Her Story to the Top

 Guest: Natasha Jakubowski, Chief Innovation Officer & Global Partner, Anomaly

Episode Overview

In this episode of Her Story to the Top, Helen Vaysman speaks with Natasha Jakubowski, Chief Innovation Officer and Global Partner at Anomaly. Natasha shares her unconventional career journey, insights into innovation and leadership, and what she's learned from interviewing successful founders on her own podcast, Professional Jealousy.

From moving to the U.S. without a clear plan to helping companies develop breakthrough products and experiences, Natasha’s story highlights the power of curiosity, adaptability, and the courage to try something new.

This conversation explores leadership, career growth, balancing family and ambition, and how AI is reshaping the future of marketing and innovation.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• How Natasha built a career without a traditional plan
• Transitioning from advertising strategy to innovation leadership
• Why trying — even imperfectly — matters more than overthinking
• The realities of balancing career success and family life
• Leadership lessons learned without formal training
• The future of marketing in an AI-driven world
• Why developing your own voice matters more than ever
• Career advice for young professionals entering marketing and innovation
• Natasha’s passion projects and advisory ambitions
• The story behind Disney’s MagicBand and other innovation work

Key Takeaways

1. You don’t need a perfect career plan
Natasha built her career by identifying what she enjoyed — and gradually removing what she didn’t.

2. Try more, overthink less
A major lesson from interviewing successful founders:
"Do I have more to lose by not trying?" became a guiding question.

3. Leadership is built over time
Natasha emphasizes kindness, transparency, and communication as essential leadership skills — even without formal training.

4. AI is reshaping marketing
Future professionals should:

• Learn AI tools
• Use AI as a thinking partner
• Develop expertise in a niche
• Create content to build their voice

5. Recognition matters
Simple feedback and acknowledgment can have more impact than monetary rewards, especially for junior team members.

About the Podcast

Her Story to the Top brings you real conversations with female leaders who have claimed their seat at the C-Suite table — sharing the lessons, challenges, and breakthroughs along the way.

Connect with C-Suite Readiness

·      Instagram: @c_suite_readiness

·      Website: c-suitereadiness.com

·      YouTube: @C-SuiteReadiness

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Your support helps more women rise to the top.

In this episode of Her Story to the Top, Yana Blackwelder, co-founder of C-Suite Readiness, sits down with Nata, a clinical psychologist, executive coach, and organizational consultant, to explore what it truly means to elevate feminine leadership.

Together, they examine the invisible challenges many women face in leadership—perfectionism, imposter syndrome, burnout, and the pressure to succeed within systems that were never designed with women in mind. Rather than asking women to adapt to outdated leadership models, this conversation reframes power, influence, and success through self-awareness, emotional intelligence, somatic awareness, and authenticity.

The discussion also introduces the Elevating Feminine Leadership program, an immersive group experience designed to help women lead with confidence, clarity, and alignment—without losing themselves in the process.

🧭 Topics Covered

• Why external success doesn’t always translate into internal fulfillment
• “Good girl conditioning,” perfectionism, and imposter syndrome in leadership
• The impact of masculine-designed systems on women’s well-being
• Redefining power through intuition, empathy, and presence
• The role of somatic awareness and emotional regulation in leadership
• Why group-based leadership development is especially powerful for women
• Leading from self-awareness instead of self-doubt
• Creating psychologically safe environments to reduce burnout and increase innovation

🧠 About the Elevating Feminine Leadership Program

This is not a lecture-based course—it’s a transformational leadership journey. The program integrates:

• Clinical psychology
• Executive coaching
• Organizational and social psychology
• Somatic awareness and mindfulness practices
• Emotional regulation and distress-tolerance tools
• Group dialogue and shared lived experience

Participants develop a leadership identity that feels grounded, authentic, and sustainable—supporting both professional success and personal well-being.

✨ Key Takeaways

• There is more than one way to lead with power and influence
• Awareness is the foundation for meaningful change
• Women do not need to abandon their intuition to succeed
• Sustainable leadership begins with connection to self
• Redefining success can dramatically reduce burnout

🎯 Who This Episode Is For

• Women currently in leadership or preparing for their next level
• Founders, executives, and professionals navigating stress or transition
• Women who feel successful externally but disconnected internally
• Anyone ready to lead without losing themselves
• Women willing to invest in their own growth and well-being

💡 Episode Summary:

In this powerful and candid conversation, Yana Blackwelder, co-founder of C-Suite Readiness, sits down with Florina Shutin, one of Forbes’ top women wealth advisors, to talk about resilience, reinvention, and redefining success on your own terms.

Florina shares her journey—from a medical-school hopeful to a trailblazing financial advisor who built and rebuilt her business from the ground up. She opens up about how hitting rock bottom (yes, down to working in a cubicle) became the turning point that transformed her career and mindset.

Together, Yana and Florina dive into the mindset shifts that matter most: knowing your worth, setting boundaries, learning to say no, and surrounding yourself with people who lift you up. Florina’s story is a masterclass in courage, curiosity, and continuous growth—perfect inspiration for any woman striving to rise in a competitive, male-dominated industry.

🧭 Key Topics Covered:

• The unexpected detour that launched Florina’s career in finance
• Why knowing your worth is the foundation for long-term success
• The hard-won lesson of letting go of clients (and energy) that don’t align
• Rebuilding from failure: how sitting in a cubicle became her comeback story
• The importance of mentors, positivity, and lifelong learning
• How women can (and must) speak up in male-dominated rooms
• Balancing family, ambition, and purpose—without losing yourself
• Florina’s advice for handling setbacks and maintaining momentum
• Her vision for empowering young women through financial literacy

🗝️ Key Takeaways:

• “If you let go of the negative, you create space for the positive.”
• “Always raise your hand.” Say yes to opportunities—even if you’re not 100% ready.
• “Don’t take things so personally.” Learn, move forward, and don’t dwell on the past.
• Surround yourself with smart, positive people—and walk away from constant complainers.
• Balance comes from presence, not perfection. Be there for the moments that matter.

🌟 Guest Bio:

Florina Shutin is an award-winning Wealth Advisor and Portfolio Manager, recognized multiple times on Forbes’ “Best Women Advisors” list. Known for her integrity, leadership, and advocacy for women’s financial empowerment, Florina is passionate about mentorship and helping women take control of their financial futures.

🔗 Connect & Learn More:

• Podcast: Her Story to the Top
• Hosted by: Yana Blackwelder, Co-Founder of C-Suite Readiness
• Follow: @c_suite_readiness,on Instagram

In this inspiring episode of Her Story to the Top, Helen Vaysman co-founder of C-Suite Readiness, speaks with Luba Stark, founder of My Longevity Guide and creator of The 12 Pillars of Longevity.

After 25 years as a successful divorce attorney, Luba reached a breaking point—emotionally and physically. The high stress of family law, coupled with a health scare in her family, led her to re-evaluate what success truly meant. That journey of self-discovery and transformation inspired her to pivot from law to longevity—helping others live longer, healthier, and more balanced lives.

Luba shares how micro-habits can change your entire health trajectory, the difference between lifespan and healthspan, and why decluttering—both mentally and physically—is the first step toward renewal. Her story is a roadmap for anyone ready to make a bold mid-life reinvention.

🧭 Key Topics Covered:

• Luba’s pivot from matrimonial law to longevity coaching
• How health challenges inspired a total life transformation
• The difference between lifespan and healthspan
• What the 12 Pillars of Longevity are—and why they matter
• How micro-habits can transform your energy, focus, and vitality
• Stress reduction, movement, and sleep as core longevity pillars
• The importance of decluttering to make space for change
• Overcoming the fear of technology and building an online business
• Why women must prioritize their own health—daily

🗝️ Key Takeaways:

• “Health is the ultimate wealth.” You can’t thrive without it.
• Start small. Micro-habits lead to major, lasting change.
• Declutter to create space—in your mind, your home, and your schedule.
• Movement is medicine. Even a 10-minute walk after meals makes a difference.
• Do one thing for yourself every day. Your well-being affects everything else.

🌟 Guest Bio:

Luba Stark is the founder of My Longevity Guide and creator of The 12 Pillars of Longevity program. After a 25-year career as a divorce attorney, she reinvented herself as a longevity coach and health educator, helping professionals and organizations integrate long-term wellness practices into their daily lives. Her work combines science, holistic health, and mindset transformation to empower others to live longer and better.

🔗 Connect & Learn More:

• Podcast: Her Story to the Top
• Hosted by: Helen Vaysman, Co-Founder of C-Suite Readiness
• Guest: My Longevity Guide (if available)
• Follow: @c_suite_readiness, on Instagram