She's So Suite Podcast

She's So Suite is brought to you by Client Success. The easiest to use, fastest to implement software to reduce churn & increase customer revenue. Request a demo at ⁠https://www.clientsuccess.com/⁠

In this episode of the She's So Suite Podcast, I sit down with Mackenzie Hughes, co-founder of Gold Hue, to unpack Mackenzie’s journey from corporate burnout to bold entrepreneurship and the personal reflections that fueled her leap into building something new.

Mackenzie opens up about her early love of art and creativity, her path to tech, and the pivotal moments that shaped her career. She and Kristi dive into the challenges of navigating corporate America, the impact of both great and toxic bosses, and the gender dynamics that complicate leadership. Mackenzie shares candid lessons on vulnerability, growth, and why women must not only strive but also pause to celebrate their successes.

Tune in to hear:

1. The risks and rewards of leaving stability for entrepreneurship

2. How self-reflection, therapy, and coaching can transform your path

3. What great leadership looks like (and how to recognize toxic traits)

4. The importance of building safe, supportive spaces for women in tech

5. Practical strategies for maintaining balance and investing in yourself

Whether you’re a founder, a leader, or someone navigating your next career move, Mackenzie’s story is packed with honesty, encouragement, and actionable wisdom.

Timestamps

0:00 – Preview & Intros

1:30 – Mackenzie’s Background and Current Role

2:35 – Taking the Leap to Entrepreneurship

4:30 – Childhood Ambitions and Personal Hobbies

9:03 – Education and Early Career

13:28 – Meeting Future Co-Founder Tara Goldman

14:40 – Navigating Discomfort and Imposter Syndrome

16:57 – Reflections on Leadership (Good and Bad Bosses)

21:15 – Toxicity in Female Leadership

29:10 – Celebrating Career Successes

33:20 – Empowering and Supporting Other Women

36:10 – Work-Life Balance and Self-Care

39:20 – Parting Advice for Listeners

Connect with the guest:

Mackenzie Hughes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mackenzierhughes/

Connect with Kristi Faltorusso:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠

To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their

Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠

LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠

Connect with the Show Producer:

Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/

_____________________

About She's So Suite Podcast:

Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

She's So Suite is brought to you by Client Success. The easiest to use, fastest to implement software to reduce churn & increase customer revenue. Request a demo at ⁠https://www.clientsuccess.com/⁠

On this episode of She's So Suite, host Kristi Faltorusso talks with Lauren Goodell, founder and CEO of Zinnia, about her journey from Nebraska to the world of tech and entrepreneurship.

Lauren shares how she went from wanting to be a hairstylist to landing a job at Microsoft at 21, and eventually building Zinnia. She opens up about the challenges of starting a company, fundraising as a female founder, and leading with authenticity in male-dominated spaces.

They also dive into big topics like financial independence for women, building joyful work cultures, and making tough decisions while scaling a business.

Timestamps

0:00 - Preview

0:50 - Meet Lauren & learn about Zinnia

5:55 - Childhood dreams and realizations

7:05 - Lauren’s early career & self-discovery

9:44 - Moving from Microsoft to Salesforce

11:07 - Financial independence as a foundation

14:05 - Experience at Salesforce

17:22 - Being the only young, female team member at Microsoft

18:45 - How Lauren embraced authenticity in the workplace

21:07 - The challenge of fundraising as a female founder

23:45 - Celebrating success & building positive culture

27:05 - Overcoming imposter syndrome & CEO mindset

28:10 - Staying focused as an entrepreneur

31:12 - Work-life balance versus integration

32:32 - Evolving friendships and social circles

36:25 - Growth mindset and continuous learning

38:55 - Create your own table

Connect with the guest:

Lauren Goodell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-goodell/

Connect with Kristi Faltorusso:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠

To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their

Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠

LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠

Connect with the Show Producer:

Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/

_____________________

About She's So Suite Podcast:

Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

She's So Suite is brought to you by Client Success. The easiest to use, fastest to implement software to reduce churn & increase customer revenue. Request a demo at ⁠https://www.clientsuccess.com/⁠

In this conversation, Deb Ashton shares her journey from a science background to leading customer experience at Certinia, previously known as FinancialForce. She discusses the evolution of the company, the challenges faced in leadership, and the importance of customer experience. Deb reflects on her proudest moments, including reaching significant revenue milestones and fostering a positive company culture. She also emphasizes the importance of work-life balance and the need for women to find their voice in leadership roles.

Timestamps

0:00 - Preview

1:30 - Meet Deb Ashton and Learn about Certinia

3:40 - The Evolution of Financial Force

5:55 - From Lab to Tech

10:40 - Founding Financial Force: Risks and Dreams

13:55 - Growth and Investment

17:21 - Transitioning to Customer Experience Leadership

22:00 - Embracing Emotional Challenges in Leadership

29:50 - Overcoming Gender Challenges in Leadership

34:00 - Proud Moments and Company Culture

39:05 - Balancing Work and Family Life

42:10 - Deb's Final Thoughts and Advice

Connect with the guest:

Deb Ashton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-ashton-founder-financialforce/

Connect with Kristi Faltorusso:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠

To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their

Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠

LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠

Connect with the Show Producer:

Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/

_____________________

Keywords:

female leadership, C-suite women, customer experience, operations management, founding a company, career pivots, FinancialForce, Certinia, product management, customer success, professional services automation, Salesforce platform, startup growth, women in tech, career challenges, work-life balance, company culture, organizational change, entrepreneurship, executive mentorship, product development, leadership journey, board membership, strategic decision-making, gender diversity, emotional resilience, work boundaries, personal development, professional achievements, company milestones

_____________________

About She's So Suite Podcast:

Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

She's So Suite is brought to you by Client Success. The easiest to use, fastest to implement software to reduce churn & increase customer revenue. Request a demo at ⁠https://www.clientsuccess.com/⁠

On this episode of the She So Suite Podcast, I sit down with Charlie Saffro, Founder and CEO of CS Recruiting, keynote speaker, and trailblazer in the logistics and supply chain industry. Charlie shares her unconventional fifteen-year journey from freelancer to leader, explaining what it means to truly step into the CEO role of her own company after a decade of letting others lead. She opens up about building her business as a woman in a male-dominated space, the moments and setbacks that shaped her leadership style, and why authenticity, vulnerability, and people-first policies are at the heart of her success.

Kristi and Charlie also explore the power of standing out—not blending in—and why speaking up and putting people first, especially women, matters more than ever. Charlie’s story is packed with real talk about imposter syndrome, learning to say no to the wrong clients, and her proudest accomplishments, including giving a TED Talk and instituting compassionate leave policies for her team.

Get ready to meet a remarkable woman whose honest perspectives and hard-won wisdom will encourage you to step into your own power—no matter where you are on your career journey.

Timestamps

0:00 – Preview

0:50 – Meet Charlie Saffro

5:10 – Initial lack of intent to lead & the transition to leadership

10:05 – Early career & aspirations

16:26 – Embracing the leadership role at CS Recruiting

20:02 – Understanding self-worth & learning boundaries with difficult clients

26:35 – Names don't have genders

31:35 – Delivering a TED Talk and the significance of that achievement

35:25 – Implementing a miscarriage and pregnancy loss leave policy

41:40 – Charlie's plans for the future

43:50 – Seeing people behind their titles

Connect with the guest:

Charlie Saffro: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliesaffro/

Connect with Kristi Faltorusso:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠

To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their

Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠

LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠

Connect with the Show Producer:

Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/

_____________________

Keywords:

career prioritization, career advancement, mentoring for women, female leadership, women CEOs, C-suite women, entrepreneurship, logistics industry, supply chain, transportation industry, recruiting, leadership journey, women in business, workplace empathy, managing remote teams, employee retention in a remote work set up, keynote speaking, TED Talk, business growth, parental leave and workplace challenges, women supporting women, women’s career advancement, business pivots, authenticity in leadership, breaking up with clients

_____________________

About She's So Suite Podcast:

Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

She's So Suite is brought to you by Client Success. The easiest to use, fastest to implement software to reduce churn & increase customer revenue. Request a demo at ⁠https://www.clientsuccess.com/⁠

In today’s episode, I'm joined by the dynamic Melanie Borden, Founder and CEO of The Borden Group, who candidly shares her unique pivot from her early dreams as an artist and portrait painter to the fast-paced world of marketing and entrepreneurship. Melani shares how she built her agency almost overnight, leveraging her expertise and a LinkedIn community she cultivated from the ground up. From managing million-dollar marketing budgets in the auto industry to navigating tough rooms filled with skepticism, Melanie gets real about overcoming adversity, workplace aggression, and the challenges of being the youngest—and often only—woman at the table.

Timestamps

0:00 - Preview

1:24 - Melani Borden’s background and The Borden Group

3:30 - Leveraging LinkedIn for business and inbound opportunities

7:46 - Early Aspirations and Artistic Beginnings

10:28 - Career Pivot from Art to Sales, Advertising & Marketing

14:28 - Helping a multi-business analyze marketing spend & building an in-house agency

18:30 - Female Leadership and Industry Dynamics

21:00 - Overcoming Fear and Building Confidence

27:00 - Facing hostile leadership as a young, female change agent & lessons learned

32:40 - Developing Resilience and Thick Skin

39:05 - Empowering other women

Connect with the guest:

Melanie Borden: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanieborden/

Connect with Kristi Faltorusso:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠

To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their

Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠

LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠

Connect with the Show Producer:

Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/

_____________________

Keywords:

career prioritization, career advancement, mentoring for women, marketing strategy, personal branding, LinkedIn presence, C-suite women, female leadership, in-house agency, agency startup, social media, content strategy, business consulting, overcoming fear, career pivots, entrepreneurship, artist to entrepreneur, marketing budgets, marketing consulting, executive branding, adversity in the workplace, women in automotive, thick skin, career growth, professional networking, client acquisition, crisis management, leadership challenges, inbound marketing, business development, digital transformation, emotional intelligence, brand storytelling

_____________________

About She's So Suite Podcast:

Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

She's So Suite is brought to you by Client Success. The easiest to use, fastest to implement software to reduce churn & increase customer revenue. Request a demo at ⁠https://www.clientsuccess.com/⁠

Talya Heller G, a competitive positioning consultant and founder of Down to a T joins me, Kristi Faltorusso, CCO at ClientSuccess on this episode of She's So Suite Podcast. Talya opens up about her unconventional career journey—from dreaming of becoming a fashion designer as a child, to transitioning through engineering, program management, product marketing, and finally, to entrepreneurship. Together, they dive into the pivotal moments that shaped Talya’s path, her mindset for embracing unexpected opportunities, and the challenges she faced working in male-dominated tech environments.

Talya Heller G, Competitive Positioning Consultant and Founder of Down to a T, joins me, Kristi Faltorusso, CCO at ClientSuccess, on this episode of the She's So Suite Podcast. Talya opens up about her unconventional career journey — from dreaming of becoming a fashion designer as a child to transitioning through program management, and product marketing, and finally to entrepreneurship. Talya shares how drawing on creativity, self-expression, and analytical skills has ultimately helped her succeed, even when her journey didn’t follow a five-year plan.

Together, we dive into the pivotal moments that shaped Talya’s path, her mindset for embracing unexpected opportunities, and the challenges she has faced working in male-dominated tech environments.

Timestamps

0:00 – Preview

0:56 – Meet Talya Heller G.

2:55 – Talya’s Early Career Aspirations & Education

10:50 – Saying YES & Embracing Opportunities

21:10 – Working in a Male-Dominated Environment

28:23 – Celebrating & Reflecting on Successes

33:19 – Defining Success

Connect with the guest:

Talya Heller G.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/talyahellermba18/

Connect with Kristi Faltorusso:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠

To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their

Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠

LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠

Connect with the Show Producer:

Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/

_____________________

Keywords:

career prioritization, career advancement, mentoring for women, women entrepreneurs, female role models in tech, female tech leaders, women in tech, C-suite women, female leadership, empowering women, success stories from founders

_____________________

About She's So Suite Podcast:

Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

She's So Suite is brought to you by Client Success. The easiest to use, fastest to implement software to reduce churn & increase customer revenue. Request a demo at ⁠https://www.clientsuccess.com/⁠

Kathleen Booth, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Growth at Pavilion, joins me Kristi Faltorusso, CCO at ClientSuccess for a candid conversation about entrepreneurship, career pivots, and thriving in leadership.

Kathleen opens up about her unconventional career journey, from working in international development and consulting on clean water projects worldwide to founding and selling her own marketing agency, and ultimately leading Marketing & GTM at Pavilion.

Together, Kristi and Kathleen discuss the real truths behind solopreneurship and work-life balance, the lessons learned from building and selling a company alongside her husband, and how owning your own business isn’t always the shortcut to freedom it’s made out to be.They also dive into the importance of building confidence—even as an introvert—and embracing your zone of genius by doing work you genuinely love, surrounded by people who inspire you.

Timestamps

0:00 - Preview

0:50 - Meet Kathleen Booth

3:15 - Kathleen’s Early Inspiration and Beginnings

6:53 - Founding and running a marketing agency with her husband

9:00 - Career Pivots and their impact on careeer

11:55 - Lessons from Entrepreneurship and Business Ownership

15:06 - Work-Life Balance Revisited for Entrepreneurs

18:12 - Gender and age-related challenges in international consulting

20:55 - Building Confidence as a Skill

22:40 - The Reality of Introverts in Leadership

24:42 - Reflecting and Celebrating Kathleen's Successes

29:25 - Empowering Other Women

33:00 - Creating and Defining Personal Balance

37:04 - planned vs. organic career growth

39:21 - Closing Insights

Connect with the guest:

Kathleen Booth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleenslatterybooth/

Connect with Kristi Faltorusso:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠

To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their

Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠

LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠

Connect with the Show Producer:

Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/

_____________________

About She's So Suite Podcast:

Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

She's So Suite is brought to you by Client Success. The easiest to use, fastest to implement software to reduce churn & increase customer revenue. Request a demo at ⁠https://www.clientsuccess.com/⁠

This episode, I welcome Karen Mangia, President and Chief Strategy Officer at Engineered Innovation Group.

Karen shares her fascinating journey from big tech powerhouses—AT&T, Cisco, and Salesforce—to leading strategy in the world of AI at her current company.

Listen as Karen opens up about the defining moment that made her completely rethink the meaning of success following a major health crisis, and the powerful leadership lessons she’s learned about boundaries and balance.

Plus, she reveals her proudest achievements, her passion for mentorship, and the inspiring work she’s doing outside the boardroom—like publishing bestselling books and running transformational programs for women. Karen’s wisdom and authenticity will leave you feeling motivated and empowered to define success on your own terms.

Timestamps

0:00 – Preview

0:53 – Meet Karen Mangia

2:47 – Overview of Engineered Innovation Group & intro to Roxie

6:07 – Karen’s early aspirations and career journey

9:11 – Major career and life challenges

9:44 – Professional overwork and ignoring personal health signals

12:55 – Sacrificing self for career and redefining personal success

14:45 – How leaders’ habits and boundaries impact teams

18:25 – Advocating for self-care

20:33 – Addressing overwork and reclaiming empowerment

21:00 – Understanding the Positive Intelligence (PQ)

25:05 – Celebrating wins and proudest achievements

29:50 – Sundays with Salvatore

31:33 – Volunteering work with Dress for Success

31:55 – The Visionary Ladies group

35:45 – Advice for navigating toxic work environments

37:20 – Three (plus one) key questions for task prioritization

42:33 – Final thoughts: Success is accessible to anyone, anywhere, anytime

Connect with the guest:

Karen Mangia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenmangia/

Connect with Kristi Faltorusso:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠

To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their

Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠

LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠

Connect with the Show Producer:

Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/

________________________________________

About She's So Suite Podcast:

Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

She's So Suite is brought to you by Client Success. The easiest to use, fastest to implement software to reduce churn & increase customer revenue. Request a demo at ⁠https://www.clientsuccess.com/⁠

Leslie Vanetz, Founder of The Sales-Led GTM Agency, joins me, Kristi Faltorusso, CCO at Client Success for a candid conversation on this episode of the She's So Suite Podcast.

Leslie takes us on her journey—from aspiring marine biologist and would-be lawyer to excelling in B2B sales and ultimately forging her own path as a successful entrepreneur. She opens up about the challenges she faced early in her sales career: toxic environments, burnout, and the realities of carving out space as a woman in leadership. Her story is one of grit and transformation—surviving hostile workplaces, learning hard lessons, finding her power, building a business from scratch, and redefining success on her own terms.

With her signature honesty and warmth, Leslie shares valuable insights on navigating career pivots, discovering self-worth beyond job titles, and why betting on yourself can be the most rewarding move of all. She also offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and a sneak peek at her debut book - Profit Generating Pipeline.

Timestamps

0:00 – Preview

1:15 – Meet Leslie Venetz

6:03 – Early Aspirations and Career Pivots

12:10 – Sales Career: Successes, Challenges, and Lessons

21:00 – The Entrepreneurial Leap

23:34 – Dealing with a Toxic Work Environment

37:45 – Celebrating Professional Milestones and Redefining Success

39:40 – Embracing the Founder Role and Betting on Yourself

42:30 – Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

46:46 – Final Thoughts and Words of Wisdom

48:48 – Leslie’s Debut Book: Profit Generating Pipeline

Connect with the guest:

Leslie Venetz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslievenetz/

Connect with Kristi Faltorusso:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠

To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their

Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠

LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠

Connect with the Show Producer:

Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/

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Keywords:

career prioritization, career advancement, personal fulfillment, impact over money, mentoring for women, women in leadership, C-suite, sales career, B2B SaaS, entrepreneurship, founder journey, corporate to entrepreneurship, workplace harassment, mindset shift, career pivots, women empowerment, gender diversity, CRO, women mentorship, career challenges for women, startup experience, sales consulting, personal worth, self-identity, career success, toxic work culture, job transitions, financial independence, work-life balance, launching a book

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About She's So Suite Podcast:

Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

She's So Suite is brought to you by Client Success. The easiest to use, fastest to implement software to reduce churn & increase customer revenue. Request a demo at ⁠https://www.clientsuccess.com/⁠

Welcome back to the She’s So Suite Podcast, where we spotlight powerful women who’ve carved their paths to the C-suite. In this episode, I, Kristi Faltorusso, sit down with Debra Senra, CEO and Founder of Hyphenate. Debra takes us on a candid journey—from her childhood dream of becoming a paleoethnobotanist, to her ambition of serving as a Supreme Court Justice, and ultimately, to her rise as the Founder of Hyphenate. Together, we explore the pivotal moments and bold risks that shaped her career.

You’ll hear raw reflections on overcoming challenges such as workplace bias, pay disparities, and the pressures of perfectionism—along with Debra’s philosophy of leading with authenticity, empowering future women leaders, and creating honest conversations about the realities women face on their climb to the top. Plus, she offers some unfiltered advice: you need the confidence of a “rich white man” to forge your own path and ignore the noise.

Tune in and get ready to feel empowered.

Timestamps

0:00 – Preview

0:50 – Meet Debra & Learn About Hyphenate

4:50 – Career Aspirations Growing Up

9:45 – Pivotal Career Decisions

13:07 – Nobody Knows Anything

15:26 – Dealing with Criticism, Bias & Negative Feedback

20:30 – Emotional Toll and Overcoming Pay Discrepancies

24:47 – Successes, Pride, and Authenticity

30:15 – No One Is Perfect

31:58 – Empowering Other Women

35:15 – Balancing Work & Life

43:10 – Parting Advice and Closing Thoughts

Connect with the guest:

Debra Senra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debrasenra/

Connect with Kristi Faltorusso:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠

To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their

Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠

LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠

Connect with the Show Producer:

Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/

_____________________

Keywords:

career prioritization, career advancement, mentoring for women, women in leadership, C-suite women, female CEO, female founder, SaaS startups, AI-powered software, generative AI, pay disparity, gender bias, career transitions, career advice for women, parenting and career, negotiation skills, professional confidence, leadership challenges, career pivots, mentorship for women in tech empowered women, ambition, overcoming obstacles

_____________________

About She's So Suite Podcast:

Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.