Women to Watch Media® with Sue Rocco (Sue Rocco)

Robin Lorenzini, President at Lorenzini Family Foundation, shared the story behind her title with us on Saturday, April 24th and Sunday, April 25th, 2021.

Robin is an experienced Philanthropist and Community Builder with a successful record in, program design and leadership. She specializes in making connections that build community to improve businesses in the for profit and non-profit areas.

SUE SAYS

"In society today, particularly in the U.S., there are endless conversations around race, prejudice and inequality. For someone like Robin, who in her own words grew up privileged and white, she has a unique perspective because she experienced living in two worlds-one as a minority and one where all her peers looked the same. Robin's integrity and life experience has led her to walk the walk and purposefully contribute in areas that defend the rights of all people."

Karith Foster, Author, Speaker, Comic, Diversity Engagement Specialist and Founder of INVERSITY™ Solutions, shared the story behind her title with us on June 5, 2022.

For nearly two decades, Karith has taken her passion for entertaining and critical thinking nationwide- from the airwaves to organizations; from universities to corporations creating a seismic shift in mindsets to create a space for effective communication.  

​She is the visionary behind INVERSITY™ a philosophy and methodology intentionally designed to revolutionize and transform the way we address issues of diversity and leadership.

As the former co-host of controversial radio personality Don Imus and a former Fortune 500 human resources executive administrator, Karith draws inspiration from her vast experiences, creating the perfect blend of anecdotes, audience engagement, and expertise to convey the constant need to address diversity and inclusion. She builds a true connection to her audiences, providing individuals with not only information about diversity but simple ways to promote inclusion in their daily lives. Karith leaves each of her audiences feeling inspired and encouraged to commit to a journey to find mutual respect, acceptance, and a greater sense of belonging.

SUE SAYS

"Karith Foster grew up as the only black girl in her class and suffered an identity crisis in her early years. What she discovered later was that her experience actually became a benefit leading to her ability to not let others define who she is."

Priscilla Sims Brown, President & Chief Executive Officer of Amalgamated Bank, shared the story behind her title with us on May 8, 2022.

Priscilla is a multi-national board director and C-suite executive with 30 years of financial services experience. Prior to joining Amalgamated Bank she was the Group Executive for Marketing and Corporate Affairs at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, where she focused on rebuilding trust and pride in the bank with direct responsibility for end-to-end marketing, branding, stakeholder insights, government and public affairs, and environment and social policy.

Prior to Commonwealth Bank, Ms. Brown held senior positions at AXA Financial, Inc., Sun Life Financial, and Lincoln Financial Group. She has advised several digital startups and served as the Chief Executive Officer of Emerge.me, a digital health insurance broker.

She was a member of the AXA Financial US Executive Committee, serving as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), where she directed all aspects of US marketing and led global digital marketing initiatives. Prior to AXA Financial, Ms. Brown served as CMO at AmeriHealth/Caritas, where she developed a new go-to-market strategy for the largest Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medicaid company in response to the Affordable Care Act. At Sun Life, Ms. Brown served as CMO and Chief Strategist, where she negotiated and managed Sun Life Stadium naming rights, Pro Bowl, Super Bowl and other major events with the Miami Dolphins NFL football team.

SUE SAYS

"Priscilla did not grow up in what society would describe as traditional. She was left by her parents in the U. S. and adopted so that her mother could return to Ethiopia as the first woman to serve as a Senator there. Priscilla describes herself as having both the genetic makeup of her biological mother as well as the influences of her adopted mother. Both shaped her and led her down the path of social justice."

Elizabeth Bramson-Boudreau, CEO and publisher of MIT Technology Review, shared the story behind her title with us on Sunday, January 23, 2022.

Since Elizabeth took the helm of MIT Technology Review, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s independent media company, in mid-2017, the business has undergone a massive transformation from its previous position as a respected but niche print magazine to a widely read, multi-platform media brand with a global audience and a sustainable business. Under her leadership, MIT Technology Review has been lauded for its editorial authority, its best-in-class events, and its novel use of independent, original research to support both advertisers and readers.

Elizabeth has a 20-year background in building and running teams at world-leading media companies. She maintains a keen focus on new ways to commercialize media content to appeal to discerning, demanding consumers as well as B2B audiences.

Prior to joining MIT Technology Review, Elizabeth held a senior executive role at The Economist Group, where her leadership stretched across business lines and included mergers and acquisitions; editorial and product creation and modernization; sales; marketing; and events. Earlier in her career, she worked as a consultant advising technology firms on market entry and international expansion.

Elizabeth holds an executive MBA from the London Business School, an MSc from the London School of Economics, and a bachelor’s degree from Swarthmore College.

SUE SAYS

"Elizabeth grew up in Tampa Florida in a community where she was out and about most of the time "free wheeling" as she describes. It was a time where helicopter parenting did not yet exist. While the idea of having that kind of freedom was appealing to most kids, Elizabeth shares she was yearning for attention and chose good grades as a way to gain the attention she desired. It certainly paid off landing her in the top spot at MIT Technology Review."  

Dr. Judy Ho, a Licensed Clinical & Forensic Neuropsychologist, shared the story behind her title with us on May 3, 2023.

Dr. Judy is a triple board certified and licensed Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, a tenured Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, and a published author, most recently penning Stop Self-Sabotage, published by HarperCollins; a book detailing a scientifically driven six-step program which has been translated into seven additional languages around the world.

Dr. Judy maintains a private practice in Manhattan Beach, CA where she specializes in comprehensive neuropsychological assessments and expert witness work.

She is skilled at working with individuals of all ages struggling with complex mental health, cognitive, and substance abuse concerns, including severe mood and anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress, psychotic illnesses, developmental disorders, neurocognitive disorders, personality disorders, specialized forensic issues, and lesser known clinical conditions. She uses a scientifically driven and highly individualized approach with each patient to ensure accurate diagnoses and the development of a well-rounded treatment plan to help them recover and live their best lives.

SUE SAYS

"Judy was born in Taiwan and moved to the U.S. when she was 9 years old. She describes her grandmother as her saviour growing up for her love and support while her parents were working. Her first interest in psychology came from an opportunity she had to mentor a little girl in foster care while volunteering for the Boys and Girls Club. Both of these experiences as well as her own innate optimism is tied directly to her success today. "

On June 12, 2022, we shared the true story behind the title of Dr. Robyn Graham, a Business and Mindset Coach, the Host of The Robyn Graham Show, and the author of You, Me, and Anxiety: Take Action Over Anxiety to Enjoy Being You, in which she shares her life-long journey with anxiety to help others navigate anxiety to live a joyful, peaceful, purposeful life.

Dr. Graham is passionate about serving others and helping high-achieving anxious women find clarity around their purpose, so they can build personal brands and strong foundations for long-term business success. 

Dr. Graham helps her clients overcome mindset barriers, create brand marketing strategies, navigate the challenges of tech, systems and processes, and take intentional effective action to build the businesses of their dreams. She saves her clients from investing time, energy, and money with no results.

Dr. Graham enjoys speaking about personal branding, mindset, anxiety, and faith to help women become confident in pursuing their God-led callings and navigate the digital world of entrepreneurship. 

Dr. Graham is a wife, a mom of three, and a woman of faith. She serves on the executive board of directors for Face to Face Germantown, an organization in the greater Philadelphia area that provides support and much-needed services to impoverished members of the community.

SUE SAYS

"Today's entrepreneur has a lot to think about and an enormous amount of 'to do's" to manage. Before any of it can be done effectively, you need to have the right mindset that comes from a deep dive of introspection into who you are and what makes you tick. Robyn Graham learned first-hand how to manage her own anxiety in order to build her dream business and she can help you too."

Mary A. Dempsey, President of DePaul College Prep, shared the story behind her title with us on Sunday, February 13, 2022.

Ms. Dempsey served as the first Chair of the Board of Directors at DePaul College Prep from 2014 - 2016. In 2016, Ms. Dempsey was elected President of DePaul College Prep and President of the DePaul College Prep Foundation. She remains a member of the Board of Directors. Ms. Dempsey is an attorney and President of the Philip H. Corboy Foundation. From 1994 - 2012, she served as Commissioner of the Chicago Public Library where she was responsible for the construction of 44 neighborhood branch libraries, the introduction of rich book collections and technology system-wide, and the creation of innovative programs such as One Book One Chicago and the YOUMedia digital technology initiatives for teens. Prior to her appointment as Commissioner of the Chicago Public Library, Ms. Dempsey practiced law for 12 years in Chicago focusing principally on legislative and land use issues, which was preceded by her first professional job as a public librarian in suburban Chicago.

SUE SAYS

"Mary's career has spanned life as an attorney, a commissioner of the Chicago Public Library System, an Administrator and now President of a college prep high school. Throughout her life she has continually connected the dots back to her upbringing and the focus on education that her parents instilled in her. The world is for the taking if you educate yourself and take advantage of the connections you make along the way."

Gina Bianchini, Founder & CEO of Mighty Networks, shared the story behind her title with us on Saturday, March 13th and Sunday, March 14th, 2021.

Gina ia an entrepreneur and investor. She is the Founder & CEO of Mighty Networks. Her mission at Mighty Networks is to usher in a new era of creative business built on community. Mighty Networks serves “creators with a purpose” selling experiences, relationships, and expertise to their members via community, content, online courses, and subscription commerce–all offered in one place under the creator’s brand.

Gina has been featured on the cover of Fortune and Fast Company and in Wired, Vanity Fair, Bloomberg, and The New York Times. She has appeared on Charlie Rose, CNBC, and CNN.

Sue Says

"Gina’s mission at Mighty Networks is to usher in a new era of creative business built on community-serving “creators and brands with a purpose.” She envisions a platform where a brand can house all of its offerings in one place without its members ever leaving because this is where they want to engage. What seemed to give Gina the confidence to launch something in a highly competitive market is that she “always looked at herself as a leader.”

Chair Professor and Dean of Research & Innovation joins host Sue Rocco for a conversation about why she wanted to leave her rural town in the south of France, how she discovered her calling in research, and how she dealt with gender bias that she faced in school and among her peers.

Sylvie Lorente, Associate Dean for Research & Innovation in the College of Engineering at Villanova University, shared the story behind her title with us on September 6, 2023.

Sylvie is also a Professor (Exceptional Class) at the National Institute of Applied Sciences (INSA), University of Toulouse, France. In 2019, she joined Villanova University where she holds the position of College of Engineering Chair Professor in the department of Mechanical Engineering.

She was appointed Hung Hing-Ying Distinguished Visiting Professorship in Science and Technology at Hong Kong University (Hong Kong) in 2017. Sylvie Lorente is also an Extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria (South Africa), and an Adjunct Professor at Duke University, USA. She is a member of the Academia Europaea.

She is editor of the International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer and a member of several other editorial boards. Sylvie Lorente has a passion for flow architectures and works on thermal design, energy storage, vascularized structures, porous media, biological flow networks, urban design, and organisations. Together with her group, she uncovers the engineered and biological hierarchical flow pathways that endow complex systems with efficient properties and behaviors. She is the author of 7 books, 10 book chapters, and 200+ peer-reviewed international journal papers. She is listed amongst the 2% most cited scientists worldwide.

Katie Fitzgerald, President and Chief Operating Officer of Feeding America, shared the story behind her title with us on June 19, 2022.

Katie leads the implementation of Feeding America’s strategy, working hand in hand with member food banks and other key partners to advance an America where no one is hungry. In her role, Katie oversees and facilitates synergy among Feeding America’s Equity and Program, Supply Chain, Network Engagement, Research, and Strategic Partnership functions. 

Katie and her team work to develop and implement changes in Feeding America’s operating model in support of our strategy and outcomes, together with the food banks as well as new partners who complement our core capabilities. Another important part of her role is building and enhancing relationships with network leaders and other key partners to clearly define shared goals and co-create strategies and plans for achieving those goals in support of our vision and mission. 

SUE SAYS

"Of all the challenges the world has faced since the pandemic, hunger and poverty have had a direct impact. Thanks to organizations like Feeding America, these needs are being met. Katie Fitzgerald, the organization's COO is responsible for managing all aspects of operations and supply chain issues and shares with Sue why there's hope."

Tracey G. Sameyah, CEO of Lancer Skincare & Lancer Dermatology, shared the story behind her title with us on September 4, 2022.

Throughout her 25+-year career, Tracey has become known as a founder whisperer, delivering epic wins for brands such as Lancer, Murad, and Dermalogica. She is an unapologetic revolutionary who propels the growth engine by unleashing innovative solutions worthy of a cult following and celebrity endorsements while staying true to the founder’s vision and the brand’s essence.

Currently CEO of Lancer Skincare and Lancer Dermatology, Tracey has successfully used the underpinning of Lancer Dermatology to further enhance the trustworthy positioning of Lancer Skincare with a more relative and inclusive message for all consumers.

As CEO, Tracey is responsible for leading Lancer’s overall vision and strategy, financial objectives, and crisis management, as well as new business development for the skincare brand’s global business ventures. With over 20 years of vast experience formulating scalable growth strategies for founder-led beauty and wellness brands, Tracey has leveraged a fierce education in the skincare industry which propels her unique approach to Lancer’s brand performance.

SUE SAYS

"Tracey was born in Iran, moved to the UK, and landed in the U.S. at the age of 24. She learned from an early age what resilience is all about and adapted a "flow with life" mentality that has served her well. Listen in to her conversation with Sue, where they talk about how being your true self will often land you in the top spot of an organization."

Dr. Nieca Goldberg, physician & author, shared the story behind her title with us on Sunday, November 8th, 2020.

Nieca Goldberg MD. is the Senior Advisor Women’s Health Strategy NYU Langone Health, a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine NYU School of Medicine, Medical Director of NYU Women’s Heart Program, founder and former Medical Director Joan H. Tisch Center for Women’s Health. She is also the Co-Medical Director of the 92nd Street Y’s Cardio Rehab Program.

Dr. Goldberg is a high-profile nationally recognized pioneer in women’s heart health. She has been in New York Magazine’s annual “Best Doctors” list for fifteen years.

The author of Dr. Nieca Goldberg’s Complete Guide to Women’s Health and the award-winning Women are not Small Men (updated and re-titled The Women’s Healthy Heart Program) and radio show host on Doctor Radio SIRIUS XM 110, “Beyond the Heart,” Dr. Nieca advocates for customized health care for women—at lectures, seminars and in extensive media appearances. She is a national spokesperson for the American Heart Association; she started the “Go Red for Women” campaign and serves on the Woman’s Day Editorial Advisory Board.

SUE SAYS

Dr. Goldberg spends her days treating patients, teaching, writing, researching, doing media appearances and hosting a radio show. When I asked her how she manages so much, she said that her active life brings her joy, and that the opportunity to help women in all aspects of their life is a gift. What a wonderful perspective on life!

Joy Fan, Founder & CEO of Re/tell, shared the story behind her title with us on February 7, 2024.

Joy Fan is a 2x founder, operator, and urbanist - democratizing access to affordable real estate.

Previously, Joy popularized the pop-up retail industry as a founding member of Storefront - the largest marketplace for short-term retail with over 150,000 brands (acquired in 2016).

Joy is known for building consumer enablement technology, and created the "retail-as-a-service" model adopted by thousands of DTC brands, REITS, mall operators, developers, and landlords; is an active committee advisor for Women in Proptech and a part of Mayor Eric Adam's NYC Small Business Advisory Commission.

Today, with the height of the pandemic leaving cities vacant; small businesses crushed with displacements, and online brands competing for expensive digital ad space (moving 20% of marketing spend to physical retail) – the $17 Trillion Real Estate industry is due for further disruption.

Joy and her team built a B2B marketplace + booking platform that lands online/DTC brands into shared retail by instantly matching them with their end consumer (a $120 Billion dollar annual opportunity).

Re/tell has oversubscribed brand partners, a growing waitlist, e-commerce marketplace partners (Verishop, Marmalade, Pattern Brands, Sharma Brands, We Are Women Owned, Ladies Who Launch, New York Naturally), enterprise space partners (Jamestown, Brookfield, Westfield), BID (Business Improvement District) demand from 3 major cities, and an official partnership with New York Mayor Eric Adams and NYC/EDC to drive economic growth and innovation.

Dr. Nicole Saphier, the Director of Breast Imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center - Monmouth, Fox News Contributor, and Author, shared the story behind her title with us on Saturday, July 3rd and Sunday, July 4th, 2021.

Nicole was raised in Scottsdale, Arizona. Her father was an attorney and her mother, a licensed counselor that worked with children that were victims of abuse and mental illness. She had a child while in high school stating "The decision to have my son at a young age was not based on political or religious beliefs. On the contrary, it was based on emotion and a sense of responsibility. Had this happened decades prior, I may have been forced into an unsafe abortion or hidden away during my pregnancy and my child would have been given away. I am grateful to have had the choice to choose life". She is married to Dr. Paul Saphier, an endovascular neurosurgeon, whom she met in medical school; they have two sons together.

SUE SAYS

"The news that you're pregnant as a student in high school is news that will rock anyone's world. For Nicole, a type-A determined young lady with a lot of dreams and goals hit hard. Being told by some around her that she would now never reach those goals may have been exactly what she needed to hear to prove them all wrong."

Tiffany Dufu, Founder and CEO of The Cru, shared the story behind her title with us on Saturday, May 8th and Sunday, May 9th, 2021.

Tiffany is a catalyst-at-large in the world of women’s leadership and the author of Drop the Ball, a memoir and manifesto that shows women how to cultivate the single skill they really need in order to thrive: the ability to let go. According to foreword contributor Gloria Steinem, Drop the Ball is “important, path-breaking, intimate and brave.”

Tiffany serves on the board of Girls Who Code and Simmons College. She is a member of Women's Forum New York, Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc. and is a Lifetime Girl Scouts. She lives in New York City with her husband and two children.

SUE SAYS

"Tiffany was born to very young parents who were not prepared to raise a child. When she reflects on her beginning, she is reminded that while her mother struggled with poverty and addiction, she also spoke to Tiffany in a way that led her to believe in herself, and ultimately aim higher. With the help of her father, she went off to college and discovered her true calling; to help elevate young girls and women become independent for the greater good."

Joya Dass, TV Anchor and Public Speaking Coach, shared the story behind her title with us on August 14, 2024.

★★★★★

Of the interview, our founder and host, Sue Rocco, says: "Listen in as I sit down with Joya to talk about her dream to be a TV Anchor from the age of 4, having to find a way to finance her education at Bucknell, her discovery that many Indian women were inspired by watching her on TV, and her best practices for successful public speaking."

Joya is a first-generation Indian born to immigrant parents from Calcutta and Myanmar. Since the age of 11, she remembers wanting to be a journalist.

For the last 15 years, Joya has been reporting for Bloomberg TV, CNN and ABC. She is currently a business anchor with NY1 News and CNN. In November 2009, she also began directing and producing social justice documentaries. First Sight tackles the issue of curable blindness in children in India and is her first feature-length film. www.firstsightthefilm.com

She is currently principal and co-founder of Avenue Media, (www.avenue-media.com) based in New York City. She and partner Greta Knutzen are fusing old school journalism and storytelling with new school media tools and metrics to help clients tell their story. Avenue Media is currently engaged by the Rockefeller Foundation to produce a series of mini-documentaries as the organization celebrates its centennial.

Listen to the interview below, on your favorite podcasting app, or watch on Youtube!

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Brooke Dukes, Best Selling Author & Founder of BMD Consultants, shared the story behind her title with us on June 12, 2024.

With over three decades of high-impact leadership roles ranging from CEO and Chief Sales Officer to President and Master Trainer, Brooke stands as a transformational force in the business and personal development arenas. Her innate ability to forge deep connections with business owners, C-suite executives, and ambitious entrepreneurs is truly remarkable. She possesses a level of intuitive intelligence that ensures opportunities for growth and fulfillment are identified with ease, leading clients to rapid breakthroughs.

By fusing behavioral science, NLP and Human Design Intelligence, Brooke has developed groundbreaking programs and services designed to navigate the complexities of both professional leadership and personal growth. This work offers women the pathway to better connect with their unique brilliance, step into their genius and create increased fulfillment in all areas of their lives. 

Brooke’s unmissable internationally best selling book, Burn On Not Out- Finding Fulfillment Beyond Success is now available.  

SUE SAYS: "I sit down for a conversation with Brooke about a childhood with both emotional and physical abuse, finding ways to cope as an only child, how her own journey of self exploration helped fuel her success and why she believes all women need to support other women. "

Elissa Brown, Founder & CEO of Polite Tumor, shared the story behind their titles with us on May 1, 2022.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer at 31, Elissa launched Polite Tumor in 2017 as a response to the community that emotionally and financially supported her and that was critical in her healing process.

Polite Tumor’s mission is to provide financial assistance to women under 40 who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. When financial assistance comes with strings attached, the message is “we know what you need more than you know what you need.” Polite Tumor challenges that model. What we know is that cancer is expensive, that every woman’s needs are different, and that no one can foresee the financial obstacles that will be thrown their way. We’re giving women the opportunity to look beyond their diagnosis and their treatment, we’re providing the freedom to heal – however they define it.

SUE SAYS

"At 31 Elissa was diagnosed with breast cancer. A year later she set out to help other young women finance the high cost of beating this awful disease. As someone who always believed she could conquer anything, naive as that might sound she states, that her non-profit is unique, growing, and sure to become national in no time."

Edwige A. Robinson, Senior Vice President of Network Engineering, Operations & Transformation at T-Mobile, shared the story behind her title with us on March 29, 2023.

With 25+ years of experience in Technology & Leadership realms, Edwige is a distinguished Technologist, Transformational and heart-centered leader who consistently bridges the gaps between Engineering and business domains. Described as the Translator of new innovations, she is a “ Triple Minority” in tech - A native of Ivory Coast, West Africa - a foreigner, being female and black, she is known for her unwavering courage and optimism. 

Despite countless obstacles to impede her success, she forged ahead and has succeeded in vital roles at major companies such as Hugues Networks Systems, AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, Time Warner Cable, Comcast, NBC Universal, and more.

Edwige is also best known for championing women in technology and leadership. She believes being an authentic role model is part of her calling. She supports gender inclusivity in the workplace and works tirelessly towards that goal. She is a beacon of hope and strength in helping people see that it is possible for them as well to succeed. 

A mentor for young women in Technology, she was recently recognized by Aleria Tech as one of the “Awesome Black Women Everyone Should Know” and by the 1 million STEM women (1MWIS) as a Visible Role Model who inspires the next generation of girls. (1MWIS) is a global network of women in STEM.

She sits on several Advisory Boards driving STEM education to underserved communities. She helps organizations understand and leverage diversity; while engaging, energizing, and empowering employees to excel.

SUE SAYS

"Edwige came a long way to the U.S. from the Ivory Coast of Africa when she was just a teenager. While she dreamed of a better life for herself and her family, she also was deliberate in her choices and used her innate optimism to ensure she stood out from the crowd....a lesson her grandfather taught Edwige would serve her well in life."

Linda Cohn, ESPN SportsCenter Anchor, NHL Reporter & In the Crease Host, shared the story behind her title with us on October 2, 2022.

Hall of Fame sportscaster Linda Cohn has served as a SportsCenter anchor since joining ESPN in 1992. She is ESPN’s longest-tenured SportsCenter anchor and in early 2016, was recognized for anchoring her 5,000th SportsCenter, the most of any anchor in ESPN history. In 2017, she was inducted into the National Sports Media Association (NSMA) Hall of Fame.

A fixture in the hockey world, Cohn serves as the in-arena host and reporter for NHL game coverage, often reporting from between the benches. Cohn is also the primary host of In the Crease, a nightly hockey program on ESPN+, which began during the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

In 2021, Cohn and national hockey reporter Emily Kaplan launched In the Crease – The ESPN NHL podcast. The podcast brings fans insider perspectives, reporting, reactions, and analysis to the latest breaking headlines and under-the-radar stories both on and off the ice. Cohn also currently appears as an analyst on SIRIUS XM’s NHL Network Radio every Monday during the NHL season and regularly fills in as a host on Mad dog Sports Radio.

SUE SAYS

"Often the unconditional support of parents is the key to the success of children. Such was the case for Linda Cohn who has fond memories of watching the Knicks with her Dad and being taken to tryouts by her mom for a boys ice hockey league. Her love of sports came early and sustained throughout her (to date) 30 year career with ESPN. Her advice? Take chances, keep learning and take every opportunity to connect with people who may lead you to your next opportunity."

Susan Packard, Writer, Speaker & co-Founder of HGTV, shared the story behind her title with us on Sunday, August 23, 2020.

Susan has been on the ground floor and helped to build powerhouse media brands like HBO, CNBC, and HGTV. She was the co-founder of Scripps Networks Interactive and former chief operating officer of HGTV. Under Packard’s helm, HGTV became one of the fastest-growing cable networks in television history. Today HGTV is available in more than 98 million U.S. homes and distributed in over 200 countries and territories. Packard helped to build Scripps Networks Interactive to a market value of over $15 billion. In December of 2019 she was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Humanities from Michigan State University.

SUE SAYS

Susan spent years in the fast-paced world of media as the co-Founder of HGTV. As her inner voice began to speak to her a little louder, she realized her need for some self-reflection, and desire to find out who she truly was, and what she wanted. It led directly to her one-on-one, heartfelt work with men and women who themselves are in need of some inner work. My take away? Don’t settle for a life that is not serving you.

Yassmin Gramian, Secretary of Transportation for PennDOT, shared the story behind her title with us on Sunday, February 27, 2022.

As secretary, Yassmin oversees programs and policies affecting highways, urban and rural public transportation, airports, railroads, ports, and waterways. She manages PennDOT's annual budget of $9.5 billion, which is invested in all of Pennsylvania's approximately 120,000 miles of state and local highways and 32,000 state and local bridges. Under her leadership, PennDOT is directly responsible for nearly 40,000 miles of highway and roughly 25,400 bridges. She also has oversight of the state's 11.8 million vehicle registrations and 10.3 million driver's licenses and IDs.

Gramian assumed the role of secretary amid the COVID-19 global pandemic. This challenging time necessitated quick, decisive action to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 to best protect citizens, employees, and business partners. Under Gramian's leadership, PennDOT moved swiftly during the early stages of the pandemic to transfer essential functions to remote operations, while continuing to ensure roads were kept safe and passable, and crews remained available for responding to weather events. Gramian also serves as chair of the Transportation Revenue Options Commission (TROC), which was established by the Executive Order of Governor Tom Wolf to develop comprehensive funding recommendations for Pennsylvania's large and aging infrastructure.

SUE SAYS

"Yassmin came from Iran to America at the age of 17 without her parents or family. She came for an education and studied Civil Engineering. She would go on to become the very first female bridge inspector for a U.S. engineering firm and later step into a top spot with PennDOT. She attributes her success to her ability to adapt to new people, places, and situations that began as a child." 

Stacy Ike, Host of human2human a new digital series and podcast, shared the story behind her title with us on June 21, 2023.

human2human is a space to reimagine interpersonal relationships with others and ultimately ourselves. Created by Stacy Ike, a recovering perfectionist on a deep quest to live more spiritually, healthy and free, she connects to the hearts of some of your favorite celebrities, thought leaders, and tastemakers in an honest, curious, and thoughtfully critical way — largely holding up a mirror for herself, her guests, and the audience to dive into a brave space of self-reflection, healing and human connection, one conversation at a time.

Stacy Ike is a content creator, entrepreneur, and inquisitive storyteller who drives every conversation with passion, purpose, and ease. Her luminous and charismatic personality along with her ability to disarm any guest has allowed her to build a reputation as the host to share the best moments. Memorable interviews with Oprah, Tom Ford, Viola Davis, and Melissa McCarthy amongst others pair well with working alongside companies such as the OWN Network, Hollywood Reporter, Essence, Warner Brothers, and more! Stacy is a content creator, who enjoys partnering with brands to tell stories through elements of healing, abundance, love, and diversity.

Currently, Stacy is the creator and host of a new digital series and podcast, human2human brought to you by the Revolt Podcast Network. Her mission is to bridge the gap through stories and share collective experiences in a safe space of curiosity, community, and connection. When she’s not recording you can find her cancelling plans, re-watching a show she has already seen, or on the phone with one of her siblings. Catch up with Stacy at StacyIke.com, or on Instagram and Twitter @onetakestace.

SUE SAYS

Stacy Ike grew up in Houston TX, the oldest of four with parents she attributes to being the ones who believed in her from the start. They saw her innate curiosity of people and supported her inquisitive nature. When a pastor told her parents that Stacy asked good questions, a light went off for Stacy and opened her up to explore a career in journalism. It's been her passion ever since.

Anne M. Prisco, PhD, president of Holy Family University, shared the story behind her title with us on Sunday, November 28th, 2021.

Dr. Anne Prisco began her tenure as the sixth president of Holy Family University in July 2021. She has dedicated herself to advancing higher education and student success. Over the course of her impressive career, Dr. Prisco has served as an administrator, faculty member, researcher, and consultant. From 2012-2020, Dr. Prisco served at Felician University, where she was also their first lay leader. Prior to the presidency at Felician, Dr. Prisco served in a number of higher education institutions, including as a Vice President at Loyola Marymount University, a faculty member at St. John’s University, and a policy researcher at New York University.

Dr. Prisco holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona with the highest distinction, an MBA in Finance from Fordham University, and a PhD in Economics and Education from Columbia University. She is the recipient of numerous awards including a public policy fellowship from Columbia University, named a Top 50 Business Women in New Jersey, and the Wise Woman Award from the National Organization for Italian-American Women. She is a member of the Forum for Executive Women in Philadelphia and is a champion for diversity, inclusion, and access in higher education.

SUE SAYS

"Anne grew up in Brooklyn the daughter of an immigrant from Italy whose sole reason for coming to the U.S. was to give his family better opportunities to live a life well-lived. Knowing just how important education was to her parents, Anne was dedicated to her schooling but also had her own innate desire to teach. Her openness to learning, pivoting, and evolving led directly to her role as President of Holy Family."

Sara Hirsh Bordo, Award-Winning Filmmaker & Founder of Women Rising, shared the story behind her title with us on June 26, 2024.

Of the interview, our founder and host, Sue Rocco, says:

“Listen in as I sit down with Sara to talk about her upbringing in a big traditional Lebanese family, how she always felt pulled to explore the world outside that family, and what led her to dive deep into her own health journey in order to find the connection between autoimmune disease and empowerment.”

MORE ABOUT SARA:

Named as an “Architect of Change” by Maria Shriver, Sara Hirsh Bordo is a 15x award-winning filmmaker and Founder/CEO of Women Rising®, listed as “One of the Most Innovative, Interesting, and Purpose-Driven Women Led Startups to Watch” by Inc Magazine.

Women Rising® began in 2013 with Sara directing and producing the first TEDxAustinWomen which became the year’s most live and on-demand viewed TEDxWomen event around the world. Sara’s film directorial debut, A BRAVE HEART: THE LIZZIE VELASQUEZ STORY premiered and won the 2015 Audience Award at SXSW and won awards at all eleven festivals it played, received two WEBBY Awards, and secured global distribution via National Geographic, LifetimeTV, Amazon Prime, and iTunes.

Angela Val, President & CEO of VISIT PHILADELPHIA®, shared the story behind her title with us on May 22, 2022.

Angela is charged with spearheading the economic engine for the region’s robust tourism industry, which supports local businesses, creates jobs, generates taxes, and ultimately enhances residents’ quality of life.

A recognized trailblazer within Philadelphia’s tourism and hospitality industry, Val brings more than two decades of destination marketing experience to her role, which she assumed in June 2022. Her distinct track record of success and impact in destination marketing and organizational leadership will take VISIT PHILADELPHIA® to new heights of recognition among diverse regional and national audiences.

Val’s homecoming to VISIT PHILADELPHIA® is full-circle. She began her career at the organization 17 years ago, where she worked her way up from executive assistant to the c-suite. Her efforts helped establish the organization as a powerhouse, executing some of its most successful campaigns and initiatives, including With Art Philadelphia, Philly 360, Philadelphia Neighborhoods, and the Philly Overnight Hotel Package. Val significantly contributed to the organization’s growth and concluded her first tenure in 2016 as Chief External Affairs Officer.

Val is an effective leader, connector, and culture builder, always striving to lead by example with an approachable and earnest executive style. She is abundantly committed to bringing vibrancy to Philadelphia’s business and cultural communities and currently serves on the board of Horizons Greater Philadelphia. A Maryland native, Val moved to Philadelphia to attend Drexel University, where she received her bachelor’s degree and made the city her chosen home upon graduation. Thirty-one years later, she now resides in Point Breeze with her husband, Joe.

Prachi Modi, Co-Founder and CEO of Meraki 3 Ventures, shared the story behind her title with us on July 3, 2022.

Prachi is an entrepreneur and philanthropist who has currently been working in web 3 & blockchain industry with a vision to help shape this cumbersome space. She is the co-founder and CEO of a boutique web 3 startup that focuses on investing and creating innovative crypto and NFT projects.

Prior to this, Prachi began her career in accounting with KPMG and then transitioned into finance with Goldman Sachs. She left corporate finance in her early 20s to figure out how to leverage her acquired skills to help create business opportunities for underprivileged communities in Uganda. After successfully starting a Bed & Breakfast in the adventure capital of East Africa (Jinja), she decided to pursue her curiosity which led to working in creative writing, theatre, digital marketing, and as a Chef in Europe. Prachi has amalgamated her knowledge and skills from all her experiences to now ensure business success for her web 3 clients. 

SUE SAYS

"Prachi was born in Mumbai and came to the U.S. at age 11. While the transition was challenging because of cultural differences and judgments from other children, Prachi had the incredible support of her older sister who taught her to stay true to herself. In honoring her own ambition, she launched a successful company in a complex field and talks about the future and potential of Web 3."

On Sunday, October 19th we highlighted the true story behind the title of Dr. Leslie Mancuso, the President & CEO of Jhpiego, an international nonprofit health organization affiliated with Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Mancuso’s vision for Jhpiego is rooted in her belief that the organization must engage in programs that are sustainable, that is, programs that build on the capacity of countries to create a well-prepared network of health care professionals and a strong health system that they can build upon to care for themselves.

SUE SAYS

For 44 years and in 155 countries, Jhpiego has worked with frontline health workers to design and implement low-cost innovative solutions to prevent the needless death of women and their families. Since Leslie’s arrival at Jhpiego, the organization’s budget grew from $5 million to $408 million, and the number of public health programs expanded from 4 to 100. I am inspired by her work and devotion to helping women in communities that need it the most.

Dr. Jen Welter, the first female to coach in the NFL, I shared the story behind her title with us on August 18, 2017.

In the summer of 2015, Dr. Welter served as a linebackers coach for the Arizona Cardinals, a period of time defined by the bond she has formed with the players. Widely known as a trailblazer and pioneer in professional football, becoming the first woman to coach in the NFL was only her most recent first. She most recently served as a defensive specialist for the Alliance of American Football (AAF).

​Following her record-breaking accomplishment with the Cardinals, Welter became the head coach of the first Australian women’s national team in 2017. Widely known as a trailblazer and pioneer in professional football, Welter became the first woman to play running back in a men's professional football league with the Texas Revolution. In early 2015, Welter was hired as the first female coach in men’s professional football, helping coach the most successful Revolution season in franchise history

​Welter is committed to increasing access and opportunities in football. To empower women through football, Welter designed her signature program, “A Day in the Life,” Camp which debuted with the Washington Redskins women's program in 2015. She continues to create a range of camps for girls and women through her GRRRidiron Flag Football Camp, along with a number of other community initiatives like her Camp on the Corner program that brings football to youth in under-served areas. She released her first publication, “Play Big: Lessons in Being Limitless from the First Woman to Coach in the NFL” in 2017.

Sheba Fideler, Principal at Sheba Concept & Design, shared the story behind her title with us on Saturday, February 20th and Sunday, February 21st, 2021.

In 1993 Sheba founded her graphic design, branding and marketing agency, Sheba Concept & Design. She has lead and executed successful branding efforts for clients including the Minnesota Children’s Museum, Abbott Northwestern Hospital Foundation, University of MN, 3M and Pepsi-Co.

Sheba and her husband, Darren Ennis, launched their event production company, Sheba Productions, in 1996. Known for creating high-end, meticulous, creative and unexpected events that surprise and delight guests, including the ASID Showcase Home Tours, the Skyway Open (architect-designed mini-golf event through the Minneapolis skyways), the Taste! wine and food event at the TCF Stadium, the Magic 8 Ball fundraising event to name a few.

Seeking to develop a company built on compassion and connections, Sheba partnered with Rosie DeSimone to launch BIG LOViE in May of 2019.

Julie Uhrman, Co-founder and president of Angel City Football, shared the story behind her title with us on March 13, 2024.

Julie is an American soccer executive and entrepreneur who is president of Angel City FC, a National Women's Soccer League team based in Los Angeles, California, that Uhrman also co-founded. She was previously an executive at Playboy Enterprises, Lionsgate Entertainment, IGN, and Vivendi Entertainment, and founded the former video game console company Ouya.

In 2020 Uhrman co-founded Angel City FC with venture capitalist Kara Nortman of Upfront Ventures, and actress Natalie Portman. The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club signed 21 sponsors and sold 14,300 season tickets before its first season of play, and attracted a $14 million investment round from numerous celebrities, including lead investor Alexis Ohanian. Nortman recruited Uhrman in 2019 from the pickup basketball league both women competed in and tasked her with building the team's business plan, despite Uhrman not previously knowing that the NWSL existed. The NWSL granted Uhrman's group an expansion team on July 21, 2020, for play in the 2022 NWSL season.

SUE SAYS

"I sit down with Julie Uhrman, the President of Angel City Football to talk about women in sports, pay equity, the value of sports for young girls and her surprise when she found out she'd be working with Natalie Portman!"

Lidija Markovic Rosati, CEO of Momentum Strategies Coaching & Training, shared the story behind her title with us on Sunday, February 20, 2022.

Lidija is an unconventional entrepreneur, master coach, and an overall corporate hippy, who travels the world coaching budding entrepreneurs, teams, corporations, and awesome females to take their ideas off the ground and turn them into reality, inspiring them to nurture their dreams, to enjoy building and growing their businesses, to enjoy profits, while cultivating the powerful art of hustling gently.

Her work is mindfully created and consciously inspired. She is an accredited Business and Performance Strategist, Strategic Leadership expert, NLP Trainer (Classic and New code), Master Coach, Executive Coach, Hypnotherapist, Reiki Master, Pranic Healing Practitioner, Deep PEAT Practitioner, Integra Protocol Practitioner, and an expert in non-verbal communication, international public speaker.

She has been in Tony Robbins’s UPW volunteer crew team since 2005, supporting and helping people overcome their limiting beliefs and going for their dreams. The environment inspired her to complete Tony Robbins’s Mastery University.

She studied NLP from its co-creator Dr. John Grinder, Energetic NLP from its creator Art Giser, who is her mentor and spiritual teacher. She studied Pranic Healing from Antoine Delabarre, from the Master Choc Kok Sui’s School.

Lidija believes that we owe to ourselves the deepest and the most authentic version of ourselves, and in pursuing her thirst for new learnings and experiences, she spent some time in Kyoto, Japan, at the Shunkoin Temple, studying Zen Buddhist meditation.

SUE SAYS

"When Lidija was young she began to have panic attacks that became a routine part of her life. After every excuse she could find for why it was happening, she had a breakthrough and realized she was anxious because she was not living the life that was meant for her. The decision to leave her job to create a life on her own terms changed everything."

Margo Weishar, MD, founder and lead dermatologist at Springhouse Dermatology & Aesthetics, will share the story behind her title with us on June 26, 2022.

For over 25 years, Dr. Weishar has shared her passion for dermatology with her patients, students, and her dedicated team of aesthetic medicine professionals. As the daughter of artists, Dr. Margo Weishar has been passionate about the creative world since she was a child. However, it is her fascination with science that drove her to pursue her medical degree. The combination of her creative upbringing and her education led her to become double board-certified in internal medicine and dermatology, with a focus on aesthetic dermatology.

SUE SAYS

"Margo grew up in an artistic family but always had a fascination with science. By blending the two together, she realized the connection between the visual arts and the diagnostics in medicine when it came to dermatology. Her greatest joy comes from mentoring young women in her practice and helping them discover their own place in the world."

Mandy Price, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kanarys, shared the story behind her title with us on Saturday, February 27th, and Sunday, February 28th 2021!

Kanarys is a technology platform that fosters collaboration between companies and employees to improve Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace and bring about lasting change. We help companies get the specific data and insights they need to diagnose, prioritize, and optimize DEI efforts by facilitating transparency and providing a safe, anonymous way for employees to let their voices be heard.

SUE SAYS

"Growing up in DeSoto TX and being one of only two black students at her school, Mandy recognized early on that there was a different perception of her because she looked different. After a 12 year career in law, Mandy decided it was time to do something actionable so she launched a company that helps organizations question the biases they’ve held, whether consciously or unconsciously, and commit to structurally change their systems."

Jamie Mittelman, the founder and host of Flame Bearers, shared the story behind her title with us on January 17, 2024.

Flame Bearers is an award-winning podcast and the world's first storytelling platform specifically for women Olympians and Paralympians. Her background is in media, having managed a $30+ Million media portfolio on behalf of the conglomerate of Yahoo, The Huffington Post, AOL, and Verizon. She founded Flame Bearers while receiving her Masters in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School where she received an award for her significant impact on the Harvard community. Jamie's work with Flame Bearers has reach in 49 countries and won countless international awards for her work in video and podcasting including being a Webby’s Finalist, Davey Awards “Best in Show,” Signal Awards in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as well as Public Service & Activism, Telly Awards and Communicator Awards. Prior to Harvard, Jamie received her MBA from Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business.

Lauri-Ann Ainsworth, CEO of the Branson Centre Caribbean, shared the story behind her title with us on Sunday, December 5th, 2021.

Lauri-Ann carries with her years of experience in developing the Caribbean’s entrepreneurial landscape. Having coached and mentored startups, she’s developed a strong passion for supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem supported by her visionary thinking and leadership capabilities around development, partnerships, fundraising, and communications. She is a certified project manager and a graduate of the University of Toronto.

SUE SAYS

"Two significant events happened to Lauri-Ann when she was young. Her father walked out when she was 8 years old, and a few years later her brother died. These experiences led to her lack of self-worth and a feeling of victimhood. What is inspiring about her story is her sheer determination to heal so that she could live the best life possible for her children and become keenly aware of who she was."

JJ DiGeronimo, Founder of Tech Savvy Women, shared the story behind her title with us on Saturday, March 6th and Sunday, March 7th, 2021.

She is a featured columnist for Smart Business Magazine, a regular guest on TV and radio shows, and a preferred keynote speaker for many corporate events including Amazon, Symantec, Ingram Micro, Cisco, RIT, VMware, Nestle, WITI, Progressive, and KeyBank.

Sue Says

"JJ DiGeronimo is recognized as a thought-leader for women and girls in tech & STEM. Even with this recognition, her numerous requests to speak and after authoring two books, JJ shares she still has moments of questioning herself and her ability. We spoke about what it might take for women to be able to once and for all have a consistent belief in themselves. Great topic!"

Sophie Ruddock, Sophie Ruddock, VP and General Manager of Multiverse, North America, shared the story behind her title with us on Sunday, February 20th, 2022.

A founding member of Multiverse, a tech startup focused on high-quality education and training through professional apprenticeships, Sophie is a former impact investor and consultant. After helping Multiverse grow its delivery operations over the last four years, she made the jump to NYC, where she now leads its US team.

SUE SAYS

"Sophie grew up in London and had a love of business from a very young age. At 7 she opened her first lemonade stand and was immediately thinking about ways to keep production going! She is also a ferocious reader and her first book, Noughts & Crosses, left an imprint on her curiosity around racism and how she could serve to fight it. A heavy topic for a little girl but one that makes sense now as she continues to look for ways to mentor those who need it."

Alice Valder Curran, life sciences and drug pricing expert, global regulatory practice leader, and partner at Hogan Lovells, shared the story behind her title with us on March 8, 2023.

Alice is a nationally recognized expert in life sciences, drug pricing, and market access. She advises pharmaceutical and biotech companies, from start-ups to multinational companies, on commercialization, compliance, and policy. Known for her regulatory and financial acumen, she partners with drug developers to design innovative drug commercialization strategies that facilitate patient access to critical therapies. The Financial Times recently recognized her in its awards for Most Innovative Legal Practitioner. With Congress’ recent adoption of significant changes to drug pricing regulation, she is a sought-after speaker on the economic and policy implications of the Inflation Reduction Act.

Alice worked a reduced schedule throughout her career in the private sector until joining the leadership ranks at Hogan Lovells, serving on its International Management Committee as a Regional Managing Partner and then head of the firm’s Global Regulatory Practice. She completed her leadership stint as the head of the firm’s 700-lawyer Global Regulatory and Intellectual Property practice, helping direct strategic planning and day-to-day operations.

During her tenure, Alice delivered profitable business growth, while emphasizing a culture of collaboration and trust. She also championed the firm’s initiatives for equity through inclusion, flexible working arrangements, and the advancement of women lawyers.

The mother of three adult children, she lives with her husband in McLean, Virginia.

SUE SAYS

"As a young girl, Alice would go to work with her Dad and watch him "perform" as a trial attorney. The experience was exciting and sparked an interest in Alice to pursue law herself. As a top expert today in the field of Pharmaceutical and Biotech, Alice brings her lessons learned around having the courage to say no and asking herself, "why not me" in all moments she's called to lead."

Susan Martinelli Shea, the president and founder of Dancing with the Students, a 501(c)(3) Private Operating Foundation which teaches ballroom dancing, manners, and respect to inner-city students, shared the story behind her title with us on October 9, 2022.

Susan started with one school in Philadelphia in September 2005 and has added schools every year. Her former career as a special education teacher spanned fifteen years and five states. Sue is a proud graduate of Boston College and holds a master's degree from Johns Hopkins University.

SUE SAYS

"Sue's life from the start has been a lesson in the power of helping others. She saw it as a little girl by example from her parents. She experienced it for years as a teacher guiding children with special needs, and she lives it today, running a national nonprofit that teaches ballroom dance to underserved boys and girls. It literally changes the course of their life. Listen in to learn of the single event that changed the course of her own life."

Kirsten Moorefield, Cofounder & COO of Cloverleaf and a TEDx Speaker, shared the true story behind her title with us on Sunday, November 7th, 2021.

Kirsten didn't intend to start a tech company, yet here she is, the co-founder and COO of an H.R. tech platform that allows individuals and employees to be their best selves both at work and at home. Cloverleaf believes that good business is about putting humans in positions that allow them to be their best. From their office in Cincinnati, Ohio, they equip employers and empower employees to give the greatest contribution to their organization and have the most fulfilling opportunity in their role.

They believe it's critical for people to be intentional about truly knowing who they work with, even in a small team like theirs. The combination and contrast of their skills elevate ourselves and others. This creates exceptional value to everyone involved.

SUE SAYS

"Kirsten's life story is a prime example that we are not meant to "follow the rules" and live life like everyone else. We think differently, we learn differently and we are all energized by different things. Once we learn that about each other, there are no limits to what we can create or accomplish together, whether personally or professionally!"

Nina Tandon, CEO & Co-Founder of Epibone, shared the story behind her title with us on Sunday, August 8th, 2021.

Dr. Tandon bridges the realms of business and science, with 10 years of experience in tissue engineering and more than eight in bioreactor design. She completed two advanced degrees at Columbia University: a Ph.D. and postdoc in stem cells and tissue engineering and an Executive MBA in healthcare entrepreneurship. Named one of the 100 most creative people in business by Fast Company, she is also a TED Senior Fellow and MIT & McKinsey alum.

Nina enjoys yoga, rock climbing, surfing, and growing a strong business while growing strong bones. Her TED Talk on personalized medicine has been viewed more than a million times.

SUE SAYS

"On paper, Nina's resume is quite impressive with a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering, a Master's in Bioelectrical Engineering, a PhD, and an MBA! What was most impressive to me however was Nina's ability to articulate her work in a way that was so clear and understandable to a lay person like myself. Her excitement, sense of curiosity, and humor around the important work she is doing left me curious and excited myself to continue to follow her and see what she does next!"

Sarah Zubiate, Founder & CEO of Zubi's, shared the story behind her title with us on Sunday, November 14th, 2021.

Being raised in the El Paso/Juarez area, Sarah grew up on incredible, family meals centered around her mother Gloria’s “famous” salsa. Because Sarah was known to “spice things up”, she shamelessly would add several helpings of lime juice and cayenne pepper to her bowl…leading to what came to be known as "Sarah's Salsa”.

Upon the success of this spiced-up salsa, Sarah expanded her cooking expertise by transforming the traditional, often unhealthy staple Hispanic dips - crema and queso - into healthy, allergen-free, plant-based alternatives.

For Sarah, this was something she not only wanted to do for her family - many of which suffer from various health issues as well as dairy intolerances - but for others too. With a dedication to better health alternatives, Sarah developed healthy, flavorful products with the mentality of "ZUBI's for Everyone" because she envisioned a world and community brought together through delicious, nutritious food (no matter one's dietary lifestyle or preference).

Sarah launched ZUBI Farms and Facility in November 2019. From the beginning, Sarah has focused on ensuring that her dedicated Farm and Facility are zero-waste, certified organic, and always free from the top-8 allergens.

SUE SAYS

"Sarah grew up humbly in El Paso TX with a loving family and a gift for numbers. Beneath the surface however she questioned why she was so different from her parents. She would later learn she was adopted and it all became clear. What both families shared however was a love of food and so she set out to produce a healthy version of the Latin cuisine."

Sandra Lawrence, Author & Community Champion, shared the story behind her title with us on October 4, 2023.

Sandra was raised in a loving family with her brother and parents in West Philly. She is a Deaconess, Drama director, and choir member, at Vine Memorial Baptist Church.

Sandra began her professional career as an educator. Early on she recognized that our children bring many social service issues to the classroom that greatly impact their success in life. She left the field of education and entered the social services. Sandra retired from Philadelphia Corporation for Aging in 2018 where she was employed as the Interfaith Outreach Coordinator.

Sandra is the founder and CEO of ICAP, Inc (Intergenerational Community Alliances & Programs) a non-profit as part of her mission work assigned by God. She provides workshops and motivational speaking on select topics. She is a board member to FUNTIMES Magazine. She has been blessed to parent her son, Rasheen who is a strong Black man with Christian values and lifestyle.

Sandra was co-founder of The Black Adoption Consortium, Inc , agency from 1991-2000. (She retired from the agency to become a Caregiver for her father and then mother.)

Marion Weiler, Founder & CEO of Weiler International LLC™, shared the story behind her title with us on April 3, 2022.

By working and supporting some of the biggest brands on a global scale such as Sotheby’s International Realty, BMW, and IBM, serving on executive boards, and leading multi-million dollar business divisions, teams and projects, Marion has gained valuable insight into what works and what doesn’t across industries.

As a result, Marion has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities organizations and leaders face in an ever-changing world, particularly complex when navigating international environments and cross-cultural differences.

SUE SAYS

"Growing up in a traditional family in Germany, Marion was taught that it was not her place to question authority. This did not feel right to her and she spent her early years uncovering her own views and finding the confidence to challenge the opinions of others. Her message for women is that we can indeed follow our ambitions without sacrificing our family and values."

Maria Grasso, the Chief Sales Officer at the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), shared the story behind her title with us on December 4, 2024.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Of the interview, our founder and host, Sue Rocco, says: “Listen in as I sit down with Maria to talk about her younger years growing up in Philadelphia, playing varsity soccer on a boy's team, the loss of her father to Colon Cancer, her best advice for women in sales, and why she loves her job so much!”

ABOUT MARIA:

Maria Grasso is the Chief Sales Officer at the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), leading three business development divisions, the convention sales team and destination services team in growing convention bookings, while positioning Philadelphia as the premier destination for meetings, conventions and major events.

Actively involved in Philadelphia's hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Maria serves as the hotel accommodations expert, representing Philadelphia and the PHLCVB with FIFA and U.S. Soccer. She has served in similar capacities for other historic events including the 2015 World Meeting of Families & Papal Visit, 2016 Democratic National Convention and the 2017 NFL Draft.

A 25 year veteran of the organization, Maria joined the PHLCVB in 1999 as senior director of national accounts, quickly establishing herself as the organization's top-producing sales director. She most recently served as vice president of sales and convention services, a customer-facing role focusing on organizational growth in key industry verticals.

Dana Snyder, Founder and CEO of Positive Equation, shared the true story behind her title with us on Sunday, September 5th, 2021.

Positive Equation is a digital consultancy focused on helping nonprofits cultivate a passionate online following of donors, volunteers, and advocates.

Dana has worked with Movember, Dress for Success, USTA, American Idol, The Gary Sinise Foundation, Coin Up, Hashtag Lunchbag, and many more.

Dana is a member of the Purpose Collaborative, an invitation-only, global group of 40+ boutique firms, consultancies, and subject matter experts, all passionate about social purpose. Currently based in Los Angeles, she volunteers as the VP of Content for WISE LA.

She believes social media is a powerful vehicle to spark social change.

SUE SAYS

"Having grown up in Sarasota Florida, Dana was exposed early on to the work of nonprofits and activities that placed her directly in front of people in need. This exposure taught Dana the power of stories and why all organizations should implement strategies that connect their brand directly to the people they are trying to reach. Impatient by nature, Dana set off to start her own company so she could work at her own pace and get things done faster in order to help cause driven organizations."

Jane Golden, Founder & Executive Director of Mural Arts Philadelphia, shared the story behind her title with us on August 7, 2022.

Jane has been the driving force of Mural Arts Philadelphia since its inception, overseeing its growth from a small city agency into the nation’s largest public art program and a global model for transforming public space and community through art. Under Golden’s direction, Mural Arts has created over 4,000 public art works through innovative collaborations with community-based organizations, city agencies, nonprofit organizations, schools, the private sector, and philanthropies.

SUE SAYS

"As a young girl, Jane Golden had an affinity for art and the world around her. Growing up in Margate, NJ, by the vast ocean, her surroundings piqued her imagination and supported her desire to create. As an adult, Jane was able to follow her dream of using the arts to help transform the lives of those who lacked the opportunities to support their dreams. Now living with Lupus, Jane talks about the persistence and resiliency that has guided her life and work."

Beth Paretta, Owner, CEO and Team Principal of Paretta Autosport, shared the story behind her title with us on March 22, 2023.

As the first female director of a performance brand and motorsport for an automotive company (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles), Beth epitomizes the female success story in the automotive and motorsports industries.

In 2015, Beth launched Grace Autosport, a professional race team of women and an initiative to promote STEM education for girls as the ultimate example of applied science. Working tirelessly on the core mission to mentor kids about career paths in automotive and racing, Beth has broadened the mission of Grace Autosport across multiple racing series to reach girls around the world to connect them to education that leads to career paths.

In 2021 she launched PARETTA AUTOSPORT to lead diversity initiatives across professional racing disciplines, starting with the NTT Data INDYCAR series and the Indianapolis 500 Mile race.

Beth was named one of AutoWeek magazine’s “Secret People” who will change the car world; as well as a “Game Changer” by Sports Business Journal for her work with Grace Autosport. She is on the Board of Directors of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in Daytona, Florida. She resides near Detroit, MI.

SUE SAYS

Beth was first exposed to cars as a little girl watching her brother and father work on old cars in the family's garage. She didn't know at the time that a career in autosport was in her future. What she did know was that she had a love of business. In looking back to the connection she had with her brother who passed from Leukemia, her interest in cars returned and led to the first ever female team in the NTT IndyCar Series.

Dana Perino, Former White House Press Secretary, Fox News Contributor, and Author, shared the story behind her title with us on Saturday, May 29th and Sunday, May 30th 021.

Dana is a co-anchor of America's Newsroom and co-host of one of the most popular shows on cable television, The Five. Perino was the first Republican woman to serve as the White House press secretary, and served for over seven years in the administration of President George W. Bush, including at the Department of Justice after the terrorist attacks on 9/11. Dana lives in Manhattan with her husband, Peter McMahon, and of course, their dog, Jasper.

SUE SAYS

"It was such a joy to speak with Dana Perino. I have long admired her work and her incredible ability to present the news and her own views on the latest events taking place daily in the U.S. and around the world. Our conversation confirmed my sense that what has led to Dana's success is her absolute faith and integrity that was shaped by the people who knew and loved her best. And on top of all that, she's funny!"

Ginny Hill, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Central & Southern NJ, shared the story behind her title with us on May 10, 2023.

Genevieve “Ginny” Hill is a dynamic executive leader whose career has focused on empowering and advancing women and girls. Since 2013, she has served as CEO of the Girl Scouts of Central & Southern New Jersey, which supports more than 19,000 girls, grades K-12, and 10,000 adult volunteers across nine counties (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, and Salem).

In addition to serving as CEO of Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey, Ginny also sits on the Board of the Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Ginny has been recognized by the Philadelphia Business Journal as a 2022 Woman of Distinction, the National Association of Women Business Owners for strong leadership, and was named a 2017 “Woman to Watch” by South Jersey Biz magazine. She serves as Treasurer of IWF Delaware, on the board of Trustees of Color, Inc., and on the Institutional Advancement Committee at Archmere Academy in Delaware.

Ginny's Topics of Expertise include Women and Girls' Empowerment, Girls in STEM, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Financial Literacy for young people.

SUE SAYS

"Ginny grew up in Wilmington, DE. It was a small community where she swam, sang and joined the Girl Scouts. Little did she know that one day she would become the CEO for one of their largest councils in the U.S.. What led her there was an evolving sense that she was meant to serve and meant to lead. Working in the non-profit industry has given her an immense sense of reward and joy."

Khazar Fatemi, Press Officer, Journalist and Filmmaker, shared the story behind her title with us on August 9, 2023.

Khazar Fatemi has a Kurdish ethnicity and was born in Iran and raised in Afghanistan. Her family fled to Sweden when she was seven. 

For the last 15 years, Khazar has worked as a bilingual journalist and presenter on Swedish television. As a broadcast journalist, she has reported from 20 different countries. The main focus has been coverage of poverty, war, conflict, climate crises, and endangered cultural heritage at risk.

Khazar has been lecturing for over ten years. Her lectures highlight the importance of democracy, freedom of expression, and cultural heritage. But also her experience covering wars and conflicts with a special focus on women and youth.Her clients have been the UN, the Swedish Defence Forces, the Swedish Parliament, schools, universities, and many others. The "Culture, Identity and Belonging" lectures received the Swedish Unesco Award 2020.

Since 2015 Khazar has been working closely with Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, TAPS founder Bonnie Carroll and as project manager and producer for the TAPS film team. She has produced several short films from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kurdistan. They tell the stories of some surviving families that TAPS has worked with and about the work that TAPS does in the US and the region.* Bonnie Carroll was awarded America's highest civilian honour by President Obama. "President's Medal of Freedom."

SUE SAYS

"Amnesty International Press Officer joins us for an intimate conversation on her documentary, her career as a journalist covering war in the Middle East and why meeting people up close and personal in these areas gives her hope."

Patricia Wellenbach, President & CEO of the Please Touch Museum and Board Chair for Jefferson Health Systems, shared the story behind her title with us on May 17, 2023.

Patricia (Trish) D. Wellenbach is the President and CEO of the Please Touch Museum, one of the country’s leading children's museums located in the Centennial District of Philadelphia. The museum welcomes over 500,000 visitors a year and facilitates early childhood learning and development through play through its exhibits, and education and special programs.

She is formerly President and CEO of Green Tree School and Services, an agency located in Philadelphia that serves children ages 5‐21 who are on the autism spectrum or are severely emotionally disabled.

She was Founder, President, and CEO of Sandcastle Strategy Group LLC, a company providing management consulting services to clients primarily in the health care, small business and non‐profit sectors. She previously served as Managing Director for Business Development & Strategy, at Granary Associates; and as Executive Director of The Wellness Community of Philadelphia (now Cancer Support Community of Philadelphia).

Ms. Wellenbach started her professional career as registered nurse and clinical instructor of obstetrics at Pennsylvania Hospital. In 2016 she was appointed to the Mayors Cultural Advisory Board. In 2018 she received the City and State PA Above and Beyond Award honoring women of public and civic minds. From 2010-2017, Ms. Wellenbach was a board member of the Reinvestment Fund, a Community Development Financing Institution, where she chaired the audit committee, and was a member of the executive committee and of the governance committee. She was a Trustee of Abington Health from 2005‐2015.

In addition, Ms. Wellenbach currently serves as a member of The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), Women Corporate Directors, PA Women’s Forum and Forum of Executive Woman, as well as Director of the NACD Philadelphia Chapter Board.

SUE SAYS

"Trish grew up in a small town in NJ as an Irish Catholic and the oldest of five. She felt a sense of responsibility to lean in and help where needed and would take that leading role with her throughout life. Her grandmother played an important role in shaping who Trish would go on to become, and she remains forever grateful for having had her in her life."

Joi Garner, board member, executive vice president, general counsel & corporate secretary for THINK450, shared the story behind her title with us on Saturday, July 24th, and Sunday, July 25th, 2021.

Joi brings nearly twenty years of experience in sports and entertainment, a wealth of knowledge in strategic contract negotiations, content creation, event production and management, and an unparalleled work ethic to THINK450, the National Basketball Players Association’s licensing and marketing subsidiary.

SUE SAYS

"Joi grew up in the blue collar town of South Philadelphia whereas she states, everyone is a fan of sports whether they want to be or not. While she had a true love of sports herself, it was PR that led to her current role with the NBPA. Her decision to go to law school enhanced her position and has allowed her to create great influence in an industry that is working hard on its diversity and inclusion."

Melissa Bernstein, Founder of Melissa & Doug Toy Company and Author of Lifelines: An inspirational journey from profound darkness to radiant light, shared the story behind her title with us on Sunday, September 26th, 2021.

In her latest book, Melissa mother of six, married 30 years, and entrepreneur shares her inspirational journey and the LifeLines that enabled her to triumph over anxiety, depression, and despair, a story she hopes will help others find their path to meaning and inner peace.

SUE SAYS

"From a very young age, Melissa had deep and dark thoughts about the meaning of life. Not knowing consumed her, and left her feeling alone and severely depressed. It was not until she discovered her purpose of creativity through the creation of her toy company that she was able to live a truly joyful life. Now her purpose is to help others arrive at the same place."

Wema Hoover, Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leader, Executive Coach & Culture Curator, shared the true story behind her title with us on Sunday, September 12th, 2021.

Wema has led global DEI efforts for Google, Pfizer, Sanofi, and Bristol-Myers Squibb to help inform and guide corporate leadership. Throughout her career, she has led teams of more than 85 people and developed multiple Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Councils to build internal capabilities related to belonging, unconscious bias, cultural competence, and global leadership.

Wema is also an executive coach who holds a Master of Science in Human Resource Management and a Master’s-level Certificate in Organizational Change Management both from New School University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rutgers University and a certification as a Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) through the Human Resources Certification Institute.

SUE SAYS

"From a very young age, Wema was interested in people and embraced the diverse community she grew up in. Having experienced first hand the joy that comes from diversity of thought and culture, Wema took this knowledge and landed in leadership roles with fortune 500's to help with their DEI initiatives. While she brought her expertise to these roles, I believe it's her innate optimism that has led to her success."

Anya Profumo (L) and Jessica Borden (R), the co-founders of Sidecar Pictures, shared the story behind her title with us on Sunday, September 27th, 2020.

Anya was born and raised in Los Angeles and began acting very early on. Her love for storytelling evolved further as she branched out into writing and producing. Anya is an avid reader, loves music and movies, and is a crossword puzzle enthusiast.

Jessica is from Northeast, Pennsylvania. She got her BFA in Acting from Syracuse University and moved to Los Angeles shortly after college to work as a professional actor. She began creating short projects with friends and found that she had an affinity for writing and producing. In an effort to grow her ability, she studied development from the ground up, learning as an artist on set and in the theater.

In 2010 Anya & Jessica co-founded Sidecar Pictures and together they developed and co-wrote several series for YARN-Chat Fiction, a mobile entertainment platform. Their work spans a range of genres and formats (including podcasts, video, and multi-media).

SUE SAYS

Jessica and Anya come from two completely different backgrounds and live very different lives today-one a single woman with no kids, and the other married with two. What makes their partnership work is exactly that. Differences are much more interesting when you’re creating content and programming to appeal to a diverse group of women. What they’ve learned is that the key to a great partnership is to “listen.”

Lisa Mattam, the Founder/Creator of Sahajan Skincare, shared the story behind her title with us on October 18th, 2020.

Lisa is a proven and passionate entrepreneur. Named by Profit Magazine as one of the Top Ten Emerging Women Entrepreneurs in Canada and recognized by the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce as Female Entrepreneur of the Year, Lisa has become a thought leader in the areas of entrepreneurship, resilience, the advancement of women, and diversity. She is a frequent commentator on these topics and has been quoted in a variety of media including Fast Company, The Globe and Mail, CBC, and The Toronto Star.

SUE SAYS

Two seconds into my interview with Lisa and I knew one of her greatest gifts is her energy. You can hear the passion that she has for wanting to help women live the absolute best and well-balanced lives they can. Her life story of going against what perhaps was expected of her, and pursuing her own dreams, is a lesson in the power of intuition.

Christina M. Wallace, Harvard Professor, Entrepreneur & Author, shared the story behind her title with us on July 5, 2023.

A self-described “human Venn diagram” CHRISTINA WALLACE has crafted a career at the intersection of business, technology, and the arts. She is currently a Senior Lecturer of Entrepreneurial Management at Harvard Business School, where she co-leads HBS Startup Bootcamp, and is an active angel investor and startup advisor. Her latest book, The Portfolio Life: How to Future-Proof Your Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build A Life Bigger Than Your Business Card will be published in April 2023 (Hachette). 

She co-authored New To Big: How Companies Can Create Like Entrepreneurs, Invest Like VCs, and Install a Permanent Operating System for Growth (Penguin Random House, 2019) with David Kidder, co-founder of growth advisory firm Bionic, where she worked as the Vice President for Growth before joining the HBS faculty. Early to the podcast scene, she co-created and co-hosted The Limit Does Not Exist, a podcast about portfolio careers produced by iHeartRadio with 125 episodes over 3 seasons and millions of downloads by passionate listeners.

She regularly speaks, writes, and consults on a wide range of topics, ranging from failure and resilience to corporate innovation, from K12 computer science education to her viral TED talk detailing her unique approach to hacking online dating. Mashable called her one of “44 Female Founders to Know” and Refinery29 named her one of the "Most Powerful Women in NYC Tech." She has been profiled in Elle, Marie Claire, the Wall Street Journal, and Fast Company, among others.

Originally from Lansing, Michigan, Christina is pleased to serve as a mentor for several accelerators, including Techstars Anywhere and the NEW INC accelerator for startups at the intersection of art and technology. A lifelong musician, she earned her high school diploma from Interlochen Arts Academy, where she studied piano, cello, and classical voice. In her free time, she sings with various chamber choirs, embarks on adventure travel, including summiting Mt Kilimanjaro and trekking to Everest Base Camp, and is an endurance athlete, with 22 half marathons, 3 triathlons, and 3 marathons under her belt. She lives in Cambridge with her husband Chas Carey and their two children.

SUE SAYS

"Christina grew up with a love of both music and math. While she thrived academically, she also had a love of the arts. When she combined the two she would learn that the perfect route for her was to become an entrepreneur. Many twists and turns that took place in her life led to her latest book, The Portfolio Life which details the importance of diversification in both finance and life."

Lydia Fenet, Global Managing Director, Strategic Partnerships & Lead Benefit Auctioneer at Christie’s Auction House, shared the story behind her title with us on Sunday, March 6, 2022.

Lydia has led auctions for more than six hundred organizations and raised over half a billion dollars for nonprofits globally. Lydia is a keynote speaker represented by CAA and travels internationally speaking to groups about unlocking their sales potential and empowering their teams in the workplace. She was named one of New York’s most influential women by Gotham magazine and has been featured in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and Crain’s, and has appeared in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair and Town & Country. Her widely acclaimed book, ‘The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You’ was published by Simon & Schuster and was optioned for TV/Film by New Form Entertainment in February 2020. Lydia is currently writing The Most Powerful Girl in the Room is You.

SUE SAYS

"Lydia grew up in Lake Charles Louisiana, one of four in a household that encouraged art and history. As a boarding school attendee, Lydia learned from an early age to be independent and confident. She took this confidence and love of art to land in the top spot at Christie's Auction House and now is on a mission to help other women find their own inner power and confidence.

Dr. Anna Scott, an atmospheric scientist, entrepreneur, co-founder of Project Canary and Co-Chair of their Science Advisory Council, shared the story behind her title with us on September 11, 2022.

Dr. Scott received her PhD in the Earth and Planetary Science Department at the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences at Johns Hopkins. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Chicago, a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), and a Master of Arts and Sciences in Earth Science from Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Scott has installed sensor networks and led field campaigns in Birmingham, Alabama, Nairobi (Kenya), and Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Scott founded the Baltimore Open Air project, a community-based air quality monitoring project that designed, built, and deployed air monitors in the Greater Baltimore region.

As a scientist, she’s worked on projects around the world with the Red Cross/Red Crescent’s International Climate Center, NASA, The World Bank, and numerous local governments.p on air!

SUE SAYS

"Growing up Anna was a natural when it came to science and math. Not only was she good at it but she loved it. That's not typically popular for a young girl in middle school. She would like to change that. The work she is doing as the co-Founder of Project Canary is not only important and beneficial for humanity, it's also very cool! Listen in to learn more about Anna's journey from academia to entrepreneurship in the field of ESG, Climate Change and Global Warming!"

Stacey Heuser, Co-Founder & Principal of The Narrative Group, shared the story behind her title with us on December 28, 2022.

For almost 15 years, Stacey has led the team at The Narrative Group, an award-winning creative agency, in building authentic and engaging brand experiences. With notable clients in their portfolio, including McDonald’s and Universal Pictures, Stacey has positioned herself as an expert in building brilliant experiences for consumers and brands.

Besides having co-founded the company, Stacey also sold The Narrative Group to their parent company, Plus Co - a feat that is rare for women founders, especially in the advertising and creative industry. Stacey is passionate about empowering women and mothers/parents in the workplace and is an angel investor for mom-centric companies like HeyMama and Loom.

SUE SAYS

"Stacey grew up in the suburbs of L.A. in a family she describes as ahead of its time from a wellness perspective. Her mother, a Reiki Master and Spiritual Healer introduced Stacey to what we now call mindfulness when she was only six years old. She is convinced that her upbringing is what allows her to continually be brought back to center no matter what life brings…a powerful tool as an entrepreneur."

Carol Alexis Chen, partner & trial lawyer in Winston & Strawn LLP’s Los Angeles office, shared the story behind her title with us on April 17, 2022.

Carol is a former award-winning career federal prosecutor and trial lawyer in the United States Department of Justice,

As a member of the Firm’s White Collar, Regulatory Defense, & Internal Investigations group, she represents public and private companies, corporate officers, and other individuals in white-collar criminal and regulatory matters, both before and after charges have been filed. With respect to investigations, in addition to responding to government inquiries, she conducts sensitive internal investigations for her corporate and individual clients and counsels them on the development, implementation, and enhancement of compliance and remediation programs, including with respect to the Bank Secrecy Act, anti-money laundering, trade, export control, and health care laws and regulations, and the False Claims Act and related qui tam provisions. In the civil realm, Carol represents clients on a wide range of complex commercial litigation issues, including business torts, fraud, and RICO. 

SUE SAYS

"Carol grew up in California one of three with parents who were immigrants and demonstrated what it is to sacrifice for their children. With a mom who was often home alone to parent, Carol saw what a strong woman looks like and carried that with her throughout her career. Her advice for young women? Fake it til you make it."

Dr. Sheila Robinson, Founder & CEO of Diversity Woman Media, shared the story behind her title with us on November 22, 2022.

Dr. Robinson is a celebrated publisher, best-selling author on leadership, inspiring speaker, and talent innovation specialist. Her company Diversity Woman Media is recognized nationally as a leading multi-platform enterprise with program offerings that advances all dimensions of diversity and inclusion (D&I).

An expert in diversity and inclusion, Dr. Robinson helps leading companies transform their culture to reach gender parity, equity, and belonging by combining her first-hand experience climbing the corporate ladder with the highest academic degrees, best practices from her leading magazines, and a deep passion for evidence-based workplace learnings.

Dr. Robinson is the author of three books: Lead by Example: An Insider’s Look at How to Successfully Lead in Corporate America and Entrepreneurship (2014), Your Tool Kit for Success: The Professional Woman’s Guide for Advancing to the C-Suite (2017) and Redefining Your Life D.I.E.T. : Transform How You Look, Feel and Perform (2021)

She has been featured in Forbes, Fortune, Entrepreneur, and Publishing Executive magazines. Dr. Robinson earned both a Masters of Education and a Doctorate of Education from the University of Pennsylvania.

SUE SAYS

Sheila grew up the youngest of three girls and lost her father when she was ten years old. Her mother would go on to become the driving force behind Sheila's path toward education, research and her devotion to assisting in the advancement of all women. "Work for what you want," her mom would tell her. Listen to why today Sheila's mantra is to lead by example and how her glass is always half-full. 

Cherie Burton, Speaker, Author, Host of Women Seeking Wholeness, shared the story behind her title with us on Sunday, January 17, 2021.

For decades, Cherie battled feelings of shame, insignificance & depression. She has a family pedigree riddled with addiction & mental illness. As a 20-something new mom, Cherie said goodbye to her firstborn—a girl—when she was 4 days old, which launched her into a major depressive episode that could have ended my life. Cherie later earned a psych degree and became a counselor at a behavioral facility, a psychiatric hospital, and an addiction recovery center. She would also visit siblings who were patients in these places; places that it became abundantly clear to her didn’t hold the big healing picture.

SUE SAYS

Cherie describes herself as a Divine Feminine Scholar. She has come to this place of “knowing” through her own life experience dealing with trauma, mental illness, and loss. Those who suffer loss Cherie believes are the ones who heal more easily because they become more connected to the balance of the feminine male balance that the planet has been missing. A fascinating conversation with a very intuitive woman!

On March 25, 2018 we shared the story behind the title of Dr. Marianne Ritchie, a practicing Gastroenterologist with Jefferson University Hospital.

Dr. Ritchie is a gastroenterologist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is affiliated with Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. She received her medical degree from Jefferson Medical College and has been in practice for more than 20 years. She is one of 60 doctors at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital who specialize in Gastroenterology.

Dr. Ritchie was one of the first female gastroenterologists practicing in the Philadelphia area. She has been a leading advocate for over thirty years. Ritchie developed the PINK PLUS triple cancer screening program for women, and she also launched the BLUE LIGHTS CAMPAIGN for Colon Cancer Awareness.

Marianne is married to Dr. Stuart Gordon. They have three children and are avid dog lovers. Dr. Ritchie is also a member of national and international medical societies, a board member of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, and a recognized author and public speaker.

Dr. Ritchie is also the host of Your Radio Doctor, the only all-medical radio show in Philadelphia each Sunday at 10 am EST.

Colleen Cutcliffe, CEO & Co-Founder at Pendulum Therapeutics, shared the story behind her title with us on Saturday, April 10th and Sunday, April 11th, 2021.

Colleen has over 15 years of experience leading and managing biology teams in academia, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. Prior to starting Pendulum, Colleen was the Senior Manager of Biology at Pacific Biosciences and a Scientist at Elan Pharmaceuticals. Colleen received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Johns Hopkins University and her B.A. in Biochemistry from Wellesley College.

SUE SAYS

"As a young girl growing up in the deep south to immigrant parents, Colleen's experience was not one of racism or discrimination. She recalls the lesson she learned from her parents was that every person, no matter their background, has the absolute power to chart their own course in life. She's taken these values of integrity, hard work and education and applied them directly to her company Pendulum. "

Jamie Gier, Chief Marketing Officer at DexCare, shared the story behind her title with us on May 22, 2024.

Jamie is a 3-time CMO with more than 25 years of experience in growth marketing. As CMO of DexCare, she is responsible for accelerating market expansion and brand value through effective go-to-market strategies, product positioning, and customer advocacy programs. Jamie has worked with industry leaders who drive positive social impact, including Microsoft, GE, and DreamBox Learning, finding their most compelling stories and telling them in the most powerful way.

SUE SAYS

"I sit down for an interview with Jamie Gier to learn about her life growing up without her mom around, the latest in healthcare technology, being in the C-suite as a single mom, and a 25 year career in marketing with companies like GE, Microsoft and DreamBox."

Melissa Skoog Dunagan, the Founder & President of Skoog Co and the Co-Founder & Owner of theJuggl, shared the story behind her title with us on Sunday, October 10th, 2021.

Skoog Co is a brand strategy and communications firm that represents many of the most celebrated luxury and lifestyle brands. theJuggl is a private membership marketplace uniquely featuring advice, tools & direct connections to move you towards your personal and professional goals.

Melissa is as much a fashion insider as they come. After majoring in glass-blowing at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the Hinsdale native kick-started her career as Anna Wintour's assistant at Vogue. She climbed to accessories editor at Marie Claire before making the not-oft-accomplished leap from editorial to industry, spending four years in San Francisco as a merchant for women's fashion at Gap Inc. There, she co-managed a $200 million business at Banana Republic and soaked up lessons from retail guru Millard "Mickey" Drexler, the former Gap chief who now helms J. Crew.

SUE SAYS

"Raised as the baby in a small town in Illinois, Melissa spent a lot of time unsupervised and by herself. Her independence was seeded and she dreamt of living in the big city. Ironically after fulfilling her dream of working in fashion in NYC with the biggest names, Anna Wintour and Prada, she felt the need to leave it all behind to focus on herself and the wellness of other women."

Nora Barry, Managing Partner of Bridge View Media, shared the story behind her title with us on October 9, 2024

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Of the interview, our founder and host, Sue Rocco, says: "Listen in as I sit down with with Nora to talk about her life growing up outside of Philadelphia in a large Irish Catholic family, her love of the Girl Scouts, a time spent backpacking alone through France and the pioneering company she founded in 1997 called The Bit Screen."

ABOUT NORA:

Nora is the managing partner of Bridge View Media, a communications consultancy, and the author of "The Strategy of Story--Why Story Works and How You Can Make It Work for You".

Nora has written for the Wall St. Journal, Forbes, and Reuters and has written extensively about story and emerging forms of narrative across multiple platforms. Nora has been a jurist for a number of film festivals and she launched the first website for online film, The Bit Screen, in 1998. She coaches clients on story and presentation skills.

Jelen Greiner, co-Founder of iRobot and current CEO of Tertill, shared the story behind her title with us on Saturday, July 17th and Sunday, July 18th, 2021.

Helen’s goal since she was 11 has been to create robots. Her career has been her dream come true. She co-founded and served as Chairman and President of iRobot Corporation for 18 years.

Helen also founded CyPhy Works, a drone company that delivered persistent drones flying for many hours, days, weeks at a time autonomously. We had them deployed in Iraq and Syria with Army and Special Forces where they saved lives. CyPhy was sold to NASDAQ[FLIR].

Helen likes delivering robot products that surprise and delight customers with utility, intelligence, and price.

SUE SAYS

"Helen’s love of mechanics and engineering was innate from the very beginning. While she didn’t always feel as though she fit in with the other girls growing up, she pursued her dream anyway to one day build a robot just like R2D2. She is the finest example of living life on her own terms."

Shauna Sweeney, Founder & CEO of Tender, shared the story behind her title with us on November 20, 2024.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Of the interview, our founder and host, Sue Rocco, says: "This interview with Shauna was a personal one for me. Having lost my mother, her two sisters and my grandfather to Alzheimer's, the new tech company Shauna founded would have been a Godsend.  Shauna talks about growing up with her single dad and the tight bond they formed, his later diagnosis with Alzheimer's and her decision to leave a successful job at Meta to develop an app that would assist caregivers as they maneuver the complex and frightening world of taking care of a loved one with chronic disease."

ABOUT SHAUNA:

Shauna's personal journey of caring for her father, who has early-onset Alzheimer's, inspired her to help millions of family caregivers like her through technology. Prior to Tender, Shauna was a tech executive and led a significant Employee Resource Group, Caregiving@, for aging parents and caregivers. Before that she was a professor of rhetoric at USC. Beyond her professional roles, she contributes to her community, having served on the boards of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and the Asia Society. Shauna resides in New York in a historic, converted 1850s barn with her husband, daughter, two step-children, and their pet sheepdog, along with a small flock of chickens.

LEARN MORE:

Liz Hirsh Naftali, Hostage Advocate & Podcaster, shared the story behind her title with us on October 23, 2024.

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

Of the interview, our founder and host, Sue Rocco, says: “Listen in as I sit down with Laura to talk about the loss of her father when she was 8, why it led to a deep understanding of the fragility of life, how an internship at Madison Square Garden opened her eyes to her love of business and creativity and why becoming a mother was the best thing that ever happened to her career."

MORE ABOUT LIZ:

Liz Hirsh Naftali is the great-aunt of Abigail Mor Edan, a three-year-old who was held hostage in Gaza for fifty-one days. Abigail was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, from her community, Kfar Aza, after her parents were both murdered in front of her by Hamas terrorists. 

In the wake of that attack, Naftali became a fervent advocate working for the release of the hostages. Even after Abigail’s release on November 26, 2023, she remains dedicated to working for all those who remain in captivity in Gaza. Liz is author of “Saving Abigail: The True Story of the Abduction and Rescue of a Three-Year-Old Hostage”.

Liz is also businesswoman and the host and creator of The Capitol Coffee Connection podcast, a platform where she invites prominent, diverse leaders to talk about the common thread that binds us all together—our shared experiences, stories, and the very essence of our heart and humanity—leaving out politics and policy.

She was raised in Los Angeles where Tzedakah and Tikkun Olam were an important part of her upbringing. Her father, Stanley Hirsh, was the publisher of the Jewish Journal, president of the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles and chairman of the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency. Her mother, Anita Hirsh, was a leader in the Soviet Jewry movement and Jewish Family Service in Los Angeles. Naftali is the mother of five children and has lived between Israel and the US since 1992. 

Listen in as our founder and host, Sue Rocco, sits down with FOX News's Harris Faulkner, the anchor of The Faulkner Focus and co-host of Outnumbered, just before the 2024 election to get her take on women's role in politics and how all sides can come together to discuss important issues for America.

★★★★★

Harris is a multiple Emmy award-winning anchor. She joined FOX News Channel in 2005 and currently helms two top-rated daily daytime programs – The Faulkner Focus (weekdays, 11AM-12PM/ET) and serves as the co-host of Outnumbered (weekdays, 12-1PM/ET). She previously anchored Outnumbered Overtime with Harris Faulkner, which was number one in its timeslot since its 2017 launch.

DISCLAIMER: Guests of Women to Watch® do not represent the views of our Host, Sue Rocco, or the Women to Watch® brand.

Denelle Dixon, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Stellar Development Foundation, shared the story behind her title with us on Saturday, May 1st and Sunday, May 2nd, 2021.

The Stellar Development Foundation is a non-profit organization using blockchain to unlock the world’s economic potential by making money more fluid, markets more open, and people more empowered.

Before joining Stellar, Dixon served as COO of Mozilla, one of the most successful mission-driven open-source organizations. During her tenure at Mozilla, she led the organization’s business, revenue and policy teams including the ongoing fight for Net Neutrality and the global effort to ensure that people can control their personal data. She also pushed Mozilla to understand how to partner with commercial entities while staying true to its core mission of openness, innovation, and opportunity on the web. A lawyer by trade, Denelle previously served as a general counsel and legal advisor in private equity and technology.

Throughout her career, Denelle has been a vocal advocate for net neutrality, encryption, the disclosure of vulnerabilities by governments, and greater user choice and control.

SUE SAYS

"In society today, particularly in the U.S., there are endless conversations around race, prejudice and inequality. For someone like Robin, who in her own words grew up privileged and white, she has a unique perspective because she experienced living in two worlds-one as a minority and one where all her peers looked the same. Robin's integrity and life experience has led her to walk the walk and purposefully contribute in areas that defend the rights of all people."

Colleen Bashar, SVP Enterprise Operations/Chief of Staff to CEO at Guidewire Software, shared the story behind her title with us on April 26, 2023.

Colleen has built a reputation for scaling organizations to establish customer experience excellence, drive profitable growth in competitive markets, and create sustainable shareholder value. She brings years of experience in enterprise software, technology, and organizational development coupled with a passion for driving long-term business growth.

Over the course of her 16-year career with Guidewire Software, Colleen has steadily progressed with the company through eight impactful roles. Currently as Senior Vice President, Enterprise Business Operations and Chief of Staff to the CEO, she leads two separate global teams in Field Enablement and Strategic Business Operations. Colleen’s leadership is critical to the execution of Guidewire’s corporate strategy as she leads strategy sessions with the Top 30 and the Top 100 leaders in the company.

Colleen holds an MBA from Duke University and a Bachelor’s in Biomedical Engineering from Boston University. She earned Duke University certificates in Health Sector Management, Communication for Leaders, and most recently Duke Leadership.

Featured in the Building Better Cultures podcast due to her passion for Raw Leadership™, Colleen also sits on the Board of Trustees for The Raleigh School and is an active member of Chief.

An active golfer, downhill skier, and mother of two boys, she enjoys being outdoors in any capacity as a participant or a fan of her sons’ golf, hockey, and baseball teams.

SUE SAYS

Colleen grew up and was raised primarily by her mom after her parents divorced when she was three. Not having her father in her life left a mark that stayed with her well into adulthood. She found herself wanting to prove to him she was worthy. Once she uncovered what was holding her back, she was able to lean in fully to her professional role, and to teach others as well the importance of being vulnerable and authentic.

Erin Krolikiewicz, Global Head of Precision Talent at Novartis Pharmaceuticals, shared the story behind her title with us on March 20, 2024.

As the Global Head of Precision Talent and Executive Scouting at Novartis, Erin leads a cross-divisional and cross-unit team of talent professionals with a focus on executive advisory and community of practice for internal and external talent strategies.

With over 20 years of HR and talent experience, Erin has broad and diverse expertise across talent management, talent acquisition, talent scouting, executive search, talent analytics and insights, and strategic leadership initiatives. She is also a certified leadership coach and a member of Chief, a network of women leaders.

Erin is passionate about human connection, employee advocacy and engagement, and championing talent innovation. She thrives on leading high-performance teams across the globe to ensure the future success of the organization. Erin has a proven track record of delivering effective talent strategies in complex and innovative environments, as well as superior talent identification, engagement, business insights, competitive intelligence, and project management. She is an inclusive and servant leader who loves collaboration and partnership.

SUE SAYS

"I sit down with Erin Krolikiewicz of Novartis Pharmaceuticals to talk about being the first in her family to go to college, what it was like being an introvert and an old soul growing up, and how her divorce was one of the greatest challenges of her life."

Madison Eggert-Crowe, VP Political Affairs at Comcast, shared the story behind her title with us on August 28, 2024

★★★★★

Of the interview, our founder and host, Sue Rocco, says: "Listen in as I sit down with Madison to talk about her upbringing in South Coventry, PA, her aspiration to grow up and work in a tall building in the city, her love of politics and math, and why her mom's deployment to Iraq and subsequent injury was a life-changing moment for Madison."

Madison joined Comcast in 2013 and oversees the Company’s enterprise-wide political activities compliance program. Specifically, she is responsible for the administration, compliance, and disclosure related to political action committee, corporate, and executive personal political contributions; corporate and trade association political action committee solicitations and receipts; state and local pay-to-play; federal, state, and local lobbying; gifts and entertainment of government officials; and government conflicts of interest.

Madison serves as a board member of the Public Affairs Council. Prior to joining Comcast, Madison worked in Development and Alumni Relations at the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Madison holds a B.S. in Political Science and Mathematics from Drexel University and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Pennsylvania Fels Institute of Government.

Suzanne Yoon, the Founder and Managing Partner of Kinzie Capital Partners, shared the story behind her title with us on Saturday, January 23rd, and Sunday, January 24th, 2021.

Suzanne oversees the firm’s investments and operational activities. Suzanne’s philosophy of combining operational excellence with technological innovation separates Kinzie from other capital providers and seeks impactful and sustained growth for investors.

Prior to founding Kinzie Suzanne was a Managing Director at Versa Capital Management, LLC, where she led transaction development throughout North America. In 2013, she received the “40 Under 40 Dealmakers Award” from The M&A Advisor for her work. Prior to Versa, Suzanne was a Senior Vice President at CIT Group, co-founded LaSalle Bank/ABN AMRO’s Corporate Restructuring Group and held positions in distressed loan portfolio management and turnaround advisory at LaSalle Bank and Ernst and Young’s Restructuring Advisory Group, respectively.

SUE SAYS

"Growing up with parents who immigrated from South Korea and were determined to provide a better life for their children was one of the greatest experiences Suzanne had as a young girl. Tragically, Suzanne's father, a successful entrepreneur was murdered during a robbery when she was 10 years old. How did that experience shape your view of the world, I asked her. To fully understand we have no control over many things in life, but can always move forward."

Drexel University's Senior Vice Provost of Faculty Advancement joins us for an intimate conversation on her life growing up with a mother who suffered from Bipolar, receiving her MA and PhD in Education and why she hopes her daughters will uncover who they are and live their lives writing their own stories.

Dr. Erin McNamara Horvat, the Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement for Drexel University, shared the story behind her title with us on September 13, 2023.

An ethnographer and sociologist of education, Dr. Horvat’s research agenda has explored how race and class shape access throughout the educational pipeline, focusing especially on the role of social and cultural capital in shaping families’ interactions with schools, students’ college experiences, college access, and high school dropout and reentry. She has been deeply committed to work with out-of-school youth through her support of YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School as a longtime board member and 4-year board chair. 

Since joining Drexel in 2015 her research has focused on the groundbreaking and visionary civic engagement efforts being undertaken by Drexel University in the West Philadelphia neighborhood in which it resides. She has Co-Chaired the Education Committee for the Federally designated Promise Zone and served as the education lead on the 30 million dollar Promise Neighborhood grant submission. 

Her publications include Beyond Acting White: Reframing the Debate on Black Student Achievement (coedited with Carla O’Connor), and Doing Qualitative Research, published by Teachers College Press as well as peer reviewed articles in Sociology of Education, Anthropology and Education Quarterly, Youth and Society and American Educational Research Journal. Her work has been funded by the Spencer Foundation and The Ford Foundation.

A native Californian, proud Philadelphian and mother to Katherine and Margaret, Dr. Horvat currently serves at Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs at Drexel University. She is an avid oarswoman continuing to row competitively as a Masters rower in local and regional regattas and enjoys all aspects of food, especially cooking and eating.

BJ Gray, the Founder of GrayMatter Coaching, shared the story behind her title with us on Sunday, September 13th, 2020.

BJ’s experience as a top executive with Fortune 500 companies gives her a unique understanding of what both employees and companies need to be successful. She started GrayMatter Coaching to help leaders improve their inner game.

The leadership 3.0 program is not only to level up their EQ skills but to build the Mental Fitness that is necessary when they are the glue holding people together in today’s challenging environment. Whether it be complex business environments or when the outside world is in chaos, employees want to be engaged in a different way. It has a lot to do with human development and the mastery that you already have inside you.

The cornerstone of her program is using proven cognitive behavior strategies to help shift awareness & develop a better mindset strategy. This is key to leaders breaking through in another way, a Brave Leadership Style.

SUE SAYS

BJ’s story is one I would imagine many people can relate to. The sudden loss of someone we love will often instantly change our outlook on life. After losing her Dad at the age of 13, BJ’s main focus in her decisions and motivation centered around the need to feel safe. Today she works with leaders to help them uncover their own motivations, and how they can become better leaders through more self-awareness.  

Lisa Broderick, Founder and Executive Director of Police2Peace, shared the story behind her title with us on October 25th, 2020.

Lisa is an accomplished senior executive whose career has been defined by understanding how technology impacts society and changes behavior. Lisa helps others create lives of presence and purpose. She also uses her teaching and skills to grow the nonprofit she founded, Police2Peace.

Police2Peace is receiving national media attention by transforming the term “police officer” into “peace officer” on law enforcement vehicles and uniforms around the country. The charitable initiative has already transformed multiple departments and communities across the country.

SUE SAYS

At four years old, Lisa experienced a near-fatal accident after falling through a plate glass window. This event completely shaped her life and the way she views the world. In that moment, Lisa discovered that there is much more to life than meets the eye, and anything was possible. As a result, she now mentors others who want to make profound changes in their lives.

Johanna Maska, CEO of Global Situation Room, shared the story behind her title with us on Sunday, October 4th, 2020.

Johanna is also a host of Pod is a Woman. Maska served President Barack Obama for more than eight years, as Director of Press Advance in the White House, playing a critical role in his 2008 campaign. 

At the White House, Maska served as a guarantor of President Obama’s brand on a global stage, ensuring consistency of message across every continent, whether that was a first-ever live address to the nation from Afghanistan or a multi-country town hall from South Africa. Maska traveled with President Obama to more than 40 countries and almost every state.

Since leaving the White House in 2015, Maska has worked with media companies, technology firms, and non-profit organizations applying her unique touch to projects across sectors. Maska taught communications at the University of Southern California, served as a Fellow at the Dole Institute of Politics, and has spoken at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy Institute of Politics. 

Maska was born in Wichita, Kansas, raised primarily in Galesburg, IL, graduated from Galesburg High School, and attended the University of Kansas. Maska worked in politics in the midwest, for Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, and in politics in Iowa before joining the Obama campaign. 

SUE SAYS

Most people do not have the privilege of traveling to over 40 countries with the President of The United States. Johanna’s experience in doing so opened her eyes to many of the world’s problems, both common to all countries, and some that plague a few. What she learned is that the only way the world will be better for all is when people with the power to create policy can come together and seek resolutions with integrity and an open mind.

Judith Guido, Chairwoman & Founder of Guido & Associates, shared the story behind her title with us on Sunday, January 3, 2021.

Guido & Associates, a Business Management company working in the areas of Strategy, Processes/Systems, Research, Sales, Marketing/PR, Branding, Social Media, Mergers/Acquisitions, Green and Sustainable Markets, Women and Boomer Markets, focuses on helping organizations grow their people and profits.

SUE SAYS

On July 5, 2017, Judy Guido was randomly attacked by a psychotic landscaper who was working at her home at the time. He chased and struck her multiple times with an axe. She survived the horrific incident through what she describes as spontaneously using her strategic and execution abilities as an advisor, and has since recovered from a brain injury. Judy is remarkable in many ways, but what I see in her is a mental and emotional toughness that we all could use.

Dr. Jo Shattuck, founder & CEO of Panthertec, shared the story behind her title with us on January 11, 2023.

Panthertec is a performance enhancement company that combines data, neuroscience, and biomechanics to capture athletes' motion and provide sensory feedback. Their goal is to enhance performance and reduce injuries and impact by disrupting sports training and recovery.

The Kinesthetic Awareness Training system was invented by company founder Dr. Jo Shattuck, an experienced coach, educated neuroscientist, and former professional athlete. Kinesthetic Awareness Training was created from Dr. Shattuck's personal experience as a top 10 world-ranking professional racquetball player and 23 years of coaching in a highly technical sport.

SUE SAYS

"Dr. Jo is an accomplished athlete, coach, advisor, Neuroscientist and Entrepreneur who shares her story of overcoming self-doubt....something we all experience. Listen in to Jo describe her invention that captures movement in real time and teaches it back to the wearer with vibrations felt through sensors. It's a fascinating device that may well end up helping numerous industries outside of sports!"

Judge Carolyn T. Carluccio shared the story behind her title with us on April 19, 2023.

Carolyn T. Carluccio is a Republican candidate for Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court. The incumbent Common Pleas Judge from Montgomery County will bring unmatched experience, proven temperament, and unquestioned impartiality to Pennsylvania’s highest Court.

Judge Carluccio was elected to the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court in November 2009,where she has served with distinction as the Court’s first female President Judge in the County’shistory. As a common pleas judge, Carluccio was assigned to sit in the Criminal, Family and Civil Court Benches, and as an alternate Judge to Juvenile Court.

Judge Carluccio began her legal career as a Federal Assistant United States Attorney prosecuting large-scale drug dealers, bank robbers, and money launderers. Her work earned her recognition from the United States Secret Service and United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

Judge Carluccio served as the first-ever female Chief Public Defender for Montgomery County, where she managed a team of 35 staff and attorneys.

A registered republican, Judge Carluccio intends to pursue the endorsement of the Pennsylvania Republican Party. Judge Carluccio has earned the endorsement of Republican committee people in prior campaigns.

Judge Carluccio earned her Bachelor of Arts from Dickinson College and her Juris Doctor Degree from the Widener University School of Law. Carluccio’s Court Admissions include: Pennsylvania, Delaware, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, District of Delaware, Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and United States Supreme Court. Click here to read Judge Carluccio's full resume.

A life-long resident of Montgomery County, Judge Carluccio is married to her husband with three adult children: Andrew, Charlie and Joseph.

SUE SAYS

"Growing up in the Tornetta household, nothing was more important than family values and doing what was right. Manners and respect were paramount in the family. While Judge Carluccio may have been a bit shy as a little girl, she learned the art of performing from her Grandmother which led to her love of being a trial attorney. That led to the confidence and courage it took to become the very first female President Judge in the history of Montgomery County Court."

Liz Kaplow, Founder & CEO of Kaplow Communications, shared the story behind her title with us on Sunday, April 10th, 2022.

Liz is a visionary entrepreneur who has reinvented the practice of public relations for today’s social/digital world.

Liz founded Kaplow Communications on the belief that brands can make meaningful connections with consumers through storytelling, an insight ahead of its time. Two-plus decades later, she pioneered the use of emerging technology to revolutionize the practice and better serve clients.

A respected advisor to business leaders around the globe, Liz also has been a mentor to prominent young practitioners. She has earned many honors, including the coveted Matrix Award from New York Women in Communications and PRNews’ Top Women in PR Award, as well as a repeated spot on New York Observer’s PR Power List.

She serves on the boards of Cosmetic Executive Women and the PRSA Foundation. An honors graduate of Vassar College, she has a graduate degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology.

SUE SAYS

"As a young girl, Liz was naturally fascinated by people and wanted to learn more about who they were. This inquisitive nature opened up opportunities for Liz to understand the importance of relationship building. In the world of communications and PR, her natural ability to connect has been the foundation of her firm's success for over 30 years."

Ilana Golan, CEO & Growth Specialist at Golan Ventures and Founder of CareerLeap, shared the story behind her title with us on Sunday, January 30, 2022.

Ilana is the founder of Golan Ventures and Leap, the exclusive program that has been transforming thousands of lives and careers. Tech executive, turned entrepreneur, board director, and investor (in over 100 companies). Selected top 40 women to watch in 2016, Business Insider Silicon Valley Women of influence in 2017, and the prestigious CEO World award for 2019. Forbes Contributor & award-winning international keynote speaker. Featured on Yahoo Finance, Market Watch, Fox, NBC, CBS, ABC, and more. Started her career as an F-16 flight instructor and the first woman to become a commander in her squad.

SUE SAYS

"In Ilana’s own words – 'I was leaping in my career continuously. Air Force → Engineer →Technical Sales → Product Manager → VP Technical Operations… I decided to start a tech company with a friend. We raised $800,000! I was so excited. I thought I was living the dream. I told everyone about this company-in-the-making. And then, my co-founder decided to take the money and kick me out of the business.'"

Jennifer Ernst, CEO & Co-Founder of Tivic Health, shared the story behind her title with us on Sunday, February 6, 2022.

Jennifer is a co-founder and has served as the Chief Executive Officer and as a Director of Tivic Health Systems, Inc., a commercial-stage bioelectronic medicine company focused on treating diseases and conditions by modulating the electrical signals carried along various nerve pathways. They focus on non-invasive products that offer consumers a choice in the treatment of inflammation and related conditions.

Jennifer has also served as the CEO and Chief Strategy Officer of the U.S. subsidiary of Thin Film Electronics ASA. She worked for Xerox PARC for over 20 years, where she held multiple go-to-market roles, including as the Director of Business Development. Additionally, she served as a director of FlexTech Alliance, the U.S. national consortium for flexible and printed electronics, for three years, including one year as the Chair.

Jennifer earned her Master of Business Administration degree from Santa Clara University, and has been featured in Inc., The HealthCare Technology Report, and Thrive Global as a female leader who is shaking up things in the industry.

SUE SAYS

"Jennifer grew up as a "late in life" baby, the youngest of four, who spent a lot of time listening to the grownups talking. Her inquisitive nature early on in the area of math and science makes perfect sense today as she leads a company that is on the cutting edge of bioelectric medicine. Being a woman in STEM was never something Jennifer questioned or found a challenge as she continually moved up in her career and landed as an inevitable entrepreneur. "

Kathy Bloomgarden, CEO of Ruder Finn, will share the story behind her title with us on October 30, 2022.

Ruder Finn is one of the largest independent communications consultancies in the world serving clients across four key pillars – Technology & Innovation, Corporate & Public Trust, Health & Wellness, and Consumer Connections.

In her more than 30 years of experience, Dr. Bloomgarden has developed communications programs to help shape and enhance the reputation of clients across industries, including Novartis, Citi, PepsiCo, Cisco, Sanofi, and Microsoft. In today’s environment in which business reinvention and transformation have become a vital component of success, she works closely with C-suite executives to highlight the impact their business has on society, as well as their personal leadership values, while also building confidence and engaging stakeholders. Under Dr. Bloomgarden’s leadership, Ruder Finn opened one of the first global communications offices in China over 25 years ago, which has grown to eight offices in the region. Dr. Bloomgarden has also overseen the growth of Ruder Finn Innovation Studios (RFI), one of the industry’s largest dedicated digital teams, with expertise in online presence and reputation management and the development of insights and data analytics.

Dr. Bloomgarden is a board member of the FNIH and the Partnership for New York City, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Advisory Board of the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs. She is the author of Trust: The Secret Weapon of Effective Business Leaders. She holds a BA from Brown University and an MA and Ph.D. from Columbia University in Political Science. She is fluent in French and has a working knowledge of Chinese, Italian, and basic German and Russian.

SUE SAYS

Many people might find stepping into the shoes of their father and a 74-year legacy a bit intimidating, but when you have the same excitement for the work as Kathy does, it becomes second nature. Listen in to Sue’s conversation with the CEO of Ruder Finn and how continuing to focus on what’s next has served her well.

Panorama Founder & CEO Gabrielle Fitzgerald joins us for a conversation on her eclectic career working at the White House with the Gates Foundation, and ultimately starting her own company using everything she's learned related to philanthropy and social change.

Gabrielle Fitzgerald, Founder and CEO of The Panorama Group, shared the story behind her title with us on August 16, 2023.

Gabrielle has spent her career working in politics, policy and philanthropy—and Panorama works at the intersection of all these fields. The Panorama Group is made up of three entities: Panorama Global, Panorama Strategy and Panorama Action. Gabrielle created Panorama to serve as a platform for social change, with a mission of maximizing social impact by partnering with visionary leaders to co-develop solutions with audacious thinking and bold action.

Prior to founding Panorama, Gabrielle spent more than a decade working in philanthropy, serving as the Director of Global Program Advocacy at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, plus a year managing the $100m Ebola program at the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. Earlier in her career, she led the public affairs strategy for HIV/AIDS at the U.S. Agency for International Development and served as the Communications Director for the U.S. Committee for Refugees. She also served as a speechwriter for President Clinton at The White House.

Gabrielle lives in Seattle with her husband and two daughters.

Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon shared the story behind her title with us on July 12, 2023.

Mary Gay is a life-long advocate for children and families. In November 2018, she was sworn into Congress following a special election victory - the first woman of the new wave of representation to be sworn in.

In her second full term in Congress, Mary Gay has continued her relentless advocacy on behalf of children and families in Pennsylvania’s 5th District and across the country. She was appointed, by her peers, to serve as Vice Chair of the prestigious House Judiciary Committee, and also serves on the House Rules Committee and the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress. She is a member of dozens of important caucuses, including the Bipartisan Working Group on Addiction, the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, and the Equality Caucus.

Mary Gay has cosponsored over 400 bills to improve the lives of families in our region and across the country. When roughly 4,000 jobs at the Boeing Plant in Ridley were on the chopping block, Mary Gay led the charge to successfully restore funding for this critical program in the National Defense Authorization Act. She also helped secure a $650 million contract to produce new ships at the Philadelphia Shipyard. Congresswoman Scanlon has introduced legislation to reduce the burden of student loan debt and the costs of prescription drugs. She led House floor debate on critical legislative victories, including the Equality Act and the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women’s Act. Mary Gay also helped push forward two critical pieces of commonsense gun violence prevention bills, which earned bipartisan support in the House. Congresswoman Scanlon has been tirelessly fighting for the people, working to restore faith in our democracy, and has been a leader in the House effort to hold the Trump Administration accountable.

SUE SAYS

"Mary Gay grew up in Watertown, NY, as an Irish Catholic and one of three girls. While her initial aspirations were to practice law to help the less fortunate, Congresswoman Scanlon would later discover a new calling in politics to have an even greater positive impact. Her goal remains to protect and improve the lives of American children, families, veterans, and seniors."

Renée Williams​, Executive Director of the National Center for Victims of Crime, shared the story behind her title with us on May 15, 2022.

In addition to being the Executive Director of the National Center for Victims of Crime, Renée also serves as the Director of the National Crime Victim Bar Association, an affiliate program of the National Center. Prior to taking the helm of the NCCV, Renée was the executive director of a legal services organization in Pittsburgh, which focused on the legal rights of victims of domestic violence and other indigent clients. Renée is seasoned in nonprofit leadership, also serving as a board member for several non-profits, most recently, Voices in Action and the Community Liver Alliance. Renée is passionate and stays connected to the community as well. She volunteers at Children’s National Hospital and Maryland Therapeutic Riding, and advocates for children as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA). For these efforts, she has been recognized as an Athena Young Professional Finalist, named one of Pittsburgh’s 40 under 40, and received a Jefferson Award. Renée completed her undergraduate studies in theatre arts at Point Park University and subsequently received her Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh, School of Law.

SUE SAYS

Renee grew up with educators as parents and a desire to go into the arts. Her aspirations would take a turn however when a family member became involved in a criminal case, and Renee saw firsthand how victims of crime are treated within our justice system. She would go on to become a leader for victims' rights across the country.

J. Kelly Hoey, a networking expert, and author of Build Your Dream Network: Forging Powerful Relationships In A Hyper-Connected World, shared the story behind her title with us on August 7, 2024.

★★★★★

Of the interview, our founder and host, Sue Rocco, says: "Listen in as I sit down with Kelly to talk about her desire to leave her hometown in search of more, an unexpected dinner with Malala, working in NY's start-up community and how the most important key to building your network is to know your why."

With her law degree and business cards in hand, Kelly advanced along a predictable corporate career path until a unique opportunity in 2009 infused her career with confidence and encouraged her to stop playing it safe. Working alongside the visionary leader of a global business network for women, co-founding a startup accelerator, angel investing, an interim CMO position (and reporting to a founder/CEO twenty+ years younger) – these roles are all part of an unimaginable career journey to becoming a published author, career coach and keynote speaker.

Some of her other crazy career outcomes that have resulted from building a diverse network: appearing on CNBC’s Power Pitch, moderating the Meet The Innovators speaker series at the Apple Store, and contributing to publications such as The New York Times, Forbes.com, Fast Company, Inc. and more. Today, Kelly enjoys transforming how others approach the vital activity of networking, through her various speaking, coaching, facilitating and hosting roles.

Mara Smith, Founder & CEO of INSPIRO Tequila, shared the story behind her title with us on October 30, 2024.

★★★★★

Of the interview, our founder and host, Sue Rocco, says: "Listen in as I sit down with Mara to talk about motherhood, her career as an attorney in a large firm, her work as a corporate strategist at McDonald's Corporation, and going on emergency bedrest while pregnant with her twins, which led to the difficult decision to leave the corporate world and start something new."

MORE ABOUT MARA:

Mara Smith, a former attorney in Chicago, started drinking tequila when she was looking for a clean, gluten-free spirit that fit into her active lifestyle. She and her friends enjoyed the versatile, carb-free and zero sugar spirit but they were not drawn to the traditional offerings. For years, Mara searched for a tequila brand that was additive-free with a look, taste and aroma that appealed to her and that she could share with her friends and family and proudly display on her bar. That perfect tequila simply did not exist, so she decided to create one.

Mara went to work studying the industry, and more importantly researching and testing what mindful consumers like her were looking for in a tequila. Her goal was to create a clean, smooth and sippable 100% Blue Weber Agave tequila without any of the additives often found in other tequilas, and with every detail thoughtfully crafted, from the meticulous production process to the sophisticated and sleek bottle that is easy to hold and pour.

Elissa Bloom, the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator, shared the story behind her title with us on Sunday, January 9, 2022.

Elissa has been with the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator at Macy's Center City since 2011 and, along with the board, launched the successful initiative which is now used as an international model for fashion incubation.

Elissa is a highly sought-after international speaker on fashion incubation and the business of fashion traveling to Italy, Russia, the Baltics, Israel, and Scotland. In 2015, she was invited by The White House to speak at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Kenya.

Elissa has been nominated as a 2019 “Connector of the Year” award with RAD Girls. In 2018 Elissa was awarded the Philadelphia Business Journal Woman of Distinction. In 2017 she was nominated as the Philadelphia Ambassador of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, a global event empowering female entrepreneurship that is celebrated in 144 countries with the United Nations. Elissa organized and led Philadelphia’s first and second annual event honoring female entrepreneurs in the region. In 2016 she was honored with the Trailblazer Award by Philly Fashion Week.

SUE SAYS

"As a young girl, Elissa loved to color. Little did she know that years later her love of color and design would come back and allow her the opportunity to start all over with her very own brand! Throughout her life, she held many titles...consultant, teacher, director, entrepreneur, and mentor. Now she's come full circle and proving it's never too late to start again."

Natalie Gonnella-Platts, Director of Women's Initiatives for The George W. Bush Institute, shared the story behind her title with us on Saturday, June 5th and Sunday, June 6th 2021!

Natalie is responsible for research and programmatic efforts that support women and girls worldwide to lead in their communities and countries. This includes the work of the First Ladies Initiative, which aims to enable and support global First Ladies in effectively using their platforms to impact change. 

Additionally, she is the host of the Bush Institute’s award nominated podcast, Ladies, First; the co-author of a first-of-its kind analysis on global first ladies, A Role Without a Rulebook; and served as a project lead on the development of the Bush Institute’s 2018 and 2019 special exhibits. Her work has also been published or featured across a wide range of external outlets including the New York Times, The Washington Post, Vanity Fair, The Dallas Morning News, Real Clear World, Politico, Bustle, Refinery 29, among others.

SUE SAYS

"We often explore our ancestry to learn where some of our own traits come from. When Natalie looks at her family tree, she can easily see leadership qualities in both her Grandmother, the founder of a candy store in 1946 and her own mother who was a nurse and always instilled in her children the importance of helping others. She now has the opportunity to do just that through her work with The George W Bush Institute."

Shari Dingle Costantini, CEO & founder of Avant Healthcare Professionals, shared the story behind her title with us on Saturday, June 26th and Sunday, June 27th, 2021.

Costantini is a renowned expert in the healthcare industry, with 30 years of experience in strategic leadership, nursing, and international staffing. She was named 100 Most Influential People in Staffing - 2013, Global Power 100 – Women in Staffing –2017 and 2018 by Staffing Industry Analysts. Costantini is the President of the American Association of International Healthcare Recruitment, a trade association she helped form in 2007. Through AAIHR, Costantini actively lobbies Congress for immigration reform to allow a consistent flow of highly skilled healthcare professionals. 

SUE SAYS

"Nothing prepares us for adulthood like our challenges as children. In Shari's case, she had several medical challenges that were not only significant but at a very pivotal age. When Shari looks back, she can see that her ability to work through Viral Encephalitis, conquer rehab, and finish school was a precursor for her ability to start, run and sell a large company in the healthcare industry."

Molly Ruland, Founder & CEO of Heartcast Media, shared the story behind her title with us on February 14, 2024.

Molly is a leading expert in the field of branded podcast production. Her agency specializes in creating top-notch branded content that helps businesses generate revenue and cultivate strategic relationships through the power of podcasting. With extensive experience and knowledge in the business of podcasting, podcast booking, and content creation, Molly frequently shares her insights as a speaker. Her belief that listening is the revolution is what has driven her success, and she currently resides in Costa Rica with her 3 dogs, nestled next to a volcano, where she manages her global business remotely. Pura vida!

SUE SAYS

"Molly discusses living with a debilitating disease, leaving home for good at 17, how she landed her first job from the phone book and her goal to hit 2M in revenue every year."

Dr. Yaba Blay shared the story behind her title with us on Sunday, August 22nd, 2021.

Dr. Blay is a scholar-activist, public speaker, and cultural consultant whose scholarship, work and practice centers on the lived experiences of Black women and girls, with a particular focus on identity/body politics and beauty practices.

Lauded by O Magazine for her social media activism, she has launched several viral campaigns including Locs of Love, #PrettyPeriod, and #ProfessionalBlackGirl, her multi-platform digital community.

Widely respected as one of the foremost thought leaders on Black racial identity, colorism, and beauty politics, Dr. Blay is a globally sought-after speaker and consultant with an extensive client list of over two dozen academic institutions including Harvard University, Duke University, Spelman College, New York University, to name a few; and such corporate entities as Netflix, UniLever International, SheaMoisture, Estee Lauder Companies, Procter & Gamble’s ‘My Black is Beautiful,’ and the #meToo. Movement.

SUE SAYS

"Yaba translates her research into engaging creative projects that seek to impact, if not change, our lived experiences for the better.  She has launched several viral campaigns including Locs of Love, #PrettyPeriod, and #ProfessionalBlackGirl. She is also the author of the award-winning One Drop: Shifting the Lens on Race, the inspiration behind CNN’s television documentary “Who is Black in America?,” for which she served as consulting producer. "