BEYOND BARRIERS

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/

Discover the power of optimism, perseverance, and relentless determination in this inspiring conversation with Mou Dasgupta. As the Founder and CEO of Brook37 The Atelier (uh·teh·lee·ay), an innovative American tea brand, Mou has overcome numerous obstacles on her journey to success. Born in India, she didn't learn English until she was 18 years old, yet went on to study physics and computer science before landing in the finance industry. Facing the challenges of being a single mom with a demanding career, Mou courageously attempted to leave her job at JP Morgan three times before finally succeeding in pursuing her passion for tea production. Mou's corporate background has been invaluable in navigating the challenges of starting a business. Throughout her entrepreneurial journey, she has been unafraid to seek help and share her story, leading to an incredible response from others and even attracting collaborators. As a self-described trendsetter, she has infused her unique vision into every aspect of her brand, from the packaging and aroma to the sensory experience of her tea. Her authentic and transparent approach has attracted a talented team of female managers who share her commitment to producing exceptional tea while upholding their environmental and social values. Whether you're an entrepreneur seeking inspiration or simply searching for motivation to keep pushing forward in your own ventures, this podcast is a must-listen. 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 Mou. Highlights: [02:49] Mou’s journey from India [08:01] Why it took three attempts to leave her job in the financial industry [09:53] Overcoming challenges and limiting beliefs to leave her job [13:33] How Mou started her tea business [17:11] What was important to her tea brand [22:25] Leveraging important relationships [24:30] The great response Mou received about her brand, Brook37 [26:47] Telling the story of her small tea company [29:16] Finding mentors and sponsors [31:29] What to unlearn from corporate life [34:14] Practicing self care [36:01] Lightning round questions Quotes: “My brand is a reflection of me.” – Mou Dasgupta “From every conversation I have, I learn something.” – Mou Dasgupta “I think my corporate career got me ready to prepare myself before a meeting.” – Mou Dasgupta Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead” by Nell Scovell and Sheryl Sandberg What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - It’s not done until it’s done. What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Trendsetter What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? - Self care, working out, eating healthy. What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - "Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys About Mou Dasgupta: Mou Dasgupta is a Trendsetting Disrupter on a mission to bring luxury tea to discerning American households and make their moments of connections more memorable, in a socially and environmentally conscious way. Mou is an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, an equality advocate, and a leader in building high performing teams. Mou is the Founder and CEO of Brook37 The Atelier, an American tea brand, that has the goal to disrupt the dusty tea industry by introducing the rarest and the most exquisite teas to American consumers. She believes that a premium tea is the non-alcoholic sibling of premium wine and it needs to be reimagined. Mou comes with 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. She held key leadership positions at Capital Group, Morgan Stanley, and J P Morgan Chase, prior to her departure from the corporate career. She is known to be a champion for diversity and equality. She established Lean in Circles and spearheaded multiple corporate programs for women’s advancements. At the peak of her career, Mou decided to depart her corporate life and follow her passion to build a brand where the core values will be of driving force and not financial gain. Brook37 is Plastic Neutral and 1% for the planet certified from day 1 and they donate 2% of their revenue to social and environmental causes. Brook37 is a woman first organization, where 90% of the team members are women, not by design, but by pure talent. Mou has worked all her life in providing support for various causes. Her Covid relief work was featured by J P Morgan, where she single-handedly supported businesses as well as communities in need in India. Mou is an avid supporter of various NGOs and educational institutions within and outside the USA. Mou has an undergraduate degree in Physics and a MS in Computer Science. Her passion is to disrupt the status quo, that led her to create her brand Brook37. Mou lives in Princeton, NJ with her husband Sanjay, their dog Mishti and cat Zara. They have a daughter Emily, and two sons Sabar and Navin who live in New York. Links: Website: https://brook37.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mou-dasgupta/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brook37tea/

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: [02:36] One thing Naz’s journey has taught her [04:09] Her immigrant journey [07:42] Being an outsider and forming her own identity [09:54] How Naz got into her industry [14:05] What Naz would tell her younger self about banking [16:53] Life in Iran today [19:43] Protecting women’s rights [21:44] Taking a stand on social issues [24:01] Diversity, equity, and inclusion [27:26] How Naz authentically stood out [33:42] Overcoming self doubt [39:41] Coping with setbacks [43:46] The key to building powerful and lasting relationships [49:54] Lightning round questions Quotes: “I have learned you can't take comfort or what you have for granted.” – Mehrnaz (Naz) Vahid “You just have to make the voice in your head that says, "I'm good enough," louder.” – Mehrnaz (Naz) Vahid “Every time you elevate yourself, you elevate someone behind you as well.” – Mehrnaz (Naz) Vahid Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - “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 forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelou What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Resilient 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? "Fight Song" by Rachel Platten   About Mehrnaz (Naz) Vahid: Naz Vahid is a Managing Director and Head of Citi Global Wealth at Work. In this role, Naz and her team provide tailored financial solutions to working professionals within the legal, asset management and professional services industries. 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 Private Bank’s Mentorship Program. Prior to leading the Law Firm Group, she was the Global Market Manager for the East Coast and London responsible for six Law Firm Group offices. 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/

Today, we're thrilled to have Peggy Klaus, President & Founder of Klaus & Associates, as our special guest. From Hollywood beginnings to championing women in leadership, Peggy's inspiring journey led her to author two game-changing books, "The Hard Truth About Soft Skills" and "Brag! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It." These books have become invaluable resources for those seeking to improve their soft skills and self-promotion techniques. Peggy has also developed an empowering program called "Unstoppable," which addresses key issues critical for women’s success, including confidence,fearlessness, and purpose. Today, Peggy shares with us priceless tips for self-promotion, including tackling the issue of avoiding the "bitch" label in the workplace. Peggy reminds us of the importance of taking risks, embracing failure, and ultimately being proud of ourselves. For Peggy, self-promotion and "bragging" are about finding the sweet spot between humble and obnoxious and celebrating our accomplishments with confidence. Join us for this engaging and inspiring conversation with Peggy Klaus, and discover how to master the art of self-promotion and be proud of your achievements! 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 Peggy. Highlights: [01:11] How Peggy got to where she is professionally [05:00] Soft skills that are difficult to women [10:05] Strategies for making risks [14:08] How to self-promote [20:09] Overcoming feelings of humility [22:59] The soft skill you should work on [25:47] Taking inventory of your strengths and weaknesses [27:22] Lightning round questions Quotes: “The hardest skills are the soft skills.” – Peggy Klaus “You’ve got to fail to succeed.” – Peggy Klaus “Humility is lovely but not when it makes one ineffectually humble.” – Peggy Klaus Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - “The 1619 Project” by Nikole Hannah-Jones What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - I don’t know what someone else’s journey is. What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Energizer bunny What is one change you've implanted that made your life better? - I changed my marital status and moved to Santa Fe What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “Here Comes the Sun” by Richie Havens or The Beatles About  Peggy Klaus: You may have seen Peggy Klaus on Nightline, 20/20, and The Today Show, or have read her advice in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune Magazine, Harvard Business Review, and O Magazine. She is the author of two best-selling books, BRAG! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It and The Hard Truth About Soft Skills: Workplace Lessons Smart People Wish They’d Learned Sooner. As a communication and leadership expert, Peggy has spent more than two decades helping thousands of professionals from Fortune 500’s, mid-size companies, and start-ups succeed in their jobs. She has also dedicated much of her career to empowering women of all ages. And, once again, Peggy brings this work into the spotlight with the launch of “Unstoppable!” — her new, cutting-edge program designed to address the key issues critical for women’s success: confidence, fearlessness, and purpose, among others. Taking her message from the boardroom to the classroom, she has lectured to both students and faculty at universities across the country including Harvard University’s School of Public Health, Wharton’s Executive MBA Program, U.C. Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, Boalt School of Law, and the School of Public Health & Sciences, the University of Virginia, Pepperdine University School of Law, and the Public Policy Institute at Georgetown University. Peggy began her career as an actor and classical singer, earning advanced degrees in drama, speech and theatre from the London-based Royal Academy of Music and The Drama Studio. From England she moved to Hollywood, working as a producer, director, and talent coach for actors, comedians, musicians and broadcasters in production for Paramount Studios, Warner Brothers, ABC, CBS, and NBC. When not training individuals and groups or speaking to audiences around the world, Peggy coaches political candidates to effectively communicate their values and vision with authenticity and candor. When not working, she can be found enjoying the incredible beauty of Santa Fe, New Mexico where she lives. Links: Website: https://peggyklaus.com/ Books: https://peggyklaus.com/books/ LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-klaus-705730/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/pegklaus Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peggy.klaus.311

Join us as Lisa Donahue, Co-Head of the Americas & Asia regions at AlixPartners, shares her inspiring journey of overcoming fear and self-doubt to achieve success. From her first day as CEO to her current role, Lisa reveals the importance of nurturing relationships, seeking support, and embracing the learning process. Discover how she tackles challenges, raises new perspectives, and embraces the power of course correction.  In this candid conversation, Lisa emphasizes the value of asking questions, learning from failure, and accepting that we'll always have critics. Plus, get a glimpse into her personal life as she opens up about her Irish Catholic family's influence and the importance of being present for loved ones. Tune in to this empowering episode and learn to conquer your own crises of confidence. 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 Lisa. Highlights: [02:07] Lisa’s path to executive level leadership [07:04] Building a supportive community [11:00] Asking for what you need without feeling like a burden [14:43] Contributing to the conversation without needing to have the answer [19:07] Quick learning habits [21:43] Not fearing failure [25:56] Making decisions and having confidence in adversity [29:06] Dealing with wanting to be liked [32:22] What helps Lisa stay grounded [35:29] Lightning round questions Quotes: “You’re always going to find a point where you need some support from somebody.” – Lisa Donahue “I think women sometimes undervalue their own contribution to the network relationship.” – Lisa Donahue “It’s not always about being right. You learn a lot more from being wrong.” – Lisa Donahue Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you?  - “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - “Be the change you want to see in the world.” What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Optimistic What is one change you've implanted that made your life better? - Taking the opportunity during COVID to focus on mental health and taking time for my family–that I’m a better professional when I’m grounded and I spend time with my family. What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “The Man” by Aloe Blacc About Lisa Donahue: Lisa Donahue is the Co-Head of the Americas & Asia regions at AlixPartners. She versees service delivery across the firm’s industries and service lines to improve financial, operational, and digital performance. Her focus includes guiding companies through operational and financial transformations in various roles, including Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Transition Officer. Lisa has long been a trusted advisor to CEOs and Boards of Directors. She recently served as the Chief Transition and Development Officer at Westinghouse, where she led the successful repositioning of the company. She has had leadership roles in the power, aviation, consumer products and manufacturing industries. Lisa is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Global Futures Council of the World Economic Forum. She currently sits on the boards of The Nucleus Group, which brings marketers, designers, researchers, strategists and behavioral specialists together in service of business strategy and social impact, and Tina’s Wish, an ovarian cancer non-profit organization dedicated to funding research for the prevention and early detection of ovarian cancer. Lisa previously served on the board of AlixPartners. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisajdonahue/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisajdonahue

Carrie Sweeney knows how to build relationships. Her belief that showing up and treating clients the way she would her friends has led to success in her career. After graduating from Notre Dame, she started her career working for a large digital agency, building well-known brands like Crayola, Kellogg’s, and Hallmark. After furthering her education at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, she moved on to Bain & Company and then Google’s advertising organization. Her exit from Google led her to Pinterest where she is today helping to build the sales and monetization teams. Carrie is a team-focused and client-based leader who believes in showing up when it would be easier to quit. She feels that knowing when and how and where to pivot when making decisions is critical. Carrie is told she brings “big sister energy” to work, which she loves. It comes honestly as she did learn about how to lead and work with people through the relationship with her own sisters. As a leader, she helps her employees look for anything that went wrong in a situation and take responsibility for what they can control. She naturally loves people and believes that being there consistently for others over time helps them trust you. Carrie is clearly busy with all of her responsibilities, and when it comes to how she gets through her day, she shares with us how she does the little things first. She wants to make sure she has the quick tasks off her list by 9AM. Join us as we learn this and a lot more from this wise and successful leader in the retail industry. 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 Carrie. Highlights: [02:19] Carrie describes her background [03:06] Creating resilience [07:45] Forming your personal board of directors [12:09] Connecting dollars and people [14:12] A day in Carrie’s life [19:59] Staying organized [21:50] Identifying key relationships [25:04] How Carrie’s personal life affects her work [27:03] Lightning round questions Quotes: “The way you treat your friends is how you should treat your clients.” – Carrie Sweeney “Find joy, and think creatively about where to find it.” – Carrie Sweeney “In tech, you have to know what’s going on in the details to see the right themes and strategies.” – Carrie Sweeney Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - “To the Lighthouse” by Virginia Woolf What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - “Look for happiness under your own roof.” – Gretchen Rubin What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Compassionate (and high energy) What is one change you've implanted that made your life better? - The post-it note hack shared earlier What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “About Damn Time” by Lizzo About Carrie Sweeney: Carrie currently leads the Pinterest teams responsible for client partnerships with the largest retailers in the US. Together, they unlock the value of shared technology and media, including partnerships in the rapidly evolving retail media landscape. She also partners closely with Fortune 100 retailers, as well as Pinterest’s product and technical teams, to inform Pinterest’s roadmap in the evolving commerce space. Carrie graduated from Notre Dame in 2003 with a liberal arts degree and worked at a large digital agency, Starcom Worldwide, for 6 years, building brands like Crayola, Hallmark, Morgan Stanley, Kellogg’s and Blackberry/Research in Motion. She attended business school full time at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business from 2009-2011. Following Booth, she joined Bain & Company as a strategy consultant in the Chicago office, and then joined Google’s advertising organization. She left Google to help build the Pinterest sales and monetization teams in 2016. In her spare time, she is a member of A Better Chicago’s Impact Council, an avid reader, and a mediocre tennis player who is just getting back into the swing of it. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-sweeney-4309b413/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/carriesweeney/

Success doesn't come easy, but Lisa Jones, Head of the Americas, President, and CEO of Amundi US, Inc., knows that a strong work ethic and an unyielding commitment to your goals can make all the difference. Raised in an Italian Catholic family, Lisa learned the power of discipline from her days as an athlete, and she was able to take that knowledge to the professional world. In this episode, she'll share the secrets of her success, including how to maintain composure in tough situations and why it's important to stay optimistic and focus on the positives. Listen in to learn more about how Lisa makes tough decisions and how she prepares herself for the future. She'll also tell us about the time she retired to become a stay-at-home mom and how the events of 2020 changed her perspective on work-life balance. Join us to discover how Lisa has used her perseverance to not only break through barriers, but to create a life of success and personal fulfillment. 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 Lisa. Highlights: [02:35] Lisa's professional journey [05:28] The importance of perspective for leadership [07:51] Being the first generation in corporate [17:34] How Lisa found confidence [19:28] Making difficult decisions [21:31] Being prepared for the future [24:24] Lisa's take on work/life balance [28:24] Creating transparency about having a personal life [30:07] Lightning round questions Quotes: “Don't just lean in, go get 'em.” – Lisa Jones “We are still athletes of our brand and our career.” – Lisa Jones “Work-life balance for me is one where I'm both working and being a present parent.” – Lisa Jones Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead” by Nell Scovell and Sheryl Sandberg What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - “Go get 'em.” What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Transparent What is one change you've implanted that made your life better? - Not to take everything so personally. What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “I Am Woman” by Helen Reddy About Lisa Jones: Lisa M. Jones is Head of the Americas, President and Chief Executive Officer of Amundi US, Inc., the U.S. Division of Amundi Asset Management. She is Trustee of the Pioneer Funds, and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Pioneer Funds. Lisa is also President of Amundi Distributor US, Inc. She is head of the US Executive Committee and US Management Committee, and a member of the Global Executive Committee. She has over 30 years of experience in global financial services developing and building asset management businesses. In 2016 and 2020, Lisa received the Top Women in Asset Management Award from Money Management Executive. Prior to joining Amundi US, Lisa was Global Head of Distribution at Morgan Stanley Investment Management (MSIM) and President of MSIM Distribution Inc. In this role, she oversaw all MSIM distribution channels globally, including retail and institutional. Prior to that, Lisa was Head of the Global Institutional Division at Eaton Vance Management. She also spent more than 16 years at MFS Investment Management in leadership roles across both retail and institutional divisions. She began her career at E.F. Hutton & Co. in New York. Lisa is a member of the Board of Governors of the Investment Company Institute, a member of the MIT Sloan Finance Group Advisory Board at MIT Sloan School of Management and a member of the Board of Directors of Clearwater Analytics. Lisa has served on other boards such as the Foreign Policy Association in New York, the Advisory Board of the Institutional Investor Institute and the Board of Fellows at Trinity College in Hartford, CT. She is also a former trustee at the Pingree School Board of Trustees in South Hamilton, MA. She has a B.A. in Economics from Trinity College. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-mjones/

Susan McPherson has an early memory that shaped her perspective on how to build relationships. Growing up, she would watch her parents sit at the breakfast table every morning, cutting out newspaper articles that they found interesting. Every day, they wrote notes to their friends and sent it in the mail along with the newspaper cuttings. It was their way of saying “I’m thinking of you” and nurturing relationships with friends and family. In this episode, Susan shares the keys to connecting with people and what you can do to nurture relationships. As a successful entrepreneur, she credits her people skills to building a thriving business. She encourages us to always look for ways to be helpful to others. Learn practical tips and proven principles in Susan’s book, “The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships.” 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 Susan. Highlights: [03:14] Susan’s journey and her most important lesson learned [05:28] Finding her career path [08:08] Fostering relationships [11:02] Susan’s book, “The Lost Art oF Connecting” [15:18] Starting her business [18:07] Navigating tough times [21:02] Leading with your values [22:58] Addressing social initiatives [24:34] What keeps Susan grounded [26:23] Finding the right mentor [28:42] The future of work and technology [30:51] Lightning round questions Quotes: “Every person, no matter who they are, where they came from, the role they play in society, their religion, the color of their skin, is deserving of our attention, our compassion, our kindness, and our curiosity.” – Susan McPherson “For me, it’s alway been leading with how we can be helpful to others.” – Susan McPherson “No matter how small our circle is, we still have a circle, so start with the people that you know.” – Susan McPherson Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - Writing my own book (“The Lost Art oF Connecting”) What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - “How can I be helpful?” What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Genuine What is one change you've implanted that made your life better? - Limiting my alcohol intake What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “Central Reservation” by Beth Orton About Susan McPherson: Susan McPherson is a serial connector, angel investor, and corporate responsibility expert. She is the founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, a B- corp certified communications consultancy focused on social impact. She is the author of The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships (McGraw-Hill). Susan has 30+ years of experience in marketing, public relations, and sustainability communications, speaking regularly at industry events including Massachusetts Conference for Women, Worth Women and Techonomy, and contributing to the Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Forbes. She has appeared on NPR, CNN, USA Today, The New Yorker, New York Magazine and the Los Angeles Times. Susan is the recipient of Forbes magazine’s 50 over 50—Impact 2021 award and Worth Media’s Worthy100 award. She has also won numerous accolades for her voice on social media platforms from Fortune Magazine, Fast Company and Elle Magazine. Currently, Susan invests in and advises women-led start-ups, including: iFundWomen,Inc., Messy.fm, Our Place, The Riveter, Park Place Payments, Hint Water, Apolitical and The Muse. She serves on the boards of USA for UNHCR, The 19th News, and serves on the advisory boards of The List, Apolitical Foundation, Just Capital and Alltruists. Additionally, she is a member of the MIT Solve Women and Technology Leadership Group and serves as an adviser to several nonprofits including She’s The First and The OpEd Project. Susan is a Vital Voices global corporate ambassador and a member of the New York Women’s Forum and Extraordinary Women on Boards. She resides in Brooklyn. Links: Website: https://www.mcpstrategies.com/ Book: https://www.thelostartofconnecting.com/ LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmcpherson/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/susanmcp1