Freeman Means Business' Wonder Women in Business Podcast

Lisa V. Sellers, PhD, CEO of Vector Laboratories, is an accomplished leader and mentor in life sciences with more than 20 years of experience in the industry. Sellers drives expansion and business strategies for Vector Laboratories, a trusted reagent and critical component manufacturing partner that empowers biopharma, life science tools and diagnostics companies to accelerate their ability to provide value to their customers. Sellers has a stellar track record of spearheading successful business strategies based on unmet market opportunities, while prioritizing the development of a people-first work environment. This winning combination has created unstoppable forward momentum at Vector Laboratories. Before joining Vector Laboratories, Sellers provided consulting services for numerous life science companies to guide them in accelerating product development and commercialization to enter new markets. Sellers has served in executive and senior management roles in marketing, sales, and specific product lines for companies such as Thermo Fisher Scientific, 10x Genomics, Life Technologies, and Applied Biosystems, among others.  While Sellers has earned notable success as a top life science industry expert, she has always believed in the importance of giving back. Sellers serves as an Advisory Board Member with the LEAD Scholars Program at Santa Clara University, a board member with Notre Dame Belmont High School, and an Advisory Board Member, Master of Biotechnology at San Jose State University. She has a personal passion for coaching professionals to navigate job choices in STEM to achieve their potential and to provide the utmost in career fulfillment. As such, Sellers has been a speaker at ISPE, Navigating Your Career Amidst Uncertainty in Dec 2020; Women in Product, SF Bay Area, for Go-to Market Series in May 2019; and was featured in CMO.com, Best Leadership Advice I Ever Received publication in Feb 2019. Sellers was also named A Women of Influence in 2022 by the Silicon Valley Business Journal.  Sellers earned a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Colorado Boulder and a BS in Chemistry, ACS Certified from Santa Clara University. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/freeman-means-business/support

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/freeman-means-business/support

Sara Burke was the Founder of The City Studio Dance Center in St. Louis, Missouri which she founded in 1986. Sara is a choreographer, dancer, dance instructor, photographer,painter,  author and arts diversity consultant. Sara consults for local dance companies and works with young dancers helping them start Company's. Sara relishes her role as “mentor”.  One of her most important and impactful accomplishments was to learn Dunham Technique from the legendary Katherine Dunham. She studied with Miss Dunham in East St. Louis in the 1970's and danced with the Dunham Company. Sara's experiences studying and dancing the Dunham Technique changed her life and she has been committed to promoting diversity through the Arts even since.  Her experience was life changing. She danced with artists who could not eat or sleep where they performed.  Sara never forgets to use her voice at every turn. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/freeman-means-business/support

Serena's journey is a testament to the indomitable human spirit, serving as a beacon of hope for those grappling with self-limiting beliefs. Her life began in the shadow of witness protection and unfolded in the tumultuous landscape of foster care, where she navigated the treacherous waters of nine different homes. The challenges she faced led her down a path of teenage addiction and homelessness, culminating in the heart-wrenching tragedy of her husband's suicide. Despite these harrowing trials, Serena's story is one of triumphant ascent. What truly sets Serena apart is her unwavering strength, resilience, and authenticity. Her career spanning over two decades in the corporate world is a testament to her unyielding determination. She weathered setbacks, repeatedly climbing back to executive leadership roles within Fortune 500 companies. In 2013, she boldly carved her own path by founding Pulse Marketing Inc., a venture that has since flourished into an award-winning marketing and advertising agency. Serena's agency excels in creating content that forges meaningful connections between people and brands, utilizing purposeful graphics, thought-provoking web designs, and heart-touching advertising campaigns. Beyond her entrepreneurial acumen, Serena has penned her compelling life story in a memoir titled "Exposed: You Can't Heal When You Hide." In this raw narrative, she delves into her experiences with assault, addiction, homelessness, infidelity, mental health challenges, and, ultimately, profound healing. Her memoir is a powerful testament to the human capacity for resilience and growth.  Serena's story resonates deeply with audiences, offering a thought-provoking reminder that challenges can be confronted with passion and purpose. She has dedicated her life to personally and professionally empowering others, demonstrating that self-limiting beliefs can be shattered and replaced with unwavering self compassion. Serena's journey is a living testament to the power of the human spirit and inspires all who encounter it.   --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/freeman-means-business/support

Susan E. Frankel, Esq. is an attorney whose career spans over 25 years in law and management, with surprising twists and turns that required her to pivot on more than one occasion.  A consummate planner in her younger years, Susan pushed out of her comfort zone to reinvent herself, learning that the old saying “Man (woman) plans, God laughs” are words to live by.  She is passionate about supporting and guiding other women both professionally and personally, especially those in midlife confronting the inevitable changes in their physical and mental well-being.  She is proud to be a speaker and author on the topic, including a chapter in an upcoming anthology for empowering women. Susan is currently Associate General Counsel at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, New York.  She earned her law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and has a Masters of Law in Health Law from Loyola University Chicago.  Susan is the proud mother of two beautiful young women, and she and her husband live in Warwick, New York with their beloved pitbull rescue and french bulldogs. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/freeman-means-business/support

Rachel Diamant co-founded EmendoBio and serves as Chief Business Officer. Rachel is responsible for EmendoBio’s IP strategy, which she designed to generate an extensive patent portfolio to cover various novel aspects of the technology and products while also expertly navigating the IP space. In her role as CBO, Rachel also builds EmendoBio’s pipeline of clinical programs and the academic and industrial collaborations and partnerships for the pre/clinical development of EmendoBio’s selected indications and genomic targets. Rachel has extensive experience in constructing IP strategy that is designed to serve business objectives based on careful competitive landscaping to reduce risks and maximize value. In the private market, Rachel has been a consultant for numerous biotechnology and medical device companies and accumulated extensive expertise in IP mining, strategic portfolio design and hands-on portfolio management. Rachel holds an MSc in Neurobiology from the Weizmann Institute of Science and a Biotechnology Engineering degree from the Technion Israel Institute of Technology. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/freeman-means-business/support

Megan Miller is an International Best-Selling Author, TedX Speaker, Intentional Living Expert, & host of Attention to Intention podcast. Megan is dedicated to offering high performing go-getting professionals simple, daily micro-steps for putting attention to intention so they can stop sleepwalking through life and start living with inspiration and fulfillment. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/freeman-means-business/support

Alice is a writer and PR strategist from South Africa. She's written for HuffPost, Refinery29, VICE, and more. When she isn't running her publicity business or writing personal narratives, you can find her sharing freelance advice on social media. Follow her on Instagram at @alicedraper. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/freeman-means-business/support

Born in Oklahoma, Caren lives in Vermont with her hubby, a rescue pup, and a barn cat turned happy house kitty. Caren is also a mom to two incredible humans and is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation. Henderson House is her first novel.  Caren’s career spans more than three decades as a communications professional with experience in public relations, technical writing, and social media consulting. Caren’s past clients include Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, Frito-Lay, and Nabisco. Since moving to Vermont in 2014, she has consulted for The Artist Book Foundation, Southern Vermont Arts Center, and The Vermont Association of Realtors. Caren is an active member of her local community theater, The Dorset Players, with recent roles including Aunt Eller in Oklahoma and Ethel Banks in Barefoot in the Park . She is a member of The Dorset Church choir and serves as Vice Chair of Southwestern Vermont Health Care’s Foundation Board. When she is not writing, you can find her in the kitchen, in the garden, or out enjoying the beauty of Vermont with her rescue dog, June Bug.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/freeman-means-business/support

Anne Gallagher is a Chicago-based writer, actor and communications professional. Anne is the executive director of the Luxury Law Alliance and a member of the editorial team for The Global Legal Post. She has spent her 30+ year career consulting, writing, training and creating strategy for business and legal organizations and professionals. As an actor, she has appeared in film and commercials and recently narrated the audio book Her Name Shall Remain Unforgotten, the story of a holocaust survivor whose mother was murdered at Auschwitz. She recently completed the manuscript for her debut book, Two Weeks to $10 Million: A Memoir of Financial Infidelity, Fraud and Redemption (working title), which tells the story of how her marriage to a charismatic con man devolved into a true crime story rife with forged loans, mob hits and federal indictments and a criminal trial. “It’s important to tell our true stories,” she says. “No matter what has happened, we must move forward. Every life has meaningful pain and it can open us up to new understandings, opportunities and great new chapters in our lives.” When she’s not working on her next book, Anne spends time with her two adult children and is an avid tennis player. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/freeman-means-business/support

Nori Jabba’s career spans 30 years in corporate real estate, community development, and affordable housing. In 2012, she started consulting to have more flexibility and time with her family. After several successful years and when her kids were grown, she decided to look for employed work again. Unexpectedly, she realized she'd lost her seat at the table when no one would hire her, despite relevant experience, a master's degree, credentials, and several awards, including Businesswoman of the Year from the Chamber of Commerce. After multiple disappointments, she abandoned her job search and began a quest to better understand why job hunting was so challenging for middle-aged women. What she learned was eye-opening -- and too valuable not to share. Through her journey, she gained her seat back at the table, landing the job she was looking for in her field, and launching a new chapter in her life as a writer, professional speaker, and mentor. In KEEPING YOUR SEAT AT THE TABLE, Nori shares her eight-step journey of growth and transformation. Is ageism real? Yes. Was there something she needed to do differently? Yes. Did it work? Yes.  Nori now works for a Bay Area city managing housing programs.She is the mother of three adult daughters and a rescued Doberman, “Nessa.” Her passions are writing, walking her dog while escaping into a great audiobook or podcast, and empowering women.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/freeman-means-business/support

Dr. Michelle K. Johnston is a management professor, executive coach, and leadership expert who is the Clifton A. Morvant Distinguished Professor in Business at Loyola University New Orleans. Her first book, The Seismic Shift in Leadership, The Seismic Shift in Leadership: How to Thrive in a New Era of Connection, is now an Amazon bestseller. She was recently named A Woman of the Year by CityBusiness and one of the most influential New Orleanians. Michelle is a celebrated keynote speaker presenting at conferences and events nationwide. She received her Ph.D. in Communication from Louisiana State University and was named to the prestigious 100 Coaches Group, which consists of the top executive coaches worldwide. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/freeman-means-business/support

Barbara Kaplan is CEO of BSK Strategies, a business development consulting practice working with individual lawyers and small and mid-sized law firms to build their brands, target and win new and higher-value work, establish thought-leadership, and develop innovative strategies and approaches to distinguish themselves in a competitive and uncertain marketplace. She has worked with firms of every type and style, each with a unique culture and set of challenges.  She considers herself fortunate to have corporate, full-service, boutique, niche, personal injury and class action firms as well as small entrepreneurial business as clients. She brings to her consulting and coaching work over 20 years of experience helping clients define, pursue and win the business they want.  She is devoted to helping them make that skill second nature.  In recent years, Barbara’s work has focused on helping woman create an enduring and differentiating personal brand, guiding them to:     ·  Stand tall with a new level of confidence ·  Pick up the reins and create their own futures with a brand that distinguishes them, ensures they stand out, set themselves apart and keep the promise they make in the marketplace, every single time. ·  Banish the roadblocks, i.e., one’s inner critic, that stand in the way of being unstoppable ·  Realize the respect, reputation, recognition and fulfillment they have earned and deserve for their distinctions and accomplishments  To quote Barbara: “You have the luxury of choosing how you want to stand out and prosper in the new world of work. You are the CEO and head marketer for the brand called YOU. You are the CEO of Me, Inc.” --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/freeman-means-business/support

Curious, resilient and humor-forward professional services marketing executive and proven revenue generator. I am a 30+ year Big Law marketing veteran (hence the humor-forward attribute) focused on outcomes driving increased customer loyalty and revenue. I guide and coach lawyers to build and sustain authentic relationships. Internal and external clients value my ability to scope the full customer experience, from the front-end sales process to ongoing service. My portfolio spans account management, industry sector marketing, sales coaching, DEIB, ESG, designing thinking and brand. A few favorite resources: You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters; Strategy and the Fat Smoker: Doing What’s Obvious But Not Easy; the Go Giver; Anand Sanwal at CB Insights; anything Axios and Smart Brevity. Certified by IDEO U Insights for Innovation and by Inspiring Comfort as a Trainer. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/freeman-means-business/support

Valerie Nelan writes under the pseudonym Valerie Pepper. During the day, Valerie Nelan is Chief of Staff at Baker Donelson law firm, working with and on behalf of the Firm’s CEO and COO. In this role, she operates at a tactical, strategic, and operational level to execute on a variety of Firm priorities and initiatives. She regularly collaborates with multiple departments across the Firm, launching and overseeing special projects, monitoring them as needed, ensuring follow-through, and sustaining the necessary momentum for completion. Throughout her workday, she is a listener, advisor, proxy, doer, goalkeeper, implementer, integrator, and air traffic controller. Baker Donelson is a large, 600-lawyer firm located primarily in the southern United States. By early morning and in the evenings, Valerie dons her “professional smut dealer” hat and writes steamy romantic comedies as Valerie Pepper. She independently published her debut novel in April 2023 and is working on the next two books in the series. The recipient of the Contemporary Romance Writers’ 2021 Stiletto Award, Valerie holds a Masters in Fiction and has been writing for nearly twenty-five years. She is an incurable optimist and a firm believer in happily ever afters, even if they take more than one try. Learn more at www.authorvaleriepepper.com or find her on social media – Instagram and TikTok are her favorites – @AuthorValeriePepper. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/freeman-means-business/support

Wonder Woman in Business, Ana Brown --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/freeman-means-business/support

At Willis Towers Watson, Amanda Scott is the Global Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Leader based in London. She leads a global team that helps clients evaluate and address the critical people-related issues, assets, liabilities, risks and opportunities surrounding corporate transactions. She inspires people to think differently about the future as they implement large-scale organizational change to drive innovation, diversity, and positive growth. She is also the CEO/Founder of Mike’s Mates, a mental health charity in the UK. Additionally, Amanda is a Board Member for Global Women 4 Wellbeing (GW4W) and the Viviana Durante Ballet Company; remuneration committee member for Pensions Management Institute (PMI), and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion council member at Bayes Business School. She regularly publishes industry thought leadership, provides commentary to the UK press and social media, and is an active public speaker. She has also received awards for Excellence in Leadership from Consulting Magazine; Corporate Leader of the Year by National Business Women’s Awards; HERoes for Inclusion and Diversity by Yahoo Finance; and was awarded as one of the UK 50 Leading Lights for Leadership & Kindness from Women of the Future. Amanda graduated with an MBA in Management & Organization, and Finance from the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. There she was the 2007 President and 2006 Vice President of Finance of the Board of Directors for the Part-Time MBA Association. Additionally, she holds a BA in Natural Sciences from Johns Hopkins University. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/freeman-means-business/support

Kirtana (Keer-tha-na) Kalavapudi (she/her) wears many hats: Lawyer, Yoga Practitioner, Parent, Partner, Public Policy Advocate, Runner, and Earl Grey Aficionado (the more Bergamot, the better).  Kirtana's professional experience includes serving the public at Social Security Administration and internships at the George Washington University, Hirsh Health Law and Policy Program, Equip for Equality, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and Walgreen Co.  Kirtana's academic experience includes a J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law, a Master of Public Health in Health Policy from the George Washington University, and Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Notre Dame of Maryland University.  Kirtana currently lives in Maryland with her partner, spouse, and Husky pup.  She enjoys training for and running in local races, facilitating yoga classes to foster a greater sense of connection in her community, and traveling around the world.  Kirtana also serves as the Co-Executive Editor for the National Association of Women Lawyers' Women Lawyers Journal. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/freeman-means-business/support

Eleni Delimpaltadaki Janis CEO | CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER Expertise: ESG Investing | Inclusive & Online Lending | Economic Development | Inclusive Tech Ecosystems Eleni is an entrepreneur and investment manager who has dedicated her career to building businesses and developing people. Particularly businesses that deliver a meaningful social impact while also generating attractive commercial returns. She brings to any situation resilience and persistence, which has defined her own life as an immigrant to the U.S. and innovator in business. When Eleni co-founded Equivico at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, she sought to build a company that, like her career, is situated at the nexus of smart, scalable investments and social justice. As an investment professional, she draws on her experience in government, economic development and market research, to invest profitably in businesses, assets and projects that benefit households, societies and investors alike. Prior to Equivico, Eleni served as vice president at the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). During her tenure, she established the first ESG investing team, administered a portfolio of 18 tech startup incubators, and advised on investment strategies targeting minority- and woman-owned businesses, life sciences and small businesses. Eleni also co-founded New York City’s corporate attraction team, which coordinated the City’s, initially winning, bid for Amazon’s second headquarters. The project was expected to be the largest economic development project in the U.S. in several decades. Prior to NYCEDC, Eleni built The Opportunity Agenda’s market research practice where she serviced major social justice organizations and philanthropic institutions nationally. She published extensively on economic, immigration and human rights issues. Previously, she co-founded the Business and Labor Coalition of New York, an advocacy group of over 60 labor unions and large enterprises designing and advancing shared economic policy objectives. Eleni serves on the Board of Advisors of iQ4, a technology-based cybersecurity skills transfer platform, and the Board of Directors of the Hellenic American Leadership Council. She previously served on the Boards of the American Association of Public Opinion Research, New York University Alumni Association Board of Directors, and the Business and Labor Coalition of New York. She holds a Master’s degree in Political Science from New York University and a Bachelor’s in Media Studies and Communications from the National University of Athens, in her native Greece. She studied Executive Management and Finance at the Wharton Business School and is an American Express Leadership Fellow. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/freeman-means-business/support

Lawyer turned ad woman turned boy mom turned performance artist and writer, Drew Kramer is a cat with nine lives. With a Masters in Transformation, she's writing her own script. Her current work, The Lady & the Floofs is a cross-platform story that speaks to the challenges facing Millennial Parents and their Floofs. A Floof is a creature with many needs. The Lady is a sassy and mischievous caretaker that helps grown ups and Floofs unpack this big, sometimes scary, wonderful world of ours. In person, in print and online, the Lady uses stories (original and others!), songs and sensory food play to encourage Floofs of all ages to try things. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/freeman-means-business/support