How Women Inspire: Invest, Lead, Give

As women in the workplace, the odds of success and growth are not usually in our favor. So, what can we do to improve our odds and set ourselves up for success? In this episode of How Women Inspire, we sit down with Shellye Archambeau, experienced CEO, board director, and author of Unapologetically Ambitious. Shellye shares her inspiring story of overcoming the odds as a Black woman in tech to become a CEO, emphasizing the importance of setting goals, making intentional decisions, and more. This week’s episode 149 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about embracing ambition and rejecting apologies! 

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Shellye Archambeau is sharing the importance of making daily decisions that align with your goals and actionable steps you can take right now to create a self-care plan to keep yourself healthy. 

Shellye Archambeau is an experienced CEO and board director with a track record of building brands, high-performance teams, and organizations. She currently serves on the boards of Verizon, Roper Technologies, and Okta. She's also a strategic adviser to Forbes Ignite and the president of Arizona State University and serves on the board of two national nonprofits Catalyst and Braven. Shellye is also the author of “Unapologetically Ambitious: Take Risks, Break Barriers, and Create Success on Your Own Terms.”

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

• The importance of being unapologetically ambitious and the societal pressure to apologize excessively.
• Strategic goal setting and mankind decisions to support your plan.
• The societal pressure on women to "have it all”.
• Identifying your own three, non-negotiable self-care practices for your health.

Check out Shellye’s book Unapologetically Ambitious: Take Risks, Break Barriers, and Create Success on Your Own Terms.

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!

Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast 

CONNECT WITH SHELLYE ARCHAMBEAU:

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X (formerly Twitter)

In a world where the gender funding gap remains stubbornly wide, women are on a mission to change the game. Erin Harkless Moore is at the forefront of driving breakthrough innovations and social impact through strategic investments. In this episode, Erin shares her journey from Wall Street to impact investing, and the powerful strategies she's employing to empower women-led funds and companies that are reshaping industries and communities. From tackling the challenges of biased funding practices to championing the importance of diverse decision-makers, her insights offer a roadmap for anyone passionate about leveraging the power of capital to create a more equitable future. This week’s episode 148 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about driving breakthrough innovations and impact! 

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Erin Harkless Moore is sharing the importance of aligning your work with your personal values and actionable steps you can take right now to level up your leadership qualities. 

Erin Harkless Moore is the Senior Director of Investments at Pivotal Ventures created by Melinda French Gates to accelerate social progress in the United States. She leads the organization's fund and direct investment decisions, overseeing a diverse portfolio that drives breakthrough innovations and impact for people in this country. Erin has nearly 20 years of investment experience previously working as the Managing Director at Cambridge Associates.

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

• The importance of aligning your values and your work with your professional interests.
• Challenges and opportunities for women in the venture capital space.
• Recognizing the biases that hold women back from raising capital.
• Erin’s biggest lessons that have defined her career.

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!

Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast 

CONNECT WITH ERIN HARKLESS MOORE:

LinkedIn

Twitter

Pivotal Ventures

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

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Facebook - HWL

Are you a woman in leadership struggling to manage stress and are not feeling like your authentic self? In this episode of How Women Inspire, Liz Sklar, Director of Stand and Deliver and actress, shares her journey from stage to C-suite and how she helps leaders find their authentic voice and communicate powerfully. Liz and Julie discuss the importance of managing stress, setting boundaries, and embracing your personal values to become a more impactful and authentic leader. They also explore the power of storytelling, emotional resilience, and overcoming self-doubt for women in leadership.

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Liz Sklar is sharing the importance of managing stress and setting boundaries  and actionable steps you can take right now to lead with authenticity and sincerity.

In her work with clients including Genentech, Gilead, Twilio, Google, IVP, CZI, Waymo, and the Cartier Women’s Initiative, Liz’s work has crossed industries from pharma to finance and frequently focuses on leaders in the innovation economy. She is especially inspired by female entrepreneurs and executives and is invested in empowering them to harness their innate power and wisdom to further their careers and expand their missions. Liz has acted professionally in both film and theater, including leading roles at premier regional theaters such as California Shakespeare Festival and American Conservatory Theatre.

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

• How Liz’s experience in theatre informs her leadership coaching in the corporate world.
• Emphasizing the value of finding and showcasing one's authentic self.
• Managing stress and influencing without authority in the workplace.
• Encouraging and supporting women leaders through empathy and public speaking.

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!

Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast 

CONNECT WITH LIZ SKLAR:

LinkedIn

Website

Stand & Deliver

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

The healthcare industry has long overlooked the unique needs and experiences of women, but that tide is finally turning. Today, we’re sitting down with Elyse Heob, a multi-time healthcare startup founder and expert in bringing groundbreaking innovations to market. Elyse shares her insights on the critical importance of women-led research and product development, the myths surrounding startup chaos, the power of betting on yourself as a female entrepreneur, and more. This week’s episode 146 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about revolutionizing the healthcare landscape! 

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Elyse Heob shares the importance of strategic planning and treating startups like a regular job and actionable steps you can take right now to bet on yourself and get more comfortable with risks. 

Elyse Heob is an expert in transforming groundbreaking healthcare ideas into thriving businesses with a main focus on patient care. She is the Founder and CEO of Elyse Heob Consulting, where she supports startup founders to scale their health innovations. Previously, she co-founded ClearMask, the first FDA-cleared transparent surgical mask, growing it from zero to $45 million in just two years with zero outside investment.

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

• The difference between inventing a health innovation and running a startup.
• Key considerations for designing successful health technologies.
• The lack of research on women's health and the need for better care and detection.
• Encouraging women to embrace their potential and take on leadership roles in healthcare and entrepreneurship.

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!

Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast 

CONNECT WITH ELYSE HEOB:

LinkedIn

Website

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

Only 2% of all founders of AI companies are women, and Jacqueline Schafer is one of those women leading the way in tech. Jacqueline is here this week to share her inspiring journey from her early days as a lawyer at a top firm to founding her own innovative company set on changing the legal landscape. She discusses the importance of partnering with strong women investors and building a company with a focus on security and ethical considerations, the challenges she has faced as a female founder, and more. This week’s episode 145 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about pioneering AI in legal tech! 

This episode was created in partnership with the Nasdaq Foundation. Together, we are working to educate, inspire, and engage women from diverse backgrounds on venture investing and entrepreneurship. Did you know that only 2% of venture funding goes to women-led companies? Together, we are working to show that women are the new face of venture investing.

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Jacqueline Schafer is sharing the importance of preparation and persistence when finding supporters and investors and actionable steps you can take right now to support women-founded ventures. 

Jacqueline Schafer is the founder and CEO of Clearbrief (Winner, Litigation Technology Product of the Year, Legalweek 2023). Schafer serves as one of inaugural members of the Texas Bar’s AI Taskforce, and she was chosen by the American Bar Association as one of the “2022 Women of Legal Tech” and named to the 2022 Fastcase 50, Honoring ‘Innovators, Techies, Visionaries and Leaders’ in Law, Schafer also received the 2021 Washington State Bar APEX Award for Legal Innovation for founding Clearbrief as well as for her 2020 law review article ("Harnessing AI for Struggling Families").

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

• How every role in her career helped pave the way for Clearbrief.
• The challenges of raising capital for a legal tech company, especially during the pandemic.
• The role of women investors for success and the support networks they create.
• The need for strict security requirements to succeed with large enterprise firms and government agencies.

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!

Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast 

CONNECT WITH JACQUELINE SCHAFER:

LinkedIn

Clearbrief

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

In the professional world, having a mentor to guide you in making the best choices for yourself can make all the difference. Having a mentor can help you unlock your curiosity, seek out opportunities you didn’t think were possible, and make significant changes to the world. Mentorship is even more critical for people from underrepresented backgrounds, especially first-generation students from low-income families, as they go through the academic world and into professional life. In this episode, Dr. Julie Huang provides invaluable insights on supporting young women and girls in STEM, the unique superpowers that first-generation students bring to the table, and more! This week’s episode 144 of How Women Inspire Podcast concerns mentorship, curiosity, and the immigrant experience!

In this episode of the How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Huang discusses the importance of diversity and mentorship for underrepresented students and early career professionals and actionable steps you can take right now to start taking a practical approach to abundance.
Julie Huang is a scientist, leader, mentor, and advocate with a mission to enable scientific breakthroughs and to forge a diverse, empowered future generation in STEM. She leads teams and orchestrates scientific strategies for clinical trials that hold promise in transforming the treatment landscape for neurodegenerative diseases. Julie is a TedX and keynote speaker, board member, and nonprofit leader.

Some of the talking points the two Julie’s go over in this episode include:

• The importance of mentorship and community in overcoming self-doubt and limiting beliefs.
• How overcoming scarcity in resources and mindset has allowed Julie to create opportunities and pursue her dreams.
• Mentoring others and helping them see their potential, especially young professionals from underrepresented backgrounds.
• The superpowers of being a child of immigrants, including courage, determination, and finding opportunities.

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!

Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast 

CONNECT WITH JULIE HUANG:

LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

Women’s health continues to be an important issue for many of us, and more and more medical technoplogy startups are getting on board with turning their attention to women’s health issues across the globe. Dr. Vinona Bhatia, a trailblazer in medicine, technology, and global health, is here this week to discuss her work in cancer screening and care both here and in Africa, as well as advocating for inclusive leadership, networking, and mentorship. This week’s episode 143 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about unlocking barriers to cancer screening and care! 

This episode was created in partnership with the Nasdaq Foundation. Together, we are working to educate, inspire, and engage women from diverse backgrounds on venture investing and entrepreneurship. Did you know that only 2% of venture funding goes to women-led companies? Together, we are working to show that women are the new face of venture investing.

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Vinona Bhatia is sharing the importance of  innovation to meet women's needs and wants in healthcare and actionable steps you can take right now to seek opportunities to make a difference. 

Vinona Bhatia is a Medical Oncologist trained at U Penn and UCSF, with an MPH in Global Health and Population from Harvard. Vinona is the Founder of Partnering for Cancer Innovation, an organization working to improve outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients, and ensure that cancer is treated equitably in all parts of the world. Her primary goal is to unblock millions of individuals from the barriers they face accessing cancer screening and care.

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

• The shift in focus from general women's health to specific issues like menopause and perimenopause.
• The importance of not being elitist about innovation and recognizing that innovation can take many shapes and forms.
• The need for clinical studies pre-launch of medical technologies to ensure effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.
• Seeking opportunities and educating oneself to make a difference.

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!

Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast 

CONNECT WITH VINONA BHATIA:

LinkedIn

Partnering for Cancer Innovation

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

Growing a business is no easy feat, but here at How Women Lead, we have the pleasure of knowing many women who are leading high-growth companies. Their difference? The companies are not only high-growth, but high-impact, aligning their business values with their personal values aiming for a better world. Coco Sellman is here today to share her journey growing her business and using it as a force for good, and her upcoming book by the same name. This week’s episode 142 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about unlocking the secrets of high-growth, purpose-driven companies! 

This episode was created in partnership with the Nasdaq Foundation. Together, we are working to educate, inspire, and engage women from diverse backgrounds on venture investing and entrepreneurship. Did you know that only 2% of venture funding goes to women-led companies? Together, we are working to show that women are the new face of venture investing.

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Coco Sellman is sharing the importance of having a data-driven approach in business, even if the founder is not naturally data-oriented and actionable steps you can take right now to align your business practices with what consumers and employees want. 

Since 1998, Coco has been on a mission to align business purpose with profit. As a serial entrepreneur and a consultant to founders, Coco has built and supported hundreds of businesses. Most recently, Coco was the founder of Allumé Home Care, a home health company serving medically fragile children and adults. Allumé merged with All Pointe Care in 2021, creating the second-largest provider of in-home pediatric nursing in the state of Connecticut; Coco now sits on the board. Over the course of her career Coco has worked with hundreds of founders to grow successful, sustainable businesses that lead in impact and profits.

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

• The importance of resilience and integrity when scaling a business quickly.
• The unique strengths women bring to leadership, particularly in managing multiple stakeholders and understanding emotional intelligence.
• The critical role of emotional intelligence in leadership, especially in understanding and motivating teams.
• Key skills and mindset needed for successful leadership, including self-awareness, adaptability, and a focus on impact.

To learn more about Coco’s Book A Force for Good and to pre-order your copy, visit the A Force for Good website today!

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!

Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast 

CONNECT WITH COCO SELLMAN:

LinkedIn

A Force for Good

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

If anyone knows about the importance of grit and determination, it’s immigrants. Hispanic people are the fastest growing worker group in the US, and young Hispanic people attending college and universities are truly the workforce of tomorrow. Despite this, Latina and Latino voices are grossly underrepresented in the biggest rooms of power. Marisela Barbosa is here today to talk about her journey supporting her community through her entrepreneurial journey, standing up for Latina voices, encouraging women to pursue civil leadership, and more! This week’s episode 141 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about leveraging entrepreneurship to drive positive change in Latino communities! 

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Marisela Barbosa is sharing the importance of raising Latina voices in business and local politics and actionable steps you can take right now to build strong relationships and networks. 

Marisela Barbosa is a small business owner and civic leader dedicated to fostering sustainable economic growth in the community. Marisela is the co-founder of Monarch Engineers, an engineering firm specializing in civil, structural, and mechanical engineering. In 2016, she founded Green Hive Spaces, a coworking space in downtown Vallejo with a focus on sustainability.

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

• The significance of breaking barriers and opening doors for Latinas.
• Encouraging Latina women to get involved in local politics and civic leadership.
• The importance of building and serving communities as an entrepreneur.
• The importance of building strong relationships and networks in achieving success.

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!

Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast 

CONNECT WITH MARISELA BARBOSA:

LinkedIn

Website

The Time is Ya

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL

Even if we think our career is on a straight path, life has a funny way of presenting us with unexpected opportunities and changing our trajectories. Deborah Smith knows this firsthand, having moved around in the financial industry and taken almost every opportunity that presented itself before founding The CenterCap Group, a boutique investment bank serving the real estate industry. Deborah is here this week to share her journey with us, as well as offer advice on our career mindsets, surrounding ourselves with a support network, and more! This week’s episode 140 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about overcoming barriers with confidence, resilience, and determination! 

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Deborah Smith is sharing the importance of keeping your eyes open for unexpected career opportunities and actionable steps you can take right now to approach your career with confidence. 

Deborah Smith is Co-Founder and CEO of The CenterCap Group, LLC and heads the firm's Strategic Capital and M&A and Execution efforts. Prior to forming The CenterCap Group, LLC, Ms. Smith was Co-Head of M&A and a Senior Managing Director with CB Richard Ellis Investors (CB Richard Ellis's $40 billion AUM investment management business). She joined CBREI in July 2007 to co-head the build out of the firm's M&A efforts and led the firm's negotiation and acquisition of a majority interest in Wood Partners (one of the largest multifamily developers in the United States) in 2008.

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

• Accepting support and not overthinking decisions.
• The challenges of balancing a demanding career with raising a family.
• Approaching opportunities with a “how hard can it be” mindset.
• The importance of confidence and persistence.

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!

Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast 

CONNECT WITH DEBORAH SMITH:

LinkedIn

The CenterCap Group

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

LinkedIn - Julie

How Women Lead

How Women Invest

How Women Give

Instagram - HWL

LinkedIn - HWL

Facebook - HWL