WIN/WIN: Women in Innovation

In this episode of Win/Win: Women in Innovation, Zoia Kozakov sits down with Meghan, Founder and CEO of Duckbill, to explore what it looks like to bet on a problem you've been thinking about for twenty years — and finally have the technology to solve it. Meghan shares how her path from Uber to Oscar Health to founding her own AI-native startup was driven less by a plan and more by a set of princip...

In this episode of Win/Win: Women in Innovation, Zoia Kozakov sits down with Niamh Martin, Managing Director UK at Convene Hospitality Group, to explore what it looks like to lead at the intersection of hospitality, innovation, and scale. Niamh oversees 12 venues, nearly 600 people, and the entire UK operation of a company that has grown from a single premium meeting venue into a global hospitalit...

In this episode of Win/Win: Women in Innovation, Zoia Kozakov sits down with Zerlina "Zee" Jackson, VP of Experience & Design Strategy at New York Life Insurance, to explore what it looks like to build something genuinely new inside one of the oldest institutions in America. Zee shares how a childhood spent counting back change in her grandmother's garage store in Bessemer, Alabama, shaped her...

In this episode of Win/Win: Women in Innovation, Zoia Kozakov sits down with Chris Konya, Chief Strategy Officer at Sylvain, to explore what twenty years in strategy and innovation actually teaches you — about business, about creativity, and about yourself. Chris shares how the field has evolved from generating a plethora of ideas to finding the one right idea, why the best insights can come from...

In this episode of Win/Win: Women in Innovation, Zoia Kozakov sits down with Anisha Kamat, COO of ShopMy, to explore what it means to build and operate a fast-scaling company at the intersection of creator culture, commerce, and taste. Anisha shares how she made the leap from Goldman Sachs and BCG to the startup world, what it's really like to grow into a C-suite role in real time, and why ShopMy...

In this episode of Win/Win: Women in Innovation , Zoia Kozakov sits down with Henley Vazquez, co-founder of Fora, to unpack how she’s reimagining the travel advisor industry through technology, training, and community. Henley shares how Fora is lowering barriers to entry, empowering a new generation of travel entrepreneurs—most of them women—and using thoughtful innovation to modernize an industry...

In this episode, Dee Dunne shares her extensive experience in lifecycle marketing, discussing her journey from PayPal to Mailchimp, where she is currently Sr. Director, Global Lifecycle Marketing & Operations. She emphasizes the importance of understanding customer behavior, the challenges of event marketing, and the complexities of measuring ROI. Dee also delves into the role of innovation in...

In this episode, we are joined by Joanna Strober, CEO and co-founder of Midi Health. Joanna’s career spans venture capital, entrepreneurship, and now category-defining innovation in women’s midlife care. We explore how her own experience navigating perimenopause sparked the idea for Midi, and how she transformed a small pilot into one of the fastest-growing women’s health platforms. Joanna opens u...

In this episode, host Zoia Kozakov sits down with Marissa Steinmetz, Head of Digital Product, eCommerce at Coterie. With over a decade of experience spanning industries from luxury fashion to liquor and now baby care, Marissa shares how she’s built a career on adaptability, empathy, and innovation. She reflects on leading through ambiguity while designing digital experiences that truly make parent...

In this episode, Catherine Ann McCourt, Global Technology Consulting Leader at EY, reflects on her 25+ years in consulting and her journey from Partner to global leadership. She shares how mindset, self-belief, and continuous learning are essential for thriving in fast-changing technology environments, while also addressing innovation blockers like fear of change, siloed cultures, and legacy syste...

In this episode, Ariba Jahan, Head of Transformation for North America at Anomaly, shares her journey from studying biomechanical engineering and attending medical school to leading innovation and transformation across nonprofit, startup, and agency environments. She opens up about embracing a multi-hyphenated career, navigating ambiguity with confidence, and redefining what it means to “have it a...

In this episode, Scout Brisson, CEO of De Soi, discusses her journey from corporate life to leading a startup in the booming non-alcoholic beverage industry. She reflects on the importance of celebrating achievements, the challenges of transitioning from a corporate environment to entrepreneurship, and the complexities of recognition in her career. Scout also shares insights on the regulatory chal...

In this episode, Mallory Contois, Head of Community at Mercury and founder of Old Girls Club, joins Zoia on the podcast. Mallory has had many chapters in her career, including being an early-stage employee at Pinterest and Compass, working at LinkedIn, and being a COO at an early-stage startup. Today, she epitomizes what it means to be a true leader and woman in innovation, juggling a multitude of...

In this episode, Zoia sits down with Emily Heyward, who is the co-founder and Chief Brand Officer of Red Antler. In her second appearance on the WIN/WIN podcast, Emily shares more about her new role (in addition to Red Antler), as a Founding Partner at Habitat Partners, which is an early-stage venture fund.  Listen for advice on: The role of consumer empathy in investing How being authentic h...

In this episode, Phoenix Porcelli, SVP of Global Sales at Convene, shares her journey from working in prestigious hospitality institutions to becoming a leader in a startup environment at Convene. She discusses the importance of innovation in sales, the concept of the glass cliff, and how she navigated leadership challenges to ascend to her current position, while uplifting the entire Convene orga...

In this episode, Kristine Locker, the CEO & Founder of Locker, shares her journey from the real estate industry to entrepreneurship in consumer technology. She discusses the inception of Locker, a platform designed for everyday consumers to curate and save their favorite products, akin to Pinterest but focused on shopping. Kristine reflects on the challenges of being a first-time founder, the...

In this episode, Frances shares her journey from data scientist to Venture Capital partner at Two Sigma Ventures. She discusses the evolution of her understanding of risk, the importance of independent thinking, and navigating a career in venture capital. Frances also addresses the cyclical nature of the investment market, the role of gender in her career, and her vision for the future of venture...

In this episode, Zoia interviews Stephanie Horton, Senior Director of Global Marketing, Commerce (Shopping/Payments) at Google. They discuss Stephanie's diverse career journey across various industries, her leadership style, the importance of mentorship, and her role in founding Fashion Tech Connects. The conversation also delves into innovations in online shopping, the significance of cultural re...

In this episode, Mehera O’Brien, Head of Creative, New York, at argodesign, discusses her extensive experience in the design industry, the evolution of design consultancies, and the importance of client partnerships. She shares insights on navigating the intersection of creativity and data, the significance of taking leaps of faith in one's career, and how AI is re-shaping the industry.  List...

In this episode, Anneliese Olson, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, at HP North America, shares her extensive experience in leading go-to-market strategies across various business lines. She discusses her career journey, the importance of risk-taking, and the value of personal growth through a gap year.  Listen for advice on: Understanding one’s purpose and its role in effective...

In this episode, Jelena Joffe Weil, Worldwide Venture Innovation Lead at AWS, discusses the importance of curiosity and creativity in driving innovation, the challenges of establishing a venture innovation program, and the role of failure as a learning opportunity. They share insights on managing stakeholders and complex challenges, using real-world examples. Key Takeaways: How to navigate startin...

In this episode, Andrea Hopelain, GM and SVP of Publishing at EA Sports, discusses her career in the entertainment, media, gaming, and sports industry. She focuses on emotional connections with fans and the intersection of entertainment and sports participation. She also shares insights on engaging with Gen Z and Gen A, brand changes, innovation, and the role of women in sports and gaming. Key Tak...

In this episode, Zoia Kozakov, the host of the WIN/WIN podcast and Head of Device Digital Wallets @ JPMorgan Chase, shares her journey of launching the podcast and how it has shaped her, along with how she’s evolved throughout her career. Zoia emphasizes the importance of having a growth mindset and continuously learning and growing, talking about the shift in her definition of success and power,...

In this episode, Cheryl Sew Hoy, founder and CEO of Tiny Health, shares her entrepreneurial journey and the challenges she faced in building her startups. She discusses her experience as a first-time founder and the lessons she learned from her first company and its acquisition process. In a conversation focused on both Cheryl's trajectory and her experience building Tiny Health, a microbiome test...

In this episode, Amy Divaraniya, Founder & CEO of Oova, shares her unexpected journey to becoming a founder of a data-first, at-home hormone-tracking solution. She shares the ins and outs of building a multi-sided marketplace and how she turned her own struggles with fertility and the medical system into Oova. Throughout the conversation, Zoia and Amy touch on the challenges of the medical sys...