Women of Color Rise

In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Christie Wong Barrett, former CEO and owner of MacArthur, a global manufacturer of innovative labels and functional components with operations in the U.S., China, Mexico, and Poland. Christie currently serves as an Independent Board Member for DMI Companies, a Lecturer at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, and Co-Director of Amp...

How can we build connection and compassionate communities? In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Dr. Gail Christopher, the visionary behind the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) framework. Dr. Christopher is the Executive Director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity and a former Vice President at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, where she spearheaded transform...

Aspiring to lead in theater?   In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Khady Kamara Nunez, Executive Director of the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC). Before this role, Khady served as Executive Director of Second Stage Theater, where she was part of the leadership team that won a Tony Award for Take Me Out.   Khady shares her inspiring journey from Senegal to the U.S., where...

How can you amplify your leadership in technology?   In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I sit down with Sonita Lontoh, an inspiring technology leader and inductee into the Asian Hall of Fame and Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame. Sonita currently serves on the boards of Sunrun (Nasdaq: RUN) and TrueBlue (NYSE: TBI) and has held senior executive roles at HP, Siemens, and PG&E. Recognized by...

How can you amplify your leadership in technology?   In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I sit down with Sonita Lontoh, an inspiring technology leader and inductee into the Asian Hall of Fame and Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame. Sonita currently serves on the boards of Sunrun (Nasdaq: RUN) and TrueBlue (NYSE: TBI) and has held senior executive roles at HP, Siemens, and PG&E. Recognized by...

In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Melissa Santoro, Former Vice President of De Beers and Former Head of Finance at Macy's Backstage. With a career spanning finance and strategy roles at Fortune 500 companies to start-ups, Melissa is now an angel investor and board member.   Melissa shares powerful strategies for taking risks and making bold career moves: Be Curious: Explore new...

Seeking a deeper connection to culture, spirit, and homeland? In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Grace Nono—a celebrated Filipino singer, ethnomusicologist, and scholar of Philippine shamanism. Grace holds advanced degrees in Humanities, Philippine Studies, Religious and Gender Studies, and Ethnomusicology from institutions like Yale University and NYU. She has also served as a p...

Is it possible for life-or-death news to bring hope? In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Johanne Morne, Executive Deputy Commissioner for the New York State Department of Health. With a long career in public health, Johanne has been guided by her commitment to equity, social justice, and trauma-informed care. At age 42, Johanne was diagnosed with breast cancer while transitioning...

What does it take to secure a corporate board seat?    In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Christine Crawford, Former McDonald's Franchisee Owner. Christine shares her journey to serving on multiple boards, including Avid Pursuits, which includes a digital marketing agency (Cyberwoven), and Illumyn by Him For Her, dedicated to enhancing the impact of private company boards through...

How can your identity become one of your greatest leadership strengths?   In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Shirley Collado, President and CEO of College Track. Previously, Shirley served as president of Ithaca College, executive vice chancellor and chief operating officer at Rutgers University-Newark, and executive vice president of The Posse Foundation.   Shirley and I discuss...

What makes a great sponsor? In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Deb Grant, Former President of The GE Foundation, Chief of Diversity, and GE's first Black female corporate officer. Currently, Deb serves as an Independent Director for Edelman and is the Founder and CEO of Corporate Playbook, a business consulting firm. She also leads Dining With Deb, a unique dining experience that...

In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Shawna Wells, Founder and CEO of 7Gen Legacy Group. Shawna helps Black Americans plan their legacy and establish intergenerational health and wealth. Shawna shares her journey to clarifying her own legacy and how she built her business. Here are steps she took to create a business aligned with her vision of legacy and abundance: Healing Practice...

What can we learn from the incredible journeys of women of color running for major leadership roles? In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I had the honor of speaking with Dianne Morales, Founder of StillRising, who is dedicated to helping organizations drive real impact for marginalized communities. Named a "Latina of Influence" by Hispanic Lifestyle, Dianne brings over 20 years of leadership i...

How do you handle someone with power blocking your path to leadership?   In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Dr. Maya Bugg Faison, Founder and CEO of the Bugg Consulting Group and Adjunct Professor of Public Policy at Vanderbilt. Previously, Maya served as CEO of the Tennessee Charter School Center and State Executive Director at Education Pioneers.   Maya shares her journey to be...

How integrated are you with your body, mind, heart, and spirit?   For this Women of Color Rise podcast, I speak with Laura Saldivar Luna, CEO of Pinata Possible,  a transformational coaching practice committed to helping leaders access powerful breakthroughs to unprecedented possibility, well-being, and social good.   Laura shares how as she transitioned from being Chief People Officer at Teach fo...

Are you an introverted extrovert?   For this Women of Color Rise, I speak with Dominique Jones, CEO of Global Kids, a national organization educating, inspiring and activating youth to respond to global issues. Prior to this, Dominique held roles as the Executive Director of the Harlem Girls and Boys Club of New York and senior roles at the Food Bank of New York City and NYC Administration for Chi...

How do you conquer feelings of self-doubt?   For this Women of Color Rise Podcast, I talk with Zee Clarke , a breathwork and resilience expert and the author of Black People Breathe . Trained in India, she is a Harvard MBA that went from leading teams at Fortune 500 companies to teaching powerful tools to improve our mental health and well-being in the workplace.   Zee shares a practical exercise...

Do you want a pathway to build a more equitable world?   For this Women of Color Rise Power, I talk with Mildred Otero, President of LEE (Leadership for Educational Equity), where she is creating pathways for leaders to engage civically within their communities to end the injustice of inequity.    This includes building leaders with inside power (policy leaders, elected leaders) and outside power...

How can we take smart risks?   For this Women of Color Rise Podcast, I talk with DeNora Getachew, CEO of DoSomething, a national hub for youth activism that focuses on fueling young people to change the world. We discuss the importance of taking risks, especially given the political turbulence we are facing.   DeNora shares advice about how to take risks: Find strength in your personal mission - P...

Why does intersectionality matters for leadership?   For this Women of Color Rise Podcast, I talk with Dr. Dominica McBride, Founder of BECOME. Dominica founded BECOME from a belief that communities should be at the center of creating the reality they want and need and that culturally responsive evaluation can be a tool for social justice and thriving communities.   Dominica is also the author of...

How can introverted leaders lean into their quiet power?   For this Women of Color Rise Podcast, I talk with Erica Phillips, Executive Director of the National Association for Family Child Care, a nationwide non-profit organization dedicated to promoting high-quality child care by strengthening the profession of home-based early learning programs.    As a self-described introvert, Erica shares tip...

For people of color, how do you navigate assimilation and authenticity?   For this Women of Color Rise episode, I talk with Heather Wise Turtle Harding, Executive Director of Campaign for a Shared Future, a timebound, nonpartisan campaign to defend and promote K12 public education from political attacks. Prior to this, Heather was Executive Director of EdCORE and had senior roles at the Gates Foun...

For this Women of Color Rise Podcast, I talk with Kathy Waller, Executive Director for the Atlanta Committee for Progress (ACP), which provides leadership on the key issues important to economic growth and inclusion for all citizens in Atlanta. Prior to this, Kathy was the Chief Financial Officer for The Coca-Cola Company. Kathy is also a Board member for Delta Airlines, CGI Group, and Beyond Meat...

Who is your sponsor? For this Women of Color Rise Podcast, I talk with Sheila Duke, CEO of Roads to Success, a New York City non-profit with the mission of empowering young people to take control of their future through after-school and summer programs. Sheila and I discuss how key to both of our careers was having sponsors, particularly White sponsors. Unlike a mentor who shares guidance, a spons...

How do you strategically build relationships?   For this Women of Color Rise episode, I talk with Stacey Chavis, Managing Director of Campaigns Academy, where she trains leaders to serve in elected office. Having spent her entire career in politics, Stacey points out the challenges women of color face but makes an adamant case about why women of color need to be at the decision making table,    We...