BEYOND BARRIERS

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

Maha Dakhil, the powerhouse behind Hollywood's beloved talents like Tom Cruise, Reese Witherspoon, and Natalie Portman, knows the secret to striking game-changing deals. Her journey began when she courageously chose the entertainment industry over law school, despite her immigrant parents' concerns. Maha's determination to succeed in Hollywood proved fruitful, paving her way to triumph. Raised with sisters, Maha learned early on the power of female leadership. She carved her unique path in the entertainment world, undeterred by the lack of diversity she encountered. Embracing every opportunity, Maha's passion for empowering storytellers and productions has driven her to excel as an agent. In this insightful podcast, Maha reveals how her fearless nature and unwavering resilience allow her to thrive. She candidly discusses embracing confrontation, standing up for clients, and balancing victories with setbacks. Maha shares the importance of remaining composed amid challenges, and imparts invaluable wisdom from her transformative journey. Visit www.gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources referenced in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Maha. Highlights: [02:49] Maha’s story and her pursuit of the entertainment business [07:27] Finding mentors and finding her role in the industry [18:42] Standing up for what she believes in [23:07] Receiving feedback [26:25] Promoting tolerance of diverse cultures and background in Hollywood [30:18] Celebrating her accomplishments [33:56] Having courageous conversations and negotiating for her clients [40:59] Bouncing back from a setback [43:21] Maha’s proudest achievement [46:13] Lightning Round Questions Quotes: “It’s important to keep our eyes open and our minds flexible to see what we can offer and what is resonating.” – Maha Dakhil “It’s really important to be aware of how you’re being perceived in a team culture.” – Maha Dakhil “You can’t live too long in victory, and you also don’t have to live too long in any defeat.” – Maha Dakhil Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - (Paraphrased) You don’t have to be aggressive to be strong What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Empathetic troublemaker What is one change you've implemented that made your life better? - Being on time What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - Anything by Beyoncé About Maha Dakhil: Co-Head of the Motion Picture Group and Co-Head of the agency’s International Film Group, Maha Dakhil also serves on the CAA board that is responsible for the day-to-day management of the agency. Additionally, she represents some of the world’s most successful actors and actresses, moving seamlessly between such talent and literary clients as Tom Cruise, Ava DuVernay, Reese Witherspoon, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Mindy Kaling, Madonna, Sam Mendes, Natalie Portman, Lena Dunham, Melina Matsoukas, Juan Antonio Bayona, Yorgos Lanthimos, Olivia Wilde, Aaron Sorkin, Denis Villeneuve, Steve McQueen, Lenny Abrahamson, Danny Strong, Johan Renck, H.E.R., Anne Hathaway, Jeymes Samuel, Hwang Dong-hyu, and Higher Ground, among others. An 18-year veteran of the agency, Dakhil has long been at the forefront of cultivating opportunities for diverse talent and championing underserved voices and their stories. Gina Prince-Bythewood’s action epic THE WOMAN KING, made its world premiere earlier this month at the Toronto Film Festival and went on to open #1 at the box office. Lena Dunham’s CATHERINE CALLED BIRDY, which also had its world premiere at Toronto, opens in theaters September 23. She most recently signed Higher Ground, Obama's media company. In addition, Dakhil brokered a bevy of deals for client Olivia Wilde of late (BOOKSMART), including a female-led comedy for Universal, which Wilde will produce and direct; DON’T WORRY DARLING, in which Wilde stars in and directed; and a new Marvel movie. Dakhil has also guided client Reese Witherspoon on building out her production company, Hello Sunshine, which focuses on female-driven content across multiple platforms. Hello Sunshine, which was sold to a venture backed by private- equity giant Blackstone Group in August 2021, has produced such films as WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING, GONE GIRL, and WILD, as well as the Emmy-winning television series THE MORNING SHOW with Jennifer Aniston for Apple TV+, which has been renewed for a third season, BIG LITTLE LIES for HBO, and the original thriller SURFACE for Apple TV+. It also has the popular Reese’s Book Club. In addition to co-leading the successful integration of CAA and ICM’s motion picture departments, Dakhil has positioned her clients at the forefront of the biggest moments in pop culture this past year. Client highlights include the record breaking success of Tom Cruise’s TOP GUN: MAVERICK, which has earned more than $1.4 billion at the worldwide box office; Natalie Portman’s starring role in THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER; a deal for Mindy Kaling to co-write LEGALLY BLONDE 3, with Witherspoon set to reprise her iconic role as “Elle Woods” and Hello Sunshine producing; Denis Villeneuve directing a sequel to the six-time Oscar-winning DUNE; and Danny Strong serving as the creator, showrunner, and director of the seven-time Emmy nominated DOPESICK, which marks his first limited series. Dakhil also orchestrated a deal for Madonna to co-write an original screenplay based on her life, which the iconic artist will direct. As Co-Head of CAA’s International Film Group, Dakhil plays an integral role in building the Motion Picture department’s global footprint, opening doors for talent regardless of geographic location. Her roster of global filmmakers continues to grow, signing SQUID GAME creator Hwang Dong-Hyuk; Jasmila Žbanić, whose film QUO VADIS, AIDA? was nominated for the Best International Feature at the 93rd Academy Awards; Kornél Mundruczó, director of the acclaimed film PIECES OF A WOMAN, which premiered at the 77th Venice International Film Festival; Mohamad Diab,whose film AMIRA received strong critical praise at the 2021 Venice International Film Festival;Ali Abbasi, winner of the Un Certain Regard prize for BORDER at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival; Justin Kurzel, director of NITRAM, which premiered at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival; Lukas Dhont, director of GIRL, which won the Caméra d’Or at Cannes for best first feature film, along with the Queer Palm, awarded for best LGBT-themed film; and Rungano Nyoni, whose film I AM NOT A WITCH won a 2018 BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer. In her role on the CAA Board, Dakhil focuses on the agency’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.She also plays a leadership role in CAA Amplify, an annual invitation-only summit convening diverse leading artists and executives from the most impactful organizations in entertainment, sports, media, brands, technology, and social justice. In addition, Dakhil is a founding member of Time’s Up, an initiative that addresses systemic inequality and injustice in the workplace. She is a champion for underrepresented storytellers, creating opportunities for them to transition into the global marketplace. Dakhil also serves on the boards of Baby2Baby and the UCLA Lab School. Dakhil began her career at Genesis, a literary agency. She joined CAA in 2004. Dakhil graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in sociology. Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secretagentm/

Rachel ten Brink is known by many as the "Stealth Latina," and a true trailblazer. She has always believed in the power of diversity and has used her unique background and perspective to make a difference in the worlds of venture capital and tech. Her commitment to bringing value to every aspect of her life - from work to relationships to family - is a testament to her dedication and passion. As the first Latina to raise $29M for her tech company, Rachel knows what it takes to succeed in a competitive industry. She has learned the importance of what not to do as much as what should be done, and she believes in investing in companies that empower the economy and improve people's lives. Rachel's killer instinct and boundary-setting skills are equally matched by her kindness and compassion. She understands the importance of mentor relationships as a two-way street of communication and sharing, and she values education as a key to unlocking one's full potential. In this podcast, Rachel inspires us to put our own skin in the game, to believe in ourselves, and to never let anyone else define our worth. Join us as we learn from Rachel's incredible journey and gain the inspiration and insights we need to break through barriers in our own lives. Visit gobeyondbarriers.com to find show notes and links to all the resources mentioned in this episode, including the best way to connect with Rachel. Highlights: [02:44] Rachel’s background [04:01] Taking the leap into tech [05:16] Importance of establishing your brand [13:31] Moving into the venture capital world [17:44] The power of diverse teams [20:01] Voicing your opinion [23:20] Building strategic relationships [27:36] Drawing boundaries around helping others [31:00] Lightning round questions Quotes: “If you want to go from Point A to Point B, think about what’s going to build your bridge.” – Rachel ten Brink “When you think about building your brand, it can’t all be about me, me, me. You have to think about your audience.” – Rachel ten Brink “Seek out people who compliment you and who are strong where you are not.” – Rachel ten Brink Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - “Art of the Start” by Guy Kawasaki What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did except backwards and in heels.” What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Stealth Latina What is one change you've implanted that made your life better? - Intentionality around my schedule. What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “Whenever, Wherever” by Shakira About Rachel ten Brink: Rachel ten Brink is General Partner and Co-Founder of Red Bike Capital, a Latinx and woman-led Venture Capital fund based in New York that invests in early stage, high-growth startups that drive the economy and improve people’s lives. Red Bike supports US-based founders in FinTech, Ecommerce SAAS, Marketplaces, and Wellness. Rachel has been a board member and senior advisor for various companies and serves on the Board of Directors of AboveBoard and Dyper. Rachel is a Y Combinator Founder turned VC. Prior to founding Red Bike Capital, she was Co-Founder and CMO of Scentbird, a Y-Combinator backed ecommerce startup that raised $29MM in venture funding- which makes her one of just 90 Latinas to have ever raised over $1M in funding. Leading Growth, Brand and Revenue, she scaled Scentbird to 500,000 paid subscribers and built 74 partnerships with corporations including Coty, Macy’s and Glossier. Before this, she spent fifteen years building global billion-brands at P&G, Elizabeth Arden, Estee Lauder and L’Oreal. Named Entrepreneur Magazines' 100 Powerful Women of 2020, she has been featured in The New York Times, TechCrunch, WSJ, and Forbes. She is a champion diversity in the tech ecosystem through her work as a mentor at Y-Combinator, Techstars, Entrepreneurs Roundtable, 500 Startups, Columbia Business School Lang Center and NYU Entrepreneurship Center, and a member of Top Latinx in Tech, LatinxVC, VCFamilia, Transact, DealmakeHers and Latino Corporate Directors Association. She graduated magna cum laude from Babson College and holds an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School. She lives in New York City with her husband and two kids. Links: Website:https://www.projectdiane.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-ten-brink-a08151/

In true Beyond Barriers fashion, we are here to explore the stories and insights of ambitious successful individuals who have overcome obstacles and achieved success in their careers. In this episode, we are thrilled to have Amanda Herson as our guest. Amanda grew up in a family of entrepreneurs in South Africa and witnessed injustices early in life, which inspired her to make a positive impact in the world. Though she initially wanted to go into politics, she found her calling in the world of venture capital, where she quickly discovered the glass ceiling for women in the industry. But instead of seeing it as a barrier, she has turned it into an opportunity to stand out. Amanda believes that pressure and challenge are privileges that allow her to grow and learn, and she is fascinated by how people think and make decisions. She values respecting other people's time and understands the importance of building a strong network of supporters and mentors. In this podcast, Amanda shares her experiences and wisdom, encouraging us all to have an opinion and use our voices. She emphasizes the importance of conviction in one's professional life and explains how using guardrails protects her personal life. Join us as we learn from Amanda's journey and gain valuable insights on how to navigate the challenges of a competitive industry. Visit gobeyondbarriers.com to find show notes and links to all the resources mentioned in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Amanda. Highlights: [02:37] How Amanda grew up and arrived at career in venture capital [08:24] Moving forward despite uncertainty [12:03] Identifying your circle [16:06] Being a woman in venture capital [20:16] Getting started in the venture capital world [24:21] Integrating work and personal life [29:58] Lightning round questions Quotes: “One of the key things to being able to jump is really seeking out people who believe in you.” – Amanda Herson “Pressure is a privilege and being challenged is a privilege.” – Amanda Herson “Lean into your strengths and own your weaknesses.” – Amanda Herson Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - “Long Walk to Freedom” by Nelson Mandela What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - “If I am not for me, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I?” What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Connector What is one change you've implanted that made your life better? - Health always has to come first. Sleep and exercise make you a better person. What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten About Amanda Herson: Amanda is a Partner at Founder Collective, a leading seed-stage venture capital firm with several Midas list appearances. Prior to returning to investing, she has spent the last several years building and growing one of the largest omni-channel retailers in South Africa, launching their e-commerce and expanding the footprint to over 300 stores and serves on the Board of Cape Union Mart. Amanda was Highland Consumer Fund investing in and growing retail and consumer goods companies. Previously, she was at L Brands in New York, launching new beauty brands and focusing on growth and innovation. She began her career at Boston Consulting Group in New York. Amanda has a passion for building strong cultures in growing companies and an operational background in building e-commerce companies from the ground-up and has become a trusted advisor to several entrepreneurs. Amanda completed her Undergraduate in Economics at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and received her MBA from Harvard Business School. She currently resides in New York, is a mom of three + a sheepadoodle, a Central Park enthusiast, with a side passion for healthy cooking and living. Links: Website: https://www.foundercollective.com/index.html LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-herson-9616802/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Amanda_Herson