How Women Inspire: Invest, Lead, Give

Women tend to create businesses that are making a bigger positive impact globally. We want to solve those BIG problems faced in our society. So the companies we create are value-based companies. Yes, we want to make money with our business, but we also want to make a difference. 

Our guest this week, Kathryn Moos, has a unique perspective with her well-rounded experience as an athlete, business owner, and now investor. This week, episode 30 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about how we can invest in (and create) value-based companies that impact the world around us! 

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Kathryn Moos share the importance of finding a work-life balance that still allows you to work hard while living the life you want to live. They also chat about the leadership skills needed on both the entrepreneur side and the investor side. 

Some of the talking points Julie and Kathryn go over in this episode include:

• How being a woman athlete has shaped her life and helped her be the successful person she is today.
• The journey from being an entrepreneur into an investor and how that has uniquely positioned her to support the businesses she invests in. 
• The skills needed for successful entrepreneurship
• Why having an impact and creating a legacy is the foundation of her company and venture.
• The benefits to women investing in solutions that are positively impacting the world. 

Remember, women have the unique ability to create and invest in businesses that can make a big impact on the world. Let’s do our part!

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!

CONNECT WITH KATHRYN MOOS:

Instagram

Twitter

LinkedIn

OWYN

Groundswell Venture

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

Do you believe that venture can be used as a global catalyst for change? We do. We’ve seen it time and time again with How Women Invest. 

Cheryl Beninga, our guest this week, believes that we can each make our mark on the work by investing in women-owned companies. This week’s episode 27 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about using venture as a global catalyst for change! 

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Cheryl Beninga share the importance of owning your power as a woman in male-dominated spaces. They also chat about how venture capitalism can be an intentional vehicle for change in our world. 

Cheryl has 20+ years of investment experience working with leading technology investors, including Intel Capital and GE Ventures, on all stages of technology investing. She has been responsible for billions of dollars in venture investing, with over $50M in early-stage technology investments yielding over $2B in value. Cheryl is experienced at the board and operations level at all venture stages, from Seed round to IPO, and has experience in M&A transactions.

She is Co-Founder of FourthWave, a non-profit accelerator program for female-led, high-potential technology companies providing business mentorship, personal potential coaching, and access to capital. FourthWave cohort members have raised over $25M in capital, participated in Y Combinator, and earned national growth recognition from INC., TechCrunch, and others.

Some of the talking points Julie and Cheryl Beninga go over in this episode include:

• Power in having support when you are juggling so many endeavors.
• Learning by doing and taking risks.
• Investing in positive impact technology so we can make the world a better place for future generations. 
•  Women try to hide their intuition and fit in within male-dominated spaces. That’s a disservice to ourselves and those around us.

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!

CONNECT WITH CHERYL BENINGA:

LinkedIn

Twitter

FourthWave

Wai Mohala Ventures

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

Over the last twenty years, there have been major shifts and changes to the American boardroom. We are seeing more gender diversity and inclusion now more than ever, but this is just the tip of what we hope to accomplish for the women who are coming up behind us.

There are certain things needed to be a great board member. Trustworthiness and authenticity are two of the major points that will make or break you as a board member. This week’s episode 26 of How Women Inspire Podcast with Nancy Sheppard is about what makes a trustworthy and great board member! 

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Nancy Sheppard are sharing the importance of being able to adjust and pivot when it comes to being a board member. They also chat about things you can do on your journey to a board seat to ensure that your peers trust you. 

Nancy Sheppard is passionate about helping to lead the movement to have more qualified women have a seat at the board table. She founded Women2Boards as a way to assist both corporate boards and women connect and improving gender diversity in the boardroom. She joined The Athena Alliance in 2017 as part of their leadership team to continue her mission. She advises women on the path to the boardroom, speaks on the subject nationally, and works with corporate boards that want to find talented individuals for their boardroom (who happen to be women).

Nancy has 30+years of management and governance experience in banking associations, the financial services industry, and legislative, regulatory & political environments. She was the CEO of Western Independent Bankers, the largest regional banking association in the US, for over 20 years, served on two private company boards for financial institution products, created educational programs for directors and senior executives, and worked with hundreds of bank CEOs and board members.

Some of the talking points Julie and Nancy go over in this episode include:

• The journey that led to Nancy’s current place in business and life.
• How seeing injustice from an early age had a direct impact on her passion for social justice.
• Challenges that come with trying to adapt to situations that are particularly difficult.
• How to take risks and pivot when you are ready for a change in your career.
• Ways to utilize transferable skills from one career path to another.

We hope you are feeling a sense of hope and clarity. And that you have a roadmap now for how to be seen as an authentic and trustworthy leader. Don’t forget to take your shot!

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!

CONNECT WITH NANCY SHEPPARD:

Women 2 Boards

LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

There’s pressure in society today for hard-working women in leadership to put work or family first. Still, Val Red-Horse Mohl is one of the amazing women able to put all her passions and responsibilities together. Much like an apple pie, it all starts with a strong foundation. In Val’s case, that’s faith and family. This week’s episode 25 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about solidifying your foundational principles for a strong life and career! 

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Val Red-Horse Mohl are sharing the importance of understanding and developing your strong foundation and actionable steps you can take right now to have a more meaningful life and career at the same time. 

Some of the talking points Julie and Val go over in this episode include:

• How faith has impacted Val’s life and career, and how she uses it as a compass to guide her on her path to success.
• Balancing life and career and family; how she equates this to an apple pie and how to think about all your responsibilities. 
• The commonalities between finances and film, and how being multi-passionate has helped elevate her career and helped her deliver for her clients.
• What you need in a life partner, and how to live a more meaningful life with them.

As a successful woman, you can have it all. It just takes an intentional look at life, career, family and other responsibilities and dedication to the cause. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!

CONNECT WITH VAL RED-HORSE MOHL:

LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

Do you ever feel overwhelmed with your life responsibilities? Feeling pulled under by all the demanding aspects of your life, from work, business, family, and other tasks or things taking your attention? Are you entering burnout? 

This episode will help you see your daily tasks and responsibilities in a new, optimistic light and allow a breath of fresh air and appreciation for what you get to do each day to wash over you. This week’s episode 24 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about going with the flow and appreciating your responsibilities! 

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Mia Umanos are sharing the importance of learning to love and appreciate your daily responsibilities and actionable steps you can take right now to be an active listener as a leader. 

Some of the talking points Julie and Mia go over in this episode include:

• What it means to truly go with the flow, and how you can enjoy even the mundane tasks in your life and daily activities in order to live a more fulfilled life.
• How and why she started her business, Clickvoyant, and the power in feeling like you’re doing good work.
• How to juggle everything on your to do list in a positive, optimistic manner that helps make it more manageable to accomplish.
• Why listening is so valuable as a leader and as a new business, and how Mia really has learned to implement it in her company and with her staff.

This episode is a great reminder that we get to do things each day that others only dream about, and the true power in being able to say what you do each day is for the better good. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!

CONNECT WITH MIA UMANOS:

LinkedIn

Instagram

Twitter

Website

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

When it comes to being a good leader, Sonita Lontoh believes it’s all about guiding principles that guide us to be the best leaders we can be, no matter where we are starting as a leader. Sonita was inducted into the United States Asian Hall of Fame in 2017, and recently has started her own board member journey, and today she’s sharing her journey with you. This week’s episode 23 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the guiding principles to becoming a better leader, with Sonita Lontoh! 

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Sonita Lontoh are sharing the importance of leadership styles and actionable steps you can take right now to be a better leader, no matter what level of a leader you are right now. 

Some of the talking points Julie and Sonita go over in this episode include:

• What Sonita did to earn herself a spot in the United States Asian Hall of Fame, and the sense of added responsibility she feels since being inducted in 2017.
• When she started living by certain guiding principles in both personal and professional aspects, and how she’s been guided by them throughout her life and career.
• How, and why, women are more likely to be in a career field long-term if they feel a meaningful connection or a purpose for their work.
• Ways you can define leadership, and how it all starts at the top when it comes to change and diversity.

This episode is sure to help guide you to becoming the best leader you can be. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!

CONNECT WITH Sonita Lontoh:

LinkedIn

Twitter

Website

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

Many come into a career with the expectation of starting here and wanting to be at the next level at a certain very rapid point. Sure, technology has made some changes to that; but we’ve lost the importance of what you can learn in the process of building from the ground up. This week’s episode 22 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about supporting and mentoring our next generation of women leaders! 

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Heather Jerrehian are sharing the importance of surrounding yourself with people who can help raise you up. So many of us grew up in an era where there was only one seat at the top. There’s abundance for all of us, and How Women Invest showcases that spectacularly.

Heather Jerrerhian is an award-winning entrepreneurial leader and turnaround expert with key executive roles as a startup founder, CEO, COO, CFO, and VP/GM for Fortune 500 enterprises and startups with extensive software, consumer, and technology expertise. Global business builder recognized for cultivating key strategic partnerships, accelerating sales through robust GTM strategies, maximizing distribution channels (B2B + B2C + B2B2C), and demonstrating the operational acumen to architect systems and infrastructure to support large-scale organizations.

She has full 360-degree knowledge of SaaS, marketplaces, e-commerce, retail, wholesale, and manufacturing across multiple consumer categories, including hardware, electronics, clothing, accessories, and food – as well as technology expertise using AI + ML across HRTech, EdTech, AgTech, and FashionTech. Known for the ability to identify trends and quickly capitalize on growth opportunities, having a consistent record of building multi-million-dollar businesses ($0 to $75M) and driving triple-digit increases while maintaining financial controls for profitability and extraordinary people leadership skills to enable the impossible.

Some of the talking points Julie and Heather go over in this episode include:

• Stepping out and taking the shot to meet the right people
• How being a hexagon has helped her better articulate and shift the conversation to how she can best support the role she wanted.
• Pivotal qualities that served her well through all her career shifts.
• The most critical skills for any new entrepreneur or startup CEO
• How to create an advisory network that will best serve you in your different roles.  
• The most important thing the younger generation needs to know as they step into these leadership roles.
• What to do when you are in the middle of a struggle in your career.

 There’s a time and a moment for all of us. Grab the moment when you can because you never know what will come out of it. 

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!

CONNECT WITH HEATHER JERREHIAN:

Hitch Works

LinkedIn

Twitter

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

Being a woman in a boardroom or a political office can be challenging, but being transgender is a whole other level of power, grace, and representation issues. Today, we invited Lisa Middleton, who is the third transgender person in US History to serve as Mayor of an American city, and the first transgender person to serve as Mayor in the state of California. This week’s episode 21 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about being transgender in the political space! 

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Lisa Middleton are sharing the importance of transgender diversity in board rooms and in political spaces and actionable steps you can take right now to support and encourage other transwomen. 

Some of the talking points Julie and Lisa Middleton go over in this episode include:

• What LGBTQ+ communities and political stances have been throughout the last 50 years of change, and how Lisa has seen this firsthand.
• The power of having LGBTQ+ diversified representation in boardrooms, and what we all bring to the table.
• The most powerful thing corporate leaders can do following what we’ve learned in the pandemic and during the great resignation.
• How being transgender has become politicalized and how best to support your fellow trans-community members.

I hope this conversation made you puff up in pride for Pride Month. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!

CONNECT WITH Lisa Middleton:

LinkedIn 

Facebook

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

It certainly takes a village to be successful, and no one knows that better than Cheemin Bo-Linn. Recognized by multiple Presidents of the United States for her successful and inspiring leadership skills, Cheemin comes to us today to instill in us the leadership skills and lessons she’s learned throughout her career so far. This week’s episode 20 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about how to get to the top of the board room; the board director! 

Cheemin leverages tech to make the seemingly "impossible...possible " and leapfrogs competition with a time to market advantage. .. from AI/neuron "human thinking" machines, to POS checkout with concurrent loan access, to EV trucks and drones "scaleup" for mass zero carbon transport, to "smart" cities, to 3D physical to digital transformation, or leveraging tech in new markets or patient care. Currently, she is CEO of Peritus Partners Inc. Prior, she was recruited to scale growth as IBM Vice President running a $3.5b P&L, M&A partner, and other financial expert and "go to market" roles. Also she has served in roles such as digital Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Revenue Officer and multiple roles in mobile, internet, e-Commerce, software, energy, financial, semiconductor, and industrial sector companies. 

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Cheemin Bo-Linn are sharing the importance of others’ help in your success journey and actionable steps you can take right now to be a positive leader evoking positive change in your circles. 

Some of the talking points Julie and Cheemin go over in this episode include:

• Ways Cheemin has felt recognized in her role as one of the best board directors in the country, and possibly internationally.
• A powerful lesson Cheemin makes sure to instill in younger generations in board positions that will help you succeed now.
• The top leadership skills that helped Cheemin make her who she is today, and taken her where she has been.
• How Cheemin has navigated her ethnic and cultural background in the C-suite and board rooms, while also being American-born, and the ethnicity challenges she’s faced.

A huge theme in this episode is the power of others’ help in getting you to the top, and I couldn’t agree more with the power of community and helping the woman next to you also succeed. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!

CONNECT WITH CHEEMIN BO-LINN:

LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

Sue Harnett knows a thing or two about helping others’ voices be heard, and she’s a fierce advocate for others. Through her many years in Fin-Tech and banking, as well as her experience being an angel investor and helping start ups. Sue has a heart for women leaders and business owners. This week’s episode 19 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about growing your network and asking the right questions to help others expand their horizons and ideas! 

Sue currently serves as Independent Director, Nomination & Governance Committee Chair, and a member of the Risk Committee of the OFG Holding Company Bank Board (NYSE:OFG) and a member of the Compensation & Human Capital and Audit Committees of Life Storage (NYSE:LSI). She recently joined the Board of American Enterprise Group, a mutual insurance company and is a member of the Audit Committee. Previously she served on the Board of Directors of First Niagara Financial Group. She is certified by the National Association of Corporate Directors as a Director and a Governance Fellow and a Qualified Risk Director when she was awarded a Certificate in Risk Governance from the DCRO Institute. 

To give back, Sue is a founding limited partner of How Women Invest and a member of the Executive Board of How Women Lead an organization committed to increasing venture funding to women led companies.

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Sue Harnett are sharing the importance of asking great questions and actionable steps you can take right now to help other women succeed beside you. 

Some of the talking points Julie and Sue go over in this episode include:

• Balancing Motherhood, careers, and other challenges throughout the ages as women in successful career fields.
• The power in asking good questions in board meetings, and the role you play as a board member, whether it’s in banking or start ups.
• Why it’s important for other women to join boards and why Sue puts in extra work to help fellow women join them.
• Innovations in Fin-tech that Sue sees that have a strong potential to change the trajectory of women in finances. 

This episode will encourage you to humbly help others and be a fierce advocate for others through networking. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!

CONNECT WITH SUE HARNETT:

LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

LINKS: 

Book: Lean In

www.goalsetter.co