In this episode of the Beyond Barriers podcast, host Brooke Skinner Ricketts delves into a thought-provoking conversation with Mike Gamson, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Permanent Capital Ventures. Discover how Mike's extensive career, from scaling LinkedIn's global operations to leading AI and biotech companies, has shaped his unique perspective on leadership and human connections in a hybrid work world. Mike shares personal stories, including transformative experiences at Burning Man and ...
Jul 31, 2024•46 min•Season 5Ep. 321
Tune in to Beyond Barriers for an enlightening conversation with Daina Middleton , a dynamic leader with a wealth of experience in global expansion and nurturing company culture. Daina opens up about her unique path to success, from riding horses in the vast landscapes of Oregon to spearheading innovative marketing strategies at Hewlett-Packard and Twitter. You will hear how Daina's dedication to hard work and continuous learning has driven her career forward. She also shares practical tips on b...
Jul 24, 2024•34 min•Season 5Ep. 320
https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com/podcast/Raudline-Etienne This week on Beyond Barriers, Brooke Skinner Ricketts interviews Raudline Etienne, Founder and CEO of Daraja Capital, in an episode brimming with insights on leadership and personal growth. Raudline shares her captivating story, from her childhood in Brooklyn to her ascent in the investment world. She discusses the critical moments that defined her career, the importance of self-awareness, and her mission to support diverse fund managers....
Jul 17, 2024•32 min•Season 5Ep. 319
In this episode, host Brooke Skinner Ricketts reconnects with her longtime friend and trailblazing marketing and branding expert, Henrietta Pepper. Tune in for a dynamic and inspiring conversation as Henrietta shares her remarkable journey from her education and early career in advertising to leading her own brand communications firm for 14 years and eventually founding GCJ Consultants, where she serves as Chief Strategist. Discover how Henrietta, a true pioneer in the industry, navigated the ch...
Jul 10, 2024•41 min•Season 5Ep. 318
In this empowering episode of the Beyond Barriers podcast, host Monica Marquez introduces us to Millie Guzman, a dynamic executive at Morgan Stanley and a steadfast champion for the Latino community. Born and raised in a lively Puerto Rican family in the Bronx, Millie narrates her remarkable rise from the family's youngest child to a formidable leader in global finance. Her journey from an entry-level assistant to a top compliance officer encapsulates the challenges and triumphs of navigating th...
Jul 03, 2024•41 min•Season 5Ep. 317
In this episode, Brooke Skinner Ricketts sits down with Ellen Havdala to explore her fascinating career journey and the profound lessons she’s learned along the way. Ellen, a Managing Director at Equity Group Investments, shares how she transitioned from a successful finance career to pursuing a divinity degree, and how these experiences have enriched her professional and personal life. Discover the strategies Ellen employs to balance her ambitious career goals with her spiritual calling, and ga...
Jun 26, 2024•33 min•Season 5Ep. 316
Celebrate Pride Month with Monica Marquez and Brooke Skinner Ricketts in this empowering episode of Beyond Barriers. Monica and Brooke share their compelling stories of coming out and breaking barriers in the corporate world. From Brooke’s supportive activist mother to Monica’s journey of self-discovery and acceptance, their experiences highlight the importance of authenticity and inclusion. Learn how they navigate the complexities of being queer professionals, the significance of building safe ...
Jun 21, 2024•30 min•Season 5Ep. 315
Tune in to this week’s episode as host Brooke Skinner Ricketts sits down with her friend and colleague, Marita Hudson Thomas, Chief Communications Officer at Cars.com Inc., d/b/a Cars Commerce. Marita is responsible for the internal and external communications strategy and events across Cars Commerce. Since her promotion, she has transformed their communications practices by delivering meaningful campaigns, press initiatives, and events that drive measurable results and business impact. Marita d...
Jun 19, 2024•43 min•Season 5Ep. 314
Tune in to an uplifting conversation with Marcy Moneypenny, Principal and Managing Director at Avison Young, as she shares her remarkable journey from a single mother to a prominent leader in the male-dominated commercial real estate industry. Host Nikki Barua delves into Marcy's early struggles, her rise in the commercial real estate sector, and the core values that have driven her success. She discusses the importance of turning pain into purpose, the power of self-belief, and the crucial role...
Jun 12, 2024•36 min•Season 5Ep. 313
Join us for a compelling episode as host Brook Skinner Ricketts delves into Erin Gallagher’s transformative journey from a marketing maven to a champion of women's empowerment and leadership. In this inspiring discussion, Erin reveals the critical moments at the age of 40 that catapulted her from behind-the-scenes roles to a leading voice in advocacy, establishing influential platforms such as Ella and The Hype Women Movement. These initiatives not only disrupt the status quo by providing women ...
Jun 05, 2024•51 min•Season 5Ep. 312
In today’s episode, the focus is on uncovering the human-centric revolution happening within the private equity sector, challenging the norm of focusing solely on financial transactions. Hosted by Nikki Barua, the episode features Caroline Kung, a visionary leader and the founder of SagePath Capital. Caroline shares her journey from a first-generation immigrant with humble beginnings to becoming a transformative figure in private equity, executing three billion dollars in transactions while crea...
May 29, 2024•37 min•Season 5Ep. 311
In this episode, you'll dive into the power of recognizing and leveraging your unique mix of skills and experiences with host Brooke Skinner Ricketts and guest Heidi Anderson Hupe, CEO of The Nora Collective. Heidi reveals her philosophy on the importance of 'leaning in' during moments of uncertainty and doubt in your career. She shares the pivotal moments that led her to embrace her true self, underscoring the transformative impact of authenticity on her career trajectory. Together, you'll expl...
May 22, 2024•51 min•Season 5Ep. 310
Welcome to a journey of leadership, personal growth, and impactful change. Brooke Skinner Ricketts hosts an inspiring conversation with Melissa Healy, who shares her journey from creative director to SVP at Leo Burnett, focusing on Employee Belonging and Participation. Melissa opens up about her evolution from early creative ambitions, through the trials of motherhood, to advocating for her disabled daughter. She illustrates how her unique, nonlinear path led to a fulfilling role that focuses on...
May 15, 2024•37 min•Season 5Ep. 309
On this episode of the Beyond Barriers Podcast, our host Brooke Skinner Ricketts welcomes Corey Jones, a visionary who has journeyed from engineering to the forefront of executive leadership as Co-Founder and CEO of PrismWork. Today we dive into a much needed conversation about re-thinking how we interact with each other at the workplace. Corey’s story is not just about career transition but about revolutionizing leadership in an era where change is the only constant. With a focus on the pandemi...
May 08, 2024•48 min•Season 5Ep. 308
Get ready for an exhilarating dive into the world of vocal empowerment in today's episode! Join host Monica Marquez and her dynamic guests, Jessica Doyle Mekkes and Rebecca Simon, as they unravel the secrets to owning and celebrating your unique voice in the professional realm. Jessica and Rebecca, who both champion authenticity at East Carolina University, are here to revolutionize the way you think about vocal identity amidst the pressures of conformity. They offer powerful strategies for mast...
May 01, 2024•48 min•Season 5Ep. 307
Brace yourself for an electrifying episode that vividly shows how our daily thoughts profoundly influence who we are. Join our host, Brooke Skinner Ricketts, as she engages with Yasmeen Duncan, Chief People Officer at the world-renowned Magnolia Bakery. Yasmeen's life story is a compelling testament to the transformative power of self-belief and goal-setting, nurtured from a young age by her insightful mother. As she takes us through her exhilarating path as a woman of color in leadership roles ...
Apr 24, 2024•46 min•Season 5Ep. 306
In today's episode, join our host Monica Marquez and our esteemed guest, Heather Black, Founder and CEO of Supermums, as we delve into a visionary approach to reshaping careers in the tech industry. Heather shares her compelling story of how a pivotal career shift, driven by personal transformations, led to the creation of Supermums. This forward-thinking organization is committed to empowering women, particularly those re-entering the workforce post-maternity, by opening doors to new opportunit...
Apr 17, 2024•33 min•Season 5Ep. 305
Welcome to today's episode where we dive into the realms of leadership, resilience, and the transformative power of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our host, Brooke Skinner Ricketts, embarks on a journey that unravels the essence of authentic leadership and the secret to sustaining energy and resilience at the pinnacle of professional success with our remarkable guest, Cynthia Soledad, a leader at Egon Zehnder’s Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Practice. Imagine navigating from the vib...
Apr 10, 2024•49 min•Season 5Ep. 304
Today we explore the remarkable story of Lisa Curtis, who went from Peace Corps volunteer to trailblazing Founder & CEO of Kuli Kuli Foods, a leading brand pioneering the sustainable superfood, moringa. Discover the journey of how a quest for better nutrition in West Africa revealed the hidden gem of moringa, igniting the foundation of a superfood empire. From humble village origins to earning a spot on Forbes 30 Under 30, Lisa's rise is a tribute to resilience and the strength of community....
Apr 03, 2024•41 min•Season 5Ep. 303
In today's episode, our host Nikki Barua ventures into the world of someone whose story reads like a masterclass in resilience, ambition, and the art of leadership. Our remarkable guest, Kira Kimball, Chief Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer at Marsh McLennan Agency, who has charted a path that's both inspiring and instructive. Kira’s journey proves that achieving one’s dreams is as much about the mindset we adopt as it is about the actions we take. Kira opens up about the essence of sta...
Mar 27, 2024•40 min•Season 5Ep. 302
Step into the incredible story of Wendy Diamond, whose early entrepreneurial spirit set off a powerful movement in the world of women’s entrepreneurship. This episode brings you Nikki Barua guiding an engaging conversation with Wendy Diamond, the innovative CEO and Founder of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization. Get ready to dive into Wendy’s journey as she shares the key moments and decisions that transformed her into a source of motivation and change for entrepreneurs everywhere. Our...
Mar 20, 2024•34 min•Season 5Ep. 301
Buckle up because this is no ordinary episode—it's a milestone! You are about to dive into the 300th episode of the Beyond Barriers podcast with host Monica Marquez and special guest Jaci Czarnecki Thompson, Experience Architect at Beyond Barriers. Five seasons of riveting interviews, cutting-edge strategies, and stories of triumph that will propel you forward in your career. We don't just talk the talk; we walk it with the incredible individuals who have shattered barriers and soared to new hei...
Mar 13, 2024•51 min•Season 5Ep. 300
Get ready to immerse yourself in the art of building genuine virtual connections with Alyssa Merwin, the global Vice President of LinkedIn Sales Solutions. Host Brooke Skinner Ricketts dives deep into Alyssa's extraordinary journey, from her humble small-town roots to leading LinkedIn's Sales Navigator business. With unwavering transparency, Alyssa unveils invaluable insights into overcoming challenges and embracing vulnerability as the driving forces behind substantial professional development....
Mar 06, 2024•44 min•Season 5Ep. 299
Give your career that extra push and improve your performance with tips from our guest, Terri Fiedler, President of Retirement Services at Corebridge Financial. Terri, an accomplished professional in the financial services industry, shares her journey from a nutrition degree to her current role. Follow along as she enlightens us with her unexpected journey from nutrition to finances, proving that overcoming challenges is all part of the game. We'll also delve into the crucial role of collaborati...
Feb 28, 2024•34 min•Season 5Ep. 298
Ready to supercharge your career and foster a deeper sense of belonging at work? Dive in to a captivating conversation with our host Monica Marquez and Karyn Twaronite, EY Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusiveness Officer. Boasting a remarkable 30-year tenure at EY, Karyn unveils her extraordinary journey, offering insights into championing diversity and inclusion while embracing new experiences. From reshaping feedback perspectives to the pivotal role of 'belonging' in today's workplace, we ...
Feb 14, 2024•42 min•Season 5Ep. 297
Tune in to today’s episode as we explore the keys to fostering career sustainability, creating cultures that defy burnout, and nurturing work-life harmony. Along with your host, Brooke Skinner Ricketts, we’re privileged to chat with legal powerhouse, Hilary Preston, Vice Chair of Vinson & Elkins. Discover the importance of embracing a long-term perspective in your career, setting reasonable limits, and recognizing the power of occasional deceleration. Hilary’s story is a source of inspiratio...
Feb 07, 2024•41 min•Season 5Ep. 296
Ever felt the weight of imposter syndrome, that persistent notion that you may not be up to the task of pursuing your ambitious goals? Dive into the captivating story of Shannon Duffy, the Chief Marketing Officer at Asana, with your host, Brooke Skinner Ricketts. In this episode, Shannon generously unveils the twists and turns of her career, highlighting a transformative moment that propelled her toward authentic leadership. Join us as she delves into the significance of embracing one's true sel...
Jan 31, 2024•27 min•Season 5Ep. 295
Welcome to today's insightful conversation with Tamara Zaichkowsky, Chief Digital Officer at Acrisure. Tamara is a self-proclaimed curious soul, fueled by the pursuit of knowledge and self empowerment. She has successfully integrated creativity and efficiency into her professional path by using knowledge as her currency for decision-making. In this episode, discover valuable tips on managing stress to drive personal growth and achievement, while embracing the art of being fully present every day...
Jan 24, 2024•40 min•Season 5Ep. 294
Welcome to today's empowering episode featuring Jackie Morales, the accomplished Chief Operating Officer at Security Benefit. Join our insightful host, Brooke Skinner Ricketts, as she guides us through Jackie's remarkable career journey. Jackie's story highlights the significance of authenticity, calculated risk-taking, and the pursuit of clear career goals. Notably, Jackie defied norms by achieving the role of vice president at the age of 28, all without a formal education. Jackie's narrative s...
Jan 17, 2024•36 min•Season 5Ep. 293
Unleash your potential by breaking away from cultural and societal norms alongside our incredible guest, Valeria Aloe. As an accomplished author and fervent advocate for personal development, Valeria brings a wealth of global corporate experience spanning seven countries. Her transformative journey, transitioning from burnout to a purposeful life, provides invaluable insights into challenging societal pressures while courageously embracing our authenticity. Dive into this inspiring episode to di...
Jan 10, 2024•39 min•Season 5Ep. 292
