BoostHER: conversations designed to inspire you, me, & her

Today is both the end of ChangeMakers Month, and also marks our Season 2 finale, with Senior Apparel Designer for adidas Basketball, Kat Chen, joining us in the BoostHER Club to round out our season. Kat talks to us about the duality of growing up in a traditional Taiwanese household, and growing up in the bustling borough of Queens, NY - the Mecca of hip-hop, rebellious basketball (cc: the 90s-era NY Knicks), as well as a cornerstone for fashion and art. Kat talks to us about the difficulties that duality posed, and also details the path/risks she took that led her to find, and wholeheartedly walk in, her purpose - with Kat’s undying love for basketball and its culture as her guiding force. Lastly, we discuss Kat’s excitement for her next chapter as her time at adidas comes to an end, and the limitless possibilities that stand in front of her.

We continue to celebrate Changemakers throughout Women's History Month with Ciara Iglehart, creator of Your Pace Matters and a Brand Ambassador for Black Girls Run. Ciara talks to us about how joining a running club has led to so many positive changes - from encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle for women, to facilitating positive conversations to bring women from various backgrounds together in sisterhood. Ciara also details how YPM and BGR have empowered long-term and positive changes on her communities, not just locally, but nationwide. Lastly, we learn about Ciara's "rock bottom" moment: what led to it, what helped pull her out, and how it has had a lasting effect on Ciara prioritizing her mental health.

We kick off our episodes with Women's History Month as we champion women who are Changemakers in their own right, be it within their careers, side hustles, or simply through their perspectives. Hilary LaRose joins us today to talk about her stance as a Changemaker as it relates to sustainability, and making sure she is always positioning herself in a role that drives us towards better global environmental health. Hilary talks to us about her role, how and why sustainability is a passion so deeply engrained in her, and even helps us with our own ways that we can keep the planet healthy. Hilary talks to us about trusting her gut, the lows around her mental health postpartum, and the benefits of asking for help, and not being ashamed of it. We also learn about the successes within Hilary's career that will only propel her to continue breaking the mold for cultivating a sustainable, environmentally-friendly world.

Julia Bennett-Jean joins us in the BoostHER Club to talk us through her role as a lawyer, specifically within Commercial Litigation. Julia explains to us that what we might see on film and tv doesn’t necessarily equate to what the reality of the law profession is, and all that her journey entailed in order to get to where she is now along her path within Law. Julia talks about the importance in shattering generational curses and workplace stereotypes in order to be able to show up each day authentically as herself, and pave the way for black women coming after her to do the same. Lastly, Julia talks about the magic she feels as a black woman and feels in seeing her community of black people around her, paying homage to the women before her, allowing Julia to stand on their shoulders to further not just her own greatness, but Black greatness overall.

As Black History Month continues in the BoostHER Club, Lisa C. Willis joins us in the BoostHER Club to discuss her 9-5 corporate role at Nike, as well as her 5-9 side hustles as a public speaker, trainer, author (When the Buzzer Sounds), among many other entrepreneurial ventures. Lisa talks about the importance of finding what work is energy-giving, and using that energy in a way to amplify life overall. We also learn about how Lisa's experiences in college, the WNBA, as a Team USA gold medalist, and also within the New York Knicks organization have dealt a significant hand in how she approaches people, career, and life overall. Lastly, we learn that Lisa's Black History celebration is never-ending, as she dives into her love for black history and black culture, and the way it fuels her as a black woman.

As we keep our party going for Black History Month, Jessica Onyepunuka joins in on the celebration here in the BoostHER Club. As the Associate Athletic Director for Marketing and Fan Experience at the University of Southern California, Jessica talks to us about all that comes with her role within marketing around collegiate athletics, and how it differs from any of the other facets of marketing. As a daughter of Nigerian immigrants, Jessica's upbringing informed her early childhood ambitions to be both a Track & Field Olympian and a lawyer, before an internship at USC changed her vision in a way she could not ignore. We discuss the notion of choosing each day the path for your life -- career ambitions, personal relationships and everything in between -- through instituting an honest and personal check-in to take stock of your life's goals. Lastly, we discuss the difficulties black women sometimes face with celebrating themselves, the steps Jessica is undertaking to practice celebrating herself more often, right before she gives gratitude for the blessings that come with the magic of her blackness.

We are kicking off Black History Month here in the BoostHER Club and joining to help us begin our celebrations is Ashley Booker, Technical Recruiter for Stripe, a technology company centered around building economic infrastructure for the internet. As a Facebook and Google alum in the realm of technical recruiting as well, Ashley details for us all that goes into the role both as a member of global tech giants, and now currently as she works for a hyper-growth start-up company. Ashley talks to us about navigating the predominantly white, male space as a Black woman, and how she welcomes the challenge to counter any and all preconceived notions that may arise as it relates to Black women, noting the responsibility to not just represent for her community, but to also lead the charge in uplifting and promoting an environment that includes more diversity hires within the world of tech. Ashley takes us to school surrounding the topic of salary negotiation, right before she talks to us about the pride she feels in being a Black woman, noting the rarity of the Black experience as something she values and appreciates the most. 

University of Oregon Women’s Basketball assistant coach Jackie Nared-Hairston joins us in the BoostHER Club today to conclude our month of conversations centered around ‘new beginnings’. In her return to Oregon, Jackie is also returning to her home state, and to where early career days began as video coordinator for the UO program. Returning now as an assistant coach, Jackie notes how the move back to Oregon felt right in terms of wanting to settle down both personally and professionally. We learn that Jackie loves the role she plays in the lives of her athletes and within this program, and because of that, her job rarely feels like work. We discuss representation, family, and the period of time where Jackie questioned if this was actually a career she wanted to pursue, right before discussing her baby boy due in March, and her plans to not only be a great coach, but a stellar mom as well.

Today, Brenda Zullo, Director of Product Development Sport for Tory Burch, joins us in the BoostHER Club to discuss her New Beginning, departing from adidas, it’s global/North America headquarters, plus its sport culture, and diving more into the fashion realm with Tory Burch. Brenda details all that entails her role and also the windy path it took to reach this role. We discuss with Brenda the ups and downs of working in a corporate space, and also the ups and downs that can come within personal relationships from being an ambitious, smart, and strong woman. Lastly, Brenda pays gratitude to one of her lowest moments, as it has helped her to find absolute joy in her current role and stage in life.

Gold medal Olympian Kim Hill joins us in the BoostHER Club to celebrate our month of January centered around New Beginnings. Kim talks to us about her experience as a volleyball player collegiately, overseas, and with USA Volleyball: the highs and the humility associated with being a part of such dominant and successful programs, and all that she’s gained from her years of experience in the sport. Kim also talks to us about the overwhelming feelings retirement brings, how she is deciphering what’s next for her, and the gratitude she has for the skills volleyball has taught her, that will ultimately prepare for whatever exciting new adventure she has next.

Boss BoostHER Month concludes with Domonique Debnam, Senior Director of Fitness and Tennis Footwear at Nike, joining us in the BoostHER Club to talk all things career, life, relationship green flags, and most importantly, how she finds it a responsibility to always maintain her authenticity throughout her journey, so that the young women following her can also show up authentically along their own paths. We learn about Domonique's humility, and how celebrating her wins is still something that she is learning to pause, reflect, and make time for, but something she acknowledges as a key to continued success. Domonique also discusses her connection to Nike, how it started, how it has manifested throughout the years, and we also discuss her new role as Senior Director; how she is learning to find gratitude in both the growing pains and the significance in this being an exceptional milestone not just for her career, but for her industry overall.

We invite Natasha Salter into the BoostHER Club as we continue celebrating December as our month of Boss BoostHERs. Tash leads the way for adidas Basketball as the Design Director for Color and Materials and goes into detail for us surrounding all that encompasses her role, and the areas across sports apparel and footwear in which her and her team makes an impact. We talk about what led Tash to the role, what she could see herself doing if not for her current role, and we also discuss how, although Tash has worked on some amazing projects in her career, her biggest honor lies in helping to bring along the women she works with to help further their ability to take up space in the industry. Lastly, Tash displays a an openness and vulnerability surrounding her mental health and how it was a low that she has been able to turn into an incredible strength, pushing her to continually learn and see the beauty in each experience life has to offer her.

We continue Boss BoostHER month with Ilona Stepanyants ("Lo"), Senior Vice President of Brand and Partnerships for The ARIA Network. Lo talks to us about how making sure she is always the most prepared person in the room has served her career thus far, and how her confidence level also hinges on making sure consistent preparation is a key staple of her professional endeavors. We talk about salary negotiation, the importance of having your own personal "board of directors" to ensure you're not operating in a bubble of solely your own opinions, and we dive into the importance of family to Lo, and how it has become the cornerstone of making sure she is operating in a way that still allows her to show up as her best self for her family each day. Lastly, Ilona discusses a disappointing period in her career that she wouldn't change for the world, as it allowed her to work with icons such as Pharrell and Beyonce, including talking through all of the knowledge that she gained from such wonderful experiences.

December is our month for celebrating our Boss BoostHERs, so it is only fitting that Niveen Rasheed, Director of Brand Communications for the National Basketball Players Association joins us in the BoostHER Club to kickstart this month. Niveen discusses her path to both the NBPA, as well as her path to the role she currently holds - noting a specific experience around salary negotiation that allowed her to showcase her strengths and her worth across her department. Niveen also talks about the authenticity that comes from working in an environment that champions diversity and how that directly translates to the amazing work she does with the NBPA. Lastly, we celebrate Niveen's Palestinian heritage, as well as her love for community and the sense of belonging and growth our different communities can provide for us, all before we acknowledge our gratitude for Niveen's presence in our BoostHER Community.

We finish out Gratitude Month by talking with Crystal Duncan, licensed therapist based out of San Diego, California, and someone in a profession we have a lot of gratitude for here in the BoostHER Club. In today's episode, Crystal talks to us about the nature of her role as a therapist, and some of the tools that allow her to really work as a teammate with her patients in order to help them reach a place of healing and wholehearted living. We talk about the influences that have shaped both Crystal's path to becoming a therapist, and also that promote her growth within this career - Brene Brown and Oprah Winfrey, just to name a few. Lastly, Crystal discusses with us how making sure she has a healthy relationship with herself is the catalyst to maintaining healthy relationships with others, and how continually doing the important internal work is a great trick to amplifying our life experiences.

Episode 3 highlights Dr. Alcha Strane, an obstetrician-gynecologist in the state of Georgia, and one of our many healthcare professionals deserving of our gratitude as she has been on the frontlines all throughout the pandemic. Alcha takes us through the ins and outs of her role, the misconceptions she can face from an outsider looking into her role, and we even get a glimpse into all of the different roles Alcha played before settling in as an OBGYN. We learn about the medical disparities that plague women - namely, black women - and all of the ways Alcha is working to make sure her patients, and all women, never have to face these inequities, or are well-equipped if they ever do. Lastly, Alcha reminds us of the importance of leaning into our purpose, and by her doing so, she now proud serves her community as *Dr.* Alcha Strane.

We continue Gratitude Month by celebrating Veterans Day in the BoostHER Club this week. Today, we talk with 9-year U.S. Navy veteran, Tracey Walker, about her time in the Navy as an Air Traffic Controller. Tracey talks to us about the highs and lows that come with being a woman in the military, but also shares with us how it is an experience she wouldn't trade for the world. We learn about the world of Air Traffic Control, the misconceptions that women in the military may face, and how Tracey built a confidence and leadership style that she still carries with her today. Lastly, we learn about some of the difficulties veterans face when they end their contract within the military, and how, through finding her support system in a community of veterans, she's been able to move past the uncertainty, and move towards her next adventure with a spirit of excitement and determination.

We kick off Season 2 with a very special guest in Rebecca Jury, VP of Women's Apparel Product at Nike WHQ. Previously a 15-year adidas alum, Rebecca talks about her time at the German-based company; how she got her start, and how doing such culturally-relevant collaborations with the brand added a more meaningful scope to her role overall. We talk about Rebecca's transition from adidas to Nike, and how dissolving the internal pressures she placed on herself led to a beautiful path of self-discovery. Rebecca discusses with us the highs and lows along her journey, and in the spirit of November as our Month of Gratitude, she explains why she is grateful for the good experiences as well as the not-so-good, just before detailing her gratitude for her most favorite role of them all: being a mom.

Our BoostHER creator, Nya Mason, takes a break from the host chair and moves into the guest seat this week to share with guest host (and episode 7 BoostHER), Dr. Charlotte Marshall, anecdotes from her own personal and career journey thus far. She takes us through her motivation and the process that went into creating BoostHER, and how both the evolution of the podcast, and of herself, truly have gone hand in hand throughout season one. Nya discusses how her family, her experiences as an athlete, and how the legacy she wants to leave on the world has shaped her worldview and allows her to live in a way that finds her always seeking growth and new ways to "level up". To end, Charlotte puts Nya in the hot seat for her version of a "Lightning Round", right before our BoostHER Up segment, where we learn the moment that has positively defined Nya's career.

It is AAPI Heritage Month and we have Corrie Tin Villatoro here in the BoostHER Club to help us celebrate. Corrie, with a wealth of experience and knowledge in the PR realm as former VP at Edelman, and in the Brand Communications realm as Communications Manager for both Nike and adidas, talks to us about how those experiences shape our path, and our evolution not just as professionals, but as people. We talk about how to pivot when a salary negotiation conversation may not go as desired, and about how having respect for people's lived experiences empower us all to show up authentically as ourselves. Lastly, Corrie talks about the joy she feels in being a Chinese-American woman, and how amidst all of the struggles brought on from the past year, her resolve has been fortified in terms of standing up for and with others in the fight towards a collective sense of equality and justice.