Lead Like a Woman

Cindy Spodek Dickey is the Principal Navigator and Founder of 47 Degrees North Marketing, an agency offering entrepreneurial consulting services and integrated marketing expertise. In addition to being certified as a woman-owned business by the Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE), 47North Marketing is recognized by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). Cindy is proficient in executive-level marketing, communications, and creative ideation for businesses. Her experience spans more than 20 years, working with Disney, Microsoft, Roambee, Radarworks, Zumobi, and numerous others. In this episode… It sometimes seems the one element keeping your business from success is luck. While good fortune can feel entirely up to chance, there are ways to prepare for and secure opportunities. Hard work, when combined with transparency, networking, and a reliable team, can create openings where none existed before. Cindy Spodek Dickey navigates her long and fruitful career with this mindset — from her long stints with Fortune 500 companies to leading a team of expert marketers. She took those lessons and applied them to new ventures, creating a successful marketing agency in the process. Now Cindy opens up about some of her greatest insights. In this episode of Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston speaks with Cindy Spodek Dickey, the Principal Navigator and Founder of 47 Degrees North Marketing, about creating opportunities and finding success. Cindy provides insights on her extensive experience in the marketing and media space and some of the best lessons she learned along the way. They also touch on starting a side gig, supporting other women, the beginnings of the agency, and learning from successful teams.

Michela Hundrup is the President of ProMotion Holdings Global, a leading national provider of communications consulting and content technology solutions. After graduating from college, Michela joined ProMotion Holdings as a Marketing Intern before becoming a manager. Over the past 13 years, Michela has managed an acquisition — including transitioning operations, streamlining workflows, and employee onboarding — and navigated the evolving business environment, creating organizational growth. In this episode… Traditional and antiquated leadership involves micromanaging employees to produce a desired result. But this style hampers business growth, so leaders must embrace new voices and ideas to develop innovative solutions. How can you meet employees where they are and provide them the freedom to develop and thrive? After starting as a marketing intern, Michela Hundrup advanced her role through supportive leadership, employing her skills to solve problems independently. This allowed her to cultivate a female-led executive team and nurture personal and professional development among next-generation leaders. With transparent communication, receptivity to fresh perspectives, and flexibility, you can establish a robust team of growth-minded individuals. Andrea Heuston sits down with the President of ProMotion Holdings Global, Michela Hundrup, on this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, to talk about facilitating adaptable leadership. Michela opens up about motherhood’s impact on leadership, how she created a female executive team, and how female leadership promotes flexibility.

Simone Morris is the CEO of Simone Morris Enterprises, LLC, a certified minority and women-owned business providing leadership solutions. She is also an inclusive leadership expert, executive career coach, author, and professional speaker. Simone consults with organizations on addressing cultural concerns, coaches leaders on managing diverse perspectives, and helps women regain their confidence to advance their careers. As an interactive keynote speaker, Simone leads discussions to support diversity and inclusion agendas and talent management strategies. She has received numerous awards and recognition for her work, including “Female Solo Entrepreneur of the Year” in 2020 and the “Women Business Enterprises Who Rock” award in 2019. In this episode… Women are often relegated to secondary roles and made to follow directions instead of providing them. But as the business world becomes increasingly sophisticated, women leaders and entrepreneurs are rising up and carving a position for themselves. How can you own and amplify your voice to facilitate widespread, systemic change? Leadership expert and inclusion advocate Simone Morris declares that your career is your responsibility. Instead of allowing others to govern your journey, you must disrupt traditional gender roles to live your purpose and make an impact. Yet making a bold assertion can be intimidating, so Simone says to give yourself grace and compassion while taking small steps to build authority by writing articles and appearing on podcasts. Listen to this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as Andrea Heuston chats with Simone Morris, CEO of Simone Morris Enterprises, LLC, about uplifting yourself and your career. Simone also mentions the importance of inclusion in schools, the Great Resignation and other prominent social justice trends, and her book’s message.

Marsha Ralls is the Founder and CEO of The Phoenix Wellness Retreat, which fosters personal inspiration, growth, and life transformation. She has been a servant leader and member of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) for nearly 25 years where she founded MyEO Women (formerly Women of EO). Marsha has been recognized by multiple organizations for entrepreneurship and community service. She was named “National Woman of the Year” by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, and “Enterprising Woman of the Year” by Enterprising Women. In this episode… As a female entrepreneur, do you feel discouraged by the lack of available opportunities and support? Women in business and other nontraditional roles are often unrecognized for their accomplishments. Where can you gain empowerment to realize your potential? Wellness and leadership advocate Marsha Ralls believes that women possess diverse skills and perspectives vital to business, leadership boards, and communities. Accordingly, she has created a space to foster female entrepreneurship and leadership through authenticity, transformation, and communal support. There’s no shame in asking for help, so Marsha suggests seeking an experienced mentor to help you overcome doubts and gain respect. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, the Founder and CEO of The Phoenix Wellness Retreat, Marsha Ralls, joins Andrea Heuston to discuss how she encourages and advocates for women leaders. Marsha talks about her involvement in the arts and health and wellness spaces, the impetus for MyEO Women, and her business retreat programs.

Christy Pretzinger is the Owner and CEO of WriterGirl, a company that creates content and strategy for hospitals and healthcare organizations across the US. Christy went from freelancing to owning her own agency, uncovering a passion for creating an environment where people can thrive. As a lifelong learner, she believes personal growth leads to professional growth. In this episode… Historically, men have dominated the business landscape with a fixed leadership style that suppresses creativity and growth. But the contemporary workforce demands personal development opportunities and culturally rich organizations. How can you develop a personalized leadership style to create the business you desire? Business success is often measured on a balance sheet by its assets, liabilities, and equities. But Christy Pretzinger has established a proprietary cultural balance sheet that assesses human capital instead of numbers. She builds and leads a team based on the soft skills inherent in women leaders — empathy, relationship building, and communication — to foster personal growth. By managing your business with intentional values, you can have a greater impact on your bottom line. WriterGirl’s Owner and CEO, Christy Pretzinger, joins Andrea Heuston in today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show to discuss leading with kindness. Christy also explains the connection between personal growth and company culture, how she cultivates a diverse writing team, and how to lead like you.

Franziska Gonder is a Somatic Leadership Coach and Founder of Leadership That Heals The World and Bravespace. She has experience advising startups, VC investors, and Fortune 500 companies on operations, culture, HR, and leadership. For 15 years, Franziska has combined entrepreneurial problem-solving, collaborative technology, and human-centered design to help individuals and teams discover and achieve their potential. Her work has been featured in Forbes, TheNextWeb, Philanthropy, and HuffPost. After losing her father in 2013, Franziska began leading with belonging, safety, and dignity — and now she helps others do the same. In this episode… Traditional Western cultures glamorize the hustling lifestyle, where entrepreneurs and leaders work continuously while disregarding their emotions. But childhood and other traumas shape leadership styles greatly. Today’s guest empowers entrepreneurs to create a healthy balance between work and life while cultivating impactful leadership. Franziska Gonder advocates for a sense of belonging, safety, and dignity. These feelings can become disrupted due to physical, emotional, or mental stressors, consequently putting the nervous system into overdrive and compromising your leadership. Through a combination of neuro-linguistic programming, self-inquiry, and somatic coaching, Franziska helps leaders reflect on their traumas and take accountability for their actions. When you give yourself grace, you can support others in their journeys. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston chats with Franziska Gonder, Somatic Leadership Coach and Founder of Leadership That Heals The World and Bravespace, about leading with compassion and accountability. Franziska also discusses why she transitioned into somatic leadership, how to utilize neuro-linguistic programming, and the negative influence of “up and to the right” mindsets.

Christian Schiller is the Managing Director of Cascadia Capital, an independent middle market investment bank serving both private and public growth companies. He is also an active participant and leader in the family business segment across the US, working proactively with family business leaders to facilitate various strategic initiatives. With over 26 years of investment banking experience, Christian has closed more than 150 transactions, including buy and sell-side M&A, equity, and debt financing in various industries. In this episode… Studies reveal that investments in women-owned businesses declined from 2.3% in 2021 to 1.6% in 2022. This is because many women either don’t understand how to access funding or aren’t made aware of available options. How can you raise capital and establish yourself as a woman entrepreneur? Christian Schiller believes in the power of mentorship and relationship-building. Women who want to fund their startups or sell their established businesses should consult with others who have accomplished those endeavors. The key to achieving any business goal is collaborating with your team and embracing diverse perspectives by remaining curious and humble. Join Andrea Heuston in today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as she interviews Cascadia Capital’s Managing Director, Christian Schiller, about obtaining funding for women-owned and led businesses. Christian also talks about family business as a driver for economic growth, investment trends in women-owned companies, and how to promote inclusive leadership.

Laura Barnard is the Founder and Partner at BREAKTHRU Brands, a brand-building agency empowering women leaders to create personal and professional brands that break barriers. With two decades of experience in marketing and branding, she focuses her agency on building brands and guiding over 100 leaders to take action. Laura has led strategy for global brands such as HARIBO, Werther’s, and Skittles and has contributed to advisory boards for emerging startups, including PWRFWD and Fork Food Lab. In this episode… Studies show that women leaders facilitate innovation and drive measurable business results. Yet women are continuously denied leadership roles and struggle to receive equal opportunities, which suppresses confidence and determination. How can you discover your leadership style and enable boundless possibilities for other women? Typically, vulnerability is perceived as a weakness. But Laura Barnard says that women who exhibit this trait foster meaningful connections and confidence by demonstrating that perfection is overvalued and restrictive. Laura has developed the B.O.L.D. leadership approach to inspire emerging leaders to make an impact. The framework involves displaying bravery, being outspoken in your efforts, communicating your message and ideas with intention, and differentiating yourself from the crowd. Join Andrea Heuston in today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as she hosts Laura Barnard, the Founder and Partner at BREAKTHRU Brands, to talk about building influential leaders. Laura explains the importance of female leadership in today’s society, advice for creating a personal brand, and how to establish opportunities in a limiting world.

Steve Crandall is the CEO of ProMotion Holdings Global, a leading national provider of communications consulting and content technology solutions. As CEO, he has overseen the organization’s growth from its founding to one of the largest LGBTQ-owned businesses in the Pacific Northwest. As a serial entrepreneur, strategic thinker, and community activist, Steve’s award-winning creative work has appeared on local and national news. He serves on numerous nonprofit boards and was named the Greater Seattle Business Association’s “Business Man of the Year” in 2005. In this episode… Although women have gained some authority in the business world, male leaders continue to outrank their female counterparts in every sector. How can you inspire young women to pursue leadership roles while dismantling the barriers to gender equality? As an advocate for workplace diversity, Steve Crandall believes that women play a crucial role in business decisions by bringing unique perspectives and insights to any undertaking. He has built an entirely women-led executive team that makes key decisions on equal pay and leave to facilitate widespread change. Steve encourages women to challenge the status quo and remain assertive and headstrong to obtain a leadership position. CEO of ProMotion Holdings, Steve Crandall, joins Andrea Heuston in today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, to discuss the importance of a women-led team. Steve also talks about the evolution of female leadership, how to recognize women’s skills in the workplace, and advice for breaking the glass ceiling in a male-dominated workforce.

Allison DeLeone is the President and CEO of The Production Network (TPN) + Evia, a production agency providing messaging strategies and comprehensive solutions for brands wanting to boost engagement with their audience. For over 25 years, Allison has supported events and exhibit productions for the largest brands on high-profile stages. Her current focus is on incorporating TPN in Web3 and the metaverse. Hilary Laney is the Chief Revenue Officer at The Production Network + Evia. As an executive and team leader, Hilary’s passion is to build engaging and inclusive event experiences. Her efforts have helped Evia’s customers target their intended audiences and collect accurate data from its users. In this episode… The event industry is complex and ever-changing. It can be challenging to maintain your influence if you don’t implement the proper strategies. To stay ahead of the competition, it’s critical to construct creative ideas and be vigilant of new opportunities. Upon combining their forces, event industry powerhouses Allison DeLeone and Hilary Laney are raising the standards for creative production agencies. Their individual experiences have shown that they are capable of moving companies forward — even in trying times. Merging their companies has allowed the duo to expand their services for customers and create new opportunities for themselves, their team, and their customers. In this episode of Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston sits down with Allison DeLeone, the President and CEO of TPN + Evia, and Hilary Laney, TPN + Evia’s Chief Revenue Officer, to discuss the merger between the two companies and how it has introduced new opportunities. Allison and Hilary also talk about how the company has maintained its relevance and how they are innovating through NFTs.