even more about the points outlined above.
Thank you for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH ALLISON MARTIN:
Website
Learn more about UDoTest
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Former Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson has made an indelible impact on us all through her courage and leadership. An expert in public policy and legislation, Hannah-Beth Jackson is an active advocate for women’s equality. She has worked on a lot of legislative acts and been advocating for every woman from high school through to CEOs and leaders. That’s why episode 7 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about building a community you can be proud of and support!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Hannah-Beth Jackson is sharing the importance of a culture that’s better for everyone and actionable steps you can take right now to create that culture where you are with the tools you have.
Some of the talking points Hannah–Beth and I go over in this episode include:
- How Hannah helped create the California Fair Pay Act for equal pay for all women, how that’s personally impacted my own daughter’s career and pay, and why it’s so important to have equal pay for all women.
- What changes for the companies that change leadership from a standard model to one focused on representation around the people in their communities.
- Sexual assault and rape on college campuses, and how we can change the narrative through legislature and speaking up for those around us, through the example of the Yes Means Yes act and the Me Too movements.
- The importance of recognizing that we aren’t and do not need to be perfect, and how Hannah learned this from her own experiences.
It’s important to recognize the community you want to have and live in, and go create it and support it. So be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.
Thank you for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH HANNAH-BETH JACKSON:
Website
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
You may have heard that many business owners are leaving the state of California; but I wonder if you’ve heard that there are more small businesses being created in California than ever before?
Today we sit down to talk with Fiona Ma, California state Treasurer, about her thoughts on how to support women leaders and small businesses, and how you can help advocate for those who need your support. That’s why episode 06 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about political advocacy you can do through your own networks!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Fiona Ma is sharing the importance of being a fierce political advocate and actionable steps you can take right now to support female political leaders in your area.
Some of the talking points Fiona and I go over in this episode include:
- How Fiona learned from her parents to love both the people and the profession, and how she took that advice and upbringing to become a CPA and the California state treasurer.
- The importance Fiona has found through keeping her eye on the prize and pushing through to help her as she gets numb to some of the antics she encounters on social media in reference to her career.
- How Fiona has helped encourage diversity among leaders on public company boards, and how it all started with her leaving her first job because she didn’t see diversity in the boardrooms of that company.
- How we can help women in political seats make change that matters to us, and how best to fund their advances in the political arena.
If you’ve ever been curious if politics should matter to you, or if you’ve ever wondered how to support your political leaders besides voting, this episode will open your eyes and share the wave of influence your political leaders have to change your state for the better. So be sure to tune in to all the episodes to hear even more about the points outlined above.
Thank you for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH Fiona Ma:
Website
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Tricia Montalvo Timm was reading an article with a very low statistic of the number of Latinas who get a board seat - and it was in that moment that she realized she had the qualifications to do so herself and be the role model for others to take that step too. Tricia Montalvo Timm, a passionate advocate for Latinas, knows what it means to be the only or one of few in a room. That’s why episode 05 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about believing in your belonging!
Ms. Timm is an established Silicon Valley leader with cross-functional experience in public and private companies. Ms. Timm has grown and scaled businesses from early-stage to multi-billion-dollar companies, including the sale of Looker to Google for $2.6 billion. She has been the first lawyer at 3 different high-growth start-ups and has extensive public company and corporate governance experience, advising management and boards on executive compensation, financial reporting and compliance matters. Throughout her 25-year career, Ms. Timm has sat in the boardroom at both private and public companies, presenting at board and committee meetings and advising on strategic issues. Given her experience, Ms. Timm can sit all on three board committees - Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Governance.
In addition to the law, Ms. Timm has a passion for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). While at Looker she launched the Company’s first DEI program where they developed a multi-prong solution that consisted of recruiting and retaining diverse talent, cultivating a culture of belonging and establishing the company as a DEI thought leader.
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Tricia Timm is sharing the importance of believing in yourself and that you belong and actionable steps you can take right now to start showing up with confidence.
Some of the talking points Tricia and I go over in this episode include:
- How Tricia got started with board positions, and the strong power of opportunity women can give each other to succeed and project us all forward.
- How investors look different with different backgrounds, and how the stereotype of what an investor is shouldn’t hold you back from investing.
- The importance of being visible, especially as a Latina, and the power of providing a role model for future generations.
- The power of being let in and why it all begins with you believing you belong in order to succeed.
If you’re in a position with influence, it’s important to let others in, and if you’re not yet in a position of influence it’s important to believe you belong there, even if you’ve never seen someone like you in that seat before. So be sure to tune in to all the episodes and hear even more about the points outlined above.
Thank you for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH TRICIA TIMM:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Philanthropy is important because it provides opportunities for those who may not otherwise have it. Because of this, it’s even more important that there is diversity in philanthropy so that no one is left behind. Elizabeth Barajas-Roman is the President and CEO Women's Funding Network, where she helps provide powerful support to funds fueling social change for women and girls, worldwide. That’s why episode 04 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about supporting women of color in philanthropic leader positions!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Elizabeth Barajas-Roman is sharing the importance of diversity in philanthropy and actionable steps you can take right now to support women of color leaders in this space.
Some of the talking points Elizabeth and I go over in this episode include:
- How a women’s foundation is a community foundation focused specifically on gender equity, how it’s grown to much more than just a giving circle now, and why we need them.
- The higher turnover rate amongst executives in women’s funds and why this is changing the face of philanthropic funds to a more diverse space.
- How you can take a stand and create the support needed to create better environments and support for women of color leaders.
- The importance of identifying your implicit biases for both women and women of color in leadership and philanthropic roles.
All in all; it’s time to find a women’s fund or philanthropic space today. Don’t wait to dive into a rewarding and quickly changing space.
Thank you for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH Elizabeth Barajas-Roman:
Website
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
Explicit content: child death, sex trafficking, and other triggering conversations
I met Mary Stutts when she interviewed me for her book; The Missing Mentor; women advising women on Power, Progress, and Priorities. Mary Stutts is the Chief Global Inclusion & Health Equity Officer at Real Chemistry, Corporate Board Member, Author and Keynote Speaker. If you truly want someone who helps other women climb the ladder and someone who shows up - Mary is your woman. That’s why episode 03 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about taking the shot with Mary Stutts!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Mary Stutts is sharing the importance of taking the shot and actionable steps you can take right now to acknowledge and understand your own biases and how to move forward with more equity.
Some of the talking points Mary and I go over in this episode include:
- How Mary has found inspiration through Eminem and even wrapped her first C-suite speech, all through embracing fun, creativity, and the determination to seize every opportunity.
- How being in the foster care system encouraged Mary to use her voice and speak up, find her faith, and how influential her foster parents and faith have been for her story.
- Creating a path for inclusive leadership; how to implement the start of the change and how to make sure employees have the tools to change once biases emerge.
- How, and why, we need both patriarchal and matriarchal leadership styles to implement the best leadership and mentorship for those following us and working with us.
This episode will help you not only live in a way that acknowledges biases, but you’ll lead from a place of understanding and equity and teach others how to do the same.
Thank you for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH MARY STUTTS:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
LINKS MENTIONED:
Book: The Missing Mentor: Women Advising Women on Power, Progress and Priorities
We get told a lot of things as women; like “You can’t have it all,” and as entrepreneurs, like “no” but Nicole took “no”s and figured out how to go a different direction, and learned her own boundaries along the way to have both a successful career, a leader in insurance, and a mom. Nicole White is the senior vice president and founding principal at Newfront, and is a leading woman in the insurance space. That’s why episode 02 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about betting on yourself!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Nicole White is sharing the importance of betting on yourself and actionable steps you can take right now to chase joy.
Some of the talking points Nicole and I go over in this episode include:
- Nicole’s history of bettering herself through betting on herself and how when an opportunity presents itself, her willingness to say yes allows her to grow as a person and investor.
- The process Nicole goes through to determine where she’ll put her resources and time when it comes to investments.
- How putting your desire to help others above all else projects your business forward in a simple process of just breaking down what’s needed of you or the project.
- Chasing joy - the power and the chase behind finding and chasing joy vs happiness.
This episode really dives into how best to bet on yourself to better yourself. How will you bet on yourself this week?
Thank you for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH Nicole White:
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
If you’ve ever felt like you’re too old to start a company, or if your lack of self-confidence has shifted your success journey, this episode is going to inspire you to take the leap anyway. Julie Gordon White, founder of Bossa Bars, author, and coach, comes with her today a sense of pure joy, confidence, and the fiery determination we all need to start hard conversations and light fires wherever we go. That’s why episode 02 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about breaking down barriers fearlessly with Julie Gordon White!
In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Gordon White is sharing the importance of not listening to the myths and noise around you and actionable steps you can take right now to break down barriers and have a fearless business journey.
Some of the talking points Julie and I go over in this episode include:
- How Julie struggled at the start of her own menopause journey and ended up creating a company that starts the conversation so many don’t have around this big change in your life and loving your body.
- The guardrails Julie put in place when finding investment money and companies to work with to bring her vision to life, and why she doesn’t believe all money is good money.
- How Julie started her Bossa Bars company and why the business planning process is crucial to a successful business long term.
- Why Julie doesn’t recommend new founders taking too much investment money right off the bat, and how she thinks taking too much can create a false sense of security in new companies.
It’s time to take the advice of Julie here and realize that you can do it; no matter what stage of life, business, investing, or any other part of your journey.
Thank you for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
CONNECT WITH Julie Gordon White:
Website
CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:
LinkedIn - Julie
How Women Lead
How Women Invest
How Women Give
Instagram - HWL
LinkedIn - HWL
Facebook - HWL
How Women Inspire: Invest, Lead, Give sets out to bring the voices of empowered and inspiring women forward to share their stories of stepping into leadership positions. The goal of this is to share what is possible and to encourage more women to take the leap into striving for these board and c-suite positions themselves in order to change the path towards a more inclusive future. This podcast will share stories on how women lead and how their leadership opens the doors for the greater value of opportunities for others. By listening to this podcast, listeners will feel empowered to level up themselves or invest in women-led and women-founded companies to change the world of business.