C-Sweet Talks: Recent Episodes
Dianne Gubin and Beth Hilbing
C-Sweet™ Talks takes you inside the most interesting businesses and industries today and explores strategies for career success. Hosts Beth and Dianne have navigated C-Suites and board rooms throughout their careers, and are now giving insider advice for executive and entrepreneurial women to make a difference in theirs. C-Sweet™ is an international professional association for women focusing on access to all levels of career opportunities for YOU and others, the creation of diverse networks where women consciously choose to work with each other, and how all can take on the executive glass ceiling. For more visit: https://www.csweet.org/
In this episode, C-Sweet Co-CEOs Dianne Gubin and Beth Hilbing sit down with Sheryl Brinkley, executive leadership & career coach, to talk about professional identity, self-promotion, confidence, and how women can step into their value without apology.
Sheryl shares why we must consciously uncouple from company identity, collect career “receipts” in real time, and learn to articulate our secret sauce in 30 seconds or less. She also dives into “life quakes” — those career-shaking moments that reveal who we really are.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
In this episode, C-Sweet Co-CEOs Dianne Gubin and Beth Hilbing sit down with Anna-Sophia Kristjansson, founder and CEO of Lexicon Lens, to unpack the often-overlooked gap between strategic planning and strategic activation. With 25 years of experience across marketing, HR, operations, and disruptive change, Anna-Sophia shares how organizations can align people, process, and stakeholder strategies to accelerate transformation.
We explore why collaboration and innovation must become hard skills—not buzzwords—and how misalignment impacts delivery, profit, and culture. She shares real-world examples, including a manufacturing firm struggling with delivery delays, rework costs, and employee disengagement, and how cross-functional solution forums unlocked 85% of blockers within three months.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
In this episode, C-Sweet Co-CEOs Dianne Gubin and Beth Hilbing sit down with Pamela Bowen, CEO of Eminence MSO and founder of Crimson Sanctuary, to explore the emerging intersection of strategic advisory, personal sovereignty, and soulful leadership. Pamela shares how leading multi-million-dollar enterprises taught her that leadership is energetic before it is strategic — and how nervous system alignment directly impacts performance at scale.
If you’re fascinated by leadership evolution — from AI innovation to sanctuary leadership — this conversation will expand how you think about power, energy, and sustainable success.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
In this episode, C-Sweet Co-CEOs Dianne Gubin and Beth Hilbing sit down with Gayle Bartscherer, Global CEO and CEO of Live Wine, the first direct-to-consumer wine marketplace in the U.S. Gayle shares her journey from humble beginnings in Northwest England to leading iconic wine portfolios around the world and bringing innovation, tech, and community into a legacy category.
If you care about building brands, elevating women, or leading with purpose, this conversation is rich with insight.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
In this episode, C-Sweet Co-CEOs Dianne Gubin and Beth Hilbing sit down with Margaux Currie, Managing Director at Cigna Healthcare and a stage III breast cancer survivor. Margot shares her powerful journey—from discovering her diagnosis at 39 to transforming her experience into groundbreaking initiatives in oncology, preventative care, and patient advocacy. With candor and wisdom, she discusses self-advocacy, setting boundaries as an executive, leading with vulnerability, and how survivorship reshaped her leadership lens.
This episode is a must-listen for leaders navigating health, career, and community impact—proof that resilience and innovation can redefine both business and personal life.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
In this episode, C-Sweet Co-CEOs Dianne Gubin and Beth Hilbing sit down with Samantha Brown, CEO & Founder of Connect More, to explore The Human Code—a groundbreaking tool designed to simplify communication and strengthen human connection. Samantha shares her journey from tech leader to communication innovator, and how her framework helps leaders, teams, and families bridge gaps, reduce friction, and build trust.
From navigating high-stress careers to fostering authentic dialogue in the digital age, Samantha offers actionable strategies for leaders to listen better, connect deeper, and inspire growth. Tune in to discover how you can use the Human Code to elevate both your professional performance and personal relationships.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
In this episode of C-Sweet Talks, Co-CEOs Dianne Gubin and Beth Hilbing sit down with Shirin Sabouri, CPA, Senior Tax Manager at CohnReznick, for a candid conversation on career resilience, flexibility, and the people side of tax.
Shirin shares her path from CSUN to Big Four to CohnReznick; how parenting shaped her career decisions; what keeps women in (or drives them out of) the profession; and why “building the bench” through mentoring is non‑negotiable. We also get into compliance madness, shifting tax laws, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and teaching financial literacy to kids. Real talk. Real leadership. Real life.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
In this episode of C-Sweet Talks, Co-CEOs Dianne Gubin and Beth Hilbing sit down with executive coach and strategic advisor Serin Silva to uncover what’s really happening behind closed C-Suite doors.
Serin—who has advised Fortune 1000 leaders and fast-growing women-led companies—shares how executive women can navigate burnout, lead through uncertainty, and thrive in the age of AI. From intuitive insight and emotional intelligence to managing stress and imposter syndrome, Serin brings a fresh, human-centered approach to modern leadership.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
In this episode of C-Sweet Talks, Co-CEOs Dianne Gubin and Beth Hilbing sits down with Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj—Board-Certified Cardiologist, Functional Medicine Advocate, and Founder of Well12. Dr. Sanjay shares how he bridges cutting-edge precision medicine with lifestyle-centered functional care to address the root causes of disease.
From cardiovascular health to sleep, stress, diet, and even longevity for women leaders, this conversation is a masterclass in reclaiming agency over your health. Tune in to discover how simple shifts can spark transformational change.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
In this episode of C-Sweet Talks, Co-CEOs Dianne Gubin and Beth Hilbing sits down with Rochelle Nitka, Director of C-Sweet Executive Search, to discuss the critical role of women in leadership and how C-suite executives can navigate career transitions and personal branding. Rochelle shares her journey from staffing to executive search and explains how middle-market companies are tapping into diverse talent pools to drive success.
The conversation highlights the importance of networking, executive search, and job market trends across various industries, including financial services, tech, and energy sectors. Whether you’re transitioning careers or looking to grow your leadership team, this episode offers valuable insights into career growth, personal branding, and the current job market.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
In this episode of C-Sweet Talks, Co-CEOs Dianne Gubin and Beth Hilbing sits down with Daniel Olexa, founder of Transcendent Living, LLC. Daniel shares invaluable insights on leadership development, overcoming imposter syndrome, and unlocking personal power.
In this episode, we delve into the transformative work Daniel is doing with executives through executive coaching, neuroscience, and hypnotherapy. Discover how leaders can break free from self-sabotage, embrace personal growth, and overcome the stories of limitation that hold them back.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
In this episode of C-Sweet Talks, Co-CEOs Dianne Gubin and Beth Hilbing sits down with Shubhi Rao, Founder & CEO of UpLevyl. With her extensive experience at global tech giants like Alphabet/Google, Tesco, Shubie discusses her groundbreaking work in AI and her mission to build technology that’s female-forward and inclusive.
Shubie opens up about her leadership journey, how she broke barriers as the first woman and person of color to serve as treasurer at both Google, Tesco, and why gender data is crucial for building AI that represents everyone.
This episode is a must-listen for aspiring leaders, tech enthusiasts, and anyone passionate about diversity, technology, and innovation.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
In this episode of C-Sweet Talks, Co-CEOs Dianne Gubin and Beth Hilbing sits down with Darlene Hawley, executive leadership and business coach, where she shares her expertise on empowering women to find their voice and lead with confidence. Darlene discusses how she helps women overcome their inner critic, manage physiological sensations, and communicate with clarity to build trust, foster relationships, and embrace their authentic leadership style.
With actionable insights into vocal empowerment and leadership strategies, this episode is perfect for women looking to enhance their executive presence and step into their power in high-stakes situations.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
In this episode of C-Sweet Talks, join Co-CEOs Dianne Gubin and Beth Hilbing as they chat with Teresa and Ashley Freeborn, the dynamic mother-daughter duo behind Smash + Tess. From humble beginnings to creating a global clothing brand, they discuss the journey of building a company that’s as much about women’s empowerment as it is about fashion. Learn how their 'romper revolution' sparked a movement and how they grew their business through community engagement, sustainable practices, and authentic leadership. Tune in for a conversation that’s all about empowering women, embracing entrepreneurship, and staying true to your passion.
In this episode of C-Sweet Talks, Co-CEOs Dianne Gubin and Beth Hilbing welcome Maryam Marzara, Executive Coach, Leadership Consultant & Expert Facilitator, Marzara Consulting & Coaching, Inc., to discuss the power of coaching, how to challenge your inner critic, and why investing in yourself is the key to success. Maryam shares her journey, neuroscience-backed insights, and the difference between coaching and consulting—plus actionable advice for leaders navigating today’s fast-paced corporate world.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
In this episode of C-Sweet Talks, Co-CEOs Dianne Gubin and Beth Hilbing welcome Katie Campbell, President and CEO of Red Rover, an animal welfare nonprofit dedicated to helping animals and their owners through crises. From disaster relief to domestic violence support, Katie shares Red Rover’s powerful mission to keep families and pets together through challenging times. She also highlights the unique collaboration with corporate sponsors, like the Purple Leash Project, and Red Rover's expanding role in community education, pet-friendly sheltering, and emergency response efforts.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
In this episode of C-Sweet Talks, Co-CEOs Dianne Gubin and Beth Hilbing sit down with Susanne Goldstein, Founder & CEO of DAREHuman and C-Sweet Executive Coach. Susanne shares her unique approach to empowering women in business through her signature program, “Lead Like a Woman,” and her work on emotional intelligence, resilience, and creating energetic boundaries in leadership.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
In this episode of C-Sweet Talks, Co-CEOs Dianne Gubin and Beth Hilbing sit down with Patricia Wilson, EVP and showrunner at Allen Media Group’s JusticeCentral.tv, to explore her journey as a woman leading in the media and entertainment industry. Patricia shares her insights on navigating diversity challenges, the evolving responsibilities of a showrunner, and how she balances creativity with executive leadership. Her story provides inspiration and guidance for C-level women aiming to break barriers and drive impactful change in their careers.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
In this episode of C-Sweet Talks, we sit down with Rita Kakati-Shah, founder and CEO of Uma, an award-winning gender diversity and inclusion platform. Rita shares her inspiring journey from the finance world at Goldman Sachs to founding Uma, where she empowers women and minorities in the workforce. She also talks about her international best-selling book, The Goddess of Go-Getting, and her insights on leadership, confidence, and career success.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
In this episode, Beth and Dianne sit down with Rachel Anne Williams, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at The Motley Fool, to explore the evolving landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion in Silicon Valley. With over 20 years of experience, Rachel shares her journey from recruiting in the early 2000s to leading DEI efforts at some of the world’s most innovative companies. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in DEI, the impact of recent Supreme Court decisions, and the crucial role of venture capital in fostering diverse networks.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
In this episode of C-Sweet Talks, we sit down with Marcia Dawood—SEC Advisory Committee member, TEDx Speaker, Podcast Host, and Author. Marcia shares her journey as an early-stage investor committed to supporting underrepresented founders and driving social impact. Tune in to discover how angel investing can be a powerful tool for change, and learn actionable strategies for making a difference through your investments.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
This week, Beth and Dianne sit down with Terrisa Duenas, Founder & CEO of ESTE® Leverage, to explore the intersection of gender, leadership, and innovation. Terrisa shares her journey as a serial entrepreneur and how she’s breaking barriers in male-dominated industries. Discover how her psychometric tools are empowering individuals to find joyful career success regardless of gender or age. Tune in for a conversation full of insights and actionable advice for aspiring leaders.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
This week, Beth and Dianne sit down with Cara Steele, Co-Founder of Restaurant Hospitality Institute. Cara is a C-Sweet member with over 23 years of experience in the casino and resort industry. She shares her journey from finance to human resources, emphasizing her deep knowledge in data analytics and consumer behavior. She co-founded the Restaurant Hospitality Institute, providing front-of-house training for food service professionals, and is also involved with St. Jude's Ranch for Children, which supports abused and neglected children. Cara's diverse career includes contributions to corporate boards, anti-trafficking efforts, and community programs. She highlights the importance of networking, reinvesting in team members, and creating opportunities for vulnerable populations.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
This week, Beth and Dianne sit down with Dr. Natacha Nelson, Founder + CEO of Life Doctor Guru. Dr. Nelson shares her journey and philosophy on holistic health, especially focusing on women in leadership roles. As a chiropractor and mental health educator, she emphasizes the importance of addressing the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of wellbeing. Dr. Nelson discusses her own experience with burnout, which led her to reevaluate her life and develop a holistic approach to healing and personal development. She advocates for emotional literacy, urging people to acknowledge and process their emotions rather than suppressing them. Dr. Nelson also shares insights from her book, written as a therapeutic exercise during a challenging period, and highlights the importance of honest self-reflection.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
This week, Beth and Dianne sit down with Kelly Harlick, SVP at Osborne Clarke. Kelly shares her journey from working at the British government to becoming a key player in international business law, while also juggling motherhood and community service. Join us as Kelly discusses her involvement with the St. George's Society, her founding of the Her Global Council, and how she manages work-life balance. Whether you're interested in international business, nonprofit work, or just need some tips on juggling career and family, this episode has something for you.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
This week, Beth and Dianne sit down with Natalie McCue, Vice President of Environmental Affairs at Pattern Energy. With a career that spans more than two decades, Natalie offers a unique perspective on the renewable energy sector, discussing groundbreaking projects and the integration of green technologies. She highlights the significance of community involvement and provides valuable advice for women in the industry. Listen in to learn from one of the leading voices in renewable energy and gain insights into the future of clean energy.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
This week, Beth and Dianne sit down with Ruth Jin, Partner, Leader of Investment Funds Practice; Capital Markets Lawyer, at Moses Singer LLP. Ruth shares her insights into the various stages of a company's lifecycle, from the early idea phase to public offerings and exits. Discover the financing options available to founders, the challenges they face in securing funding, and the evolving trends in VC and PE investments. Join us for a deep dive into the world of capital markets with Ruth Jin.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
This week, Beth and Dianne sit down with Kim Kaselionis, Chief Operating Officer at O'Donnell Financial. Kim shares insights into retirement planning and strategic frameworks for business success. Emphasizing the importance of taking risks and building robust financial plans, she inspires listeners to embrace opportunities and navigate the male-dominated landscape with resilience. With engaging anecdotes and practical advice, Kim exemplifies the essence of economic empowerment, urging women to take charge of their financial future and pursue their dreams fearlessly.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
This week, Beth and Dianne sit down with Laura Gluhanich, Senior Director of Programs, Him For Her. Laura shares insights into the challenges faced by women in accessing board positions, emphasizing the importance of expertise, versatility, and continuous learning. She discusses compensation structures, the impact of board diversity on company performance, and introduces illumine, a program supporting individuals in maximizing their influence after joining a board.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
This week, Beth and Dianne sit down with Sarah Coates, J.D., VP, Senior Wealth Advisor at Calamos Wealth Management. Leveraging her legal background, she supports nonprofits' investment committees. Sarah stresses education, empowering clients in financial decisions, particularly women. She values women's contributions to investments and advocates for ESG factors. Inspired by Christine Lagarde, she prioritizes joy and encourages women's involvement in financial planning.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
This week, Beth and Dianne sit down with Tiffany Thompson, Chief People Officer at Brightmark. Tiffany shares insights into Brightmark's groundbreaking initiatives to reimagine waste and create a cleaner future. Learn how they're transforming plastics and renewable energy, making a real impact on our planet.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
This week, Beth and Dianne sit down with Elizabeth A. Corradino, Partner at Moses & Singer LLP. Liz delves into the intricacies of protecting intellectual property amidst the dynamic landscape of media and technology. From copyright complexities to the impact of AI and social media, Liz navigates through key legal considerations with expertise and flair. Discover how Liz's passion for law intersects with creativity as she empowers individuals and companies to safeguard their innovations and drive growth.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
This week, Beth and Dianne sit down with Jasmin Iolani, Author of HULA (HarperVia 2023). Delve into Jasmin's captivating journey as she unveils the untold stories and hidden histories of Hawaii. From her own personal journey to the depths of Hawaiian culture to discovering the forgotten role of Hawaiians in California's history, join us for thought-provoking conversations that resonate like the rolling surf, echoing the voices of those often overlooked in the annals of time.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
This week, Beth and Dianne sit down with Laura Coffey, Board Member, Executive Committee and Audit Committee Chair at Community National Bank & Trust of Texas. Laura shares her journey, challenges, and lessons learned in breaking barriers and making her mark in the corporate world. Tune in for valuable insights on board roles, certifications, networking, and promoting diversity in the C-suite. Don't miss this inspiring episode as we explore the path to success for the next generation of women business leaders.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
This week, Beth and Dianne sit down with Sue Phillips, CEO of House of Fragrance Enterprises. Join the conversation as Sue delves into her remarkable career from Tiffany & Co. to creating bespoke perfumes, offering insights on fragrance customization, the power of scent, and empowering women in retail.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
This week, Beth and Dianne sit down with Kate Jerkens, Chief Business Officer of Uncle Nearest, a female owned and operated business and C-Sweet corporate sponsor. Kate shares her inspiring journey from the hospitality industry to the forefront of whiskey. From shattering glass ceilings to honoring the legacy of Nearest Green, the first African American master distiller, Kate's narrative unveils the power of perseverance, diversity, and excellence in the spirits industry. Tune in as she uncorks tales of resilience, mentorship, and the remarkable journey shaping the whiskey landscape today.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
This week, Beth and Dianne sit down with Atty. Lisa Temple of Temple Law PLLC. Lisa delves into her journey from big corporate law to founding Temple Law, specializing in assisting businesses of all sizes. Her insight into navigating the health technology space and balancing a thriving legal practice with family life offers an inspiring perspective. Discover how she champions authenticity, values, and client-centricity in her approach, shaping a diverse legal landscape while embracing emerging challenges in the legal realm.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
This week, Beth and Dianne sit down with Linda Fowler, President and Founder of Regenerate LLC. Linda shares her remarkable journey in revitalizing communities and fostering innovation. From leveraging her engineering background to her influential work with NASA, Linda discusses linking assets within communities, forging strategic partnerships, and empowering underrepresented populations in entrepreneurship. Discover how Linda's insights transform cities, reshape industries, and empower women in business and beyond. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on community regeneration and entrepreneurial leadership.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
This week, Beth and Dianne sit down with, marketing strategist, Heather Bennett. Heather is also an author, coach, board director, and is always looking to help companies grow, transform, and thrive.
Join the community!
www.CSweet.org
This week we sit down with executive leadership and wellbeing coach, Dr. Jamie Shapiro. We talk burn out, corporate leadership, and authenticity in the workplace. Jamie is an organizational psychologist with a new book, Be the Leader Who Shines Brightly Without Burning Out.
Join the Community!
CSweet.org
This week on C-Sweet Talks, Beth and Dianne talk to Michel Narganes, Partner with Manatt's Digital and Technology Transactions Practice, about the today's expansive digital landscape.
Join the community!
C-Sweet.org
Whether you're a mature company, just getting started with your business, or somewhere in between– Team Sauce is equipped to meet you where you are, and help you go where you want to grow.
This week, Beth and Dianne sit down with Kim Harmon Hummel and Shawn Karol Sandy to discuss the Revenue Operations landscape.
Join the community!
CSweet.org
An awarding author, speaker, and small business strategist, Pamela Slim works with thought leaders to scale their impact and income thought the intelligent design of IP. Join Beth and Dianne this week while they speak with Pam about helping BIPOC business owners develop their platforms, replacing harmful corporate structures, and finding the purpose of work in the new world of work.
Check out this episode and Pamela's wider work for great insight on career and workforce development.
Join the Community!
CSweet.org
In today’s social media landscape, everyone is obsessed Vanity Metrics— follower count, likes, and comments. In today’s talk, Lilach Bullock takes Beth and Dianne through the results that really matter for a digital marketing specialist.
Based out of Tel Aviv, Lilach Bullock has 18+ years of experience as a social media influencer and provides B2B marketers with consulting, influencer marketing services, SEO, and done-for-you content services.
Join the C-Sweet Community!
CSweet.org
This week Beth and Dianne sit down with the leader of C-Sweet's new Charlotte Chapter, Tara Schultz! Tara is the founder of SolveWise LLC. She is an expert business consultant, helping businesses achieve the maximum return on technology investment.
Beth, Dianne, and Tara talk C-Sweet Charlotte, project management, and the obstacles businesses often face when investing in IT infrastructure.
Join the C-Sweet Community!
CSweet.org
This week, Beth and Dianne dive into the complex world of tech with Federal CTO Sara Mazer. They discuss her new company, LaunchDarkly, the first scalable feature management platform. They discuss the company, Dev Opps, Cyber Security and much more!
Join the C-Sweet Community!
CSweet.org
This week, Beth and Dianne sit down with CFO of the Girl Scouts, Jessica E. McClain! They talk about the evolving values of the Girl Scouts, their favorite scout memories, and bringing DE&I to the inner workings of the company!
This week, Beth and Dianne sit down with Dr. Tanya M. Evans for her take on digital assets and how to engage with the crypto economy safely. Professor at Penn State Dickinson Law School, Tonya considers herself a crypto realist. This week, she join’s C-Sweet Talks to discuss the important role of crypto in under-banked communities and “right-size” some overblown concerns about it’s use.
This week Beth and Dianne sit down with Susan Levin, President of Dialogue For Solutions. Susan is a global consultant who clients to use their strengths to get great results, she has helped thousands of employees be more productive and make a difference in their organizations.
This week, Beth and Dianne sit down with Mimi Donaldson to cover her career, TED Talks, and her amazing tips on public speaking. Mimi coaches individuals and sales staffs in creating and delivering their perfect marketing pitch. For over 20 years, she has captivated audiences and won acclaim for her rousing keynote speeches, compelling workshops, and in-house training programs.
This week, Beth and Dianne talk with Teresa Freeborn about power equity in the workplace and her new book on the topic: Suits and Skirts: Game On! The Battle For Corporate Power.Women have been seeking power and equity for decades to no avail. Men are keeping women from attaining powerful C-Suite and boardroom positions to the detriment of corporate bottom lines. The reasons why vary, but the results do not; women are still highly underrepresented in leadership roles.
This week on C-Sweet Talks, Beth and Dianne speak with Melinda Chelliah, Founder, President, and Fractional CFO of Tailored For Growth. Tailored For Growth consults for entertainment, consumer products, retail, tech, and professional services companies, bringing a deep understanding of the factors that impact a company's brand and consumer experience.
Listen in on Melinda's career journey and insights of working with the financial of major companies!
Join the C-Sweet Community!
CSweet.org
Tara Guinta (partner at Paul Hastings, LLP) is a recognized risk strategy and compliance expert as well as an advisor to boards, executive management teams, and global companies. She advises stakeholders on corporate governance and enterprise & risk management as well as being co-chair of Paul Hastings' ESG Risk Strategy and Compliance Practice. Lastly, Tara was vice-chair of Paul Hastings' Investigations and White Collar Defense Practice from 2017-2022.
Join Beth and Dianne this week as for a comprehensive discussion with Tara on ESG in general, and what's new with Paul Hastings.
Lacey Leone MacLaughlin is an executive coach of leaders across all industries and President of LLM Consulting Group Inc. She specializes in teaching management skills to creative talent and has her own excellent podcast, Unfolding Leadership with Lacey Leone McLaughlin!
This week, Beth and Dianne talk with Lacey about generational differences in the modern workforce, the reverberations of COVID 19 on office culture, and how industries will change in a shifting economy.
Senior VP and Chief Diversity and Social Impact Officer, Channing Martin is a DE&I superstar!
This week, Beth and Dianne talk with Channing about the realities of implementing DE&I initiatives and strategies for SUCCESS when doing so. We'll also hear about some of Channing's past achievements like Empower Hour and winning the Department of Labor's Equal Pay App Challenge.
This week on C-Sweet Talks, Beth and Dianne interview Kidsave CEO and Co-Founder, Randi Thompson, about her current work helping children in war-torn Ukraine, as well as her broader work helping children across the globe.
When Randi Thompson visited an orphanage in Kazakhstan more than 20 years ago, she saw teens forced to move out with no place to go, no skills, and no hope. Inspired to create a new future for these kids she went to work building Kidsave programs and she hasn’t stopped since. Randi is a 30-year veteran of outcome-based marketing and communications projects designed to effect social change. In 2016, Randi was awarded the Department of Health and Human Services Children’s Bureau Adoption Excellence Award for Child Welfare/Judicial Systems Change for Weekend Miracles.
Michele Ashby is the CEO and Founder of ACE LLC (Ashby Consulting Enterprises) and her focus is educating, supporting, and teaching women how to attain corporate board positions. Her program for this is the ACE Board Certification Program.
In this episode of C-Sweet Talks, Michelle shares what you might not know about getting on a corporate board. With her live and online classes, Michele's goal is to train 1,000 women to be "competent and confident from their very first meeting".
This week, Beth and Dianne talk with the President of Original Productions, Jeff Hasler. They cover the ins and outs of running an entertainment company, the process of creating non-scripted television, advice for people interested in an entertainment career, and much more!
Jeff has worked across the media landscape as a Producer, Director, Writer and Network Executive, and has been involved in the production or commissioning of Emmy and Academy Award winning projects that span a wide variety of non-fiction genres, from cable hits such as Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Man v. Wild and Cash Cab, to documentary feature films including Man on Wire and Werner Herzog’s Encounters at the End of the World.
Ms. Carroll A. Thomas, recently named National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Acting Associate Director of Innovation and Industry Services also serves as the Director of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). In this episode of C-Sweet Talks, Caroll takes Beth and Dianne through her lifelong path to leadership, tips for getting onto non-profit boards, and her love of manufacturing/the importance of bringing more women into the industry.
With more than 30 years of entrepreneurial and small business development experience, her accomplished public/ private sector career demonstrates her leadership expertise as a catalyst for creating innovative partnerships and advocating economic development by supporting dynamic innovation ecosystems.
Helen Norris recently testified in front of the Senate Health Committee on cyber security threats and challenges in higher education. In this episode of C-Sweet Talks, Helen speaks with Beth and Dianne about women on boards, relying on her network, and the experience of speaking in front of the Senate.
Helen is vice president for information technology and CIO at Chapman University, where she is responsible for leading the university’s information technology strategy and services, and oversight of the University Library.
Today's C-Sweet Talks episode features Leslie Stackpole, CPA- Los Angeles Office Leader at RSM US LLP!
Ms. Stackpole, along with hosts Dianne Gubin & Beth Hilbing, discusses topics including:
- DEI initiatives at RSM
- Mentoring younger employees to become a firm partner
- Keeping women in the accounting firm pipeline to work in senior roles
- Staffing challenges in recent years
- Why younger people should consider a career in accounting
C-Sweet Talks is a podcast by C-Sweet featuring women entrepreneurs, executives, and innovators that takes you inside the most interesting businesses and industries today.
To get involved with C-Sweet, please visit: https://csweet.org/
Dr. Tana M. Session is an award-winning Consultant, International Speaker, Executive-level Performance Coach, Best-selling Author, recognized Inclusion, Diversity & Multigenerational Thought Leader and Media Contributor. Dr. Session was recently recognized as a “Top Company Culture Consultant” by Fond.co, “Top Employer Branding Expert” by Eightfold.ai, and a Huffington Post “Top Female Expert to Follow.” Dr. Session is the official LinkedIn Learning expert for Diversity & Inclusion in recruiting and interviewing and was also recognized by Forbes as a “Next 1000” and a “Top Diversity & Inclusion Business Leader,” and a “DEI Champion” by the National Diversity Council. Additionally, her business was recognized by Design Rush as a "Top 5 California Business Consulting Firm" and a "Top 10 California HR Outsourcing Company," and CORE Magazine/USA Today recognized her as "CORE 100 Most Influential Blacks Today."
As an Organizational Development Strategist, Dr. Session partners with multiple clients across various industries to help assess their individual company cultures and develop transformational workplace strategies to increase employee retention and engagement with a focus on inclusion, diversity, equality & belonging. As a corporate trainer and performance coach, Dr. Session provides actionable tools & strategies catered to each organization to help both leaders AND employees excel in the workplace. Her unique skill is making people MORE of who they already ARE!
Dr. Tana M. Session holds the PHR, GPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications as well as multiple ICF-approved performance coaching certifications.
Patricia Hinerman is Chief Information Officer of IPG, responsible for developing, implementing, securing, and supporting enterprise applications and infrastructure that are used across IPG and our companies globally.
Patricia has more than 25 years of technology expertise and has served in a number of technology roles within IPG since 2008, most recently as IPG’s Chief Information Security Officer. In this role, she led a global team of information technology and cybersecurity professionals playing a key role in business value protection across IPG.
In addition to her thorough and thoughtful leadership, Patricia is an involved corporate citizen and community member. She has been named a “Woman Worth Watching in STEM” by Profiles in Diversity Journal, a “Top 100 CISO” and a “Top 100 Women in Cybersecurity.” She chairs the IPG Women in IT resource group, volunteers on the Executive Committee of C-Sweet, and advises the founder of Back to Work Solutions on topics including COVID testing for schools, camps, and businesses.
Before joining IPG, Hinerman was the IT Director for Finance Systems at Covance and at AT&T where she served as a member of the technical staff in various roles managing requirements, developing software applications, and measuring IT performance. Ms. Hinerman began her career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center as part of their research staff.
Patricia received a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from the University of Scranton and an MBA from Rutgers University. She completed Qualified Technology Expert Certification, Digital Directors Network in 2021.
About Meryl Macklin:
Meryl Macklin is a trial lawyer with over 30 years of experience trying and resolving complex business disputes. Meryl has served as lead trial counsel for clients ranging from major corporations to small startups in dozens of high-exposure cases in state and federal courts around the country, and regularly practices in both Northern and Southern California.
Meryl’s trial experience has enabled her to develop targeted litigation strategies even when handling cases likely to settle, avoiding unnecessary and costly motion and discovery practice where possible. Her practice focuses not only on defending companies in litigation but also on counseling clients on ways to quickly resolve disputes. She is a strong team leader, with proven success partnering with clients and other professionals to accomplish results.
Ms. Macklin is a member of the Northern District of California Mediation Panel and serves as mediator for all types of commercial disputes. She attended mediation training at the Harvard Negotiation Project.
About Sharon Weiss:
Sharon Weiss brings an exceptional breadth of local, state, and national level bankruptcy community ties to her insolvency practice. Through these substantive relationships, including those with co-counsel, adversaries, and clients, Ms. Weiss has attained a base of experience from which she serves as a true client advocate. She offers her clients the personal attention and warmth of her small firm background combined with the added benefits of the firm’s wide array of department resources.
Ms. Weiss was recognized as one of the “Top Women Lawyers” in California by the Daily Journal in 2013 and as a notable practitioner in Chambers USA since 2012 in the California bankruptcy and restructuring practice area. She frequently speaks on panels regarding insolvency-related topics. Ms. Weiss has organized dozens of programs and panels and delivered presentations to industry groups such as the California Society of CPAs and The Alternative Board. She is also invited annually to speak to the Women in the Law Seminar Class at Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles, California.
Fielding Jamieson is the Senior Strategy Director at R/GA Ventures and the Managing Director of Global Sports Venture Studio (GSVS), a platform shaping the future of the fan and athlete experience through collaborative innovation between the world's leading sports organizations and startups.
Formerly the Director of Business Partnerships for LIFT Labs at Comcast NBCUniversal, Fielding brings her expertise in launching and growing innovation groups within large organizations to GSVS’ roster of partners including Angel City FC (Angel City Football Club is a National Women's Soccer League expansion team), DICK’S Sporting Goods, Fox Sports, the L.A. Dodgers, LAFC, MLB, MLS, Verizon and more.
Fielding is also a fierce advocate for the advancement of women, diversity in the tech ecosystem, and inclusive design.
She volunteers for CityLax, a nonprofit dedicated to growing the game of lacrosse in urban locations, and is an advisor for two of her alma maters, Yale and Westminster Schools, based in Atlanta where she is originally from.
One of Fielding’s proudest accomplishments is becoming a mother. Her family currently lives in New York City.
Baat Enosh is leading Nia Growth, a fresh startup in the finance world, focused on women and investments in the markets. Before Nia, Baat served as Director of Transformation working with EY's CTO. A position which followed years in Israel, where she established and grew the Fintech giant Intuit with a local R&D center, leading with multiple roles – from Security, to Strategy & Innovation, to Site Leader and Head of Data Science. Before Israel, she spent years in Silicon Valley focusing on futuristic products at Intuit’s Innovation group, implementing Intuit’s renowned Customer Driven Innovation practices.
Prior to Intuit, Baat was busy as VP Ops at Founder Labs – an “accelerator focusing on mobile products”, as COO of Women 2.0, and as the manager of the Entrepreneurial Alliance at NCWIT. These years established Baat as a speaker and SME on the topic of diversity in tech. Additionally, she enjoyed learning firsthand Lean Startup thinking from the icons Eric Ries, Steve Blank, and Scott Cook. Prior to all that, she spent her most technical years in enterprise management software.
Outside work, Baat is raising 3 kids, enjoys skiing, competitive skydiving, indoor-wind-tunnel, and yoga. She holds a B.S. and M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Colorado at Boulder
Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire is CEO of 50/50 Women on Boards™, the global education and advocacy campaign committed to accelerating gender balance and diversity on corporate boards. She is also CEO of Berkhemer Clayton Retained Executive Search in Los Angeles. She is the author of two books, "The Board Game: How Smart Women Become Corporate Directors” and “Winning the Board Game: How Women Directors Make the Difference.” Both books offer real-world guidelines and profiles of women corporate directors for helping women seek board positions as their ultimate career goal.
Betsy led the successful campaign to secure the passage of SB826, effective September 2018, the first and only law in the U.S. requiring every public company headquartered in California to have at least three women directors on a board of six or more, before year-end 2021. Formerly, she was the statewide president of the National Association of Women Business Owners of CA (NAWBO-CA), founding SoCal chair of WomenCorporateDirectors, member of National Assn of Corporate Directors (NACD), and International Women’s Forum. Previously Betsy served on the boards of the Southern California Leadership Network, UCLA Medical Center, and the consumer advisory board for SoCal Edison.
Otesha (OT) Mosley-Bremond is a South Los Angeles native, community advocate and educator who believes her passion and responsibility to the world is to create spaces for growth and transformation. OT has served the South Los Angeles community for more than 10 years, providing culturally adept programming and events that encourage inclusivity, community awareness, and community building. She believes creating cultures of engagement and belonging are the foundation of community building, which fuels the development of trust-based relationships and transformational change.
OT holds a BA in Criminal Justice from San Diego State University; a master’s degree in psychology from Pepperdine University; and a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at both LinkedIn and Cornell University’s eCornell program. She is also a Women of the Vine and Spirits 2022 Discus Academy Developing Leadership Awardee and DEI Committee member.
Dianne and Beth interview Kim Kaselionis and Pamela Lauper of Destined. The Destined team guides middle-market businesses through internal transitions or external sales every step of the way. We understand that change, whether planned or unplanned, can leave a business owner feeling a range of emotions. Our process will bring your vision to light as we work together to implement, or navigate, the change that’s needed to achieve your unique business goals.
Pamela Lauper, Managing Director
Former health care and insurance executive who brings over 30 years of expertise in building and implementing strategies that support revenue growth, organizational effectiveness, and high performing cultures, with a recent focus in M&A. Her mission is to help business owners achieve their life’s goals through developing and implementing a strategic plan on their journey to eventual exit or transition.
Kim Kaselionis, Managing Director
Kim has been supporting entrepreneurs and her local community for over 25 years. She understands that entrepreneurship is vital to continued local, regional, and national economic health. And as the CEO at Circle Bank, Kim had a direct impact on the Bay Area community she served. Using her keen analysis and leadership skills, she turned the once failed bank into a category leader then onto a successful exit. Continuing her mission to increase access to capital for privately held businesses, she created the first hybrid-crowdfunding loan program which combined equity crowdfunding with traditional bank financing. At Destined, Kim continues to advocate for entrepreneurs, their daily sacrifices and their unwavering commitment inspire her to seek solutions to support their success and to achieve their legacy
Beverly Behan has worked with nearly 200 Boards of Directors in the United States, Canada, and around the world over the past 25 years. Her clients are primarily boards of listed public companies in the S&P1500 but range from F100s to recent IPOs. She is the author of Great Companies Deserve Great Boards, which was named Governance Book of the Year in 2012, and the newly published Board & Director Evaluations (August 2021), Amazon's #1 New Release in the field of Corporate Governance.
Beverly's focus is on creating truly great boards - boards that are a genuine asset to the companies they govern rather than merely compliant with regulatory requirements and best practices. Her clients are generally Board Chairs, Lead Directors, and CEOs that want to take their board to the top of its game - and keep it there.
Beverly's recent books include: Becoming a Boardroom Star and New CEOs and Boards: How to Build a Great Board Relationship and a Great Board. Her classic best-seller, Great Companies Deserve Great Boards, has also been re-released. She recently created several online workshops now available worldwide: Becoming a Boardroom Star, Innovations in Board-Building, and CEO Succession Planning.
Beverly is a frequent speaker at board conferences and private board workshops and is often quoted on board issues in major business publications including Corporate Board Member, BusinessWeek, the Wall Street Journal, and others. She is a frequent contributor of thought-leadership in the area of board effectiveness and CEO succession planning. She can be reached through her website: www.boardadvisor.net.
Our final episode of C-Sweet Talks Season 1 features Lisa Suennen!
Lisa is a venture capital investor and the managing partner of Venture Valkyrie, LLC, which publishes the Venture Valkyrie blog and co-produces the Tech Tonics podcast. She is a previous co-founder of CSweetener, a women's healthcare mentoring organization.
Currently, Lisa Suennen is a managing director with Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, where she leads the firm’s Digital & Technology Group and its venture capital fund, Manatt Ventures. With more than 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur, venture capitalist, board member, and strategic advisor, she helps companies adopt and leverage digital technologies, develop strategies for growth through innovation and investment and build strong collaborations between established players and entrepreneurs.
Julie Gordon White is the founder and CEO of Bossa Bars, Menopause Energy Bars, and advocates for women in all stages of "The Pause". Julie is also an award-winning entrepreneur, bestselling business author, and TEDx speaker. In 2020, Julie launched Bossa Bars after personally struggling with "Menopause Middle" and watching her friends suffer in silence as their symptoms and increasing weight gain were robbing their confidence. Not letting a pandemic get in her way, she decided to do something about it and created delicious plant-based, nutrient-dense, and low-calorie energy bars with all the goodness a menopausal body needs, along with a MenoLounge community to help women #menolikeaboss! Learn more at www.bossabars.com.
California Governor Gavin Newsom appointed, and the State Legislature confirmed, Lourdes Castro Ramírez, to serve as Secretary of the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency.
As Secretary, Lourdes leads and oversees 10 state departments and 6500 employees with responsibility for 1) preserving & expanding affordable housing, 2) advancing statewide collaborative efforts to prevent & end homelessness, 3) guarding against employment and housing discrimination, 4) regulating financial services, and 5) licensing nearly 4 million working professionals.
Pamela Bowen has more than 20 years of experience leading technology innovation in high-growth business environments. Pamela’s expertise spans the retail, health care, transportation, and financial services industries, with emphasis on operational transformation and systems interoperability within health care. Pamela has previously served as Chief Information Officer for Best Buy Corporation and Crescent Health Care (a home infusion therapy company acquired by Walgreens) and has been nationally recognized for her accomplishments in health care innovation through cloud services. Pamela is regularly called upon to assist with large-scale contract negotiations, having successfully created partnerships with companies such as IBM, Epic, McKesson, Cerner, HealthPartners, United Health Care, and Heritage Provider Network. Pamela has directly managed the implementation of operational and strategic programs with budgets ranging from $5 - $50MM and teams of 15 to 400. She has directed end-to-end systems replacement efforts within a 24/7 patient care environment, and she has negotiated systems compliance with over 2,000 independent physicians and over 4,000 hospital-based clinical team members. Pamela has held senior leadership roles within hospital and health care systems and has served as HIPAA Compliance Officer for two organizations. She remains an expert in HIPAA compliance and regularly assists clients with adherence to HIPAA-related agreements and processes. Pamela currently serves as an adviser to growth companies in the disciplines of cloud technology, business, and technology strategy, operations management, project management, and executive leadership.
C-Sweet After Dark is a bold, unfiltered conversation from executive-level women, served on the rocks!
On this premiere episode of this new rendition of the podcast, Beth and Dianne chat with Nita Moritz and Maria Malavenda- going over topics ranging from the worst boss they have ever had to fictional names NSFW!
About the Guests:
Nita Moritz
Nita Moritz is the Chief Executive Officer of Kova International, Inc. She joined Kova International in 2013 during the carve out of the entity from its parent. She has also held positions of Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Kova International. Prior to joining Kova International Nita Moritz held various positions at companies such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, The Coca Cola Company, Sprint PCS, James Hardie Industries and Generali Insurance both in the US and internationally. Ms. Moritz holds Bachelor of Science degrees in both Accounting and Finance, and an MBA in Finance. She is also a Certified Public Accountant.
Maria Malavenda
Maria Malavenda is a transformative leader in Los Angeles who drives innovation by understanding customers deeply and leading through empathy. She is a serial entre/intrapreneur, building successful initiatives at ZoomInfo, Monster, Deloitte, Accenture and Johnson & Johnson. She is currently Managing Partner at KOL Ventures, investing in startups with products or services to expand women's power and influence. This includes health, consumer products, and technology. Prior to KOL, Malavenda founded EVVEMI, the first ever data-driven care management platform for beauty and wellness which exited to Unilever. Malavenda catalyzed several award-winning high-growth ventures in healthcare, consumer products and technology – including companies acquired by Microsoft, Bosch and IMG. She has raised more than $4 billion in seed, venture capital, Private Equity, IPO and post IPO financings’ and achieved considerable returns for investors. In addition to Malavenda’s career success, she continues to provide her thought leadership as an advocate and mentor for women and serves as a board member for Planned Parenthood and Partner’s Healthcare Innovation.
Maria Malavenda is a transformative leader in Los Angeles who drives innovation by understanding customers deeply and leading through empathy. She is a serial entre/intrapreneur, building successful initiatives at ZoomInfo, Monster, Deloitte, Accenture, and Johnson & Johnson. She is currently Managing Partner at KOL Ventures, investing in startups with products or services to expand women's power and influence. This includes health, consumer products, and technology. Prior to KOL, Malavenda founded EVVEMI, the first-ever data-driven care management platform for beauty and wellness which exited to Unilever.
Malavenda has conducted her career as a strategy and corporate development executive, architecting successful acquisitions, mergers, and exits with the most recent being VP, Strategy & Corporate Development for ZoomInfo. During her tenure, she solidified various strategic partnerships that later led to successful acquisitions (NeverBounce, Komiko, EverString, Datanyze, Clickagy) and positioned ZoomInfo to become one of the most successful IPOs in 2020 out of COVID, performing at 52 percent above market expectations with a valuation of $17 billion.
Malavenda catalyzed several award-winning high-growth ventures in healthcare, consumer products, and technology – including companies acquired by Microsoft, Bosch, and IMG. She has raised more than $4 billion in seed, venture capital, Private Equity, IPO, and post IPO financings’ and achieved considerable returns for investors. In addition to Malavenda’s career success, she continues to provide her thought leadership as an advocate and mentor for women and serves as a board member for Planned Parenthood and Partner’s Healthcare Innovation.
Alexandra Dumas is an experienced sales consultant with a demonstrated history in building integrated digital partnerships with national retailers and theatrical marketers. As a strategic business partner, she leverages her deep understanding of emergent industry trends and Google solutions to solve customer challenges and deliver digital and box office revenue for her partners. Outside of Google, Alexandra is an Angel Investor, Startup Advisor, and holds Executive non-profit board positions on Women In Tech Hollywood (WiTH), C-Sweet, and the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce.
Ida Starr is the Founder and Owner of the innovative payment technology company, Chip Financial Inc.
With a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management along with a Graduate Certificate of Applied Project Management (PMP) paired with 30+ years of experience in business and finance, Ida comes with an extensive and impressive background within the industry. This experience gave her important insight into what was working within the industry as well as what was still needed. Over the years, Ida saw a real need for a payment technologies company that could provide valuable services to clients through custom merchant plans designed to continuously improve and complement business workflows.
Chip Financial Inc. utilizes patent-protected payment platforms and proven expertise to serve and provide technology solutions to a variety of audiences including, but not limited to, banks, distribution partners, businesses, and consumers. In addition, the team at Chip Financial Inc. is dedicated to maintaining an adaptable mindset to better serve clients in all industries. They deliver real results through an enhanced end-to-end payment platform merged with financial technology solutions designed according to today’s best practices. Their high-performing and powerful system includes adaptable and flexible features such as embedded digital banking, payment processing, compliance, and financial control systems.
Operating under the mission of providing a variety of valuable services to assist in streamlining the way businesses process payments, Chip Financial Inc. is committed to giving clients the ability to control their financial ecosystem. Check out these resources for more details about Chip Financial Inc.s’ groundbreaking Digital Banking Platform as well as their innovative Text Pay Solution.
Janis Leahy struggled with eczema through childhood, but turned that challenge into a passion for clean beauty and skincare by founding MADEWITH.
MADEWITH is a retailer focused on creating a new cycle of trust for consumers, starting with the $14B clean skincare industry. They do this by tackling the 3 biggest challenges consumers face when navigating the skincare industry:
- Verifying product effectiveness and removing fake reviews through our streamlined, unbiased testing process (which fails more than 50% of products that go through it)
- Choosing data-driven recommendations through our best-in-class skin profile technology and scalable skincare expertise
- Maximizing product effectiveness through personalized education from our MADEWITH Mentors
The byproduct of carrying better products, sending personalized recommendations, & providing education is a drastic reduction of waste by significantly increasing customer success. The average return rate for skincare products is 14%. MADEWITH is currently below a 1% return rate.
Beth and Dianne speak with Jill Osur, President and CEO of Teneral Cellars, a "disruptive", woman-owned wine business that is re-thinking what it means to be a wine brand.
As a former collegiate scholarship softball player at the University of California at Berkeley, and a black belt in karate, Jill Osur has been able to combine her passion for sports and competition into a successful and prosperous career as a social entrepreneur. Jill has helped over ten start-ups launch and is a seasoned sales and marketing executive. Jill is a respected author, speaker, and strategist responsible for raising more than $150 million for the Special Olympics. Jill believes as a female business owner that you have to stand up, speak up, and ShoulderUp to support other women and promote equity. Jill was the recipient of a 2012 Bronze Stevie Award for Female Executive of the Year in Consumer Products for up to 2500 employees. Jill was named one of 8 international finalists for a Stevie Award in 2009, an award presented to Women Entrepreneurs in Technology.
Teneral Cellars is an entrepreneurial agent for social change. It is a woman-owned and run empowerment community that supports women’s causes and industry inclusion through the production and sale of phenomenal wine. Founded in March 2020 as a purpose-driven brand, it aims to produce incredible wines from sustainably farmed vineyards, curate meaningful experiences, and build a strong community through cause.
Beth and Dianne host a lively conversation with Leslie Slay. Leslie is the Senior Vice President of Employee Benefits Services for one of the United State's largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms, Woodruff Sawyer. Woodruff Sawyer is a valued sponsor of C-Sweet.
Leslie brings over 25 years of employee benefits experience to clients, spanning both the consulting and insurance carrier sides of the business. As Lead Consultant, she works with clients as a key strategist around all aspects of their employee benefits programs. Her passion is continuing to work with partners to create various alternative risk programs.
Beth and Dianne speak with Cathryn Rivera-Hernandez, Appointments Secretary for Governor Gavin Newsom. They discuss her journey into this high profile role, work-life balance, and the greatest take aways from her successful career!
Cathryn Rivera-Hernandez was appointed by Governor Newsom in June 2019 to serve as Appointments Secretary. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Rivera-Hernandez served three administrations as a Board Member on the Agricultural Labor Relations Board beginning with her appointment by Governor Davis in November 2002. Prior to joining the ALRB, Ms. Rivera-Hernandez served as the Chief Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Governor Gray Davis. As Chief Deputy, Ms. Rivera-Hernandez served as the Governor’s liaison to various state agencies, departments, and boards including the Health and Human Services Agency, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Office of Emergency Services, and Department of Food and Agriculture. As a member of the Cabinet office, Ms. Rivera-Hernandez was responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of administration policy and legislative initiatives within the agencies. Ms. Rivera-Hernandez also served as special legal counsel, working closely with the Legal Affairs Secretary on significant legal matters arising within the agencies and departments.
Dianne and Beth interview Kelly Kovack. Kovack is the quietly loud renegade of the beauty industry, with 25 years of experience and an ability for intuiting emerging trends. Kovack started her career in beauty as a member of the original executive team of Bliss. As Managing Director of the seminal Bliss catalog and product division, Kovack took on the way women bought beauty. Joining MD Skincare (Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare) in its nascent stage, she was responsible for the foundational branding and marketing strategies that positioned the brand as one of the premier cosmeceutical brands in both the retail and professional arenas. In addition, she launched Dr. Gross’ book Your Future Face, which helped establish him as a leader in the field of dermatology.
Kovack launched BeautyMatter in the fall of 2016 with the firm belief that in a fast-moving world, information is knowledge, but context matters. She set out to use her experience building brands and scaling businesses to offer a new perspective and holistic approach to B2B content, filling a void in the beauty industry.
As an advisor and strategist, Kelly has consulted dozens of organizations of all sizes, from emerging start-ups to iconic institutions including multibillion-dollar brands like Old Navy, Banana Republic, Procter & Gamble, Estée Lauder, and Mattel, as well as notable independents like Carol’s Daughter, Zirh, MD Solarsciences, LOLI Beauty, One Love Organics, Jimmyjane, and many others. She advises Venture Capital and Private Equity on beauty transactions, and executional and operational strategies.
Beth and Dianne speak with Tammy Tran, Senior Manager of Government Relations at Southern California Edison (SCE), about her journey to career success, her wide range of experience across government, nonprofits, and corporate environments, and perspectives and advocacy when it comes to Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month.
Tammy conveys her personal story and expertise, starting with her family's experience as first-generation immigrants to specific guidance on how professional environments can ensure that their DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) efforts are genuine. Tammy has over 15 years of experience working in government, election campaigns, media, and grassroots nonprofit organizations. Prior to working at SCE, she served as Deputy Chief of Staff and District Director for the California State Senate and as the executive director of a nonprofit.
SCE, also known as SoCal Edison, is one of the largest electric utilities in the US and a longtime leader in renewable energy and energy efficiency. SCE delivers power to 15 million people in 50,000 square-miles across central, coastal, and Southern California, excluding the City of Los Angeles and some other cities.
Rowena Cumner, Director of Strategic Partnerships at FoundersCard speaks with Beth and Dianne about the company and its new partnership with C-Sweet which includes complimentary membership access to FoundersCard for C-Sweet Members!
FoundersCard is a community of the world's most successful and influential entrepreneurs, professionals, and business owners. Among their 50k+ Members are the Founders and CEOs of today’s most innovative companies and tomorrow's most promising ventures. Members gain access to frequent invitation-only networking events held throughout the year, as well as 500+ exclusive benefits from premier travel, lifestyle, and business brands.
Jenny Sade, CPO of PLBY Group, Inc, speaks candidly with Beth and Dianne about the current goals of the company, challenges and changes experienced by staff and HR during the pandemic, and her own career trajectory. Jenny notes some of her and the company's wins of the last year, including the company's DEI efforts and unique developments when it comes to aspects of healthcare coverage for their employees.
PLBY Group serves consumers in four major business categories: sexual wellness, style and apparel, gaming and lifestyle, and beauty and grooming. Today, the PLBY Group, together with its subsidiaries engages in the development and distribution of content products, and high-profile events that embody both eroticism and fine art alongside wellness and apparel retailing.
Beth and Dianne interview Julie Rutherford, the Senior Director of Luxury Sales Associates at The RealReal, a leading luxury consignment business. Julie discusses her transition from a lengthy career in telecommunications into online and brick-and-mortar consignment, sharing advice on how others can take a leap into another industry themselves.
The RealReal was started out of founder and CEO Julie Wainwright's home. Since then, The RealReal has helped second-hand fashion go mainstream since 2019 when the company went public. What began as a scrappy startup has transformed the business of authenticated luxury consignment into a dynamic, global movement that champions not only quality and craftsmanship, but also sustainability and community.
Your hosts, Beth Hilbing and Dianne Gubin, discuss the mission of the professional organization they founded for executive women- C-Sweet™. C-Sweet™ is an invitation for women to build their own career ladder, instead of just climbing it.
C-Sweet™ Talks takes you into the most interesting businesses and industries today through candid conversations with influential players who want to see women succeed at the executive level, offering tips and advice for how they can!
C-Sweet™ members include female CEO, CFO, COO, CIO / CTO, CMO, President, Vice President and Director level a, as well as Founders across industries. Executives in finance include Venture Capital, Private Equity, Institutional Investment, Investment Banking, Family Offices, Hedge Funds, and more.