Explore every episode of the podcast What Rules!?: A career podcast for women of color
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100. Moving Forward Together | 05 Mar 2025 | 00:48:16 | |
It's our 100th episode! Since launching in 2020, we've been amplifying the voices of multicultural women in leadership—because our power, our stories, and our impact matter more than ever. Today, we celebrate the strength found in moving forward together, this year’s theme for Women’s History Month. Our conversation explores how multicultural women can turn challenges into assets, support each other through community, and redefine leadership on their own terms. We discuss the idea that failure isn’t a roadblock—it’s a stepping stone. "You have to fail to get to the next level," says co-host Alisa Manjarrez, emphasizing that every setback brings growth and resilience. This episode is a powerful reminder that we must break the rules that limit us and bring others along with us. We challenge you to take action—whether it’s mentoring, sponsoring, advocating for inclusivity, or simply choosing joy in daily life. Episode Highlights: • Celebrating our 100th episode! • Why leading with purpose starts with knowing your worth • How to embrace diversity and turn it into a leadership advantage • Failing to get to the next level • Why resilience and intentionality are key • Building a strong support system and community • Owning your power through breathwork and mindfulness • Flexing your style vs compromising your values • Setting boundaries to maintain authenticity Mentioned in this Episode: Open - a studio and app for breathwork Alisa’s Bio: Alisa Manjarrez is a storyteller, marketer and executive coach. She is the Managing Director of a B2B creative agency, co-host of the What Rules!? podcast, and has her Master's in Organizational Management & Leadership. Alisa is Mexican American and is passionate about advancing women of color in corporate America as co-CEO of Zera Consulting. Merary’s Bio: Dr. Merary Simeon, a seasoned Human Resources executive, brings 25 years of experience as a trusted advisor to C-suite executives in Fortune 50 corporations. Dr. Merary has a doctorate in Strategic Leadership. She is a best-selling author and co-host of the What Rules!? podcast. As co-CEO of Zera Consulting, she passionately advocates for the advancement of multicultural women in the workplace. Dr. Merary is from Puerto Rico and is fluent in Spanish. Courtney’s Bio: As an Accountability and Mindset Coach, Courtney is committed to helping her clients achieve their career goals to gain clarity, confidence, and alignment in their job search. With a passion for coaching and a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in today's competitive job market, Courtney works closely with clients to provide guidance, support, and actionable strategies that drive results to level up their career. Connect with us on our social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and | |||
| 99. Wellness in the Workplace | 05 Feb 2025 | 00:38:47 | |
Did you know? Women who experience high levels of stress are 46% more likely to seek new job opportunities. We take a holistic approach into the critical topic of wellness in the workplace and how it intertwines with our overall career satisfaction and significantly impacts how we show up in our personal lives. HR executive Dr. Merary Simeon and career coach Courtney Copelin share their insights on how both employers and employees share the responsibility of fostering a healthy work environment. Learn how to identify your own needs and stressors, whether they stem from your workload, workplace culture, or personal circumstances. Get help to better assess these factors, so you can engage in meaningful conversations with your manager about available resources and benefits that can support your well-being. We also highlight the importance of energy management over traditional notions of work-life balance. How you spend your time outside of work and how those activities contribute to or detract from your overall wellness are also part of the equation. Episode Highlights: • Accessing benefits and resources at work • Taking a holistic perspective with your career • Identifying your needs • Setting boundaries • The role of leaders in supporting wellness • Wellness beyond the workplace • Managing your energy, not your time Mentioned in this Episode: “More than A Program: A Culture of Women’s Wellbeing at Work” by Gallup, 12/4/24 “Work-Life Balance is a Cycle, Not an Achievement” by Harvard Business Review, 1/29/21 Bright Horizons daycare solutions 2024 State of Workforce Mental Health Report by Lyra Health The Corporate Athlete by Jack Groppel, PhD Merary’s Bio: Dr. Merary Simeon, a seasoned Human Resources executive, brings 25 years of experience as a trusted advisor to C-suite executives in Fortune 50 corporations. Dr. Merary has a doctorate in Strategic Leadership. She is a best-selling author and co-host of the What Rules!? podcast. As co-CEO of Zera Consulting, she passionately advocates for the advancement of multicultural women in the workplace. Dr. Merary is from Puerto Rico and is fluent in Spanish. Courtney’s Bio: As an Accountability and Mindset Coach, Courtney is committed to helping her clients achieve their career goals to gain clarity, confidence, and alignment in their job search. With a passion for coaching and a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in today's competitive job market, Courtney works closely with clients to provide guidance, support, and actionable strategies that drive results to level up their career. | |||
| 98. Advocating for DEI | 11 Dec 2024 | 00:32:29 | |
We’ve got a lot to say after LeanIn and McKinsey & Company's recent Women in the Workplace 2024: The 10th Anniversary Report. HR executive Dr. Merary Simeon and career coach Courtney Copelin reflect on the ongoing challenges faced by multicultural women and argue the continued need for systemic change. We get candid about the barriers to advocacy and provide a variety of ways multicultural women can take action because if we, as a community, do not advocate for ourselves, we can’t expect others to do so. “If we don’t care, then who will?” says Dr. Merary. Episode Highlights: • Shocking news for gender diversity • Why multicultural women need to advocate for DEI • The power of multicultural women despite underrepresentation • What’s holding us back • Feedback as advocacy • Small steps for big change Mentioned in this Episode: “LeanIn Says DEI Commitments to Women Just Declined for the First Time in 10 Years” by USA Today, 9/7/24 “Largest Report on Women in Corporate America Reveals Women’s Progress Is Fragile and Unsustainable” by LeanIn and McKinsey & Company, 9/17/24 Women in the Workplace 2024: The 10th Anniversary Report by LeanIn and McKinsey & Co, Ep 72: How Managers Can Fix the Broken Rung Ep 74: How Employees Can Fix the Broken Rung Ep 76: How Organizations Can Fix the Broken Rung Ep 84: How to Find Mentors & Sponsors Ep 97: Harnessing Feedback for Growth Merary’s Bio: Dr. Merary Simeon, a seasoned Human Resources executive, brings 25 years of experience as a trusted advisor to C-suite executives in Fortune 50 corporations. Dr. Merary has a doctorate in Strategic Leadership. She is a best-selling author and co-host of the What Rules!? podcast. As co-CEO of Zera Consulting, she passionately advocates for the advancement of multicultural women in the workplace. Dr. Merary is from Puerto Rico and is fluent in Spanish. Courtney’s Bio: As an Accountability and Mindset Coach, Courtney is committed to helping her clients achieve their career goals to gain clarity, confidence, and alignment in their job search. With a passion for coaching and a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in today's competitive job market, Courtney works closely with clients to provide guidance, support, and actionable strategies that drive results to level up their career. Connect with us on social media: | |||
| 97. Harnessing Feedback for Growth | 06 Nov 2024 | 00:38:07 | |
Feedback is a powerful tool for growth if you can harness it effectively. We dive into the critical role that feedback plays in professional development, especially for multicultural women who are trying to advance their careers. We tackle the significant gap with feedback in the workplace: many women report not receiving the feedback they need, or when they do, it lacks relevance and actionability. As we navigate the complexities of asking for and receiving feedback, we address the challenges that can arise. Hosts Dr. Merary Simeon and Courtney Copelin share their personal experiences and discuss how to handle feedback that may come across as emotionally charged or unconstructive. We also cover the importance of discerning the validity of the feedback you receive. Not all feedback is created equal, and some may stem from the giver's biases rather than an accurate assessment of your abilities. Episode Highlights: • How feedback affects multicultural women • How to ask for feedback • How to receive feedback • Using the R.E.A.C.H. framework for better feedback • Not all feedback is good for you • Recognizing bias feedback • How to give feedback • Feedback advice for leaders Mentioned in this Episode: 2023 Language Bias in Performance Feedback by Textio “Feedback Culture: Great Learning Design as a Bridge to Culture Building” by McKinsey & Co., 4/30/24 Merary’s Bio: Dr. Merary Simeon, a seasoned Human Resources executive, brings 25 years of experience as a trusted advisor to C-suite executives in Fortune 50 corporations. Dr. Merary has a doctorate in Strategic Leadership. She is a best-selling author and co-host of the What Rules!? podcast. As co-CEO of Zera Consulting, she passionately advocates for the advancement of multicultural women in the workplace. Dr. Merary is from Puerto Rico and is fluent in Spanish. Courtney’s Bio: As an Accountability and Mindset Coach, Courtney is committed to helping her clients achieve their career goals to gain clarity, confidence, and alignment in their job search. With a passion for coaching and a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in today's competitive job market, Courtney works closely with clients to provide guidance, support, and actionable strategies that drive results to level up their career. Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Sign up for our newsletter at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| 96. Listening to the Voices That Matter (from a C-suite Latina) | 18 Sep 2024 | 00:43:07 | |
Fortune 30 C-level executive Maria Lensing tells us about the many rules—both corporate and cultural—she’s broken to advance her career. This Latina powerhouse from Peru has been a leader at Walgreens, McKesson and AT&T, and is now the Global CIO & CTO at Sorenson Communications. In this super candid and honest conversation celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, we chat with Maria about the realities of being a multicultural woman in corporate America. Maria points out all the voices around us—the ones we should listen to and how to work through all the other noise. “The biggest element of success is what your mind thinks and the influences that you let in,” says Maria. Passionate about advancing women in the workplace, Maria shares the #1 thing she’s learned from her corporate climb, how she’s bucked the traditional family and the three questions she asks herself when making big career moves. Theme: Changing Course Without Hesitation Episode Highlights:
Maria’s Bio: Maria Lensing is the Global Chief Information Officer & Chief Technology Officer at Sorenson Communications. Prior, she was the Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at Walgreens Boots Alliance. Before that, Maria was the CTO at McKesson. And prior to McKesson, Maria spent 11 years at AT&T in both technical and business leadership roles. She was VP of Healthcare Solutions and she was also Chief of Staff for the Chief Executive Officer of AT&T Business. Maria has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from Christian Brothers University (CBU). She completed her Executive Education at Harvard Business School. She is also an independent director at Sorenson Communications and a board director for the Hispanic IT Executive Council (HITEC). Maria is passionate about STEM opportunities for youth, women in leadership and promoting minority inclusion in the executive ranks. She has received a lot of recognition, including the 2023 Top 100 Latinas by Latino Leaders Magazine and HITEC 100 Leaders for 2022, 2021 and 2020. Connect with us on our social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Sign up for our newsletter at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| 95. Live from IIEX: Insights for Multicultural Women in the Insights Industry | 14 Aug 2024 | 00:39:57 | |
Hosts Alisa Manjarrez and Dr. Merary Simeon get real about the current landscape for women in the insights industry during this live recording at IIEX North America, one of the largest insights conferences in the world. Alisa and Dr. Merary highlight the crucial role of advancing multicultural women in the insights field and its positive impact on businesses. They also share three actionable strategies for industry professionals to support and promote women of color into leadership roles. Discover valuable tips to make a difference in your organization, whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder or already in the C-suite. Episode Highlights:
Alisa’s Bio: Alisa Manjarrez is a storyteller, marketer and executive coach. She is the Managing Director of a B2B creative agency, co-host of the What Rules!? podcast, and has her Master's in Organizational Management & Leadership. Alisa is Mexican American and is passionate about advancing women of color in corporate America as co-CEO of Zera Consulting. Dr. Merary’s Bio: Dr. Merary Simeon, a seasoned Human Resources executive, brings 25 years of experience as a trusted advisor to C-suite executives in Fortune 50 corporations. Dr. Merary has a doctorate in Strategic Leadership. She is a best-selling author and co-host of the What Rules!? podcast. As co-CEO of Zera Consulting, she passionately advocates for the advancement of multicultural women in the workplace. Dr. Merary is from Puerto Rico and is fluent in Spanish. Connect with us on our social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Sign up for our newsletter at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| 94. Creating What You Want to See | 05 Jun 2024 | 00:31:30 | |
One of our core themes is Create What You Want to See. This is nothing new for Krystal Solorzano, Principal of Business Development at 10SB, a global architectural firm. Krystal has been charting her own career course since her 20s, from moving solo to South America to embarking on a new adventure in Singapore with her husband. This fearless Latina shares her insights on why working abroad can be a game-changer and what you need to know before making the move. “I like to think of myself as a creator,” says Krystal. “I create connections and I create opportunities.” We also chat about creating community wherever you go, the impact of in-person meetings and the advantage of being the only woman in the room. Theme: Create What You Want to See Episode Highlights:
Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Sign up for our newsletter at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| 93. Asking for What You Want | 01 May 2024 | 00:32:08 | |
We’re celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month with Denise Vu Broady, a Vietnamese refugee who has climbed the corporate ladder into the C-suite and is now a mentor to other women in the tech industry. Denise shares her inspirational story of how she blossomed from an introverted young girl to the outspoken powerhouse she is today as the Chief Marketing Officer at Collibra, a software development company. We chat about owning your voice in the workplace, learning from failure and how to find the right mentor—and cultivate the relationship. “Have a voice, be yourself and think about what you want and ask for it,” says Denise. “You cannot get to professional success without breaking some rules.” Theme: Own Your Power Episode Highlights:
Mentioned in this Episode: Refugee Girl: They called us “The Boat People” by Hang Pham Sonnenberg Denise’s Bio: Denise Vu Broady is the Chief Marketing Officer for Collibra and is responsible for accelerating the company’s marketing strategy, brand recognition, and growth marketing across the globe. Denise has 25+ years of enterprise technology experience and has held leadership roles at Appian, WorkForce Software, and SAP, with experience in go-to market, product launches, strategy, marketing, communications, and operations. Denise holds a double bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Production & Operations from Virginia Tech. Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Sign up for our newsletter at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| 92. Getting Ahead at Your Own Speed | 10 Apr 2024 | 00:26:42 | |
If you’re comparing yourself to others, wondering if you should be further along in your career, our guest today shares how to get ahead at your own speed. While we’re encouraged to advance as quickly as possible, Paula Ramos, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, at Kimberly-Clark, believes in the opposite. Paula tells us how she has broken the rules by looking at her career as a sailboat and letting her curiosity guide her. “A sailboat allows me to explore,” says Paula. “And it puts the control on me on how fast I go.” Get off the fast lane and sail your way into a rewarding career with Paula’s insight and advice. Theme: Know What You Want Episode Highlights:
Paula’s Bio: Paula Ramos is the Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer for Kimberly-Clark Corporation, where she has global responsibility for the company's enterprise strategy and the transformation initiatives designed to accelerate growth and value creation. Paula’s ambition is to fuse commercial instinct, pragmatism, technology and market insight to navigate ambiguity, champion consumer experience, and enable sustainable growth. With empathy, collaboration, and a passion for unlocking human potential, she builds inclusive teams that play to win and leave their mark upon the world. Prior to joining Kimberly-Clark in 2021, Paula was a partner at McKinsey & Company. In her 18 years at McKinsey, she advised some of the world's largest consumer goods manufacturers, retailers, and pharmaceutical companies on finding new sources of growth, transforming business portfolios, driving commercial and culture transformations, and building lasting competitive advantages. She led the firm's global consumer health practice and played pivotal roles in McKinsey's inclusion and diversity programs. A native Brazilian, Paula holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, and a Magna Cum Laude high honors degree in Commerce from McGill University. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and two daughters. Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Sign up for our newsletter at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| 91. Choosing Community Over Competition | 20 Mar 2024 | 00:35:15 | |
For Women’s History Month, we debunk three myths many multicultural women have about supporting each other in corporate America. Do you think you’re only one person and can’t change the status quo? Are you afraid to sponsor another woman of color because she may make you look bad? Do you believe everyone should pay their dues as they climb the ladder? These are all myths! Check out how we disprove each and offer ways to help and support each other when we choose community over competition. Episode Highlights:
Mentioned in this Episode: The P.I.E. Theory of Success—Performance, Image, Exposure 2023 Women in the Workplace by McKinsey & Company Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Sign up for our newsletter at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| 90. How to Challenge Authority At Work | 07 Feb 2024 | 00:27:25 | |
It’s Black History Month and Meredith Harper is on a mission—to empower women and people of color to embark upon careers in tech. Black, Latina and Native American women make up only 4% of tech roles in the U.S. Meredith is the Chief Information Security Officer at Synchrony, a Fortune 500 company that is one of the largest issuers of store credit cards in the U.S. She shares how she has often been the only woman of color throughout her 30-year career in tech and how other strong women partnered with her to get ahead. Tune in for an inspiring conversation with Meredith on how to challenge authority at work so that it benefits you and your company. “It's about being bold and it’s about being noisy,” she says. Theme: Don’t Do It Alone Episode Highlights:
Mentioned in this Episode: Empowering Black, Latina, and Native American Women in Tech by McKinsey & Company, 8/29/23 ISACA, a global association for professionals in information security, governance, assurance, risk, and privacy and quality. ISC2, the world’s leading member association for cybersecurity professionals SANS, an institute that offers cybersecurity training, certifications and research Meredith’s Bio: Meredith Harper is a strategic leader with 30 years of experience, who is passionate about her greatest assets—her team members. Her success has been attributed to her ability to manage large-scale complex programs that cross functional areas while advancing the skill sets and careers of her team members. Meredith is passionate about empowering women and people of color to embark upon careers in technology, especially in information security, where those populations are underrepresented. She’s committed to transforming the industry by driving engaging and provocative discussions around diversity, equity, inclusion and empowerment and the value it brings. It is her hope that the industry transforms at a more rapid pace so that women and people of color are normalized in tech and security spaces. Meredith is a proud alumna of the University of Detroit Mercy and the Loyola Chicago School of Law where she received a Master’s in Health Services Administration, a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems, and Master's of Jurisprudence in Compliance, respectively. Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and | |||
| 89. The Power of Empathy In the Workplace | 03 Jan 2024 | 00:32:06 | |
Let’s advance together in 2024! Today, we chat about lifting others to get ahead collectively with Cindy Tran, Managing Director at Slalom, a global business and technology consulting company. As an Asian American, Cindy talks about how she was raised to be empathetic with everyone and how it’s helped her advance in her career. “That general commitment to adding value and helping others succeed,” says Cindy. “It makes other people want to help you.” Tune in for how empathy can take you (and others!) far in the workplace. “It’s much more powerful to have others lift you up than for you to get there by yourself,” says Cindy. Theme: Don’t Do It Alone Episode Highlights:
Cindy’s Bio: Cindy Tran is a Managing Director at Slalom, a purpose-led, global business and technology consulting company. She has over 20 years of experience in professional services, currently focused on Slalom go-to-market expansion into Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas. Cindy has a strong commitment to serving customers and enabling teams to achieve strategic outcomes. Cindy is passionate about mentoring early career young professionals and community give-back opportunities. Together, Cindy and her husband are raising two young boys and are small business owners. Mentioned in this episode: Cindy Tran’s TEDx Talk: Untold Complexities Between 1st and 2nd Generation Immigrants Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Sign up for our newsletter at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| 88. Should You Stay or Leave Corporate America? | 20 Dec 2023 | 00:31:25 | |
Are you thinking about leaving corporate America? You’re not alone. 1 in 3 women of color currently in the workplace plan to leave their jobs over the next year. We’re here to tell you why multicultural women are needed in corporate America and what it means if more of us decide to leave. Before you choose the path of entrepreneurship or the corporate world, check out our convo! Episode Highlights:
Research Mentioned: 2/15/23: The Harris Poll: America This Week Wave 155 March 2021: More Women of Color are Ready to Leave the Workforce by Fairygodboss and nFormation May 2020: Diversity Wins: How Inclusion Matters by McKinsey & Company 6/24/20: Why Diversity and Inclusion Matter (Quick Take) by Catalyst 2022 Women in the Workplace by McKinsey & Company Check out these additional episodes: Ep 64: The 4 L’s to Advance Your Career featuring Tanika Cabral Ep 71: Transform Your Limiting Beliefs to Get Ahead featuring Thear Suzuki Ep 73: 3 Moves to Improve Your Next Meeting featuring Monique Lanaux Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Sign up for our... | |||
| 87. A Surefire Way to Get Mentors | 06 Dec 2023 | 00:38:05 | |
Are you looking for a mentor? We’ve got a surefire way to get as many mentors as you want, thanks to Shellye Archambeau, a Fortune 500 board director and one of the first Black female CEOs in the tech industry. Shellye learned early in her career that you should have multiple mentors and she figured out how to do that—without asking! And it’s easier than you think! Suffering from impostor syndrome? Don’t worry, Shellye points out it affects all of us, including herself, and she offers ways to beat it when it sneaks up on you. Striving to land a paid seat on a corporate board? Shellye shares how she did it and how you can, too! Want people to remember you? Introduce yourself using Shellye’s technique and you’ll be on people’s minds long after you meet them. With over 30 years of corporate experience, Shellye, author of Unapologetically Ambitious, shares some golden nuggets you won’t want to miss! Theme: Don’t Do It Alone Episode Highlights:
Mentioned in this Episode: Unapologetically Ambitious: Take Risks, Break Barriers, and Create Success on Your Own Terms by Shellye Archambeau LinkedIn Learning Course: Unapologetically Ambitious by Shellye Archambeau 2023 Gender Diversity Index Report by 50/50 Women on Boards Shellye’s Bio: Shellye Archambeau is an experienced CEO and Board Director with a track record of accomplishments building brands, high performance teams, and organizations. Currently, Shellye serves on the boards of Verizon, Roper Technologies, and Okta. She is also a CEO mentor with the EXCO Group and serves on the board of two national nonprofits, Catalyst and Braven. Shellye has over 30 years of experience in technology. She is the former CEO of MetricStream, a Silicon Valley-based, governance, risk, and compliance software company. During her tenure MetricStream grew from a fledgling startup into a global market leader. Shellye is the author of Unapologetically Ambitious: Take Risks, Break Barriers and Create Success on Your Own Terms. A book that will inspire you and provide the tools to enable you to fight the battles, make the tradeoffs and create the life you want. Shellye enjoys the performing arts, traveling and cooking. Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and | |||
| 86. Is It Time for a New Challenge? | 22 Nov 2023 | 00:40:25 | |
We chat with Brianna Hinojosa-Smith, Chief Legal Officer of Digital & Technology for Yum! Brands, the world’s largest restaurant company. Brianna was doing just fine as a senior patent attorney at Microsoft before Yum! Brands came calling (during the pandemic!) with an opportunity to switch to the restaurant industry, a new field for her. “Here I was looking to do something completely different, in an industry that I knew nothing about,” says Brianna. “I have four to five people that I really respect their input and they all gave me great advice.” Brianna shares how she decided to accept the new challenge and who she turns to for career advice. Is it time for you to take on a new challenge? We discuss the signs it’s likely time to change course, who you should talk to about it, and some revealing questions to ask yourself when making big decisions. We also cover how to decide if the timing is right to take on a new challenge and working in your zone of excellence vs zone of genius. Theme: Change Course Without Hesitation Episode Highlights:
Mentioned in this episode: The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level by Gay Hendricks Brianna’s Bio: Briana Hinojosa-Smith joined Yum! Brands in August of 2020 and currently serves as their Chief Legal Officer, Digital & Technology. In her role at Yum!, Brianna oversees a broad range of commercial and technology-related legal matters, including commercial contracts and licenses, data rights and intellectual property protection, as well as funding strategies to commercialize data and technology. Additionally, Brianna manages Yum!’s global patent portfolio, including coordinating the evaluation and filing of patents across the four brands (Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, KFC, Habit Burger Grill) and Yum!. Prior to joining Yum!, Brianna was a Senior Patent Attorney at Microsoft where she supported the Devices business (including Xbox/Gaming and Surface) in the areas of patent prosecution, conflict matters and licensing, as well as general legal support for the Devices client. In her 20-plus years as a patent attorney, Brianna’s experience includes patent prosecution, acquisition due diligence, patent licensing and litigation, patent monetization, validity and infringement analysis, and trademark and copyright protection. Prior to joining Yum!, Brianna worked in both the private and public sector including Gardere & Wynne, BlackBerry, Nortel and Uniden. Brianna earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Trinity University in San Antonio, a J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, and an MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington. When Brianna is not working, she enjoys serving her community as an elected official, spending time with her family, running and writing. Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: | |||
| 85. 3 Keys to Defining Your Career | 08 Nov 2023 | 00:26:56 | |
Where there’s a will, there’s a way. That's the motto that's taken Wendy Wu far—from Microsoft to Google, and now to software developer SailPoint, where she is the Chief Marketing Officer. Wendy believes that “you have to be the owner of your own career,” and that means defining what you want outside of your current role. She tells us about the time she did just that at Microsoft when her position was eliminated and she had to create a new position for herself. “Oftentimes a job description just tells you the status quo for today,” says Wendy, who grew up in China. “It doesn’t tell you what’s going to be next for you, so always extend yourself into other areas that may set you up for longer-term success.” We chat about three keys to defining your career and Wendy encourages us to seek help along the way! Theme: Know What You Want Episode Highlights:
Wendy's Bio: Wendy Wu brings over 20 years of experience in B2B enterprise marketing to her role at SailPoint as the company’s Chief Marketing Officer. At SailPoint, she’s focused on accelerating the company’s growth through modern, digital marketing, elevating SailPoint’s brand recognition, driving product adoption, and helping to deliver against the company’s business goals worldwide. Prior to joining SailPoint, Wendy was Vice President of Marketing at Box, where she led the global demand generation team to fuel the growth of the business as a leading content cloud platform. Before Box, Wendy spent eight years at Google Cloud. While there, she built the demand generation team for the Google Cloud Platform, eventually scaling the global marketing programs to support a multi-billion-dollar business. Before Google, Wendy held various product marketing and marketing leadership roles at Microsoft and other global companies. Wendy received her bachelor’s degree in English from Fudan University and her master’s degrees in Public Policy and Cultural Anthropology from Duke University. Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Sign up for our newsletter at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| 84. How to Find Mentors & Sponsors (Own Your Power Series, Part 3) | 25 Oct 2023 | 00:18:08 | |
The #1 question we get from women of color is, how do I find a mentor and sponsor? In Part 3 of our Own Your Power Series, we reveal why you need both. “If you’re not sure what you want to do, go to a mentor,” says co-host Alisa Manjarrez. “As soon as you know, go to a sponsor.” We tell you how to find a mentor who you can trust and is a good fit for you. We also fill you in on how a sponsor can help you get ahead and the best way to approach a possible candidate. Theme: Own Your Power Episode Highlights:
Mentioned in this Episode: Expect to Win by Carla Harris Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Sign up for our newsletter at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| 83. How to Leverage Your Strengths (Own Your Power Series, Part 2) | 25 Oct 2023 | 00:16:41 | |
In Part 2 of our Own Your Power Series, we share how you can leverage your strengths to get ahead in your career. Discovering and growing your strengths is worth it. Research says people who have the opportunity to focus on their strengths every day are six times as likely to be engaged in their jobs. We offer tools that will help you identify your strengths and build on them. “We all have areas that we consistently stand out in,” says co-host Dr. Merary Simeon. “Once we understand what they are, those are our strength zones.” Theme: Own Your Power Episode Highlights:
Mentioned in this Episode: StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Gallup Strengths Based Leadership by Gallup More episodes about using your strengths: Ep 70: Making Big Bold Moves Even When You’re Fearful Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Sign up for our newsletter at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| 82. How to Own Your Identity (Own Your Power Series, Part 1) | 25 Oct 2023 | 00:15:54 | |
Welcome to the Own Your Power Series! In three short episodes, we’ll help you advance your career as a woman of color. AND we provide leaders with surefire ways to advance the multicultural women at their organizations. In this episode, we show you the first step to owning your power: how to own your identity. Why is this important? “Your identity shapes how you experience and see the world,” says co-host Dr. Merary Simeon in Part 1 of our series. We provide you with tools, such as the Identity Circle, to think about all the factors that make up your identity. And we share how owning your identity can open doors for yourself and others. “Ultimately, understanding and embracing your identity will put you in control of how you respond to opportunities and challenges that you face as a multicultural woman,” says Dr. Merary. Theme: Own Your Power Episode Highlights:
Mentioned in this Episode: Ep 9: Thelma Haylock, Change Leader on Embracing Her Story More episodes about owning your identity: Ep 80: Creating Your Own Career Path Ep 78: Leading with Vulnerability Ep 71: Transform Your Limiting Beliefs to Get Ahead Ep 68: How to Be Strategic with Your Next Career Move Ep 64: Dr. Carey Yazeed: Truth Teller, Fire Starter Ep 60: How Understanding Your Identity Opens the Doors to Success Ep 58: Focused on Her Faith Ep 47: When In Doubt, Figure It Out Ep 46: Learning to Win as an Outsider Ep 43: Turning Your Insecurities into Your Superpowers Ep 19: | |||
| 81. Embracing Your Differences to Get Ahead | 11 Oct 2023 | 00:31:23 | |
Shiseido exec Agnes Landau has an accent and speaks with her hands—two things she tried to tone down at the start of her career. Not anymore! Today, Agnes is the Chief Marketing Officer at Shiseido U.S. and she credits her differences for standing out and getting ahead in the workplace. “Because I have an accent, people listen more closely,” says Agnes, who’s Puerto Rican. We chat about being open to new opportunities, like the five years Agnes worked in France without knowing French! Being able to “figure it out along the way,” she says, is key. Theme: Don’t Do It Alone Episode Highlights: • The power of mentors and sponsors • Creating your own opportunities • Working internationally • Embracing your differences • Standing out to advance your career • Focusing on your strengths Register Now! The What Rules!? Leadership Conference is on 10/25/23. Learn more and register at Eventbrite. Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Sign up for our newsletter at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| 80. Creating Your Own Career Path | 27 Sep 2023 | 00:34:30 | |
When others see potential in you and offer you opportunities, take them even when you’re scared. It’s paid off for Cartier exec Erica Lovett. At age 32, Erica is the first DE&I leader at Cartier, the global luxury jewelry company. She shares how she’s followed her instinct to create her own career path to become the Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Cartier North America. Erica encourages all women to show up as themselves in the workplace. “I’ve learned that no matter how old you are, no matter how much experience you have or don’t have,” says Erica, who’s Black American, “you still have a right to be in the room and share what’s on your mind.” Theme: Create What You Want to See Episode Highlights:
Register Now! The What Rules!? Leadership Conference is on 10/25/23. Learn more and register at Eventbrite. Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Sign up for our newsletter at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| 79. Building Your Career Community | 13 Sep 2023 | 00:39:05 | |
Learn how to build a community that will open doors and grow your career, thanks to Ivonne Valdes, Chief Channel Officer at Sorenson Communications. Cuban American Ivonne shares how everyone around her, from neighbors to recruiters, have contributed to her career success. She has secured mentors and sponsors at every job and she has built an advisory board that helps with her career moves. We chat about the cultural taboo of bragging vs stating the facts, aka our accomplishments, and Ivonne teaches us that there is nothing wrong with telling people what you want! “If you want something, tell people because we are a very tightly knit community and we love helping each other,” she says. Ivonne also reminds us that you don’t have to do it alone when outsourcing elements of your life can help you be more efficient and prioritize what matters. Theme: Don’t Do It Alone Episode Highlights:
Mentioned In This Episode: “Work-Life Balance Is a Cycle, Not an Achievement” article by Harvard Business Review Register Now! The What Rules!? Leadership Conference is on 10/25/23. Learn more and register at Eventbrite. Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Learn more at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| 78. Leading with Vulnerability | 30 Aug 2023 | 00:34:27 | |
Get ready for a deep dive into vulnerability with Mimi Park, a Field Chief Technology Officer at Databricks. Mimi grew up in Korea, where she “essentially didn’t have a voice,” she tells us. So when she started her career in the U.S., “I wanted to be like everyone else, but me.” Thanks to a personality assessment, Mimi learned it was ok to be herself and she began to open up to her co-workers. Today, Mimi leads with vulnerability to build trust and authenticity with her team and her boss. “The thing about vulnerability is that it can only come from a sense of security,” Mimi says. She points out there’s a time and place to be vulnerable in the workplace and we discuss when it’s psychologically safe to do so. Theme: Turn Your Adversity into Your Strength Episode Highlights:
Mentioned In This Episode: Mimi’s InformationWeek article: Maximizing AI ROI Through Change Management Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek Register Now! The What Rules!? Leadership Conference is on 10/25/23. Learn more and register at Eventbrite. Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Learn more at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| 77. Talking About Money to Own Your Power | 16 Aug 2023 | 00:35:49 | |
What’s more badass than talking about money? Although most of us cringe at the thought of sharing our salary with others, Slack exec Rukmini Reddy believes it’s one of the best ways to advance your career. As the SVP of Engineering, Platform at Slack, Rukmini tells us about the “network of incredible women” in her industry, who are open about sharing compensation data with one another. The results? They lift each other up and land better paying jobs. “I’m not shy about discussing money,” says Rukmini, who’s Indian. “I encourage all women to call a friend and tell them how much you make, and just be really uncomfortable.” Rukmini also fills us in on why you should scrutinize the feedback you receive at work and how you can manage impostor syndrome as a multicultural woman. Theme: Own Your Power Episode Highlights:
Mentioned In This Episode: Rukmini’s LinkedIn article, “I’m a VP of engineering and a woman of color. These 5 lessons got me here.” Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader by Herminia Ibarra Board of directors salary in United States by Indeed Register Now! The What Rules!? Leadership Conference is on 10/25/23. Learn more and register at Eventbrite. Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Learn more at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| 76. How Organizations Can Fix the Broken Rung | 02 Aug 2023 | 00:28:46 | |
Did you know there could be one million more women in management in corporate America if the “broken rung” was fixed? The broken rung, the biggest hurdle multicultural women face climbing the corporate ladder, is a systemic issue. That’s why we’re covering what organizations can do to fix it in our last episode of our Broken Rung series. We talk about the holistic strategies companies can implement so they can promote more women of color from individual contributor to manager. We highlight the benefits of having more multicultural executive coaches to serve as catalysts. And we discuss the importance of providing psychological safety for multicultural women employees in the workplace. Remember, you don’t have to do it alone! We’re here to help with this three-part series and with our upcoming What Rules!? Leadership Conference, specifically developed for multicultural women and their managers, on 10/25/23. Learn more at whatrulespodcast.com. Listen to parts one and two of our Broken Rung series, where we cover how managers and employees can fix the broken rung. Episodes linked below. Episode Highlights:
Mentioned In this Episode: 2019 Women in the Workplace by McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.Org Listen to the rest of our Broken Rung series: Ep 72: How Managers Can Fix the Broken Rung Ep 74: How Employees Can Fix the Broken Rung Register Now! The What Rules!? Leadership Conference is on 10/25/23. Learn more and register at Eventbrite. Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Learn more at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| 75. Why Discomfort Is Good for Your Career | 19 Jul 2023 | 00:30:08 | |
Do you avoid discomfort at work? Human Resources exec Lashanna “Sha” Farley reveals why feeling uncomfortable is, actually, good for your career. We chat with Sha about her career pivot to non-profit after working in corporate America for 20-plus years at some of the biggest companies, including Walmart, Pfizer and Sam’s Club. Sha tells us about the tough decision to leave and how her faith helped her work through her doubts. After five years, Sha is back in corporate as the Chief Human Resources Officer for Allvue Systems, a private-equity backed SaaS company. She shares how her career pivot opened the door to the C-suite and how discomfort can help you grow as a person and advance your career. “If you’re not uncomfortable at least one day a week at your job, then it’s time for a new job because it means you’re not growing,” says Sha, who’s African American. Theme: Change Course Without Hesitation Episode Highlights:
Mentioned In This Episode: Sacred Pace by Terry Looper Ep 58: Focused on Her Faith with Dr. Janice Stain National Director of Corporate Directors Directorship Certification Register Now! The What Rules!? Leadership Conference is on 10/25/23. Learn more and register at Eventbrite. Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Learn more at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| 74. How Employees Can Fix the Broken Rung | 05 Jul 2023 | 00:45:54 | |
Multicultural women are often “double onlys” in the workplace, meaning they are the only woman AND person of color in the room. This burden is mainly due to the “broken rung.” In our special three-part series, we've been tackling how managers, employees and organizations can fix the “broken rung,” the biggest obstacle that prevents women from climbing the corporate ladder. Even worse, it disproportionately affects women of color. In this second episode, we talk directly to multicultural women employees, like yourself, and how you can own your narrative to address the broken rung. While many of us are told to “call out the bias,” we offer real-life situations that can come up at work and how to be strategic when handling them as a woman of color. Alisa, Merary and Courtney share their personal experiences with bias and provide steps to deal with it. Remember, you don’t have to do it alone! We’re here to help with this series and with our upcoming What Rules!? Leadership Conference, specifically developed for multicultural women and their managers, on 10/25/23. Learn more at whatrulespodcast.com. Listen to parts one and three of our Broken Rung series, where we cover how managers and organizations can fix the broken rung. Episodes linked below. Episode Highlights:
Research Mentioned: 2022 Women in the Workplace by McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.org “Women of Color Get Less Support at Work. Here’s How Managers Can Change That.” by Harvard Business Review Episode Mentioned: Ep 73: 3 Moves to Improve Your Next Meeting with Monique Lanaux Listen to the rest of our Broken Rung series: Ep 72: How Managers Can Fix the Broken Rung Ep 76: How Organizations Can Fix the Broken Rung Register Now! The What Rules!? Leadership Conference is on 10/25/23. Learn more and register at Eventbrite. Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: | |||
| 73. 3 Moves to Improve Your Next Meeting | 21 Jun 2023 | 00:46:42 | |
Want to slay your next work meeting? Monique Lanaux, Chief Talent & Diversity Officer at Albertsons Companies, shares what you can do before, during and after a meeting to be seen and be heard—and get ahead. “Meetings are like a sport,” says Monique, who’s Caribbean American. “So, you have to start strong and finish strong.” We also chat about the rubber balls vs glass balls we all juggle with our career. And Monique reveals her secret weapon to getting what she wants in life. Hint: You’ll need some sticky notes! Theme: Know What You Want Episode Highlights:
Book Mentioned: Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less by Tiffany Dufu Register Now! The What Rules!? Leadership Conference is on 10/25/23. Learn more and register at Eventbrite. Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Learn more at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| 72. How Managers Can Fix the Broken Rung | 07 Jun 2023 | 00:35:57 | |
Women face their biggest hurdle to becoming leaders at the very first step up the corporate ladder. Known as the “broken rung,” this obstacle prevents women from reaching even the most entry-level management roles. Worse yet, it disproportionately affects multicultural women. In a special three-part series, we tackle how managers, employees and organizations can fix the broken rung by breaking the rules. In this first episode, we talk directly to leaders on how they can uplift multicultural women early in their careers when they’re most likely to encounter the broken rung as well as seasoned professionals who have been overlooked as a consequence of the broken rung. We offer practical actionable steps for managers to support their best talent before they burn out and quit. Whether you’re a leader or working on advancing your career, this episode is for you! Listen to parts two and three of our Broken Rung series, where we cover how employees and organizations can fix the broken rung. Episodes linked below. Episode Highlights:
Research Mentioned: 2022 Women in the Workplace by McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.org Diversity Wins: How Inclusion Matters (2020) by McKinsey & Company Repairing the Broken Rung on the Career Ladder for Women in Technical Roles (2022) by McKinsey & Company The P.I.E. Theory of Success: Performance, Image, Exposure by Arrowhead Consulting Half of U.S. Workforce Suffers Panic Attacks and Depression Due to Money Worries, New Survey Finds (2019) by Salary Finance 2019 Women in the Workplace by McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.org 2023 Mental Health at Work: Managers and Money by The Workforce Institute at UKG Listen to the rest of our Broken Rung series: Ep 74: How Employees Can Fix the Broken Rung Ep 76: How Organizations Can Fix the Broken Rung Register Now! The What Rules!? Leadership Conference is on 10/25/23. Learn more and register at Eventbrite.... | |||
| 71. Transform Your Limiting Beliefs to Get Ahead | 24 May 2023 | 00:29:07 | |
It’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and we are happy to chat with Thear Suzuki, Global Client Service Partner at EY, one of the largest professional services networks in the world. Ten years ago, Thear started her transformation from living in “survival mode” as a refugee from Cambodia and having “this limiting belief that I was lesser than other people,” she says. With the help of an executive coach, Thear was able to change her mindset and behaviors to become a healthy individual, engaged mom and impactful leader. “I realized through this internal work over the past decade that I needed to see my own value,” says Thear, who’s Chinese and Vietnamese. Thear shares her advice to empower Asian women in the workplace and her book recommendations to own your power and transform your limiting beliefs to get ahead in your career and life. Theme: Own Your Power Episode Highlights:
Books mentioned: Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Learn more at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| 70. Making Big Bold Moves Even When You're Fearful | 10 May 2023 | 00:31:28 | |
"Jefa" means boss in Spanish and today, we chat with Viviana Maldonado, creator of The Jefa Life, a platform that encourages Latinas to be the boss of their careers and lives. Viviana recalls the big bold move she made when she left her Nebraska home to go to college, leaving her family behind. She then moved to Los Angeles by herself and built relationships to get ahead. Viviana tells us how knowing your strengths (hers are connecting with others, choosing to be positive and taking action) can help you overcome adversity and make big bold moves in your career—even when you're fearful. “Titles come and go, but a jefa mindset stays forever,” says Viviana. “It’s living a life where you’re leading change and you’re leading by example.” Theme: Turn Your Adversity into Your Strength Episode Highlights:
More from Viviana Maldonado: TiKTok and The Jefa Life Learn more about the CliftonStrengths Assessment Take the HIGH5 Strengths Test Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Learn more at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| 69. The #1 Question to Ask When You Get a NO | 26 Apr 2023 | 00:31:22 | |
Ask yourself this question the next time someone says you can't do something: Is this a roadblock? "We are all wired to just do what we're told, but sometimes, we need to think about who's making those rules," says Nicole Todd, Vice President of Human Resources for Blackstone, one of the largest private equity firms in the world. Nicole, a Black American, shares how she found mentors and sponsors who helped advance her career. She recalls how her street smarts from growing up in the Bronx, NY, developed her unique strengths and became transferable skills in the workplace. She also tells us about the 3 L's to consider when you're stuck about making a career move. Theme: Turn Your Adversity into Your Strength Episode Highlights:
Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Learn more at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| 68. How to Be Strategic with Your Next Career Move | 12 Apr 2023 | 00:31:12 | |
Get the inside scoop on how multicultural women leaders are strategic with their next career move from executive coach Kanchan Prinsloo, CEO of KaPri Consulting. As a South Asian woman, Kanchan explains how your culture, like being raised by immigrants, is an advantage that can help you change course quicker with your career and without hesitation. "As women of culture, we really need to honor our past, bring it forward and know that we are the women we are today in the world today for a reason," says Kanchan. Theme: Change Course Without Hesitation Episode Highlights:
More from Kanchan Prinsloo: KaPri Consulting and LinkedIn Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Learn more at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| 67. The 4 L's to Advance Your Career | 29 Mar 2023 | 00:35:15 | |
Coca-Cola Company SVP Tanika Cabral shares how her motto, “Learn, Lead, create a Legacy and Leave,” can help you advance your career. Tanika, a Black executive who grew up in a Brooklyn housing project, has climbed the ladder to become Senior Vice President of Customer Leadership at The Coca-Cola Company. She reminds us that part of knowing what you want is knowing what you DON’T want. Tanika also credits her curiosity and courage to ask "why?” for getting further faster in her career and in life. "Rule-breaking is all about knowing that you can push past what someone has told you that you can't do," she says. Theme: Know What You Want Episode Highlights:
Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Learn more at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| 66. Meet Our New Co-Host, Courtney Copelin | 14 Mar 2023 | 00:30:52 | |
We're back with a new season and new co-host! Join us as we welcome Courtney Copelin, an accountability and mindset coach, to the What Rules!? podcast. Using her psychology background, Courtney will bring a wellness perspective to each episode to help you speak, lead and execute better in your career. She'll also ask the bold questions you want to know from our guests! So, get ready for a new season of brave chats and amazing advice on how to advance your career from top multicultural executives at some of the biggest companies in the U.S. Theme: Own Your Power Episode Highlights:
Welcome our new co-host, Courtney Copelin, on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Learn more at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| Go ahead, break the rules! | 13 Feb 2023 | 00:01:32 | |
Get ready for a new season of brave chats and amazing advice on how to outsmart the game to advance your career from top multicultural executives at some of the biggest companies in the U.S. Connect with us on our social media: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn Join our LinkedIn community where we discuss rule-breaking strategies for multicultural women. More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Courtney Copelin: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Learn more at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| 65. Breaking the Rules | 24 Jan 2023 | 00:22:11 | |
While we work on our re-launch (coming soon!), catch up with us in this special episode. Hosts Alisa Manjarrez and Dr. Merary Simeon chat about the rules they're breaking lately and Dr. Merary's new book! Connect with us on social media: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Alisa Manjarrez: Instagram and LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: Instagram and LinkedIn Learn more at www.whatrulespodcast.com. | |||
| Looking Back, Moving Forward [Rebroadcast] | 16 Aug 2022 | 00:32:02 | |
It's our 2022 Summer Series finale, yay! As we gear up for a new season of empowering stories, we thought it best to send our summer off with a look back at what we've learned along the way. As much as we'd all like to forget it, reflecting on the past is essential to planning our future. Listen as Alisa, Rosa, and Merary wrap the year (originally recorded in Dec 2020) with 5 questions meant to put things into perspective. Here's to moving forward! Questions in this episode:
More from Rosa Santos: LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: MerarySimeon.com More from Alisa Manjarrez: The Happy Cactus | |||
| Reminder: Charge Your Worth! [Rebroadcast] | 12 Jul 2022 | 00:36:06 | |
Next up in our 2022 Summer Series is an amazing conversation we had early last year with Nadia De Ala. Have you ever felt that being a woman of color has prevented you from getting paid what you're worth? That feeling is exactly why leadership and negotiation coach, Nadia De Ala, has made it her life's mission to get women of color hella rich. Listen as she shares her story and three things she's learned about how to charge your worth. "You're somebody else's glass ceiling. Break yours accordingly so that someone else can enter and reach another level after you." – Nadia De Ala, Negotiation Coach Topics discussed in this episode:
More from Nadia De Ala: Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook More from Rosa Santos: LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: MerarySimeon.com More from Alisa Manjarrez: The Happy Cactus | |||
| Create With What You Have [Rebroadcast] | 14 Jun 2022 | 00:33:43 | |
Part 2 of our Summer Series is an amazing conversation with Alisa, Rosa, and Dr. Merary about working with what you've got to create what you want to see in the world. Enjoy! ——— If someone handed you a brick and asked you to come back in an hour with a product, what would you make of it? How do you innovate with little more than a single block with which to build? How do you put aside all the rules the world gives you about what's possible and just... create? This week, Alisa, Rosa, and Dr. Merary get deep into the cracks of what it means to be creative and how innovating using only what you already have is an essential part of every great Rulebreaker's toolkit. "Achievers have an enabling attitude, realism, and a conviction that they themselves were the laboratory of innovation. Their ability to change themselves is central to their success. They have learned to conserve their energy by minimizing the time spent in regret or complaint. Every event is a lesson to them, every person a teacher." — Marilyn Ferguson, author of The Aquarian Conspiracy ––– More from Rosa Santos: LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: MerarySimeon.com More from Alisa Manjarrez: The Happy Cactus Get transcripts and more at colorforward.com | |||
| The Friendship Expert, Parts 1 & 2 [Rebroadcast] | 17 May 2022 | 00:57:15 | |
Hello, Rulebreakers! We're hard at work behind the scenes on some new ideas for Color Forward and that means looking back at some of our favorite moments from the past two years. In lieu of new content, we thought we'd share those moments with all of you, along with our thoughts about why these conversations still resonate so much. If you missed these episodes when they first aired (and even if you didn't), you're in for a real treat! We hope you enjoy our 2022 Summer Series and feel as excited as we do for the future of our amazing, multicultural community of changemakers! — Notes for Part 1: Did you know there's actual research that indicates that most people like you more than you think they do? Well, Dr. Marisa G. Franco knows it, which is why she's writing a book all about how to make friends as an adult. Listen as Alisa and Merary discuss what real friendship looks like in their professional and personal lives. "There's a point at which the desire to protect yourself becomes a harm. When you're rejecting people before they reject you and you're not experiencing the feelings of connecting with other people, the feeling of being replenished and rejuvenated, the feeling of being seen and known. All of those are something that you might be missing out on in your journey to self protect." – Dr. Marisa G. Franco, PhD Topics discussed in episode 28:
The Highest Honor of Friendship is an excerpt from a post on Wonderoak by Jess Johnston. — Notes for Part 2: Have you ever had to break up with a friend? How do you know when it's time to let them go? Or what if it's not time but you're not sure how to have a conversation to find out? This week, Alisa, Rosa, and Merary go deep into their own theories about what healthy friendship looks like and what to do when you're ready to say goodbye. "As human beings, if we've invested a lot of time into something, we're more likely to want to continue the relationship. Just because we've invested a lot, we assume that we should continue this relationship when that's not necessarily true. And I think we need to normalize outgrowing relationships with people." – Dr. Marisa G. Franco, Friendship Expert Topics discussed in this episode:
— More from Dr. Marisa Franco: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Psychology Today More from Alisa Manjarrez: The Happy Cactus More from Rosa Santos: LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: | |||
| 64. Dr. Carey Yazeed: Truth Teller, Fire Starter | 19 Apr 2022 | 00:33:01 | |
What happens when the story being told is not your own? When the advice being given is not only unhelpful but dangerous? Join Rosa, Alisa, and Dr. Merary this week as they discuss the issue of advice that misses the mark on intersectionality with Dr. Carey Yazeed. Dr. Carey Yazeed’s viral blog post, “The Dangers of Courage Culture and Why Brene Brown Isn’t For Black Folk”, discussed the issue of why Brene Brown’s push toward vulnerability is not safe advice for everyone. “What is it about being true to who you are? and so that means that we're all different and we're all unique you know, everybody has a different kryptonite, but also everyone has a different superpower. And what works for one person may not work for another person.” – Dr. Carey Yazeed In today’s episode:
——— More from Dr. Carey Yazeed: LinkedIn More from Rosa Santos: LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: MerarySimeon.com More from Alisa Manjarrez: The Happy Cactus Get transcripts and more at colorforward.com | |||
| 63. Owning Your Achievements, Pt. 2 | 05 Apr 2022 | 00:40:59 | |
We're back with another round of insights on owning your achievements. It's SO important that we couldn't fit it all into a single episode. Listen as Rosa and Dr. Merary chat with Head of Federal Government Business for Siemens, Brandy Gonzales Henson, about owning the narrative on your achievements. If you don't do it, no one else will. "I don't like the fake it til you make it rule... because it is not fake that you achieved that. You may feel uncomfortable accepting it but for me at least, I'm like 'I didn't fake it. I did achieve it.'" – Dr. Merary Simeon, Activator of Talent | Kingdom Work Advocate | Human Resources Executive | Speaker | Co-Founder of Color Forward | Best Selling Book Author | Non-profit Board Member | Bilingual In this episode:
——— More from Brandy Henson: LinkedIn More from Rosa Santos: LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: MerarySimeon.com More from Alisa Manjarrez: The Happy Cactus Get transcripts and more at colorforward.com | |||
| 62. Owning Your Achievements, Pt. 1 | 22 Mar 2022 | 00:17:53 | |
Working toward a goal is important, but what happens when you reach that goal is equally important! Stopping to reflect on our achievements gives us an opportunity to really see how brightly we are shining. In this episode, Alisa, Rosa, and Dr. Merary spend time reflecting on their greatest achievements and discuss why taking a moment to cheer yourself on is not only a good practice but psychologically beneficial as well. “Celebrate what you've accomplished, but raise the bar a little higher each time you succeed.” – Two-time Olympic gold medalist, and two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion, Mia Hamm In this episode:
——— More from Rosa Santos: LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: MerarySimeon.com More from Alisa Manjarrez: The Happy Cactus Get transcripts and more at colorforward.com | |||
| 61. Breaking the Bias: An International Women’s Day Chat with Vanessa Santos | 08 Mar 2022 | 00:30:23 | |
It’s International Women’s Day! Alisa and Dr. Merary are joined by return guest, CEO and Strategic Advisor Vanessa Santos, to discuss how breaking the rules can help pave the road to living an intentional life. “I am like an abstract painting. Not everyone gets me, but once they do, they can totally see my beauty. They see my worth and I can live in that and own that and not care what other people think or whether they get it or not.” – Alisa Manjarrez, Vision Producer In this episode:
——— More from Vanessa Santos: LinkedIn More from Rosa Santos: LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: MerarySimeon.com More from Alisa Manjarrez: The Happy Cactus Get transcripts and more at colorforward.com | |||
| 60. How Understanding Your Identity Opens the Doors to Success | 01 Mar 2022 | 00:33:00 | |
“Intersectionality”, coined by professor Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989, refers to the ways all aspects of our identity intersect and interact. Join the whole What Rules team as they dive into what intersectionality means to them and how understanding your unique identities can help create opportunities for yourself and your community. “Take a look at yourself, take a look at who you are and what policies are actually not supporting who you are, what laws are not supporting who you are, what is society’s unconscious bias about who you are?” – Dr. Merary Simeon In this episode:
——— More from Courtney Copelin: LinkedIn More from Rosa Santos: LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: MerarySimeon.com More from Alisa Manjarrez: The Happy Cactus Get transcripts and more at colorforward.com | |||
| 59. Rules You Haven’t Heard About Business Debt | 15 Feb 2022 | 00:37:33 | |
We’re paving our own way, we’re breaking the rules... but what about finances? Isn't it time to start demystifying the financial landscape of entrepreneurship and to shake up untrue beliefs about debt financing? In this episode, Alisa and Dr. Merary are joined by Virtual CFO and CPA, Christina Sjahli who breaks down financial topics from borrowing responsibly to forecasting cash flow, getting candid along the way about all the financial risks, wins, and in-betweens. “Feel the fear, because if you want to grow your business, the truth is sometimes you need outside capital it doesn't always have to be equity.” -Christina Sjahli ——— In this episode:
——— More from Chrstina Sjahli: christinasjahli.com More from Rosa Santos: LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: MerarySimeon.com More from Alisa Manjarrez: The Happy Cactus Get transcripts and more at colorforward.com | |||
| 58. Focused On Her Faith | 01 Feb 2022 | 00:32:37 | |
So often we are taught that life is the main road, with little room for detours. This can really get us stuck living a life we think we should be living versus a life of unique fulfillment and curiosity. So how can we do the work of building confidence to pursue more? How can we build a life that is an authentic representation of all the things we love? Tune in to be inspired as Alisa and Dr. Janice Stain discuss the importance of forging your own path full of all of your life passions and projects. ——— “All I have to do is walk my own path and be who I am and do what I think I should do.” -Dr. Janice Stain ——— Topics in this episode:
––– More from Janice Stain: janicestain.com More from Rosa Santos: LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: MerarySimeon.com More from Alisa Manjarrez: The Happy Cactus Get transcripts and more at colorforward.com | |||
| 57. The Messy Middle, Part 2 | 18 Jan 2022 | 00:34:34 | |
Rose Aviles returns to the show for an update on the mess she was dealing with back in episode 54. Spoiler... it's still messy but she's still amazing. ––– More from Rose Aviles: LinkedIn More from Rosa Santos: LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: MerarySimeon.com More from Alisa Manjarrez: The Happy Cactus Get transcripts and more at colorforward.com | |||
| 56. Make Your Dreams Come True in 2022 | 04 Jan 2022 | 00:30:34 | |
Our obsession with rule-breaking is nothing new. Before podcasting was even a thing, we were out there breaking rules to get ahead in our careers, breaking rules that stemmed from our past, breaking rules that others had for us, and we're finally here. We're rule-breakers... and so are you. So... what's next? As we move into a new year full of broken rules and big dreams, Alisa, Rosa, and Dr. Merary sit down with Chief Career Activator, Madelyn Mackie, to find out how believing in possibilities can lead you down the road to career success and happiness. Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life. ––– More from Madelyn Mackie: madelynmackie.com More from Rosa Santos: LinkedIn More from Dr. Merary Simeon: MerarySimeon.com More from Alisa Manjarrez: The Happy Cactus Get transcripts and more at colorforward.com | |||