Dreammakers with Neha Sampat

Host Neha Sampat, CEO of Contentstack, and Leigh-Ann Buchanan, founder and CEO of aīre ventures and the Nyah Project, drink tea (saving their glass of Sancerre wine for later) and discuss inclusive tech ecosystems, sustainable non-profits, and community building.aīre ventures is a social impact venture studio that scales technology and innovation solutions to systemic gaps in access, opportunity, and racial equity. Nyah Project is a program that provides transformative leadership fellowships abroad and tech-enabled college access strategy coaching for youth from underserved backgrounds. Together, Neha and Leigh-Ann discuss:The systemic gaps that exist in tech and how to overcome themBecoming innovators that improve the human experienceBroadening your perspective through breakfast, lunch, and dinner Though the Dreammakers drank tea as they talked, later they will enjoy a glass of wine: Henri Bourgeois Sancerre La Cote des Monts Damnes 2020. It’s a medium-bodied wine with white flowers, fresh pear, sliced pineapple, lime zest, and passion fruit. Other show notes:You Can Call Me Al is Leigh-Ann’s wake up songThe Alchemist and The Four Agreements are the books she would recommend to her 19-year-old selfBombay East Gin is one of her favorite beverages Follow Host Neha Sampat on LinkedIn and @nehasfFollow Guest Leigh-Ann Buchanan on LinkedIn and @LABuchananESQFollow @aīre_ventures and @NyahProjectFollow @Contentstack

Host Neha Sampat, CEO of Contentstack, and Ritika and Niki Shamdasani, sisters and co-founders of Sani, get together over a glass of wine and discuss starting a business with family, honoring cultures authentically, and entrepreneurship as a “series of small steps.” Sani is a South Asian-inspired fashion brand with thoughtfully designed and culturally inspired clothing.Neha, Ritika, and Niki discuss:Overcoming conflict when working with familyCultural appreciation through educationNavigating the “seasons” of entrepreneurship  Creating compelling content to engage your audienceThe Dreammakers enjoyed a glass of wine while they talked: Domaine Roux Pere & Fils Santenay Beaurepaire Premier Cru 2018. It’s a Pinot Noir from Burgundy, France with aromas of rose petals, violet, red fruits and a hint of licorice.  Other show notes:Any song by Drake or Taylor Swift is Ritika’s wake up song. Kangna Tera Ni by Dr Zeus is Niki’s.How I Built This is Ritika’s recommendation for her 19-year-old-selfChameleon Caramel Cold Brew is Ritika’s drink recommendation. Niki recommends Matcha.Follow Host Neha Sampat on LinkedIn and @nehasfFollow Guests Ritika Shamdasani on LinkedIn and Niki Shamdasani on LinkedIn and @sani_sistersFollow @ContentstackFollow @sanisisters on TikTok

Host Neha Sampat, CEO of Contentstack, and Danielle Cohn, Vice President of Startup Engagement and Head of LIFT Labs at Comcast, get together over a glass of wine and discuss being a connector, creating a “symphony of innovation” within organizations, and the art and science of cross-company collaboration. Danielle directs Comcast’s work with startups, incubators, co-working spaces, investors and entrepreneurs, as well as programs that inspire current and potential Comcast and NBCUniversal talent. Neha and Danielle discuss:The importance of showing up (even in unexpected places) and bringing others with youThe little known benefits of mentorshipFounder watch outs, including “happy ears”How accelerators can help your startupThe Dreammakers enjoyed a glass of wine while they talked: J.J. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett 2020. It’s a Riesling from Mosel, Germany with a fresh, fruity delicate flavor. Other show notes:Let’s Go Crazy is Danielle’s wake up songHow I Built This is Danielle’s recommendation for her 19-year-old-selfA drink on the beach is Danielle’s drink recommendationFollow Host Neha Sampat on LinkedIn and @nomad_nehaFollow Guest Danielle Cohn on LinkedIn and @daniellecohn Follow @Contentstack

Host Neha Sampat, CEO of Contentstack, and Hydrostasis CEO and Co-Founder Dr. Debbie Chen get together over a glass of sparkling water and discuss the challenges of academia, building a business in the face of biases, and refusing to be pigeonholed. Hydrostasis is a company developing personalized and actionable hydration monitoring solutions.Neha and Debbie discuss:Getting up and getting back into the ring – literally and figuratively (Dr. Chen is a Muay Thai fighter)Starting a business as an “outsider”The deep need for founder self-awarenessWhy refusing to fit the mold eventually works outThe Dreammakers enjoyed a glass of sparkling water while they talked: Sanzo Flavored Sparkling Water. Sanzo pairs traditional Asian flavors with a modern taste using real fruit and no added sugars.  Other show notes:My Shot and The Garden Song are Debbie’s wake up songsAny book by Brené Brown is Debbie’s recommendation for her 19-year-old-selfWater is Debbie’s drink recommendationFollow Host Neha Sampat on LinkedIn and @nomad_nehaFollow Guest Debbie Chen on LinkedIn and @Dchebbz Follow @HydrostasisFollow @Contentstack

Host Neha Sampat, CEO of Contentstack, and Manifest Commerce CMO and Co-Founder Jen Root get together over a glass of wine and discuss changing the world, building businesses for good, and the power of storytelling. Manifest Commerce is a sustainable, third-party logistics solution for retailers leading the way to a greener supply chain.Neha and Jen discuss:What makes a “dirty” supply chain – and how to make it greenerChallenging the status quoPivoting, or what Jen calls, “dancing in the moment”Why they’re making a bet on the next generationThe Dreammakers enjoyed a glass of wine while they talked: Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc 2021. It’s refreshingly acidic, with citrus and tropical fruit flavors.  Other show notes:You Can Call Me Al, Feel Good, and Hey Jude are Jen’s wake up songsPrinciples is Jen’s book recommendation for her 19-year-old-self. She also recommends sci-fi author Philip K. Dick. Whalebone Vineyard Bob Wine is Jen’s wine recommendationFollow Host Neha Sampat on LinkedIn and @nehasfFollow Guest Jen Root on LinkedIn and Manifest Commerce @ShipManifestFollow @Contentstack

Host Neha Sampat, CEO of Contentstack, and Prompt Health CEO and Founder Hedieh Safiyari get together over a glass of wine and discuss digital transformation in the health and wellness industry, side hustles, and going after opportunity when it surfaces. PromptHealth is a directory and social platform for patients and wellness providers that’s changing the way Canadians learn about and engage with their health. Neha and Hedieh discuss:The gaps in modern healthcareTransitioning your side hustle to your main hustle Picking your mentors and founding teamFounder authenticity and communicationsThe Dreammakers enjoyed a glass of wine while they talked: La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir (Neha’s is 2018, Hedieh’s is 2017). It has aromas of boysenberry, cherry, and sweet tobacco, followed by flavors of raspberry, blackberry, and cherry. Characteristics of nutmeg, vanilla and oak rise on the finish. Other show notes:Over the Rainbow is Hedieh’s wake up songThe Power of Vulnerability is Hedieh’s book recommendation for her 19-year-old-self. She also recommends The Rich Roll Podcast. Burrowing Owl Pinot Gris is Hedieh’s wine recommendationFollow Host Neha Sampat on LinkedIn and @nehasfFollow Guest Hedieh Safiyari on LinkedIn and @HediehSafiyariFollow @Contentstack

Host Neha Sampat, CEO of Contentstack, and Beyond Barriers co-founders Nikki Barua and Monica Marquez get together over a glass of wine and discuss making the world a more equitable place, women in leadership and building and scaling a business. Nikki Barua is a serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and C-Suite advisor who is in the business of “making elephants run” – meaning, she helps organizations use tech to get future ready. Monica Marquez is a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion expert who has led DEI initiatives at some of the world’s best companies such as Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Ernst & Young, and Google. Together, they founded Beyond Barriers, a cohort-based coaching platform that helps companies retain talent and advance women in leadership at scale.Neha, Monica, and Nikki discuss:Empowering women to advance their careersBuilding and scaling a businessEmployer retention and “The Great Resignation”The importance of writing your dreams downThe Dreammakers enjoyed a glass of wine while they talked: 2018 Château Lalande from the Saint-Julien region in Bordeaux, France. It’s a beautiful ruby red with bold notes of red black berry fruit, spices and a hint of vanilla. Other show notes:Empire State of Mind and Girl on Fire are Monica and Nikki’s wake up songs. They are a professed “Alicia Keys household!”Think and Grow Rich is Nikki’s book recommendation for her 19-year-old-self Champagne is Nikki and Monica’s wine recommendationFollow Host Neha Sampat on LinkedIn and @nehasfFollow Guests Nikki Barua on LinkedIn and @NikkiBarua and Monica Marquez on LinkedIn and @themmarquez  Follow @Contentstack

With 12 episodes published, many of them featuring trailblazing entrepreneurs, November's #NationalEntrepreneushipMonth compilation episode revisits past Dreammakers episodes to uncover the best pieces of advice on entrepreneurship Neha’s guests have shared. Neha identifies universal themes in the entrepreneurial journey and shares her experience and that of her guests to inspire listeners to make their dreams a reality.  This compilation episode focuses on: Finding your purpose Taking the leap Qualities of successful founders  Building inclusive organizations Fundraising Neha enjoyed a glass of wine while celebrating her guests: Château Macquin Saint-Georges-Saint-Émilion, in the region of Bordeaux, which is predominantly Merlot. The wine has a garnet color, with ripe red fruits, scents of oak, vanilla, toffee, and toast matched with graceful texture and tannins. Follow Host Neha Sampat on LinkedIn and @nehasfFollow @Contentstack

Host Neha Sampat, CEO of Contentstack, and Author and Journalist Gayatri Rangachari Shah get together over a glass of wine and discuss gender roles, the evolution of the media landscape and Indian culture. Gayatri is co-author of Changemakers: 20 Women Transforming Bollywood Behind the Scenes, a contributing editor for both Vogue India and Architectural Digest India, and she writes a column for one of India's largest English-language newspapers, The Hindu. Gayatri and Neha first met when she interviewed Neha for Vogue India. Now, the tables are turned and Neha is the interviewer. Neha and Gayatri discuss:Bollywood behind-the-scenesHow stories can be inspirationalIndian cultureTaking a leap of faith in your careerThe evolution of the media industryThe Dreammakers enjoyed a glass of wine while they talked: Arros Wine from York Winery in the region of Nashik, India. A blend of Cabernet and Shiraz, it’s a bold, fruity wine with hints of oakiness. York Winery is family-owned and run and Chief Winemaker Kailash Gurnami is India’s youngest winemaker. Other show notes:Sunshine Reggae is Gayatri’s wake up songWe Should All Be Feminists is Gayatri’s book recommendation for her 19-year-old-self Didyme is Gayatri’s wine recommendationFollow Host Neha Sampat on LinkedIn and @nehasfFollow Guest Gayatri Rangachari Shah on LinkedIn and @GayatriShahFollow @Contentstack

Host Neha Sampat, CEO of Contentstack, and Nat Gross, VP, Head of Brand Strategy, get together over a glass of wine and discuss the evolution of the digital industry, navigating a career, and thinking laterally vs. deep. EPAM is a digital product and platform engineering company headquartered in Philadelphia. Nat is recognized as one of the most influential digital professionals in the UK.  Neha and Nat discuss: The intersection of technology and creative  Using projects, community, and networking to broaden your skills How to recognize when to ask for help Differences between how men and women navigate their careers The Dreammakers enjoyed a glass of wine while they talked: Clos de Mireille Blanc de Blanc 2018. Originating from the Bordeaux region, Sémillon, this wine exudes fragrances of ripe and exotic fruit, crowned by a hint of floral broom. On the palate, the tangy freshness and vitality blossom over honey aromas before providing a crisp finish. Other show notes: How Deep Is Your Love is Nat’s wake up song I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and Ten Billion are Nat’s book recommendations for her 19-year-old-self. Nat also recommended the podcast Pivot.  Veuve Fourny & Fils Premier Cru Brut Rosé Champagne is Nat’s wine recommendation Follow Host Neha Sampat on LinkedIn and @nehasfFollow Guest Nat Gross on LinkedIn and @Nat_GrossFollow @Contentstack

Host Neha Sampat, CEO of Contentstack, and Komal Dadlani, CEO and co-founder of Lab4U, get together and discuss how technology can expand access to education, starting and scaling an international business, and more. Komal is a biochemist turned social good entrepreneur. She started Lab4U in 2013 to democratize science and change the way it is taught using smartphones. Today Lab4U is active in Latin America and the U.S., helping more than 100,000 students learn about science with Lab4Physics, Lab4Chemistry and Lab4Biology. Neha and Komal discuss: The importance of a quality STEM education How companies can help alleviate societal inequality  Why scaling an international business is different How entrepreneurship is a spiritual journey The Dreammakers enjoyed Petal Sparkling Water, Rose Blend.  Other show notes: Mantra Meditation is Komal’s wake up song The Hard Things About Hard Things is Komal’s book recommendation for her 19-year-old-self Smoothies are Komal’s beverage recommendation Falooda is the rose-flavored drink from India Follow Host Neha Sampat on LinkedIn and @nehasfFollow Guest Komal Dadlani on LinkedIn and @KomalDadlaniFollow @Contentstack

Host Neha Sampat, CEO of Contentstack, and Cindy Padnos, founder and Managing Partner of Illuminate Ventures, get together over a glass of wine and discuss the realities of capital raising and how to increase access to funds for underrepresented populations. Illuminate Ventures is a seed and early stage venture capital firm that invests exclusively in enterprise/B2B software companies. Cindy has been working with enterprise tech startups for more than 25 years - as a founder/CEO of a VC-backed company, a startup operating executive, and more recently as an investor. She is also the author of 3 research-based, widely-cited white papers addressing gender diversity in the tech sector. Neha and Cindy discuss: How venture capital works What investors look for in a startup How to make your startup stand out from the rest The importance of a strong network Why startups fail The Dreammakers enjoyed a glass of wine while they talked: Jean-Paul Droin Chablis Vaillons Premier Cru 2018. It's a Chablis from northern Burgundy, France. It’s floral and mineral with flavors of citrus, green apple, green olive and toast. It’s medium-bodied with sharp acidity. Other show notes: You Are My Sunshine is Cindy’s wake up song 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus is Cindy’s book recommendation for her 19-year-old-self Vin Perdu is Cindy’s wine recommendation Follow Host Neha Sampat on LinkedIn and @nehasfFollow Guest Cindy Padnos on LinkedIn and @IlluminateVCFollow @Contentstack

Two female tech founders, host Neha Sampat, CEO of Contentstack, and Breanne Acio, CEO of Sēkr, get together over a glass of wine to discuss entrepreneurship and what it means to be a Dreammaker. Breanne is an outdoor enthusiast who, along with her wife, decided to pack up and live life on the road in a van together. With Sēkr, Breanne is fulfilling a need in the market - a one-stop resource for travelers to find the best camping spots, read reviews, and connect with other adventurers. Neha and Breanne discuss:The upsides -- and downsides -- of turning your passions into a businessThe limits of sacrificeSelf actualizationThe challenges of raising capital and how to overcome themThe Dreammakers enjoyed a glass of wine while they talked: Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair Bourgogne Rouge Grand Chaillots 2017. It's from Burgundy, France, the birthplace of Pinot Noir. The wine has a fresh bouquet of bright red fruit mixed with light violet scents. It’s light enough to enjoy without food and comes from a 250-year-old winery. The current owner tried his hand at other businesses but the vines pulled him back in 2001 when he was 26-years-old. Other show notes:Sēkr is an app that allows outdoor enthusiasts to plan trips, connect with interesting people and share their experiences.Anne-Marie - Then (Acoustic Version) is Breanne’s wake up songThe 4-Hour Workweek is Breanne’s book recommendation for her 19-year-old-selfBreanne agreed with Neha’s wine recommendationFollow Host Neha Sampat on LinkedIn and @nehasfFollow Guest Breanne Acio on LinkedIn and @BreanneAcioFollow @Contentstack

For decades, Neha Sampat, founder and CEO of GenLead/BelongLab, and our host Neha Sampat, CEO of Contentstack, have been mistaken for one another on social media, in news outlets, with conference organizers, and more. This podcast is the first time they met in person. In this episode, they describe these years of mistaken identity as a "gift."Through GenLead/BelongLab, Neha focuses on building belonging and true inclusion through consulting, training, speaking, and writing. She helps organizations bust bias and individual clients develop job situations and leadership styles that engage their true and best selves. Neha and Neha discuss:Breaking the mold of leadership to allow people to create new moldsOwning your value helps you stand outThe best day to follow your dreams is today...not "someday"The jump to entrepreneurship The Dreammakers enjoyed a glass of wine while they talked: Argiano Brunello di Montalcino 2016. It's from Tuscany, which is known for making wines from Sangiovese. While that is known for being light, this wine is more complex. The winery was built in the 16th century, and the bottle has great fruit, acidity and a beautiful ruby red color.Other show notes:GenLead/BelongLab - strengthening organizations and individuals through leadership, inclusion, and professional developmentU2's In God's Country is Neha's wake up songUntamed by Glennon Doyle is Neha's book recommendation for her 19-year-old-selfPaix Sur Terre 2018 Days Between is Neha's wine recommendationFollow Host Neha Sampat on LinkedIn and @nehasfFollow Guest Neha Sampat on LinkedIn and @nehamsampatFollow @Contentstack

Heather Combs and Jennifer Ives were set up on a blind friend date 8 years ago and became fast friends who have now twice been colleagues. Today, they work as Chief Commercial Officer and SVP of Global Partnerships at 3Pillar. Through their EmpowerHER initiative, they are on a mission to "pave a path forward" for women leaders in the tech industry.Heather and Jennifer's four leadership principles are:Leading with empathyYou always have something to giveDon't compromise on principlesShow others how its doneThe Dreammakers enjoyed a  glass of wine while they talked: Lucien Crochet Croix du Roy Sancerre 2018. It's a beautiful, crisp wine that highlights the terroir and granite of the region. Better yet, there's a wonderful story behind it. Lucien Crochet brought together the estates of his father and father in law so it's a fusion of two different wineries and regions. Lucien was also a pioneer of bottling Sancerres and taking them to Paris.Other show notes:3Pillar Global - driving business outcomes through product developmentHeather's wake-up song is Justin Timberlake's Can't Stop the feeling; Jennifer's is anything by The Bleachers What Got You Here Won't Get you There is Heather's book recommendation for her 19-year-old-self; Jennifer recommends The Myth of the Nice GirlHeather recommends the Schramsberg Brut Rose 2017 to complement the cherry blossoms in full bloom; Jennifer's wine is Domaine Laporte Sancerre Le Rochoy. She could sip it on patios all year longFollow Neha on LinkedIn and @nehasfFollow Heather on LinkedIn and @heatherdcombsFollow Jennifer on LinkedIn and @iamJivesFollow @Contentstack