Redefining Ambition: Season 1

Redefining Ambition: Season 1

Jennifer Justice Headshot

S1 E1: Jennifer Justice: Founder at The Justice Department

Jennifer Justice, a highly respected lawyer and executive within the entertainment industry, is an expert in transforming the careers of her clients. Formerly Jay-Z's personal attorney of over 17 years, Jennifer is now on her own path to helping women receive the equality they deserve. After a career pivot, Jennifer founded The Justice Department, which in its own words, "represents boss ladies to make them bank." In this episode, Jennifer talks about imposter syndrome, inequality within the music industry, and the challenges she faces as a working woman.

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S1 E2: What's It Like Being Black on a U.S. College Campus? – Part One

We're joined by four members of The Women's Network — Cafui Awasu (Syracuse University), Jaryn Valdry (University of Southern California), Naomi Lestage (University of Southern California), and Alexis Marshall (Columbia University) — to discuss the marginalization of Black voices and their own experiences being Black on U.S. college campuses. In this episode, they discuss racism, tokenism, the importance of Black representation, and the reality of violence against Black people.

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S1 E3: What's It Like Being Black on a U.S. College Campus? – Part Two

We're joined by four members of The Women's Network — Cafui Awasu (Syracuse University), Jaryn Valdry (University of Southern California), Naomi Lestage (University of Southern California), and Alexis Marshall (Columbia University) — to continue the discussion on the marginalization of Black voices and their own experiences being Black on U.S. college campuses. In this episode, they discuss the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, what it means to be an ally to the Black community, and racism in the media.

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S1 E4: Stephanie Link: Chief Investment Strategist at Hightower Advisors

As a powerful woman in finance, Stephanie Link brings confidence, intelligence, and energy to her roles as a Contributor at CNBC and Chief Investment Strategist and Portfolio Manager at Hightower Advisors. Stephanie underscores the importance of mentorship, offers interviewing advice, and shares memorable anecdotes about what shaped her success.

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S1 E5: Shree Bose: Google Science Fair Winner and MD/PhD Candidate

As the first Google Science Fair Winner, Shree Bose has pioneered a new way to treat patients who have become resistant to ovarian cancer treatment. She is a graduate of Harvard University, a Co-Founder of Piper (a STEM education company), and a MD/PhD candidate at Duke University.

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S1 E6: Collegiate Women Discuss Black Beauty Standards

We're joined by four members of The Women's Network — Cafui Awasu (Syracuse University), Jaryn Valdry (University of Southern California), Naomi Lestage (University of Southern California), and Alexis Marshall (Columbia University) — to discuss Black beauty standards and their own experiences growing up. In this episode, they discuss the portrayal of Black women in the media, Black beauty standards, and their perceived professionalism.

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S1 E7: Betsy Morgan: Co-Founder at Magnet Companies and Former CEO at The Huffington Post and TheBlaze

Media veteran Betsy Morgan shares her experience in having a front row seat to the transformation from traditional to digital news consumption. After a 10-year stint at CBS News, Betsy undertook the role of CEO at The Huffington Post and, subsequently, TheBlaze. She later co-founded Magnet Companies, a holding company that acquires and builds direct-to-consumer businesses. In this episode, Betsy discusses her view of career pursuits as a marathon, not a sprint, and the importance of doing what you love.

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S1 E8: Kathryn Ordower: VP of Legal Affairs at Glossier

Kathryn Ordower works for one of the hottest beauty brands on the market. As the VP of Legal Affairs at Glossier, she has helped the company transform into the powerhouse we all know today. Prior to Glossier, Kathryn served on the legal team at the Gilt Groupe and other law firms and start-ups. Kathryn discusses her unconventional path to success and how a Theater and English double-major was able to pursue her passions and find her niche after years of discovery.

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S1 E9: Bola Sokunbi: Founder/CEO at Clever Girl Finance

Bola Sokunbi turned her finance blogging hobby into a business and founded Clever Girl Finance, a platform that empowers and educates hundreds of thousands of women to make more strategic financial decisions. She is a best-selling author, a money expert, a mom to twins, and the leader of a community seeking to drive conversation forward on financial wellness.

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S1 E10: Suzie Reider: Global Managing Director at Waze

Suzie Reider holds one of the most powerful positions at Waze, a navigation app. She served in various senior leadership roles at Google (including Chief Marketing Officer at YouTube) and transitioned to Waze, where she serves as Global Managing Director. Prior to working in tech, Suzie spent most of her early professional life working in publishing. She is a mom of two young adults who, like many of us, are trying to navigate these challenging and uncertain times. In this episode, Suzie gets candid about leadership, gender inequality, and maintaining joy, job fulfillment, and both personal and professional responsibilities.

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S1 E11: A Gender Divide on Ambition: A Conversation From Two Men's Perspectives

The connotations associated with the word "ambitious" expose a clear gender divide: men are often perceived as driven and assertive, while women are perceived as naive and bossy. Eric Black and Brian Morris — both recent graduates — join the conversation on the destigmatization of the word "ambitious" and share their perspectives on its preconceived notions.

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S1 E12: Erin Sharoni: Co-Founder at JUVICELL, STEM Researcher, DJ, and Former TV Host — Part One

Erin Sharoni — an entrepreneur, researcher, DJ, and former TV host — gets candid about the challenges she has confronted throughout this pandemic and her career, as well as details how she has achieved success across several different disciplines. After co-hosting shows on NBC News, Showtime Networks, and CBS Sports, she transitioned to biotechnology and is currently pursuing a Master's in Biology at Harvard University. Erin's focus is longevity, its connection to wider issues associated with biosphere integrity, and why she believes it is "among the most critical action items on humanity's list."

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S1 E13: Erin Sharoni: Co-Founder at JUVICELL, STEM Researcher, DJ, and Former TV Host — Part Two

Erin Sharoni — an entrepreneur, researcher, DJ, and former TV host — gets candid about the challenges she has confronted throughout this pandemic and her career, as well as details how she has achieved success across several different disciplines. After co-hosting shows on NBC News, Showtime Networks, and CBS Sports, she transitioned to biotechnology and is currently pursuing a Master's in Biology at Harvard University. Erin's focus is longevity, its connection to wider issues associated with biosphere integrity, and why she believes it is "among the most critical action items on humanity's list."

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S1 E14: Christine Broda: User Researcher at Spotify — Part One

Christine Broda, a User Researcher at Spotify, opens up about how she battles imposter syndrome while working at one of the hottest tech companies on the market, a transformative event that shaped her perspective on life, and how she has found meaning and purpose during the pandemic.

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S1 E15: Christine Broda: User Researcher at Spotify — Part Two

Christine Broda, a User Researcher at Spotify, opens up about how she battles imposter syndrome while working at one of the hottest tech companies on the market, a transformative event that shaped her perspective on life, and how she has found meaning and purpose during the pandemic.

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S1 E16: Noora Raj Brown: SVP of Communications and Brand Marketing at Goop

Noora Raj Brown, Senior Vice President of Communications and Brand Marketing at Goop, shares how she jumpstarted her career in the fashion industry and ultimately landed a job at a premier online lifestyle and media company. Noora discusses how she has been able to ascend in a competitive editorial world, differentiate herself, and maintain a positive outlook during the pandemic, as well as offers advice she would give to her younger self.

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S1 E17: Emma Isaacs: CEO at Business Chicks

Business Chicks' CEO Emma Isaacs discusses her new book WINGING IT and how, as a college dropout, she founded her first company at age 18, successfully manages a multi-million dollar firm that is home to over half a million women globally, raises six children, and overcomes fear.

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S1 E18: Dr. Fatma Sonmez-Leopold: Finance Professor at Syracuse University

After moving from Turkey to Canada and earning her PhD in less than four years, Dr. Fatma Sonmez-Leopold pursued her passion for finance in the realm of higher education. Since then, she has inspired countless students to develop an interest in finance. Dr. Sonmez-Leopold opens up about the challenges she faced in her pursuit to earn her doctorate, the confidence gap she has witnessed in the classroom, and advice on succeeding in a field that has traditionally lacked diversity.

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S1 E19: April Galda: Chief Culture Officer at Global Atlantic Financial Group

April Galda, a financial industry veteran, formerly served as Managing Director at Goldman Sachs and currently serves as Chief Culture Officer at Global Atlantic Financial Group. April discusses the personal choices, professional hardships, and leadership qualities that have accelerated her remarkable career growth and have allowed her to attain prestigious roles in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

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S1 E20: Natasha Case: Co-Founder/CEO at Coolhaus

A trained architect turned entrepreneur, Natasha Case was fascinated by the intersection of architecture and food, coining the term "farchitecture." Natasha discusses the inspiration behind co-founding Coolhaus — a women-led premium ice cream company — with her wife, the challenges associated with leading a company through a recession, and why representation at the top matters.

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S1 E21: Liv Perez: Host of Friend of a Friend Podcast and Entrepreneur

Liv Perez — an entrepreneur, influencer, and the host of Friend of a Friend — turned her curated lifestyle site into a popular podcast featuring "up-and-comers and game changers." Liv discusses the misconceptions of post-grad life, the value of reflection, the power of women supporting women, the importance of self-care, and hustle culture.

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S1 E22: Alexia Korberg: Litigator/Partner at Paul Weiss — Part One

Alexia Korberg made partner at the distinguished, NYC-based law firm Paul Weiss and served on the legal team of the groundbreaking Supreme Court case United States v. Windsor, which successfully struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Alexia discusses her personal experiences in coming out, the aftermath of her favorable Supreme Court decision, the future of the courts, her advice on resiliency, and more.

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S1 E23: Alexia Korberg: Litigator/Partner at Paul Weiss — Part Two

Alexia Korberg made partner at the distinguished, NYC-based law firm Paul Weiss and served on the legal team of the groundbreaking Supreme Court case United States v. Windsor, which successfully struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Alexia discusses her personal experiences in coming out, the aftermath of her favorable Supreme Court decision, the future of the courts, her advice on resiliency, and more.

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S1 E24: Rachael Shayne: Founder/Chief Marketing Officer at FocusedBrands

Renowned marketing expert Rachael Shayne has helped shape some of the world's most recognizable brands, including Procter & Gamble (P&G), The North Face, and L'Oréal. She founded an on-demand branding collective, FocusedBrands, after years of building leadership experience in the industry. In this episode, Rachael shares valuable advice on breaking into and succeeding in the marketing industry, underscores the importance of women supporting women, and discusses her philosophy on being an effective leader.

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S1 E25: Julia Landauer: NASCAR Driver and Motivational Speaker

At the age of 14, Julia Landauer became the first female champion of a Skip Barber Racing Series. She has since amassed a collection of wins and championships as a professional race car driver. She is also a motivational speaker and a fierce advocate for women and girls in STEM. In this episode, Julia shares the challenges of being a woman in the male-dominated sport of race car driving, the industry impact of the pandemic, embracing failure, and stepping outside of your comfort zone.

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S1 E26: Sueann Tannis: Senior Director of Integrated Communications at the UN Foundation

Sueann Tannis, Senior Director of Integrated Communications at the UN Foundation, is a communications and public relations expert who has extensive senior-level marketing and branding experience. In this episode, Sueann highlights the importance of consistently advocating for women and girls, reveals the qualities she believes make an outstanding leader, and shares her philosophy on owning your seat at the table.

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S1 E27: Nicole Sahin: Founder/CEO at Globalization Partners

Nicole Sahin, Founder and CEO of Globalization Partners, has helped firms around the world cut the red tape associated with global hiring. Nicole opens up about her unconventional entrepreneurial journey, the challenges she overcame in building a high-growth company, the philanthropic initiatives that inspired her perspective, and her outlook on risk-taking.

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S1 E28: Jamie Vinick: Founder/CEO at The Women's Network

As a sophomore at Syracuse University, Jamie Vinick identified a need for a women-focused network on her campus. Since then, The Women's Network has quickly become Syracuse's largest women-led student organization. Over the past 3 years, TWN has expanded to 42 college campuses and 21,000 members nationwide (as of this recording). Jamie reflects on TWN's rapid growth, the challenges of building an organization from the ground up, and how she has embraced both confidence and ambition to shape TWN's impact.

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