In this empowering episode of Shattering Glass In Heels, host Christine Duque is joined by her close friends and fellow entrepreneurs, Lilit Davtyan and Letitia Berbaum. Together, they explore the journey of navigating life’s transitions as women entrepreneurs.

As they share their personal and professional challenges, the trio highlights the strength of their friendship and how they support each other through changes. Listeners will enjoy candid discussions on resilience, community, and redefining success in a dynamic business landscape.

Join them for inspiring insights that will empower you to embrace your own transitions while shattering glass ceilings with confidence!

In this special reunion episode of Shattering Glass In Heels, host Christine Duque welcomes her "Council of Queens," an incredible group of women from the YWCA Rising Star Program who share a commitment to lifting each other as they climb. Joining her are Carla Messer, Chief Results Officer at Best Work; Karen Culbreath, Transformation Consultant and Executive Director of The Period Project; Leah Eriksen, CIO for the City of Long Beach, California; and Tammy Solomon-Gray, Principal at Cheviot School-Gifted Academy.

In this heartfelt reunion, the women reflect on their journeys since they last connected, illustrating how their bonds have supported them through personal and professional transitions. They emphasize the power of community among women leaders, sharing inspiring stories of resilience and encouragement that will motivate listeners to step up and celebrate each other’s achievements.

In this engaging episode of Shattering Glass In Heels, host Christine Duque welcomes Ankita Chordia Sancheti, Co-Founder and Director of Nanostuffs Technologies Pvt. Ltd., who brings her rich background as an Indian woman entrepreneur to the discussion. Together, they delve into the transformative themes of family dynamics, culinary spaces, and the shifting expectations of women’s roles.

Ankita shares her journey of navigating cultural narratives surrounding women in India, particularly the traditional expectations of their roles in the domain of “kitchen and kids.” As a successful entrepreneur and a dedicated mother and wife, she challenges these stereotypes and discusses her mission to redefine the female experience, inspiring a new generation to embrace diverse roles beyond societal confines.

Listeners will gain valuable insights on empowering children, cultivating inclusive environments, and breaking free from the constraints of outdated expectations. Join Christine and Ankita as they serve up ideas for progress while kickin’ off old narratives that hold women back.

In this insightful episode of Shattering Glass In Heels, host Christine Duque chats with Alarice Cesareo Lonergan, a Strategy, Growth & Transformation Executive. They tackle the challenges and opportunities for women in male-dominated industries, particularly financial services.

Alarice shares her experiences as a Latina woman and discusses the unique hurdles she faces in the workplace, comparing them with the challenges encountered by Asian women, including those stemming from antiquated stereotypes. Christine, as a Filipina, adds her perspective on navigating cultural identities and biases.

The conversation also touches on early career perceptions, where Alarice reflects on assumptions about women without family responsibilities being more successful. Together, they explore the balance of career, family, and community involvement, as well as the importance of supporting one another and paving new paths for future generations.

In the upcoming episode of Shattering Glass In Heels, host Christine Duque welcomes Letitia Berbaum, a Wealth Advisor and the Founder and CEO of a women-owned business. Together, they delve into the vital role women play in the finance industry and the unique challenges they face.

Letitia shares her journey in finance, highlighting the importance of financial literacy and empowerment for women. They discuss strategies for overcoming barriers, the significance of mentorship, the need for women to take charge of their financial futures, and the importance of helping other women.

The conversation also explores the impact of women-owned businesses on the economy and the importance of community support among female entrepreneurs. Christine and Letitia emphasize creating inclusive spaces where women can thrive and support each other in their financial endeavors.

In the next episode of Shattering Glass IN Heels, host Christine Duque welcomes Leah Eriksen, the Director of Technology & Innovation and Chief Information Officer for the City of Long Beach. Together, they dive into the essential role of women leading in technology and discuss the pressing need for diversity and representation not only in tech but also in industry boards and events.

Leah shares her inspiring journey in the tech field, emphasizing the importance of work-life balance as women navigate their careers. They explore the concept of leading with love—fostering supportive and inclusive environments where everyone can thrive.

Join Christine and Leah as they highlight the barriers women face in tech and provide strategies for overcoming them, while encouraging a culture that celebrates diversity and empowers women to step into leadership roles.

In the next episode of Shattering Glass In Heels, host Christine Duque welcomes Carla Messer, the Chef Results Officer at Best Work. Join them as they explore the vital relationship between mentorship and sponsorship in building a brighter future for the next generation of women in the workplace.

Carla shares insights on  accelerating diversity recruiting and create inclusive environments. Together, they discuss the importance of giving back to the community and empowering women through support and guidance.

Discover how women can collaborate to uplift one another, breaking down barriers and opening doors for future leaders. Carla’s passion for mentorship shines through as she shares impactful stories about women helping women thrive in their careers.

In the next episode of Shattering Glass in Heels, host Christine Duque sits down with Katie Li, a Customer Experience & Digital Transformation Leader, to discuss the unique challenges faced by Asian women in Europe's corporate landscape.

Katie shares her journey of overcoming obstacles and emphasizes the power of building networks for empowerment and mentorship. They explore balancing cultural identity with professional aspirations and provide actionable strategies for advocacy and negotiation.

Join them as they inspire women to support one another, shatter glass ceilings, and redefine success together.

In this inspiring episode of Shattering Glass in Heels, host Christine Duque engages in a heartfelt conversation with Victoria Le, Executive Field Chairman at First Financial Security Link. Together, they explore the remarkable journey of Victoria as a Vietnamese refugee and her transformation into a leader who has provided financial protection to over 250,000 clients across the United States, amassing an incredible $30 billion in financial security.

Victoria delves into her personal experiences, highlighting the challenges she faced as an immigrant and how those experiences shaped her mission to uplift and empower her Vietnamese community. The discussion also touches on the complexities of navigating the corporate landscape as an Asian woman, with Victoria sharing her insights on solidarity, community support, and the importance of storytelling.

As they reflect on their cultural identities, Christine and Victoria discuss the unique hurdles faced by women in the financial sector and the significance of lifting each other up to create opportunities for future generations.

In this enlightening episode of Shattering Glass in Heels, host Christine Duque welcomes Gillian Hayes, who, at the time of recording, was the Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Graduate Division at UC Irvine. (Please note: This podcast was recorded prior to Gillian's promotion to Vice Provost, Academic Personnel and Kleist Professor of Informatics.) Together, they embark on a discussion about Gillian's unique journey from the tech industry into academia, exploring the challenges and opportunities that come with such a transition.

Gillian shares her insights on the advantages of her tech background and how it informs her current role in higher education. The conversation delves into the similarities between both fields, highlighting the innovative spirit that fuels progress in technology and academia alike. Christine and Gillian reflect on what motivated Gillian to make the leap into academia, and she reveals the aspects of her role that she loves the most, from mentoring students to shaping educational policies.

Additionally, they touch upon critical issues such as the gender pay gap, referencing research from Accenture to spark a conversation on closing this disparity. Gillian shares her observations on how the academic landscape can contribute to a more equitable future for women in both tech and academia.

This episode promises to inspire and empower listeners navigating their own paths, whether in tech, academia, or any field. Join us for this insightful dialogue and discover how bridging these worlds can create opportunities for more inclusive leadership.