BEYOND BARRIERS

As a Latina in the C-Suite, Ana Corrales challenges herself to think big and to always contribute. She was an early entrepreneur—selling her handmade scrunchies to her classmates. And although she grew up in a STEM home, she found herself continuing to be interested in sales, so she shadowed a few sales people and realized the field wasn’t as easy as she thought. But, that didn’t stop her. Ana loves learning. As she describes, she finds a subject that interests her and she just “clicks, clicks, and clicks” online to find more information. Management observing Ana noticed that she could do a lot of things, and so they decided to move her into a management position herself. She has continued to work her way up to her current role as Chief Operating Officer for Google Consumer Hardware. In this role, a few mindsets makes her successful. First, she believes you need to be undeterred when pursuing your goals. Second, you need to be willing to be uncomfortable and do the things other people refuse to do because of fear. Her older sister once told her to consider, “What’s the worst that can happen?” She has taken that advice to heart and sometimes just fakes it until she makes it. Finally, Ana describes for us the importance of finding “white space,” which are those quiet moments when you can just allow yourself to think. She believes these moments have made her a better leader. For Ana, gardening gives her these moments. She savors any time she can get away from her devices and has also learned to say no and draw boundaries around her personal time. Ana has learned a lot through all of her experiences, and she shares those insights with us in this podcast. 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 Ana. Highlights:  [03:33] Ana’s journey [05:54] Gaining clarity through a love of learning [09:54] Making opportunities happen [12:41] Overcoming fear and limiting beliefs [17:57] Creating your own narrative [24:08] Ana’s success habits [30:03] Asking for help from your community [32:32] Dreaming big   Quotes: “If you are passionate about what you do and you are contributing and really good, people will come to you and say, ‘Do you want to be part of my team?'’” – Ana Corrales “No one shows up looking amazing and totally relaxed all the time. There’s a lot of grit and you really need to want it.” - Ana Corrales “Get comfortable with the fact that you’re going to be uncomfortable.” - Ana Corrales “If you don’t have the narrative out there, there’s going to be a narrative about you.” – Ana Corrales About Ana Corrales: Ana Corrales is the Chief Operating Officer for Google’s Consumer Hardware business. As COO, Ana leads the development process for Made by Google hardware and Nest products --phones, laptops, Google Home, Chromecast, Nest Thermostat --and manages getting those products into the hands of customers. Ana also drives the end-to-end IT efforts and customer experience work across the Google Hardware business. Ana previously led Google Hardware’s first-party retail efforts, including driving the growth of e-commerce channel, Google Store.  Previously, Ana served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Nest. She also served as Senior Vice President of Product Operations at Cisco Systems. In 2006, Ana co-founded a startup solar company. As the acting CEO, Ana sold the company in 2010. Ana serves as a member of the Women@Google board and is an executive sponsor for HOLA, Google’s Latino Employee Resource Group. Ana serves on the board of directors for Watermark, the Bay Area’s largest women leadership organization, as an advisor to Roli, a company reinventing instruments that extend the joy of music-making to everyone. Ana has been recognized by Forbes as one of the 50 Most Powerful Latinas in Business, and as one of the most powerful Latinas by the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA). HITEC (Hispanic Information Technology Executive Council) has recognized her as a top technology executive. She is known in the industry as a seasoned leader who can successfully grow startup businesses into multi-billion dollar companies. Ana is a native of Costa Rica and earned a Masters of Engineering from Stanford University. She lives in the Bay Area with her husband and two children. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anacorrales/ 

This year’s theme for Hispanic Heritage Month from the National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers is, "Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation." With 62 million people and over 21 different cultures, Latinos/x are a unique combination of black, Asian, white, indigenous, Middle Eastern, and mixed races. When describing their identity, research shows that over half (51%) of Hispanics and Latinos/x say they most often use their family's country of origin – using such terms as Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Salvadoran or Dominican. It's a cultural nuance, as most Latinos/x don't feel they fit under a "one umbrella" identity.  To build inclusivity in the workplace, leaders have an opportunity to drive a sense of belonging in the Latino/x community. In this episode, Monica Marquez (aka the “Macgyver for the Marginalized”) discusses how leaders can raise awareness and visibility to develop the next generation of future-ready leaders to go further faster, together. Highlights:  [2:22] Significance of Hispanic Heritage Month [6:26] Differences between Hispanic vs. Latino/x [9:42] Origin of “Latinx” [12:57] Embracing Hispanic and Latin/X terminology [14:54] Raising Latino/X visibility to develop the next generation   Quotes: “For the Hispanic and Latino/x community to move forward and get ahead, we have to go further, faster together as one inclusive familia. Some of us may think, won’t all of these different labels divide our community? Only if we let it.” - Monica Marquez "There are so many of my Latino/x colleagues I see doing amazing things. So let's lift each other up." -Monica Marquez “As my colleague, Frank Carbajal says, ‘Es tiempo to embrace Latinx’ - because you're embracing a new segment of the population that is identifying and saying they're proud Latinos/x with a strong Latinos/x origin. They want to recognize their roots, but they want a terminology that makes sense to them.” - Monica Marquez 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   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

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

There’s a reason why people say no one likes change. But for Kimberley Gardiner, Chief Marketing Officer at Tractor Supply Co, change is what she’s learned to thrive on and how she makes the greatest impact. Kimberley knows what it’s like to be the only woman in a room full of executive leaders, and she’s had to learn how to be authentic and boldly share her ideas, even if they were unpopular at the time. From being able to do this, she’s found more happiness and satisfaction from work than she could have imagined. Kimberley has a broad background in the automotive industry, previously having worked as SVP & Chief Marketing Officer for Volkswagen and Mitsubishi - and for Kia Motors America in marketing. She’s skilled at innovation and is a creative thinker. Her role as a change agent was a perfect fit for Volkswagen’s electric vehicles and the push for their adoption by the mainstream. In this podcast, Kimberley explains why leaders should be bold about asking for advice and tells us what she does every day that leads to her success. She also shares with us how to overcome failures, learn to say no, and what success habits helped her achieve her goals. 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 Kimberley. Highlights:   [02:53] Kimberley’s career journey [07:55] Embracing being a change agent [10:27] Managing your personal brand [13:24] Don’t be afraid to ask for advice [16:17] Building your board of personal directors [17:52] Kimberley’s daily success habits [22:50] Overcoming failures and setbacks [27:17] Executing and achieving your goals [31:48] Learning to say no [35:30] How to embrace change [40:08] Kimberley’s advice to our listeners Quotes: “You build business relationships like friendships, tell a little about yourself, ask for 5-10 minutes, and be very specific in your ask.” – Kimberley Gardiner  “When you encounter a failure, think about what you can learn from it rather than replaying the event over and over in your head. Put the record player away and move forward with the lesson.” – Kimberley Gardiner “Positioning success in terms of how it ladders up in the long term will help you be more successful in the short term.” - Kimberley Gardiner “By saying yes to everything you shortchange the things that are really important to you.”- Kimberley Gardiner  “The more you paint that picture early on, of what change can look like in the future, in a way that a person or team can relate to - saving you time, helping with turnover, achieving goals faster, and ultimately being more profitable, with a smaller footprint, the more people will be excited about the opportunity ahead.” - Kimberley Gardiner  About Kimberley Gardiner: Kimberley Gardiner, Chief Marketing Officer, Tractor Supply Company As the former Senior Vice President of Marketing & CMO at Volkswagen Group of America, Inc, Kimberley was responsible for leading brand marketing for VW, including building on the momentum generated by the introduction of Volkswagen’s first all-electric SUV, the ID. 4. Kimberley brings more than 20 years of automotive and marketing experience to her current role (joined Tractor Supply Co in July 2022). She recently served as the Chief Marketing Officer for Mitsubishi Motors North America and Kia Motors America, where she directed marketing efforts for the brand. Previously, she served as CMO and Vice President of Operations for 5th Kind, a global digital asset management company. She is known for being an innovative thinker with a passion for helping drive change in the automotive industry – a great fit for helping push for mainstream adoption of electric vehicles led by Volkswagen. Kimberley holds a bachelor’s degree from Mills College and an MBA from Indiana University. Links: LinkedIn: kimberley-sweet-gardiner

As a woman in leadership today, taking unconventional paths leads to more success. This means facing that challenge at work that everyone else is avoiding or putting yourself out on the line to make a tough decision. As a Senior Vice President at Publicis Sapient, Alyssa Altman leads the Automotive and Consumer Products industry in North America. She knows firsthand about shaping her company’s leadership. One way she’s done this is through a program called the Fellowship in Transformation Leadership which is an MBA-like series that is helping to mold Publicis Sapient’s next generation of managers.  Alyssa shares with us today how she builds solid teams that work together to accomplish their goals. She also talks about the importance of providing value to clients and always doing great work while still managing your career. She’s familiar with being the sole female leader in an organization and has many times had to find the courage to have that difficult conversation. Alyssa believes in learning from failure. She also believes in being authentic and looks for that quality in the people she hires. In addition, she looks for employees who aren’t afraid to make bold moves. Learn from Alyssa’s experiences and how she gained confidence as an impactful leader.  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 Alyssa.   Highlights: [03:37] Alyssa’s journey [09:03] Mastering managing at scale [11:19] Alyssa’s WHY [14:01] Doing great work AND managing your career [17:00] Being the only woman [19:44] Gaining the courage to have a difficult conversation [21:58] How to move your ideas forward [25:08] Evolution of effective business development [28:47] Approach to decision making [31:36] Learning from failure [39:24] Designing teams [41:18] Top trait for success [42:17] Common attributes of great leaders [46:26] What Alyssa wishes she had learned earlier in her career [47:48] Biggest trends that will impact business [53:17] The greatest joy of Alyssa’s career    Quotes:  “Leaders should not try to be everything to everyone, but instead build a team of people that feel empowered to take ownership and to tell you when they need you.” – Alyssa Altman “You always need to be in the work, because it gives you the perspective, it gives you the connection.” – Alyssa Altman “Don’t think of it as a sale, think of it as a partnership that you're helping to bring someone something they are going to see value in.” – Alyssa Altman “As a leader you need to find ways for people to feel like they're winning, even if you have a failure.” – Alyssa Altman “Acknowledge your successes and learn how to market them.” – Alyssa Altman  “Leaders are not afraid to make bold moves and make mistakes and then recover from those mistakes.” – Alyssa Altman  About Alyssa Altman: Alyssa Altman is a Senior Vice President at Publicis Sapient.  She leads the Automotive and Consumer Products industries in North America.  In her role, Alyssa helps her clients find their digital future through the delivery of omnichannel strategies and robust technology solutions. Throughout her 20+ years at Publicis Sapient, it has been her passion to shape and lead diverse teams who realize goals through inclusive collaboration. She believes that with the right people in the room actively engaging with each other, we gain valuable insights that create innovative solutions to any business problem we may face.  When not working directly with clients, she plays an active role in shaping and executing Publicis Sapient’s MBA-like leadership program called the Fellowship in Transformation Leadership.  Alyssa also has a keen interest in shaping the next generation of women leaders as an Advisory board member of Publicis Sapient Women’s Leadership Network (WLN). Externally, she is an Advisory board member of Debbie’s Treasure Chest and sponsors a community service initiative that teaches high-risk teens the skills necessary to enter the workforce. Alyssa was honored by Consulting Magazine as a “Global Leader in Consulting” for Excellence in Engagement. Prior to her tenure at Publicis Sapient, she worked for Ernst & Young in the Strategic Advisory Services Group. Alyssa has an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BA in English from the University of Michigan.    Links: Website: https://www.publicissapient.com/ LinkedIn: alyssaaltmanpublicissapient  Facebook: alyssa.altman Twitter: AlyssaAltman Instagram: @altmanalyssa

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?  “The Rabbit LIstened” by Cori Doerrfeld What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?  Happiness isn’t getting what you want, it’s wanting what you get. What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?  Fearless What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?  I hired a housekeeper. What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?  “Respect” by Aretha Franklin 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/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurapollock/

Who loves to hear feedback? Most people cringe the moment they hear someone has feedback for them. However, Mary Pryshlak, Senior Managing Director, Partner, and Head of Investment Research for Wellington Management, is one of the few people I’ve met who equates feedback to being a gift to help people grow. Mary has always been direct with giving feedback since she was a little girl and appreciates the same from others. She believes feedback is a valuable gift and uses it to better herself. That built Mary’s character and made her an impactful leader. Mary also isn’t afraid to ask others for help. She believes she can gain something from anyone she meets and has all kinds of mentors who teach her valuable lessons. Join us on this podcast as we listen to Mary’s stories about authenticity and building great relationships and a solid, supportive community.  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 Mary. Highlights:  [02:24] How Mary ended up in her current role in the financial industry [07:02] How Mary gained clarity about her career path [10:23] Pushing through fears to take advantage of opportunities [12:39] Overcoming setback  [16:34] Learning from feedback [20:31] Leveraging your community [23:53] Finding commonality to build relationships [26:08] How Mary built her circle through authenticity [29:14] Mary’s mentors [30:53] Lightning round questions Quotes: “Feedback is a gift.” – Mary Pryshlak “You can work hard, but you don’t always win.” – Mary Pryshlak “Self-reflection is a blessing and a curse.” – Mary Pryshlak “There is something you can learn from everyone.” – Mary Pryshlak Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you?  “Turn the Ship Around! A True Story of Turning Followers Into Leaders” by L. David Marquet What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?  “Dance like no one’s watching.”  What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?  Fierce What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?  Starting to run with my daughter and surrounding myself with the right people. What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?  “Fly From the Inside” by Shinedown   About Mary L. Pryshlak: Mary L. Pryshlak, CFA, is Senior Managing Director, Partner, and Head of Investment Research for Wellington Management. Mary leads a team of 130 investment research professionals who directly manage over $165 billion in client assets. These investment professionals conduct in-depth long term research and provide investment recommendations across Wellington’s global investment platform, which includes more than 900 portfolio managers worldwide. Mary’s team manages assets across a spectrum of strategies including hedge funds, sector funds and long only products. In aggregate, Mary’s team represents Wellington’s largest book of business for which Mary is the single point of accountability for investment performance and talent. Mary focuses on ensuring that Wellington is attracting, retaining, and motivating world-class securities analysts and investment talent; developing skills and capabilities that enable this world class team to globally connect the dots and evolve with a continually changing marketplace. Collaboration is a critical part of Mary’s philosophy and a hallmark of Wellington which is what enables the firm to identify future trends make informed investment decisions on behalf of clients. Prior to being named head of Investment Research, Mary was the director of Global Industry Research and previously spent 13 years as a global industry analyst covering property & casualty insurance stocks. Prior to joining Wellington in 2004, she was an equity analyst covering financial services at The Boston Company (2001 – 2003). Before that, she worked as an analyst at State Street Global Advisors (1995 – 2001) and held positions at Aeltus Investment Management Company (1994) and Spears Benzak Saloman and Farrell (1993 – 1994). Mary received her BA in economics and French from Rutgers College (1993). She also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the Association of Insurance and Financial Analysts (AIFA), the CFA Institute, and the CFA Society Boston. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-pryshlak-09748912/

Wendy Berger is a serial entrepreneur. For reasons she can’t even explain, Wendy grew up wanting to be president of a bank. Her journey has led her down the path to where she finds herself today as CEO and Founder of WBS Equities, LLC. Wendy used to always focus on the end result, but now she enjoys the journey. She learned this in part from the traumatic losses of her brother and then her husband three years later. Wendy didn’t allow the tragedy of their deaths to go in vain, instead she learned and developed the strength and tools for the successes she acquired to date. In this episode, Wendy also shares with us her ideas around “big thinking” and the courage it takes to make significant moves in life and business. She’s a curious businesswoman who now focuses on real estate and the cannabis industry, for which she serves on an executive board. And, if that isn’t impressive enough, she is an avid athlete who has completed 38 triathlons! Take a few minutes to tune in  and learn the tips and tools Wendy regularly shares with her many mentees. 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 Wendy.   Highlights:  [02:31] Wendy’s journey to where she is today  [07:18] Pushing through fear and self-doubt [13:35] Tools Wendy uses to think big [20:47] How to ask others for help [25:56] How to have confidence and promote yourself [30:24] What to do when facing a difficult day [37:05] Advice Wendy gives her mentees [40:25] Lightning round questions   Quotes: “It takes retraining our minds to be courageous enough to let go of our fears.” – Wendy Berger “Big thinking precedes great accomplishments.” – Wendy Berger “Each day is focused on what am I doing to help other women succeed.” – Wendy Berger “Place yourself in the middle of interesting conversations.” – Wendy Berger Lightning Round Questions:   What book has greatly influenced you?  “Churchill and the Jews: A Lifelong Friendship” by Winston Churchill (and another great one about triathlons) What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?  “For the dead and the living, we must bear witness.” – Elie Wiesel  What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?  Curious What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?  I stopped feeling my soul with food. What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?  “Steady Pull” by Jonatha Brooke or “Cool Change” by Little River Band   About Wendy Berger: Wendy is CEO and Founder of WBS Equities, LLC, a company she founded in 2004. WBS Equities specializes in ground-up construction, renovation, development, sale lease back transactions and acquisition of industrial buildings for food and beverage manufacturers and distributors. She has grown the business into a nationally recognized leader in this niche area within industrial real estate development and acquisitions. In addition to the firm’s focus on real estate development for food and beverage manufacturers and distributors, Wendy has over 30 years’ experience in real estate brokerage, real estate finance and structuring complex real estate transactions.  Wendy is also a serial entrepreneur. Outside of WBS Equities, LLC, Wendy brings decades of experience in strategic planning, execution, and exits for rapid growth start-ups. She loves being a part of the explosive growth phase of companies and working alongside founders to provide strategic leadership and guidance to help create dynamic and forward-thinking organizations.  Wendy serves on the Board of Directors of Green Thumb Industries, Inc. (GTI) (CSE: GTII) (OTC: GTBIF). Green Thumb is a national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and retailer, is dedicated to providing dignified access to cannabis while giving back to the communities in which they serve. Green Thumb manufactures and distributes a portfolio of branded cannabis products including Beboe, Dogwalkers, Dr. Solomon’s, incredibles, Rythm and The Feel Collection. The company also owns and operates rapidly growing national retail cannabis stores called Rise™ and Essence. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Green Thumb has 16 manufacturing facilities, 75 retail locations, licenses for 111 retail locations and operations across 15 U.S. states. Established in 2014, Green Thumb employs over 4,000 people and serves thousands of patients and customers each year.  In 2000, Wendy was employee number 11 at Orbitz, the Travel web site founded by Continental, American, Northwest, Delta, and United Airlines. Wendy was Director of the Enterprise Planning at Orbitz and focused on strategic planning. Prior to Orbitz, Wendy co-founded and was COO of Neoglyphics Media Corporation in 1994, which was one of the country’s first web site development firms.  Wendy began her career at American National Bank and Trust Company of Chicago (a subsidiary of First Chicago, now JP Morgan Chase) in Commercial Lending. Wendy spent several years as a principal with Berger Realty Group, an 80-year- old family-owned Real Estate business where she focused on residential and industrial property management and development.  Wendy earned her MBA in Finance and Real Estate from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business. She received a B.S., cum laude, in Finance and Marketing from Syracuse University. Wendy was a participant in the 2011 class of Leadership Greater Chicago. Wendy serves on the Board of directors of the Jewish Federation/Jewish United Fund of Chicago (2001 – 2007, and 2009 – present). Wendy served as the 2019 General Campaign Chair for the Jewish United Fund of Chicago and currently Chairs the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC). Wendy also serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Chicago Public Library Foundation Board (2016 – present). Wendy served on the Board of TEDxMidwest from 2010 - 2012. Other activities include the Wexner Heritage Program, Board Member Vice-President, and Membership Chair at The Standard Club of Chicago (1994 – 2004). Wendy is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and served as the chair of the Real Estate Membership Committee. In 2014, Wendy co-founded Illinois Women in Cannabis (IWC). IWC connects, educates, mentors, and supports Illinois women of all ages and backgrounds in order to maximize their opportunities in the emerging Illinois cannabis industry. In 2021 Wendy joined the Board of Directors of The Secure Community Network, the official safety and security network of the Jewish Community in North America.  Wendy is an avid Triathlete, having completed 39 Olympic distance triathlons and 13 half marathons. Wendy actively mentor’s young women, helping to guide them through the challenges of leadership and development. Wendy is a frequent speaker on Cannabis related real estate, industrial real estate, and the Cannabis industry and on Women’s leadership roles.   Links:   Website: https://wbsequities.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-berger-53157a10/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/wbsequities Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyaberger/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendybshap 

From an early age, B. Pagels-Minor found the tech world to be an exciting place. And, driven by that excitement, they started from the ground up with a job in technical support. B worked their way through well-known companies like Apple and Netflix to work today for a Fortune 100 company. Though B. was always curious by nature, they didn’t quite know what options they’d have to pursue as they figured out, “What they wanted to be when they grew up”. B. recognized that they can learn how to do anything with focus. However, they also realized that it was easy for them to procrastinate.  So, in order to avoid procrastinating, B. made a point of always over delivering on their promises.  B. is authentic in everything they do. Their authenticity is vital in building community, which is extremely important to them. Join us in this fascinating discussion with B. A conversation that you wish wouldn’t end.  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 B. Highlights:  [02:11] B.’s journey to where they are today in the world of tech  [09:11] Being authentic and not putting yourself in a box [16:35] Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs [22:38] How B. shifted their mindset about themself  [26:42] Building a powerful community [33:32] Being concerned about your likability [37:56] Lightning round questions Quotes: “I’m very curious about how to create great experiences for people.” – B. Pagels-Minor “You can’t do anything well if you’re only spending 50% of your time on it.” – B. Pagels-Minor “Instant action creates the most success.” – B. Pagels-Minor Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you?  “Inherit the Wind” by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?  “And now here’s my secret, a very simple secret, it’s only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye.” - “The Little Prince” What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?  Truth Teller  What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?  Trying to read one news article a day What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?  “Queen” by Janelle Monae and Erykah Badu   About B. Pagels-Minor: B. Pagels-Minor is a speaker, fierce diversity advocate, and thought leader on product and culture development within technology companies. From Mississippi to Chicago to Silicon Valley, B. Pagels-Minor has spent over a decade creating great products for amazing brands and enriching the community around them, including working for Publicis Groupe, Sprout Social, and Apple to name a few. Today B. is an expert Product Management Leader, as well as a respected thought-leader in agile technologies. They approach every problem with strategy, curiosity, and genuine authenticity. As a dedicated enthusiast of sustainable processes, great products, and culture development, B.’s fierce drive to promote diversity in tech and impact real authentic change continues to define both their work and life outside of work. When there’s free time to spare, you can find B. scouring the latest financial and tech news, leading a thought-provoking personal blog, and giving back to various organizations as an active board member holding roles like the Vice Chair & Secretary on the Board of Directors at Howard Brown Health for the LGBTQ community, and Vice President & Secretary on the Board of Directors at the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago. B. currently resides with their wife in Los Angeles, California.   Links: Website: https://www.bpagelsminor.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bpagelsminor/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/bpagelsminor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bpagelsminor/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bpagelsminor2/ 

With the looming recession, soaring inflation, rising interest rates, and compounding workplace stressors at an all-time high, BURNOUT is only worsening. What's worse is a recent global study indicates that for women and BIPOC women, their “everyday” workplace experiences are having a detrimental impact on their lives and careers, including work/life integration and wellbeing.  In this episode, we dig into what's happening and what we can do to help ourselves get through this. Highlights:  [00:36] The reasons for burnout [01:59] What the studies say about women and burnout[05:07] The definition of burnout[07:09] Identifying burnout [08:52] Importance of sleep[10:52] Using play and creativity  to cope[11:58] Taking time for yourself[13:15] Ask yourself why you are burning out Quotes: “Burnout is a state of just complete exhaustion, but it’s prolonged stress. Stress and burnout are two different things.” - Monica Marquez “Let’s not make it taboo to talk about feeling stressed out to the point of burnout.”  - Monica Marquez “Sleep is nature’s greatest healer.”  - 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