Brave Women at Work

I call on you this week to reach out to another woman in your life. A woman that needs a good word, a in-person or virtual hug, motivation, or support. You have no idea the ripple effect it will have.Today on the show, Ashley and I dive into something so important and foundational – purpose. During today’s show, Ashley and I chatted about:The meaning behind unlimited to Ashley, especially since her company’s name is You Unlimited.Why is purpose so important, and how do you we go about finding our own purpose?How does Ashley leverage CliftonStrengths in her work with teams?What is the intersection between purpose and CliftonStrengths?What is flow state coaching?When was the last time that Ashley was in a flow state?Here is more about Ashley:Ashley Kletke is the founder of You Unlimited Coaching and Workshops. You Unlimited helps organizations uncover their purpose, elevate their strengths, and engineer their cultures. As an engineer turned performance coach and facilitator, Ashley has a unique ability to bridge the analytical and the human — helping individuals, teams, and businesses move forward with clarity and purpose.Ashley's work is rooted in the belief that when people understand their unlimited purpose and leverage their individual strengths, that's when they truly become unlimited. She uses CliftonStrengths as one of her core tools in her work with teams, helping them move beyond simply agreeing that collaboration matters to actually knowing how to do it. She also weaves wellbeing and flow state coaching into her practice, with a firm belief that wellbeing is fuel for performance — not a nice-to-have, but a necessity.Based in Mattawan, Michigan, Ashley works with people and organizations ready to get clear on the purpose behind their goals and build the tools to be their best selves — at work and in life.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!If you have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at hello@bravewomenatwork.com. I am happy to share the details on the project.  Alright, let’s welcome Ashley to the show!Questions (Segment 2): Can you tell us more about your background story? How have you gotten to where you are today?What does You Unlimited mean to you? And as a follow-up, what is unlimited purpose and why is it important to you?Once you understand your unlimited purpose, what changes for you personally and professionally? (We can also talk about the quote on your site – “Your real job in life is to figure out what it is you are called to do.” – Oprah Winfrey)I have had guests on the show talk about CliftonStrengths and discovering your individual strengths. How do you use it with your work with teams? How does your purpose work and CliftonStrengths intersect?Why is wellbeing fuel for performance in teams and organizations as a whole? What is your perspective on the state of wellbeing at work today?What is flow state coaching? How do you advise your clients to get in a flow state?When was the last time you were in a flow state?What are 1-2 ways women at be braver at work?How can women connect with you and your work online?

I’m so excited to have another Chicago gal in the house today with me, Harper A. Bailey. Harper and I discovered we had SO much in common with our stories, perspectives, etc. that I hope to meet up with her IRL (in real life) sometime soon!During today’s show, Harper and I talked about:What it felt like for her to be the first Black woman to lead a prominent national women’s healthcare nonprofit.Her burnout story and the grief of transition between who she was and who she became after the experience.The story behind her name Harper A. Bailey and what her real name is and why she decided to use it (grab a tissue).Her book, It Was Her: A Memoir.The differences between macro and micro grief.The moments of grief in corporate that no one talks about. I even share an example I have processed recently.If you are willing to dig a bit deeper on how grief touches us in unexpected ways and is related to burnout and our healing, listen to today’s conversation.Here is more about Harper:Harper A. Bailey is the pen name of Tiosha Bailey, a Chicago native,public health leader, and powerful storyteller who challenges the statusquo. She was the first Black woman to lead a prominent nationalwomen's healthcare nonprofit, where she prioritized health equity andamplified the voices of underserved communities.Her first book, It Was Her: A Memoir—featuring a foreword by renownedmotivational speaker Lisa Nichols—invites readers into a deeply personalstory shaped by loss, resilience, and transformation. Through honest andcompelling storytelling, Harper explores identity, healing, and thecourage it takes to reclaim your narrative.As a speaker, Harper brings clarity, depth, and humor to conversationsabout leadership, purpose, and the lived experiences of Black women.She connects with audiences through truth-telling and a passion forcreating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and empowered.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!I’m so pumped to let you know that the E-Book for Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Authenticity is now available on Amazon!If you have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at hello@bravewomenatwork.com. I am happy to share the details on the project.  

I thought that Imposter Syndrome was something to be managed. Not eradicated, but managed. Jen has an entirely different view on Imposter Syndrome. She thinks we can make it our superpower. I was curious and completely open-minded to Jen’s perspective because there’s always more to learn.During our discussion, Jen and I chatted about:How she got into the STEM sector and continues to work with people in STEM and other industries today.Why she believes Imposter Syndrome is our superpower and not something to get rid of.How Imposter Syndrome shows up for Jen and other leadersWhat is Jen’s Leadership DecoderWhy people call Jen the velvet sledgehammerHere is more about Jen:Featured on ABC, MSNBC, and TEDx, Jen Coken is an internationallyrecognized executive leadership coach, speaker, and best-sellingauthor with more than twenty-five years of experience helping leadersbreak barriers and lead with authority. She’s guided nearly 10,000leaders worldwide—from Fortune 1000 executives to emerging women inSTEM—to transform self-doubt into confidence, and confusion intoclarity.Jen’s trademark blend of neuroscience, soul, and stand-up makes herunlike any other coach in the leadership space. She uses humor toreach people where logic can’t—because when there’s laughter, there’slistening, and when there’s listening, there’s learning.Her book, Make Imposter Syndrome Your Superpower, offers a practicalroadmap for leaders to own their brilliance and lead with influence,impact, and unapologetic authenticity. Whether she’s on a stage, inthe trenches with your team, or coaching one-on-one, Jen’s mission isconstant: to help brilliant minds show up as their boldest, mostpowerful selves—without compromise.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!I’m excited to share that Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Authenticity is coming out soon in E-Book! Be on the lookout for a purchase link for the $0.99 E-Book in April 2026!And, finally, I am already receiving interest in Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Abundance! This will be the sixth book in the women’s anthology series! This project will begin later this year in August 2026! If you have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at hello@bravewomenatwork.com. I am happy to share the details on the project.  Alright, let’s welcome Jen to the show!

Well friends and podcast listeners, I have met another sister from another mister in my guest today, Dr. Kasi Lacey! I met Dr. Kasi at the Thrive in ’25 Conference last summer, and I was like, Dr. Kasi is my person! When we chatted, I really resonated with what she was saying and so much of our corporate war stories were similar, even though Dr. Kasi and I come from different industries. It simply goes to show you that it doesn’t really matter the industry. What matters is that we share our stories so that women do not feel alone. When I met Dr. Kasi, I know I felt seen. Like my work with Brave Women at Work, Dr. Kasi focuses a big portion of her work on lifting women up so they can build confidence and advocate for themselves. Once I found that out, I knew she had to be on the show.During our discussion, Dr. Kasi and I chatted about:Confidence is a skill we can build; it’s not something we have or don’t have.How resilience, grit, and clarity have key roles in building confidence in any area of your life.How boundaries go hand in hand with confidence buildingWe chatted about how Dr. Kasi loves being on stage, and it wasn’t something she set out to do.Her upcoming book, The Confidence Comeback: The Psychology of Reclaiming Your Power, Voice, and LeadershipAnd we also touched on her course: Break Free from Self-DoubtHere is more about Dr. Kasi:Dr. Lacey is a nationally recognized psychologist, author, keynote speaker, and confidence coach who empowers women and workplaces to lead with confidence.She blends the science of psychology with actionable leadership strategies to deliver high-impact, transformative keynotes and training that leave audiences inspired and equipped to take action.With 15+ years of experience as a C-suite executive in higher education and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Dr. Lacey is known for her relatable, energizing speaking style and her deep understanding of what it truly takes to cultivate confidence in leadership - especially for women navigating high-pressure roles.Whether she’s on stage, on camera, or in a boardroom, Dr. Lacey's mission is clear: help women lead unapologetically and help organizations build thriving, inclusive, and psychologically safe environments.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!I’m excited to share that Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Authenticity is coming out soon in E-Book! Be on the lookout for a purchase link for the $0.99 E-Book in April 2026!And, finally, I am already receiving interest in Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Abundance! This will be the sixth book in the women’s anthology series! This project will begin later this year in August 2026! If you have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at hello@bravewomenatwork.com. I am happy to share the details on the project.  Alright, let’s welcome Dr. Kasi to the show!

I have never been a shopper. Starting in my teenage years, I decided I would be emo and wear black all the time. It was just easier, and it matched my teenage angst and all the Alanis Morrissette I was listening to. Can you relate?I would love to tell you that I have changed in my adult years, but I haven’t really. Black is still my staple, and I don’t put a lot of time into my wardrobe. My guest, Dianne Boyer, has shared with me the importance of putting together a wardrobe that serves us not only personally, but professionally. This is a missing tool that helps us with our confidence and with advocating for ourselves. You know what I’m talking about. When we feel good, we do good. When we wear our favorite outfit, we walk a little taller. And maybe, just maybe, we advocate for ourselves a little more.  During our discussion, Dianne and I chatted about:Her origin story in fashion and stylingWhat pushed her out of her work and into running her own business, Dianne in StyleWhat is a color analysis, and why is it important?What is a personal style evaluation, and can it be done from anywhere?What is the goal of Dianne’s work with women?If you are anything like me and are quick to go to wearing black as a default or the same outfits repeatedly that you do not particularly love, this show is for you.Here is more about Dianne:Dianne Boyer is a personal stylist helping women rediscover their confidence and joy through style.  After decades in corporate and fashion marketing, Dianne transitioned into styling to empower women navigating life’s next chapter.  She offers practical, personalized styling for women who want to feel vibrant and relevant at any age.Reinvention is not just about what she does for others, it’s her own story as well. Her professional path includes leadership roles in Fortune 100 marketing and over a decade in the fashion accessories space. Since the beginning, her career has centered around brand identity, visual impact, and helping others make a strong first impression. She’s leveraged her years of marketing experience and love of fashion and applied the same principles for making brands shine to doing the same for women.Dianne has shared her styling insights on television segments in Detroit and Chicago and has been featured in Real Simple, People, and Today.com. Her message is simple: it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. Whether it’s a career pivot or a fresh outfit, you deserve to love what you see in the mirror.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

Several years ago, one of my dear friends, Jennie, visited me for the weekend. We went shopping and decided to duck into TJ Maxx. Who doesn’t love a good TJ Maxx run?While we were in the store, we saw a coffee mug that had this saying on it, “I’m kind of a big deal.” I held it up, pointed at it, and smiled while Jennie took a picture of me. Back then, I was play acting that I was kind of a big deal.Now, years later, I know I am. It’s taken burnout and many years of healing to get here. And my guest, Dr. Shana Lewis, has gotten there herself. She mentioned the phrase “I’m major, not minor” in our podcast today, and it reminded me of that story. During our discussion, Dr. Shana and I chatted about:What prompted Dr. Shana to leave a professional therapy practice to pursue executive wellness coachingWhat the 12 dimensions of wellness areWhat #saucerlife means to Dr. ShanaAn overview of her latest book, ONE – Own, Navigate, Elevate Yourself & Everyone Around You: The Leadership Model that Eliminates Burnout and Elevates Your MissionDr. Shana’s tips to use our voices and build our personal and professional brandsIf you want to start fully embodying being major and not minor in your life and career, listen in!Here is more about Dr. Shana:Dr. Shana D. Lewis is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor turned Executive Wellness Coach. She has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education.  She is the founder of SDL Enterprises Education, Training, & Consulting Services, LLC, home of the Brand Mastery Academy. She is also the founder of Her VOICE a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering survivors of domestic violence to live healthy lives thru mentorship and education. With over 20 years of experience working with women in the mental health field, Dr. Shana decided to take her clinical knowledge, coupled with her personal experience and wellness training to help high achieving professional women stop seeking balance in life and instead create harmony/integration through understanding the 12 dimensions of wellness.  In addition to this work, Dr. Shana is a sought-after business coach for experts & practitioners who want to leverage their genius by building a bankable brand beyond traditional practice by increasing their impact, influence, and income to help thousands across the globe!Dr. Shana believes that wellness is an inside job as a woman cannot lead anyone else anywhere until she has first led herself through healthy self-care and prioritization of her life. To this end, Dr. Shana is a sought-after international keynote and motivational speaker, trainer, and leader in the women’s empowerment and wellness space and curator of the Self-care is the New Sexy International Retreat. She delivers powerful, high-energy keynotes to audiences across the country about a variety of issues including domestic violence, women’s issues, wellness, spiritual issues, mental health issues, self-care and transformation. As a result of her expertise in these areas Dr. Shana has been featured on several media outlets including CBS, NBC, Fox, CW, and ABC as a mental health expert on LIVE with Kelly & Ryan!  While Dr. Shana has several pursuits that she is passionate about, her overall desire is to equip high achieving professional women who are overwhelmed and burnt out from the responsibilities of life, career, business, or relationships to gain clarity and focus to position herself to have it all. Dr. Shana believes that when a woman has properly cared for herself, she is aligned, and she has done her work she is then able to function from a place of abundance--a space she affectionately calls #Saucerlife! ​

To get started today, I would like to share a personal story about my daughter, Olivia. Olivia’s story relates to our theme of setbacks and using them as stepping stones.You may not know this, but Olivia was born was a hair condition that limits hair growth. Olivia is gorgeous exactly as God made her, but as she is getting older, she asked me for a hair piece so she can have longer hair. Olivia’s request scared me, and I wondered if this was too soon (she’s 7) and we needed to wait. Yet, Olivia persisted. She asked me for a hairpiece for months and months. I finally said ok and took her to get the partial wig. When she wore the hairpiece to school the first day, it was really challenging and scary. It was so scary that Olivia decided to take off the wig. This represents her setback. But this isn’t the end of the story. Olivia faced her fear and setback and did something with it. She took a few hours to gather her strength and then put the wig on herself. In front of her friends and peers. When I asked her what made her put the wig on, she said her heart told her so. I share that because that’s what we’re talking about. You can use a setback as a springboard for growth. My guest, Athena Brownson, knows all about this in her own life.During our discussion, Athena and I chatted about:How she kept going after extensive skiing injuriesHer diagnosis with Lyme DiseaseThe modalities she used to support her healingWhat resilience means to Athena and how she used her setback as a springboard for growthHer advice for women who are experiencing their own personal challenges and setbacksHere is more about Athena:Athena Brownson is a living testament to the power of resilience and reinvention. A former professional skier who endured nine kneesurgeries and two neck operations, Athena’s greatest challenge came when she was diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease—a debilitating condition that left her bedridden for months. Yet, instead of letting thesesetbacks define her, Athena used them to fuel her purpose, transforming pain into strength and obstacles into opportunities.Now a thriving entrepreneur and advocate for resilience, Athena empowers audiences to navigate life’s challenges with grit, authenticity, and purpose. She teaches how to embrace change, build balance, and align your career and life with your values. Drawing from her journey, Athena inspires others to redefine success, build their "why," and cultivate the mindset needed to overcome adversity and achieve meaningful growth.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!Don’t forgot about the freebies on bravewomenatwork.com. There are 10 Tips to Win Your Next Negotiation, 24 Career and Leadership Tips, and 5 Ways to Manage Your Imposter Syndrome.

Welcome to final show in the Reinvention Roadmap mini-series with my friend and colleague, Jenn Smith, of Flourish Careers. I have heard such great feedback on this series from listeners. If you would like to have more series like this, please email me at hello@bravewomenatwork.com.This week, Jenn and I share practical steps you can take today to start reinventing your career. It’s one thing to talk about it in theory. It’s another to start taking bold and brave action towards making your next career chapter a reality!Here are some of the items we cover:Tiny actions to move through reinventionBuilding new habits + ritualsHow to experiment your way into clarityNetworking in an aligned, human wayCreating space for the next version of your lifeAgain, these shows are shorter than my typical normal length – 30 minutes, but they are power-packed. If you have a deep desire for career change in 2026, listen in!Here is more about Jenn:Jennifer Smith Jenn believes career success doesn’t have to be at the expense of living a radiantly happy + healthy lifestyle. Before she became a career coach and HR consultant for heart-based professionals, her roots were deeply grounded in corporate America, including 15 years in HR departments at Fortune 200 organizations. Now as a career coach and consultant, she has had the honor of supporting thousands of professionals around the world by assisting them with discovering and pursuing career intentions better aligned with their hearts and spirits while prioritizing well-being—and she believes we're all the better for it.It's time to stop applying to all those jobs that...don’t exactly get you excited anyway. Using a proven, HEART-based approach, Jenn will help you cultivate a better path, confidently pursue new opportunities, and find the place where you belong.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!And don’t forgot about the freebies on bravewomenatwork.com. There are 10 Tips to Win Your Next Negotiation, 24 Career and Leadership Tips, and 5 Ways to Manage Your Imposter Syndrome.Alright, let’s welcome Jenn to the show!

Welcome to the Reinvention Roadmap mini-series during the month of January with Brave Women at Work and Jenn Smith, my friend and colleague of Flourish Careers. This series will run on January 15th, January 22nd and January 29th.Jenn and I were chatting the Thrive in ’25 Women’s Conference last summer, and podcast ideas just started pouring out of us! I told her that I was in this weird middle ground with my work clothes, for example. She told me that this was a sign I was in the middle of a deep career reinvention and that I had to pay attention! So, I guess my desire to burn my suits on my front lawn like the old move Waiting to Exhale was telling me something?In this three-part series, Jenn and I dive into the following:Signs You Need to Leave Corporate or Make a Big Change – that’s what we cover in today’s showHow to Redefine Success & the Power of Community in TransformationAnd the final show touches on Practical Steps to Reinvent Your CareerThese shows are shorter than my typical normal length – 30 minutes, but they are power-packed. If you have a deep desire for change in 2026, listen in and take notes!Here is more about Jenn:Jennifer Smith Jenn believes career success doesn’t have to be at the expense of living a radiantly happy + healthy lifestyle. Before she became a career coach and HR consultant for heart-based professionals, her roots were deeply grounded in corporate America, including 15 years in HR departments at Fortune 200 organizations. Now as a career coach and consultant, she has had the honor of supporting thousands of professionals around the world by assisting them with discovering and pursuing career intentions better aligned with their hearts and spirits while prioritizing well-being—and she believes we're all the better for it.It's time to stop applying to all those jobs that...don’t exactly get you excited anyway. Using a proven, HEART-based approach, Jenn will help you cultivate a better path, confidently pursue new opportunities, and find the place where you belong.

Happy New Year and officially welcome to 2026! Fresh start in the New Year! For my second show in the Best of Brave Women at Work Series, I was excited to re-share my show with Dr. Shawnte Elbert. Dr. Shawnte Elbert has faced her fair share of career struggles, but unlike my traditional position of overdriving when I face challenges, Shawnte introduced me to a concept that I love and have referenced since our initial conversation: inhale faith, exhale fear. In today’s Best of podcast, Shawnte gives me a beautiful masterclass in letting go of the need to control and leaning on something much greater: our faith. Here is my hope for you: I hope that you can lean into your faith to overcome any fears that you face in 2026.Before we get started, let me share more about Shawnte:Dr. Shawnté Elbert, EdD, MCHES, CWHC, is the founder and CEO of Elbert Innovative Dr. Shawnté Elbert is a nationally recognized leader in public health, health equity, and mental healthcare innovation. She is the Founder & Principal Consultant of Elbert Innovative Solutions (EIS), advising organizations on equity-driven leadership, workforce development, and systems change.Dr. Elbert is also the Regional Director and Director of Training and Development at Growth & Empowerment Mental Healthcare Services, LLC (G&E). She oversees comprehensive training for clinical and non-clinical staff and ensures that mental healthcare services are effective, culturally responsive, and equity-centered. She is also a co-founder of Sister WELLS Counseling, Coaching & Consulting, PLLC, alongside Dr. Charla Blumell and Dr. Sherrá Watkins. Sister WELLS is a collective of experienced wellness and leadership professionals dedicated to leadership development, holistic wellness, and guiding individuals toward authentic transformation. Rooted in their shared sisterhood and passion for equity-driven change, the practice brings a unique and deeply personal approach to leadership and well-being.Dr. Elbert has worked across healthcare, higher education, and community health sectors to champion policies and practices centered on justice, access, and well-being. She is a sought-after speaker and consultant known for her engaging and transformative approach to tackling complex health and equity issues.

My guest today, Vera Cherepanova, shares the importance of being ethical at work and how we can leverage our values to create safer work environments.In my discussion with Vera, we chatted about:Why ethics is so important to Vera, and how she got into her line of work.The definition of ethical leadership.How ethics and compliance support the growth of an organization.How we can hold true to our values as working women when working in male-dominated industries.How we can advance from leadership to a seat on a company’s board.And more. Here’s more about Vera:Vera is the Executive Director of a non-profit, Boards of the Future™, a Chartered Accountant, and an award-winning Ethics and Compliance expert who writes and speaks about business ethics, governance, risk, and workplace culture.She is the author of Corporate Compliance Program, the first-ever book on compliance in the Russian language, and a co-author of The Transnationalization of Anti-Corruption Law, as well as hundreds of articles on all aspects of ethics, risk, compliance, and governance. Her insights have been featured in the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, Law360, CityAM, and Thomson Reuters. Vera serves as a corporate director and ethics advisor for market-leading corporations and international not-for-profits. Before we begin, if the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

According to an article on American Progress “In a Stagnating Job Market Job Seekers are Struggling to Find Opportunities”, the current US unemployment rate is at 4.4%, which is lower than the long-term average but is at its highest amount since before COVID began almost 5 years ago. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/in-a-stagnating-job-market-job-seekers-are-struggling-to-find-opportunities/When Jackie Cetera of JNC Innovations introduced me to Melinda Stoops, I knew I had to have her on the show. Melinda has taken her own job loss and tried to help others through it with her work with the Reluctant Free Agent. With the state of job seeking today, I knew I had to take our conversation live right away. In my discussion with Melinda, we chatted about:Her personal job loss story and what prompted her launch her LinkedIn newsletter and book, The Reluctant Free Agent.Her advice with being emotionally resilient, especially when shame and waiting for an extended period for the next right job opportunity comes alone.The power of community to your job search because the process can be lonely.Resources that Melinda recommends you take advantage of, especially if you are in the middle of a search.What the biggest learning Melinda has had during the last several months of her personal search.How you can register to receive Melinda’s newsletter and grab a copy of her book.Here’s more about Melinda:Melinda Stoops PhD helps people navigate change—with clarity, compassion, and measurable results.​As a licensed psychologist, executive coach, and strategic consultant, Melinda works with individuals and institutions facing transition, disruption, or reinvention. Whether you're processing personal loss, recalibrating your career, or leading organizational change, Melinda offers a space that’s both emotionally grounded and outcome-driven.​Melinda’s psychotherapy practice supports adults seeking insight, healing, and growth. Her coaching and consulting work empowers leaders to transform uncertainty into strategic clarity. Across both domains, Melinda brings:Deep clinical expertise and emotional intelligence,Frameworks for decision-making and change, andA personal understanding of transition, as reflected in her book The Reluctant Free Agent. Melinda believes transformation is possible when we honor our lived experience and build toward what’s next.Before we begin, if the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

Today, I had the privilege of having Tracey Newell on as a guest. We chatted about more women making their way to the top, no matter what the level means to you. Listen in to be inspired and challenged to reach your next level.Here’s more about Tracey:Tracey Newell is the former president of Informatica, where she also served as a member of the company’s board of directors for two years prior to being asked to join the management team. Prior to joining Informatica, Newell served as executive vice president of global field operations at Proofpoint, where she led sales through a five-year period of hypergrowth. Recognized as a Top 100 Sales Leader by The Modern Sale, Newell led Proofpoint’s go-to-market team to become a top five leader in the cybersecurity market. Newell has also served as executive vice president of global sales at Polycom and held sales leadership positions at Juniper Networks, Webex, and Cisco Systems.Newell currently serves in the non-profit organization Impact 100, and is also a member of the board of advisors for the University of California, Santa Barbara’s economics department. In addition to Druva, Newell serves on the board of directors of DataRobot, Highspot, Sailpoint, and Sumo Logic. Before we begin, if the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!Also, a Brave Women at Work Affirmation Deck is available in time for the holidays! It is a 54-card deck that is a beautiful compilation of advice and hard-won wisdom from podcast guests, Brave Women at Work Podcast guests, authors in the anthology series, and community members! You can grab a copy of the deck for $19.99 plus $10 shipping. To purchase your deck, visit Brave Women at Work and click on Resources. From there, you will see the Affirmation Cards page. I hope you enjoy them!