The most powerful innovations often begin with a personal struggle, a moment when the system fails you, and you decide to build something better.

In this episode, Dr. Amy Divaraniya, Founder & CEO of Oova, shares how she transformed her own challenges into a platform redefining women's health. With a Ph.D. in genetics and genomics and years in data science, she built Oova to give women the data they need to make confident, informed choices about their health.

Her journey from scientist to CEO is a story of courage, innovation, and purpose proving that leadership isn't about having all the answers, but about building what's missing.

Tune in to learn how purpose drives innovation, why belief is a founder's best strategy, and what it takes to change systems from the inside out.

Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.

The key moments in this episode are:

[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:59] Meet Dr. Amy Divaraniya [02:08] The Journey to Founding Oova [03:25] Challenges in Women's Healthcare [07:35] Navigating the Startup World [13:49] Building Relationships and Networking [19:21] The Value of Fractional Work [20:16] Discovering Leadership and Problem-Solving [22:03] Navigating Pregnancy and Entrepreneurship [26:27] Building a Supportive Company Culture [32:44] Introducing Ova and Its Mission [33:41] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

Resilience isn't built in moments of ease, it's forged through challenge, curiosity, and the courage to grow.

In this episode, Heather Brilliant, CEO of Diamond Hill Capital Management, shares how 38 rejection letters early in her career became the foundation for a life of resilience, curiosity, and courageous leadership. With experience spanning Bank of America, Morningstar, and now Diamond Hill, she reveals how staying open to feedback, to failure, and to change has fueled her growth as a leader and innovator in investment management.

Her journey from aspiring lawyer to CEO is a story of perseverance and adaptability, proving that leadership isn't about following a straight path, it's about learning, evolving, and leading with both humility and conviction.

Tune in to learn how resilience is built through feedback, why curiosity drives clarity, and what it means to lead with openness in a world that never stops changing.

Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.

The key moments in this episode are:

[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] The Importance of Resilience and Rejection [01:16] Heather Brilliant's Career Journey [04:20] Networking and Career Growth [08:02] Leadership and Personal Development [17:24] About Diamond Hill and Heather's Role [19:16] Daily Habits and Success Rituals [20:22] Balancing Internal and External Focus [21:11] Embracing AI in the Workplace [22:43] Effective Decision-Making Strategies [34:21] The Importance of Curiosity [38:30] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

Leadership doesn't come with instructions, it's created piece by piece.

In this episode, Chastity Lord, President & CEO of the Jeremiah Program, reveals how she has built a career by embracing uncertainty, dismantling inequities, and leading with courage.

From her early years as a first-generation college graduate raised by a single mom, to leadership roles at The Posse Foundation, Achievement First, and Color of Change, Chastity has shaped opportunity at every level. Today, she leads Jeremiah Program, one of the most impactful organizations for single mothers and their children, growing it by more than 300% in just five years.

Tune in to learn how to lead when no roadmap exists, why storytelling is a powerful lever for systems change, and what it takes to design leadership that thrives in a world without blueprints.

Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.

The key moments in this episode are:

[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [01:17] Chastity Lord's Leadership Journey [04:02] Early Life and Education [07:14] Career Beginnings and Mentorship [12:31] Joining the Jeremiah Program [14:38] Navigating Uncertainty and Leadership [25:10] Finding Comfort in Discomfort [26:07] Parenting and Leadership [26:46] Feedback and Public Leadership [28:34] Navigating Messy Leadership Moments [39:10] The Power of Community [40:00] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

The strongest leaders aren't defined by their titles—they're defined by their ability to adapt, listen, and lead with humanity.

In this episode, Michele Smith, CEO of the Museum of Pop Culture, reveals how she built a career on resilience, authenticity, and courage.

From her start in contract negotiation to international business development, to helping the Woodland Park Zoo weather the storm of COVID-19, Michele's story shows that leadership is less about having the answers and more about practicing presence, empathy, and trust. At MoPOP, she continues to expand cultural conversations by highlighting marginalized stories and creating spaces of belonging.

Tune in to learn how to lead with authenticity, why resilience is a muscle you build over time, and what it takes to create cultures where people feel valued and included.

Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.

The key moments in this episode are:

[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] The Importance of Authentic Leadership [01:25] Meet Michelle Smith: A Journey of Leadership [03:11] The Value of Understanding Contracts [08:28] Leading the Museum of Pop Culture [11:55] Navigating Leadership Challenges [23:26] Building Confidence and Resilience [27:35] The Role of AI in Nonprofits [28:52] Crawl, Walk, Run: A Strategy for Policy Implementation [30:46] AI's Role in Shaping Pop Culture [42:26] Effective Meeting and Mentorship Practices [44:47] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

Building confidence, navigating career detours, and leading with care takes more than ambition—it takes resilience, clarity, and heart.

In this episode, Claire O'Keefe, Partner and Head of Partner Development at Cerity Partners, shares how resilience, intuition, and care have shaped her unconventional journey from the classroom in Ireland to leadership in one of the fastest-growing independent wealth management firms in the country.

You'll hear how Claire built confidence through practice, turned unexpected pivots into stepping stones, and discovered that leadership is ultimately about the people you grow and the legacy you leave behind.

Tune in to learn how to navigate detours with clarity, cultivate resilience through challenges, and lead with heart in every stage of your career.

Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.

The key moments in this episode are:

[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] The Importance of Critical Feedback [01:12] Claire O'Keefe's Journey [05:16] Building Confidence and Resilience [12:34] Personal Branding and Leadership [15:41] Overcoming Fear and Embracing Growth [22:07] Welcoming New Colleagues with a Theme Song [23:09] Daily Rituals for a Balanced Life [25:53] Building Meaningful Relationships [29:42] Navigating the Hybrid Work World [31:45] Legacy and Leadership [34:56] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

Balancing leadership, motherhood, and startup life takes more than time management—it takes clarity of purpose and the courage to lead differently.

In this episode, Amanda DeLuca, Founder & CEO of Riley, shares how clarity, empathy, and lived experience have shaped her journey from leadership roles at Google, Eventbrite, NerdWallet, and Etsy to launching a parenting platform that meets families where they are.

You'll hear how Amanda transformed the challenges of early motherhood into a mission-driven business, built a culture of trust in high-growth environments, and learned to protect her priorities without losing momentum.

Tune in to discover how to turn personal insight into innovation, lead with empathy and accountability, and navigate life's most demanding seasons with purpose.

Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.

The key moments in this episode are:

[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] Empowering Failure and Innovation [01:17] Meet Amanda DeLuca: Career Journey [05:00] The Birth of Riley: Solving Parenting Challenges [13:23] Decision Making: Hats, Haircuts, and Face Tattoos [18:11] Leadership and Personal Growth [22:41] Balancing Public and Private Life [27:21] Balancing Work and Family Life [24:42] Leadership Lessons from Mentors [30:54] Handling Criticism and Emotional Reactions [33:14] Daily Rituals and Family Time [34:09] Empowerment Through Parenthood [37:53] Advice to My Younger Self [44:18] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

Leadership growth doesn't happen by accident—it happens when you shift from doing the work to empowering others, building trust, and leading with heart.

In this episode, Emily Portney shares lessons from her 30-year career in financial services—from starting as a rotational analyst at J.P. Morgan to becoming CFO of Barclays International, CFO of BNY Mellon, and now Global Head of Asset Servicing at BNY. Emily opens up about how she learned to delegate, lead through uncertainty, and create safe spaces for bold conversations. She shares why curiosity is her leadership superpower, how building trusted teams fuels growth, and why giving yourself grace is just as important as driving results.

Tune in to discover how to lead with influence, build resilience in the face of change, and become the kind of leader people trust and follow.

Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.

The key moments in this episode are:

[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] Building Effective Teams [01:17] Introducing Emily Portney [02:14] Emily's Career Journey [03:40] Leadership Lessons and Styles [09:39] Navigating Change and Adaptability [15:20] Personal Branding and Authenticity [18:18] Building Confidence and Resilience [24:32] Navigating Unaskable Questions [26:02] Making Difficult Decisions [27:37] Managing a Dynamic Schedule [32:55] Building Strong Relationships [35:36] Mentorship and Sponsorship [39:03] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

What if the parts of yourself you've been told to hide are actually your greatest leadership advantages?

In this episode, Becca Chambers—Chief Marketing Officer at Scale Venture Partners—shares how embracing neurodiversity and authenticity has shaped her journey from tech leader to one of LinkedIn's most influential voices. With ADHD as her superpower, Becca has built award-winning brands, advised fast-growing startups, and reached millions by showing up fully as herself.

You'll discover why working with your brain, not against it, is essential for growth, how authenticity builds trust, and why telling your story is your best strategy for advancing your career on your terms.

Tune in to explore how unmasking who you are can help you build a bold, meaningful career while leading with courage and impact.

Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.

The key moments in this episode are:

[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] Understanding Neurodiversity [01:07] Meet Becca Chambers [02:22] The Oxford Comma Debate [04:30] Becca's Career Journey [08:41] Embracing Authenticity [10:54] Building a Personal Brand [19:40] Leadership and Resilience [22:51] Building Confidence and Resilience [24:06] Balancing Perfectionism and Decision Making [25:53] Advocating for Neurodiversity [37:38] The Importance of Networking [41:44] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

Career growth doesn't happen by accident—it happens when you take the stretch role, nurture your network, and build resilience along the way.

In this episode, Ann Bordelon shares how she went from advising Fortune 100 companies to leading finance at Sam's Club and Walmart Asia, and now guides the University of Arkansas as Executive Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration. Ann opens up about saying yes to opportunities that scared her, how building genuine relationships became her secret weapon, and why self-care is non-negotiable for leaders at every level.

Tune in to discover how to transform fear into fuel, build a network that supports your ambitions, and take ownership of your career, one bold step at a time

Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.

The key moments in this episode are:

[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] Embracing Failure and Leadership [00:56] Meet Ann Bordelon: Career Highlights [02:42] Ann's Journey at Walmart [05:47] The Importance of Mentorship and Sponsorship [11:01] Navigating Career Twists and Turns [18:00] Building Confidence and Resilience [20:56] Decision Making and Input [21:28] Daily Habits and Self-Care [22:43] The Joy of Cycling [25:59] Facing Fear and Uncertainty [30:21] The Importance of Mentorship and Sponsorship [32:57] Evolving Work Environments [37:55] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

What if the key to lasting success isn't going faster—but knowing when to slow down?

In this episode, Melanie Steinbach—Chief People Officer at MasterClass—shares how courage, clarity, and career pacing have shaped her journey across executive roles at McDonald's, Cameo, and now one of the world's leading learning platforms.

You'll hear how Melanie's career has been marked by bold leaps, personal reinvention, and a commitment to learning over knowing. She opens up about navigating imposter syndrome, recovering from a painful setback, and what it really takes to lead with integrity through change.

Tune in to discover how to build confidence through curiosity, lead with self-awareness, and embrace the power of purpose at every stage of your career.

Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.

The key moments in this episode are:

[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] Overcoming Imposter Syndrome [01:15] Meet Melanie Steinbach [03:27] Melanie's Career Journey [05:21] Career Lessons and Family [06:53] Navigating Career Challenges [17:28] The Importance of Learning [23:57] Daily Habits for Success [27:03] Management Hygiene and One-on-One Meetings [27:50] Research on Manager-Employee Relationships [30:49] Overcoming Failures and Setbacks [35:20] Creating Safe Work Environments [43:07] The Importance of Continuous Learning [46:09] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts