How Women Inspire: Invest, Lead, Give

How Women Lead

How Women Inspire: Invest, Lead, Give sets out to bring the voices of empowered and inspiring women forward to share their stories of stepping into leadership positions. We aspire to share what is possible and encourage more women to leap, striving for these board and c-suite positions themselves to change the path towards a more inclusive future. This podcast will share stories on how women lead and how their leadership opens the doors for the greater value of opportunities for others. By listening to this podcast, listeners will feel empowered to level up themselves or invest in women-led and women-founded companies to change the world of business. Find out more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/

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Top 10 How Women Inspire: Invest, Lead, Give Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best How Women Inspire: Invest, Lead, Give episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to How Women Inspire: Invest, Lead, Give for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite How Women Inspire: Invest, Lead, Give episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

What Makes a Trustworthy and Great Board Member with Nancy Sheppard, Founder and CEO of Women2Boards

How Women Inspire: Invest, Lead, Give

08/17/22 • 24 min

Over the last twenty years, there have been major shifts and changes to the American boardroom. We are seeing more gender diversity and inclusion now more than ever, but this is just the tip of what we hope to accomplish for the women who are coming up behind us.

There are certain things needed to be a great board member. Trustworthiness and authenticity are two of the major points that will make or break you as a board member. This week’s episode 26 of How Women Inspire Podcast with Nancy Sheppard is about what makes a trustworthy and great board member!

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Nancy Sheppard are sharing the importance of being able to adjust and pivot when it comes to being a board member. They also chat about things you can do on your journey to a board seat to ensure that your peers trust you.

Nancy Sheppard is passionate about helping to lead the movement to have more qualified women have a seat at the board table. She founded Women2Boards as a way to assist both corporate boards and women connect and improving gender diversity in the boardroom. She joined The Athena Alliance in 2017 as part of their leadership team to continue her mission. She advises women on the path to the boardroom, speaks on the subject nationally, and works with corporate boards that want to find talented individuals for their boardroom (who happen to be women).

Nancy has 30+years of management and governance experience in banking associations, the financial services industry, and legislative, regulatory & political environments. She was the CEO of Western Independent Bankers, the largest regional banking association in the US, for over 20 years, served on two private company boards for financial institution products, created educational programs for directors and senior executives, and worked with hundreds of bank CEOs and board members.

Some of the talking points Julie and Nancy go over in this episode include:

The journey that led to Nancy’s current place in business and life.
How seeing injustice from an early age had a direct impact on her passion for social justice.
Challenges that come with trying to adapt to situations that are particularly difficult.
How to take risks and pivot when you are ready for a change in your career.
Ways to utilize transferable skills from one career path to another.

We hope you are feeling a sense of hope and clarity. And that you have a roadmap now for how to be seen as an authentic and trustworthy leader. Don’t forget to take your shot!

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!

CONNECT WITH NANCY SHEPPARD:

Women 2 Boards

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Courageous and Value-Based Leadership with Lizette Williams, Global Head of Vertical Solutions Marketing at Meta

How Women Inspire: Invest, Lead, Give

12/21/22 • 25 min

There is this narrative in the corporate world, particularly for women of color, that they are expected to emulate this white male culture in order to be successful. In reality, everything they need to have a successful corporate career is already innately within themselves. This week’s episode 44 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about courageous and value-based leadership!

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Lizette Williams share the values Lizette lives by that allow her to lead courageously in every role and advice for people of color to stand up for themselves and what they want in a corporate environment.

Lizette Williams is a leading marketing and advertising executive who drives the convergence of brand culture and digital, something we all need. In her current role, she serves as the Global Head of Vertical Solutions and Marketing at Meta (formally known as Facebook). In 2020, Lizette was named Advertising Woman of the Year by the Chicago Advertising Federation and has been listed as Crain’s Chicago Business 40 under 40, Advertising Age Women to Watch, and Black Enterprise Top Women Executives in advertising and marketing. She is a leader and extremely well-known in her field. If you think she's already impressive as is, Lizette also serves on the Board of Directors of Real Self, a leading healthcare marketplace for people considering an elective cosmetic treatment. Additionally, she serves on the American Advertising Federation Hall of Achievements Election Committee. She has a passion for serving young people of color and women and as a result, has countless mentees across the country. Lizette is truly someone who leads courageously with her values.

Some of the talking points Julie and Lizette go over in this episode include:

Fostering an inclusive culture in the workplace by weaving it throughout the DNA of the company and measuring it over time.
How the mentorship that Lizette received when she was young influences the ways she gives back by mentoring others.
Investing in your team members to give them the best possible work experience while increasing productivity.
Advice for people of color to confidently ask for what they want and courageously demand to be recognized.
Removing the guilt of being a working mom by highlighting the lessons we are modeling for our children.

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!

CONNECT WITH LIZETTE WILLIAMS:

Website

Instagram

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Julie Castro Abrams' Journey of Philanthropy and Impact

How Women Inspire: Invest, Lead, Give

01/25/23 • 35 min

Content Warning: This episode includes mention of child and animal neglect and abuse.

There’s a developmental stage between ages 45-65 where having an impact is one of the most important parts of this stage in our lives and it is so important to take a moment to reflect on the impact we want to have on the world. In this week’s episode 49 of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie shares her journey of philanthropy and impact!

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams shares how her childhood experiences were the foundation for her decision early in life to spend the rest of her life trying to make the world a better place and reflecting on her continued efforts to open her heart and door to others by caring for them and loving and accepting them as they are.

Some of the talking points Julie goes over in this episode include:

Being cognizant of the power dynamics in nonprofit organizations and setting realistic expectations of gratitude.
Sharing Maimonides ‘Ladder of Philanthropy’ and the high value placed on philanthropy through partnership.
The 3 levels of impact Julie focuses on and examples of how this has played out in her life.
Encouraging you to have a north star of your own values to drive the impact and influence you have on the world.

Julie shares her story to show that being a life-long philanthropist and living a life of service is not easy but the gifts that come for both you and the people you help are immeasurable.

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

Using AI to Create a Positive Impact with Lake Dai

How Women Inspire: Invest, Lead, Give

06/14/23 • 33 min

AI is one of the biggest topics of conversation in our world right now. With so many uses of this powerful technology, it’s important to look at both the benefits and the risks of integrating this technology into our businesses. Today, Lake Dai is here to talk about the ever-changing landscape of AI. This week’s episode 69 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about using AI to create a positive impact!

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Lake Dai is sharing the importance of understanding AI and what it means for the future of business and actionable steps you can take right now to utilize AI technologies for good.

Lake Dai is the Founder and Managing Partner of Sancus Ventures, investing in the next-gen software infrastructure of AI, artificial intelligence, and blockchain. She is an Applied AI adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon University. Lake has led global product and engineering organizations and public companies and tech startups and is an inventor with five US patents.

Some of the talking points Julie and Lake go over in this episode include:

Why it’s important to start building AI into you company.
How ChatGPT and other AI can speed up the process of content creation.
The three-step process for assessing risk in technology ventures.
Balancing your head and your heart in the boardroom.

Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast

CONNECT WITH LAKE DAI:

Twitter

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Revolutionizing Medicine with Cell-Based Therapies with Crystal Nyitray

How Women Inspire: Invest, Lead, Give

03/13/24 • 21 min

Every day, we see technology improving the systems and industries all around us. From finance to environmental science and more, technological advances are allowing us to make great changes to the way we live and work. The medical field is no exception, with scientists and inventors working tirelessly to improve healthcare across the board. Crystal Nyitray, the CEO of Encellin, is here today to talk about how her company is changing the game by introducing cell-based therapies, allowing healthcare to become even more personal. This week’s episode 107 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about revolutionizing medicine with cell-based therapies!

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Crystal Nyitray is sharing the importance of disruptive technology to improve our lives and actionable steps you can take right now to get involved with Encellin.

Crystal Nyitray is the Founder and CEO of Encellin. She is an alumna of UCSF, Sanofi, and Y Combinator. She led Encellin’s over $5M seed raise, authored over 10 patents, and is an awardee of MedTech Innovator, Rosenman Innovators, and American Diabetes Innovator.

Some of the talking points Julie and Crystal go over in this episode include:

The potential of encapsulated cell replacement therapy to revolutionize medicine.
How startups have the luxury of risk and can experiment with emerging technologies to benefit everyone.
Embracing inexperience as a strength and building networks from scratch.
How being comfortable with being different can lead to disruptive innovation and impactful change.

Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast

CONNECT WITH CRYSTAL NYITRAY:

Encellin

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

Venture Capital Investing with Erika Cramer, Managing Member and General Partner at How Women Invest

How Women Inspire: Invest, Lead, Give

04/06/22 • 45 min

Venture capital, which is one type of investing, can be confusing to understand unless, of course, you’re talking to Erika Cramer, Managing Member and General Partner of How Women Invest, who has over 25 years of experience in investment banking. Today we will break down just what it is, how to start investing in this way, and how businesses can secure these types of investors. That’s why episode 8 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about venture capital investing, with Erika Cramer!

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Erika Cramer is sharing the importance of venture capital investing to ease the gender wage gap and actionable steps you can take right now to either start investing or get an investor.

Some of the talking points Erika and I go over in this episode include:

The identity shift Erika went through when she retired from investment banking, and how she handled the loss of a title to recreate her identity.
Why women in venture capital is such a huge passion for Erika, and how important the gender wealth gap is in this as well.
What Erika believes is most exciting for those limited partners when it comes to venture investing, and what venture capital investing is.
Some of the trends Erika is seeing in venture today, and what she’s seeing in the market for both the investors and the businesses looking for investors.

If you’ve ever been curious about what venture is, how to be a part of it, or how to secure venture capital investors for your own business, this episode cannot be skipped! So be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips and to hear even more about the points outlined above.

Thank you for listening!

If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!

CONNECT WITH ERIKA CRAMER:

Website

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

Intersectional Reproductive Justice with Kwajelyn Jackson

How Women Inspire: Invest, Lead, Give

07/10/24 • 39 min

As we mark two years since the Dobbs decision which overturned Roe v. Wade, highlighting inequality in healthcare is more important than ever. Limiting access to essential reproductive care disproportionatelty affects women of color, non-English speaking folks, people living in poverty, and other marginalized groups. Kwajelyn Jackson is here this week to discuss her work in fighting for reproductive justice in Georgia and across the US, as well as addressing the intersections of issues like economic insecurity, racism, and lack of community support. This week’s episode 124 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about intersectional reproductive justice!

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Kwajelyn Jackson is sharing the importance of considering multiple identities and systems of oppression when advocating for reproductive justice. and actionable steps you can take right now to support equal access to reproductive healthcare for all.

Kwajelyn Jackson currently serves as Executive Director at Feminist Women’s Health Center (FWHC) in Atlanta, GA, leading the entire organization’s operations, abortion clinic, civic engagement, education and outreach teams. Since 2013 she has led the expansion of FWHC’s statewide and national impact, and significantly deepened community partnerships. Kwajelyn has been named one of the 500 most powerful leaders in Atlanta by Atlanta Magazine for five consecutive years.

Some of the talking points Julie and Kwajelyn go over in this episode include:

The importance of acknowledging and addressing white supremacy and racial discrimination in policy.
Community engagement and support for local organizations crucial for reproductive healthcare access.
Challenges faced by independent clinics, including high costs of abortion care.
Integrity-rooted leadership and balancing pragmatism and wild optimism.

Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast

CONNECT WITH KWAJELYN JACKSON:

X (formerly Twitter)

Instagram

Feminist Women’s Health Center

Black Mamas Matter Alliance

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

Venture Voices: Women Leading Change in Startups and Capital with Winsome Kirton and Tatijana Janko

How Women Inspire: Invest, Lead, Give

06/19/24 • 30 min

As women-founded companies receive only 2% of venture funding year after year, it’s more important than ever for women founders and women venture capitalists to band together to reshape what it means to be an investor and an entrepreneur. Winsome Kirton and Tatijana Janko are two women advocating for and leading this change. They’re here today to discuss diversity in investment, their experiences with bias in the investment space, and more. This week’s episode 121 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about women leading change in startups and capital!

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast,Winsome Kirton and Tatijana Janko are sharing the importance of investing in diverse women founders, both ethically and financially and actionable steps you can take right now to begin investing with your values.

Winsome Kirton is the founder and CEO of Heard.io, a B2B ecosystem that drives and measures social impact by connecting businesses with companies that meet their ESG goals. After working as a media director and working on her first startup, Pack Elephant, Winsome realized how difficult it was to work with small and diverse-owned businesses on a big scale. She started Heard.io to combat those difficulties and allow companies to shop thoughtfully and intentionally for their corporate gifting needs.

Tatijana Janko is the Founder and General Partner at Fjor venture capital. She most recently was a Mucker Capital backed founder of a software startup built for managing workflows of matrixed investment teams. As a fintech entrepreneur and independent sponsor she closed $56M in investments and helped to secure securitization and forward flow arrangements for insurance companies and hedge funds.

Some of the talking points Julie, Winsome, and Tatijana go over in this episode include:

New Table’s mission to get 10,000 women investing.
The challenges of being a black woman entrepreneur.
The importance of amplifying women-owned and founded companies.
The grit and unique perspectives offered by immigrant entrepreneurs.

To learn more and join The New Table, visit the How Women Lead website today!

Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast

CONNECT WITH WINSOME KIRTON:

Heard.io

CONNECT WITH TATIJANA JANKO:

Fjor

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

Corporate Governance in the Digital Age with Dottie Schindlinger [Rerelease]

How Women Inspire: Invest, Lead, Give

06/04/25 • 31 min

Ever wondered what keeps board members up at night, beyond just the financial spreadsheets? Today we’re diving into the complex world of corporate governance in the digital age with Dottie Schindlinger, Executive Director of the Diligent Institute. In this conversation, Dottie unpacks the critical issues facing modern boards, from AI ethics and climate leadership to the ever-evolving landscape of cyber risk and the looming potential of quantum computing. This week’s episode 171 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about corporate governance in the digital age!

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Dottie Schindlinger is sharing the importance of corporate boards addressing climate change and other major issues and actionable steps you can take right now to continue to educate yourself as a board member.

Dottie Schindlinger is the Executive Director of the Diligent Institute, the independent corporate governance research arm and think tank of Diligent Corporation. The Diligent Institute informs, educates, and connects leaders to champion governance excellence by providing cutting-edge research on the most pressing issues of corporate governance and offering certifications and educational programs that equip leaders with the knowledge and credentials needed to guide their organizations through existential challenges. Dottie also hosts The Corporate Director Podcast.

Some of the talking points Julie and Dottie go over in this episode include:

Dottie’s journey into the world of corporate governance and building BoardEffect.
Issues likely to be discussed in boardrooms over the next few years, including quantum computing.
The three main jobs of a board: insight, oversight, and foresight.
The importance of board chairs building strategic partnerships with their CEOs and fostering trust and goodwill.

Don’t forget to check out Dottie’s book Governance in the Digital Age: A Guide for the Modern Corporate Board Director!

Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast

CONNECT WITH DOTTIE SCHINDLINGER:

X (formerly Twitter)

Diligent Institute

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:

Investing in Women of Color Entrepreneurs with Victoria Kennedy

How Women Inspire: Invest, Lead, Give

11/22/23 • 28 min

The technology industry is predominantly led by white men under the age of 45. While this has been the case for a long time, many different types of founders are starting to enter the space and attempting to get venture funding. Venture firms and funds that focus on often underrepresented founders, especially women of color, are truly making an impact in the technology space and paving the way to change other investor’s attitudes toward whom they invest in. Victoria Kennedy is here to talk about Seed to Harvest Ventures and how they put women of color first in their firm. This week’s episode 92 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about investing in women of color entrepreneurs and founders!

In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Victoria Kennedy share the importance of using one's existing skills and strengths to pursue their passions and actionable steps you can take right now to build community and network as you seek funding.

Victoria Kennedy is the Founder and GP at Seed to Harvest Ventures, a venture firm committed to setting up early-stage companies that are historically overlooked and providing them with education, resources, and connections to scale their business. Victoria has unparalleled expertise in building products and assembling high-performance teams and has consulted for companies like Goldman Sachs and The Today Show with NBC.

Some of the talking points Julie and Victoria go over in this episode include:

Transitioning careers from a product leader to starting a venture firm.
Women of color founders deliver 35% higher ROIs than white male founders.
The challenges of being a black woman in a predominantly white male-led industry.
Using your existing skills to pursue your passions.

You can listen to Seed to Harvest’s podcast, Adventures in Fun(d)land, on Spotify!

Learn more about How Women Inspire at https://www.howwomenlead.com/podcast

CONNECT WITH VICTORIA KENNEDY:

Instagram

Seed to Harvest Ventures

CONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS: