Lead Like a Woman

Deirdre Breakenridge is an author, entrepreneur, and CEO of Pure Performance Communications. As a 30-year veteran in PR, marketing, and branding, she has worked with senior leaders at many Fortune 500 companies. She is a career-long storyteller and strategist helping brands and professionals to ignite more energy around their communication, lead pressing media conversations, and grow influence in the market. Deirdre has been working with leaders for decades to create award-winning PR and marketing programs and building relationships based on loyalty and advocacy. Deirdre is also the author of seven business books sharing stories and advice to navigate changing consumer behavior and an evolving media landscape. Her most recent book, Answers for Ethical Marketers, was released in April 2021. Her other book, Answers for Modern Communicators, was recently named by BookAuthority as one of the “100 Best Storytelling Books of All Time.” As an international speaker, Deirdre shares her research and career journey in PR, marketing, branding, and social media communications. She has been blogging at PR Strategies for over 10 years and is also the host of the Women Worldwide podcast, which is in its sixth year with nearly two million downloads. In this episode… Finding the way to your destination is important, but so is the journey you take to get there. For matters that fall outside of simple navigation, how do you determine the best way forward? And, if you find yourself in a leadership role, how can you be sure that you’re staying true to yourself as you lead others? For Deirdre Breakenridge, leading like a woman means embracing who you are, believing in yourself, and using that as a gift to lead others. She suggests that if you take the time to listen to your inner GPS and learn to trust it, it will guide you to new opportunities. Deirdre also recommends having well-defined values so that your inner GPS can guide you on ethical matters as well.  In this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Andrea Heuston interviews Deirdre Breakenridge, the CEO of Pure Performance Communications, about the need for women to trust in their inner GPS. Deirdre also talks about building her business, dealing with a family tragedy, and writing several books. Plus, Deirdre explains why the FEEL model that she created is helping leaders and brands form better relationships.

Lisa L. Meredith is the Regional Director at ProVisors, an invitation-only community of over 6,600 experienced advisors that’s been around for more than 30 years. At ProVisors, Lisa’s role is to support connections, seek prospective candidates, and lead groups of experienced business owners and advisors by functioning as a resource and guide in leadership development. Lisa is a creative problem solver who can drive revenue growth, consult on conflict resolution, improve organizational morale, and provide hands-on training in developing negotiation skills and cultivating strategic business partnerships. She is accomplished in the areas of management, marketing, team building, and communication. In this episode… One of the most common mistakes many women make in careers and leadership roles is to try to please everyone. A desire for approval can dictate your decisions and negatively impact your personal and professional life. It can even lead to choices you’ll later come to regret. Lisa L. Meredith's advice to fellow women leaders, young and old, is to be brave and do everything with grace. She believes women can be bold without being aggressive and insists that women need to believe in themselves, be confident in their skills, and never compromise their values. Lisa L. Meredith, a Regional Director at ProVisors, is Andrea Heuston's guest in this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show. Together, they discuss what it takes to lead as a woman without compromising what you believe in. Lisa also shares what she learned from 2020, how she has found success in her career, and why women shouldn’t try to please everyone. Stay tuned!

Jessica Moseley is the Chief Executive Officer of iYellow Group, a conglomerate of organizations (TCS Interpreting, TCSAccess, and iYellow Captions) working to provide equitable access to people with disabilities. As a social entrepreneur and the CEO of iYellow Group, Jessica brings together her passion for people and stories as she endeavors to make access something that is available to everyone. Jessica has been featured in Kiplinger, Forbes, Inc. Magazine, and SUCCESS Magazine. She's also an active mentor and coach to hearing and deaf entrepreneurs and has been a judge for many pitch competitions. Jessica learned early on, as the daughter of deaf parents, about the realities of not having language access and the barriers that deaf individuals regularly have to navigate. These early life lessons not only shaped her communication methods but have also informed her outlook on life. In this episode… One thing about life that you can’t deny is that everyone has a story to tell. Our various journeys shape everything from how we interpret our experiences to the types of lives we lead. And, those stories tend to impact other lives when we figure out how to share them. For Jessica Moseley, being a leader isn’t about being the biggest or the best at something—it's about being you. You have to learn how to be relatable, approachable, and honest in your endeavors. If you pursue your goals with authenticity and know what you have to offer the world, the difference you make in people’s lives will live in your story and theirs. Jessica Moseley, the Chief Executive Officer of the iYellow Group, is Andrea Heuston's guest in this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, where she shares her life's journey and the lessons she learned along the way. Jessica describes how being brought up by deaf parents has shaped her experience and explains how she expanded her family’s computer-based business into several organizations that provide interpretation and assistive technology.

Erika Flora is the Co-founder and CEO of Beyond20, a woman and minority-owned small business services firm focused on transformative IT service management solutions. She has always had a passion for improving how companies manage workflows, deliver products, and serve customers. Erika specializes in many services throughout the IT industry, including digital strategy consulting, training, cybersecurity, program and project management, and software development. In addition to having over 20 years of IT and project management experience, Erika is also an avid blogger and speaker who champions expanding the opportunities for women and minorities in technology. She lives in Washington, DC, has a background in microbiology, and enjoys biking, reading, sailing, and performing improv comedy when she’s not at work. In this episode… Despite all the current hype around diversity and inclusion, many women still don’t take an active role in going for what they want, especially for those who work in male-dominated fields. Therefore, many leadership positions end up going to men even when there are women who are equally qualified, skilled, and talented. After working in two predominantly male fields, entrepreneur Erika Flora advises women to speak up and embrace new opportunities as they come along. According to Erika, women deserve a seat at the table as much as the men they work with—so don’t be afraid to pull up a chair. She also encourages women to embrace their curiosity and accumulate as much knowledge as they can.  In this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Andrea Heuston is joined by Erika Flora, the Co-founder and CEO of Beyond20, to talk about supporting women in IT and giving back. Erika shares what it was like starting a company with her husband, how providing training services affected her business’s growth, and why storytelling is important for your brand. Plus, she offers up her tips for women working in male-dominated occupations. Stay tuned!

Alice Tang is a Partner and Vice President at BPG Wealth Management, a full-service, multi-generational financial planning firm in Oregon. As a top female producer in the financial industry and a sought-after speaker, Alice has formed her business and success by focusing on creating and deepening relationships one connection at a time. Alice realized that relationships are the key to success by watching her father build a business out of his humble beginnings in Hong Kong. Alice was the first in her family to earn a college degree when she graduated from the University of London, where she met her husband. She emigrated to the US without a network, family, or community and started a career in financial advising. When it became clear that the time-tested methods for running a business weren’t scalable, Alice created her own system. She now helps other professionals catapult their success and networks through her no-nonsense approach to developing connections. In this episode… Life can sometimes be challenging. And no matter how much you might wish things were different, reality perseveres. However, you can still make the best of a bad situation. By accepting what you can’t change, you’ll be able to refocus your energy where it’s needed. When Alice Tang moved to the US with her husband, adapting to the new environment was difficult. She couldn’t work, didn’t have a safety net, and could feel the tension building at home. Instead of giving up, Alice sought out solutions. Eventually, she changed her visa status, went back to school, and started a new career. Instead of allowing her circumstances to hold her back, she used them to push herself forward. In this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Andrea Heuston is joined by Alice Tang, a Partner and Vice President at BPG Wealth Management, to talk about the value of networking and building a business through good relationships. Alice shares her experience of starting over after immigrating to the US, how she got into professional speaking, and her advice to women wishing to jump-start their lives.

Jane F. Bolin is the Mayor of Oakland Park, Florida, and serves as the global Governance Chair for the Entrepreneurs’ Organization. She is also the Founding Partner and Chief Marketing Officer of the real estate law firm, PeytonBolin, as well as the Co-founder of Giannell Title. Jane has earned numerous accolades for her work and was named to the South Florida Business Journal “40 Under 40” list. She is deeply involved in the community and serves on many boards and committees that are dedicated to making the world a better place for all. Jane has a B.A. in Political Science from Radford University, a Master of Sports Management from the United States Sports Academy, and a J.D. from St. Thomas University School of Law. A true renaissance woman, Jane is also a published author, a renowned speaker, and the host of the podcast, Association Nation. Before this, she played linebacker for the Women's Professional Football League and has worked as a culinary producer for both MasterChef and Top Chef. In this episode… Leading doesn't always mean calling the shots. In fact, a good leader regularly changes roles. So, how do you know if it’s time to take charge or if it’s best to hold back and pivot in a different direction? According to Jane F. Bolin, the first step is getting to know yourself. She suggests that it’s easier to embrace change if you’re not struggling to fit your goals and interests into an inauthentic narrative. And, once you know who you are and what you want, the second step is giving it to yourself—whether that means more time with family or a new path for your career. As Jane says, the more you're aligned with yourself, the more everything else will fall into place.  In this week's episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Andrea Heuston interviews Jane F. Bolin, the Founding Partner and Chief Marketing Officer of PeytonBolin and the Mayor of Oakland Park, Florida, about her role as a leader in politics and business. Together, they discuss the EO Accelerator program, the importance of civic engagement, and the value of stepping outside of your story. Plus, Jane shares lessons from her days in the Women’s Professional Football League and her stint in Hollywood.

Sejal Lakhani-Bhatt is the CEO of TechWerxe, a leading IT company working to bridge the gap between quality and affordability with customized solutions for small to medium-sized businesses. After graduating from the University of Buffalo with a degree in legal studies, Sejal began her career working for major global banking institutions in the regulatory and compliance divisions, as well as on the trading floor. For 12 years, she traveled around the world, working for leading financial firms in Japan, London, Hong Kong, and Singapore. In 2012, she left the banking industry to join TechWerxe, an IT company founded by her husband in 2008. In 2014, Sejal took over the operations, sales, and marketing of TechWerxe and became CEO while her husband focused on its IT services. Under her leadership, TechWerxe earned recognition as a top 100 MSSPs (Managed Security Service Providers), top 500 MSPs (Managed Service Providers), and received numerous other industry awards. In March of 2019, Sejal's husband suddenly passed away from a heart attack at age 39. Committed to upholding their company mission, she spent months dissecting all aspects of TechWerxe to analyze knowledge gaps and determine the changes needed to move the company forward. She spent the past year and a half restructuring TechWerxe to preserve her and her husband's long-term goals for the company. As a result, TechWerxe did not lose a single client during the transition period. Sejal is devoted to her two young boys and committed to showing them the strength women can have in the face of adversity. In this episode… While grieving the loss of her husband, one of the best pieces of advice Sejal Lakhani-Bhatt received from a friend was, "Every decision you make will be the right decision." It was a difficult time, and she wasn’t sure if her choices were right for her family and business. Her friend’s words helped her realize that she could always change things later if she didn’t like how something turned out. Through her experience working in different companies and industries, Sejal learned the importance of not making excuses and the value of trusting herself. She advises women not to stress about doing everything perfectly the first time because it’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them. The idea is to get as much done as possible and to keep refining it. Sejal also encourages women to ask for what they want without fear of rejection because she believes that you get what you ask for and what you go for. In this week's episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Sejal Lakhani-Bhatt, the CEO of TechWerxe, is interviewed by host Andrea Heuston about how she leads like a woman professionally and personally. Sejal also talks about the importance of women taking care of themselves, taking charge of their lives, and embracing their imperfections. Plus, Sejal reveals how to tackle the trash in your head. Stay tuned!

Almira Bardai is a seasoned senior communications professional with over 20 years of experience creating powerful narratives for domestic and global brands. As a thought leader on PR industry issues, Almira is a frequent commentator in the media and is an actively-sought out speaker on both PR and entrepreneurial topics. With an enviable network of influencers and a storied career, Almira’s expertise lies in developing strategic communications and social media plans focused on brand experiences, building brand awareness, and user engagement. She's delivered results-driven campaigns for the likes of Granville Island Brewing, Flight Centre, Nike, Best Buy, Future Shop, Molson, and TELUS. Almira co-founded and was Co-CEO of Jive PR + Digital, one of Canada's top boutique PR and social media agencies. After launching her career as a PR consultant at one of Canada's leading PR agencies, Wilcox Group, she spent many years working abroad as head of global PR at Cobra Beer, one of the UK's fastest-growing beer brands. She’s also practiced corporate public relations and communications in both Australia and South Africa. Almira is active as an entrepreneur, consultant, mentor, and board director in organizations such as Brands For Better, Aga Khan Foundation Canada, Entrepreneurs' Organization, and Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver. In this episode… As a woman in business and leadership, you create your future. Almira Bardai believes that women need to be intentional about their time, their actions, and the breaks they take so they can continually build toward their future. After living and working abroad and finding it difficult to land a job upon returning to Canada, Almira knew that she had to do something for herself. So she started her own agency with a friend. Almira advises women who are starting their careers to be flexible and to always say yes. They should volunteer for extra work and give more of their time whenever they can. She encourages them to say yes to new opportunities that come their way because that’s how they’ll get noticed. In this week's episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Andrea Heuston is joined by Almira Bardai, a thought leadership and communications consultant, to discuss Almira's work supporting women entrepreneurs and her experience living and working in different countries. She also talks about being a member of Entrepreneurs' Organization and living with gratitude every day.

Michelle Venorsky is the Founder of Hello, an engagement agency that helps build relationships between brands and consumers. Michelle, a mother of two, has over 20 years of hybrid PR & social marketing experience, mainly focusing on moms, consumer product goods, and housewares. Prior to founding Hello, Michelle launched the social media marketing practice at Rosetta Publicis, which was one of the top five digital agencies globally. Before Rosetta Publicis, she spent 10 years at Marcus Thomas in the PR group and launched that agency's social media practice. Michelle once authored the largest food blog in Ohio. She is also a freelance writer for Forbes Travel, an accredited member of PRSA (Public Relations Society of America), and a fellow for The Society for New Communications Research. In this episode… Is there something you have always wanted to do but are scared to take the first step? What's holding you back? Are you afraid of failing? The fear of failure holds back many women from doing things they want. However, according to Michelle Venorsky, failure is part of the road to success. In her own company, Michelle admits that she hasn’t always known what she’s doing and advocates for transparency and honesty when dealing with employees and clients. She advises fellow women not to be afraid to take chances and to seek help from other women—including herself. If you don't try, you'll never know. Michelle Venorsky, the Founder of Hello, is Andrea Heuston's guest in this week's episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show. Together, they discuss the intersection of running a business and attending to the needs of employees, clients, and family. Michelle also talks about her company's culture, some of the big clients she works with, and her experience being a food blogger.

Sheila Attari is the Founder and CEO of SheBird. With the company’s creation, Sheila utilizes her strategic and brand-building skills to solve issues women face when getting dressed. After two-plus years in product development, SheBird launched in October 2019. Their goal is to make women happy by freeing them from their uncomfortable bras by designing wardrobe essentials with built-in bra layers. Sheila gained substantial experience growing world-class brands and developing and launching new products in the beauty, health, and home cleaning categories. She spent the majority of her career in consumer products brand management, advertising, and new product development roles. She has worked with multimillion-dollar companies such as Procter & Gamble; SC Johnson; and Foote, Cone & Belding. Sheila holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BA in Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management from Michigan State University. Now, she's on a mission to help women free the girls. In this episode… When you wear comfortable clothes, you will be more productive in your work and feel more confident in yourself. Confidence is essential in every woman's life—personally and professionally. In life, you have to identify what you need and take the steps necessary to get it. The same case applies in business. If you feel the desire to go into entrepreneurship or start your own business, you should go for it. You’ll face a number of challenges along the way, but you have to believe in yourself and your abilities. In this week's episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Andrea Heuston is joined by Sheila Attari, the Founder and CEO of SheBird, to talk about Sheila's journey from consulting work to creating and running a women’s clothing company. They discuss the common reasons women have for going braless, the benefits of getting comfortable being uncomfortable, and the difference between entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs.