What if the fastest way forward wasn’t pushing harder, but tuning in sharper? On episode #144 of the 2B Bolder podcast, I had the chance to sit down with Karina Marie Diaz, a trusted and sought-after leadership coach who explores how high-performing founders, CEOs, and senior executives create meaningful change by turning down the static and turning up their own signal. Karina’s journey from internationally published photographer to sought-after executive coach brings a rare blend of creativi...
What happens when the career you’ve chased for years stops fitting the life you’re building? We sit down with attorney and founder Miriam Airington-Fisher to explore how she transformed a courtroom-centered path into a thriving, family-first immigration practice—without abandoning ambition or impact. Miriam traces her journey from legal aid and criminal defense to launching a firm as a new single mom. She breaks down the scrappy early days, the power of a 90-day startup plan, and the mindset...
Want a real look at how breakthrough tech actually gets built and shipped? I had the pleasure of sitting down with Samira Naraghi, Chief Business Officer at Enovix, who has held previous roles at AWS, Meta, Qualcomm, and other notable companies, to unpack a career defined by tackling challenging problems, making significant pivots, and achieving results that speak louder than titles. From growing up in post-war Iran, where power outages made technology feel magical, to leading global go-to-ma...
What if the straightest line to a bigger career is choosing the uncomfortable zones? On episode #141, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Tracy Nolan, Fortune 100 executive, transformation leader, and champion of women in leadership, to unpack the choices and mindsets that turned discomfort into momentum. From retail floors to the front lines of telecom, from global negotiations to a mission-driven role in healthcare, Tracy shows how to trust your instincts, claim your seat, and bring oth...
What if your business could actually work for your life instead of consuming it? This question lies at the heart of Tana Kramer's approach to financial strategy for women entrepreneurs. Tana, founder of TK Solutions and a self-described "profitable strategist," joins the To Be Bolder podcast to share her journey from answering phones at her father's glass shop at age eight to becoming a fractional CFO for women-led businesses generating $1-5 million in revenue. Her path wasn't linear – after...
When Rene Madden turned 60, everyone expected her to retire. Instead, she launched her own business, pursued a master's degree, and wrote a book. "I am not retiring," she declares. "I could work till I'm 70 or 80. I am just beginning." Renee's remarkable journey spans four decades in financial services, from her humble beginnings as a secretary who described herself as "the office butterfly" to leading transformation teams at industry giants like JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, and Schroeders. Alo...
Meet Cassandra Chin, a remarkable young woman who began teaching tech workshops internationally at just 13 years old. Now 22, she's authored "Raising Young Coders," speaks at global tech conferences, and champions inclusivity in the technology field with wisdom beyond her years. Cassandra shares her unconventional journey into tech, debunking the myth that coding requires strong math skills. "Programming is more about logic and creativity," she explains, offering a refreshing perspective tha...
Liz Centoni takes us on the extraordinary journey through her 25-year career at Cisco, where she's currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Experience Officer, leading a global team of 21,000 employees. Rather than viewing her long tenure at one company as stagnation, Liz describes finding multiple "lily pads" across 13 different roles, allowing her to constantly reinvent herself while building diverse skills and leadership capabilities. With refreshing candor, Liz addresses...
What if the boldest move in marketing wasn't about being louder, but about being truer to who you really are? Nedra Rezinas joins us to challenge conventional marketing wisdom with her refreshing approach designed specifically for introverts and highly sensitive entrepreneurs. Nedra's journey from web designer to marketing strategist reveals how listening to clients' needs led her to discover her true calling. After 16 years in web design, she noticed clients consistently asking, "What do I ...
What does it take to succeed in male-dominated fields? Cherilynn Castleman knows firsthand, having navigated 30+ years in sales leadership at Fortune 500 companies as a woman of color. Her journey from selling Girl Scout cookies to coaching C-suite executives at Amazon and Walmart reveals powerful insights about career advancement, personal branding, and overcoming barriers. Cherilynn's revelation that "sales is a gateway skill" transforms how we think about this crucial capability. "Everybo...
Think TikTok is just dancing and viral videos? Prepare to have your perspective completely transformed. In this eye-opening conversation with Jodi Porter, Vertical Director at TikTok, we dive deep into how major industries like automotive, finance, and healthcare are redefining their approach to customer connections in the digital age. With 20 years of experience spanning agencies and digital innovation, Jodi reveals what happens when traditional brands embrace a platform built on speed, cul...
Ever wondered how customer stories come to life in global tech companies? Welcome to a fascinating conversation with Alyssa Maschi, Head of the Customer Reference Center of Excellence at Lenovo. Alyssa's career journey defies traditional expectations. Starting in nonprofit work, she made a bold transition into tech through channel marketing before finding her way to customer advocacy. Her candid admission that she "had to Google what customer reference marketing was" when applying for her cu...
What does it take to go from childhood dreams of building a Terminator robot to leading AI innovation at Intel? Karenga Ross's remarkable journey offers a masterclass in career development that combines technical expertise with business acumen, authentic relationship-building, and a willingness to embrace the unknown. As Intel's Senior Director shaping the future of data center AI, Karinga shares how unexpected pivots became her greatest assets—from abandoning mechanical engineering after a ...
What does it truly take to build a thriving career in Hollywood? Emmy award-winning actress and producer Karina Michel pulls back the curtain on the entertainment industry in this captivating conversation about resilience, authenticity, and creative evolution. Karina's remarkable journey began far from the bright lights of Hollywood—in a small town in England where, at just three years old, she declared to her parents she wanted to be an actress. Through twists of fate, including being disco...
What if AI could finally solve one of the most overlooked challenges in women’s health? Millions of women experience menopause, yet real support has always lagged behind, until now. In this episode of the 2B Bolder Podcast, I sit down with Susan Sly, tech founder, health advocate, and CEO of Pause AI, who is transforming how women navigate menopause through the use of artificial intelligence. Her journey is anything but traditional, from working on facial recognition algorithms in the ’90s, t...
What does it really take to land a job at companies like Meta and Twitter in today's cutthroat market? A former big brand recruiter, Keiyana Arnold, pulls back the curtain on hiring practices that most job seekers never see, delivering eye-opening insights that will transform your approach to career advancement. "This job market is a dumpster fire, a shark tank," Keiyana reveals with refreshing candor. Drawing from her decade of experience at tech giants including Meta, Twitter, and CNN, she...
Dreaming of writing a book but have no idea where to start? You're not alone. In this eye-opening conversation with book coach Allison Lane, we dive deep into the realities of publishing that most aspiring authors never learn until it's too late. Allison, whose impressive career spans from dressing as a burrito for PR stunts to leading communications for brands like Pepsi, Unilever, and Burt's Bees, shatters common misconceptions about the publishing journey. Her most surprising revelation? ...
Meet Gisele Marcus, a leadership dynamo whose remarkable journey from Harlem to Harvard Business School epitomizes what it means to be bold in pursuing excellence. Growing up in what she affectionately calls "old Harlem," Gisele was raised in a household where excellence wasn't just encouraged—it was required. This foundation propelled her through Syracuse University, into a Harvard MBA program, and ultimately to becoming a TEDx speaker and respected operations executive. What makes Gisele's...
Stepping away from the corporate world into entrepreneurship isn't just about changing careers—it's about transforming your identity, mindset, and relationship with work. In this candid conversation with Deb Boulanger, CEO of Life After Corporate, we explore the often challenging but deeply rewarding journey that high-achieving women navigate when launching their own businesses. Deb shares her personal transition story, from teaching to corporate leadership to founding her own company, revea...
Prepare to be inspired as Dr. Tara Chklovski, founder and CEO of Technovation, shares her remarkable journey from growing up in India to building the world's largest female tech talent network. Against the backdrop of a culture that traditionally prepared girls for marriage rather than careers, Tara's extraordinary family defied norms – her grandmother founded a school at 65, her mother became an army doctor at 43, and her father taught her mechanical skills from childhood. This foundation o...