SheEO Lead-In

Presented by SmartStop Self Storage, this week's episode of SheEO Lead-In, we listen to our host, Rebecca Jones, engaging in a thought-provoking discussion with Ana Hutz, CEO of Namaste Fitness. 

Rebecca Jones and Ana Hutz share their personal and professional experiences of overcoming obstacles and finding resilience. Rebecca discusses her determination to pursue her goals despite setbacks, while Ana shares a childhood story of being replaced as the Virgin Mary in a Christmas play, illustrating the early lessons of perseverance and growth.

Ana opens up about her journey in establishing Namaste Fitness Studio, highlighting her relentless determination and passion for yoga. The conversation delves into the challenges of balancing work and family life, navigating gender roles and stereotypes, and the valuable lessons learned from mentors. Ana also shares her husband’s battle with cancer, emphasizing the importance of paying it forward, helping others, and relying on inner strength and resilience to overcome adversity.

Additionally, Ana expresses her deep commitment to philanthropy and her desire to create the Hutz Family Foundation. This foundation aims to fund various charity organizations, including Make-A-Wish, cancer research foundations, and conservancy foundations, reflecting Ana’s dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of others.

We want to thank our incredible sponsor, SmartStop Self Storage, a leader in self storage real estate, and a company that upholds its core principles of leading together, embracing change and enhancing everyone's journey. To learn more about SmartStop, please visit SmartStop Self Storage

Thank you for being a part of the SheEO Lead-In community!  Please be sure to share our episodes and subscribe to this storage vault of wisdom and knowledge, built by women and for women.

Presented by SmartStop Self Storage, this week's episode of SheEO Lead-In we listen to our host, Rebecca Jones, engaging in a thought-provoking discussion with Nicole Gates, Vice President, Legal, Dr. Seuss Enterprises. 

Nicole and Rebecca share their experiences in setting boundaries in professional relationships, prioritizing commitments, and managing time effectively. Nicole discusses personal and professional growth, emphasizing adaptability, resilience, and learning from mistakes. Rebecca addresses gender dynamics in the workplace, while both women share valuable lessons learned from their mentors and leaders in their profession.

They also touch upon a big issue we all face - the challenges of balancing work and personal life as leaders, highlighting the importance of effective time management, self-care, and setting realistic boundaries.  

Nicole Gates is a passionate USC alumna who loves connecting with fellow alumni, current law students, and attending USC sporting events. She is an avid runner, having participated in many half marathons and other races, and is a certified yoga teacher. With a background in art history, Nicole enjoys arts and crafts projects and has experience working at a museum and serving on the board of the New Children's Museum.

In addition to her professional and personal interests, Nicole has a deep love for dogs, valuing them for their mental health benefits and the joy they bring to life with their unconditional love and companionship.

We want to thank our incredible sponsor, SmartStop Self Storage, a leader in self storage real estate, and a company that upholds its core principles of leading together, embracing change and enhancing everyone's journey. To learn more about SmartStop, please visit SmartStop Self Storage

Thank you for being a part of the SheEO Lead-In community!  Please be sure to share our episodes and subscribe to this storage vault of wisdom and knowledge, built by women and for women.  

In this week's episode of SheEO Lead-In, host Rebecca Jones engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Elsa Morales-Roth, Executive Director of the Emilio Nares Foundation.

Rebecca and Elsa emphasize the importance of women's empowerment in leadership roles, highlighting the need for inclusivity, resilience, and solidarity. They encourage young women to be their authentic selves and support each other. Rebecca expresses admiration for the Emilio Nares Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting families with children diagnosed with cancer, while Elsa provides insight into the organization's services and the critical importance of fundraising.

Both speakers stress the significance of being true to oneself rather than conforming to societal expectations or others' opinions. They share personal experiences and offer advice on embracing authenticity and surrounding oneself with a supportive network.

Elsa discusses the key challenges the Emilio Nares Foundation addresses, including providing comprehensive support to families navigating a child's cancer journey. She explains how the foundation's trauma-informed and culturally responsive staff ensure families receive emotional support and access to essential needs such as shelter, food, jobs, legal aid, education, free transportation to medical treatments, and mental health resources.

Elsa also shares a heartwarming story about Gloria, an 8-year-old diagnosed with a brain tumor. After receiving over 60 treatments and multiple surgeries, Gloria is now cancer-free. The foundation organized a "ring the bell" celebration and connected Gloria with a tutor to ensure literacy and successful reintegration. Her mother was also provided with mental health support to alleviate stress and sadness.

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In this week's episode of SheEO Lead-In, host Rebecca Jones engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Licia Vaughn from DLA Piper.

Licia and Rebecca delve into the various challenges women in law face, including balancing work and family responsibilities, seeking diverse perspectives, and building confidence. They emphasize the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and modeling a supportive work culture to create a high-achieving environment for women.

The conversation explores the value of personal relationships, technology utilization, and continual improvement. Licia shares her experiences navigating career changes and pursuing passion-driven growth. She also highlights DLA Piper's initiatives to promote gender diversity and inclusion, such as the annual Women in IP Law educational seminar and networking program and the firm's Mansfield 6.0 Certified Plus status.

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In this week's episode of SheEO Lead-In, host Rebecca Jones engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Sandra Coufal, CEO of Toragen.

Sandra and Rebecca share their experiences in healthcare and biotech, emphasizing the importance of resilience, growth, and communication. Sandra discusses her journey as a CEO and physician, while Rebecca shares her personal journey in oncology research. Together, they delve into the challenges of gender bias in leadership roles, the significance of perseverance, and the critical role of mentorship and philanthropy.

Their conversation also highlights the importance of learning from failures and surrounding oneself with positive influences to lead a fulfilling life.

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In this week's episode of SheEO Lead-In, host Rebecca Jones engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Adriana Zizo, Owner and Chef of Not Your Nonna’s Sauce. Adriana shares her passion for continuing her family's legacy through her unique pasta sauce company, blending traditional cooking methods with modern flavor profiles.

Rebecca and Adriana delve into their experiences in the food industry, highlighting the importance of authenticity, quality, and unique offerings. Adriana discusses the challenges she faced in starting her food business, from creating a product that resonates with customers to balancing life responsibilities.

Both Adriana and Rebecca emphasize the significance of courage, creativity, and authenticity in producing a product that consumers will love. They also explore the difficulties of running a food business, including finding the right markets and managing sales and marketing efforts. Adriana shares her insights on leveraging social media and building a community, stressing the importance of staying true to oneself and never stopping dreaming.

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In this week's episode of SheEO Lead-In, host Rebecca Jones engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Holly Smithson, President and CEO of Athena. Athena's mission is to advance 1 million women in STEM , by 2030. With only 1 in 4 STEM jobs held by women, their challenge is to educate and advocate for closing the gender gap and seeding greater innovation through diversity. Holly went from running a global leadership lab to running a proverbial crime lab now that multiple state's enacted legislation and pending lawsuits against diversity programs at colleges and corporations. Despite clear evidence that diversity drives significantly greater profits in companies, shareholder value and innovation cycles, its apparent this society is driven by somethings else entirely.

The conversation delves into the critical importance of resilience and support for women in leadership roles. Holly shares her personal experiences and highlights the necessity of diverse perspectives to drive innovation and growth. She and Rebecca explore the roles of confidence-building, leadership development, and role models in empowering women to overcome fear and achieve their full potential.

Together, Rebecca and Holly emphasize the value of recognizing and leveraging diverse perspectives, modeling positive behaviors and core values, and extending grace to others. Their discussion underscores the importance of fostering a culture of collaboration and inclusivity.

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In this week's episode of SheEO Lead-In, host Rebecca Jones engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Lisa Stout from Project Next. Project Next has grown from a scholarship program into a comprehensive initiative that assists high school students in planning and preparing for their future endeavors.

Lisa and Rebecca explore the crucial connection between education and local businesses, highlighting how this collaboration provides students with valuable career insights and opportunities. They emphasize the importance of education and mentorship in empowering the youth, especially young women entering the workforce.

Lisa also shares her personal journey, offering insights on overcoming self-doubt and achieving success through determination and hard work. This conversation is packed with inspiration and practical advice for anyone interested in supporting and guiding the next generation.

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In this week's episode of SheEO Lead-In, host Rebecca Jones welcomes Jessica Cvetic from Citrus Aesthetics for an inspiring and insightful conversation. Jessica shares her personal journey, from childhood memories and the influence of her mother's resilience to the challenges and triumphs of opening her own medical aesthetics clinic.

Rebecca and Jessica delve into the nuances of personal and professional growth as women, discussing the significance of strong client relationships and the technical expertise required in the aesthetics industry. They also explore the delicate balance between work and family responsibilities, the impact of social media on body image, and the importance of setting realistic expectations for aesthetic treatments.

Throughout their conversation, mentorship, community support, and the nurturing spirit are highlighted as crucial elements for success and overcoming obstacles in the field of aesthetic medicine. Tune in to hear Jessica's story and gain valuable insights into achieving growth and resilience in both personal and professional realms.

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Join Rebecca Jones in this week's episode of SheEO Lead-In as she sits down with Leighangela Brady, the Superintendent of the National School District.

Rebecca and Leighangela dive into the unique challenges and triumphs of female leadership. Leighangela shares her personal journey of growing up in a challenging environment, the resilience she cultivated, and the pivotal moments that shaped her career.

The discussion highlights the importance of overcoming self-doubt, taking bold leaps of faith, and learning from failures. They also explore the delicate balance between professional ambitions and personal responsibilities, emphasizing the necessity of self-care and pursuing one's passions with unwavering determination.

Tune in for an episode filled with personal stories, practical insights, and empowering advice from two dynamic leaders.

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