The Women's Advocate

In this week's episode, Sarah sits down with Partners Felicia Medina and Shauna Madison of Medina Orthwein, LLP - a Bay Area firm specializing in discrimination law - to discuss their intersectional approach to law practice and those that are most affected by workplace/pay disparities. 

In this week's episode, host Sarah Nichols sits down with Equal Rights Advocates' Senior Counsel for Workplace Justice & Public Policy, Jessica Stender. Join us as the two cover topics from the current gender wage gap to employment law and worker protections. Jessica also discusses the process behind passing a bill in California and her current advocacy work.

If women are good leaders, they risk being branded "too bossy" or "too tough." If they set boundaries, or ask for what they need to succeed, they're "too demanding." If they are passionate about their work, they're "too emotional." Every day women across the world face a barrage of double standards that men are not subjected to. As Podge Thomas says, the system wasn't built for us or by us, so it'...

It's never too late to reinvent yourself, whether it be professionally or personally. Many of us have gone through different lifechanging experiences - marriage, divorce, parenthood, changing careers. Through it all, you learn to pivot (albeit not always gracefully) and to make the most of new opportunities. In this week's episode, host Sarah Nichols sits down with Visionary Sales & Marketing Exec...

Joanna Lovering is the Founder of Copper + Rise, an executive coaching firm dedicated to helping you raise your presence and claim the room as your stage. She is also an organizational psychologist and fashion stylist who teaches women to show up and stand out. Joanna's spirited approach to coaching has left her clients filled with confidence and equipped with the skills needed to take charge of a...

Allison Davis is a Sales Trainer, Coach, and Consultant with 15 years of experience in the publishing industry and nearly 20 in sales. Allison focuses her vast experience in digital marketing, strategic partnerships, and event sponsorship on helping others gain more sales and expand their reach. She has worked with National Geography, Goldman Sachs, and many more, allowing them to fine-tune their...

Asha Saxena is a CEO Coach with CEO Coaching International and the Founder and CEO of Women Leaders In Data and AI (WLDA). She also serves on the Board of Directors for several for-profit companies, including Future Technologies, an international data management solutions firm, and Shindigz. Asha's drive to innovate has allowed her to build her own e-commerce company and serve as CEO of Future Tec...

Michelle Markwart Deveaux is the Founder and Owner of FaithCultureKiss, a voice and business coach who takes your voice and business to the next level. She is an award-winning actor and vocalist and has hosted workshops and masterclasses on business ownership, entrepreneurship, voice work, and acting. For the past 20 years, Michelle has worked with countless entrepreneurs and business owners to re...

Susan Freeman is a Stevie Award-winning CEO as well as the Founder of Freeman Means Business and Co-Founder of The Conscious Inclusion Company. Armed with her expertise in communication, she's dedicated herself to helping people achieve workplace equity in professional environments. Susan is also a speaker, coach, author, and host of the podcast, Wonder Women in Business . In this episode… In toda...

Kathryn O'Connor Gardner is the co-founder of Park Bench Capital, a financial services firm that focuses on diverse founding teams that always include at least one female leader. Prior to this, she worked as a senior vice president and corporate credit research analyst within AllianceBernstein's high-yield research group, focusing on the energy sector. She oversaw all energy-related investments fo...

Nancie McDonnell Ruder is the President of Noetic Consultants, working with brands to define their markets, clarify their strategies, and build agency-client relationships. Before working with Noetic Consultants for the last 18 years, she started her career at the renowned Leo Burnett USA as a director before moving on to Noetic Consultants.  Her past and current clients include AKQA, AT&T, Wells...

Cynthia Pong is a lawyer-turned-career coach, feminist career strategist, speaker, and the Founder of Embrace Change, an organization that provides mid-career women of color professionals with tailored coaching and training. Cynthia is also the author of Don't Stay in Your Lane: The Career Change Guide for Women of Color. After studying law at NYU and practicing as a public defender for 6 years, C...

Cynthia Cleveland is a 5-time CEO and an expert in developing, translating, and monetizing intellectual property rights into major global consumer brands and new businesses across diverse industries. She has led companies that have generated over $4 billion in worldwide sales across consumer products, entertainment and retail and have helped countless companies build their brand and capitalize on...

Jacquette Timmons is a financial behaviorist, speaker, coach, and the President and CEO of Sterling Investment Management. With her expertise, she has helped countless individuals understand their financial decisions and put them on track to financial freedom and well-being. Jacquette is the author of Financial Intimacy, a book that delves into relationship problems that may arise and how to mitig...

Sue Bunnell is the Senior Vice President and Managing Counsel for Wells Fargo as well as the President and Co-Chair of Leading Women in Technology (LWT), a women's professional development nonprofit. LWT's mission is to help professional women develop the skills and experience they need to achieve their goals. Recently, Sue also joined the Board for the Professional BusinessWomen of California, wh...

Elise Holtzman is the President and Founder of The Lawyer's Edge and the host of The Lawyer's Edge Podcast. The Lawyer's Edge focuses on empowering attorneys and teaching them the tools for success that aren't part of the law school curriculum. Her experience as a lawyer has given her expertise on where lawyers can improve their business and connect with clients. Elise has worked with practicing l...

Sarah Nichols is the Founder and Managing Attorney at Nichols Law, P.C. She is also an author, coach, HR expert, and a public speaker with frequent speeches for private employers and associations providing managers with compliance and liability prevention training.  Sarah has over 20 years in the legal field and has guided hundreds of organizations from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies as...

Neha Sampat is the Founder, CEO, Coach, and Consultant at GenLead | BelongLab, an agency specializing in individual and organizational leadership opportunities focused on the concept of belonging. Neha uses the power of social-science data and stories to help her clients align their personal goals with their work, amplify their unique voices, and integrate diverse backgrounds and perspectives to c...

Sarah Nichols is the Founder and Managing Attorney at Nichols Law, P.C. She is also an author, coach, HR expert, and a public speaker with frequent speeches for private employers and associations providing managers with compliance and liability prevention training.  Sarah has over 20 years in the legal field and has guided hundreds of organizations from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies as...

Joan Williams is an author, Distinguished Professor of Law at UC Hastings, Hastings Foundation Chair, and Founding Director of the Center for WorkLife Law at the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Her path-breaking work has helped to create the field of Work-Family Studies and Modern Workplace Flexibility Policies.  Joan is one of the top-cited scholars in the world in her field, h...

Andrea Heuston is the Founder and CEO of Artitudes Design Inc., a full-service graphic design firm delivering award-winning design solutions. In the last 25 years, Andrea and her team have dedicated countless hours to the community, providing supplies to children in public schools and preparing meals for those who have a mental illness.  Last year, she published an article, "Never Apologize for Be...

Krista Mitzel is the Founder and Managing Partner at The Mitzel Group, LLP . The Mitzel Group is dedicated to helping you grow your business with their expertise in litigations, disputes, administrative audits, and protecting your interest with the right policies and people in the places that need it. Krista is a seasoned lawyer with almost 20 years of law practice under her belt along with 10 yea...

Sarah Nichols is the Founder and Managing Attorney at Nichols Law, P.C. She is also an author, coach, HR expert, and a public speaker with frequent speeches for private employers and associations providing managers with compliance and liability prevention training.  Sarah has over 20 years in the legal field and has guided hundreds of organizations from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies as...

Emily Epstein is the Founder and CEO of Oakbay Consulting and also serves as a lecturer at the University of Berkeley, School of Law. She is an expert negotiator and is dedicated to helping women find their voices in the workplace. Her firm teaches the importance of communication and how to dialogue effectively to get your point across. Emily has practiced law for more than 10 years, focusing on n...

Sarah Nichols is the Founder and Managing Attorney at Nichols Law, P.C. She is also an author, coach, HR expert, and a public speaker with frequent speeches for private employers and associations providing managers with compliance and liability prevention training.  Sarah represents individuals in relation to their discrimination, retaliation, and wage and hour claims. She assists employees negoti...