How Women Inspire: Invest, Lead, Give

Rosie Rios noticed while on a lunch break the lack of women representation in statues in DC, which led her down a rabbit hole of currency changes that would soon take effect. Now, Harriet Tubman and other women of influence from our history will grace the United States currency. All because she was inspired by the invisible. Rosie Rios, the 43rd Treasurer of the United States, comes to us today to remind us that with a little inspiration and a lot of commitment to the cause, you can make an impact on the world. This week’s episode 18 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about how Rosie Rios changed the United States currency to include women, and why it’s so important! 

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Rosie Rios are sharing the importance of women’s history being shared publicly and actionable steps you can take right now to make changes in your local areas and industries to allow for more women's representation. 

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

• How, and why, Rosie came to the conclusion that the currency of the United States needed an adjustment, and the process it takes to change currency while remaining integrity in our currency.
• When Rosie knew the turning point in her career was coming, and the hints she got along the way that helped remind her she was on the right path for her.
• How to, and why you want to, analyze for risk when proposing projects and future events and changes.
• The future of currency; where Rosie thinks it’s going, based on where it is today, and how we as women leaders and founders can make even more amazing initiatives happen.

This episode will surely encourage you to be inspired by the invisible throughout history. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.

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

CONNECT WITH Rosie Rios:

Unicorn Hunters

Twitter

Empowerment 2026

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

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LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

Millicent Tracey is a seasoned FinTech and financial services product management executive who for years has helped FinTech companies and startups. She’s also helped develop b2b payment strategies. She is just a brilliant, kind leader who steps up and makes things happen Millicent Tracy spent just about 20 years at Wells Fargo working on online banking for business and building digital payment platforms like Zelle which we all use. This week’s episode 17 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the importance of knowing your values for furthering your career intentionally! 

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Millicent Tracey are sharing the importance of understanding your own values and actionable steps you can take right now to grow your career or take on the board seat once you understand who you are and what you want. 

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

• How you can help consumers through a cultural shift when launching a new product or service.
• Up and coming trends in financial technology that women owned start ups should know about.
• What Millicent learned from her immigrant parents and what she didn’t learn from them but found valuable to her career expansion.
• What ESG is, and how it’s impacting board seats and governance of companies today and in the future.

This episode will empower you to understand your personal and professional values and life lessons that matter to you in order to further your career in a positive way. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.

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

CONNECT WITH MILLICENT TRACEY:

LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

Showing up can position yourself in a dynamic way that allows no room for negotiation; you deserve that raise! This week’s episode 16 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the stepping stones of showing up that lead to success.

Preethy Padmanabhan is a seasoned technology executive with 20 years of experience across engineering, sales and marketing. She's the host of 10 Times Growth Strategies podcast, and she’s an investor with many years experience on boards and various roles. She understands the importance and the value in showing up, even as a volunteer, until you become successful. 

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Preethy Padmanabhan are sharing the importance of being unabashedly visible and actionable steps you can take right now to grant yourself success through showing up thoughtfully and intentionally. 

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

• What it was like for Preethy moving to the United States as a woman in tech who didn’t yet understand English well, and the challenges she overcame to be successful despite a language barrier.
• The biggest leadership skills Preethy learned through her various roles, and how her unique perspective guided her to be the leader she is today.
• How to negotiate higher pay, an equal salary, more responsibility or that raise, as a woman, and do it in a way that creates no room for doubt.
• Preethy’s five “S”s to success: self-awareness, self-care, seeking help, setting boundaries and stretching ourselves.

Preethy has served on lots of nonprofit boards, and you'll get to know her and her deep commitment to the world and the community through this episode. But her big focus is on economic empowerment for women, children and education.  Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to hear even more about the points outlined above.

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

CONNECT WITH PREETHY PADMANABHAN:

LinkedIn

Podcast

Music

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

With nonprofits, there’s a lot of hush hush about money - many companies don’t talk about where they got funding or how they got it, and rarely talk about bankruptcy or anything else negative without a victory story. 

After 20+ years of hands-on experience in financial services, including investment product design, portfolio management, risk modeling, and private banking, Vivienne Hsu decided to form LENDonate, an online collaborative marketplace of loan+donation to nonprofit organizations. The idea of this new financial ecosystem for nonprofit is also a result of her 10+ years of fundraising and constantly thinking "there must be a better way." This week’s episode 15 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about nonprofit funding and support options! 

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Vivienne Hsu are sharing the importance of seeking help when you need it, especially when it comes to needing money loans and actionable steps you can take right now to utilize crowdfunding opportunities to help your nonprofit succeed. 

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

• How crowdfunding actually works and who the investor is in that type of funding relationship.
• Different ways nonprofits can utilize crowdfunding, bank loans, and other support to grow, sustain or even save their businesses.
• Why banks are usually overly cautious when it comes to funding, and why it may feel like you have to jump through a lot of hoops to get approved.
• Different support and investment options and opportunities for nonprofit leaders, as well as things to pay attention to and look for when it comes to funding opportunities. 

This episode is going to help you see behind the curtain at what it’s like on the other end of funding and investment opportunities, what banks and lenders look for in a business looking for a loan, and more. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.

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

CONNECT WITH Vivienne Hsu:

Website

LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

When you get too many people in the room with the same perspective and expertise, you tend to get “group think”; no fresh ideas, and everyone on too much of the same page. Luckily, Evelyn Dilsaver knows the solution to get out of that funk - getting skills in various fields! Evelyn is one of the most responsible, disciplined philanthropists and leaders that Julie’s ever met. 

Evelyn is a CPA by trade, having spent the first 17 years of her career in Audit and Finance before becoming president and CEO of the Charles Schwab investment management firm. She was one of the first Asian women board directors in the United States of America. This week’s episode 14 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the tips she’s learned and been taught in the C-Suite spaces! 

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Evelyn Dilsaver share the importance of getting multiple perspectives on a subject and actionable steps you can take right now to ask insightful questions to provoke change. 

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

• The lessons Evelyn learned through sports growing up and throughout her parenting days, and why women in sports tend to grow up to be leaders.
• The 3 top C-suite tips she learned from a mentor that helped her become the powerful and thoughtful leader she is today, and how you can too.
• The reason she varies her industry and expertise in order to learn more and free her mindset and perspectives.
• The power behind an insightful question, as opposed to an insightful comment, and why that has led to Evelyn’s ability to ask questions in such a thought-provoking manner.

There are a lot of negative effects of “group think”; hopefully today’s conversation sparks that creative, new perspective for you to help take your team, group or c-suite to the next level by sparking a new conversation and fresh ideas. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.

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

CONNECT WITH Evelyn Dilsaver:

LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

I met Hannah Kain while being co-authors for Scrappy Women in Business; Living Proof that Bending the Rules isn’t Breaking the Law.  Hannah Kain, who is the very first supply chain expert that we’ve had on the show,  is a bright light who encourages giving and giving well to others, she’s a humble example of a power player in the female entrepreneurial and C-suite space, and a strong believer in the power in being yourself.  This week’s episode 13 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about finding you in your own success journey! 

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Hannah Kain are sharing the importance of being yourself and being confident in who you are and actionable steps you can take right now to continuously give back to the ecosystem that is women in entrepreneurial positions. 

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

• The supply chain issues of 2020 that caused the industry cause for concern, like the toilet paper demand and the concern of when things will go back to normal.
• How Hannah managed to built and maintain a strong team of employees throughout the pandemic, despite the huge dip in employee retention.
• How giving back through different outlets and endeavors has contributed to the ecosystem of women in business.
• How the dynamic of being a woman in the CEO space has been like throughout the years, but shoulder pads and pencil skirts, to the rockstar women, are today in power positions.

So many words of wisdom come with this episode, from understanding that you don’t have to be like anyone else to be successful, to remembering to hold tight to words of encouragement and compliments from others for a rainy day, this episode is sure to inspire and uplift you. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to hear even more about the points outlined above.

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

CONNECT WITH HANNAH KAIN:

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

When it comes to being a woman of color in the C-suite or corporate side of business, there can be a lot of pressures and residual inner dialogue that can make your own identity a blur. Women have edited themselves to fit the mold or the leader before them for a really long time, and this is even stronger in relation to those of color or with a different cultural belief than their white male counterparts. This week’s episode 12 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about understanding and redefining the shadow side to being a woman of color in business, with Deepa Purushothaman! 

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Deepa Purushothaman are sharing the importance of redefining success for yourself, no matter what culture or society deems accurate for you, and actionable steps you can take right now to step into your power as a woman of color and powerful leader. 

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

• The significance and role of work on women of color, and how this plays a huge role in their lives and identities.
• How we as women edit ourselves and put ourselves on mute more times than we shout unless that’s the expectation.
• The shadow side to being a woman of color in business, and how this can lead to not only being forced to fit stereotypes but the other significant (unpaid) roles we play in corporations.
• Hiding your identity: why some people choose to do that, and how easy or difficult it may be to do that.

In this episode, Deepa shares her new book, along with a few of the amazing stories held within, to help share how women of color are truly stepping into their calling as the power brokers of the future. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.

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

CONNECT WITH DEEPA PURUSHOTHAMAN:

Website

LinkedIn

Get Her Book

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

We know there’s a difference between the funds donated and provided for philanthropic groups that are white, and those that are black-owned. But do you know the actual numbers? Rebecca Darwent does, and she’s literally speechless as she shares the numbers with us on today’s podcast. This week’s episode 11 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the disparity between black-owned philanthropies and other organizations, and how less than 7 cents for every $100 of philanthropic money goes towards Black-owned philanthropies! 

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Rebecca Darwent are sharing the importance of funding equity groups and actionable steps you can take right now to help provide support and resources to these groups, no matter your own sexual orientation or philanthropic segmentation. 

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

• Biases around the Black community and a sense of diminishing that occurs around the “professional” ideation around supporting Black communities as a Black leader.
• The call to action Rebecca has for us all to help support and provide resources for equity groups of all types, and how anyone can help.
• What the Unfunded Black Communities Overlooked by Canadian Philanthropy report has done for Rebecca; taking her from the number two for everyone to the number one spot as a leader in her field.
• Taking yourself off mute; why now is the time to stop being silent and the best ways to be loud, bold, and proud.

Rebecca is a great leader of inspiration in our community who will inspire you to be proud and bold about yourself and your community. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to hear even more about the points outlined above.

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

CONNECT WITH Rebecca Darwent:

LinkedIn

Twitter

Instagram

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

It can be difficult to run a successful start-up - the ups and downs aren’t for everyone and it can be a challenge. Someone who truly understands this experience is Fran Maier, co-founder of Match.com, who is well known for her 10+ years running TRUSTe (now TrustArc), and is now the CEO and founder of Babyquip. This week, episode 09 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about how to create a startup that’s truly a trusted brand! 

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Fran Maier is sharing the importance of being a trusted brand and the actionable steps you can take right now to build that trusted brand from the ground up. 

Some of the talking points Fran and I go over in this episode include:

• How Fran created her hospitality and travel start-up in the beginning of the pandemic and how she managed to get through to a record-breaking month with almost 1 million bookings under her belt.
• How to build a trusted brand; through consistency and understanding your market well enough to build it to be trustworthy.
• Fran’s best tips for hiring your first employees and your own responsibilities as a start-up founder.
• How Fran keeps her creativity going and how she takes care of herself so she can run a successful business in a great headspace.

Fran Maier is a leader and inspiration to so many startup founders and entrepreneurs and I cannot wait for you to listen to this episode. So be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.

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

CONNECT WITH FRAN MAIER:

LinkedIn

BabyQuip Website

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

Allison Martin is the founder and former CEO of UDoTest, a first-of-its-kind company to significantly reduce cervical cancer in Africa. In 2021 Allison was able to do what a lot of us want to eventually be able to do; she sold her company! That’s why episode 08 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about lessons Allison has learned throughout her journey as a mission-driven entrepreneur! 

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Allison Martin is sharing the importance of having the courage to dream big and actionable steps you can take right now to find opportunities through generosity in others. 

Some of the talking points Allison and I go over in this episode include:

• The creation of UDoTest, a way of doing personal health that got a lot of kickback for being well ahead of its time in women’s health advancements in third world countries.
• Lessons Allison has learned throughout the years as an entrepreneur and true market disruptor, including the power in being prepared and the courage to think BIG.
• How her change of role, pace, and responsibilities have shaped a new narrative for her since selling her company and becoming co-founder.
• How generosity can be a vital weapon for startups and business leaders to utilize and give, and how culturally the generosity in the United States both shocked and excited Allison.

Through generosity and building honest connections with people because she cares, Allison built a company and sold it in under 10 years. There are many lessons she’s learned and shared in this episode that I think anyone can relate to and learn from. So be sure to tune in to all the episodes and to hear even more about the points outlined above.

Thank you for listening!

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

CONNECT WITH ALLISON MARTIN:

LinkedIn

Website

Learn more about UDoTest

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL