“That’s why people came to work for me – because they were going to learn and they were going to grow. That, to me, is the whole beauty of work. If you’re just going to go somewhere and be a cog in the wheel, then you can do that anywhere. You know, if you’re an intelligent, creative person, that’s going to get old really fast.”

In this episode, Womenheard: Changemakers host Georgia Galanoudis reconnected with Lesley Jane Seymour, founder and CEO of CoveyClub.com. Lesley first joined our NYWICI podcast in 2023 and she’s back with her trademark honesty and updates! The former Editor-in-Chief of Marie Claire, Lesley has been at the editorial helm of beloved and influential magazines: Vogue, Women’s Wear Daily, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, YM, Redbook, and More. She launched CoveyClub.com in 2017, a lifelong learning community empowering women ages 40+. Listen to this episode for insights on entrepreneurship and knowing when to make a change.

It's a special episode of WomenHeard with guest host Linda Descano! A former president of NYWICI, Linda is the Global Chief Integration & Marketing Officer at Havas Red. In this conversation, she sits down with a panel of experts to discuss the 2024 Global Women in PR Annual Index, the only in-depth global research study of women working in the PR and communications industries. Linda is joined by three powerhouse executives: Sue Hardwick, co-founder and president of Global Women in PR; Annie Lohmeyer Riva, Principal, Global Corporate Affairs at management consultancy Korn Ferry and NYWICI Programming member; and Singleton Beato, Global EVP and Chief DE&I Officer at global ad group McCann and NYWICI Chief Strategy Officer and board member. 

Listen to this episode for the panel's perspectives on return to office (RTO) and flexibility, the impact of career breaks, ageism, and actionable ways to break through barriers. Other resources mentioned: Carla Harris. 

"The big lesson for life is no matter how prepared you are, life will throw you curveballs - and actually, those are sometimes the most wonderful and serendipitous stories that you will ever get a chance to create." In this episode, WomenHeard host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich interviews Pilar Guzmán, Editorial Director at Oprah Daily - the eponymous media and membership community from Hearst Magazines and Oprah Winfrey! Pilar oversees content strategy across the brand's platforms. 

Pilar is a three-time Editor-in-Chief (formerly Condé Nast Traveler, Martha Stewart Living, and Cookie Magazine) who started her career journey writing travel guides! From road tripping through Italy to having a front row seat to all things digital media in New York, Pilar worked in both print and multi-platform magazine focuses. She also co-founded The Swell, a global community and learning platform helping people navigate the second half of their lives. 

Listen to this episode for the career advice that solidified Pilar's path in creative endeavors. Plus, how she elevated awareness for women's health issues by crowdsourcing wisdom from new mothers. 

“I’ve always been a person who has strong opinions. But having an opinion is not always the same as making a decision… I try to balance gut instinct with data.” 

In this episode, Womenheard: Changemakers host Georgia Galanoudis speaks with Leah Meranus, CEO, North America of dentsu X - a global media agency within dentsu, known for its unique ability to defy convention to deliver meaningful outcomes for leading brands. She leads over 1,000 people - no small task! 

Listen to this episode for tips on maximizing your decision-making power and how to avoid listening to a “focus group of one”.

"You have to master the art of seeing things unseen. Whether you're looking at trends, whether you're looking at data - the data, the trends - tell a story." In this episode, WomenHeard host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich sits down with Brandi Boatner, incoming 2025 President of New York Women in Communications! Brandi has been recognized and named by PR News as a Changemaker and one of the Top Women in PR. She also received an Honorable Mention for PR Week’s Outstanding In-House PR Professional. In her current role in Corporate Affairs, she supports Global Influencer Marketing for IBM's consulting business, helping to drive market education and brand relevance around IBM’s AI for Business. 

Upon college graduation, Brandi knew she wanted to work for a global brand - little did she know this instinct would turn to 15 years at IBM! She observed the needs of the company - along with the evolving tech landscape and new media platforms - and made a business case to design roles for herself that supported those solutions. Listen to this episode for advice on career mobility and why being in  communications means being in the "relationships business". Plus, her vision for NYWICI in 2025 and beyond with reputation, reach, and relationships. 

"Whatever the context is, whatever the setting that we're operating in - ultimately, as leaders, we are in the business of building relationships." In this episode, WomenHeard: Changemakers host Georgia Galanoudis speaks with Jill Cress, Chief Marketing & Experience Officer at H&R Block - a leader in tax preparation services. A 2024 Matrix Awards honoree, Jill's extensive brand experience also includes PayPal, National Geographic and MasterCard. 

She has been recognized for numerous accolades, including Adweek’s inaugural Marketing Vanguard list, Forbes’ list of the World’s 50 Most Influential CMOs, Forbes’ inaugural CMO Next List, and Business Insider’s 25 Most Innovative CMOs. At H&R Block, she leads a diverse team of customer experience, marketing, and communications professionals. Listen to this episode for the importance of curiosity about context and how her theater roots supported her career journey. 

"You know, nobody's working on their Plan A... I'm in the middle of the alphabet somewhere - but most people are on Plan B, Plan C, Plan D - particularly when you get to my age. So, I think that's healthy for people to realize. Your first act doesn't have to be your only act.”  

In this episode, WomenHeard host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich speaks with Liz Georges, Senior Director of Climate Communications at WWF. The World Wildlife Fund works in nearly 100 countries to advocate for sustainable policies and deliver innovative solutions that protect local species and their habitats. Liz started out at a PR agency, then pivoted to environmental law while volunteering at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. After her legal career, she worked in membership and then communications at nonprofits: Washington Project for the Arts, the Cheetah Conservation Fund, and The Nature Conservancy. 

As an executive in climate communications, Liz puts the audience at the core of WWF's outcomes and thinks about the best way to engage the public in their mission-driven priorities. She also keeps the pulse on environmental movements. WWF attends the UN Climate Change conference, delving into NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) for emission reductions that reduce the effects of climate change. Listen to this episode for why the #WorkplaceAuntie thinks you should be loud about your priorities – plus, the important advice from Liz’s first job that’s stayed with her throughout her career.

"Am I going to be uncomfortable and leave here with nothing? Or am I going to be uncomfortable and make a connection?" In this specially recorded conversation from NYWICI's Communications Career Conference at Spotify Headquarters, you'll hear a fireside chat with two inspiring leaders: Tammy Tibbetts, Co-Founder and CEO of She’s the First, a global nonprofit advancing girls' education and leadership opportunities, and Dana Canedy, Managing Editor of Guardian US, an award-winning publication covering American and international news. Tammy and Dana discussed a wide range of topics, from the importance of mentorship and authentic relationship-building to tools for overcoming setbacks. 

This conversation was recorded in September 2024. 

"Your career is not a yellow-brick road. It's not going to begin one place and end neatly someplace else." 

In this episode, WomenHeard host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich speaks with Asha Curran, CEO of GivingTuesday - a global giving network that embodies radical generosity. What started as a hashtag in 2012 following Black Friday's shopping surge (#GivingTuesday) has become a powerful network of local leaders in over 80 countries! They inspire communities to both donate and volunteer, which can be seen in their annual Impact Report. Asha's original goal was to sign up 100 nonprofits to join in at 92NY, where Giving Tuesday was originally piloted. She ended up with over 2,000 nonprofits interested in a shared mission! It's no surprise Asha was named to the Nonprofit Times’ Top Fifty Power and Influence list from 2019-2023. 

Asha started her communications career as a Publicity Assistant in publishing. She intentionally restructured her career once she became a mom - adding roles to her resume of a childbirth educator, teacher, and then Chief Innovation Officer engaging global outreach at 92NY. Listen to this episode for tips on seeking authentic mentorship, finding your own deep potential, plus dreaming bigger ambitions for yourself and your community! 

"Every day is an opportunity to learn something, to challenge yourself. It doesn't end - especially in a business like ours." In this episode, WomenHeard: Changemakers host Georgia Galanoudis speaks with Daisy Expósito-Ulla, 2018 inductee of the Advertising Hall of Fame by the American Advertising Federation (AAF) and CEO of d exposito & partners. A former Matrix Awards winner, she supports several scholarships including NYWICI's The Esperanza. 

Daisy's strategic approach has reshaped the advertising industry - helping clients engage today's multicultural consumers and diverse segments of Hispanics and Latinos. Some of Daisy's current clients include the Smithsonian Institute, McDonald’s, Nielsen, and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Prior to founding d expósito & Partners, she was Chairman/CEO of Young & Rubicam/WPP’s The BravoGroup. 

In 1964, Daisy immigrated with her family to the US as a political refugee from Cuba. To acclimate to American culture, her "window to the world" was television. "Realidades" was the first bilingual program she saw; she was so inspired that she followed the credits at the end of the show and found the producers' office to (successfully!) land a job. Since then, she's put to work her expansive knowledge of communities of color in media and advertising, setting her on a fascinating leadership trajectory. Listen to this episode for how to educate your audience and why Daisy believes advertising is "not just about language - it's about culture."