Smart, Driven, Women

What Kind of Leadership Sets a New Standard in Business? | with Managing Partner Courtney Matson

Courtney Matson, Managing Partner of Broad Branch Advisors, shares her extensive experience in international development, global health, and strategy consulting. She provides insights about her career journey from nonprofit work to running her own consulting firm, all while balancing her professional ambitions with family life.
If you are ready to embrace the internal investigation of your own leadership journey or would love to hear more about the consulting framework, then listen now!
Connect with Courtney Matson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-matson/

How Do You Grow Into Leadership Without a Clear Plan? | with Executive Director Caroline Woods

Caroline Woods, executive director of Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia, discusses her nonlinear career path and growth into leadership. She emphasizes building confidence over time, embracing detours, and learning from failure rather than fearing it. She also reflects on balancing motherhood and career, highlighting that success comes from flexible priorities rather than perfect balance.
If you are ready to become self assured in your unique career path then this episode is for you!
Connect with Caroline: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-woods-a759189/

How Do You Create the Work Life You Thought You’d Have? | with Lisa Reid, CEO and Co-Founder

Lisa Angulo Reid, Co-Founder and CEO of Dear Flor, shares her journey from a driven college student to a marketing leader and entrepreneur. She emphasizes the importance of breaking big goals into manageable steps, staying curious, and pursuing work that aligns with both passion and values. She advocates for aspiring founders to know their non-negotiables and confidently take up space.
If you are ready to take the reins of your work/life and leadership journey, then this episode is for you!
Connect with Lisa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-angulo-reid-38aa9025/

How Do You Maintain Authenticity While Building a Public Voice? | with Mayor Alyia Gaskins, Alexandria

Mayor Aliyah Gaskins, the first African American woman elected mayor of Alexandria, Virginia discusses how curiosity shaped her career path, how systems helped her solve complex community challenges, and why authentic leadership matters now more than ever. She opens up about the realities of running for office, while navigating criticism and balancing family life.
If you want to be inspired towards authentic purpose-driven leadership and bold resilience then this episode is for you!
Connect with Mayor Gaskins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyia-gaskins-62a45749/

How Do You Find Your Authentic Drive? | with Audrey Bansil, Vice President

Audrey Bansil, Vice President of NBCUniversal, discusses challenges such as imposter syndrome, ADHD, and burnout. She emphasizes the importance of nervous system regulation, capacity building, and redefining success. These tools helped shift her mindset from goal oriented to impact oriented. 
If you are currently overwhelmed with attempting to achieve your goals, then this episode is for you!
Connect with Audrey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreybansil/

How Do You Lobby for Yourself? | with Marie Clarke, President

Marie Clarke, a former lawyer turned C-suite executive, talks about navigating career pivots, trusting your instincts, and redefining success on your own terms. She explores how clarity, systems, and self-trust play a critical role in long-term leadership when stepping into bigger decisions with broader influence. 
This conversation is for women who are questioning their next move, feeling boxed in by expectations, or ready to build a career that aligns with who they are now—not who they were told to be.
Connect with Marie Clarke: linkedin.com/in/marie-clarke-governmentaffairs
 

Let Them Cook! Feedback and Building Each Other Up as Equity Experts | with Christine Zwerling, Niya Dragova, and Samantha Adams

Head of Stock Administration at Asana–Christine Zwerling, CEO of Candor–Niya Dragova, and Head of Business Development–Samantha Adams all join the SDW podcast to unpack how candid feedback, operational rigor, and emotional regulation translate into growth.
They also discuss finding (and keeping) the right allies so your network actually works, and navigating emotional regulation under pressure.
If you are ready to hear from a panel of well accomplished women then this episode is for you. 
To connect with Christine: www.linkedin.com/in/zwerling
To connect with Niya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefaniyadragova
To connect with Sam: www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-adams-cep-10a579a
We encourage you to support the Certified Equity Professional Institute: https://www.linkedin.com/school/cepinstitute/
Visit www.candor.co to learn more how Candor can partner with you and your equity compensation goals. 

How Challenges Become Your Purpose | with Tamar Draper Mahru, Senior Director

Tamar Draper Mahru, Senior Director of Workplace Experience at Grammarly, shares how her inner drive, human-centered leadership, and early career experiences in workplace design helped her navigate a purpose-driven path, while building environments where others can thrive too. 
More importantly, she emphasizes on how intentional connections shape career momentum, team creativity, and personal fulfillment.
For professionals who seek to lead with purpose and build more connected, human-centered teams, this episode is for you!
Connect with Tamar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tdmrew/

Solidifying Your Way into the Gaming Industry | with Sarah Fuchs

Sarah Fuchs, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Muus Collective, shares her honest journey, from being laid off on maternity leave to building a mobile fashion gaming studio partnered with Revolve and Paris Hilton. 
She opens up about balancing leadership and raising four kids, setting unapologetic boundaries, and why being a role model means making space for others. 
This is a must-listen for anyone redefining what success looks like on their own terms.
To connect with Sarah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-fuchs-b1bb3b/
 

Let Go of the ‘Shoulds’ to Build the Career That Fits You | with Sheila Jambekar, Chief Privacy Officer

Sheila Jambekar, Chief Privacy Officer at Dayforce, shares how she let go of the “shoulds” and built a career that actually fit her life, values, and goals. She opens up about making intentional pivots, trusting herself through high-stakes transitions, and what it really means to pursue true ambition. 
It’s a powerful look at what happens when you stop following a path that only looks successful—and start following one that feels aligned. 
This episode is for anyone craving more alignment in their career or questioning what success really means.
To connect with Sheila: www.linkedin.com/in/sheilajambekar