Women and Work

She didn’t leave corporate life — it left her. When Alexa Starks returned from maternity leave, she found herself in a culture that expected her to “bounce back” overnight — no re-onboarding, no support, no understanding. Instead of accepting it, she built something better. Alexa founded Executive Moms to help companies create parent-forward cultures, redefine productivity, and empower working mot...

Ever had life completely fall apart — only to realize it was pushing you toward your purpose? That’s exactly what happened to Holli Beth Clauser. She was a young mom navigating the unpredictable world of raising two children — both with unique needs. Between food banks, hospital visits, and sleepless nights, she faced more than her fair share of challenges. But through it all, she discovered somet...

Maximiliane Mihajlovic was only 16 when she began chasing her dream as an actress. But somewhere along the way, she gave it up—pressured by a boyfriend who told her it wasn’t safe, practical, or worthy of her future. That decision led her down a path she never expected: toxic relationships, heartbreak, and eventually raising two children on her own. Her journey as a single mom was anything but eas...

Denied. Overlooked. Told she was “too much. That was Jerria Donelson’s reality, even with two master’s degrees and years of experience. She was qualified — more than qualified — but still shut out of opportunities simply because she’s a woman. At first, she played along. She kept quiet. She tried to fit in. But not anymore. Now, Jerria shows up authentically — as a Black woman, a mother, and a lea...

She thought she had found her calling as a speech-language pathologist. But the reality was long hours, holidays away from family, and endless pressure from insurance rules. Then came burnout. Suzy Carbrey had always been entrepreneurial. So she started building a private practice on the side. The very same day she finalized her business, Illinois shut down for Covid. What looked like disaster tur...

Dr. Sakira Jackson’s story is one of resilience and bold choices. Growing up in Illinois with entrepreneurship in her blood, she rose through the ranks in sales before facing a defining moment: when her boss told her to choose between her job and her kids, she chose her kids and walked out. Years later, after securing a $10M federal contract with a $1M commission, she was fired on the day the deal...

What happens when you land your dream job—only to realize it’s breaking you? Marisa Ciesluk had everything she thought she wanted: a senior leadership role, a growing family, and a thriving career. But behind the scenes, she was burned out, crying on her commute, and battling an identity crisis. In this candid interview, Marisa shares: •  How she navigated postpartum depression and career burnout...

What happens when you pour 25 years into a career… only to be told you’ll never move up? Katie Dunn faced that moment after leading the biggest deal of her career. Instead of giving up, she built a new path—one focused on empowering women and underrepresented founders. In this episode, Katie shares: ✔ Why being the only woman in the room shaped her career ✔ The breaking point that changed everythi...

Rebecca Torres lost her best friend at 13, her mom, dad, and brother in later years — yet she refused to be defined by grief. After nearly 20 years as a recruiter, including at Amazon, she turned her pain into purpose, becoming a mindset coach who helps others overcome challenges and unlock their potential.  In this episode, Rebecca shares how she learned to control her mindset, rise above tragedy...

Marisa Mann spent decades climbing the corporate ladder, working at firms like JP Morgan, Accenture, and other top consulting firms — often being the only woman at the table. Despite being a top performer, she waited five years for a promotion and learned that perfection doesn’t guarantee advancement. Now, she’s the CEO of Uplift All, where she helps underrepresented leaders rise with confidence,...

When Susan MacNicol’s corporate job disappeared just days before she returned from maternity leave, she faced a choice: start over in the corporate grind or build something of her own. With a 3-month-old baby and no job, she launched her own marketing business — and never looked back. In this episode of Women & Work , Susan shares how she navigated the “boys’ club,” grew her company into an ag...

Noelani Mitchell, mom of six and former nurse, opens up about her powerful journey from single motherhood and working multiple jobs to building a business that gave her time, freedom, and presence with her family. Raised with a strong message about independence from her own mother—“Make more than your husband, because you never know”—Noelani’s story is raw, inspiring, and real. She shares how she...

Andrea Pikscher, mom of three and founder of her own social media business, shares her powerful journey from juggling it all to learning how to ask for — and accept — help. From postpartum depression to starting her own company, Andrea opens up about the struggles and breakthroughs of balancing motherhood, marriage, and entrepreneurship. Watch as she reveals the moment she realized she didn’t have...

Laurie Swanson went from being excluded in the boys’ club of tech to building her own multimillion-dollar recruiting firm — all while navigating motherhood, leadership, and personal growth. In this episode, she shares how she overcame workplace sexism, trusted her inner voice, and created a career and life that truly fit her. If you’ve ever felt undervalued or stuck in a toxic culture, this is the...

Caroline Sanchez Crozier, a Latina immigrant and pioneer in tech, shares her incredible journey from corporate CPA to entrepreneur to nonprofit founder. She explains how she accidentally found her passion for technology, built a company partnering with Apple, and now empowers underrepresented communities to thrive in the digital economy through her Ganas initiative. Her mission: to inspire more di...

Bonnie Lee Kunkel, a seasoned attorney and former elected official, reflects on her decades-long career navigating gender bias, caregiving responsibilities, and finding purpose in unexpected places. From being the only woman in the courtroom to empowering clients to stand up for themselves, Bonnie’s story is one of quiet strength and unapologetic confidence. In this episode of Women and Work , Bon...

Krystina Lee opens up about the isolation of modern motherhood and how raising kids without nearby support has changed everything. In this episode, she reflects on family, burnout, and the growing need for connection among moms. Diane Moca, founder and CEO of @MomSub, talks with leaders like this every week—follow her for more. #WorkingWomen #WomenAndWork #MomSub #WomenInBusiness #SingleMom #Start...

Erica Bishaf is a single mom, market strategist, and two-time tech founder who walked away from a full-time job—with zero income lined up—to build her dream. In this candid conversation, she opens up about the juggle between motherhood and entrepreneurship, why she doesn’t feel “mom guilt,” and how she makes bold decisions with clarity. Diane Moca, founder and CEO of MomSub, talks with leaders lik...

In this inspiring episode of Women and Work, Delaine Blazek shares how she went from therapist to sales powerhouse—and why she walked away from a toxic tech culture even after hitting #1 on the sales board. She talks candidly about sexism in the workplace, scaling a business by mentoring women in sales, and launching her own company, Solis Coaching & Consulting. Diane Moca, founder and CEO of...

Michelle Fadeley, a marketing executive, community advocate, and longtime feminist leader, shares her path from navigating male-dominated industries to helping ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in Illinois—in our Women and Work podcast. After more than a decade balancing a full-time career with volunteer leadership in the National Organization for Women, Michelle opens up about what it means to le...

Lynette Correa Vélez, a career coach, tech entrepreneur, and mom of one, shares her journey from getting laid off during the Great Recession to launching a social impact startup—and ultimately building a platform aimed at closing the global women’s wage gap—in our Women and Work podcast. After navigating early career setbacks, becoming a first-time mom in grad school, and juggling life as part of...

In this episode, we talk with Holly O’Donnell, a leadership consultant and mom of one, about walking away from corporate America after becoming a parent—and accidentally launching a business that took off faster than she imagined. From a demanding three-hour commute to missing her daughter’s first steps, Holly shares the raw turning points that pushed her to redefine success on her own terms.  She...

In this episode, we talk with Brittney Keller, a marketing leader and mom of two, about navigating leadership in a male-dominated industry while balancing the complex demands of working parenthood. From being mistaken for an intern in her first job to growing into a trusted expert who leads paid media teams, Brittney shares the pivotal moments that helped her find her voice—and her value. She open...

In this episode, we talk with Jill, a parent and investigative reporter, about her unexpected journey through a childcare crisis—and the reporting project that grew from it. After moving from New York to Los Angeles with her husband and young daughter, Jill found herself facing limited parental leave, expensive care options, and the impossible math many families are forced to calculate when juggli...

In this episode, we talk with MJ Wexler , a digital consultant, educator, and now children's book author of Moses Could Have Been Selfish . MJ shares how motherhood and a desire to teach empathy through storytelling inspired her to write and self-publish a meaningful Passover story for young readers. From juggling web design clients and teaching at UCLA to raising her energetic son, MJ reflec...