BEYOND BARRIERS

Ever feel like an impostor in your own success story? That's exactly the experience co-founder and partner of Cardone Ventures, Natalie Dawson, intricately navigated. She transformed this so-called 'imposter syndrome' into a secret weapon for success, thereby creating a compelling narrative of resilience and self-improvement. Navigating the challenging waters of a high-level leadership position at 23, falling in love with a man 25 years her senior and rejecting the stereotype of the 'trophy wife'—Natalie's journey is anything but conventional. She embodies an ethos of continuous learning and improvement with her favourite mantra, 'Google that shit'. Encouraging her team to tackle the unfamiliar with relentless curiosity is testament to her groundbreaking approach. An Amazon best-selling author, Natalie offers in-depth insight into her successful methodology in her book, 'TeamWork.' She shares wisdom on constructing efficient teams and embracing pressure as a privileged opportunity. Her take on mentorship is to keep queries specific and purposeful, rather than a vague 'can I pick your brain?' If you find your inner voice bombarding you with doubts, questioning your rightful position at the table, this powerful podcast will serve as an inspiring guide. Tune in, gain insights, and empower your journey with Natalie Dawson. Be sure to subscribe, share and leave us a review. Let's redefine success together! 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 Natalie. Highlights: [02:55] Natalie’s career path and discovering her value [08:22] Leaning into who you are [08:25] Embracing and communicating your value [13:24] Overcoming limiting beliefs [16:56] Facing tasks you’ve never done before [19:35] How Natalie stays ahead [19:01] The secret of teamwork [21:36] Asking for and dealing with feedback [24:41] Leveraging your community [27:43] Aligning teams with business objectives [30:53] Advice to young professionals who want to pivot in their careers [36:09] Lightning round questions Quotes: “My biggest fear was imposter syndrome, and the way I got over it was I really didn’t have a choice.” – Natalie Dawson “When you become great at something, you love that thing because you’re rewarded for being great.” – Natalie Dawson “Pressure is a privilege.” – Natalie Dawson Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - “Beyond Positive Thinking” by Robert Anthony What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - "Success is my duty.” by Grant Cardone What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Passionate What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? - Going to bed at 9:30 and using the Super Human app for emails. What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - "Peaches” by Justin Bieber About Natalie Dawson: Natalie Dawson is an expert in developing people and building scalable teams. She has interviewed, hired, trained, and led thousands of employees over the course of her career, most recently as Co-Founder and Partner of Cardone Ventures, a management consulting, joint ventures, and private equity firm that helps business owners achieve their personal, professional, and financial goals through the growth of their business. With no cost of capital, no outside investment, in 30 months Cardone Ventures has generated 60 million in revenue and over 30 million in EBITDA. Natalie is responsible for the operations and finding, hiring, aligning, developing and retaining the team that allows the business to scale profitably. Having attended the London School of Economics, Natalie uses her unique blend of operational and financial skill sets to align employees with the business objectives--for measurable returns on investment. She is a #1 Amazon best seller for her book “TeamWork” which details exactly how she has built a highly engaged, highly aligned, high performance team in order to accommodate the business opportunity and growth. Links: Natalies Instagram Natalies Tik Tok Natalies Website Natalies Twitter Natalies "WorkWoman" Podcast Cardone Ventures Events Page

"Remember, ‘Life is not a dress rehearsal’." This vital fatherly wisdom from Robin Wheeler’s childhood resonates in each step of her successful journey. As the Chief Revenue Officer at Fetch, Robin lives by this credo, becoming a risk-taker who skillfully transforms every challenge into an opportunity. She unveils her exceptional journey navigating significant roles at industry powerhouses such as People Magazine, AOL, Twitter, and intricately weaves a narrative of how her success required a move across the country to integrate her career with her personal life. Robin brings to light the critical elements of her success, primarily her daring choice of venturing into the less-traveled path and embracing challenges outside her comfort zone. She identified her super power for connecting with people and influencing through sales. With an unwavering belief in her value, she recomposes our understanding of self-worth: trusting ourselves and knowing the remarkable skills we bring to the table. This episode untangles the bustling knitting of a thriving career and mothering twins. Hear from Robin herself about her effective strategies surrounding work-life integration and the importance she assigns to downtime expectations. 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 Robin. Highlights: [03:03] Robin’s background and path to Twitter [08:51] Adapting & evolving [11:45] Knowing your strengths [14:37] Leveraging your community [19:22] How to make decisions and avoiding analysis paralysis [22:52] Work/life integration [27:37] Lightning round questions Quotes: “People are at the heart of sales.” – Robin Wheeler “You have to trust the value that you’re bringing and know that you belong in that role.” – Robin Wheeler “If work/life balance means you have to take a step back, that doesn’t mean you’re failing, that doesn’t mean you’re not growing, it just means that’s what’s right for you at the moment.” – Robin Wheeler Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol Dweck What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - "Life is not a dress rehearsal.” And “Mind over matter, anything is achievable.” And “Comparison is the thief of joy.” What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Authentic What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? - Getting outside at least once a day. What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - "Confident” by Demi Lovato About Robin Wheeler: Robin Wheeler is a strategic and inspirational Global leader with over 20 years of experience leading revenue teams. She has a strong track record of building high performing teams from the ground up and leading existing teams through change and turnarounds. A data driven decision maker, Robin is adept at successfully navigating the challenges of fast paced and constantly evolving industries in order to drive results. Robin currently serves as the Chief Revenue Officer at Fetch, a consumer engagement and rewards platform. In her role she oversees the sales team and partners with the biggest names across consumer packaged goods, retail and restaurants to help them leverage Fetch’s unique data and engaged user base to drive measurable results for their businesses. Prior to Fetch, Robin spent 11 years at Twitter where she held various leadership roles throughout that tenure. In addition to overseeing the Consumer Packaged Goods team and the Technology and Telecom team, Robin also launched a new division targeted at mid-market businesses. Robin also spent time as the Global Head of MoPub, Twitter’s mobile app monetization platform, overseeing the Supply Team, the Demand Team, Marketing, Analytics and Operations in the US, UK, Japan, Singapore and Dublin. Robin also served as Twitter’s Vice President, US Client Solutions, where she oversaw the team that serviced the largest brands all the way through to the Customer Success team who onboarded new small businesses. Prior to Twitter, Robin worked for AOL, Time Inc and US News and World Report and started her career on the agency side at TBWA\Chiat\Day LA where she worked on the Apple business. Robin also sits on the board of Sliide, a mobile technology company, based in the UK. Robin holds a Bachelor of Arts from Villanova University. When Robin isn’t working she loves spending time traveling with her family, snowboarding, hiking with her dogs and working out at F45. She resides in the Bay Area in Northern California with her husband and twin teenage daughters. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-partenheimer-wheeler/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/robinw

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: [03:02] What shaped Rati [07:43] Early career clarity [11:19] Knowing your value [14:30] Obstacles and fears Rati has overcome [17:33] Staying focused during volatile times and during setbacks [20:37] Making key decisions [23:30] The type of people that make you better [27:14] Getting by early on [28:29] Shifting to lead a larger organization [33:38] Having mostly female employees [35:55] Top 3 things to focus on [37:13] Rati’s company’s vision and how it drives their values [33:16] Building key business relationships [44:47] Lightning round questions Quotes: “Have a bias toward action.” – Rati Sahi Levesque “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 book has greatly influenced you? - “Circe” by Madeline Miller What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - "Between stimulus and response, there’s space, and that space is our power to choose our response, and in our response lies our growth and our freedom.” What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Resilient What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? - Little things like sleeping, taking walks, or getting a massage. What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - Anything by M.I.A. 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: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rati-sahi-levesque-782b824/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealrati/

It can be challenging to balance personal authenticity with professional boundaries, but it's crucial for our overall well-being. A rewarding work-life involves authenticity, tapping into our passions, and finding the right support. In this interview, you’ll meet Theresa Ludvigson, Senior Vice President of People at Qualified, the #1 pipeline generation platform for Salesforce, where Theresa previously held multiple management positions. Theresa enthusiastically shares stories from her past experiences. She discusses the challenges of learning new skills when switching jobs and the importance of staying true to who you are. You’ll love her honesty, optimism, and electrifying energy. Theresa loves helping and coaching others and finding the right support to achieve that. 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 Theresa. Highlights: [02:22] Theresa’s career path [04:46] Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs [10:09] How to ask others for support [13:20] Tapping into your passion [15:59] Staying ahead of the curve [18:15] Knowing your limits and saying no [21:02] Leading by example [22:36] How to integrate work with life [25:25] Finding mentors & building relationships [28:20] Finding clarity and direction in the workplace [31:22] Creating and promoting your personal brand [33:16] Lightning round questions [37:46] Where to find Theresa online Quotes: “Simply asking ‘Hey, how can I support you?’ opens up the door and allows an individual to share how you can best help them.” – Theresa Ludvigson “Leading with transparency and authenticity is key.” – Theresa Ludvigson Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - “Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.” - Oprah Winfrey What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - So Glam What is one change you've implanted that made your life better? - Caffeine to fuel my energy. What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani About Theresa Ludvigson: Theresa Ludvigson is the Senior Vice President of People at Qualified, the #1 pipeline generation platform for Salesforce. She joined the company in January of 2022 and leads Qualified's overall people experience strategy, which includes talent acquisition, leadership development, diversity and inclusion, compensation and benefits, HR operations and technology, and employee relations. Under her leadership, she’s created a team of employee-focused culture champions that touch every point of the employee lifecycle, and help Qualified employees feel empowered to do their best work while inspiring each other to learn and grow. Prior to Qualified, Theresa led global new hire onboarding, employee loyalty programs, and the alumni network as Vice President, Global Onboarding and Loyalty Programs at Salesforce. She also held positions in Talent Development, Employee Engagement, Sales Effectiveness, Customer Marketing, and Sales while at Salesforce.  Theresa holds degrees in Journalism and Ethnic Studies from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her two sons. Links: Website: https://www.qualified.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tludvigson/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/tludvigs

With a remarkable career journey that began in investment banking, Erika Irish Brown, Citi’s Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer and Global Head of Talent, shares how seeking guidance and sponsorship from unlikely sources propelled her career, inspiring young professionals to overcome barriers and find success in their own way. As a lifelong learner and dedicated advocate for giving back, Erika understands the importance of mentorship and sponsorship in achieving professional success. Hailing from a Caribbean family in Brooklyn, Erika's educational background and commitment to lifting up community have played key roles in shaping her successful career journey. In fact, she was brought up with the saying, "To whom much is given, much is required". As a successful professional in the world of investment banking, Erika Irish Brown knew that something was missing. She wanted to leave a lasting legacy and make a difference in the lives of others, particularly those with diverse backgrounds. This desire led her to take a leap of faith and transition into the world of diversity, equity, and inclusion, even before it became a recognized field. Along the way, Erika discovered the immense value of mentorship and the powerful role that sponsors play in supporting one's career growth. By harnessing the wisdom and guidance of these influential figures, Erika was able to unlock her full potential and create a lasting impact in her field. Join us to hear more about Erika’s inspiring story. 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 Erika. Highlights: [02:43] Erika’s path to success and what she’s learned along the way [10:19] Mentors & sponsors [18:13] Mentor relationships take work [18:15] Moving into the DEI space [25:26] Acculturating & embracing authenticity [29:40] Making hard decisions [33:58] Lightning round questions Quotes: "I started to be more successful when I started to use my voice and be my authentic self."– Erika Irish Brown “If you don’t ask, you don’t get.” – Erika Irish Brown "Nobody does it on their own and unfortunately, very often women and people of color are reluctant to ask for help because they view it as a sign of weakness or perhaps that they are less than." – Erika Irish Brown “Once you’ve had a track record of success, you can gain traction, and success begets success.” – Erika Irish Brown "I always felt like there was a business case for diversity from what I had experienced early on and approached it like a business." - Erika Irish Brown   Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - “Becoming” by Michelle Obama What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - “Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.” – Shirley Chisolm What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Resilient & tenacious What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? - Working out almost every day, no matter what. What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - "I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan or “Brooklyn Go Hard” by Jay-Z About Erika Irish Brown: Erika is Citi’s Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer and Global Head of Talent, responsible for developing global diversity, equity and inclusion strategy and driving Citi’s agenda on talent planning, succession planning and leadership development. Prior to joining Citi, Erika was Chief Diversity Officer at Goldman Sachs from 2018 to 2021 and Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Bloomberg from 2015 to 2018. Prior to this, she led executive and diversity hiring efforts at Bank of America and Lehman Brothers. Erika's background includes a range of banking and finance roles, including Head of Business Development for Black Entertainment Television, Senior Associate in High Yield Capital Markets at Morgan Stanley and Senior Policy Analyst for Domestic Finance for the United States Department of the Treasury. She began her career as an Analyst in Public Finance at Lehman Brothers. Erika is Vice Chair of the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation and serves on the Boards of Columbia Business School and the Riverside Hawks. Erika earned a BS in Economics from the State University of New York at Albany and an MBA from Columbia Business School. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikairishbrown/

This conversation features the charismatic Jessica Doyle-Mekkes, a woman on a mission to transform women's approach towards public speaking. Rooted in her background as a performer and the head of East Carolina University's Musical Theater program, Jessica's unique insights aid women in breaking through traditional communication barriers. Her engaging work showcases the critical connection between performance anxiety in the arts and public speaking, offering women much-needed tactics to overcome fears, boost their confidence, and amplify their voices without fail. A seasoned performer and vocal coach, Jessica found a new passion in empowering women through their voices. Encouraged by the brilliant women in her life, Jessica embarked on a journey to help others articulate their needs and tackle tough conversations confidently. Her unique approach was shaped by her years of experience in the arts, her knowledge of voice research, and her work in combating performance anxiety. Jessica believes that the power of one's voice lies in muscular strength and proper hydration. Her emphasis on practical techniques like focusing on breath, maintaining abdominal flexibility, and preparing for different situations, has proved to be a real game-changer for many women, helping them reclaim their voice and use it more fearlessly. If you’re struggling with using your voice and looking for practical insights, this podcast 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 Jessica. Highlights: [02:38] Jessica’s journey and how she became an author [07:32] The power of your voice ad how to train and use it [13:05] How to address voice quivers [16:57] Overcoming stage fright [21:12] How to empower yourself when things don’t go right [26:01] Habits of success [31:47] Mentors, sponsors, and building strategic relationships [35:39] Lightning round questions Quotes: “A voice is something we all have.” – Jessica Doyle-Mekkes “The voice itself is largely made up of skeletal muscle, the same muscle we work in the gym, and so it can be trained.” – Jessica Doyle-Mekkes “Taking a pause or taking a breath is the ultimate opportunity to reset.” – Jessica Doyle-Mekkes “Don’t burn bridges, ever.” – Jessica Doyle-Mekkes Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - “The New Science of Learning How to Learn in Harmony with Your Brain” by Terry Doyle (my dad) and Todd Zakrajsek What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - "I’m not good, I’m not nice, I’m just right." – Stephen Sondheim (Into the Woods) - “When opportunity knocks, answer the door, even if you’re in your bathrobe.” – Dolly Parton What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Appassionato (musical term that means passion) What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? - Getting up early. What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - "Roar” by Katy Perry About Jessica Doyle-Mekkes: Jessica Doyle-Mekkes is the Head of Musical Theatre at East Carolina University where she has taught voice and vocal pedagogy since 2017. Jessica has spent the last 15 years studying the human voice and working as a vocal coach for actors, singers, and public speakers. An internationally published writer and sought after clinician, her debut book, I’m Speaking: every woman’s guide to finding your voice & using it fearlessly comes out October 2023 from Rowman & Littlefield and was recently listed as one of the publisher’s most anticipated titles of 2023 with women at their forefront. Jessica works as a speaker, advisor, and clinician to individuals, groups, NGO’s and businesses small and large teaching women how to harness the power of their voices: in their heads & out of their mouths. “I don’t believe in lowering the pitch of a woman's voice so she can be heard on a microphone that was made for a man. I don't believe that the natural sound of a woman's voice makes her sound 'annoying' or 'unintelligent.' I do believe that all women are capable, by making small, specific changes, to speak in a way that both reflects who she is and commands a room.” – Jessica Doyle-Mekkes Jessica lives in Greenville, NC with her husband Don, their daughters Tallulah and Jolie, and a codependent chihuahua named Sebastian. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicadoyle-mekkes/

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 on self-promotion and reveals the hidden lessons we can learn from a unique tribe of women in southwest China. 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: [02:55] Caroline’s background [08:08] Leveraging your networks [17:57] Women supporting women [22:30] Realizing who will support you [27:55] Self-promotion [34:47] Unconscious envy of others and pruning your friends [39:08] Lightning round questions Quotes: “To stop dying alone, we have to start living together.” – Caroline Miller “If you amplify the good news, success, or big idea of another woman, and do it with witnesses, that’s when there is real evidence that you are that woman who walks the walk.” – Caroline Miller “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 That Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest” by Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller, and Vikram Malhotra 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? - Fun 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 happy and enthusiastic about it, and now it’s the most natural behavior in my life. 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 one of the world’s leading positive psychology experts on Goals & Grit TM. Caroline is passionate about helping people get more grit, achieve their goals, and find happiness. She’s spent more than 30 years helping individuals, leaders, and companies cultivate grit, one of the top indicators of success and flourishing. 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/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolineadamsmiller/

Get ready to be inspired by Dr. Virnitia Dixon, a powerhouse in the world of diversity, equity, and inclusion. With a background in insurance and strategy, Virnitia has spent her career helping organizations extract potential and build high-performing teams. After realizing her true passion for people and culture, she pursued her doctorate in organizational leadership and later transitioned into her current role as Chief Diversity Officer at Santander. Virnitia's unique approach to DEI emphasizes the power of human connection and community, making her a key voice in the industry. Dr. Dixon introduces and discusses the SAM model (Sponsorship, Advocacy, and Mentorship), explaining that each element carries its distinct importance in career advancement. Through mentorship programs focused on skill development, career and cultural navigation in advocacy, and social capital investment in sponsorship, individuals can maximize their opportunities for growth and success. Don't miss the chance to learn from her insights on continuous growth and success in today's world, taking risks and leading with passion and purpose to create human connections and bridge the gaps in our society. 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 Virnitia. Highlights: [02:38] Virnitia’s background [08:10] Weighing risk vs. reward and saying yes [10:45] Continuing to learn [14:38] Building a community [18:31] Finding mentors and sponsors [23:43] Accepting feedback and listening to others’ truth about you [28:52] Mindset and tapping into your authentic self [32:14] Introspection and learning about yourself [35:33] Lightning round questions Quotes: “Building bridges between people is the core of inclusion.” – Dr. Virnitia Dixon “For me to be authentic and vulnerable, and share with you who I am, it opens the floor for you to do the same, and that’s how we create community.” – Dr. Virnitia Dixon “The time in contemplation with oneself really helps us connect with others.” – Dr. Virnitia Dixon Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - “Good is Not Enough: And Other Unwritten Rules for Minority Professionals” by Keith R. Wyche What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - Good better best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best. What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Blessed (and privileged to serve) What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? - Understanding it’s the journey and not the destination. Knowing myself. Having a balance of confidence and humility. What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - "Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield About Dr. Virnitia Dixon: Dr. Virnitia Dixon is the Chief Diversity Officer and Head of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office at Santander US. Prior to joining Santander, Dr. Dixon was an executive coach and consultant working with Fortune 500 senior executives to transform corporate culture through leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her background is primarily in financial services, where she previously held roles as a Corporate VP of Strategy for New York Life and VP of Operations for Travelers Property Casualty. Dr. Dixon is an Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC) certified professional coach and holds a Doctorate of Management in Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix, a Masters of Business Administration in Management, and a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies, both from the University of Hartford. A world traveler, patent-holder, speaker, and innovator, Dr. Hendricks is most proud of her work in the community where she supports charities focused on ensuring basic human needs. Dr. Dixon's life mission is "to be a blessing to the lives of many, one person at a time." Links: LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-virnitia-j-hendricks/

As a former Division 1 basketball captain, Jennifer learned leadership and resilience, skills she took with her as she pursued her law degree and eventually, her career in financial planning. Starting out as an advisor to others, Jen eventually formed, ran and sold her very successful practice. She is now the Chief Experience Officer and Partner at WestPoint Financial group, one of the largest advisory firms in the midwest. Jennifer loves to solve problems and she loves getting to know the people she works with, mostly so that she can help them succeed. In this podcast, Jennifer emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence and managing your emotions at work. She talks about how vital patience and resilience are to being a good employee. But Jennifer’s ultimate superpower? Her competitive nature. She says her athletic background has helped her deal with the complexity of her career. On a personal note, Jennifer has had challenges with her health that led her to making self-care a priority. She balances pushing herself and meeting her goals with getting plenty of sleep and exercise. She doesn’t really believe in work/life balance but rather finding a perfect imbalance. This podcast is a wealth of insight and inspiration we’ve just touched on here, so join us as Jennifer shares her wisdom with us in this podcast. Highlights: [03:35] Jennifer’s professional timeline [07:28] What she’s learned at work to be a better mom [08:24] Lessons learned [11:51] What to do when you get knocked down [13:27] Her super power: competitiveness [15:19] Division 1 background in basketball [18:18] Great advice about being an introvert [19:50] Importance of community [22:31] The key to gaining clarity about career [24:23] Being goal oriented [26:15] What she wants her kids to know [28:53] Jennifer’s daily habits [30:11] Taking risks [31:37] Forming a personal cabinet [33:46] Modern communication and relationships [35:50] Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs [38:42] A typical day in Jennifer’s life [41:51] Finding mentors and sponsors [45:24] Looking back and moving forward [48:04] Lightning Round Questions Quotes: “I always think, what else can we do better?” – Jennifer des Groseilliers “Community develops over time because you have common interests and common activities you want to do together.” – Jennifer des Groseilliers “I have discovered for myself there is no work-life balance. There’s just perfect imbalance at any given time.” – Jennifer des Groseilliers Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - “Fast. Feast. Repeat.” by Gin Stephens What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - "Left foot, right foot, breathe, repeat." Pat Summitt What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Competitive What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? - Intermittent fasting. What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - "No Roots" by Alice Merton About Jennifer des Groseilliers: Jennifer des Groseilliers has achieved many of her life goals, yet she has found her greatest success in helping others. A lawyer, award-winning financial service provider, wife, mother of three, and former Division 1 basketball captain, Jen is most proud of knowing that she has motivated and inspired others to succeed. After practicing law for three years, Jen was drawn to financial planning as a way to make a positive impact on people’s lives. In 2001, she joined Ameriprise and discovered that her legal training provided her with keen insights into financial markets, tax ramifications of financial decisions, and financial planning strategies. She quickly distinguished herself as a top financial advisor. The coaching and motivational skills she discovered as an athlete translated to business, and soon she was helping other advisors achieve similar success. Fast-forward to today, Jennifer is now a Partner at WestPoint Financial Group (WPFG). She leads the Investment Department, Compliance, Practice Development and Financial Planning. Jen is also the owner of Comprehensive Financial Concepts (CFC), which is a Property and Casualty specialty company located in the greater Chicagoland area. Her experience as CEO & General Agent of Mass Mutual Illinois Agency, helped propel her into her current role when three independent financial services firms operating as general agencies of MassMutual announced they merged to into WestPoint Financial Group. This created one of the largest insurance and wealth management firms in the Midwest. The firm’s strength and differentiator lie in the diverse backgrounds, experience and specializations of its 400+ financial service representatives and an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional client service. Relentless in pursuing her vision of being an inspiring leader, Jen seeks those who share in her core values: integrity, intelligence, work ethic, and inclusivity. Her top priority is to foster an environment where her team have the support, guidance, and tools necessary to succeed. In doing so, she has built a culture that values diversity, excellence and collaboration. Jen’s capabilities as both a financial advisor and leader have won her the accolades of clients, company representatives, and industry experts. She is a cum laude graduate of the New England School of Law and received her Bachelor of Arts from State University of New York Buffalo. Jennifer also holds Series 7, 24, 66, 4 and 51 FINRA licenses. Jen and her spouse live in Glenview, Illinois with their three children. She enjoys hot yoga, biking, cooking and making memories with her family. Links: LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferadesgroseilliers/

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. Like most of us, Jen has encountered imposter syndrome. In those moments, she found strength and fortitude from her network and personal board of directors who have been positive forces in her life. Jen believes it’s important to have people in your life that push you to be better. 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 [05:28] What Jen’s learned so far [07:52] How she has pushed through limiting beliefs [11:58] How she formed her personal board of directors [15:58] Jen’s journey to leadership [19:37] Setting and achieving goals [23:23] The importance of confidence [26:06] How Jen stays grounded [29:22] Taking risks [33:25] Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Metaverse [39:40] What Jen wants her kids to know [42:39] Lightning round questions Quotes: “It takes a village to make things happen, and the only way to have that village is if you really foster those networks and connections that you have.” – Jen Coffey “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 taking on other’s emotions.) What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Passionate 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 shape how clients leverage the latest technologies to create immersive, memorable and more durable learning experiences - for their people and their customers. She is also a Career Coach, Voiceover Artist, EQ Coach/Facilitator, Certified Scrum Master and Agile Coach. With over a decade at Accenture, Jen has deep experience in learning, developing people and teams and is passionate about leadership development, psychology, theatre, music and writing. She lives outside of Chicago with her partner, two kids and two dogs. Links: LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-coffey-97a4a5a0/