Something Good Will Come

Donna Childs

Donna Childs is the Founder and CEO of Prisere LLC, which she founded to develop capacity for climate and disaster risk resilience. Building on her previous experience as a senior executive in the reinsurance industry, Prisere was named one of the 50 most innovative startups by the Kauffman Foundation. Donna and Prisere have led projects for the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Asian Development Bank. She serves as the Risk Partnership Advisor to the Climate Change Group of the World Bank’s Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery.

Donna began her career as a Research Associate at Harvard Business School, where she contributed to research and case development on insurance and risk management topics. She then worked on capital strategies and capital raising for global insurance companies as an investment banker on Wall Street. She subsequently served as a Senior Columnist for Dow Jones, where her commentary on insurance and risk were featured in The Wall Street Journal. Donna is also the author of an acclaimed book on small business disaster preparation and recovery, a past winner at the International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge, and recipient of the Woman Business Owner of the Year award by the National Association of Women Business Owners. She holds a BS from Yale University, an MBA from Columbia Business School, and is a graduate of the Owner/President Management Program at Harvard Business School.

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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

  • What inspired Donna Childs to start her own firm?
  • How the 9/11 tragedy impacted Donna’s life and the lessons she learned from the experience
  • How Donna picked herself up and went into disaster recovery consulting after 9/11 
  • Donna’s journey to success with Prisere — and what the name ‘Prisere’ means for her
  • Donna talks about her book and explains how she leads like a woman
  • The best piece of advice Donna has ever received from a mentor and her advice for a woman working through a major life change
  • Donna talks about her superpower and shares her contact details

In this episode…

Regardless of how much people prepare for possible future disasters, sometimes the unexpected happens and tragedy strikes. This always leads to major shifts in people’s lives, and in most cases, people experience long-term effects of the disaster.

After the 9/11 tragedy, Donna Childs’ life changed. She was left homeless and had to close her business. Her emotional and physical being were affected, and she often had nightmares months after the disaster. She, however, was able to get back on track and help other people and businesses with disaster management through her company, Prisere LLC.

Donna Childs, the Founder and CEO of Prisere LLC, is Andrea Heuston’s guest in this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, where she talks about her experience overcoming tragedy and helping others prepare for disaster management. Donna also explains how Prisere LLC was founded, her process of writing a book, and her advice for those working through a life change or disaster. Stay tuned.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.

They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.

To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.

[Women of EO] You are Equipped

Adrienne Smith

Adrienne Smith is a Team USA football star leading the charge for the new AFL women’s division. She is among the best performing wide receivers in women’s tackle football history. Adrienne is a Boston Renegades wide receiver, football advocate and spokesperson, Orange is the New Black actress, and entrepreneur. She is also the creator of Blitz Champz, a fun and competitive game that teaches and tests football knowledge, strategy, and critical math skills.

Adrienne’s professional career began in Japan where she worked as a translator and coordinator of international relations for the Japanese Board of Education. During her two years in this position, she produced and co-hosted a local television show geared towards educating Japanese people about American culture.

Adrienne started her football career in 2006 as a member of the New York Sharks and went on to compete internationally, bringing home silver medals in Sweden and Canada as a member of the US Women’s National Flag Football team. In 2010 and 2013, Adrienne helped the US National Women’s Football team bring home the gold medal in the International Federation of American Football’s Women’s World Championship. Since 2011, she has played for the Boston Renegades, a tackle football team in the Women’s Football Alliance and winner of national championships in 2011, 2014, and 2019.

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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

  • What inspired Adrienne Smith to go into football
  • The creation of Gridiron Queendom and how it has inspired girls
  • What went right for Adrienne when she started playing football?
  • Adrienne explains how Blitz Champz, her football card game, helps kids learn math
  • Adrienne’s experience in Japan and why she started a TV show there
  • How Adrienne got to act in Orange is the New Black, why she decided to do hip hop tours, and the exciting projects she is currently working on
  • How Adrienne leads like a woman and the best piece of advice she has received from a mentor
  • Adrienne talks about her superpower and shares her contact details

In this episode…

Working in male-dominated fields is often a challenge many women face, even when they are highly skilled and qualified. They frequently face backlash and pressure from society — which can kill their dreams.

When Adrienne Smith decided to go into football, she knew she would face such challenges. However, she did not quit, and her determination helped her excel in not only football but also in her career as an actress, entrepreneur, and leader.

Adrienne Smith, an entrepreneur and football star, is Andrea Heuston’s guest in this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show. Adrienne talks about her professional career in football and her journey to become an entrepreneur. She also talks about her football card game for kids, her work as an actress, organizing hip hop tours, and how she leads like a woman. Stay tuned.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.

They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.

To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.

Book Launch! Stronger on the Other Side

Andrea Heuston

Andrea Heuston is the CEO and Creative Principal of Artitudes Design, an award-winning creative agency. She has over 20 years of experience in the design industry and has won several awards such as the Puget Sound Business Journal’s 40 under 40, the Annual Enterprising Women of the Year Awards for Enterprising Women Magazine, Cambridge Who’s Who, and the Key4Women Achieve Award.

Andrea holds a degree in Communications and Design from the University of Washington. She is a speaker, author, and a volunteer who helps plan, purchase, prepare, and serve meals for the members of The Matt Talbot Center. Andrea is also the host of the Lead Like a Woman Show where she features top women leaders in order to share their inspirational stories on life and leadership.

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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

  • Dr. Kristin Kahle reads the forward that she wrote for Andrea Heuston’s new book
  • Andrea’s reasons for writing Stronger on the Other Side: The Power to Choose
  • Andrea talks about her favorite stories from the book, the hardest chapter she had to write, and the quotes she chose to include
  • The things Andrea would tell a young woman about her new book and the lessons it contains
  • What Andrea hopes to teach her readers from the exercises at the end of each chapter
  • Andrea’s experience of writing the new book
  • Where you can find Andrea’s new book

In this episode…

Andrea Heuston recently launched her new book, Stronger on the Other Side: The Power to Choose. For Andrea, the process of writing the book was both a challenging and very fulfilling undertaking. She had to relive some of the most painful events from her past like dealing with the loss of a loved one, losing her house to fire, the challenges of infertility, and rebuilding her life after being in a coma. However, Andrea was also able to relive the positive lessons she took from those experiences and turn them into something she could share.

With the book, Andrea hopes to teach other women about the power to choose. No one can control everything that happens to them, but we all have the power to decide how to react to our circumstances. Andrea’s book helps people learn how to harness the power of their past experiences to come out stronger on the other side. For Andrea, it’s about learning how to create beauty out of life’s scars.

In this week’s episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, host Andrea Heuston is interviewed by Dr. Kristin Kahle, the CEO and Founder of NavigateHCR, about her new book, Stronger on the Other Side: The Power to Choose. Andrea shares her reasons for writing the book, her favorite quotes and stories from the book, and why women should read it. Stay tuned!

Resources Mentioned in this episode

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.

They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.

To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.

Trust Your Inner GPS

Deirdre Breakenridge

Deirdre Breakenridge is an author, entrepreneur, and CEO of Pure Performance Communications. As a 30-year veteran in PR, marketing, and branding, she has worked with senior leaders at many Fortune 500 companies. She is a career-long storyteller and strategist helping brands and professionals to ignite more energy around their communication, lead pressing media conversations, and grow influence in the market. Deirdre has been working with leaders for decades to create award-winning PR and marketing programs and building relationships based on loyalty and advocacy.

Deirdre is also the author of seven business books sharing stories and advice to navigate changing consumer behavior and an evolving media landscape. Her most recent book, Answers for Ethical Marketers, was released in April 2021. Her other book, Answers for Modern Communicators, was recently named by BookAuthority as one of the “100 Best Storytelling Books of All Time.” As an international speaker, Deirdre shares her research and career journey in PR, marketing, branding, and social media communications. She has been blogging at PR Strategies for over 10 years and is also the host of the Women Worldwide podcast, which is in its sixth year with nearly two million downloads.

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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

  • What inspired Deirdre Breakenridge to start her own business?
  • Deirdre describes what’s led to her success with building businesses in the PR and marketing space 
  • Where the idea for the FEEL model came from and how it’s impacted Deirdre’s life and business
  • Deirdre talks about her new book, her writing journey, and the children’s book she wrote with her husband
  • The projects Deirdre is currently working on and how she’s using the FEEL model to help her clients
  • What resiliency means for Deirdre and how she leads like a woman
  • Deirdre shares her thoughts on trusting yourself, facing your fears, and connecting with an audience
  • The best piece of advice Deirdre has received from a mentor
  • Deirdre talks about her superpower and shares her contact details

In this episode…

Finding the way to your destination is important, but so is the journey you take to get there. For matters that fall outside of simple navigation, how do you determine the best way forward? And, if you find yourself in a leadership role, how can you be sure that you’re staying true to yourself as you lead others?

For Deirdre Breakenridge, leading like a woman means embracing who you are, believing in yourself, and using that as a gift to lead others. She suggests that if you take the time to listen to your inner GPS and learn to trust it, it will guide you to new opportunities. Deirdre also recommends having well-defined values so that your inner GPS can guide you on ethical matters as well.

In this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Andrea Heuston interviews Deirdre Breakenridge, the CEO of Pure Performance Communications, about the need for women to trust in their inner GPS. Deirdre also talks about building her business, dealing with a family tragedy, and writing several books. Plus, Deirdre explains why the FEEL model that she created is helping leaders and brands form better relationships.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.

They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.

To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.

You Can’t Please Everyone, Nor Should You Try

Lisa L. Meredith

Lisa L. Meredith is the Regional Director at ProVisors, an invitation-only community of over 6,600 experienced advisors that’s been around for more than 30 years. At ProVisors, Lisa’s role is to support connections, seek prospective candidates, and lead groups of experienced business owners and advisors by functioning as a resource and guide in leadership development.

Lisa is a creative problem solver who can drive revenue growth, consult on conflict resolution, improve organizational morale, and provide hands-on training in developing negotiation skills and cultivating strategic business partnerships. She is accomplished in the areas of management, marketing, team building, and communication.

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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

  • Lisa L. Meredith discusses what she loves about sales and describes the work she did at the Union League Club of Chicago 
  • Why Lisa joined ProVisors and how she’s been successful in her role there
  • How Lisa leads like a woman and what she learned from 2020
  • Why people need to focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • What Lisa sees as women’s strengths and weaknesses in leadership 
  • Lisa shares something most people don’t know about her
  • Lisa talks about what she’s learned from her mentors and shares her advice to women looking to grow their careers
  • The mistakes Lisa made in her career and what they taught her
  • Why women should not compromise on their values
  • Lisa’s superpower and contact details

In this episode…

One of the most common mistakes many women make in careers and leadership roles is to try to please everyone. A desire for approval can dictate your decisions and negatively impact your personal and professional life. It can even lead to choices you’ll later come to regret.

Lisa L. Meredith’s advice to fellow women leaders, young and old, is to be brave and do everything with grace. She believes women can be bold without being aggressive and insists that women need to believe in themselves, be confident in their skills, and never compromise their values.

Lisa L. Meredith, a Regional Director at ProVisors, is Andrea Heuston’s guest in this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show. Together, they discuss what it takes to lead as a woman without compromising what you believe in. Lisa also shares what she learned from 2020, how she has found success in her career, and why women shouldn’t try to please everyone. Stay tuned!

Resources Mentioned in this episode

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.

They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.

To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.