What does it take to rise when the system wasn't built for you?

In this inspiring episode of The Power to Rise, we sit down with Patricia Mota, President and CEO of HACE (Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement), to explore her remarkable journey from the daughter of Mexican immigrants in East Chicago, Indiana, to leading a national organization dedicated to advancing Latino and underrepresented talent.

Patricia shares how her lived experiences as a first-generation college student shaped her passion for creating access and opportunity for others. We discuss leading with identity, stepping into the CEO role, building HACE into a national movement, navigating the unique pressures of being a Latina leader, and why representation matters at every level of leadership.

This conversation is filled with wisdom for aspiring leaders, women of color, first-generation professionals, and anyone committed to making an impact while staying connected to their purpose.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review The Power to Rise. Share it with another ambitious, career-driven woman who is ready to rise—and help others rise along the way. ✨

What if your network wasn't just a collection of contacts, but one of the most powerful leadership assets you possess?

In this episode of The Power to Rise, we sit down with Pauline P. Chow, Managing Director, Principal, and Chief ComplianceOfficer at Birch Lake, to explore the role social capital has played in her remarkable career journey. As the daughter of immigrants and the first employee of a successful startup merchant bank, Pauline shares how she intentionally built relationships, cultivated mentors, and leveraged professional associations to create opportunities for herself and others in the highly competitive worlds of finance, restructuring, and private credit.

Together, we discuss the difference between traditional networking and building authentic relationships, the power of listening, navigating finance as a woman of color, and why mentorship and sponsorship matter to advance women in the workplace. Pauline also shares practical insights on how leaders can expand access and open doors for the next generation of women leaders.

This conversation is a masterclass in building trust, creating opportunity, and understanding that success is rarely achieved alone.

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In this episode of The Power to Rise, we sit down with Dr. Kathleen Caliento CEO of The Revel Group, for an inspiring conversation about career inflection points, taking bold risks, and rising to the C-suite with intention and courage.

Kathleen shares her journey from the delivering newspapers to executive leadership, reflecting on the pivotal moments, challenges, and decisions that shaped her path. Together, we explore what it means to lead authentically, embrace reinvention, and navigate high-stakes leadership spaces as women forging their own way forward.

This episode is a powerful reminder that growth often requires courage, clarity, and a willingness to bet on yourself.

Coming Next: Our next featured guest will be Pauline Chow, a fierce champion of women's leadership development and Managing Director and Principal of Birch Lake.

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In this episode of The Power to Rise, we sit down with Kimberly Dickens to explore her journey to the C-suite and the role that overcoming self doubt played along the way. Kimberly unpacks what it takes to step into bigger opportunities before you feel fully ready, build confidence over time, and find your voice in high-stakes leadership spaces.

Kimberly shares powerful insights on navigating imposter syndrome, taking risks, and positioning yourself for executive leadership. She also reflects on the importance of lifting others as you rise and how leaders can better support women stepping into their power.

This conversation is both honest and empowering, offering practical wisdom for anyone navigating self-doubt and working to grow into their next level of leadership.

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In this episode of The Power to Rise, we sit down with Desiree Vargas Wrigley— Co-Founder of the Chicago Women's Leadership Accelerator (CWLA), Founding GP of Velocity Catalyst, Co-Founder of The Josephine Collective, and serial entrepreneur behind GiveForward, Pearachute, TechRise, and Capital Summit.

Desiree shares how resilience has shaped her leadership through both professional success and personal hardship. She unpacks the power of energy management, how to leverage relationships to expand access and opportunity, and why women must think differently about wealth and influence.

She also offers practical insight on spotting and developing junior talent — helping emerging leaders rise before they fully see their own potential.

This is a conversation about strength, strategy, capital, and what it truly means to lead with intention.

Welcome to the very first episode of The Power to Rise.

In this premiere episode, co-hosts Cindu Thomas-George and Alicia Del Real introduce the heart behind the Chicago Women’s Leadership Accelerator (CWLA) — how it began, why it exists, and the vision driving it forward. They share their personal leadership journeys, the urgent need for accessible and inclusive leadership development for women, and what makes CWLA different from traditional leadership programs.

This episode sets the foundation for the conversations to come — featuring thoughtful, accomplished women leaders sharing real stories, practical insights, and lessons from their leadership journeys.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:
• The origin story of CWLA and how friendship turned into a leadership movement
• Why early- and mid-career women need more equitable access to leadership development
• The research behind persistent gender gaps in leadership
• What makes CWLA’s model unique — emotional intelligence, inclusive leadership, and community
• What to expect from future episodes of The Power to Rise

Coming Next:
Our first featured guest will be CWLA co-founder and strategist Desiree Vargas Wrigley, sharing her leadership journey and lessons.

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