"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." 

"There's a huge percentage of the population that's not thinking about their potential." In this episode, WomenHeard host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich speaks with Erin Loos Cutraro in a pivotal presidential election year. As the Founder and CEO of She Should Run, Erin leads this national, nonpartisan nonprofit seeking to drastically increase the number of women considering a run for public office. After teaching middle school history, she got her master's degree. She pivoted into politics after a graduate school connection introduced her to a statewide campaign in Erin's home state of Missouri. In her prior role as a Deputy Director of Communications, she supported the Missouri Secretary of State with writing, voter access, understanding her voice, plus managing intentions and risks. 

This opportunity sparked a renewed interest in politics and a chance to apply her skills to education reform, reproductive justice, and supporting women running for office - the latter of which inspired She Should Run! The organization is committed to increasing the number of women in the political leadership pipeline, in parallel with the projected tracking of the US 2060 population. Listen to this episode to learn more about the world of political communications, how you can further prepare for the general election, or dig into your own journey to running for office. 

“From Day 1, my experience in life is [that] you fight. You’re resilient. No matter what life hands to you, you take it and you make lemonade out of it.” In this episode, WomenHeard: Changemakers host Georgia Galanoudis speaks with Zain Habboo, Chief Marketing & Mobilization Officer at International Rescue Committee – one of the world’s largest emergency relief organizations.

The ability to build your own path is one of the greatest legacies of Zain’s family. From grandparents who helped build medical infrastructure and successful hotels in Iraq, to her father who was imprisoned under the Ba'thi Party for a crime he didn’t commit, Zain learned incredible stories of strength. Growing up in Jordan, she visited refugee camps with her parents and knew that she wanted a role in building humanitarian efforts.

Zain moved to Washington, DC where she calls herself a “multi-sector athlete” – working in media, agencies, and private companies. In her current role at IRC, she leads teams and resources that support displaced communities. Listen to this episode to learn how to think like an entrepreneur at a larger organization, how to be an empathetic manager and team member, and why it’s important to “be authentic and think before you type”.

"We are not the people this [system] is designed for so there's this whole scarcity energy to fight so hard... but there's room for all of us."  In this episode, WomenHeard host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich interviews Sara Rodriguez. A former ballet dancer who studied political science, she became passionate about how policies and grassroots work can create impactful, societal change. Through Sara's internship with Day One, a nonprofit providing critical education and guidance to NYC's youth on dating abuse and domestic violence, she rediscovered her love for writing. 

Adding her expertise of a political lens to communications, she became the Content Director for Kirsten Gillibrand's 2020 presidential campaign and worked in her HQ. This opened up a new world of professional opportunities for Sara and she got more clarity on what she wanted to say yes to and what her goals were. In her current role at NYLAG, she helps combat social, racial and economic injustice by advocating for people in crisis with free legal services and financial counseling. Listen to this interview for actionable tips on how to scale your career and intentionally orchestrate your next step! 

This conversation was recorded in early July 2024.

Caroline Hofmann, Chief Business Officer, Thirty Madison

“Don't get discouraged by the first interruption.” In this episode, WomenHeard host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich interviews Caroline Hofmann of Thirty Madison, which offers virtual-first healthcare access. Working as a consultant at McKinsey gave her the "itch to build something" and she pivoted to an early-stage fintech startup, Republic, before joining Thirty Madison to build their migraine business, Cove. Caroline oversees Nurx, a telehealth provider for women that covers everything from contraceptive care to mental health to dermatology. Her team's goal is to serve women comprehensively with an accessible app platform. 

Ahead of the 2024 general election, they conducted a report to better understand how much agency respondents felt they had over their healthcare decisions. 71% of women reported they have made at least one health related behavior change due to today's reproductive healthcare policies. Listen to this interview for more details on the intersection of women's healthcare and advocacy. Plus, why hiring (and working with) people with very different skill sets than yours can ultimately lead to the best business outcomes.

"I've always gone into things with a lot of curiosity and learned by doing." In this episode, WomenHeard: Changemakers host Georgia Galanoudis speaks with Katherine Barna. As the Head of PR for Waymo (formerly the Google self- driving car project), a pioneering technology company on a mission to be the world's most trusted driver, she's built upon her strong foundation of brand building. Katherine's woven storytelling throughout her communications journey, both at media and tech companies - fully embracing that a non-traditional road to PR is what makes her a strong practitioner. Listen to this interview to hear about how a "Degree in Feelings" and intentionality can increase your leadership capacity.