Lisa Fain is the CEO of the Center for Mentoring Excellence and the founder of Vista Coaching. She was formerly senior director of the diversity and inclusion function at Outerwall Inc. (former parent company to automated retail giants Redbox and Coinstar). She is a certified mediator through Chicago’s Center for Conflict Resolution, and a certified life coach through the International Coach Academy.

The Harvard Business Review reveals that corporations have a more inclusive culture when women and other minority groups occupy C-suite and board positions. How can mentoring and leadership coaching lead organizations to adopt these practices?

As a leader in DEI, Lisa Fain maintains that mentorship is inclusion in action. Mentoring up-and-coming leaders invites transparent conversations about diversity through relationships and connections. The relationship between mentors and mentees is reciprocal, with both parties learning from each other. Companies can create a mentoring culture by providing ongoing support and training that enables consistent communication.

Tune in to the latest episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as Andrea Heuston welcomes Lisa Fain, the CEO of the Center for Mentoring Excellence, to talk about the role of mentoring in leadership and organizational inclusion. Lisa shares the most common mentoring myth, why she transitioned from a legal career to an entrepreneur, and how to build trust between a mentor and mentee.

Diane DiResta is the CEO of DiResta Communications, Inc., a consultancy serving business leaders who deliver high-stakes presentations. As a certified speaking coach and communications professional, she coaches executives to be influential public speakers and delivers keynote speeches, seminars, and workshops to train teams in effective communication and leadership skills. Diane is also the author of Knockout Presentations and has been featured on CNN and quoted in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

Although it may seem far-fetched, 78% of people would rather die than speak on stage. This is especially true for women, who often overanalyze their public personas. Yet public speaking is crucial for leaders who want to make an impact. How can you overcome your fears to deliver confident speeches?

Master presenter Diane DiResta maintains that since the presentation is for the audience’s benefit, to be nervous is to be self-centered. Instead, shift your perspective to create an informative and memorable experience for your listeners. Delivering powerful speeches requires understanding yourself, your audience, and your message without relying on memorization or using passive phrases such as “like” or “I think.”

In today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Diane DiResta, the CEO of DiResta Communications, joins Andrea Heuston to discuss how to communicate with confidence and intention. Diane talks about her military upbringing, how she leads like a woman, and the dos and don’ts of Q&A sessions.

Sarah Moody is the Founder of Iconic, a program that helps high-achieving women have the career and love life of their dreams. After spending 25 years working with C-suite executives at global tech companies, she became a mentor to women experiencing burnout and wrote the book Rock Your Brain Rock Your Life. Sarah is also an engaging speaker and presenter delivering events in Silicon Valley and hosts the Rock Your Brain. Rock Your Life podcast.

So many women feel exhausted and unfulfilled in their careers despite their achievements. This often stems from an unconscious tendency to emulate masculine leadership styles, which contradicts their natural feminine qualities. How can you embrace your femininity to create the life you desire?

After struggling with corporate burnout and an eating disorder, Sarah Moody was determined to alter her life’s trajectory for the better. She believes in fully embodying the feminine essence to create a more authentic and powerful presence in work and relationships. Sarah notes that true happiness and fulfillment come from within, and by trusting your intuition and relinquishing your masculine armor, you can feel safe in your body and mind.

Tune in to this week’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as Andrea Heuston chats with Sarah Moody about cultivating self-love and feminine strength. She shares her personal struggles, including battling an eating disorder, insights from her coaching program, and her upcoming book focused on tapping into divine femininity.

Lori Michele Leavitt is the Founder of LML Services, a collaborative group of independent thought leaders and experts who serve various industries. She is also the Founder and President of Abrige Corp, which offers the Aligned Momentum (A.M)® program and software to help managers lead.

Widely recognized as The Pivot Catalyst, Lori has coached, consulted, and trained hundreds of global leaders to achieve their objectives and generate momentum. She speaks globally about catalyzing momentum, leading, pivoting, and workplace culture change. Lori also leads the 10x!® business and leadership private peer advisory groups. As an author, she wrote The Pivot and Pivot to Clarity.

Organizational change is necessary to kickstart and sustain growth, but resistance from leaders and other changemakers can impede progress and create friction. How can you instruct your team to adapt and pivot during challenges?

Leadership catalyst Lori Michele Leavitt believes in fostering a vibrant workplace and business, which entails future-proofing your team and company by maintaining high value. She encourages leaders to identify and recognize the fear surrounding change and create a safe space to work through those fears and foster trust. By aligning progress with your end goals and pivoting in response to setbacks, you can build a resilient and change-ready organization.

In today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston chats with Lori Michele Leavitt, the Founder of LML Services, about adaptable leadership. Lori talks about cultivating an organizational mindset that anticipates change, her 10x!® peer advisory group, and how to align your momentum.

Kate Pozeznik is the Founder and CEO of Quirk, a personal branding and career consulting firm that helps accelerate women executives’ careers. She works with mid-six- to seven-figure executives to showcase their unique professional qualities during career transitions. Kate’s clients include executives and leaders at Google, Amazon, Meta, and other notable organizations. She has been featured in articles on Buzzfeed, AARP, and Upworthy.

Sometimes, C-suite executives seem to have it all in their careers. However, many of them — especially women — have become stagnant in their journeys, longing for more fulfilling opportunities. How can personal branding, resiliency, and risk-taking elevate your career?

Having struggled with networking, gaining confidence in her skills, and achieving fulfillment, Kate Pozeznik understands the frustration of identifying an ideal career path. She encourages high-salaried women to develop a personal brand representing their values, mission, and purpose. This unlocks professional opportunities that align with your career goals. Kate also advises taking small, calculated risks to develop resilience to challenges and build confidence.

Join Andrea Heuston in this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as she interviews Kate Pozeznik, the Founder and CEO of Quirk, about embracing risks and creating an impactful personal brand. Kate shares how she helps women define personal success, how she turned her side gig into a career opportunity, and how C-suite executives can communicate their value propositions.

Hannah Kain is the President and CEO of ALOM, a global supply chain, contract packaging, and fulfillment company. As a global supply chain executive, she has written business books and papers, taught graduate classes, and spoken at various business events. Hannah has extensive international management experience as well as membership and involvement in governmental agencies and business groups, including the National Association of Manufacturers, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), and How Women Lead.

Studies show that business financial performance increases when women are given leadership positions. Yet many industries, including the supply chain industry, are perpetually male-dominated. How can male support and organizational collaboration elevate female representation in these industries?

As a Danish immigrant with an innate drive to challenge the status quo and help women break into leadership roles, Hannah Kain advocates for involvement with industry networks and leadership associations that promote women’s voices and ideas. Organizations like the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and other niche associations can advance women’s roles in their companies and industries. When men and women collaborate within these organizations, they can enhance company culture and results.

In today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston sits down with Hannah Kain, the President and CEO of ALOM, to discuss empowering women in the supply chain industry. Hannah shares her Danish upbringing, advice for women leaders to encourage their teams, and how she champions women’s leadership.

Sandra James is the Founder and CEO of Private Eyes, which creates safe workplaces through high-quality background checks. She is also the bestselling author of Don’t Tell Me I Can’t, a memoir recounting her journey from growing up on a farm and battling substance abuse to becoming an entrepreneur. As an advocate for entrepreneurship, Sandra served on the board and is a member of the leadership forum for the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). She also serves on the board of WBEC-West.  

Growing up disadvantaged can make achieving career fulfillment and growth feel like an illusion, especially if you grew up during a time when women couldn’t obtain a business loan without a man’s co-signature. Learn how a farm girl turned entrepreneur overcame incredible odds to reach the pinnacle of her career.

Sandra James grew up working on her family’s farm and slept in a closet in a two-bedroom house with eight siblings. Rather than become complacent with her situation, Sandra altered her perspective and leveraged her childhood-acquired work ethic to become an entrepreneur. Along the way, she struggled with substance abuse and navigated a tumultuous relationship when her first husband stole her business idea. Despite these obstacles, Sandra maintains that resilience, persistence, and optimism are crucial in overcoming hardships.

In today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston welcomes Sandra James, the Founder and CEO of Private Eyes and the author of Don’t Tell Me I Can’t, to talk about her journey from farm girl to CEO. Sandra delves into her early entrepreneurial endeavors, why she joined WBENC and Vistage, and her decision to become sober.

Sylvia Theisen is a Life Coach at Prime Time Coaching, where she coaches women through a transformational process of discovery. As a former psychotherapist, speaker, author, and business owner, she specializes in human behavior and personal development, helping women lead more fulfilling lives. Sylvia is also the author of Break the Rules: An Uncommon Guide to Creating the Life You Crave.

Antiquated gender roles are shifting as women begin to recognize their limitless possibilities. As of 2022, women comprise half of the college-educated workforce, and single women now own and occupy more homes than single men. How can you participate in this radical movement to create the life you want?

Traditionally, women have felt uncomfortable when served food and other comforts and were hesitant to embark on solo adventures. As a midlife development coach, Sylvia Theisen encourages women to engage in the process of self-discovery by stepping out of their comfort zones to develop confidence and essential life skills. These skills include disappointing others to avoid disappointing yourself and setting crucial boundaries.

Tune in to this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as Andrea Heuston invites Sylvia Theisen, Life Coach at Prime Time Coaching, to speak about how she empowers midlife women to rewrite their life stories. Sylvia talks about breaking free from societal expectations, how to embrace the changes of midlife, and how she helps women identify their unique potential.

Minette Norman is an author, speaker, and consultant with decades of experience leading global teams in the software industry. As a vital voice in inclusive leadership, she speaks about psychological safety and empathy. Minette is also the author of The Boldly Inclusive Leader and the co-author of The Psychological Safety Playbook.

In a corporate world dominated by male leaders, women often feel silenced and suppress their opinions and emotions. Yet vulnerability and emotional intelligence are vital characteristics of women leaders. How can you harness these qualities to make a true impact on your team?

After being forced out of Silicon Valley by male leaders threatened by her dominance, Minette Norman discovered the power of inclusive leadership. This involves cultivating a diverse team to enrich company dynamics and promote creative problem-solving. It also entails establishing psychological safety in the workplace to ensure team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and taking risks. Embracing your authentic self in your leadership role fosters genuine connection and creates an atmosphere of trust.

Tune in to the latest episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as Andrea Heuston welcomes Minette Norman to talk about transforming leadership through emotional intelligence and inclusivity. Minette reveals insights from her book, how she cultivated a network when starting a new business, and her transformation from acting to leadership in Silicon Valley.

Imelda Alejandrino is the CEO and Creative Director at AP42, a top-performing digital team specializing in advertising, branding, direct marketing, and technology. As a seasoned digital strategist, she has over 25 years of experience leading innovative creative efforts across various platforms.

Imelda’s work has spanned digital AR/VR, film, retail packaging, and events. She has collaborated with major brands, including Accenture, Meta, General Motors, and Chevron and launched Oggi, an immersive digital reality application, in 2020.

When embracing creativity and innovative ideas in your work, you’re likely to encounter resistance from those who are skeptical of new technologies. Rather than shying away from the new and uncomfortable, you can embrace it. How can you nurture creativity in a fast-paced digital world?

Creative powerhouse and digital visionary Imelda Alejandrino champions using immersive digital realities to strengthen connections and create memorable experiences. Yet attitudes toward technology adoption have been negative, so eliminating the associated fear with open communication and demonstrations is crucial in promoting widespread adoption. Imelda notes that mentorship, networking, and engaging in continuous learning have allowed her to develop groundbreaking new ideas in her career.

In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston hosts Imelda Alejandrino, the CEO and Creative Director at AP42, to discuss technological innovation. Imelda delves into practical applications of virtual reality, the metaverse, and the human aspect of digital engagement.