BEYOND BARRIERS (Beyond Barriers)
Explorez tous les épisodes de BEYOND BARRIERS
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| 13 Oct 2021 | Episode 186: Building The Future You Deserve With Applied Materials’ Susan Winchester | 00:38:42 | |
Do you ever feel that you are not good enough at work? Well, you are not alone. All over the world, billions of people go to work every day feeling anxious, defensive, isolated, braced for attack, overwhelmed, uncertain that they’re worthy. The good news is that there are actions you can take to disrupt those patterns so that you can build the future you deserve. Meet Susan Winchester, Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer for Applied Materials, whose passion is teaching and inspiring executives, leaders and professionals how to succeed by discovering greater self-acceptance, fulfillment and joy at work and in life. Susan shares her career journey and how learning to identify and address her limiting beliefs allowed her to step onto a conscious healing career path. Susan has more than 30 years of experience in HR providing executive leadership most recently as Head of HR for Rockwell Automation and prior to that in multiple leadership roles for the Kellogg Company. She continually looks to meet today’s global business challenges with creative HR strategies that engage people, support a dynamic, inclusive corporate culture, and enable company exceptional performance. Susan is also the author of the book, Healing at Work: A Guide to Using Career Conflicts to Overcome Your Past and Build the Future You Deserve, with Martha I. Finney. In this episode, Susan shares why it is important to identify our limiting beliefs, the 3-step process to managing conflicts at work, and why self-acceptance is the key to creating a more joyful world for ourselves. Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Susan. Highlights: Quotes: “There is an opportunity to become aware of your limiting beliefs and disrupt past patterns and discharge that emotional energy in moments when you are triggered.” – Susan Winchester “You have a choice every day on whether your inner critic or inner coach will be in charge of your day.” - – Susan Winchester About Susan Winchester: Susan Schmitt Winchester is the Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer for Applied Materials, a Fortune 200 Silicon Valley company, and its more than 24,000 global employees. She has more than 30 years of experience in HR providing executive leadership most recently as Head of HR for Rockwell Automation and prior to that in multiple leadership roles for the Kellogg Company. She continually looks to meet today’s global business challenges with creative HR strategies that engage Her passion is teaching and inspiring executives, leaders and professionals how to succeed by discovering greater self-acceptance, fulfillment and joy at work and in life. Susan is also the author of the book, Healing at Work: A Guide to Using Career Conflicts to Overcome Your Past and Build the Future You Deserve, with Martha I. Finney. Additionally, Susan is a fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources—the highest professional honor for leaders in HR. She serves as a Board member for the HR Policy Association and on the Executive Committee of the Peer Roundtable for CHROs. She is Vice Chair, Leadership Advisory Board to the Dean of Engineering, College of Engineering at the University of Michigan. And Susan is a member of the Forbes HR Council. Links: Website: https://www.susanjschmitt.com/ | |||
| 18 Oct 2021 | Episode 187: Why Diversity Matters in Entrepreneurship | 00:15:34 | |
Did you know that, according to the 2020 State of Latino Entrepreneur Report, the number of Latino owned businesses has grown 34% over the last 10 years compared to just 1% for all other small businesses? In this episode, Monica shares her story of leaving corporate for entrepreneurship and celebrates winning ALPFA’s Latina Entrepreneur Award. Nikki and Monica also discuss why diversity in entrepreneurship matters, the struggle of scaling your business, and share advice on how diverse founders can gain access to capital. DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz Highlights:
“The advantage that diverse entrepreneurs have is the insight into what pain point their community is dealing with. And can help solve because of their unique perspective.” – Monica Marquez “There is so much insight and direct, firsthand lived experience that diverse founders can bring to the table that represents a massive and perpetually growing market opportunity.” – Nikki Barua About Nikki Barua: About Monica Marquez:
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| 14 Jun 2021 | Episode 161: Manage Your Energy Not Your Time | 00:16:36 | |
We've been conditioned to associate productivity and time efficiency with success. You often hear the saying “time is money”. But what if it isn’t about time at all? In this episode, we’ll discuss the obsession with time and why you should be managing your energy instead of your time. Nikki also breaks the myth around multitasking and shares 10 tips to help you break through the tyranny of time. Highlights: [01:01] Why we obsess about time [01:53] Manage your energy instead of your time [03:20] We all have 24 hours in a day [04:49] Focus on what you want to create [05:53] 10 tips to break through the tyranny of time [10:52] Multi-tasking does not equal productivity
Quotes: “Being busy and filling every minute of your day does not equate to creating impact.” – Nikki Barua “Time doesn't matter. It matters only when we're trying to do something that isn't joyful.” – Nikki Barua “One of the biggest myths is that multitasking increases productivity. Its saps your energy and your focus and actually slows you down.” – Nikki Barua “Once you choose your top priorities for the day, be sure you know the reasons why those matter.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert. Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
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| 19 Apr 2021 | Episode 146: Celebrate Your Successes | 00:13:54 | |
When we think of celebration, we think of holidays, birthdays, and big milestones like graduations and anniversaries that typically happen just once year. But do you ever take the time to think about and celebrate your small wins? In this episode, we share why it’s important to celebrate your progress on the way to achieving your big goals and share your small wins with the world. You’ll also learn a fun and easy way to motivate and inspire you on your journey to attaining your goals. DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz
Highlights: [00:34] Celebrating the small wins [07:53] Create your rewards catalog [12:28] Share your wins
Quotes: “Take a moment each week to reflect on what it is you deserve to celebrate.” – Nikki Barua “Don’t minimize your achievements. When someone congratulates you for a job well done, just say thank you.” – Monica Marquez
About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert. Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/
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| 31 Jul 2020 | Episode 73: Learning to Pay Yourself First with Stephanie Groschup | 00:37:57 | |
When it comes to your finances, are you someone who is diligent, saves wisely, and knows where every penny you’ve earned goes? Or are you more carefree and you plan to get serious about saving for that “rainy day” when you are in a better place and earning more money? Well, what happens if that “rainy day” arrives unexpectedly and you’re caught without a savings umbrella? In this episode, Stephanie Groschup, co-founder and managing partner of women-owned firm, GM Wealth Group debunks common myths and mistakes we make when it comes to our personal finances. She also shares the success habits and mindset necessary for building wealth, not just living on your income.
Highlights: [02:39] About Stephanie [04:06] Moving to Wall Street [05:16] From Wall Street Executive to Entrepreneur [08:54] Learning to run a business [12:51] Investment patterns across genders [14:55] Guiding principles of wealth creation [17:59] Advice for those just starting out [19:51] Financial reactions to the pandemic [24:03] Benefits of a financial advisor [27:58] Women and the money mindset [29:39] Income versus assets [31:18] Stephanie’s proudest accomplishment [32:04] Most important lesson learned [33:10] Success habits for wealth creation
Quotes: “Consider yourself important and pay yourself first before you pay anything else.” – Stephanie Groschup Everyone needs to have an emergency fund. Try to have at least six months of salary and savings at all times.” – Stephanie Groschup “Block out the noise and distractions coming at you and focus on your goals.” – Stephanie Groschup “Sit down by yourself every morning and think about what you need to accomplish today. And make sure you focus on your budget.” – Stephanie Groschup “Always contribute to your retirement plan, even if it is only 1%”. - Stephanie Groschup
About Stephanie Groschup Stephanie is co-founder and managing partner of women-owned firm, GM Wealth Group, and is responsible for guiding the firm’s investment strategy, research and strategic development. With nearly two decades of experience in the financial industry, she is dedicated to helping her clients achieve their financial goals. Stephanie has overcome career barriers by being the only female in her class to graduate from the Merrill Lynch training program. Having worked in male dominated fields, she knows first-hand how challenging it can be for women to thrive professionally and financially. That’s why Stephanie is passionate about helping women achieve financial freedom. She believes that listening to the client is of utmost importance so she can apply customized strategies to meet specific needs with a thoughtful, yet proven approach. Specializing in investment strategy, portfolio construction, risk management, and corporate and private retirement plans, Stephanie leverages her extensive experience and professional qualifications to implement highly customized portfolios for her clients. She thrives in helping her clients build wealth and fulfill their dreams. Stephanie, a native Texan, received her B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin. Stephanie holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities licenses, as well as life, health and long-term care insurance licenses. She is also a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) ® . Stephanie’s interests include architecture, wine and travel. An avid tennis player, Stephanie employs strategies to give her clients the advantages of putting the ball in their court.
Links: Website: https://www.gmwealthllc.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-groschup/
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| 05 Feb 2020 | Episode 03: Finding Your Way To Career Success with Monica Marquez | 00:30:40 | |
In this episode, senior corporate leader and diversity expert, Monica Marquez joins the show. Throughout her career, Monica has pioneered industry-leading programs to help the disadvantaged gain breakthrough access to opportunities. Highlights: Quotes: “Each organization has its own unique culture. Immerse yourself in that culture, understand that culture, but most importantly, identify how success is defined in that particular culture.” – Monica Marquez About Monica Marquez: Links: | |||
| 28 Oct 2020 | Episode 107: Pivot Towards Success with SAP’s Judith Williams | 00:37:29 | |
Have you ever chosen a path that you want to follow and set out with a determined commitment only to realize somewhere along the way that your just not enjoying it? What do you do? Do you keep going or do you make the tough decision to change directions even if there are sunk costs? In this episode, Judith Williams, Head of People Sustainability and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at SAP, shares her perspective and important life lesson she learned on the economic principle of “sunk costs” and how it can also be an important career strategy. Judith shares her story of deciding to make a career pivot, leaving her well-established career as an academic professor to becoming a change agent in the world of diversity, equity and inclusion. Judith has been at the forefront of the culture change movement in technology and entertainment –with a deep focus on analytics and strategies to identify and disrupt bias in social systems and corporate culture. Prior to joining SAP, she ran an organization which consults with start-ups, venture capitalists, and accelerators on embedding diversity and inclusion into the foundations of their organizational cultures. In addition, Judith also served as the Global Head of Diversity for Dropbox and was also a Diversity Programs Manager at Google where she directed the unconscious bias work stream, and built strategies for recruiting, retention, and advancement of the company’s technical employees.
Highlights: [02:57] Judith’s story [05:52] Understanding sunk costs [07:43] Making the decision to pivot [12:02] Gaining clarity on your strengths and competencies [17:35] Overcoming your fears and limiting beliefs [19:48] Judith’s success habits [23:40] Building a strong network [27:46] The impact of COVID on underrepresented groups [29:57] Opportunities for women of color [32:09] Staying ahead of the curve [34:19] Accelerating your success
Quotes: “Do the tasks you enjoy the least earlier in the day, and afterward, the tasks you do enjoy doing become a reward.” - Judith Williams “Practice reframing something, not in terms of whether or not you can do it, but are you willing to do the work it takes.” – Judith Williams “When you first join an organization, it is more important to listen than to talk to understand the lay of the land.” - Judith Williams “Look for opportunities to show your value, but also look for opportunities to highlight the value of others.” – Judith Williams “Make sure that your work is visible. And as you grow in seniority, your job shifts to include making the work of your team visible.” – Judith Williams “Talk about your work like you're your own best friend.” – Judith Williams
About Judith Williams: Head of People Sustainability and SVP, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, SAP SE Judith has been at the forefront of the culture change movement in technology and entertainment – with a deep focus on analytics and strategies to identify and disrupt bias in social systems and corporate culture. She joined SAP in September 2018 as Head of People Sustainability and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer leading both diversity and inclusion and business health programs at SAP. Previously, she ran an organization which consults with start-ups, venture capitalists, and accelerators on embedding diversity and inclusion into the foundations of their organizational cultures. Judith has also been instrumental in the development of the ReFrame Project, a partnership between the Sundance Institute and Women and Film. The project addresses systemic barriers in the Hollywood ecosystem, and encourages gender parity at every level in film, TV and media. Prior to that as Global Head of Diversity for Dropbox, Judith was responsible for all diversity and inclusion programs, as well as corporate social responsibility. Her efforts increased the pipeline of women and underrepresented minorities at Dropbox, creating a more inclusive corporate culture and forming deeper ties into the communities where the company operates. In addition, Judith was the Diversity Programs Manager at Google where she directed the unconscious bias work stream, and built strategies for recruiting, retention, and advancement of the company’s technical employees. She was instrumental in implementing Google’s widely praised unconscious bias training program which was the first to call out hidden prejudices as a major contributor to the systemic lack of diversity in the tech industry. Judith lives in San Francisco, CA.
Links: LinkedIn: judith-michelle-williams-55751a | |||
| 01 Nov 2023 | Episode 284: Unleashing the Power of Brain Science with Dr. Britt Andreatta | 00:40:25 | |
In a world where productivity and fulfillment seem elusive, one woman took an unconventional path to unlocking their secrets. From academia to neuroscience, Dr. Britt Andreatta delved deep into the mysteries of the brain, uncovering a remarkable twist that would change everything. From her early days as a university program director to her former role as the Chief Learning Officer at Lynda.com (now LinkedIn Learning), she has continuously pushed the boundaries of what is possible in the field of education. Her latest book, Wired to Become, Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Dr. Andreatta. Highlights: Quotes: Lightning Round Questions: What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? About Dr. Britt Andreatta: Links: | |||
| 22 Jun 2022 | Episode 217: Authenticity and Forging Your Own Path with Bridgewater Associates’ Robyn Shepherd | 00:49:40 | |
How did you decide what you wanted to be when you grew up? Some of us are still trying to decide. Things don’t always go as planned, especially when it comes to our careers. Whether we were looking to get promoted, change jobs, or transition into a new role — being curious and taking risks is part of growing professionally. For this podcast, Robyn Shepherd, Partner and Head of Corporate Engagement at Bridgewater Associates tells us about her risk-taking experiences and making her voice heard. She also tells us about how to ask for the help you need to succeed. Robyn grew up with an exposure to a great education but lacked awareness for the vast possibilities it could take her in her career. As she grew in her professional life, she understood that she needed to prepare to seize the moment when opportunities unexpectedly came her way. She feels it is as important to know what you don’t want to do as it is to know what you do want to do and be aware of what you’re passionate about. Success involves building great professional relationships and the best way to make those connections is being authentic–something Robyn is known for. Her positive energy will lift you up and give you ideas on how to take a new path at work. Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Robyn. Highlights: [02:22] Robyn’s journey [10:10] Stepping into new opportunities with courage [13:28] How to make important decisions [16:25] Creating opportunities and forging your own path [19:22] How to locate the decision makers [21:45] Making sure your voice is heard [24:15] Habits and hacks for think time [26:09] The importance of realizing what you don’t want to or can’t do [30:18] The vital role of community, advocates, and mentees [35:29] Asking for help [40:21] Looking for an advocate [43:42] Being authentic about building professional relationships [45:58] Lightning round questions Quotes: “When you don’t know what you want to do, do the hardest thing you can so that you’re set up when opportunity comes knocking.” – Robyn Shepherd “Preparing for the worst isn’t the only thing, it’s also about imagining the opportunity.” – Robyn Shepherd “Saying yes to something means you are saying no to something else.” – Robyn Shepherd Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you?
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
About Robyn Shepherd: Robyn Shepherd joined Bridgewater Associates in 2004 and is currently the Head of Corporate Engagement. Reporting to the CEO, Robyn oversees the firm’s public affairs, communications and branding functions, as well as the company’s initiatives for operational sustainability, social responsibility, and plays a leading role in Bridgewater’s Diversity and Inclusion efforts. She is a Partner of the firm and a member of the Operating Committee and Commercial and Business Strategy Committee. Robyn began her career at Bridgewater as a Senior Investment Associate in the Account Management group and later took on other key roles within the firm’s Client Service and Marketing team — first as an Associate Client Advisor covering the firm’s international client and marketing relationships, and later as the Head of Client Service Analytics. Subsequently, Robyn served as Chief of Staff to CEO David McCormick, partnering with him on the firm’s strategic agenda, business oversight, management of the Client Service and Marketing department, and corporate governance. Robyn was a founding member of the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Council, and the Co-Founder and Senior Sponsor of Bridgewater’s Women’s Influence Network (WIN). She was recognized by The Hedge Fund Journal as one of the “50 Leading Women in Hedge Funds” in 2020, and was named the 2021 “Women of Excellence: Trailblazer” by Seramount, in partnership with Working Mother and the National Association for Female Executives. Before joining Bridgewater, Robyn was an Analyst at Lime Rock Partners and an Investment Analyst at HarbourVest Partners. She serves on the boards of Susan G. Komen and Oakland Catholic High School, an all-women’s college preparatory school in Pittsburgh, PA. Robyn received her BA in economics from Brown University. Links: Website: https://www.bridgewater.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robyn-shepherd-a959985/ | |||
| 06 Jul 2020 | Episode 62: Habits & Hacks: Jumpstart Your Mid-Year Momentum | 00:13:51 | |
Can you believe that we are in the month of July!? What a year 2020 has turned out to be (and we are only halfway through it...we still have 6 more months to go)! Did you kick off this year with big dreams and aspirations, only to be faced with unexpected obstacles? In today’s episode, we’ll share practical tips for you to implement - so you can take action and gain momentum in the second half of 2020.
Highlights: [01:09] Nikki’s first half of 2020 [03:28] The 5 step framework to momentum [06:16] Breaking down a big problem into smaller chunks [07:17] Develop the skills to weather any storm [08:16] 5-Day Challenge
Quotes: “There will always be obstacles. The 5 step Beyond Barriers framework gives you the methodology to develop the strategies and skills to overcome those obstacles. ” – Nikki Barua “If you want change, you have to make the decision and take massive action.” – Monica Marquez “Break a big problem into smaller bite-sized chunks. This will make you feel more in control, give you a greater degree of certainty, and help you take action.” – Nikki Barua “Results will come when you make the commitment and invest in yourself.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Learn more at https://www.nikkibarua.com/. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader. Learn more at https://themonicamarquez.com/. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez | |||
| 24 Jul 2024 | Episode 320: Navigating Challenges: Daina Middleton's Guide to Resilient Leadership | 00:34:12 | |
Tune in to Beyond Barriers for an enlightening conversation with Daina Middleton, a dynamic leader with a wealth of experience in global expansion and nurturing company culture. Daina opens up about her unique path to success, from riding horses in the vast landscapes of Oregon to spearheading innovative marketing strategies at Hewlett-Packard and Twitter. You will hear how Daina's dedication to hard work and continuous learning has driven her career forward. She also shares practical tips on building strategic relationships, maintaining work-life balance, and fostering resilience in the face of adversity. This episode is a must-listen for anyone eager to learn from a leader who has consistently broken new ground and thrived against the odds. Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest. | |||
| 17 Nov 2021 | Episode 196: Leading with Authenticity with Federation Bio’s Dr. Emily Drabant Conley | 00:34:29 | |
Dr. Wayne Dyer, the “Father of Motivation” once said, “In all misfortune there is fortune. With everything that has happened to you, you can either feel sorry for yourself or treat what has happened as a gift. Everything is either an opportunity to grow or an obstacle to keep you from growing. You get to choose.” Our guest, Dr. Emily Drabant Conley, shares how she chose to leverage her struggles growing up in the Midwest as a gay teenager in a conversative town to become the leader she is today. And, how her lived experiences led her to embrace her authentic self in life and in work. Dr. Emily Drabant Conley is the CEO of Federation Bio. Previously, Dr. Conley spent over a decade at 23andMe, where she helped scale the company from 30 employees into the world’s leading platform for genetic-driven drug discovery. As Vice President of Business Development at 23andMe, she architected visionary partnerships across pharma and biotech. Dr. Conley currently serves on the boards of Federation Bio, TMRW, Medrio and formerly served on the boards of Lesbians Who Tech and the UCSF Alliance Health Project. In this episode, Dr. Conley shares how to move forward through fear, why it’s important to believe in yourself as a leader and why you should always hire people smarter than you. Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Dr. Conley. Highlights: Quotes: “Leaders who hire people smarter than them will have a thriving group who can achieve great things.” – Dr. Emily Drabant Conley “You can learn from others just by watching them, how they run meetings, how they communicate.” – Dr. Emily Drabant Conley “Doing the work on yourself personally is essential to being a good leader.” - Dr. Emily Drabant Conley About Dr. Emily Drabant Conley: In 2019, Dr. Conley was named one of Business Insider’s 30 Leaders Under 40 who are transforming U.S. healthcare and in 2020 she was honored by Google Ventures as one of the 25 women shaping the future of technology. Dr. Conley spent 10 years in academia conducting genetics research. She was a research fellow at the National Institutes of Health and is co-author on more than 35 academic publications. She received her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Stanford University School of Medicine, where she held fellowships from the National Science Foundation and Department of Defense. She graduated summa cum laude from Vanderbilt University with a B.A. Links: | |||
| 04 Oct 2021 | Episode 183: Don't Let It Fester, Let's Talk About Microaggressions | 00:24:44 | |
One of the most significant challenges in the workplace, and in everyday life for that matter, that women and women of color have to cope and strategically manage are microaggressions. Dealing with these energy-draining and disempowering comments can take a toll on you. It's like, “Death by 1000 papercuts”. In this episode, Monica shares why it is important to address microaggressions when they happen, how to address a microaggression, and what to do if if you’ve committed a microaggression. DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz Highlights: Quotes: “Be specific when you address a microaggression, don’t generalize. Let the other person know how their action or words made you feel.” – Monica Marquez “Turn a microaggression committed against you into a teachable moment. Take the opportunity to help that person grow.” – Monica Marquez About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. About Monica Marquez: | |||
| 26 Feb 2020 | Episode 09: How To Build Lasting Relationships with Tami Holzman | 00:42:22 | |
Have you ever been in a room full of powerful and influential people but didn’t know how to approach them? Or perhaps you needed a deal or an investment but didn’t have access to the Highlights: Quotes: “I think one thing we should all think about as we meet people in our careers is meet interesting people, you don't need the relationship maybe today, but you might need it tomorrow.” – Tami Holzman “Ask for money, get advice. Ask for advice, get money twice.” – Tami Holzman quoting PitBull About Tami Holzman: From C-Student to the C-Suite is a modern-day guide to business and relationships – showing how a girl with straight C’s in school but straight A’s in Emotional Intelligence became savvy in the cutthroat business world. Links: | |||
| 06 Mar 2020 | Episode 12: How To Change The World With WIN’s Alfia Ilicheva | 01:00:15 | |
Can you imagine a world where your voice is not heard, and products and services are not designed for you? Highlights: Quotes: About Alfia Ilicheva: Ilicheva was previously Managing Director at R/GA Ventures, an award-winning venture investment division of R/GA, where she led the strategy practice and connected corporate businesses and private-equity backed portfolio companies with startups and Links: | |||
| 08 Apr 2020 | Episode 26: Dreaming Big And Wishing Out Loud with Lisa Ong | 00:35:28 | |
Do you secretly wish for things but don’t how to get them? Meet our guest, Lisa Ong, who shares the power of dreaming big and wishing out loud. Lisa Ong is widely known as a “talent gardener” and “inclusion connector”. Lisa is an executive coach, diversity strategist, and President & Founder of Wishing Out Loud LLC. Lisa was formerly Diversity and Inclusion leader at PwC where she focused on minority retention and advancement, as well as growing inclusive leaders at all levels. In this episode, Lisa talks about how to discover your strengths, build your community of mentors and peers, and create opportunities to not only shine but, also to thrive in your career.
Highlights: [01:55] Lisa’s story [07:23] Switching lanes in your career [13:07] Showing up with confidence as a woman of color [18:05] Learning from failures and setbacks [23:56] Managing competing personal and profession priorities [28:54] The value of network and community
Quotes: “Knowing my top five strengths helped me determine whether I see myself in this current role in the future” – Lisa Ong “When I started to lean on the advice from my sponsors and really lean into it, I was actually able to accelerate my career.” – Lisa Ong “If you're thinking about what wild success would look like a year from now, you're more likely to achieve it. If you think the sky is falling, guess what, it probably will fall.” – Lisa Ong “When you ask for advice, you're appealing to your sense of gratitude for their wisdom and experience. And in the end, you will end up getting their help anyway.” – Lisa Ong “Turn off that negative voice in your head. And turn it up and say you're smart enough to figure this out.” – Lisa Ong “Confidence is how you show up.” – Lisa Ong “If you're not having failures and setbacks, you're not learning and growing.” – Lisa Ong “A no is a no, not now. Not a no, not ever. But if you don't even ask, you're never going to get a yes.” – Lisa Ong
About Lisa Ong: Lisa Ong is an executive coach, speaker, diversity strategist and consultant. Lisa specializes in diversity and inclusion, leadership development, coaching and facilitation. Prior to founding Wishing Out Loud LLC, Lisa was a national diversity director in Diversity and Inclusion at PwC. She designed strategies to retain, develop and advance diverse talent. She focused on minority retention and advancement efforts as well as growing inclusive leaders at all levels. A widely known “talent gardener” and “Inclusion connector,” Lisa helps individuals to achieve goals with an emphasis on leadership skills leading to meaningful relationships. She shares her coaching approach with her clients to discover their strengths, dream big and keep strategically “wishing out loud” to create opportunities to shine and be their best. Lisa is a seasoned executive in business with a background in audits as well as senior human capital roles. Lisa earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Science in Management degree from the University of Texas at Dallas. She is a Texas Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Professional Certified Coach (PCC) by The International Coach Federation. She is certified in the Leadership Circle 360 tool. She also had her SPHR through 2015. Lisa speaks on topics ranging from unconscious bias, bridging cultural differences, authentic leadership, building meaningful relationships, communicating with impact through storytelling and networking. Lisa serves on the board of the AICPA Council and the Texas Society of CPAs. She was past Chair of the Dallas chapter 2017-2018. She is an active Lifetime Member of Ascend, and served as an Executive Advisor to the North Texas Chapter from 2014-2019. She was named to The Dallas 500 in 2020 Directory by D CEO Magazine as “one of the most powerful business leaders in DFW” and awarded the 2019 CPA of the Year Award by the Dallas CPA Society. Dallas Business Journal also recognized her with a 2017 Minority Business Leaders Award for her leadership in business and the community. Wishing Out Loud LLC, 5760 Legacy Dr Ste B3-520, Plano, TX 75024
Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/onglisam/ Website: http://wishingoutloud.com/ Instagram: @wishingoutloud Twitter: @Lisa_M_Ong
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| 24 Aug 2022 | Episode 224: Debunking the Work-Life Balance Myth with Laura Pollock, Founding Partner, Third Street Partners | 00:50:25 | |
Most of us know the stress of multiple commitments: family, work, relationships/marriage, domestic responsibilities, aging parents, special needs care, and the list goes on. Some or all of these factors can have a compounding effect on women in the workplace resulting in burnout. Today’s guest, Laura Pollock, shares her work-life journey and how approaching 50 opened her eyes. As a Founding Partner of Third Street Partners, a lot of her children's youngest years coincided with growing her company. She shares stories with us of what she has learned along the way about mom guilt and raising three girls to be strong women. But most importantly, how having a great life partner (in Laura's case, her husband) helped her manage it all. Laura believes in the power of having tough conversations and speaking up for yourself. She started her company with the mission of adding value to clients and continues with that motivation today. She can relate to the sacrifice many people have to make to further their careers. Finally, learn from Laura about her experiences working with her own mentors and the importance of nurturing your relationships. Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Laura. Highlights: [02:23] Working in a male-dominated industry [05:51] How to handle questions you don’t know how to answer [09:38] Knowing your value as you reach middle age [11:28] Figuring out what you want to do when you grow up [19:27] Making difficult decisions [26:42] Dealing with mom guilt [31:56] Identifying mentors [43:45] Lightning round questions Quotes: “The closer you get to 50, you realize that the top of the roller coaster really isn’t a steep drop.” – Laura Pollock “You should always stand up for yourself, no matter how uncomfortable.” – Laura Pollock “Your mentors help provide scaffolding, but scaffolding only works if you’re willing to let it surround you.” – Laura Pollock Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you?
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
About Laura Pollock: Laura is the founding partner of Third Street Partners and serves as a strategic advisor to leading asset management firms and their top performing executives. Leveraging over twenty years of asset management experience at both large firms and boutiques she built Third Street anchored in the industry’s best practices, her trusted relationships and exceptional network. She works with global investment management organizations to provide a hands-on, rigorous and collaborative approach to sourcing and retaining high-quality talent, including talent-related M&A activity for firms and in-house teams and sourcing front-office roles. Her mission with Third Street is to support clients’ long-term business and growth objectives through talent strategy advisory and execution. Before starting Third Street Partners in 2013, Laura was a partner at David Barrett Partners and was a senior member of the asset and wealth management practice at Russell Reynolds Associates in Boston and New York. Laura graduated with a B.S. degree from the University of Kentucky. Links: Website: https://www.thirdstreetpartners.com/ | |||
| 15 May 2020 | Episode 42: Design The Life Of Your Dreams with Jasmin Manke | 00:40:17 | |
Have you ever found yourself staring at the ceiling, feeling numb and disconnected? Do you sometimes struggle to be honest with yourself because you’re afraid to face your fears and deal with change? Our guest, Jasmin Manke, shares her story of how she went from asking herself, “What’s wrong with me?” to asking herself the simple question, “What would I LIKE my life to be?” By granting herself permission to visualize what the future could hold for her, she embarked on a journey of transformation that unlocked her potential and gave her a platform to transform the lives of people globally. Jasmin Manke is the founder of The Confident Boss Academy. She is an expert in helping women build 6-Figure Online Coaching Businesses, creating the impact and results for their clients, while enjoying the freedom in their lives that they crave. In this episode, Jasmin reveals powerful strategies for overcoming self-doubt, getting unstuck and achieving your ambitions. She shares her own journey of walking away from an unfulfilling corporate career to living her entrepreneurial dream. At 25, Jasmin is a self-made millionaire who inspires people all around the world and has earned thousands of followers with her authenticity and bold confidence.
Highlights: [02:26] Jasmin’s story [04:43] Finding your truth [06:51] Clarity and discovering your true north star [08:59] Giving yourself permission to dream [12:22] Overcoming the fears of starting a business [15:48] Make a decision with confidence [22:45] Formula for success [27:40] Overcoming limiting beliefs [32:43] The most common struggle [34:27] Success habits
Quotes: “Having the courage to say I am not okay with this situation is where change really begins.” – Jasmin Manke “What you choose to focus on is what will expand and grow.” – Jasmin Manke “What if you shift your fear and questioning of what is going on right now in the world to what if this is the opportunity to rewrite my story?” – Jasmin Manke “Ask yourself this question: are you running a business or are you living your purpose?” – Jasmin Manke “You are always at the right time in your life's journey.”– Jasmin Manke “Success is a science, not an ‘if this is meant to be, it will be’. It's a matter of do I want to make this happen and what should I do to make this happen.” – Jasmin Manke “Life is too short to not show up every single day living your purpose.” – Jasmin Manke “Focus on what you have available to you and how you can maximize that success.” – Jasmin Manke “We need to view struggles as stepping-stones to success, rather than as tumble stones.” – Jasmin Manke “Ask yourself what belief you hold that is in the way of you moving forward towards success.” – Jasmin Manke “Be grateful for what you have and be appreciative of what's yet to come.” – Jasmin Manke
About Jasmin Manke: Jasmin Manke is an International Speaker, Certified Professional Coach, Energy Leadership Master Practioner and the founder of “The Confidence Boss Academy”. She is an expert in helping women build 6-Figure Online Coaching Businesses, whilst creating the impact and results for their clients and the freedom in their lives that they crave.
Links: Website: Jasminmanke.com 3 steps to 6 figures Webinar: JasminManke.com/6figures LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmin-manke-63a8b1a5/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mankej Free Female Entrepreneurs Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ownyourpowerwomen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasminmankecoaching/
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| 26 May 2021 | Episode 157: Embracing Your Uniqueness With Google’s Annie Jean-Baptiste | 00:35:57 | |
What does leadership look like? Is there a blueprint for leadership that you should be following? Our guest believes that leadership is NOT one size fits all. So, stop trying to fit into a mold that doesn’t suit you. Meet Annie Jean-Baptiste, author, founder of the Equity Army, and the Head of Product Inclusion at Google, who shares her journey to discovering what true leadership looks like and how finding her authentic leadership style led to building trust with key stakeholders and the communities that she supports. In this episode, Annie also shares how she helps teams make sure Google products are made for everyone. She spends her days making sure everyone matters. But the most important message she shares is how YOUR voice, your unique experiences and what makes you different from others, is the secret to success. Annie leads Product Inclusion strategy across Google, including consultation, communications, scale and research and created the movement 3 years ago as a way to ensure underrepresented users felt seen throughout the product design process.
Highlights: [01:01] Annie’s story [04:02] Imposter syndrome [04:30] Lean into what makes you authentic [06:53] Gaining clarity on your strengths [10:02] Strategies to highlight value proposition [12:40] Framework for inclusive product design [17:42] Setting and achieving your professional goals [18:39] Writing Building For Everyone [22:50] Key to developing your personal brand [27:15] Annie’s success habit [30:13] How can women accelerate in the digital age
Quotes: “The more that you try to fit into a mold that wasn't made for you, the more energy you have to expend.” – Annie Jean-Baptiste “If you can find something that you're passionate about, something that gives you purpose, and you can get paid for it, that is the trifecta.” – Annie Jean-Baptiste “Periodically assess if the things you're doing are moving you towards your goals.” – Annie Jean-Baptiste “Find mentors, advisors, sponsors and coaches that are going to push you into uncomfortable situations so you can grow.” – Annie Jean-Baptiste About Annie Jean-Baptiste Annie Jean-Baptiste is an author, founder of the Equity Army, and the Head of Product Inclusion at Google. She leads Product Inclusion strategy across the company, including consultation, communications, scale and research and created the movement 3 years ago as a way to ensure underrepresented users felt seen throughout the product design process. Annie is passionate about making the web and Google’s products work for underserved communities while ensuring that Google is a place where everyone shines for their differences. She’s responsible for working with Google product teams and senior leaders on the creation and execution of their inclusive design strategy. She formerly created programs related to Diversity talent management and career development within several technical product areas within Google. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania (go Quakers!) with degrees in International Relations & Political Science. She is an avid Boston sports fan & loves to bring her dog Hercules to work. She currently is based in Google’s San Francisco office. Outside of Google, Annie is a former American Heart Association spokesperson and a One Young World ambassador, focused on healthy lifestyles in underserved communities. She is also a former Hack the Hood mentor. She currently serves on the board of KQED. She's the intrapreneur in residence at the University Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education and a member of the IEEE's Ethically Aligned Design committee. She’s been inducted into the Haitian Roundtable’s 1804 society as “One to Watch” and inducted as one of the 30 Black Stars for Face to Face Africa in 2019. She’s also been covered in Vogue, Essence Magazine, Business Insider, Teen Vogue, MSNBC, CNBC, ABC, Cheddar, Business Insider, the Huffington Post, the Root, the Council of Fashion Designers of America Annual Report, The Miami Times, Boston Globe and Fortune Magazine. Her book, Building for Everyone, is available now. Follow her on social media: @its_me_ajb.
Links: Website: https://www.anniejeanbaptiste.com/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Building-Everyone-Practices-Googles-Inclusion/dp/1119646227 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-jean-baptiste-43511930/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/its_me_ajb/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Its_Me_AJB
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| 29 Jun 2022 | Episode 218: Lifting Up and Leveling Up with Others with Sista Circle's Lexi B | 00:50:41 | |
Lexi B didn’t grow up dreaming about working in the world of tech. In fact, she assumed anyone in the tech industry was skilled in coding, so a career in the tech world was just simply out of reach. So, imagine her surprise to now find herself in a Chief of Staff role for key leaders at Twitter. However, it is really no surprise that Lexi B forged her way into a leadership role. From an early age, Lexi has been a connector. Even as a freshman in her Stanford dorm, she realized that while her peers may not have important connections as 18-year-olds, their parents and relatives did. It was that moment that Lexi B discovered the power of community and her first networks were formed sparking her non-traditional path into Tech. Lexi’s a vibrant leader who believes in promoting other’s good work and providing them the tools to do their jobs well. Join us as we hear all about Lexi’s path and what earned her a leadership position at Twitter. Visit www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Lexi. Highlights: [02:24] Lexi B’s background and how she got into the tech industry [05:32] Lexi B’s definition of success starting out [07:50] Creating a personal brand [14:05) Overcoming limiting beliefs and fears [20:14] Getting help from mentors who don’t look like you [25:33] How to ask people for help and to not feel like a burden [30:07] Staying authentic even in success and leadership guidance from mentors [38:19] Habits and rituals that help in uncertainty [44:05] Lightning round questions Quotes: “Just because someone doesn’t look like you, or identify with you, whatever identity layer that is, does not mean they can’t pour into you in some capacity.”– Lexi B “Your career is not just your career, it is personal.” – Lexi B “If a bodyguard and a Power Ranger and a program manager and a strategy leader had a baby, that’s how I look at my job.” – Lexi B
Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you?
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
About Lexi B: 2020 WomenTech Network “Speaker of The Year” winner and one of Silicon Valley’s most candid and prominent voices, Alexandria “Lexi B.” Butler is an expert storyteller and workplace freedom fighter. Her expertise in career growth and branding, executive leadership, and workplace equity have graced the world’s most enormous stages, including Stanford University, Anita B. Org’s Grace Hopper Celebration, Perspektywy Women In Tech Summit, Facebook, Instagram and many more. A program manager at one of the largest tech companies globally, she is frequently tapped to share her thought-provoking advice and opinions on how to create a more equitable work environment. In April 2017, Lexi B founded Sista Circle: Black Women in Tech. Today, it is one of the largest virtual communities of its kind to exist, boasting a 10,000+ membership of professional women from over 72 countries in tech and tech-adjacent careers. This international society has been nationally and locally recognized by Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, Slack, Black Enterprise, Rolling Out, Phenomenally, The Ladders, Built-In, and more. The Stanford graduate and St. Louis, MO native believes, “people deserve to live the life that caters to their strengths and passions. By truly understanding what they need and offer, everyone can implement tools to realize their path and thrive.” She shares her reflections and views on social media at @lexibspeaks. Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexibspeaks/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexiBSpeaks LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexib/ Website: https://www.lexib.com/ | |||
| 23 Mar 2022 | Episode 206: Unlocking Potential Through Curiosity with Tomboy X’s Fran Dunaway | 00:30:42 | |
Adam Bryant, author of the bestselling book, Corner Office, asked over 700 CEOs, “What qualities do you see most often in those who succeed?”. The number one answer: Curiosity. Most of the ingenious inventions and extraordinary ideas throughout history all have something in common. From Thomas Edison’s light bulb, Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone to self-driving cars, they are all a result of curiosity. Meet our guest and Forbes 50 over 50 winner, Fran Dunaway, who is the co-founder of TomboyX, a gender neutral underwear and apparel brand. TomboyX started as a passion project in collaboration with her wife and co-founder Naomi Gonzalez to create the perfect button-up shirt, but then pivoted to focus on underwear based on the overwhelming demand for their first boxer brief for women. Under Fran’s leadership, TomboyX doubled in YoY growth and was recognized on Inc. Magazine’s 5000 fastest growing companies for 4 consecutive years.
Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Fran.
Highlights: [03:01] Taking the leap into entrepreneurship [05:51] Discovering your strengths [07:53] Open yourself up to Rainbow Unicorn Moments [10:51] Asking for help [12:55] Don’t take rejection personally [14:51] Fran’s approach to risk-taking [18:12] Overcoming setbacks [21:02] Staying ahead of the curve [22:32] A Day in the life of Fran [24:22] Lightning round questions [29:08] What’s next for Fran
Quotes: “When something goes right or the day is saved, remember that it is because of all of the things that you do that open yourself up to those magical moments.” – Fran Dunaway
“Be careful with the stories that you're telling yourself about why a rejection occurred. You may not have full insight into the why.” – Fran Dunaway
“Find those people in your network and be specific in your ask for where you are and what you need right now to help you.” - Fran Dunaway
Lightning Round Questions:
What book has greatly influenced you?
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
About Fran Dunaway: One of the inaugural Forbes 50 over 50, Fran Dunaway is a media executive-turned-fashion entrepreneur and co-founder of TomboyX, a Seattle-based gender neutral underwear and apparel brand launched in 2013. The brand started as a passion project in collaboration with her wife and co-founder Naomi Gonzalez to create the perfect button-up shirt, pivoting to focus on underwear based on the overwhelming demand for their first boxer brief for women. Links: Website: https://tomboyx.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frandunaway/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/fnawesomeadventure https://www.instagram.com/tomboyx/ Twitter: | |||
| 18 Sep 2024 | Episode 328: The Bicultural Advantage: Leading with Heart and Heritage | 00:47:32 | |
In this enriching episode of Beyond Barriers, Monica Marquez sits down with Julissa McWashington, a Senior Manager at Starbucks and a champion for community resilience. Julissa’s journey from Honduras to the U.S. and her rise within Starbucks exemplifies the power of the bicultural advantage. She candidly shares how she has navigated the complexities of dual identities, maintaining her Honduran heritage while thriving in the American corporate landscape. Julissa’s passion for community, especially within the Latino community, shines through as she discusses her leadership philosophy and the significance of staying authentic in every aspect of life. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will resonate with anyone striving to lead with both heart and heritage. Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest. | |||
| 07 Dec 2020 | Episode 113: Habits & Hacks: How To Achieve Your Goals | 00:14:27 | |
Did you know that 92% of people who set new year’s resolutions never achieve them? In this episode, we explore how planning can help you achieve your goals. We also discuss different styles of planning and whether to plan or not to plan. You’ll learn how planning can save you time and energy, and provide relief from stress. You’ll also learn the steps of planning to set yourself up for success. Highlights: [01:09] I am not a planner [04:29] Downside of not planning [06:52] Steps for planning
Quotes: “Taking the time to plan up front will save you a great deal of time in the future.” – Nikki Barua “Creating a plan allows you to anticipate the future, explore your options, and get leverage.” – Nikki Barua “Good planning is about anticipating the worst case scenario and rather than assuming the best case scenario.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader. Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
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| 10 Jun 2020 | Episode 51: Overcoming All Odds With Scribe Media CEO JT McCormick (Part 1) | 00:39:49 | |
Have you ever hoped for your dreams to come true or wished that you were luckier in life? Well, if you want to succeed, then you must eliminate the words “hope,” “luck,” and “wish” from your vocabulary. That’s the message from JT McCormick whose inspiring story will convince you to follow his sage advice. JT was born the mixed-race son of a drug-dealing pimp father and a struggling single mother. He was raised in the slums of Dayton, Ohio. He suffered incredible abuse and racism, and had multiple stints in Against all odds, JT overcame racism, poverty and abuse to achieve the American Dream becoming a very successful businessman leading multimillion-dollar companies.
Highlights: [03:02] JT’s story [08:14] Overcoming the odds [16:35] Being grateful [20:04] Refuse to use the word fail [23:59] Don’t let shame get in your way [32:24] Belief forces execution
Quotes: “We all make mistakes in life and in business. The goal is to learn, grow and not repeat those mistakes.” – JT McCormick “Refuse to use the word fail. You only fail if you stop trying.” – JT McCormick “Don't focus on your weaknesses, focus on your strengths. If you double-down on your strengths, you can be impeccable. ” – JT McCormick “Ask yourself who do you want to be going forward from here?” – JT McCormick “Remove the words hope, wish and luck from your vocabulary. Replace those with “believe”. If you truly believe in something, then you know in your mind, you've got to execute.” - JT McCormick “You can't expect someone to love or believe in you if you don't love and believe in yourself.” – JT McCormick
About JT McCormick: JT McCormick now serves as the President and CEO of Scribe Media, a publishing company that helps you write, publish and market your book. The company has worked with more than 1,600 authors and Previously, JT served as the President of Headspring Software, which he helped grow to a multi-million dollar, 100-plus person company that was repeatedly ranked as one of the best places to work in all of JT is also the author of I Got There: How a Mixed-Race Kid Overcame Racism, Poverty, and Abuse to Achieve the American Dream. His book tells the story of how he worked his way out of poverty, starting In addition to his role at Scribe Media, JT has mentored at-risk youth in the juvenile justice system, as well as youth in low economic communities. JT’s work has been featured on CNBC, Entrepreneur,
Links: Website: https://jtmccormick.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtmccormick/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jtscribe | |||
| 19 May 2021 | Episode 155: Charting your Course in the New World of Work with Ginny Clarke | 00:44:38 | |
Are you ready for a career change but have no idea what else you could do or where to start? Or perhaps you're between jobs or just starting out in your career, but you find the whole job search and interview experience to be overwhelming and stressful. Meet Ginny Clarke, CEO of Ginny Clarke, LLC and author of Career Mapping: Charting your Course in the New World of Work, who shares with us her journey as a black female, professional and single mom, navigating through work life and managing her own career to becoming an expert executive recruiter. In this episode, Ginny shares tips on gaining clarity on your strengths and how to communicate with recruiters to level up in your career. Ginny also shares advice on raising your hand for stretch opportunities, asking for help, and why the ability to communicate effectively is so important. Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Ginny.
Highlights: [01:03] About Ginny Clarke [05:34] How someone discovers their unique strengths in order to communicate to people [07:40] How do you use those transferable skills to switch industries or switch roles? [12:19] Struggling with fear and limiting beliefs [16:04] Patterns that prevent women from showing up with confidence and owning their success [20:56] Expiring skill sets and stretch opportunities [24:58] Balancing personal and professional goals and setting boundaries [30:02] Importance of community [34:32] Future of work in digital age [38:00] Advice on digital interviews
Quotes: “Often what we love to do, is what we’re good at, and that can mean we have to push away what other people expect of us.” – Ginny Clarke “I’ve watched so many people get locked into one thing and what they don’t understand is they are a free agent and can own this process.” -Ginny Clarke “Part of growing up is learning to deal with the ambiguity of uncertainty. You can’t be rigid and risk averse because that will limit you.” -Ginny Clarke “Some of the mistakes women make in interviews and more broadly in their careers, they don’t come in willing to assert, ‘This is what I’m good at and this is how I do it.’” -Ginny Clarke “Competencies trump experience, you have to be your own advocate. In the digital world, go learn it in your own time to keep moving.” -Ginny Clarke “Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re weak, if you’re sharing your vision, sometimes you don’t even have to ask for help.” -Ginny Clarke
About Ginny Clarke: Ginny Clarke is CEO of Ginny Clarke, LLC. She provides unparalleled skills and insights to some of the world’s leading executive search firms and technology companies. As a seasoned executive Specialties include Leadership Assessment and Training, Talent Acquisition Process Design, Diversity Recruiting Strategy and Execution, Career Management and Internal Mobility. Before pursuing her own business, Ginny held senior leadership positions at Google and Spencer Stuart. At Google, she acted as Director, Executive Recruiting. In this role, she led the Diversity, Internal Mobility, and Non-Tech Recruiting teams. Her team of North American recruiters found and hired senior leaders (Directors +) for finance, sales, marketing, and other G&A functions across Google. She leveraged her expertise to build a scaled internal mobilityprogram for Google’s senior leaders and designed much of the infrastructure that supports their executive recruiting function today. At Spencer Stuart, Ginny was a Partner who worked in the firm’s Financial Services and Financial Officer Practices and co-founded and led Spencer Stuart’s Global Diversity Practice. Ginny drew upon her breadth and depth of experience to write her book “Career Mapping: Charting Your Course in the New World of Work” (2011). The book provides a framework that empowers individuals to plot and assess their professional competencies and strategically navigate their careers. Ginny’s podcast “Fifth Dimensional Leadership” is designed for leaders, thinkers, and future-makers dedicated to creating the conscious workplace of tomorrow. Ginny earned her BA in French and Linguistics from the University of California at Davis and her MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School. She is the single mother of an adult son, Julian, who works in the entertainment industry.
Links: Website: https://www.ginnyclarke.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginnyclarke/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/GinnyClarke
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| 28 Aug 2024 | Episode 325: From Microsoft to Mentorship: A Guide to Lifelong Learning and Leadership | 00:39:56 | |
In this episode of Beyond Barriers, host Brooke Skinner Ricketts engages in an insightful conversation with Gavriella Schuster, a trailblazer in the tech industry with over 25 years at Microsoft and a passionate advocate for lifelong learning and leadership. Gavriella is a seasoned strategic business leader known for transforming companies and driving impactful change. A fierce advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, she is a founding sponsor of WIC and the WIT Network and serves on the boards of multiple DEI-focused nonprofits. As a TEDx speaker, host of the podcast “The Big Idea,” and author of an eBook and training on #ALLIES, Gavriella continues to lead initiatives that empower and inspire others. In this episode, Gavriella shares her extraordinary journey from being one of the few women in the room at Microsoft to becoming a powerful voice for allyship and inclusive leadership. Whether you’re seeking to advance in your career, build stronger professional relationships, or find inspiration in your leadership journey, Gavriella’s story will encourage you to take bold steps and lead with integrity in today’s fast-paced world. Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest. | |||
| 24 Feb 2020 | Episode 08: Habits & Hacks: How To Overcome Imposter Syndrome | 00:19:48 | |
Are you an ambitious woman who wants to dominate your career? Nikki Barua and Monica Marquez help you develop skillset, mindset and toolset to accelerate your success by developing courage. Highlights: Quotes: About Nikki and Monica: Contact Nikki and Monica: | |||
| 12 Feb 2020 | Episode 05: Succeeding In The First 90 Days With Kameka Dempsey | 00:37:10 | |
Have you ever taken a chance and switched jobs? In this episode, we learn how to prepare for the first ninety days on the new job and the ways to make the most out of networking opportunities. Founder of KD Leadership Strategies, Executive Coach & Consultant, Kameka Dempsey joins the show. Kameka partners with business leaders to deliver their business strategy through coaching, off-sites, team/individual development and assessments. She also currently serves as a Strategic Advisor, Facilitator and Executive Coach at BlackRock. Prior to starting her firm, she was Vice President Global Talent Management at BlackRock. Kameka says that mentorship has been critical in her career. Her mentors have given her critical feedback that assisted her in climbing the corporate ladder. The best advice, in particular, was that you could have it all, you can’t have it all at the same time. When joining a new role, Kameka says to spend the first ninety days doing a listening tour. Who should you be talking to in order to understand the organization? It takes between ninety and one-hundred days to do it well. A manager can help you lay the foundation. Women do not think about the importance of strategic networking. Anytime that Kameka has had a misstep - she was able to course-correct via someone in her network. There should be people you know in your organization that you can go to. Often, women are not getting good feedback, that’s why networking and mentorship is so critical. Stay tuned while Kameka explains how to balance personal and professional goals, ways to leverage your network, and how women can stay ahead, given the future of work.
[02:00] About Kameka Dempsey
“What are the important legs on my three-legged stool?” -Kameka Dempsey “Make sure it’s the kind of environment that’s going to enable you to be successful.” -Kameka Dempsey “Find 2-3 people that you can help, help you.” -Kameka Dempsey “You may have to create an environment in which people give you feedback.” -Kameka Dempsey “I said yes to everything – I took sixteen flights; ten flights were simply for work.” -Kameka Dempsey “Always be learning.” -Kameka Dempsey
Kameka M. Dempsey, Founder of KD Leadership Strategies, is an Executive Coach, consultant and globally fluent facilitator. She partners with business leaders to deliver their business strategy through coaching, off-sites, team/individual development and assessments. She also currently serves as a Strategic Advisor, Facilitator and Executive Coach at BlackRock. Prior to starting her firm, she was Vice President Global Talent Management at BlackRock. At BlackRock, Kameka was responsible for a wide-range of Talent Management activities including the global design and delivery of BlackRock’s leadership & management development programs. She was specifically responsible for various aspects of the talent strategy, program design and facilitation, assessments, Executive Coaching and other firm-wide development initiatives. In addition, she has been part of the Women's Leadership Forum design, facilitation and implementation team since its post-pilot launch. She also led BlackRock’s emerging work on unconscious bias through the Driving Better Decisions program. Prior to her role at BlackRock, Kameka was with Goldman Sachs in the Office of Global Leadership & Diversity in a diverse talent strategy role covering six businesses. Kameka returned to the private sector from her appointment in the Senior Administration of Yale University, where she was also on the teaching staff of the Yale School of Management. Prior to her role at Yale, Kameka designed and delivered executive level educational programs at Duke Corporate Education for clients in various industries including financial services, technology, pharmaceuticals, beauty and government. Kameka began her career as a business consultant with Accenture, her focus being strategy consulting and business process design. Kameka is a 2012 Women’s Leadership Fellow of the Impact Center’s Women’s Leadership Institute. Kameka holds a Bachelor’s degree from Yale University and Masters of Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is certified in the Hermann Brain Dominance Instrument, the Hogan Suite and various 360 instruments. She is a graduate of the Institute for Excellence in Coach Training Program, accredited by the International Coach Federation. She is a board member of the Phelps Association. She lives in New York City.
Links: Website: www.kdleadershipstrategies.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kd-leadership-strategies Twitter: https://twitter.com/kdlssays | |||
| 19 Jul 2021 | Episode 170: How To Audit Your Personal Brand | 00:11:02 | |
We’re living in the age of influence where our personal brands precede us. How often do you audit your personal brand to find out what people say about you when you aren’t in the room? What do others perceive of you when they see your digital footprint? Whether you want a personal brand or not, you have one. In this episode, we will share why it’s important to build your personal brand and the 3 step to building your brand so you don’t miss the opportunity to make your reputation work for you. Highlights: [01:16] Why it’s important to build your personal brand Quotes: “We leave a trail everywhere we go based on how we show up.” – Nikki Barua “If you're not aware of your personal brand and are not actively building it, you're unknowingly creating a major barrier to your success.” – Nikki Barua “We're living in the age of influence where our reputation precedes us.” – Nikki Barua “Look at what your digital and physical footprint and what it says about you.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert. Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
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| 17 Apr 2024 | Episode 305: Crafting Careers: The Supermums Approach to Empowering Women | 00:33:14 | |
In today's episode, join our host Monica Marquez and our esteemed guest, Heather Black, Founder and CEO of Supermums, as we delve into a visionary approach to reshaping careers in the tech industry. Heather shares her compelling story of how a pivotal career shift, driven by personal transformations, led to the creation of Supermums. This forward-thinking organization is committed to empowering women, particularly those re-entering the workforce post-maternity, by opening doors to new opportunities within the tech sector, with a special focus on Salesforce roles. In our conversation, Heather emphasizes the critical role of recognizing transferable skills, aligning with personal values, and the game-changing effects of career coaching. She also unpacks the concept of the "ambitious women mindset," which merges goals, energy, and boundaries to cultivate success and achieve work-life balance. Join us as we dive deep into these empowering strategies that are not just career-changing but life-transforming. Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest. | |||
| 04 May 2020 | Episode 37: Habits & Hacks: Lessons Learned In Crisis & Adversity | 00:49:00 | |
Have you ever experienced temporary paralysis when you are faced with a difficult decision and you don’t know what to do? How do you handle those situations? What’s your “go to” state - fight, flight or freeze? In this episode, we share our own lessons learned as we navigate through crisis and adversity. You'll learn from our experience and understand how to assess your risks and make decisions with confidence and certainty using powerful habits and hacks.
Highlights: [01:12] Launching a new business during a pandemic [07:42] How past experiences prepared us for this crisis [09:03] Adapting and pivoting your business model [10:45] How crisis can unlock innovation [14:59] Switching lanes in your career [20:39] Remaining calm in a crisis [26:28] Learning to create boundaries [30:36] What Monica wishes she had known at the start of her career [32:59] What Nikki wishes she had known at the start of her career [43:09] Nikki’s favorite word [44:18] Monica’s favorite word [45:13] Assess risk & make decisions with confidence [47:57] Homework for the week
Quotes: “Do you wait and watch, and then respond? Or do you get proactive, rethink everything, and reimagine a whole new future?” – Nikki Barua “Adopt the mindset of disrupting yourself before you get disrupted.” – Nikki Barua “Don't wait for a pandemic to disrupt your plans. Anticipate change and be prepared for disruption.” “Thinking back on my corporate career, I wish I’d asked why more often and challenged the status quo sooner.” – Monica Marquez “Every time I have achieved a big dream, I realize how much more is possible. That’s how I’ve learned to dream big.” – Nikki Barua “Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable helps you dream bigger.” – Monica Marquez “You can’t be outstanding, if your standards aren’t high enough.” – Nikki Barua “Crisis can unlock innovation, but don’t let a crisis be the only reason you innovate.” – Nikki Barua “There's nothing better than that feeling of being ahead of the curve. It builds tremendous confidence.” – Monica Marquez “Don't be afraid to let go of your past, no matter how attached you may be. There's something more beautiful, more exciting, more meaningful that's waiting for you.” – Nikki Barua “Recognize the power of your dreams. The size of your dreams defines your destiny.” – Nikki Barua “Don't let what you think is possible, get in the way of what is achievable.” – Nikki Barua “No matter what you do, go above and beyond. Aspire to more, because you are limitless. Whoever you are, you can go beyond what you think is possible.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki and Monica: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Contact Nikki and Monica: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/
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| 11 Mar 2020 | Episode 14: Becoming A Worthy Woman With Audrey Bellis | 00:34:46 | |
Do you find yourself stuck in a situation that is no longer right for you but you’re afraid to make changes? Audrey Bellis, founder of Worthy Women, shares with us why it’s important to focus on what’s good for you, how to step up from a place of service, and why you can’t raise your net worth until you raise your self-worth. In this episode, Audrey shares her personal journey of shedding other people’s expectations and following her own path. She provides practical tips on how to overcome fears, embrace your authentic self, and become a worthy woman. Highlights: [02:01] Broken to worthy woman [02:45] Story of Worth Women [09:13] Sales is a numbers game [12:56] Getting past rejection [19:05] Overcoming your fears [20:08] Focus on what matters [24:48] Lean on your community [27:13] Authenticity fuels success Quotes: “People struggle to switch lanes because they are so invested in how it needs to be.” – Audrey Bellis “Everything you do comes from a place of self-worth. And if you do not feel worthy of asking for the multimillion-dollar sale, you're not going to get it.” – Audrey Bellis “As a leader, if you don't feel empowered in who you are and have clarity in what you stand for, you won’t be able to lead others. Leadership is a top-down experience.” – Audrey Bellis “Everything is a numbers game. Integrity is the key.” – Audrey Bellis “You need to do what's right for you but also give yourself permission that it isn't set in stone and it can change. And that’s okay.” – Audrey Bellis “Nobody owes you anything. You create your own opportunities.” – Audrey Bellis “The key to accelerating in a digital world is to stop trying to be like everybody else. Show up as you.” – Audrey Bellis “The way that we accelerate is being clear and honest with ourselves. It’s our willingness to be vulnerable and have boundaries.” – Audrey Bellis “You can’t raise your net worth until you raise your self-worth.” – Audrey Bellis About Audrey Bellis: As the Founder of StartUp DTLA, Audrey gets to help bring tech and creative companies into Downtown LA during what has been called the ‘downtown renaissance.’ Connecting these companies with office space, resources, and funding has been one of her greatest joys while having the opportunity to help build a city. While Audrey loves serving the tech community, the #WorthyWomen tribe holds a special place in her heart. Through this platform, she has had the opportunity to not only serve the public, but also been able to work with enterprise leaders and top female executives. Worthy Women is the story of how she found her deepest self-worth and helped women find theirs. You can find Audrey urban exploring across Los Angeles, often with a book under her arm. She is a lover of a well-aged single malt, strong coffee, and her dog Tapatio. Links: Website: http://www.audreybellis.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audreybellis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/audreyrbellis Twitter: https://twitter.com/audreybellis YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCely90sEUuYthFrawhBLn0A Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/audreybellis/ | |||
| 10 Apr 2020 | Episode 27: Be The Leader You Would Follow with Robin Elledge | 00:50:36 | |
We’ve all experienced what it’s like to be led by leaders that are great, and some that are not so great. Do you want to master leadership skills and be the kind of leader you’d love to follow? Our guest, Executive Robin leads Janus Coaching & Consulting, a firm that provides Executive Coaching and HR consulting services. Robin has held high-profile C-level roles at public corporations as well as fast growing In this episode, Robin discusses what it takes to build high performing teams, and how to navigate through uncertain times. Robin also reveals the keys to success – emotional intelligence, insatiable curiosity, deep love of learning, willingness to take risks, and adapting to change.
Highlights: [02:27] Robin’s journey [03:43] Transitioning careers [06:25] What it takes to drive rapid growth as a leader [09:38] More than one way to be a successful leader [15:26] Leading in a larger organization [17:14] Switching lanes during a recession [20:58] Building your dream team [24:36] Preparing for the future of work [27:51] The ability to navigate paradox [33:25] Being good enough versus being perfect [35:20] Focusing on the right thing at the right time [37:26] Robin’s dream mentor [41:10] Advice on asking for mentorship or sponsorship [47:51] Put your own oxygen mask on first
Quotes: “No matter how smart or how visionary an entrepreneur may be, to drive rapid growth you need a really strong team.” – Robin Elledge “Leaders today have to be orchestra masters.” – Robin Elledge “Perfection isn't a goal. It's all about a process of moving in the direction that you're headed in.” – Robin Elledge “Prioritizing and being able to pick and choose the things that really differentiate you from a brand perspective is super important.” – Robin Elledge “Don't rush hiring, it's one of the most important things you'll ever do. You have to get the right people on the bus with you.” – Robin Elledge “In today’s world, the ability to learn on the fly, is the number one skill.” – Robin Elledge “Continuous learning needs to be built as a cultural attribute for organizations.” – Robin Elledge “One of the key leadership skill sets is navigating paradox.” – Robin Elledge “All leadership development starts with self-development.” – Robin Elledge
About Robin Elledge: Robin has spent the past 30 years honing her skills as a respected business leader and results-oriented change agent. She is currently an Executive/Leadership coach and HR/OD consultant through her company, Janus Coaching + Consulting. She is also currently an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Southern California (USC) in their Masters, Human Resources program. Robin’s previous business experience includes roles as Chief Administrative Officer at an entrepreneurial firm that grew 400% during her tenure, SVP, HR at a publicly traded retailer which was a Fortune Best Places to Work organization, and Chief People Officer at a large publicly traded hospitality company during a period of complete financial restructuring, reorganization, and acquisition. During her many roles she’s developed specific expertise in Organization and Leadership Development, employee engagement, and ensuring alignment between a company’s people and business strategies. Robin has an MBA from USC and earned an SPHR and a coaching certification (ICF). She has spoken at numerous meetings and conferences and published blogs/articles and two books on team building. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinelledge/ Website: https://www.januscoach.com/
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| 07 Aug 2024 | Episode 322: Embracing the Free Fall: High-Stakes Communication and Transformation | 00:41:11 | |
Get ready to be inspired by Jenna Lange’s incredible story of personal transformation and professional excellence. In this episode, Jenna, the founder and CEO of Lange International, shares her secrets to mastering high-stakes communication. You’ll learn how to harness the power of your authentic selves, build resilience, and communicate with confidence when it matters most. Jenna’s journey from a timid figure skater to a sought-after advisor for executives worldwide will leave you with practical tips and a renewed sense of courage to tackle your own high-stakes moments. Don’t miss her advice on constructing a strong support network and the value of letting go and trusting the process. Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest. Our conversation with Jenna begins now.
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| 08 Jun 2020 | Episode 50: Habits & Hacks: How To Apologize When You Offend Someone | 00:10:55 | |
These are extraordinary times where our country is going through massive transformation. And that’s never easy – you can’t change if you avoid uncomfortable conversations like those that involve race, diversity, or policies. Because its only when we are willing to be curious, willing to listen, willing to learn, that we can together arrive at understanding and growth. Perhaps you’re struggling with what to say or how to say it, or you said something with positive intent but came across as insensitive and offensive to the other person, only to then find yourself at a loss for words on how to address the situation and what to do next. In this episode, we’ll discuss how to address sensitive topics, and how to apologize when you offend someone. Highlights: [01:53] How to address sensitive topics [03:44] Learning from the conversation [04:55] Take responsibility for your actions [08:17] Two-parts of a genuine apology [09:27] Stand and speak up for what’s right
Quotes: “Don't stay silent when you don't know what to say. Learn how to sincerely and correctly apologize when you get it wrong.” – Monica Marquez “A genuine apology is taking responsibility for what you've done and committing to changing your behavior.” – Nikki Barua “If you are unwilling to tolerate the pain of growth, you won’t experience the benefit of the transformation.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Learn more at https://www.nikkibarua.com/. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader. Learn more at https://themonicamarquez.com/. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
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| 14 Apr 2021 | Episode 145: Finding Your Purpose With Black Mamba Food’s Claudia Castellanos | 00:34:51 | |
Do you wake up and head to work every day with the feeling that you are just going through the motions? Have you experienced that nagging feeling that something is missing and that you aren’t living your life’s purpose? Our guest, Claudia Castellanos, Co-Founder and CEO of Black Mamba Foods, had a successful corporate career but couldn’t shake the feeling that she was meant to do more with her life. To the surprise of her friends, Claudia quit her corporate job to volunteer in Africa in search of her purpose. In this episode, Claudia shares her story of finding clarity, overcoming her fears and making difficult decisions, leading to the launch of her own business, Black Mamba Foods. Claudia is passionate about Africa and finding ways to develop the continent through sustainable projects that uplift women, considers the inclusion of grassroots communities and protection of the environment. Black Mamba Foods is a growing brand with a strong social and environmental ethos, based in Eswatini (eh·swaa·ti·nee), that manufactures and distributes specialty food products in Southern Africa and overseas. Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Claudia.
Highlights: [02:28] Claudia’s journey [06:38] Gaining clarity on your strengths [10:45] Getting past your fears & limiting beliefs [13:40] Strategies for making difficult decisions [16:50] Overcoming failures and setbacks [20:41] Gaining access to influential leaders and mentors [25:47] Tips on effective execution [30:09] Accelerating success in the digital age [32:50] About Black Mamba
Quotes: “Often times you realize what you don't want to do before you realize what you want to do.” – Claudia Castellanos “If you're tired, learn to rest and not to quit.” – Claudia Castellanos “A goal without a plan of action is no more than a dream.”– Claudia Castellanos
About Claudia Castellanos: Claudia Castellanos, a Colombian that came as a volunteer to Eswatini and fell in love with Africa and made it her home, is the co-Founder and Managing Director of Black Mamba Foods, a growing brand with a strong social and environmental ethos based in Eswatini that manufactures and distributes Specialty food products in Southern Africa and overseas. Claudia has over 12 years of experience working as a marketing consultant for several businesses and NGOs in Eswatini and overseas, and as a lecturer for international Universities such as the European School of Economics (www.eselondon.ac.uk) in Italy, and Mananga Business College in Eswatini. Previously Claudia worked as Regional Manager for SAIWA SpA (www.saiwa.it) a former company of the Danone Group, in charge of trade marketing and sales activities with the main retailers of Central Italy. Claudia has also been involved as a trainer and mentor for Technoserve in Eswatini, and also for several business accelerator programmes (such as VVGROW from Vital Voices) locally and internationally. Claudia holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) with specialisation in Marketing from ESADE Business School and a major in Finance and International Relations from Universidad Externado de Colombia (Bogota, Colombia). Since 2016 Claudia is a fellow of Vital Voices, an American NGO that works with women entrepreneurs from around the world supporting their growth. Since 2019 she is also an active member of ECCo (Eswatini Climate Coalition), a grassroots organization promoting awareness, action and civic engagement around climate change and pollution in Eswatini. In 2020 Claudia was awarded the WIA (Women in Africa) Award as the Eswatini Laureate for her work with Black Mamba, promoting and developing regenerative agriculture and inclusive value chains. Claudia is passionate about Africa and finding ways to develop the continent through sustainable projects that take into consideration the upliftment of women, the inclusion of grassroots communities and the protection of the environment.
Links: Website: http://blackmambachilli.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiacastellanos/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackmambafood/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackMambaChilliVenom/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/blackmambafood/ Recent news: https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/416/162/210485.html
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| 01 Feb 2021 | Welcome to Season 2 of the Beyond Barriers Podcast | 00:02:15 | |
Welcome to Season 2 of the Beyond Barriers podcast! If you are an ambitious woman who wants to advance in leadership, then this podcast is for you. In each episode, we interview thought leaders, industry influencers and C-level executives from top corporations. Listen to our guests share their perspective on leadership in the age of artificial intelligence, autonomy and authenticity. From inspiring stories to cutting-edge strategies, you’ll learn exactly how our guests made it to the top and the invaluable lessons they have learned in their own journey. This podcast is co-hosted by Nikki Barua - Digital Innovator, Serial Entrepreneur, Author & Speaker. And Monica Marquez - Senior Corporate Leader, ex-Googler, and Diversity Expert. As thought leaders in innovation and inclusion, we bring unique insights on how to develop the skillset, mindset and toolset to get future-ready fast and accelerate your success. Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Visit iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes and links, including the best way to connect with our guests. About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert. Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
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| 24 May 2021 | Episode 156: The Importance Of Investing In Yourself | 00:24:37 | |
Warren Buffet said that by far the best investment you can make is in yourself. Where do you invest your time, energy, and money? In this episode, we discuss why it is important to establish the habit of consistently upgrading your skills, competencies and knowledge. And why investing in yourself has guaranteed returns. Nikki also shares insights and strategies on how you can become a lifelong learner and aspire to success. Highlights: [01:30] The best investment you can make [05:00] Make it a habit [07:00] When to upgrade yourself [10:59] You are worthy of the investment [12:45] Take control of your career development [15:00] Best way to aspire to success
Quotes: “The best investment you can ever make in your life, whether it's time, money or energy, is in bettering ourselves. It has guaranteed results.” – Nikki Barua “Ask yourself what is the next level of learned competency for professional development that you need and how you do you get it.” – Nikki Barua “Be intentional in seeking out learning for professional development.” – Nikki Barua “You are worthy of the time, care, and attention to focus on yourself.” – Nikki Barua “There is a misconception that your company is responsible for your career development.” – Monica Marquez “The ultimate job security isn’t being good at your job today, it’s being highly capable and qualified to do your job tomorrow.” – Nikki Barua “The easiest way to be successful is to find the people who you want to be like and look at what they do, not what they have.” Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader. Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
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| 10 May 2023 | Episode 263: The Power of Gratitude with Naz Vahid, Head of Citi Global Wealth at Work | 00:52:27 | |
Hello and welcome to the Beyond Barriers podcast! I am Nikki Barua - your host for this episode. Our guest today is Naz Vahid - Head of Citi Global Wealth at Work. Naz Vahid leads her life with gratitude. She escaped Iran as a young girl and it shaped who she became. She adapted to her new life in America by putting effort into everything and never taking anything for granted. Taking on responsibilities at an early age taught her important life skills –all of which has served her professionally. Throughout her career, Naz has taken on a variety of roles and increasingly bigger responsibilities by always learning and growing. Naz shares how listening to feedback, avoiding complacency, and building great relationships helped her achieve her ambitions. She believes we elevate others by elevating ourselves. When it comes to social issues in the workplace, Naz thinks it’s important that we get uncomfortable and show our authenticity. She recognizes it is harder for women and minorities to navigate their careers and is determined to make it easier for the younger generations. Visit gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Naz. Highlights: Quotes: “You just have to make the voice in your head that says, "I'm good enough," “Every time you elevate yourself, you elevate someone behind you as well.” – Lightning Round Questions:
- “Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - "People forget what you said. People forget what you did. People will never What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? What is one change you've implanted that made your life better? - Sit on the email overnight when you are angry. What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
About Mehrnaz (Naz) Vahid:
Prior to this, Naz served as the Head of the Law Firm Group for Citi Private Bank. In this role she was responsible for the 14 offices in the United States and UK that serve Law Firms, their Partners and Associates. The group has around 200 professionals that provide a range of financial services to more than 40,000 attorneys across approximately 650 law firms. Naz also served as the Head of the Citi Private Bank Diversity Program, working with the committee and ICG Diversity to increase awareness across many areas and was responsible for setting up Citi Before this, she was a Senior Private Banker for more than 15 years, handling some of the largest client relationships in the Private Bank. Naz is formally credit trained, and prior to her role as a Private Banker, worked as a Private Bank Credit Officer and also as an analyst. Naz holds a graduate degree in International Relations and Finance from Columbia University School of International Affairs and undergraduate degrees in Economics and Sociology from Hobart and Williams Smith Colleges. Outside of her responsibilities at Citi, she is the member of board of Hobart & William Smith Colleges as well as the Tahirih Justice Center. She also sponsors scholarships both at Lynbrook High School and Hobart and William Smith Colleges for first generation immigrant students pursuing higher education in the United States. In her free time, Naz enjoys reading and painting. Naz has two daughters and lives in Long Island, New York with her husband. Links: LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nazvahid/ | |||
| 18 May 2020 | Episode 43: Habits & Hacks: How to Overcome Self-Limiting Beliefs | 00:18:58 | |
Have you ever really wanted to do something but feel like you’re too old, or too young or not good enough to do it? Self-limiting beliefs crush our motivation, and hold us back from achieving the level of success we deserve. In this episode, learn how to get rid of that annoying little voice that limits you and your success and how to overcome your self-limiting beliefs, once and for all.
Highlights: [01:16] Belief systems [03:56] Confirmation bias [06:15] Common limiting beliefs for women [12:22] Strategies for hacking self-limiting beliefs [17:36] Homework for the week
Quotes: “When you have self limiting beliefs, you tend to look for evidence that supports those negative beliefs.”– Nikki Barua “Condition your mind to focus on positive evidence about an empowering belief.” – Nikki Barua “You are never starting over 100 %. You are taking experierence, perspective and skills from the past with you to the next phase of your journey.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Learn more at https://www.nikkibarua.com/. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader. Learn more at https://themonicamarquez.com/. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
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| 12 Jun 2024 | Episode 313: Transforming Pain into Purpose: A Journey of Self-Discovery and Leadership | 00:35:57 | |
Tune in to an uplifting conversation with Marcy Moneypenny, Principal and Managing Director at Avison Young, as she shares her remarkable journey from a single mother to a prominent leader in the male-dominated commercial real estate industry. Host Nikki Barua delves into Marcy's early struggles, her rise in the commercial real estate sector, and the core values that have driven her success. She discusses the importance of turning pain into purpose, the power of self-belief, and the crucial role of mentors and sponsors in her career. Marcy’s story is a powerful reminder that even the most challenging obstacles can be converted into stepping stones toward a fulfilling and impactful career. This episode is packed with insights and strategies for anyone looking to break barriers and achieve their full potential. Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
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| 16 Jun 2021 | Episode 162: Navigating Life’s Pivotal Moments with Salesforce’s Jennifer Lagaly | 00:45:46 | |
Pivotal moments are critical turning points that bring new perspectives and opportunities that alter the trajectory of our lives. As Tony Robbins famously said, “It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.” The decisions we make define our path of success, failure, and even happiness. Meet Jennifer Lagaly, Senior Vice President at Salesforce, who shares her story of navigating the pivotal moments in her life and career, which ultimately led her to success as a corporate executive and a mother of five. Jennifer shares advice on finding clarity on your career path, how motherhood prepares women for management, and why it is important for women to stay in the game and have their voices heard. Jennifer serves on the board of FinancialForce and has held a variety of sales roles in her 18 years at Salesforce guiding the success of her team and clients. She recently gave a TEDx talk inspiring both women and men with strategies to balance successful careers and a fulfilling parenting experience. Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Jennifer.
Highlights: [02:29] Jennifer’s childhood career aspirations [04:15] Advice on finding clarity in early career stage [07:07] Path to Senior Executive in sales [11:17] Pivotal career moments & decisions [15:13] The catalyst behind Jennifer’s ambition [18:53] How motherhood prepares you for management [25:28] Demystifying sales [31:08] The best predictor of successful salespeople [34:32] What’s in the future for Jennifer [39:23] Advice to women in the workplace [40:49] Paying it forward
Quotes: “Employees perform best when they feel their leaders care and support them.” – Jennifer Lagaly “The best predictor of one’s future success is what they’ve done in the past.” – Jennifer Lagaly “Life is the journey, it is not the station. Striving and solving problems is life.” – Jennifer Lagaly
About Jennifer Lagaly: Jennifer Lagaly is a Senior Vice President, GM of Industrial Products at Salesforce. In her 18 years at the company, she's served in a variety of sales roles across the organization. Prior to Salesforce, she has experience in technology sales across several companies including Forte/Sun and Motiva/Siebel, and providing Siebel and Remedy call-center solutions to Siemens ICN. She is on the board of FinancialForce and has recently given a TEDx UCDavis talk inspiring both women and men to stay in the game while they balance successful careers and a fulfilling parenting experience. Lagaly lives in the Bay Area with her husband and five children and holds a degree in Chemical Engineering at University of California, Davis. Links: | |||
| 20 Mar 2024 | Episode 301: The Accidental Activist: How Helping Others Sparked a Movement | 00:33:43 | |
Step into the incredible story of Wendy Diamond, whose early entrepreneurial spirit set off a powerful movement in the world of women’s entrepreneurship. This episode brings you Nikki Barua guiding an engaging conversation with Wendy Diamond, the innovative CEO and Founder of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization. Get ready to dive into Wendy’s journey as she shares the key moments and decisions that transformed her into a source of motivation and change for entrepreneurs everywhere. Our special guest, celebrated for her creative and socially mindful approach to business, has truly made a difference. Come along as we explore the breadth of Wendy’s influence and the lasting impact of her efforts on women’s entrepreneurship across the globe. For full show notes, visit our website. | |||
| 12 Mar 2021 | Episode 133: Igniting Social Impact with Chloe Drew | 00:35:46 | |
You’ve likely heard some leaders described as a servant leader. But what does that really mean? Servant leadership is a philosophy and set of practices that enriches the lives of individuals, builds better organizations, and ultimately creates a more just and caring world. Simply put, it is all about leading by lifting others. Our guest today, Chloe Drew, knows a thing or two about servant leadership. Throughout her career, from her corporate executive roles to her philanthropic and political engagement, Chloe has fought for the underdog and paved the way for others to get ahead. In this episode, Chloe shares her story and how she chose a divergent career path from her Harvard College classmates and followed her passion to help others. Chloe Drew has 20 years of experience designing, scaling and leading strategies in human resources, corporate social impact, philanthropy and diversity, equity & inclusion. She currently works as an advisor and coach to CEOs and executive teams to develop customized inclusion and diversity strategies that help unlock the full potential of leaders and teams.
Highlights: [03:04] Chloe’s journey [08:13] Gaining clarity on your path [10:35] Pushing past your fear of failure [16:11] Excelling in a new & unfamiliar environment [19:30] Tips for making difficult decisions [23:32] Dynamics of imposter syndrome [26:38] Asking your community for help [29:39] How to stay ahead of the curve and be agile [32:32] Advice on accelerating your success
Quotes: “The best and most profound lessons of my life have been when I've completely failed.”– Chloe Drew “Don’t expect to have the full picture when making a difficult decision, strive to get to feeling fairly confident in your decision.” – Chloe Drew “Asking yourself ‘what outcome are you trying to achieve?’, will help drive out the noise, assumptions and biases.” – Chloe Drew
About Chloe Drew: Chloe Drew has 20 years of experience designing, scaling and leading strategies in human resources, corporate social impact, philanthropy and diversity, equity & inclusion. Currently she works as an advisor and coach to CEOs and executive teams across sectors – including technology, communications, financial services, sports and fashion – to develop customized inclusion and diversity strategies that help unlock the full potential of leaders and teams. Before that Chloe was Chief People Officer at the real estate tech firm Compass where she supported a team of 2,500 employees nationally and oversaw the full employee experience through talent acquisition, total rewards, talent management, HR policy and diversity & inclusion. She also served as President of Philanthropy and launched the firm’s first community impact program engaging all employees and 15,000 real estate agents across Compass’s 20+ markets. Previously she was Chief of Staff at the Markle Foundation leading HR, strategy and fundraising at the $125M independent foundation dedicated to harnessing the power of technology to advance economic inclusion. From 2013 - 2015 Chloe was Director of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Appointments where she ran the Administration’s effort to recruit Commissioners and senior staff for over 60 city agencies and 200 municipal boards and commissions. From 2008 to 2013 Chloe was Executive Director of the Council of Urban Professionals, a nonprofit network of diverse business leaders in New York and Los Angeles, and from 2002 to 2007 she was Campaign Director for Congresswoman Barbara Lee in California’s 13th District. Chloe earned an A.B. from Harvard College in History and Literature. She has served on nonprofit boards including Wellesley College Centers for Women, Latino Justice, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Emerge America and Oakland Vote. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two young children. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-drew-7ab26a4/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Chloedrew Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chloedrew7/
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| 22 Apr 2020 | Episode 32: Mentors Don’t Have To Look Like You with Amazon’s Dora Maria Abreu | 00:38:11 | |
Are you looking for a mentor and having a hard time finding one? Dora Maria Abreu shares with us her mentorship journey in male dominated industries where she often found herself to be the “only one”. Dora is a Regional Program Manager for Engineering Excellence at Amazon. She has worked in the Technology, Education, Telecommunications, Aerospace and Financial sectors. She is also an Executive Director of the John Maxwell Team where she contributes her expertise as a Leadership Expert, Motivational Speaker, and Mentor. In this episode, Dora talks about how to build your community of mentors. Dora encourages us to bond with role models outside the comforts of your environment by simply thinking outside of the box and letting go of the notion that “you need mentors that look like you”. Dora also shares how she integrates work and life to create opportunities that allow her to shine and be her best.
Highlights: [02:14] Dora’s story [04:06] Switching lanes and accelerating success [06:02] Overcoming limiting beliefs [08:18] Showing up with confidence [11:40] Staying ahead of the curve in the digital age [14:41] Juggling competing professional and personal priorities [18:05] Building your community [24:50] Getting over the fear of networking [28:48] Who would you love to learn from [31:58] Dora’s superpower [34:20] The key to accelerating success
Quotes: “Don't have just one mentor. Get a variety of mentors, so you can get different perspectives.” – Dora Maria Abreu “Take a moment and celebrate the wins.” – Dora Maria Abreu “Your vibe attracts your tribe.” – Dora Maria Abreu “Having a variety of people that you mentor keeps you in sync with what's happening today.” – Dora Maria Abreu “I frame a lot of what I do by thinking about how to make things happen so that I can help others.” – Dora Maria Abreu “Go into networking events with good intentions and assume positive intentions of others as well. That’s the key to positive outcomes.” – Dora Maria Abreu
About Dora Maria Abreu: Dora Maria Abreu is a Program Manager based in NY on the Engineering Excellence Team. In her previous roles she has been an avid technology and education professional. She has progressive work experience in IT Support and as a Software Engineer / Developer, IT Support, Trainer, Educator but also in career, professional and personal development skills. She has worked in the Technology, Education, Telecommunications, Aerospace and Financial sectors. Dora has received a Bachelors of Science in Computer Information Systems and Applied Math and a Master’s of Science in Management Information Systems as well from Stony Brook University and then a Master’s of Education in Technological Information Systems from Columbia University. Outside of work, you can find her on some adventure with her family and friends, listening to audiobooks/podcasts, reading books, helping youth of all ages and community at large through mentoring, coaching and providing a variety of programs and workshops on internship preparation, leadership / professional development such as public speaking as well technical classes for those within and outside the STEM field. By being part of the John C. Maxwell Team / Toastmasters she has been able to build on these skills and reach a wider audience. She enjoys music, dance, movies, sports, photography and poetry.
Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmabreu/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dmabreu/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/dmabreu
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| 03 Oct 2022 | Episode 232: Elevating Next-Generation Latinos: Economic Growth Drivers | 00:20:35 | |
At this year’s L'Attitude 2022 conference, Latino Donor Collaborative revealed their latest report showing that U.S. Latinos are a key driving force in our nation's economic recovery. Despite being the largest minority in the U.S. and making significant contributions to the growth of our economy, Latinos are still among the most underrepresented in leadership positions. Esther Aguilera, CEO of Latino Corporate Directors Association, recently told AL DÍA News Media, "Business leaders—both non-Latino and Latino—play a critical role in driving an accurate story of the Latino community and its huge impact on the American economy. We need business leaders everywhere to lean in, learn more, and speak up about the dynamism and success of the Latino community. Otherwise, these misconceptions and contradictory views of our community will continue to slow progress for everyone." In this episode, Monica Marquez shares insights from LDC's 2022 U.S. Latinos GDP Report™, recent community successes, and how the next-generation Latino cohort can help drive our country's economic growth.
Highlights: [02:23] Insights from LDC's 2022 U.S. Latinos GDP Report™ [04:48] Future of Latinos in the workforce [07:37] Adding value through cultural perspective inside your organization [08:13] U.S. Latino GDP impact on the economy [08:41] Elevating and recruiting next-generation talent [09:09] Latino educational achievements [10:20] Statistics on Latino real consumption [11:16] Breaking misconceptions in the Latino community [12:29] Google’s rise in market share through product inclusion and innovation [16:15] Future vision for Latinos and embracing diversity
Quotes: “Latino Donor Collaborative’s latest report on the economic growth of the U.S. Latino cohort confirms the sheer dominance that U.S. Latinos will have on the country's economy as a whole.” - Monica Marquez "From a business perspective and whatever your industry, if you aren't paying attention to the US Latino cohort, you will get left behind." - Monica Marquez “Latinos are gaining more and more wealth and consuming more at a faster pace than any other cohort in the U.S. It just makes business sense to pay attention now.” - Monica Marquez “We are excited to see a world where Latino voices and perspectives matter in defining products in defining services and policies – a world where Latinos no longer are hoping for equal pay, career opportunity, or a seat at the table.” - Monica Marquez About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert. Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez | |||
| 26 Feb 2021 | Episode 127: Developing An Entrepreneurial Mindset with Lauren Sweeney | 00:33:12 | |
You hear it all the time from super successful people, long before they were running multimillion-dollar companies, they were strengthening their entrepreneurial muscle by selling lemonade on the corner, inventing the next “big thing” in their garage or helping their parents or grandparents run the “mom and In this episode, you’ll meet Lauren Sweeney, Founder and CEO of Dotted Line, who shares her own story of growing up in a family of small business owners and how developing her entrepreneurial mindset helped her succeed in her corporate career and ultimately gave her the courage to follow her passion and Dotted Line is a creative marketing company focused on helping businesses connect brands to people. Their client roster includes Fortune 1000 companies in financial services, healthcare, real estate and development, consumer goods and services, and health and beauty.
Highlights: [02:36] Lauren’s journey [04:48] Making the decision to become an entrepreneur [06:33] Overcoming your fears and limiting beliefs [09:32] Identifying your strengths, passion and purpose [12:36] Asking your community for help [14:36] How to ask for someone’s time and knowledge [16:36] Creating your personal brand [19:27] Advice on dreaming big [22:00] Turning failures into lessons for success [24:35] Lauren’s success habits [28:39] How to make the decision to delegate
Quotes: “Changing your mindset to embrace failure gives you the freedom to dream big.” – Lauren Sweeney “Know who you are, what you believe, and where you are headed.” – Lauren Sweeney “When you ask for someone’s advice, share with them how you used it.” - Lauren Sweeney
About Lauren Sweeney: Lauren Sweeney is Founder and CEO of Dotted Line, a creative marketing company. After graduating with dual degrees in Economics and Art History from a liberal arts school in Virginia, she worked in communications for a Fortune 200 financial services company. Lauren launched Dotted Line in 2014, and since then the firm has grown into a full-service agency serving 50+ clients at a national scale in financial services, healthcare, real estate and development, consumer goods and services, and health and beauty. Lauren has been recognized as a 2017 Tory Burch Foundation Fellow with global fashion powerhouse, Tory Burch. Lauren’s involvement with Tory Burch has garnered press in MSNBC, WWD, and regional publications. Lauren uses the Tory Burch Foundation opportunity to raise awareness for entrepreneurship and women-owned businesses at events such as the 3% Conference and the Southern C Conference, as well as at educational institutions like Virginia Commonwealth University and surrounding colleges and universities. Lauren serves on the boards for Needle’s Eye Ministries. Lauren is a proud wife of a fellow entrepreneur, a stepmother of a towering teenage boy, and a new mom to a 1-year old. The Sweeney family is actively involved at Hope Church in Richmond, Virginia. They enjoy outdoor activities and traveling. Recent adventures have taken them hiking in Utah, exploring the Holy Land in Israel, or traveling to Iceland. About Dotted Line: Dotted Line is a creative marketing company focused on helping businesses connect brands to people. Started by Founder and CEO at the age of 26, Lauren founded a new model agency for today’s advertising world. Dotted Lines’ client roster includes Fortune 1000 companies in financial services, healthcare, real estate and development, consumer goods and services, and health and beauty. Today, Dotted Line services 50+ clients with a staff of 15.
Links: Website: https://dottedline.agency/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dotted-line-collaborations/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dottedline.agency/
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| 21 Dec 2022 | Episode 245: Advancing By Taking Risks with TriNet’s Chief People Officer, Catherine Wragg | 00:36:33 | |
Meet Catherine Wragg, Chief People Officer at TriNet who shares how self-awareness and smart risk taking helped her achieve career success. Coming from a traditional environment, Catherine had to grow into the risk-taker she is today. Throughout her career, she took on challenges, betting on herself and her ability to learn. Whether it was switching to new industries or taking on risky projects, Catherine stepped into the unknown with curiosity and optimism. That’s what helped her rise to the C-suite after starting her career in the payroll department. Catherine leads with a deep desire to make a bigger impact. She expertly navigated the challenges posed by the pandemic and created an environment where Trinet employees would thrive, adapting the culture and workplace to accommodate the new normal. Catherine lives her life with hope and belief in a better tomorrow. Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Catherine.
Highlights: [02:21] Catherine’s formation story [07:04] Working for The Armani Group [11:49] What led to Catherine’s success [15:50] Making important decisions for her career [20:03] Being a leader in HR during COVID [26:21] A new world of work after COVID [29:41] Balancing work and home life [33:18] Lightning round questions Quotes: “You have to take time for yourself and then digest all that you're seeing, feeling and hearing to be able to provide perspective or create an environment that allows folks to be their best selves.” – Catherine Wragg “It's really about trying to get as organized as you can about what's to come.” – Catherine Wragg “COVID was a unique impact to the organization that's actually transformed the way we work entirely.” – Catherine Wragg
Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you?
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
About Catherine Wragg: Catherine Wragg joined TriNet in 2017 and currently serves as the Chief People Officer at TriNet, overseeing learning and development, People (HR) operations and compliance, talent acquisition, compensation and analytics, and internal People (HR) support to the business. Previously, Catherine served as the senior vice president of Business Development at Giorgio Armani Corporation, where she collaborated with the CEO on various business strategies, including the management of the e-commerce channel for North America. Earlier at Giorgio Armani, she was the senior vice president of Human Resources at A|X Armani Exchange. Catherine led the integration of A|X into Giorgio Armani following its acquisition by Giorgio Armani Group. Prior to that, she was the senior vice president of Human Resources and Administration at Tower Group International, Ltd., where she was responsible for establishing and growing an internal HR function to support a rapid growth property and casualty insurance company. Catherine partnered with her colleagues on two successful initial public offerings and integrated various acquisitions. She supported 18 offices throughout the U.S. and Bermuda. Catherine studied English at Northern Arizona University. She is a former board member of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation. Links: LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-wragg-84a2012/ | |||
| 06 Mar 2024 | Episode 299: The Making of an Empowered Leader: Lessons from a Top Female Sales Exec at LinkedIn | 00:43:34 | |
Get ready to immerse yourself in the art of building genuine virtual connections with Alyssa Merwin, the global Vice President of LinkedIn Sales Solutions. Host Brooke Skinner Ricketts dives deep into Alyssa's extraordinary journey, from her humble small-town roots to leading LinkedIn's Sales Navigator business. With unwavering transparency, Alyssa unveils invaluable insights into overcoming challenges and embracing vulnerability as the driving forces behind substantial professional development. In this episode, you'll discover how to:
Stay tuned for a conversation that promises to reshape your leadership approach, redefine the way you ask for help, and revolutionize your ability to foster authentic connections in today's remote work landscape. For full show notes, visit our website. | |||
| 04 Aug 2021 | Episode 174: The Power of Your Story with Cowen’s Ripa Rashid | 00:40:16 | |
What’s your story? Have you ever been asked that question during an interview and not known where to even begin? Telling stories about your professional self can inspire others’ belief in your character and in your ability to successfully take on new opportunities or make career transitions. It also can help you believe in yourself. Having a career story gives meaning to your career history; it will assure you that, in moving on to something new, you are not discarding everything you’ve worked so hard to accomplish. Unfortunately, research has shown that most of us fail to use the power of storytelling in pursuit of our professional goals, or we do it badly. Our guest, Ripa Rashid, Managing Director and Head of Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) at Cowen, shares her career story and why it is important to weave together your professional narrative and be able to clearly articulate your journey with clarity. Ripa is an internationally recognized subject matter expert and practitioner in the space of workplace diversity and inclusion, with a focus on gender, race and global talent engagement and development strategies. Prior to joining Cowen, Ms. Rashid was Managing Director at Culture@Work, Working Mother Media and Bonnier’s strategic advisory and custom research group. Previously, she was co-president at the Center for Talent Innovation (CTI) in New York City, a premier think tank and content provider that studies global workplace inclusion and diversity. She has also served as a management consultant with Booz & Company, PwC and Mitchell Madison Group, and has held senior diversity and inclusion positions at MetLife and Time Warner. In this episode, Ripa shares how her career has been guided by a desire for continuous growth and learning, why it is important to have allies and sponsors in your corner, and advice on how to stay ahead of the curve in the digital age. Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Ripa. Highlights: “Talent exists everywhere, opportunity does not. It's about creating access and opportunity.” – Ripa Rashid “If you live a life with fear, that means that you're not discovering anything.” - Ripa Rashid “There is no roadmap and no prescribed path for innovative work.” - Ripa Rashid About Ripa Rashid: Ms. Rashid holds an AB cum laude in astronomy and astrophysics from Harvard University, an MA in anthropology from New York University and an MBA from INSEAD. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riparashid/ | |||
| 30 Mar 2020 | Episode 22: Habits & Hacks: Leverage The Power Of Your Community | 00:12:22 | |
If you are looking for new career opportunities, then applying for a job online and hoping you get it is not an effective strategy. Regardless of your talent and experience, it’s impossible for hiring managers to spot you in a pool of thousands of candidates. That’s why relationship-based referrals account for 70% of all hires made by employers. Instead of looking for a job, focus on leveraging the power and advocacy of your community. Community is about belonging and empowerment. Having a engaged community provides access to resources and opportunities that you may not be aware of otherwise. An influential tribe is key to learning, growing, and leveling up together. Successful careers are built on continually growing networks with strong and lasting relationships. In this episode, you'll learn the 5 essential elements of community so that you can build your tribe and gain their support for your success. You’ll learn how to gain proximity to influential people and networks, how to build a peer group at the next level to help you grow, and how to seek feedback from your community.
Highlights: [00:59] Definition of community [02:18] 1 st essential element of community [03:59] 2nd essential element of community [05:23] 3rd essential element of community [06:21] 4th essential element of community [08:26] 5th essential element of community [10:05] Nikki’s favorite habit in building community [11:15] Homework for the week
Quotes: “Successful careers live and breathe because of the strong relationships and networks that individuals have.” – Monica Marquez “It's not about who you know, it's about who knows you.” – Nikki Barua “Define your Dream list, who is within your reach that you want to learn from. And then figure out how you can add value to them.” – Nikki Barua “When you have proximity to the right people, you get faster results because you are learning through their wisdom and experience.” – Nikki Barua “There's a difference between mentors and sponsors. Mentors may guide you. But sponsors are the ones that have the decision making ability to influence your career.” – Nikki Barua “Be intentional in identifying exactly you need mentorship in.” – Nikki Barua “You become the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” – Nikki Barua “By becoming peers with those at the next level, we start to emulate their habits and their mindset. And then success at that level becomes more accessible.” – Nikki Barua “Feedback is a gift that someone is giving to you because they care about you.” – Nikki Barua “When someone cares enough to give you feedback, value their perspective and their opinion, take action on it.” – Nikki Barua “If you want to earn the trust and respect of people, be the person that does exactly what they say they will.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki and Monica: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Contact Nikki and Monica: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/
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| 19 Jun 2024 | Episode 314: Leading with Light: How To Drive Positive Change in Business and Community | 00:42:49 | |
Tune in to this week’s episode as host Brooke Skinner Ricketts sits down with her friend and colleague, Marita Hudson Thomas, Chief Communications Officer at Cars.com Inc., d/b/a Cars Commerce. Marita is responsible for the internal and external communications strategy and events across Cars Commerce. Since her promotion, she has transformed their communications practices by delivering meaningful campaigns, press initiatives, and events that drive measurable results and business impact. Marita dives deep into her path to leadership, emphasizing the importance of purpose-driven work and the value of patience in professional growth. You’ll be inspired by Marita’s dedication to community involvement and mentoring, and how these commitments have been pivotal in her career. Learn from Marita’s experiences on maintaining confidence, navigating through challenges, giving oneself grace, and the power of preparation. This episode is packed with valuable lessons for anyone aspiring to lead with integrity and impact. Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
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| 25 Sep 2020 | Episode 93: Leading By Lifting Others with Chief People Officer, Tami Rosen | 00:39:52 | |
How would you feel if you knew your manager had your back? What if they lifted you up and shined a light on your accomplishments? What if they were willing to do whatever it takes to give everyone a level playing field? Servant leadership is all about leading by lifting others. Our guest today is Tami Rosen and she is that kind of leader. She believes that leaders don’t go far if they leave others behind. Throughout her career, Tami has fought for the underdog and paved the way for others to get ahead, inspiring them to do more, learn more and become more. In this episode, Tami shares her perspective on leadership, contribution and impact. Tami is currently the Chief People Officer at Atlassian where she is responsible for the attraction, engagement, development, and experience of Atlassian’s most important asset –its people. Prior to Atlassian, Tami has held leadership roles at Goldman Sachs, Apple, and has served as the first Chief People Officer for both Quora and Luminar Technologies. Tami brings an agile philosophy to all aspects of people operations.
Highlights: [03:03] Tami’s journey [07:17] Risk-reward analysis [09:30] Seeking out feedback [13:23] Overcoming limiting beliefs [16:44] Tami’s superpower [19:43] Diversity and inclusion [24:20] Making the decision to change industries [30:01] Asking for help [33:33] Accelerating success in the digital age [35:19] Becoming a change agent for others [37:41] Tami’s final words of advice
Quotes: “It is just as important for others to share feedback when they see someone who is high performing as it is to be asking for the feedback.”– Tami Rosen “Building your network and relationships isn’t about the work you are doing in the moment, it’s about how you carry that forward and keep that relationship going.” – Tami Rosen “Asking for help allows others to know where they can use their superpowers to help you.” – Tami Rosen “Failure is an opportunity to learn and get back up and do something better and different.” – Tami Rosen “Drive the change you want to see. See what the future should be and make sure that you can help make that change happen.” – Tami Rosen “When you see somebody struggling, give them the support, because it's always more powerful in twos than it is by yourself.” – Tami Rosen
About Tami Rosen: Tami Rosen is a senior HR executive passionate about enabling people to perform at their best. Through leadership roles at Goldman Sachs, Apple as well as start ups like Quora and Luminar Technologies, she brought an agile philosophy to all aspects of people operations for up to 15,000 global employees, becoming known for strengths in four key areas: HR Transformation, Employer Branding, Diversity and Inclusion, Leadership Development and Culture Education. Throughout her career, she earned distinction as a relationship builder, thought leader, connector of people, and trusted advisor to executive teams. Tami launched her corporate career at Goldman Sachs, where she spent 16+ years advancing from technical recruiter and generalist to heading human resources for three of the firm’s largest divisions: Technology, The Federation (back-office operations), and Investment Management. In global and regional roles, she provided the leadership to transform HR into a strategic business asset and instill excellence into talent management programs and processes. She advocated for and engaged employees through initiatives that embraced the inclusion and growth of female, LGBT, and diverse populations, including Wall Street’s first Ally program. She developed leaders and rising-stars, and set technical and business employees on career roadmaps designed to bring out their full potential. Recruited to Apple Inc. as Human Resources Senior Director for two technical divisions, Tami used people analytics to shape talent recruitment, development and management programs designed to attract and retain the best performers in a competitive job marketplace. Her leadership facilitated the smooth integration of several large acquisitions, including Beats by Dre. Her success resulted in a rare invitation to join Apple University as a faculty member. Tami created and conducted development programs for executives and managers that focused on building innovative cultures and engaging employees. She also led research on employee attrition factors at suppliers in Asia. Tami also served as the first Chief People Officer, Luminar Technologies, advising the executive team on strategic planning and organizational structure to ensure business viability. She established the HR infrastructure including compensation strategy and developed an empowering corporate culture. Prior to Luminar, she was the first Vice President of People and Internal Communications at Quora where she made talent and culture a keystone of business strategy and provided executive leadership coaching. She is currently the Chief People officer at Atlassian where she is responsible for the attraction, engagement, development, and experience of Atlassian’s most important asset – its people. She has been instrumental in developing the future of work called TEAM Anywhere and has shepherded the company through the recent pandemic. Tami currently resides in Los Altos with her husband (Marc), two children (Emma and Justin), two cats (Ava and Max) and her husky (Alani). She is passionate about philanthropy, coaching/mentoring, democracy/equality and working with STEM programs. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Binghamton University in Law and Society.
Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tami-rosen-388714b/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tami.rosen Twitter: @tamibrosen | |||
| 17 Jan 2024 | Episode 293: The Cracked Pottery Principle: How Imperfection Drives Authentic Leadership | 00:36:14 | |
Welcome to today's empowering episode featuring Jackie Morales, the accomplished Chief Operating Officer at Security Benefit. Join our insightful host, Brooke Skinner Ricketts, as she guides us through Jackie's remarkable career journey. Jackie's story highlights the significance of authenticity, calculated risk-taking, and the pursuit of clear career goals. Notably, Jackie defied norms by achieving the role of vice president at the age of 28, all without a formal education. Jackie's narrative serves as a powerful beacon of inspiration, urging listeners to fearlessly pursue their goals. She emphasizes the creation of a supportive and recognition-driven environment for those around us. Through Jackie's unique perspective, this episode celebrates the diverse paths individuals take in their professional journeys. In this engaging episode, you'll discover how to:
Tune in to gain valuable insights that will propel you further and faster in your career journey. For full show notes go to our website.
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| 07 Apr 2021 | Episode 143: The Power of PAUSE and Microaggressions with Stacey Gordon | 00:37:57 | |
Are you passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion? Do you courageously say something when you see something happening to you or others that just doesn’t feel right? Or do you feel yourself shying away from it because you don’t know what to do in those moments? How would you like to learn some game-changing strategies that you can implement to help disrupt unconscious and systemic bias? Our guest, Stacey Gordon, CEO and Chief Diversity Strategist of Rework Work, shares how her journey was led by her passion for diversity, equity and inclusion. After an experience in the corporate world, Stacey decided that she didn’t want to perpetuate the cycle of bad practices that she had witnessed and decided to strike out on her own and work on implementing DEI strategies at companies holistically. In her role as Executive Advisor and Diversity Strategist, she coaches and counsels executive leaders on DEI strategies for the business while offering a no-nonsense approach to education for the broader employee population. Taking a 360-degree of work, Stacey is the creator of the second most viewed course at LinkedIn learning and has surpassed the milestone of having reached more than 1 million unique learners. In this episode, Stacey shares her insights on identifying your passion and purpose, navigating systemic biases, and her framework for addressing microaggressions. Stacey is also a repeat best-selling author, recently releasing UNBIAS: Addressing Unconscious Bias at Work, which is a must-have resource for all employers, managers, and HR professionals seeking to create and sustain healthy, inclusive, and equitable workplace environments. Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Stacey. Highlights: [02:49] Stacey’s journey [04:06] Identify your passion [06:21] Advice for women on stepping up for themselves [10:21] Don’t tell yourself no before you’ve given somebody the opportunity to say no [12:58] Building lasting relationships [16:58] Tips on achieving your goals [20:24] Adapting to the disruption of the last year [24:30] Navigating systemic biases [29:30] How to address microaggressions [33:52] How to connect with Stacey [35:27] Advice on accelerating your success
Quotes: “Don't tell yourself no before somebody else has. Give them the opportunity to say no, but don't discount yourself.” – Stacey Gordon “We should turn the advocacy inward and advocate for ourselves, just as we’d advocate for others and for our children.” – Stacey Gordon “Just start pursing your goals. A year from now, you will wish you had started today.”– Stacey Gordon
About Stacey Gordon: Leading at the intersection of diversity, inclusion, and workplace culture, as CEO and Chief Diversity Strategist of Rework Work, Stacey focuses on reworking how companies work; including how they inclusively recruit, hire and engage employees, effectively creating inclusion and belonging for all. In her role as Executive Advisor and Diversity Strategist, she coaches and counsels executive leaders on DEI strategies for the business while offering a no-nonsense approach to education for the broader employee population. Taking a 360-degree of work, Stacey is the creator of the second most viewed course at LinkedIn learning and has surpassed the milestone of having reached more than 1 million unique learners. Her unconscious bias course has been translated into at least four languages and has been featured by LinkedIn, Microsoft, and Virgin America (now Alaska Airlines). Stacey is a highly rated coach practitioner who has facilitated coaching of senior DEI leaders at several Diversity & Inclusion forums. She was recognized by Pepperdine University as a Top 40 Over 40 Leader, was a finalist for Los Angeles Business Journal’s Women’s Award and was recognized by Forbes as a Top 3 Business Leader Who Spoke Out About Diversity & Inclusion. Previously employed as an Adjunct Professor teaching Diversity in Organizations at Phillips Graduate University, she now teaches at Pepperdine University in the Business School where she earned her MBA. Formerly the Director of Education for the largest SHRM affiliate in the country, Stacey earned her both her Inclusive Workplace Culture credential and her SHRM Senior Certified Professional certification from the Society for Resource Management (SHRM). She is the author of a best-selling interview guide titled The Successful Interview: 99 Questions to Ask and UNBIAS: Addressing Unconscious Bias at Work. As a leadership consultant and DEI strategist, Stacey has provided subject matter expertise to SHRM, Fast Company, Skillsoft, Forbes, NPR Radio, BBC Radio, Essence Magazine, and Monster.com, to name a few. She was also a career segment guest contributor to Fox Business and is a frequently requested keynote speaker.
Links: Website: https://reworkwork.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceygordon/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/reworkwork Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diversitydiva/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reworkwork
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| 10 Jan 2024 | Episode 292: From Burnout to Breakthrough: One Latina's Journey to Purpose | 00:38:32 | |
Unleash your potential by breaking away from cultural and societal norms alongside our incredible guest, Valeria Aloe. As an accomplished author and fervent advocate for personal development, Valeria brings a wealth of global corporate experience spanning seven countries. Her transformative journey, transitioning from burnout to a purposeful life, provides invaluable insights into challenging societal pressures while courageously embracing our authenticity. Dive into this inspiring episode to discover the strength in letting go, embrace the power of silence, and reframe narratives that might be holding you back. In this episode, you will be able to:
For full show notes visit our website. About Valeria Aloe Valeria's remarkable dedication has earned her an array of prestigious awards, including "Top 100 Latina in the US in 2023," "Top 50 Women in Business in New Jersey in 2020," and "5th Most Influential Hispanic in New Jersey in 2021." Her literary work is equally impressive, with her book claiming the top spot in the non-fiction category at the New York Book Festival, among 16 national and international accolades. Her second book will be published in the Fall of 2024. Valeria holds degrees in Business Administration and Finance from Universidad Catolica Argentina, an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, and a Master in Spiritual Sciences. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Spiritual Sciences. | |||
| 25 Mar 2020 | Episode 20: Surviving An Unexpected Crisis With Pam Isom | 00:46:01 | |
If you are overwhelmed with fear and anxiety and don’t know what to do during a pandemic, you are not alone. We are all navigating through turbulence without a compass and there’s just a lot of risk and uncertainty. That’s why we are speaking with an expert who can guide us on what to do in this unprecedented situation. Meet Pam Isom–President/CEO of ICE Safety Solutions–an award-winning safety products and training company on a mission to mitigate illness, injury and loss of life. Pam is a Biologist & Researcher turned entrepreneur who is driven by her desire to save lives. As an expert in safety protocols, Pam provides tips on how to protect yourself and your loved ones, what steps
Highlights: [02:00] Pamela’s journey [05:59] How to keep safe during Coronavirus pandemic [13:25] What can parents do to protect their children [15:04] COVID-19 versus common cold symptoms [20:16] How to protect the household when a family member has tested positive [23:17] Leading through crisis – advice for professionals from an economic perspective [28:28] Tips for business survival during crisis [32:03] COVID-19 Myths versus facts [38:21] What did the pandemic teach us as a society
Quotes: “For businesses, the first thing to do is determine your liquidity 30, 60 and 90 days. How much liquid cash do you have to survive for 30 days, for 60 days, and for 90 days?” – Pamela Isom “Corporations are dying to fill their supply chain because their supply chain has been obliterated. If there are corporations that you were talking to in the past, and they stopped talking to you, please call them right now.” – Pamela Isom “When you're making your business continuity plan for your family, for your parents and for your business, start identifying what you're too dependent on that maybe you need to slowly become less dependent on.” – Pamela Isom “What are you too dependent on that is decreasing your confidence in yourself?” – Pamela Isom
About Pamela Isom: Since she was a young girl Pam had one focus: “To be sure no one around her became ill, injured or would lose a life” While growing up in Oakland & San Jose, California she was a lifeguard, daughter, friend, sister, wife and mother, who always made sure no one around her would get hurt, she made sure children playing around her were safe or when she was traveling with friends on airplanes & hotels, she made sure everyone knew their emergency exits. Her life changing moment came as a teenager when she used her lifeguard CPR skills to recognize her father was suffering congestive heart failure and she leaped into action! Because of her love of life, it is no surprise Ms. Isom earned a degree in Biological Sciences from UC Davis and started her career as a Biologist in Preclinical Drug Development and Cardiovascular Pharmacology. After 9 years in research, she left her career with the birth of her daughter and started an American Heart Association CPR training company. Fast forward 20 years, ICE Safety Solutions is a nationally ranked safety company executing fun, innovative & transformational safety training, equipment and services focused on mitigating employee illness, injury and loss of life for corporations across the US. ICE Safety Solutions was recognized by Union Bank/MUFG, Toyota, Bright Horizons, Oracle, Comcast, Kaiser, Honda, Turner Construction, Golden State Warriors, Allstate and other Fortune 1000 companies as the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) Minority Business Enterprise of the Year, 2017, National Association of Women Owned Businesses (NAWBO) & WBENC Pacific as Woman Owned Business Enterprise 2018. Ms. Isom admits that the greatest success in working with Fortune 1000 corporations delivering their CPR, First Aid and Automated External Defibrillator training, High Rise Evacuation Drills, Emergency Response Team Simulations, Earthquake/Disaster/First Aid Kits new in 2018 their innovative Virtual Reality CPR training has been the lives saved and here today because of the training, products and services we innovated. These lives and testimonials from clients are honored on the ‘Wall of Life’ at ICE Safety Solutions headquarters in Fremont, CA.
Links: Website: https://www.getice.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-isom-mbe-wbe-17b1b02/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pamela.isom.3 Twitter: https://twitter.com/pam_icesafety | |||
| 29 Jul 2020 | Episode 72: Empowering Female Founders With Women 2.0 CEO Kate Brodock | 00:49:56 | |
Much has been researched and written about the lack of women in the tech sector, whether it’s representation at major tech companies, as start-up founders, or as investors. What can be done to make the tech world a more inclusive space for women? In this episode, we feature Kate Brodock, CEO at Women 2.0 and Founding Partner of W Fund. Kate has played an active leadership role in the women in tech ecosystem for over a decade. She led a global organization focused on women in technology and entrepreneurship as its President for several years. She is passionate about applying her experience to advising and mentoring startups whether as an EIR at LaunchNY, or a mentor for Techstars. As CEO of Women 2.0, Kate is focused on bringing diversity and inclusion in the tech and startup spaces. Women 2.0 provides resources for founders and professionals to grow their companies and careers, as well as provide products for workplaces and the startup ecosystem to create inclusive environments that support the advancement of women and other underrepresented groups. And now with the launch of the W Fund, Kate is on a mission to fuel the startup ecosystem and deploy funds to women and diverse-led tech startups. Kate highlights some of the challenges women face, the perceptions that need to be changed and the work that’s being done to help to promote women in tech. Kate shares her perspective on the gender gap and how to build a more diverse, equitable and inclusive world.
Highlights: [02:50] Kate’s journey [07:58] Kate’s vision for Women 2.0 [11:52] Challenges that women face in the workplace [13:11] Why is mobilization important for women [15:18] The importance of the W Fund [18:29] Facing your fears and overcoming limiting beliefs [25:15] Nurturing and building your community [33:48] The fundraising process [42:46] Kate’s success habit
Quotes: “Mobilization is important because it is the difference between going so low against all of these hurdles and actually having a peer network.” – Kate Brodock “List out your negative thoughts about yourself and then talk yourself out of each one of them.” – Kate Brodock “Think of asking for advice and help as a learning opportunity and a growth opportunity.” – Kate Brodock “Before asking for help, frame the specific problem or question and then identify those whose support you need.” – Kate Brodock “Put structures in place to fight the apply, apply, apply instinct. The best results will come when strategic planning happens first.”- Kate Brodock About Kate Brodock Kate is CEO of Women 2.0 and Founding Partner of W Fund . She’s lived in the tech startup world for over 15 years, and has played an active leadership role in the women in tech ecosystem for over a decade, having led a global organization focused on women in technology and entrepreneurship as its President for several years. She’s also an EIR at LaunchNY , and a long-time mentor for Techstars. She enjoys putting her 15-year experience in the tech industry to work advising and mentoring startups. She was recently CMO of untapt , an AI-driven tech talent marketplace based in NYC and has held the role of Adjunct Professor in PR and Marketing at Syracuse University. Kate has spoken at and been featured in numerous places, including SXSWi, Collision Conference, Fast Company’s Innovation Uncensored, IBT, MSNBC, TechCrunch and Al Jazeera America and writes for Forbes. She has a BA from the University of Rochester, an MBA from Goizueta Business School at Emory University and an MA in International Relations from the Fletcher School at Tufts University. When she’s not doing all *that*, she’s a very non-professional (but adventurous!) athlete, an equally as non-professional musician, can be found outdoors in any weather — skiing, biking, hiking, sailing — loves a good meal with bubbly, craft beer and good friends, hilariousness and life. She tries hard to read when she can, non-fiction only. Her husband is a startup-web-developer-turned-beer-guy and they now live on a hops farm in Upstate, NY. She can be found on Twitter at @ just_kate.
Links: Website: http://women2.com W2.0 Team: https://women2.com/team LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/katebrodock Twitter: https://twitter.com/Just_Kate
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| 27 Jul 2020 | Episode 71: Habits & Hacks: How To Deal With Burnout | 00:25:33 | |
Thank you for listening in. We are truly grateful for your comments, feedback and advocacy. Thanks to you we are a highly rated show and our global community is growing rapidly. If you haven’t subscribed yet, tell us what we can do to earn your support. If you have already, please rate us (we love 5 stars). And, if you’ve already done both, tell a friend about this show. In this episode, we’ll discuss a topic many of us are feeling – burnout. We’ll share how you can detect burnout and what you can do to regain your balance, and feel healthy and hopeful again.
Highlights: [01:17] What is burnout [06:36] Stress vs burnout [07:41] Job-related burnout [08:36] Work-life balance during a pandemic [11:06] The susceptibility of burnout for perfectionists [14:30] Pay attention to the signs of burnout [15:20] The impact of the pandemic on mental health [16:41] Steps to take to avoid burnout
Quotes: “Burnout is when you feel empty, mentally exhausted, like you've just got absolutely nothing left to give, that's when you've lost your motivation.” – Nikki Barua “Perfectionist often times feel the need to be in control of everything. This leaves them highly susceptible to burnout.” – Monica Marquez “When sabotage seems like your best escape route. That's an urgent cry and a sign that you need self-care.” – Nikki Barua “Incorporate play into your daily schedule. Being in a playful state has the ability to heal chronic stress and burnout.” – Nikki Barua “When you feel grateful for family, health or safety, you're going to shift your focus from what you don't have to what you're blessed to have.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader. Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
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| 21 Aug 2024 | Episode 324: Redefining Leadership: Empowering Communities Through Trauma-Informed Entrepreneurship | 00:37:00 | |
In this episode of Beyond Barriers, host Brooke Skinner Ricketts engages in a powerful conversation with Heather Aranyi, a globally recognized educator and innovator. Heather is The Department of State's U.S. Speaker in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Director of the ICON NIL Incubator at Northwestern University and Founder and CEO of Aranyi Enterprises. With a diverse background that spans opera, child development, and entrepreneurship, Heather brings a unique perspective to redefining success and fostering inclusive ecosystems. Heather delves into the importance of creating thriving communities by reshaping traditional entrepreneurial paradigms. She shares how her trauma-informed approach empowers underrepresented voices and drives social change. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned leader, Heather’s insights will inspire you to rethink how you engage with your community and leverage entrepreneurial ecosystems for greater impact. Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest. | |||
| 26 Jul 2023 | Episode 272: Mastering the Art of Resilience with The RealReal COO Rati Sahi Lavesque | 00:51:47 | |
Meet Rati Sahi Levesque, President and Chief Operating Officer at The RealReal. Rati worked with her co-founder Julie Wainwright to grow the business from the ground up, all the way to taking the company public in 2019, while fundamentally transforming the retail industry. Rati’s journey is a true testament to resilience. Raised in a hardworking environment, her entrepreneurial spirit was nurtured from a young age as she observed her parents deal with the demands of being small business owners. Rati faced her own challenges as she strived to reconcile her dual identity - as an American and as the child of Indian immigrants. These life experiences gave birth to her tenacity, forcing her to adapt quickly and constantly push the boundaries - whether it was dealing with rejection by investors, learning to level up as a leader in fast growing business, or making timely and tough decisions on a daily basis. Tune in and learn from Rati’s extraordinary journey of defying the odds and building a thriving business with over 32M members. In this episode, you will uncover the secret to making effective trade-offs in the face of complex problems, and how resilience triggers personal growth and drives success despite challenges. Visit gobeyondbarriers.com, where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Rati. Highlights: Quotes: “If you’re not staying up at night thinking “Oh I really wish we could do this one thing for ourselves”, then you’re not making trade offs.” – Rati Sahi Levesque “Sometimes you have to go on that journey of self-discovery to find your group, your people, and build resilience.” - Rati Sahi Lavesque “Being honest with yourself is the key to personal growth and success.” - Rati Sahi Lavesque “Believe in your vision, lead with data, and push through barriers to achieve your goals.” - Rati Sahi Lavesque Lightning Round Questions:
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? About Rati Sahi Levesque: As President and Chief Operating Officer, Rati oversees the company’s revenue channels and operations, including its rigorous authentication process, machine learning and AI tech developments, its operation centers and retail footprints, its team of master authenticators and experts, as well as its marketing and merchandising functions. In her tenure, Rati has developed a playbook when it comes to resale, helping teams including merchandising, operations, sales, retail and marketing understand how to leverage technology to scale TRR through all of its functions and channels. She has leveraged technology to lead the company to where it is today, helping to attract 32.5M+ members, keep 32.7M+ luxury items in circulation, and pay a total of more than $3.4B in cumulative commission payouts. Links: | |||
| 27 Apr 2020 | Episode 34: Habits & Hacks: How To Stand Out In A Crowded Marketplace | 00:18:23 | |
Do you struggle to differentiate yourself professionally? According to a recent CareerBuilder survey, 70% of employers use social media profiles to screen candidates during the hiring process. Does your digital presence set you apart from your peers? In this episode, you'll learn exactly how to define what you want to be known for and stand out with powerful habits and hacks so that you will be able to position yourself correctly in the marketplace.
Highlights: [01:08] Crowded employment marketplace [04:10] Growth of the gig economy [05:42] Employee vs. Freelancer [07:00] Selection criteria for hiring [11:36] How to differentiate yourself [13:18] Highlighting your superpower [17:23] Homework for the week
Quotes: “Your reputation isn't just built on what you say it is. It's how people perceive you. That’s why differentiating yourself is so important.” – Nikki Barua “If you stand out as the expert with the solution to most pressing problems, you start attracting opportunities instead of chasing them.” – Monica Marquez “Get really specific about who benefits from what you bring to the table, and then help them understand the transformation that you create.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki and Monica: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Contact Nikki and Monica: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/
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| 02 Sep 2020 | Episode 85: How To Get A Job At Top Companies with TikTok’s Gisselle Ruiz | 00:44:06 | |
Do you know what it takes to land a job at the biggest and best organizations in the world? Do you have the skills, the competencies and drive, but you find the whole job search and interview process intimidating and difficult to catch a break? Well, in this episode, we welcome Gisselle Ruiz, a key leader within the Global Talent Acquisition Teams at ByteDance and TikTok, who shares with us her journey as a proud first generation bilingual Afro-Latina with a deep connection to her Dominican roots and how taking risks and changing lanes helped her build her career as an expert recruiter, what her successes and failures have taught her and how she empowers all of her recruits by telling them, “They are lucky to have you!”. Gisselle has led talent acquisition and DEI initiatives at top companies and organizations including The Broad Center for the Management of School Systems, NBC Universal, The Walt Disney Company, Creative Artists Agency, Google, Facebook, and most recently TikTok. She is incredibly committed to the empowerment and elevation of those from disenfranchised, marginalized, underserved, and underrepresented communities, especially Latinx and Black/Brown women.
Highlights: [03:08] Gisselle’s journey [06:10] Transition from academia to corporate [11:29] Gaining clarity on your strengths [14:53] Learning to leverage your network [20:19] Sponsors and mentors that don’t look like you [25:25] How to prepare for an interview [32:00] What can make or break an interview [38:32] Overcoming imposter syndrome
Quotes: “Uncomfortable conversations are necessary and critical for growth and are part of our learning journey.” – Gisselle Ruiz “When going in to an interview, be prepared to talk about some of your key highlights, accomplishments, achievements, failures, disappointments, challenges and barriers that you've had to overcome.” - Gisselle Ruiz “Imposter syndrome keeps us away from opportunities and keeps us from shining at our highest level of vibration, it holds us back from being successful.” – Gisselle Ruiz “Companies are not doing you a favor by giving you an interview or a role, they are lucky to have you.” - Gisselle Ruiz “Go in to an interview truly knowing your worth and what you are bringing to that organization, which is far greater than what they are bringing to you.” – Gisselle Ruiz
About Gisselle Ruiz: Gisselle Ruiz Ed.M is a human capital strategist, change agent, global talent acquisition executive, diversity, equity & inclusion leader who specializes in identifying, coaching, and developing best in class talent while creating access and opportunity through inclusive recruitment practices and strategies. She specializes in building and scaling inclusive and diverse workforces, workplaces, marketplaces, and transforming organizational culture. Gisselle has 18 years of experience with both national and global organizations in both the public and private sector including:K-12 & Higher Education, Non Profit, Technology, and a decade in the Entertainment & Media industry. Throughout her career she has developed and executed engagement, outreach, recruitment and selection strategies of top talent across various functions and positions ranging from internships & apprenticeships, professional development programs, middle management, and senior Gisselle is passionate and committed to transforming, disrupting and awakening organizations and leaders to how they can combat systemic inequities, create economic empowerment, challenge legacy systems, disrupt bias, catalyze equity, and shift culture. Her mantra is that representation matters and inclusion enables and ignites the best innovation. Gisselle holds a bachelor's degree from Clark University in Urban Development and Social Change and a masters degree in Policy, Planning, & Administration in Education from Boston University. She is a proud 1st generation transnational bilingual Afro Latina with a deep connection to her Dominican heritage. She is incredibly committed to the empowerment and elevation of those from disenfranchised, marginalized, underserved, and underrepresented communities especially Latinx and Black/Brown women. She is deeply rooted in social justice reform, dismantling systemic racism and oppression, and anti recidivism. She coaches individuals and teams on owning their power, story, and journey to amplify and unlock their potential to achieve personal and professional growth.
Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisselleruiz/ Twitter: GRuiz1003 | |||
| 08 Jul 2020 | Episode 63: Habits & Hacks: How To Overcome Obstacles To Success | 00:15:15 | |
Ok, it’s the first week of July and we have 6 more months until the end of the year! Despite all of the chaos we’ve experienced in the first half of the year, let’s make today our new beginning! Over the next few weeks, we are going to address many of the common questions we get regarding, “How to jumpstart, reset, re-energize momentum and get past barriers to career success”. In today’s episode, we’ll share practical tips for you to implement -so you can take action and gain momentum in the second half of 2020.
Highlights: [01:20] Overcoming obstacles & recovering from setbacks [04:17] How to bounce back quickly [06:38] The new year mindset shift [11:20] Focus on the present [14:00] 5-Day Job Search and Interview Prep Challenge
Quotes: “Pessism does not contribute to your ability to be creative and resourceful in coming up with the best solutions. ” – Nikki Barua “By taking the smallest of steps, one step after the next, momentum builds up and that's how you ultimately achieve your goals.” – Nikki Barua “Focus on the present, because the past is gone, and the future has not arrived yet. Focusing on the past and worrying about the future depletes your energy and distracts your focus.” – Nikki Barua Link to 5-Day Challenge: https://www.beyondbarriersacademy.com/5-day-challenge
About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Learn more at https://www.nikkibarua.com/. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader. Learn more at https://themonicamarquez.com/. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
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| 21 Apr 2021 | Episode 147: Accelerate Success By Creating Value With Elisa Steele | 00:44:51 | |
What does it really take to stand out as a high performer who gets bigger opportunities? That’s the question we’ll be addressing in this episode. Being great at your job is important, but to accelerate your career success, your value-add must go beyond your job description. Your ability to solve hard problems and create value in new ways IS what makes you more valuable. In this episode, Elisa Steele, CEO and Board Director, shares her perspective on creating value through relationships and problem-solving. She challenges everyone to be proactive in seeking hard assignments where there is a need for change, and to do what it takes to solve problems instead of simply accepting the status quo. Elisa attributes her own successes to always going above and beyond in creating value for others. Elisa has held numerous C-suite roles including CEO of Namely, CEO of Jive, CMO of Consumer Apps & Services at Microsoft, CMO at Skype, EVP & CMO at Yahoo! Elisa also has deep board experience serving on multiple committees for both public and private companies. Currently, Elisa is a Board Director at Bumble, Chairman of the Board at Cornerstone On Demand, and member of the Board of Splunk and Namely. She is a member of the NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors) and participates in the Equilar Board Leadership Program. Elisa has been recognized for her leadership throughout the years, building strong teams, networks and ecosystems. She was recognized by the Stevie American Business Awards for ‘Executive of the Year’ and ‘Woman of the Year’ as well as named a “Woman of Influence” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal. Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Elisa.
Highlights: [03:02] Elisa’s formation story [05:22] Learning about business by solving customer problems [07:51] Developing mastery of enterprise sales [12:49] Seize opportunities to close gaps [16:38] Supporting the needs of women’s careers [19:47] Elisa’s experience with balancing family & work [22:22] How motherhood shaped Elisa in her role as CEO [25:39] Advice for women seeking Board positions [28:54] Importance of visibility in getting Board roles [32:42] Advice for startup female founders [35:40] First consideration in scaling a business [37:33] Ask questions and become a better listener [40:44] Elisa’s daily success habit
Quotes: “When you build relationships and help people solve problems, you create value.”– Elisa Steele “Take the hard assignments at the beginning of your career because you learn exponentially more than you learn in taking the easy assignments.” – Elisa Steele “It's not just about the rules of today, it's about how you break through those to create the rules of tomorrow.” – Elisa Steele
About Elisa Steele: A business leader in tech sector for 30 years, Elisa is an experienced executive in Silicon Valley. Elisa has broad experience across consumer and enterprise businesses – and thrives at the intersection of both. She’s led transformations to scale, grow and drive impact across many organizations, both large and small. Elisa was mostly recently CEO of Namely, a leader in HCM SaaS, funded by Sequoia Capital, Matrix Ventures and Golden Gate Ventures. During her time as CEO, Elisa raised $60M in venture funding, delivered product modernization, improved customer NPS and set the foundation for scalable growth. Prior to Namely, Elisa was Jive Software’s President & CEO (NASDAQ: JIVE), responsible for strategy and global operations. Elisa reset corporate strategy, transitioned to a cloud-leading business, created focus Prior to Jive, Elisa was CVP & CMO of Consumer Apps & Services at Microsoft, including responsibility for the brands bing, Internet Explorer, Lync, MSN, outlook.com, Cortana and Skype, among others. Prior to Elisa is Chairman of the Board of Cornerstone On Demand (NASDAQ: CSOD), Chairman of Namely, and member of the Board of Directors of Splunk (NASDAQ: SPLK). She also serves as Advisor to the CEO of Tile and people.ai. She has deep board experience servicing on multiple committees for both public and private companies. She is a member of the NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors) and participates in the Equilar Board Leadership Program. Elisa has been recognized for her leadership throughout the years, building strong teams, networks and ecosystems. She was recognized by the Stevie American Business Awards for ‘Executive of the Year’ and ‘Woman of the Year’ as well as named a “Woman of Influence” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal. Elisa served as a judge for the annual “Forbes Cloud 100”, the WSJ ‘Marketers that Matter’ awards, and the Churchill Club Awards. Elisa hosts a speaker series called SpeakHer Mind tm that seeks to amplify voices and share practical, positive steps that can deliberately build workplace environments that empower women to achieve their potential. Elisa has previously served on the Interactive Advertising Bureau Board of Directors and Executive Committee, as well as the Advisory boards for Forbes Women, Amber Alert and Equality Now organizations. Elisa holds an MBA from San Francisco State University (Distinguished Alumni) and a Bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of New Hampshire (Phi Kappa Phi Honors). Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisasteele/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/elisasteele
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| 14 Mar 2022 | Episode 203: International Women’s Day – Break the Bias! | 00:17:19 | |
Tuesday, March 8th was International Women’s Day! And this year’s theme is #BreakTheBias –to imagine a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated.Yet, our reality is in stark contrast to this future vision. We are living in very challenging times. Itseems like there are new obstacles and conflicts every day. And women are being disproportionately affected everywhere. In this episode, Monica discusses the theme for International Women’s Day, why breaking the bias matters, and shares the 5 key areas of focus to accelerate success. DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to Highlights: Quotes: “Women shouldn't have to wait more than two centuries to get equal income and opportunities.” – Monica Marquez “The biggest power skill is learning, having certainty on your ability to succeed even in the midst of uncertainty knowing that you have that competency to learn.” - Monica Marquez “You can't change hearts and minds if you're invisible. Visibility creates awareness and awareness leads to acceptance. And that changes the world.” - Monica Marquez About Nikki Barua: About Monica Marquez: | |||
| 14 Sep 2022 | Episode 227: Why Mentorship and Sponsorship Matter with Google's, Sharleen Gutierrez | 00:39:18 | |
The evidence is clear: women tend to be over-mentored and under-sponsored. While a mentor has knowledge and will share it with you, a sponsor has power and will use it for you. Meet Google’s Sharleen Gutierrez, a leading expert in diversity, equity and inclusion. Sharleen is the current Director of REWS Business Enablement Partners and has led teams focused on fairness and equity in Google’s talent processes. In this episode, Sharleen shares her story on how taking courageous leaps, even when she felt she wasn’t ready, paved the way to uncover her superpower. And, how her network of peers and mentors helped open doors to opportunities that accelerated her success. She’s a strong believer in bringing together people with a wide variety of perspectives and experiences to get results. She prioritizes working on coaching and mentoring teams and developing talent. Sharleen is also a parent and shares with us her personal stories and the three things that help her juggle her priorities. Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/ where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Sharleen.
Highlights: [02:25] Sharleen’s story [05:08] Career start at Goldman Sachs [08:17] How I landed in Diversity & Inclusion [11:17] The power of your community [16:00] How to think about networking [18:48] Discovering your superpower [22:05] Advice for career minded parents [26:58] Learning from failures and setbacks Quotes: “Shift your mindset to a place where you hold a higher value on the opportunity versus on how qualified you are for the job.” – Sharleen Gutierrez “Understand your networking style and consider how it works for you.” – Sharleen Gutierrez “Non-negotiables are very important for you to know and to serve as an anchor, as you’re determining your priorities.” – Sharleen Gutierrez “Know what your priorities are, commit to them, and then let go when things are not exactly the way you want them.” – Sharleen Gutierrez “Be mindful and approach life from a place of gratitude.” – Sharleen Gutierrez “Staying in the wrong role does not benefit anyone, it actually does a disservice to everyone involved.” – Sharleen Gutierrez “When thinking of success, keep human connection and interaction top of mind because it is people who create, develop, sell, implement. Whatever your business is, people are behind it.” – Sharleen Gutierrez “In this digital age, we have to remember the human aspects of our culture. And authenticity is a key component of that.” – Sharleen Gutierrez “Each one of us has to take responsibility for our own actions because how we show up is what cultivates company culture.” – Sharleen Gutierrez About Sharleen Gutierrez: Sharleen Gutierrez is a global thought leader on diversity and inclusion, talent management and culture change. She drives meaningful change towards greater fairness, equity and workplace inclusion in gender, race, LGBTQ+, ability and their intersections. She started her career at Goldman Sachs, where she spent 14 years in a variety of roles across the Human Capital Management Division. While at GS, one of her highly recognized achievements was pioneering the award-winning effort focused on women of color (before intersectionality was even a topic of conversation). Sharleen brings a global perspective on diversity, having lived and worked in Japan, and led D&I engagement initiatives in both South America and Europe. Recently, she led a team focused on fairness and equity in Google’s talent processes focused on systemic interventions and accountability measures that decrease gaps and increase parity. Currently, she serves as Google’s Director of REWS Business Enablement Partners. Sharleen was one of Diversity Woman Magazine’s top 50 change agents. In her spare time, she can be found exploring the world with her husband and three children. Links: LinkedIn: sharleen-gutierrez-7961741 Facebook: sharleen.gutierrez.3 | |||
| 05 Apr 2021 | Episode 142: How To Ask For What You Want | 00:20:09 | |
Do you struggle to ask for what you want? Whether it be asking for a promotion, a raise, or a business opportunity, many of us struggle with the fear of rejection or even with phrasing the ask in the right way. In this episode, Nikki and Monica share experiences where they’ve struggled to ask for what they wanted and the results they obtained when they overcome their fears and learned to ask. Nikki also shares the 5 keys to getting up the courage to ask and getting the results you desire.
DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS & BARRIERS TO SUCCESS Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz Highlights: [01:17] Monica’s story of asking for what she wants [04:30] Don’t miss out on opportunities [06:39] Gaining the courage to ask [10:51] Being clear on your ask [12:32] The best way to ask [18:08] Always be gracious [18:36] Recap of 5 keys to asking for what you want
Quotes: Get absolutely clear about what you want and why you want it. Then ask for it.” – Nikki Barua “Choose the right time, the right method, and the right language of the ask. Be respectful and gracious even when things don’t go your way.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert. Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
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| 16 Oct 2020 | Episode 102: Pursuing Your Dreams With Investor Petra Griffith | 00:31:31 | |
Do you have a goal or lifelong dream that you’ve never shared with anyone because you are afraid of being judged? Do you worry about not knowing enough or not having the right skills or perhaps questioning whether it’s the right time? In this episode, we’re speaking with Petra Griffith, Tech Executive and Investor, who says if you want to pursue your dream, you have to start by vocalizing it. Petra Griffith launched Wedbush Ventures to foster the next generation of technology companies solving big market problems. Having built many firsts -the first online printing software, first fitness wearable, first native ads -and even having ushered a bank into the age of technology, Petra truly understands the mindset necessary to achieve product market fit. Her leadership roles at organizations such as Netflix, Yahoo!, and 24 Hour Fitness makes Petra a coveted ally to entrepreneurs ready to scale innovation.
Highlights: [02:29] Petra’s journey [09:29] Switching lanes and following your dreams [13:18] Position yourself for opportunity [15:00] What Petra is doing today – Wedbush Ventures [20:51] Advice on seeking venture capital [24:36] Common traits of successful leaders [26:39] Daily success habit [27:52] What Petra wishes she had known earlier in her career
Quotes: “If you’re honest with yourself about what you want to do and you think about what you're good at, what kind of environment you want to be in, that’s when you’ll find the right match and it's magic.” – Petra Griffith “It's critical to take the time to figure out what your superpower is and what is the right environment for you to be successful.” – Petra Griffith “The most effective leaders are those who are laser focused on what matters and focus on those things so they can make an impact.” – Petra Griffith “Be able to verbalize your goals because people can't help you unless you tell them where you want to go.” - Petra Griffith
About Petra Griffith: Petra Griffith launched Wedbush Ventures to foster the next generation of technology companies solving big market problems. Having built many firsts - the first online printing software, first fitness wearable, first native ads - and ushered a bank into the age of technology, Petra understands the strategic and creative mindset necessary to narrow in on a product’s core features for successful market fit. Her past leadership to product, strategy, marketing, and operations teams at established and startup organizations like Netflix, Yahoo!, and 24 Hour Fitness makes Petra a coveted product strategy ally to entrepreneurs ready to scale innovation.
Links: Website: https://www.wedbushventures.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petragriffith/
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| 19 Aug 2020 | Episode 79: It’s Time To Give Yourself Permission With Patty Aubery | 00:59:53 | |
Everyone faces unique pressures, obstacles, and challenges—but it’s how you show up and overcome them that defines your life. Whether you’re a full-time career professional, a business owner, a mom, or simply a woman who wants to enjoy life at a deeper level—it all starts with granting yourself permission. Our guest today is Patty Aubery, #1 NY Times Best-selling Author, Co-Founder & President of The Canfield Training Group who built the publishing industry’s first billion-dollar brand, Chicken Soup for the Soul®. Patty is an internationally recognized leader in personal development and peak performance. As the business strategist behind the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series, she has worked side by side with Jack Canfield helping millions of individuals maximize their potential. For more than 30 years, Patty has been training and coaching entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders, and people from across 108 countries, how to create the life and results they desire. Patty’s most recent book, Permission Granted, which has already soared to the top of multiple best seller lists, presents empowering stories of how life changes when you give yourself permission to show up. In this episode, Patty shares her perspective on how women need to and deserve to show up, stand up, and speak up.
Highlights: [03:40] Patty’s journey [07:10] Advice for getting unstuck and moving forward [08:53] Overcoming setbacks [09:21] Stop focusing on what you don’t want [13:32] What Patty wishes she had known sooner [16:43] Give yourself permission to ask for what you want [20:55] The emergence of “Permission Granted” [23:49] Overcoming limiting beliefs [27:31] Standing up and standing out in a partnership [33:49] The importance of authenticity [36:30] Having the right mindset for feedback [38:40] Going from dreaming to doing [45:59] Gaining proximity to influential leaders [49:46] Writing “Permission Granted” [52:50] Patty’s vision [57:45] Final words of wisdom
Quotes: “Not making a decision is probably the biggest wrong decision you could ever make. The only failure is by not taking some sort of action.” – Patty Aubery “Women need to give themselves permission to live their passion, their purpose, their vision, and be in alignment with their truth.” – Patty Aubery “When we don't honor our passion, our truth, that's when the universe makes it hard.” – Patty Aubery “Don’t talk yourself out of the equation before the game starts. Go in with clarity and confidence that you truly belong there.” – Patty Aubery “If you aren’t scaring yourself enough then you aren’t growing.” – Patty Aubery “By sharing your vision and your goals, you are creating accountability.” – Patty Aubery “When you have clarity, you have confidence.” - Patty Aubery “Give yourself permission to be high maintenance. And then your view of what high maintenance looks like might just be equality.” - Patty Aubery “Learning transformation, self-help, and personal growth is not a one-time exercise. Practice it daily.” – Patty Aubery “When you identify someone you want to connect with, ask yourself ‘how can I be part of their agenda and be of service to them’.” – Patty Aubery “The universe rewards the people that take risks.” – Patty Aubery
About Patty Aubery: As President of The Canfield Training Group, Patty Aubery has not only overseen the growth of the publishing industry’s first billion-dollar brand, Chicken Soup for the Soul®, but she’s also created a multimillion dollar training company around the success principles of author Jack Canfield. Patty has expanded these live training and coaching programs to 108 countries and prepared thousands of emerging success trainers for professional careers in the transformational field. She is a #1 NY Times bestseller. She is the CVO for Goalfriends, and she is now dedicated to bringing her experience to women entrepreneurs, sales professionals, and corporate employees through live events, retreats, women’s summits and speaking engagements that teach audiences and small groups the Success Principles and strategic career planning. All of Patty’s offerings are geared toward women who are ready to invest in their future and take their life and business to a new level. Links: Website: https://www.pattyaubery.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patty-aubery-a19869b/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PattyAuberyFan/?ref=br_rs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pattyaubery/
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| 24 Feb 2021 | Episode 126: Leading Change in the Digital Age with Anand Verma | 00:42:57 | |
Imagine you’re at the edge of a freezing cold plunge pool. Would you dive right in? Or would you hesitate and maybe just dip your toe in the water? Our guest, Anand Verma, likes to dive right in! Anand is a visionary leader, award-winning digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, and investor–and he believes that if you want to innovate in the digital age, you have to dive right in and embrace change no matter how scary and uncomfortable it may be. Anand is the Co-founder of LeapX, a Design and AI startup dedicated to creating a carbon neutral world. Previously, he was the Founder and CEO of Brilliant Basics, an award winning Global Digital and Innovation company that was acquired by Infosys. Anand also led Infosys’ digital capabilities in EMEA and was a part of the Infosys leadership team. Prior to Brilliant Basics, Anand was one of the youngest CEO's at Interpublic Group (IPG) leading IPG Media brands Ventures in EMEA. He also held leadership roles at Sapient, AKQA and Modem Media. Anand has a track record of leading through disruptive change. In this episode, he shares what it means to be entrepreneurial, how to navigate uncertainty, why companies must be purpose-led, and how to build winning teams. He is a passionate advocate for diversity as the fuel for innovation and a champion for women in leadership. That’s why we are so proud to have him on the Beyond Barriers advisory board to guide us on our mission. Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/ where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Anand.
Highlights: [03:07] Anand’s story of entrepreneurship [09:24] Most important lessons learned [12:57] Being a builder vs an operator [15:45] How confidence is built [21:32] Anand’s current focus – bringing AI and design together [25:00] Gaining support from sponsors and advocates [27:25] Why diversity matters [35:54] Biggest trends to follow [38:28] How to prepare for future trends
Quotes: “Perfectionism is the biggest killer of any business.” – Anand Verma “Confidence and credibility go hand in hand.” - Anand Verma “Every day is a good day for doing and learning something new.” – Anand Verma
About Anand Verma: Anand is the Co-founder of LeapX, a Design and AI startup dedicated to creating a carbon neutral world. Prior to his recent ventures, he was the Owner, Founder and CEO of Brilliant Basics (acquired by Infosys), an award winning Global Digital and Innovation company headquartered in London with studios all over the world. Successfully acquired by Infosys in 2017 to accelerate Design and Innovation for Infosys and its clients globally. Anand also led Infosys’ digital capabilities in EMEA and was a part of the Infosys leadership team. He is also deeply involved with leading design school and university partnerships for Infosys. Anand is a digital visionary, innovator and successful entrepreneur who understands new products and services, revenue growth, operations and people. He has over 20 years’ experience in management consulting, digital and tech businesses. Anand has built a successful career by consistently delivering value through digital and customer-centricity. He loves creating value by reducing complexity in the digital world at both speed x scale. Prior to founding Brilliant Basics, Anand was one of the youngest Presidents and CEO's at Interpublic Group (IPG) leading IPG Mediabrands Ventures in EMEA, a global advertising and media conglomerate where he led digital Operations, Innovative Products and Services and M&A. And previous to that he held leadership roles at Sapient (now a part of Publicis), AKQA (now a part of WPP) and Modem Media (now a part of Publicis). Anand is an active investor, adviser, non-exec board director, academia, podcast host and speaker. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anandverma/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/anandverma
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| 31 Aug 2020 | Episode 84: Habits & Hacks: Stop Beating Yourself Up For Making Mistakes | 00:16:08 | |
What happens to you when you make a mistake that gets called out? Do you get so upset with yourself that you get angry or become paralyzed and begin to doubt your worth? Or worse, you vow to never try that again or opt out of taking the lead? In this episode, we are going to discuss the dangers of this self-defeating pattern and how you can overcome the negative self-talk and develop the confidence to move forward with an action plan.
Highlights: [01:15] Don’t let a mistake define you [03:27] Break the pattern of negative self-talk [08:13] The emotional toll of negative self-talk [11:03] How to overcome negative self-talk
Quotes: “When you make a mistake and make it about who you are versus what you can learn, you don't see the opportunity for growth.” – Nikki Barua “Letting go of negative self-talk allows you to take a very optimistic view of challenges and obstacles.” – Nikki Barua “The best ways to get past making mistakes is to practice self-acceptance.” – Monica Marquez “View mistakes as teachable moments and develop an action plan on how you'll handle the situation the next time it occurs.” – Monica Marquez “Move past a mistake quickly by reflecting, gaining insight, and then developing an action plan.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader. Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
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| 22 Sep 2021 | Episode 180: Humanizing Work Cultures with Just Human, Not Resources’ Shahana Banerjee | 00:44:28 | |
In the past year, we’ve seen some truly alarming statistics when it comes to the workforce. A study by Gallup & ADP Research revealed that only 14% to 20% of employees are fully engaged. Another by Microsoft stated that 41% of the workforce are considering quitting their job. There is no doubt that the future of work needs to be focused more on the employee. Meet Shahana Banerjee, Founder of Just Human | Not Resources (JHNR), whose mission is humanizing work, culture & leadership. Shahana shares her story of starting JHNR because although many companies talk about people being their greatest asset, they rarely act like it. She believes in seeing In this episode, Shahana shares why she chose human resources as a career path, how to tell if you are actively managing your personal brand, and advice to CEOs who might be hesitant to embrace change and the new world of work. Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Shahana. Highlights: Quotes: “Look for a career doing what you love and follow a career path that gives you enough diversity of experience that can then hold you in good stead as you reach the top.” – Shahana Banerjee “Clarity of purpose has the power to propel you and liberate you in so many ways.” – Shahana Banerjee “It is important to identify the coping strategies that are actually working for you and the coping styles attitudes that are holding you back.” - Shahana Banerjee “Life is too short to not be the best you can be. If you are in a relationship or in a work environment that is not helping you be the best you can be, it's time to think about doing something different.”- Shahana Banerjee About Shahana Banerjee: Shahana Banerjee is the Founder of Just Human | Not Resources (JHNR). She is an inclusive leadership expert, business leadership & career coach and an avid writer. Shahana’s purpose is to help people and organizations learn, grow, unlock hidden potential and achieve the ‘impossible’. She started JHNR because although many companies talk about people being their greatest asset, they rarely act like it. She believes in seeing people as people, as complete human beings, not as a statistic, not as ‘assets’, ‘capital’ or ‘resources’ - hence the name, Just Human Not Resources with a mission of humanizing work, culture & leadership. Prior to founding JHNR, Shahana spent more than two decades in human resources leadership roles in some of the worlds’ largest companies, growing multibillion dollar businesses, transforming cultures and coaching leaders. She shares practical, actionable, often unconventional advice, through her website. It is “the real deal”, she says, real stories, real experiences and insights, with all the warts, bumps, bruises and nuances that reflect reality on every topic related to people and work. Links: Website: https://justhumannotresources.com/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahanabanerjee/ Twitter https://mobile.twitter.com/Shahana_BanerG Medium https://shahanabanerjee.medium.com/
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| 17 Jul 2024 | Episode 319: To Thine Own Self Be True: Lessons in Leadership and Integrity | 00:31:52 | |
https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com/podcast/Raudline-EtienneThis week on Beyond Barriers, Brooke Skinner Ricketts interviews Raudline Etienne, Founder and CEO of Daraja Capital, in an episode brimming with insights on leadership and personal growth. Raudline shares her captivating story, from her childhood in Brooklyn to her ascent in the investment world. She discusses the critical moments that defined her career, the importance of self-awareness, and her mission to support diverse fund managers. Listeners will gain a deep understanding of Raudline’s guiding principles, including her policy of “no A-holes” and her dedication to pursuing what brings joy. Tune in to learn how Raudline’s unique perspective on combining art and science in finance can inspire you to lead with integrity and purpose. Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.
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| 22 Jun 2020 | Episode 56: Habits & Hacks: How To Negotiate What You Deserve | 00:16:21 | |
Do you have a career related question that you’re uncomfortable asking your peers, managers or mentors? We're here to address your questions. Our fear of being perceived as inadequate prevents us from asking –but it causes us to pay a high price in every aspect of our lives—in lost income, slower career progress, LIMITED access to leadership roles and potential risk to well-being. So, learn to ask –and start by asking us. In this episode, we are going to address a question we get from many of our listeners. “How do I negotiate?”
Highlights: [01:10] Always negotiate [02:23] Statistics on negotiating [04:15] Impact of not negotiating [05:35] Nikki shares negotiation tips [06:07] Myths about negotiation [14:42] Share your questions
Quotes: “Don’t think of negotiating in terms of salary. Think of it in terms of anything that you value and that could be PTO, education, eligibility for promotion.” – Nikki Barua “Myth # 1 about negotiation is that it is about conflict, it isn’t. You need to reframe negotiation to be about discovery and alignment.” – Nikki Barua “Negotiation is about establishing a long term win-win outcome.” – Nikki Barua “Negotiation is not about money, it is about value exchange.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Learn more at https://www.nikkibarua.com/. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader. Learn more at https://themonicamarquez.com/. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
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| 20 Jul 2020 | Episode 68: Habits & Hacks: What Is Your Best Investment | 00:24:37 | |
Thank you for listening in. We are truly grateful for your comments, feedback and advocacy. Thanks to you we are a highly rated show and our global community is growing rapidly. If you haven’t subscribed yet, tell us what we can do to earn your support. If you have already, please rate us (we love 5 stars). And, if you’ve already done both, tell a friend about this show. Where do you invest your time, energy, and money? In this episode, we’ll discuss the best investment you can make in your lifetime. And no, we are not giving advice on how to manage your finances or hot tips on the stock market. This is a different kind of investment. It has a guaranteed return. It grows exponentially over time. And it’s the one investment no one can take away from you.
Highlights: [01:30] The best investment you can make [05:00] Make it a habit [07:00] When to upgrade yourself [10:59] You are worthy of the investment [12:45] Take control of your career development [15:00] Best way to aspire to success
Quotes: “The best investment you can ever make in your life, whether it's time, money or energy, is in bettering ourselves. It has guaranteed results.” – Nikki Barua “Ask yourself what is the next level of learned competency for professional development that you need and how you do you get it.” – Nikki Barua “Be intentional in seeking out learning for professional development.” – Nikki Barua “You are worthy of the time, care, and attention to focus on yourself.” – Nikki Barua “There is a misconception that your company is responsible for your career development.” – Monica Marquez “The ultimate job security isn’t being good at your job today, it’s being highly capable and qualified to do your job tomorrow.” – Nikki Barua “The easiest way to be successful is to find the people who you want to be like and look at what they do, not what they have.” Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader. Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
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| 24 May 2023 | Episode 265: Don’t Be Perfect, Be Brave with Jen Coffey, Global Head of Immersive Learning | 00:48:26 | |
Jen Coffey is a risk taker. Getting her start in event planning, she worked her way into leading training and eventually developing training for Accenture. She is a Co-Head of Immersive Learning, a group which helps Accenture’s clients think about how they use technology to dimensionalize and deepen customer and employee learning experiences.
Jen works hard to create an impact by showing others the value she sees in them. She thinks we all need to speak up and voice our ideas rather than sit back and not make any waves. Jen’s favorite quote is, ‘Bravery over perfection’. Jen herself makes brave decisions regardless of what people say. If you’re feeling a little timid and don’t know what your next step should be, this podcast with Jen Coffey is for you. Visit gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Jen. Highlights: [01:56] Jen Coffey’s background Quotes: “It’s important to remember that your board of directors is super diverse.” – Jen Coffey “To me, journaling is the best way to get things out in a really eloquent way.” – Jen Coffey “It’s all about being brave and not being perfect.” – Jen Coffey Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - I am the pilot of my own airplane, I do not work in baggage claim. (Not What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? - Significantly cutting out sugar. What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - "Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys About Jen Coffey: Jen Coffey Co-Leads Accenture’s Global Immersive Learning practice, helping Links: LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-coffey-97a4a5a0/ | |||
| 17 Jun 2020 | Episode 54: Raising Your Hand and Finding Your Place with Jenna Arnold | 00:53:58 | |
Did you know that white women are one of the most influential demographics in America? They are the largest voting bloc, with purchasing power that exceeds any other demographic, and when they unify to demand change, they are a force to be reckoned with. Yet, so many sit idly on the sidelines, opting out of raising their hands to do, learn, and engage in ways that could make a difference. Why? Well, in this episode, Jenna Arnold, the national organizer for the historic 2017 Women’s March, and author of, Raising Our Hands, shares the research and insights she gathered over the past few years criss-crossing the US in conversations with white women about their identity and role in the country. Jenna peels back the history that’s been kept out of textbooks and the cultural norms that are holding them back, so white women can finally start really listening to marginalized voices and doing their part to promote progress. Raising Our Hands is Jenna’s call to action for white women to stop avoiding the hard conversations, start accepting responsibility and find a place on the new frontlines.
Highlights: [03:12] Jenna’s journey [04:38] Writing “Raising Our Hands” [12:29] What drives self-limiting beliefs [22:38] Imposter syndrome [29:26] Jenna’s biggest fear [30:57] Where might our country be heading [34:52] Why some struggle with acknowledging their privilege [48:02] We have a duty to ourselves and to others
Quotes: “Women are holding the keys to the Aston Martin, but they're asking whether or not they can drive.” – Jenna Arnold “Women have the power, the capacity, and now, more so than ever, their voices are heard.” – Jenna Arnold “Intentional invisibility is a symptom of women who are doing the work of laboring 4 to 10 times harder than their male counterparts. ” – Jenna Arnold “The lesson I’ve learned on my journey is that you need to go now, speak now, tell them the idea right now, launch that idea right now.” – Jenna Arnold “Our species depends on the power of you being part of the frontlines of this power shift that's happening.” - Jenna Arnold “You're always a student on anything related to race, gender, class, ability.” - Jenna Arnold “We need to take advantage of the exact moment we are in, where we are so connected and move forward and work on behalf of not only ourselves, but on behalf of everyone.” - Jenna Arnold “Your vote in November could be the decision of life or death for people you’ll never know.” - Jenna Arnold “Our grandmothers fought so hard for us to have the right to vote and the right to work or stay at home. What she didn't do is lower the bar of what that had to look like.” – Jenna Arnold
About Jenna Arnold: Jenna Arnold is listed as one of Oprah’s “100 awakened leaders who are using their voices and talent to elevate humanity” because she doesn’t have much patience for the status quo. She has been called a “disruptor” in every industry in which she has dabbled from elementary school classrooms to halls of the United Nations, MTV, and the White House. For her recent work as one of the organizers of the Women’s March, Jenna was recognized with a Glamour Women of the Year award. The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Forbes, and Fast Company, to name a few, have recognized Jenna’s work as “shaking up long standing assumptions” and being one of “the biggest ideas in social change” for the work of ORGANIZE, a non-profit she co-founded focused on ending the waitlist for organ transplants in America, for which she was also named one of Inc. magazine’s “35 Under 35” list.
Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennaarnold/
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| 18 Sep 2020 | Episode 91: Letting Good Work Happen With Lee Ann Daly | 00:57:29 | |
Have you ever wondered why some organizations come up with game changing ideas while others struggle? What can leaders do to ignite creativity and spur innovation? What does it take to push for change and stand up for what you believe in? Our guest is award-winning leader and Chief Marketing Officer Lee Ann Daly, who shares how to build great teams and let good work happen. Throughout her career, Lee Ann has been a pioneer, who is not afraid to break rules or take risks. She is a passionate advocate for bold new ideas that excite people and keep brands relevant. Lee Ann has been a C-suite leader at public and private companies since 1998–including being CMO at ESPN, Thomson Reuters, Game Show Network. Lee Ann has won wide industry recognition from Cannes Lions to being named Top Female Sports Business Executive by Sports Business Journal. Lee Ann is also an investor and advisor to early stage companies and Board director of the EO Wilson Biodiversity Foundation and The Dean’s Advisory Board at IU’s Media School. Visit www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Lee Ann.
Highlights: [02:15] What drives you [03:30] Lee Ann’s story [08:56] Listen, write, ideate [15:16] Lee Ann’s career journey [25:37] Overcoming self-doubt [30:41] Excelling and demonstrating success [33:58] Creating strong teams [40:37] Driving execution [44:16] Bringing your emotions to work [46:33] Vision for the future [50:19] Advice for success and self-care
“Being brave is being scared and doing it anyway.” – Lee Ann Daly “Whenever something comes into our consciousness that invites us to take a risk, it's there for a reason, it's coming to us as a gift.” - Lee Ann Daly “Leadership is helping your team understand how they contribute to the overall delivery of the service to the company.” – Lee Ann Daly “Growth is important at every stage of a career.” – Lee Ann Daly “Bring your authentic, separate self to work because it's the only way you'll figure out who you want to become inside the context of business.” – Lee Ann Daly
About Lee Ann Daly: Lee Ann Daly leads business strategy, content creation, marketing and communications for media entertainment, luxury and digital brands. Lee Ann’s aim is to create relevant culture in everything she do. Lee Ann has been an Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, GM and C-suite leader at public and private companies since 1998. She has won wide industry recognition as well, ranging from Cannes Lions to being named Top Female Sports Business Executive by Sports Business Journal. Lee Ann is an investor and advisor to early stage companies and Board director of the EO Wilson Biodiversity Foundation and The Dean’s Advisory Board at IU’s Media School.
Links: Website: https://leeanndalybio.me/ Podcast website: https://sayitforwardpodcast.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leeanndaly/ Facebook: Lee Ann Daly Instagram: @boojumlad Twitter: @LeeAnnDaly
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| 31 Aug 2023 | Episode 276: Claiming Your Seat at the Head of the Table with Stacy Devine, CIO of RPTC | 00:36:39 | |
Stacy Devine knew from a young age that the field of finance was for her. While other kids were playing, she enjoyed balancing a budget. She even loaned her sister money and charged her interest. She later took an accounting class in school and was hooked. She pursued her CPA and started her career at Ernst & Young as a certified public accountant. Today, Stacy finds herself as the Chief Investment Officer of RPTC, a private trust company for a single family office in Chicago. With all of her accomplishments, it might be hard to believe that Stacy was always underestimated and had to prove herself over and over again. She took this as an opportunity to build her courage. She finds great strength from her solid network of support (including her husband and friends) to keep finding the courage to claim her seat at the table. When Stacy needs to make a decision, she always tries to discover what are the opposite opinions. She’ll seek out other points of view and then see how they affect her convictions. She also knows the importance of just stopping what she’s doing and having fun with her family because there will always be a million things to do. She has learned to give up on perfection to have more balance in her life. Join us as Stacy shares her wisdom as a leader in her field. Visit gobeyondbarriers.com, where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Stacy. Highlights: [02:59] Stacy’s path to finance Quotes: “It’s important for me to really see both sides of an argument and understand it, and then I can challenge my view to have much better convictions in the decisions I’m making.” – Stacy Devine “I’m basically an introvert pretending to be an extrovert.” – Stacy Devine Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? About Stacy Devine: Links: | |||
| 21 Jun 2021 | Episode 163: How To Own And Promote Your Success | 00:12:22 | |
Do you share your successes with others? Are others aware of the impact you have created? Career progression is directly influenced by how you are perceived by those who can make or influence decisions. To get ahead and advance in your career, you must take ownership of your successes. In this episode, we share how you can demonstrate your impact, put yourself in a better position to be hired, promoted and compensated well, and stop being the best kept secret!
Highlights: [00:41] Hiring statistics [01:52] Why achievements of women executives are less visible [04:08] The struggle with promoting yourself [08:44] Make your greatest hits list
Quotes: “There are things known, and there are things that are unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.” – Monica Marquez “When you finish a project, you must share your results with a little self-promotion to gain the necessary visibility to advance.” – Monica Marquez “Every accomplishment builds upon the previous one and amplifies your value to the world.” – Monica Marquez “Your reputation allows other people to know how you can help them.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/
About Monica Marquez: Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/
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| 30 Jun 2021 | Episode 166: Bringing Your Idea To Market with BuzzBallz’s Merrilee Kick | 00:38:04 | |
Let's say you've got a great idea that you really believe in, but you've got no clue where to start. What would you do? Would you figure out a way or feel stuck and do nothing? Meet Merrilee Kick, CEO/Founder of BuzzBallz/Southern Champion. Merrilee was a school teacher who had this lightbulb idea while she was grading papers by her pool. But rather than just sit on that idea, Merrilee set off on researching how to bring that idea to life. Nine months later, Merrilee launched BuzzBallz/Southern Champion, becoming the only woman-owned Distillery/Winery/Brewery combination in the United States. Merrilee is a winner of the Dallas Business Journal’s 2019 Most Admired CEO Award, the 2018 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award Southwest, EY's Winning Women Award 2016, Winner of the Enterprising Women's Award 2017 and 2020’s Top 20 Award, Winner of the WPO’s 50 Fastest companies, Ranked in the Top 50 DFW Businesses by D CEO Magazine in 2020, Winner of the Top Women in Grocery in 2020, Winner of the 2020 Nielsen Brand Growth Award for Product of the Year Award-Spiked Beverage (BuzzTallz), and Winner of the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award from Texas Woman’s University. In this episode, Merrilee shares her entrepreneurial journey and the lessons she's learned in building her business. She also shares advice on the best ways to get unstuck, how to unlock your motivation and Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Merrilee. Highlights: [02:42] From teacher to entrepreneur [05:12] Idea to product launch [06:58] Information will help you get unstuck [08:08] Finding your customer [09:27] Navigating the barriers in retail distribution [11:36] Developing the BuzzBallz brand [13:25] Biggest surprise along the journey [17:13] Family business [19:12] Trusting your instinct [22:59] Non-negotiables when it comes to hiring [24:35] Decision-making framework [26:36] Bootstrapping vs. VC funding [27:49] Lessons learned in building a business [29:51] Merrilee’s big dream [31:09] Merrilee’s daily habits [32:59] If you build it, they will come
Quotes: “If you’re stuck or need motivation, you likely aren't researching enough. You need to go out there and dig for information. Ask people for advice.” – Merrilee Kick “Get your pitch down so that when you talk to somebody, within one minute, they know who you are and what you do.” – Merrilee Kick
About Merrilee Kick: Merrilee Kick is the CEO/Founder of BuzzBallz/Southern Champion, the only woman-owned Distillery/Winery/Brewery combination in the United States. The company is in Carrollton, Texas, and makes ready-to-drink cocktails called BuzzBallz, as well as spirits like rum, vodka, gin, bourbon, and some private label brands. The products are sold in 49 states and 21 countries. The company is family She is a winner of the Dallas Business Journal’s 2019 Most Admired CEO Award, the 2018 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award Southwest, EY's Winning Women Award 2016, Winner of the Enterprising Women's Award 2017 and 2020’s Top 20 Award, Winner of the WPO’s 50 Fastest companies, Ranked in the Top 50 DFW Businesses by D CEO Magazine in 2020, Winner of the Top Women in Grocery in 2020, Winner of the 2020 Nielsen Brand Growth Award for Product of the Year Award-Spiked Beverage (BuzzTallz), and Winner of the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award from Texas Woman’s University. Merrilee has a BS/BA from the University of Montana, an MBA from Texas Woman’s University, and she is currently attending Harvard Business School. She is a former high school teacher in Plano, Texas. Merrilee’s two sons, husband of 33 years, and daughter-in-law all work for the family business. Links: Websites https://southern-champion.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merrilee-kick-65328aa/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merrilee.kick Twitter: https://twitter.com/kickmerrilee | |||
| 11 May 2020 | Episode 40: Habits & Hacks: Inspiring Life Lessons From Our Mothers | 00:25:38 | |
Have you ever felt torn between doing your best at work and giving your best at home? As a working mother, do you carry a constant sense of guilt or overwhelm? About 72 percent of American women with children are in the workforce(fulltime & partime). Is this trend good or bad? Are kids with working moms different from kids whose moms do not work? In this episode, we will share research with you that proves that you don’t need to fix anything and that it’s time to celebrate who you are, just as you are.
Highlights: [00:40] Benefits of working moms [03:16] Nikki’s mother – a woman focused on contribution [11:37] Monica’s mother – a woman with enduring grace [17:13] 10 takeaways for working moms [24:36] Homework for the week
Quotes:
“I get my optimism from the mindset that everything works out. I'm a product of my mom and her optimism and her grace.” – Monica Marquez “One of the most important life lessons I got from my mother was never giving up, no matter how hard it gets, no matter what it entails.” – Nikki Barua “For every working mom out there, it's important to remember that, it’s not so much in the hours that you give, but in who you are and how you show up.” – Nikki Barua “My mother taught me to always live in a state of gratitude.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki and Monica: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.
Contact Nikki and Monica: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/
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| 17 Apr 2020 | Episode 30: Taking Courageous Leaps With Google’s Sharleen Gutierrez | 00:39:18 | |
Have you ever missed out on a career opportunity within your organization because you didn’t know about it? Or not apply for a job because you doubted your qualifications? This episode dives into the Meet Sharleen Gutierrez, who is a leading expert in diversity, equity and inclusion. Sharleen is a Senior Leader at Google, leading a team focused on fairness and equity in Google’s talent processes. In this episode, Sharleen shares her story on how taking courageous leaps, even when she felt she wasn’t ready, paved the way to uncover her superpower. And, how her network of peers and mentors helped open doors to opportunities that accelerated her success.
Highlights: [02:25] Sharleen’s story [05:08] Career start at Goldman Sachs [08:17] How I landed in Diversity & Inclusion [11:17] The power of your community [16:00] How to think about networking [18:48] Discovering your superpower [22:05] Advice for career minded parents [26:58] Learning from failures and setbacks
Quotes: “Shift your mindset to a place where you hold a higher value on the opportunity versus on how qualified you are for the job.” – Sharleen Gutierrez “Understand your networking style and consider how it works for you.” – Sharleen Gutierrez “Think of networking in three buckets, who will provide information about opportunities, who will provide advice and who will support as sponsors.” – Sharleen Gutierrez “Non-negotiables are very important for you to know and to serve as an anchor, as you're determining your priorities.” – Sharleen Gutierrez “Know what your priorities are, commit to them, and then let go when things are not exactly the way you want them.” – Sharleen Gutierrez “Be mindful and approach life from a place of gratitude.” – Sharleen Gutierrez “Staying in the wrong role does not benefit anyone, it actually does a disservice to everyone involved.” – Sharleen Gutierrez “When thinking of success, keep human connection and interaction top of mind because it is people who create, develop, sell, implement. Whatever your business is, people are behind it.” - Sharleen Gutierrez “In this digital age, we have to remember the human aspects of our culture. And authenticity is a key component of that.” – Sharleen Gutierrez “Each one of us has to take responsibility for our own actions because how we show up is what cultivates company culture.” – Sharleen Gutierrez
About Sharleen Gutierrez: Sharleen is a global thought leader on diversity and inclusion, talent management and culture change. She drives meaningful change towards greater fairness, equity and workplace inclusion in gender, race, Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharleen-gutierrez-7961741 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharleen.gutierrez.3
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| 20 Apr 2020 | Episode 31: Habits & Hacks: How To Position Yourself In Line With Market Demand | 00:15:31 | |
Do you have clarity on what makes you valuable? Are your skills and competencies aligned with what’s in demand in the marketplace? In this episode, you'll learn exactly how to keep track of market demand so you can position yourself in line with it. According to a recent report from McKinsey & Company, by 2030, more than 800 million people will lose their jobs to automation. Could some of your tasks be easily automated? What percentage of your role might be automated in the future? That’s why it’s so important to understand what’s growing in demand, so you can keep learning the skills and developing the competencies you will need in the future.
Highlights: [01:08] The effects of automation on the workforce [03:58] The shelf life of skills is getting shorter [04:34] Focus on solving business problems [06:55] Learning to run two races at the same time [07:32] Hacks to identify future demand [14:26] Homework for the week
Quotes: “Digital transformation is unlocking organizations and making them faster, more efficient, more innovative, and ultimately creating more value for their customers.” – Nikki Barua “You have to know exactly what is in demand so that can you can develop the right skills.” – Nikki Barua “Focus on solving a business problem and doing it in the fastest, most elegant, most effective way.” – Nikki Barua “You have to run two races at the same time: be great at what you're doing today, while mastering the skills to be great at what you’ll be doing tomorrow.” – Nikki Barua “Your future is truly in your hands and you must start making changes today.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki and Monica: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker.
Contact Nikki and Monica: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/
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| 09 Oct 2020 | Episode 99: Elevating Your Visibility with Facebook’s Suezette Yasmin Robotham | 00:43:25 | |
Visibility matters. How can we expect to change the world if we’re invisible? That’s what we will discuss in this episode featuring Suezette Yasmin Robotham, who is a passionate advocate for visibility and authenticity as a catalyst for change. Suezette is a DEI practitioner, speaker, connector, coach, and a leading “Black Woman in Tech”. She currently leads Diversity Programs on the Global Product & Software Engineering Recruiting team at Facebook. Suezette has more than a decade of leadership experience, with expertise in talent acquisition, diversity & inclusion initiatives, leadership development, strategic planning and relationship building across various industry sectors. Suezette also founded a platform created to amplify the voices of Black Women in Tech and beyond, called #BlackTechBeauty in 2020.
Highlights: [03:26] Suezette’s journey [15:25] Building relationships [20:55] Advice on landing a role in Big Tech [22:18] Articulating the transferability of your skills [26:19] Overcoming limiting beliefs [30:32] Finding your community [33:42] Suezette’s daily success habits [36:44] Advice on accelerating success in the digital age [40:09] Black Tech Beauty
Quotes: “Be grateful for your process and trust in that process.” – Suezette Yasmin Robotham “Assess the company landscape and gain an understanding of who are the people that you have an opportunity to learn from.” - Suezette Yasmin Robotham “Owning who you are authentically can help you overcome imposter syndrome and increase your confidence.” - Suezette Yasmin Robotham “Ensure that your LinkedIn profile evokes someone to want to know more.” – Suezette Yasmin Robotham “The best investment you can make is an investment in yourself.” – Suezette Yasmin Robotham
About Suezette Yasmin Robotham: Suezette Yasmin Robotham is a DEI practitioner, speaker, connector, coach, and a leading “Black Woman in Tech.” She has more than a decade of leadership experience, with expertise in talent acquisition, diversity & inclusion initiatives, leadership development, strategic planning and relationship building across various industry sectors. Over her career, she has contributed her work to large urban school districts, such as Atlanta Public Schools and Metro Nashville Public Schools, as well as education reform organizations that include Teach For America, The New Teacher Project and The Achievement Network. She previously served as the lead Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Program Manager on the Google Search & Assistant team; and currently leads Diversity Programs on the Global Product & Suezette has been tapped as a speaker by a number of organizations across the U.S. and Canada for her thought leadership in authenticity in the workplace and diversity and inclusion, and she has been a featured TEDx Speaker (TEDxBeaconStreet 2015). Suezette is passionate about the power that can be realized in spaces where vulnerability, empathy and authenticity are encouraged, and she is devoted to using her talents to connect others – whether individuals or organizations – to the people, opportunities and resources that will help them realize, access and achieve their highest potential. Suezette is also a TNJ 40 Under Forty 2019 Honoree. An alumna of the University of Florida and the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University, Suezette currently lives, works, and plays in Brooklyn. Her words to live by: “You were brave before you were born.”-Her Mommy
Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suezette/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suezette/ & https://www.instagram.com/blacktechbeauty/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/11Zette17
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| 12 May 2021 | Episode 153: How Smart Women Ask with Selena Rezvani | 00:33:52 | |
How do you learn the secrets to success? Who do you look to for guidance on becoming a better leader? Those are the intangible questions our guest, Selena Rezvani, wanted to answer, not just for herself, but for others. So, she did the smart thing, she asked. In this episode, Selena shares insights on the lessons she learned from interviewing and asking insightful questions to over 50 top female C-Suite leaders. She shares strategies on overcoming failures and setbacks, tapping into your motivation to help you move forward, and how to stand out as your authentic self. Selena Rezvani is a recognized leadership consultant, speaker and author, with a mission to help women carve out paths to leadership on their own terms. Selena is the author of two leadership books for professional women – Pushback: How Smart Women Ask—and Stand Up—for What They Want, a bestseller, and The Next Generation of Women Leaders. Selena also has several popular courses on LinkedIn learning and has done a TEDx talk titled “Interrupting gender bias through meeting culture.” Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Selena. Highlights: [02:41] Selena’s story [06:32] Standing out as your authentic self [08:40] Overcoming limiting beliefs [11:54] Viewing failure as a redirection [15:41] Learnings from interviews with c-suite women leaders [19:47] How to tap into your motivation [23:29] Leveraging your community and asking for help [28:01] Tips on executing towards your goals [31:15] How to accelerate your success
Quotes: “Stop trying to avoid failure and start viewing your failures as redirections.” - Selena Rezvani “When given a choice, choose to play, you’ll learn more than sitting on the sideline observing.” – Selena Rezvani
About Selena Rezvani: Selena Rezvani is a recognized leadership consultant, speaker and author. Her mission is to help women carve out paths to leadership on their own terms. Selena also uses workplace culture assessments to help clients be more inclusive and welcoming. She promotes her message through presentations to corporate audiences, universities and associations, and at many conferences, including TEDx, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PIMCO, AstraZeneca, Duke, Harvard, Cisco, Pfizer, Princeton, J&J, Comcast, Apple, Society of Women Engineers, and many others. Selena’s the author of two leadership books targeted at professional women – Pushback: How Smart Women Ask—and Stand Up—for What They Want (Jossey-Bass, 2012), a bestseller, and The Next Generation of Women Leaders (Praeger, 2009). Selena’s experience and success in the women and leadership arena make her a frequent resource for news media and an in-demand business speaker. She has been quoted, interviewed and profiled by the LA Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Oprah.com, ABC, and NBC. She was a regular commentator on NPR’s syndicated The 51% Perspective and wrote an award-winning column on women and leadership for The Washington Post. In 2019, Selena’s TEDx talk on gender bias was recognized with the Croly Journalism award. Today, Selena writes on women and work for Philadelphia Magazine. Selena’s earlier experience includes serving as a Lead within Deloitte’s Greenhouse Experience team, where she taught teams how to foster better diversity and collective intelligence. Selena also led the assessments practice at Washington, DC-based Management Concepts, where she administered and coached clients on personality, leadership, and aptitude measures. Selena has led numerous workplace culture research campaigns and studies on women in the C- suite, millennials, stretch assignments, program managers, and negotiating habits, which were covered by international media. Prior to her 3 years at Management Concepts, Selena worked as a senior member of the consulting team at the Great Place to Work® Institute, the firm best known for ranking Fortune’s 100 Best Places to Work® in America list. While at the Institute, Selena consulted widely on issues of organizational change and workforce development, working with Fortune 1,000 and non-profit organizations internationally and across many industries including Monster.com, Novartis Corporation, DaimlerChrysler, Inova Health System, and Brooks Brothers. Client services included focus group facilitation, employee opinion surveys, 360º assessments, leadership workshops, and customized survey assessments. Over the last year, Selena launched five popular courses on leadership with LinkedIn Learning – which have been viewed by over 180,000 learners. She has B.S. and Master of Social Work degrees from New York University, and has an MBA from Johns Hopkins University. Selena lives in Philadelphia with her husband Geoff and 8-year old boy/girl twins.
Links: Website: https://www.selenarezvani.com/ Buy Selena's book: https://www.amazon.com/Pushback-Smart-Women-Ask-Up/dp/1118104900/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenarezvani/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selenarezvani/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/selenarezvani
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| 28 Apr 2021 | Episode 149: Be The Author Of Your Own Story with IBM’s Elizebeth Varghese | 00:44:30 | |
Have you ever proceeded down a career path even though you didn’t feel it was right for you? Perhaps it was due to family expectations to go into a certain profession or the pressure to stick with it because you’ve already invested so much time. Expectations of who we’re supposed to be or what we’re supposed to do can often lead us down the wrong path. Regardless of the reasons, one thing is certain – your success gets accelerated when you are aligned to your purpose and passion. Meet Elizebeth Varghese, Global Leader for Talent & HR Transformation Strategy at IBM. Elizebeth shares her story of gaining perspective from her failures while heading down the wrong career path, and how those failures helped her find her true purpose, define the ways in which she wanted to contribute to the world, and set her on the path to being the author of her own story. Elizebeth is a Business Leader and Board Director who partners with C-level leaders to enable powerful business outcomes. Elizebeth furthers People & Technology strategies with solutions in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, Blockchain and robotics - for organizations that operate around the world, and in Space. She is recognized as a global Top 100 Influencer, for her continuing work as a futurist and thought leader. Elizebeth brings creativity, and a thoughtful, collaborative approach to inspire, uncover the best thinking and exceed business results. In this episode, Elizebeth shares insights into taking risks to advance your career, thriving in the future of work, and the most valuable skill for success in the digital age. Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Elizebeth. [03:05] Elizebeth’s story [05:45] Gaining perspective from failure [10:59] Having gratitude for what you have [13:46] Overcoming fears [19:16] Advice on taking risks to advance your career [23:19] How to thrive in the future of work [27:17] The most valuable skill to develop [29:57] Advice on overcoming barriers [33:47] Owning your voice and your viewpoints [36:57] Balancing work and home life [42:06] Final words of advice from Elizebeth
Quotes: “It is important to be the author of your own potential and your own capability.” – Elizebeth Varghese “We would be much better as a global community if we could link arms and ensure that more people have access to what they need.” – Elizebeth Varghese “It's very important to keep close to your purpose because there'll be many days when you doubt yourself, and other people will doubt you. But if you know who you are and what you're here for and what you want to leave with, it makes a big difference.” – Elizebeth Varghese “The ability to unlearn and accept new input and accept new requirements is going to be the most important life skill.” – Elizebeth Varghese
Elizebeth is a Business Leader and Board Director who partners with C-level leaders to enable powerful business outcomes. Elizebeth furthers People & Technology strategies with solutions in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, Blockchain and robotics - for organizations that operate around the world, and in Space. She is recognized as a global Top 100 Influencer, for her continuing work as a futurist and thought leader. Elizebeth brings creativity, and a thoughtful, collaborative approach to inspire, uncover the best thinking and exceed business results. Elizebeth has business and operational experience and achieved significant growth in all her P&L roles. She has a track record of exceeding growth targets by developing new services, margin management, attracting and growing leading talent, transforming the internal and external brand and inspiring the team to achieve exceptional results and exceed growth targets consistently. She has also worked with CEOs and leaders from various industries and organizational life cycle to successfully inspire transformation and strong business results by sharing clear vision, identifying and motivating talent and developing sound operational foundations. As a Partner at IBM, she leads Talent and HR Reinvention Strategy client services. She also leads markets and big deals for Cloud transformations across six, high priority, businesses - HR consulting, HR outsourcing, AI & Emerging Tech, Workday, SuccessFactors, and Oracle HCM services. Elizebeth is a member of IBM’s Team on Good Technology. She is also the integrated services community leader for IBM’s Space Exploration Services. Elizebeth is on the Council of Advisors for the SETI Institute, which works with NASA and other space agencies to explore, understand and explain the origin and nature of life in the universe and the evolution of intelligence. She is a Finance Committee member, and active Board member at South Asian Youth Action, a non-profit providing after-school programming, education and college support. Currently located in New York, she has lived and worked around the world, and brings extensive experience in executing business strategy through human capital initiatives. She has over twenty years of consulting experience in HR optimization, talent management, and organization effectiveness. She also coaches Boards and business leaders to enhance effectiveness and manage their teams. Before that, Elizebeth was at Ernst & Young (EY) where she was a business leader and Partner in various roles including leader of the Americas (North America, South America and Israel) practice for HR Performance Improvement and Americas market leader for Talent Management. Elizebeth was also a Senior Vice President at Aon-Hewitt and led the Talent Solutions practice (Assessment, Test Development & Technology Platforms, Leadership Development, Executive Coaching, HR Transformation, Call Center Performance, Engagement). She has also been a Principal at Hewitt Associates and led the North American Corporate Transformation consulting team. Elizebeth has MBAs from both, the Columbia Business School, New York and the London Business School, UK. She also has a Masters in Personnel Management from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, and a Bachelors in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Mumbai, India.
Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizebethvarghese/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElizebethVarghe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizebeth.varghese/
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| 06 May 2020 | Episode 38: Stand Up, Stand Out and Get Ahead with Daisy Auger-Dominguez | 00:46:39 | |
What do you do when you put your head down, work really hard, strive to do everything right but still see yourself being quietly sidelined and marginalized? Are you exhausted from battling toxic workplace cultures, and realizing you have slowly started to lose yourself by assimilating and down-playing who you are in order to succeed in a workplace built for straight white males? Meet Daisy Auger-Dominguez, who has made it her mission to make workplaces more equitable, compassionate and inclusive. As a workplace culture and social impact strategist, Daisy inspires and equips global organizations to think inclusively, lead with purpose, embrace courage and shape the future of work. In this episode, Daisy shares her inspiring story and also provides her perspective on how to stand up and stand out in the digital age.
Highlights: [02:30] Daisy’s story [09:24] Keep your head up and question [11:37] Dealing with systemic bias [14:35] Advice on handling microaggressions [20:54] Learning from failure [25:17] Standing up and standing out [30:40] Building your network organically [39:10] What is means to have a coach [42:57] Daisy’s success habit
Quotes: “Identify the people who will be your allies and champions - the people who will lift up your voice when you can't.” - Daisy Auger-Dominguez “Put your own comfort aside so that you can create comfort for someone else. That's what an ally does.” – Daisy Auger-Dominguez “Be very clear on what are the times when you will not bridge a gap in your values.” – Daisy Auger-Dominguez “Those that are forward-thinking, agile and care about how the team is engaging and connecting – those are the future leaders who will get us through this.” – Daisy Auger-Dominguez “Ask for help and do it in a way that is mutually beneficial.” – Daisy Auger-Dominguez “When you lean on your bravery and your courage and put yourself out there, you're reducing that gap of humanity that we’ve built.” - Daisy Auger-Dominguez “In these moments of deep uncertainty, ambiguity and real pain and loss across many levels, lean on calmness, empathy and connection.” - Daisy Auger-Dominguez
About Daisy Auger-Dominguez: Daisy Auger-Dominguez has made it her mission to make workplaces more equitable, compassionate and inclusive. A workplace culture and social impact strategist, Daisy inspires and equips global organizations to think inclusively, lead with purpose, embrace courage and shape the future of work. Following two decades leading organizational transformations at Moody's Investors Service, The Walt Disney Company and Google, Daisy founded and leads Auger-Dominguez Ventures, a workplace culture consultancy. A dynamic and sought-after speaker and writer, Daisy also serves on the board of directors of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, and Facing History and Ourselves.
Links: Website: www.daisyauger-dominguez.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daisyaugerdominguez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/daisyad Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daisyaugerdominguez/
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| 27 Mar 2024 | Episode 302: Unlocking Your Inner Superhero: The Power of Self-Advocacy, Strengths, and Passion in the Workplace | 00:40:29 | |
In today's episode, our host Nikki Barua ventures into the world of someone whose story reads like a masterclass in resilience, ambition, and the art of leadership. Our remarkable guest, Kira Kimball, Chief Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer at Marsh McLennan Agency, who has charted a path that's both inspiring and instructive. Kira’s journey proves that achieving one’s dreams is as much about the mindset we adopt as it is about the actions we take. Kira opens up about the essence of staying fluid in the face of life’s inevitable changes, transforming every setback into a stepping stone toward growth. As we navigate the complexities of leadership, Kira reminds us that at the heart of effective leadership is the courage to be true to oneself. Key Takeaways
If you’re looking for the spark to ignite your own journey, or if you’re in search of wisdom that comes from real-life experiences, you won’t want to miss this episode. Visit gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our guest.
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| 13 Mar 2024 | Episode 300: Navigating Career Success: Clarity, Momentum, and the Beyond Barriers Revolution | 00:50:49 | |
Buckle up because this is no ordinary episode—it's a milestone! You are about to dive into the 300th episode of the Beyond Barriers podcast with host Monica Marquez and special guest Jaci Czarnecki Thompson, Experience Architect at Beyond Barriers. Five seasons of riveting interviews, cutting-edge strategies, and stories of triumph that will propel you forward in your career. We don't just talk the talk; we walk it with the incredible individuals who have shattered barriers and soared to new heights. And guess what? You, our phenomenal listeners, have been the wind beneath our wings, inspiring us to push boundaries week after week. Our mission is bold: to close the gender gap at work and unleash economic opportunities for everyone. Brace yourself because today, we give you an unprecedented look behind the scenes. It's time to seize control of your destiny, break down barriers, and ride the wave of unstoppable momentum towards the career you've always dreamed of. Let's make history together! In this episode, you will be able to:
For full show notes, visit our website. | |||
| 06 Jul 2022 | Episode 219: A Path to Purpose: The Journey of Maria Kim, President & CEO of REDF | 00:34:08 | |
September 11th was a defining moment for millions of people around the world. And for Maria Kim, it was just that. At that time, she was working in the insurance industry, but the impact of that tragic day made her want to work with purpose. She eventually found herself as President & CEO of REDF, focusing on creating jobs for others. The daughter of immigrants, she jokes her nurse mother and entrepreneur father made her a social entrepreneur determined to help others. In this podcast, Maria shares lessons learned from her wide variety of work experiences she describes as a “three-act play” in the areas of private, purpose, and now practice. Her path wasn’t always intentional but it was successful nonetheless and from that journey, she learned who she is and what she brings to the table. She is focused on fixing inequities in the workplace citing that even after all the work is done, 10 million people are still “boxed out of today’s economy.” We all have something we can learn from Maria’s unique insights. Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Maria.
Highlights: [02:15] Maria’s path to her current position [04:11] Finding your purpose [06:52] How she found herself working in the service industry [09:03] Taking a risk and stepping into the unknown [12:13] Discovering your strengths and learning new skills [13:50] Maria’s strength of building community [18:37] Bringing your unique skills to the table [21:49] How to make sure your talent stands out and overcoming stereotypes [25:19] Focusing on your goals [27:38] Work/life integration [30:55] Lighting round questions
Quotes: “You don’t have to be on the path you inherit. You can create your own path.” - Maria Kim “There’s something about listening to your inner you that I think gives you the courage to hustle you through those stages of working your way back up the ladder.” – Maria Kim “We just spent the last two plus years looking at everyone’s life through the screen of a Zoom room. We saw life in its full intersectionality—beautiful, ugly, everything in between, we saw all it, we saw kids, partners, everything. Let’s not forget what we saw.” – Maria Kim “There are 10 million people in our country that are boxed out of today’s economy, for a whole host of reasons that challenge the barriers they’re overcoming.” – Maria Kim
Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you?
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
About Maria Kim: Maria is a reformed insurance professional who describes the chapters of her career as private, purpose, and now practice: private sector in insurance, purpose sector at Cara Collective helping people experiencing homelessness and poverty get back to work, and now consultative practice at REDF – a pioneering venture philanthropy investing in businesses that exist to hire overlooked talent across the country. Maria serves on the advisory boards of the First Women’s Bank and the University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab. She is a 2008 Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow, a 2012 American Marshall Memorial Fellow, a 2018 Vital Voices Global Ambassador, a former co-chair within Chicago Mayor Lightfoot’s 2019 transition team, a 2020 Presidential Leadership Scholar, and a 2022 Distinguished Alumni in Public Service from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where she received her MBA.
A social impact enthusiast, advocate, and entrepreneur, Maria knows firsthand we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us; and our job – or more like our opportunity – is to pave the way for others to stand on ours. She writes about that journey as it relates to her time leading Cara in Voice and Vocation: A workforce practitioner’s guide to building hopes, jobs, and opportunity. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasusankim/ https://twitter.com/mariasusankim Book: https://www.amazon.com/Voice-Vocation-workforce-practitioners-opportunity-ebook/dp/B093XZBGPV | |||
| 22 Jul 2020 | Episode 69: How Your Authenticity Fuels Innovation with Google’s Annie Jean-Baptiste | 00:35:57 | |
How many times have you purchased a product, only to realize that the whoever created it, didn’t build it with you in mind? How many times have you laughed out loud when seeing a clothing tag that says, “One size fits all”...when it’s clearly obvious it would barely fit a child, needless to say, a grown adult! Well, in this episode, Annie Jean-Baptiste, Google’s Head of Product Inclusion, shares how she helps teams make sure Google products are made for everyone. She spends her days making sure everyone matters. But, the most important message she shares is how YOUR voice, your unique experiences and what makes you different from others, is the secret to success. Stepping into your power, even if it doesn't look like the kind of cookie cutter example of what leadership looks like, is what will bring success and helps others expand their frame of reference. That authenticity fosters diversity...which fuels innovation.
Highlights: [01:01] Annie’s story [04:02] Imposter syndrome [04:30] Lean into what makes you authentic [06:53] Gaining clarity on your strengths [10:02] Strategies to highlight value proposition [12:40] Framework for inclusive product design [17:42] Setting and achieving your professional goals [18:39] Writing Building For Everyone [22:50] Key to developing your personal brand [27:15] Annie’s success habit [30:13] How can women accelerate in the digital age
Quotes: “If you can find something that you're passionate about, something that gives you purpose, and you can get paid for it, that is the trifecta.” – Annie Jean-Baptiste “Periodically assess if the things you're doing are moving you towards your goals.” – Annie Jean-Baptiste “Find mentors, advisors, sponsors and coaches that are going to push you into uncomfortable situations so you can grow.” – Annie Jean-Baptiste
About Annie Jean-Baptiste Annie Jean-Baptiste is the Head of Product Inclusion at Google. She leads Product Inclusion strategy across the company, including consultation, communications, scale and research and created the movement 3 years ago as a way to ensure underrepresented users felt seen throughout the product design process. Annie is passionate about making the web and Google’s products work for underserved communities while ensuring that Google is a place where everyone shines for their differences. She’s responsible for working with Google product teams and senior leaders on the creation and execution of their inclusive design strategy. She formerly created programs related to Diversity talent management and career development within several technical product areas within Google. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania (go Quakers!) with degrees in International Relations & Political Science. She is an avid Boston sports fan & loves to bring her dog Hercules to work. She currently is based in San Francisco. Outside of Google, Annie is a former American Heart Association spokesperson and a One Young World ambassador, focused on healthy lifestyles in underserved communities. She is also a former Hack the Hood mentor. She currently serves as an intrapreneur in residence at the University Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education and a member of the IEEE's Ethically Aligned Design committee. She’s been inducted into the Haitian Roundtable’s 1804 society as “One to Watch” and inducted as one of the 30 Black Stars for Face to Face Africa in 2019. She’s also been covered in Vogue, Essence Magazine, Business Insider, Teen Vogue, MSNBC, CNBC, ABC, Cheddar, Business Insider, the Huffington Post, the Root, the Council of Fashion Designers of America Annual Report, The Miami Times, Boston Globe and Fortune Magazine. Her book, Building for Everyone, is available now. Follow her on social media: @its_me_ajb.
Website: https://www.anniejeanbaptiste.com/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Building-Everyone-Practices-Googles-Inclusion/dp/1119646227 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-jean-baptiste-43511930/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/its_me_ajb/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Its_Me_AJB
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| 02 Aug 2021 | Episode 173: How To Find Your Passion | 00:13:28 | |
Research shows that it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill or craft. That’s why it’s so important that you’re clear on your passion so that you don’t expend that energy and time on something that you simply find boring. Honing your craft takes time, but first it takes awareness of what you love to do. In this episode, we’ll share why it’s important to have clarity on your passion, the steps to identifying your passion, and how to integrate your passion with your work. Highlights: [01:18] What do you love to do?
Quotes: “If you want to be the best at something, you have to put in a long amount of time honing your craft.” – Nikki Barua “If your day job does not correlate with your passion, then effectively you're spending all your free time and all your mental energy in developing a competency in something and not getting paid for.” – Nikki Barua About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert. | |||
| 29 Jun 2020 | Episode 59: Habits & Hacks: Lessons Learned As First Time Managers | 00:23:45 | |
Do you have a career related question that you’re uncomfortable asking your peers, managers or mentors? We're here to address your questions. The fear of being perceived as inadequate prevents us from asking –but it causes us to pay a high price in every aspect of our lives—in lost income, slower career progress, LIMITED access to leadership roles and potential risk to well-being. So, learn to ask –and start by asking us. Many of our listeners have asked what we wish we had known before taking a role in management. So, in this episode, we discuss the lessons we’ve learned when transitioning from an individual contributor to a manager.
Highlights: [01:21] Management theory versus practice [03:04] Transitioning from individual contributor to manager [06:03] How to delegate effectively [07:56] Right amount of oversight when delegating [11:56] Letting go of being liked [13:46] Be responsible for your team [17:31] How to have effective meetings
Quotes: “As a manager, you want to make sure that you're empowering your team and allowing them to bring their expertise, skills and competencies to the table, so that collectively, you can be effective in solving organizational challenges.” – Nikki Barua “Have a mindset of constant succession planning. If you want to move up, the only way you can do that is if someone is ready, capable and willing to take your spot.” – Nikki Barua “The key to delegation is to learn how to let go, while remaining accountable, and giving the other person the opportunity to figure out how to do it their way and develop the competency.” – Nikki Barua “As a manager, you are responsible for your team and setting them up for success.” – Monica Marquez “Don't aspire to be liked. Focus on being trusted and respected and leading with the right decisions for the organization and for the people.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Learn more at https://www.nikkibarua.com/. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader. Learn more at https://themonicamarquez.com/. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
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| 18 Dec 2020 | Episode 116: Pioneering New Paths with Morgan Stanley’s Ileana Musa | 00:43:30 | |
Kamala Harris recently shared that her mother always reminded her that, “You may be the first to do many things, but make sure you’re not the last.” Being a pioneer is hard. It means pushing through boundaries and overcoming great challenges, often times alone. In this episode, Ileana Musa, Co-Head of International Wealth Management and the Head of International Banking & Lending at Morgan Stanley, shares what it was like growing up as a young Latina immigrant in a single parent home and how education and a strong work ethic laid the foundation to achieve her career aspirations. Ileana also shares why staying true to yourself and sharing your authentic story leads to awareness and stronger relationships, which ultimately leads to opportunity.
Highlights: [03:30] Ileana’s story [05:16] Decision to pursue a career in financial services [07:40] Ileana’s daily success habits [10:10] Building your personal brand [17:42] Gaining access to influential leaders [23:30] Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs [29:43] Executing on your new opportunity [37:14] Advice on staying ahead of the curve
Quotes: “Sharing your story helps others to share their stories.” – Ileana Musa “It's up to each of us to paint the picture of what the future holds.” – Ileana Musa “When you give back to other employees as it relates to their development, people take notice, and that ultimately gives you access.” – Ileana Musa “Think about what you bring to the table and how you can then build a meaningful connection.” – Ileana Musa “The sooner you fail, the sooner you are going to learn.” – Ileana Musa
About Ileana Musa: Ileana Musa is the Co-Head of International Wealth Management and the Head of International Banking & Lending. In this role she leads the segment and strategy that focuses on Morgan Stanley’s International Client Advisors and international clients to ensure they have access to strategic investment, cash management and lending solutions, services and thought leadership to address both sides of a client’s balance sheet. Ileana is a member of Morgan Stanley's Wealth Management Management Committee, Wealth Management Operating Committee, Latin America Management Committee, US Banks Management Committee, and the Bank Leadership Committee. Ileana co-chairs the enterprise Latino Employee Network. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley she was the Global Client Segment and Strategy executive for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this capacity, Ileana focused on international financial advisors to ensure the delivery of a consistent, goals-based wealth management experience for international high-net-worth and ultra-high-net worth clients. Prior to this role, Ileana was head of International Credit & Banking within Bank of America’s Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM) Banking group. In this role, she led the teams that supported and delivered integrated liquidity, cash management and lending solutions and services to financial advisors and high-net-worth clients in Latin America, Asia and Europe. Ileana held several leadership roles in the domestic, international and affluent banking platforms at Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase, where she lent her talent in growing the cross-border wealth management business. Ileana received her BBA degree, with a concentration in finance, from the University of Miami and an M.B.A. degree in finance from Florida International University. Ileana is fluent in Spanish, is FINRA registered and is Six-Sigma Greenbelt certified. Ileana was recently named to the Girl Scouts National Board (GSUSA) and sits on the Corporate Advisory Boards of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), Florida International University Honors College and the Cuban Heritage Collection at the University of Miami. Ileana was named to the ‘Top 100 Most Influential Latinas’ List in 2020 by Latino Leaders. Last year she was recognized to the 2019 MAKERS class of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management as well as being recognized by Latino Justice with the 2019 Latina Trailblazer Award honoring her professional and personal achievements in opening doors and new opportunities for other professionals. Additionally, Ileana was named to ALPFA’s 2019 Most Powerful Latinas in corporate America list for a third year in a row as previously featured in Fortune magazine. In 2016 Ileana was awarded the 2015 Top 10 Corporate Executives of the Year by Latina Style magazine. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ileanamusa3
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| 18 Jan 2023 | Episode 247: Working with Your Inner Voice Featuring Author, International Speaker, Self- Intelligence Coach, and Former Dental Oncologist, Dr. Jessica Metcalfe | 00:41:06 | |
As a dentist, Dr. Jessica Metcalfe had to intentionally manage and minimize her perfectionism. Through this work, she started on a journey of understanding her inner voice. Today, she talks about what she’s learned along the way from dentist to coach. According to Dr. Metcalfe, there is power in our inner voices. She tells us about two theories behind how our inner self speaks to us and how the imposter syndrome plays a part in the way we view ourselves. In this podcast, Dr. Metcalfe teaches us to reframe our inner voice and stop using the word “just” to downplay our accomplishments. Helping high achieving women find and listen to their inner voices is Dr. Metcalfe’s passion. Through this experience, she’s able to share with us how to reframe our doubts and failures and set up a community of support around us. Sit back and listen to all the gems Dr. Metcalfe shares with us in this episode. Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com/ where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Dr. Metcalfe.
Highlights: [02:17] How Dr. Metcalfe started focusing on depression
Quotes: “I had to change how I viewed myself first before I was able to step in and be able to help others.” – Dr. Jessica Metcalfe “When someone is starting to navigate their inner voice and they start to notice it, building that self awareness is your first step.” – Dr. Jessica Metcalfe “Your brain requires tangible information to start to remind you that you are in fact capable.” – Dr. Jessica Metcalfe
Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you?
What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?
What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
About Dr. Jessica Metcalfe: Dr. Jessica Metcalfe is an author, international speaker, self-intelligence coach and former dental oncologist. She has recently finished her first book called, Speak Kindly, You're Listening. Her mission: to unlock and empower the inner voices of high-achieving women by navigating through imposter syndrome, perfectionism, burnout and that dark mental chatter. Dr. Jessica’s experience working with cancer patients, being an education director, certified life coach, and her own mental health journey has allowed her to show hundreds of women that they can conquer their negative inner voice personally and professionally. She has given keynote speeches and presentations to University of Toronto, Boston University, Key Media, Women in Wealth Management, and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre among other international organizations and companies. Links: Website: www.drjessicametcalfe.com LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jessica-metcalfe-873b671b5/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.metcalfe.56829/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjessicametcalfe/
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| 15 Feb 2021 | Episode 124: How To Overcome Approval Addiction | 00:14:55 | |
Do you have a hard time saying no to people for fear of letting them down? Do you find yourself seeking the approval of others? Are you driven to seek validation and avoid rejection? In this episode, we discuss the negative impact of people-pleasing on your career and share three simple principles you can apply to overcome approval addiction. Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you'll find show notes for this episode. Subscribe to get new episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Highlights: [00:47] What is approval addiction [03:36] Impact of approval addiction [04:53] The value of being a contrarian [06:19] Leaders need to be decisive [08:07] The halo effect [11:19] Stop being a people-pleaser
Quotes: “When you have absolute certainty and conviction in your beliefs, you will care less about people-pleasing.” – Nikki Barua “You can’t be influential if you are afraid to put your own point of view out there.” – Nikki Barua
About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua
About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert. Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez
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| 31 Jan 2024 | Episode 295: Kindness and Self-Proclaimed Weirdness: Embracing Your True Self as a Leader | 00:26:56 | |
Ever felt the weight of imposter syndrome, that persistent notion that you may not be up to the task of pursuing your ambitious goals? Dive into the captivating story of Shannon Duffy, the Chief Marketing Officer at Asana, with your host, Brooke Skinner Ricketts. In this episode, Shannon generously unveils the twists and turns of her career, highlighting a transformative moment that propelled her toward authentic leadership. Join us as she delves into the significance of embracing one's true self within the dynamic realms of leadership. In this episode, you will be able to:
For full show notes, visit our website. | |||
| 14 Jun 2023 | Episode 268: From Competition to Collaboration: Caroline Miller on How Women Can Support Each Other to Achieve Success | 00:45:51 | |
Welcome to a powerful episode that dives deep into the world of grit, goal-setting, and uplifting female relationships. Our guest, Caroline Miller, is no stranger to overcoming challenges, including overcoming bulimia during her teenage years, which was fueled by the immense pressure she faced due to her family's emphasis on excellence. In this captivating conversation, Caroline shares her insights on why women sometimes struggle to support each other, the impact of "mean girls," and how to identify a "frenemy." Caroline's expertise draws from extensive research and real-world experience, spanning from Wall Street to prestigious schools. She offers a fresh perspective Join us for this inspiring and eye-opening journey as we explore the intricacies of female dynamics, tackle the challenges of mean girls and frenemies, and unlock the secrets to becoming empowering leaders. Don't miss out on this opportunity to transform your relationships and elevate your potential. Visit gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Caroline. Highlights: Quotes: “When someone you know gets something you wish you had, overcome that twinge of envy and say, ‘That’s great, tell me more.’” – Caroline Miller "Set hard goals, overcome obstacles, and help other people to accomplish goals."– Caroline Miller "Most people think that we're going to see time travel before we see gender parity. That's insane."– Caroline Miller Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott and“CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - "You can’t keep what you don’t give away.” What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? - When I hear about another woman’s success, I’ve trained myself to be What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - "I Am Woman” by Helen Reddy About Caroline Miller: Caroline is the author of eight books, including global bestsellers Getting Grit, Creating Your Best Life, and My Name is Caroline. Live Happy Magazine named Creating Your Best Life one of the top 10 goal-setting books ever published and Getting Grit one of the 10 books that would change your life in 2017. Lifehack ranked Creating Your Best Life as the #1 goal accomplishment book of all time in 2019. Caroline’s work has been featured in hundreds of magazines, newspapers, and other media worldwide including BBC World News, The New York Times, The Washington Post, NBC, NPR, and CNN. Angela Duckworth, the winner of the 2013 MacArthur Genius grant for her research on grit, said of Caroline: “I don't know anybody who has thought more than [Caroline] about how to apply the scientific research on grit and achievement to our own lives!" Caroline has worked with clients worldwide, including Morgan Stanley, lululemon, The Wharton School/UPENN, RE/MAX, Booz Allen, Young Presidents’ Organization, Harvard Law School, Blizzard Entertainment, ScanSource, Coldwell Banker, and Swisse Wellness. Caroline has a Masters of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and she graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University. Links: Website: https://www.carolinemiller.com/ | |||