Lead Like a Woman

Maeve Wang is the Co-founder and CEO of IAMBIC, a tech-driven footwear company that reimagines the shoe manufacturing process. With 10 years of experience in strategy, market research, and entrepreneurship, she strives to bring personalization and innovation to the traditionally mass-produced footwear industry. Maeve has worked with Fortune 500 companies and invested in wellness, wearables, and data analytics technologies. She is a recipient of the US National Science Foundation grant for IAMBIC’s groundbreaking footwear. In this episode… The startup landscape is dominated largely by white men. So when women and minorities try to acquire funding for a new venture, they often face criticism. One Asian-American woman defied the odds to execute an innovative and passionate vision. After noticing her feet changing shape and growing bunions from traditional footwear, Maeve Wang struggled to find specialty shoes to support her feet. What began as a mission to develop an accurate size-prediction tool for footwear blossomed into technology-driven shoes that conform to consumers’ feet. Yet this journey was met with judgment about Maeve’s identity as a minority entrepreneur, leading her to doubt her capabilities. Through mentorship, encouragement, and a supportive team, Maeve launched substantial ideas with conviction. On today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston welcomes Maeve Wang, the Co-founder and CEO of IAMBIC, to discuss her mission-driven journey. Maeve shares how she fuses art and science to revolutionize traditional shoe manufacturing, the origin story behind one of IAMBIC’s most notable inventions, and how to build a passionate and collaborative team.

Heather Dominick, CEO of A Course in Business Miracles, discusses how highly sensitive individuals can excel in leadership. She highlights the importance of recognizing strengths, conserving energy during overwhelming periods, and embracing deep listening and feeling. The podcast also explores the transformative power of embracing uniqueness and discomfort, and the significance of intuition in decision-making.

Thais Gibson is the Founder of The Personal Development School, which offers personal development courses to empower employees and teams. As a best-selling author, speaker, and counselor, she has been recognized by Psychology Today and other publications for her cutting-edge research on the subconscious mind, attachment styles, and personal transformation. Thais is certified in over 13 modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy, somatic processing, and trauma work. In this episode… Childhood trauma and experiences become embedded in the subconscious mind, dictating relationships and work styles. This belief is known as the attachment theory, which focuses on emotional connections formed in early childhood. What are the various attachment styles, and how can you identify and heal them? Professional counselor, teacher, and theoretical researcher Thais Gibson has discovered four main attachment styles. The securely attached style is characterized by healthy emotional expression and balanced relationships, whereas anxious, preoccupied individuals experienced inconsistent emotional attention in their formative years, leading to people-pleasing tendencies and poor boundaries in adulthood. Similarly, dismissive and fearful-avoidant people internalize volatility and struggle with workplace communication and relationships. Reconciling these styles involves subconscious reprogramming through repetition and memory. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston invites Thais Gibson, the Founder of The Personal Development School, to speak about attachment styles in the workplace. Thais talks about her research on attachment theory, how to recondition the subconscious mind, and her impetus for founding The Personal Development School.

Emily Drake is the CEO of The Collective Academy, a leadership development firm working with global organizations. With decades of experience in counseling, coaching, and facilitation, she helps leaders and teams create cultures that foster community, purpose, and well-being. Emily produces and leads programs for professional services and nonprofit organizations, supporting entrepreneurial thinkers, creators, and leaders to envision the future. As a mental health clinician, she hosts the Who’s Missing podcast, which explores the stories and perspectives of people from diverse backgrounds. In this episode… Every high-reaching leader has a personal growth story. Whether originating from trauma or accomplishments, these anecdotes facilitate meaningful connections. Learn about the impact of community on personal and professional development from an esteemed mental health expert. According to therapist Emily Drake, the most effective way of discovering your identity is through connection and community. These facilitation groups should include a humanitarian leader who can make decisions and support and appreciate other members. However, leaders need support too, so Emily says to cultivate relationships with other high-achieving women and diverse individuals to advocate for you and help you attain your next endeavor. In today’s installment of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston welcomes her guest Emily Drake, the CEO of The Collective Academy, to discuss discovering yourself through high-achieving leadership and support. Emily shares the importance of honesty and self-acceptance, how she establishes personal development programs, and why she decided to interview her mother on her podcast.

Jane Frankel is the Managing Partner of The Art of Performance, which provides business education services to help organizations develop and grow through customer and partner relationships. As an Adjunct Professor of Economics at Temple University, she oversees project-based internships and corporate partnerships. Jane is a member of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum in Greater Philadelphia, an advisory board member for Temple University’s Center for Regional Economics, and a member of the Middle Market Steering Committee for the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. In this episode… Women have a competitive advantage in today’s corporate environment, with businesses dependent on their autonomy and authoritative decision-making. However, to become leaders, women must discover and own their strengths. How can you harness your mindset to boost performance? With a versatile career in education and innovation, Jane Frankel has identified four components of mindset: goals, values, beliefs, and work styles. Once you’ve established these elements, you can align them by observing and recording your behaviors and reactions. Gaining full control of your mindset lets you assess opportunities effectively to propel your personal and professional life. Tune in to this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as host Andrea Heuston sits down with Jane Frankel, The Art of Performance’s Managing Partner, to discuss the fundamentals of mindset. Jane breaks down the difference between mindset and mindfulness, her definition of women in leadership, and how to identify your five “whys.”

Brandi Marek is a Business Advisor at Ferguson Alliance, which helps family businesses increase their value. As a second-generation family business leader, she helps leaders and owners assess their companies by aligning organizational structure, strategies, and finances with family goals. Before joining Ferguson Alliance, Brandi held leadership and management roles at Magnolia Gardens Nursery, a family-owned business. In this episode… Leaders in family businesses often face an overwhelming sense of obligation to uphold familial expectations. How can you maintain relationships to build a thriving inter-generational company? In a family-owned company, many members struggle to differentiate between work and relatives. As a former second-generation daughter-in-law in a family business, Brandi Marek simultaneously faced judgment for her role in the company and a duty to preserve the family legacy, causing her to develop imposter syndrome. Having become an advisor, she encourages families to communicate with each other by identifying their needs and goals, maintaining honesty, and clarifying expectations. Join Andrea Heuston in this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as she hosts Brandi Marek, a Business Advisor at Ferguson Alliance, who talks about reconciling expectations and commitments in family businesses. Brandi shares her transition from an executive assistant to the manager of a family business, how her role as a daughter-in-law impacted her business relationships, and her desire to become a consultant.

Claire Chandler is the Founder, President, and CEO of Talent Boost, which helps businesses assess and accelerate growth. With 30 years of experience in people, leadership, human resources, and business ownership, she helps organizations achieve strategic alignment and culture integration. As a strategic partner and leadership advisor, Claire helps purpose-driven CHROs (chief human resources officers) of large organizations navigate growth through mergers and acquisitions. She is also a Keynote Speaker at the Call for Culture Speaker’s Network. In this episode… Women in management positions often conform to corporate culture, emulating the leadership styles of male CEOs and suppressing visibility to avoid conflict and confrontation. How can you own your authority and inspire others to follow you? While serving as the vice president of HR at a leading corporation, Claire Chandler’s boss requested that she adjust her walk to avoid seeming overly confident. After burning out from an unfulfilling career, Claire uncovered and pursued her passions. Aspiring women leaders must discover and display their hidden strengths and stay true to their values and beliefs. This inspires uniqueness, authenticity, and confidence. On today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston welcomes Claire Chandler, the Founder, President, and CEO of Talent Boost, who shares her journey of discovering her leadership style. Claire explains the value of fulfilling work, why she left the corporate space to become an entrepreneur, and why women must own their walks.

Michelle LaBrosse, PMP, CCPM, RYT, is the Founder and Head PMP Exam Prep Coach at Cheetah Learning, which offers accelerated exam preparation for the PMP (project management professional) test. In 2008, the Project Management Institute (PMI) recognized Cheetah as the Professional Development Provider of the Year. The institution also selected Michelle as one of the 25 Most Influential Women in Project Management in the World. She is also the author of Cheetah Negotiations, Cheetah Project Management, and Cheetah Know How, and her articles have appeared in over 1,000 publications globally. In this episode… Women are often perceived as control freaks, dictating others to complete tasks under specific terms. Rather, these determined individuals become frustrated when attempting to oversee a project through completion. Learn how to gauge your capabilities and capacity from an entrepreneur who has mastered accelerated learning. As a Certified PMP (project management professional) and coach, Michelle LaBrosse has developed holistic and integrated courses instructing participants on project management and advanced goal completion. She emphasizes the value of training your brain to absorb knowledge through healthy eating, neuro-linguistic programming, and exercise. Whether undertaking a new business venture or completing a certification, assess your capabilities to develop practical objectives and maintain a high level of focus. On the latest episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston invites Michelle LaBrosse, the Founder of Cheetah Learning, to discuss accelerated project completion. Michelle shares an overview of a PMP, how she persevered during her first entrepreneurial venture, and information about her four-day accelerated learning course.

Barbara Jo Jenkins is the author of So Long as It’s Wild, which details her three-year, 3,000-mile walk across America. She also co-authored the international bestseller, The Walk West, which was chosen as one of the most influential books in American culture and became part of the permanent White House Library. As a keynote speaker at colleges, conferences, and national conventions, Barbara has appeared in various magazines, including Reader’s Digest, and on national TV shows like Good Morning America. She has served as commissioner for two Tennessee Governors, Board Chair for Benton Hall Academy, and President of the Tennessee Women’s Forum. In this episode… Women often face fear, stigma, and backlash from society, discouraging them from reaching their potential and living fulfilling lives. One courageous nomad recounts her journey of self-discovery and confidence, inspiring freedom of expression among women from all walks of life. Despite judgment from family and friends, self-doubt, and fear, Barbara Jenkins walked 3,000 miles across America. Having hiked the Cascades at two months pregnant during the coldest winter and survived an outlaw attack in Colorado, she discovered her strengths and weaknesses. If you want to recognize and fulfill your destiny, Barabara recommends acknowledging the fear and persisting. However, it’s crucial to pace yourself in your endeavors to conserve mental, physical, and emotional energy. Tune in to this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as Andrea Heuston interviews renowned author Barbara Jenkins about her walk across the US. Barbara describes how her childhood in the Ozarks influenced her adventure, her book’s endorsement by Dolly Parton, and how to persevere amid adversity.

Renata Merino is a motivational speaker, investor, founder, and women’s advocate. As a Latina serial entrepreneur, she launched three startup businesses that focused on doubling bottom lines, investing in others, and building for the future. With 25 years of experience as an operator and investment banker, Renata is an investor and leader in the venture capitalist community. In this episode… As of the 2020s, 1,800 startups have been launched daily. Most of the founders are Latin women who have developed creative methods of supporting their families while raising their children. Yet women-owned startups are historically underfunded, so how can you support these businesses? As millennials and Gen Zs become parents, they have equalized the power structures between men and women by working and completing household tasks jointly. As a venture capitalist investing in female founders, Renata Merino says this gender role shift should apply to the corporate world, allowing women to establish credibility in a male-dominated space. By creating educational and career opportunities for women through adequate funding, you can break deeply embedded societal patterns. In today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, serial entrepreneur and investor Renata Merino joins Andrea Heuston to discuss how women can pave their way through male-dominated systems. Renata talks about growing up in an entrepreneurial household, how she became an investor in women-owned startups, and the rise of women launching businesses during motherhood.