WomenHeard – Details, episodes & analysis

“The speed at which information is traveling has changed. That also means the speed at which myths and disinformation is traveling, and how it’s shared and amplified especially with AI and search engines, is really a whole new factor for consideration.”

In this episode, WomenHeard host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich interviews public relations powerhouse Sam Wolf. Her “strategic sparkle” has woven her career threads through small, midsized and global agencies, showcasing storytelling expertise across media, tech, and governmental sectors. Sam walks through the tenets of crisis communications: factors that go into an assessment, the importance of trust, and how silence is increasingly not an acceptable response.

Listen to this episode for how Sam brings vulnerability to her leadership. She shares a story with our audience about a job that didn’t work out early on and how to lean on both your gut feelings and mentors. Plus, how the “flexibility stigma” is related to what she thinks is the biggest challenge facing women in the workforce today. 

"Bring people onto your team that might have skill sets that you don't have, that complement the overall team. Bring them along with you. Don't be intimidated by their talents."

In this episode, Womenheard: Changemakers host Georgia Galanoudis speaks with Beth Feldman, the incoming 2026 President of NYWICI! As a leading network television communications professional, she's launched wide-reaching campaigns for Emmy-award winning shows on CBS including CSI, The Amazing Race, as well as Everybody Loves Raymond.  Listen to this episode for the benefits of being transparent about what you don't know, following what lights you up, and why writing is the foundation for everything. 

"I find that most often I take the risk and not only do I grow, I learn. I'm furthering not only my career and whatever it is I'm taking the risk in, but when I fail I've also learned something. And you only learn the most valuable lessons, unfortunately, when you fail." 

In this special event recording, you'll hear behind-the-scenes info and career lessons from fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff! As the author of Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success, podcast host of Superwomen with Rebecca Minkoff and co-founder of the Female Founder Collective, Rebecca's encouragement stems from her 20 years of entrepreneurship - both the successes and the frustrations. 

Moderated by Jackie Hyland, NYWICI member and Associate Director of Corporate Affairs, Sustainability at KPMG US, this conversation focuses on taking educated risks and transforming setbacks into opportunities. You'll also hear tips for how to establish your unique vision and get to know the audience you hope to serve. 

"That 'people piece' has value. There's a value to having empathy in a corporate environment, in an organizational environment." In this episode, WomenHeard host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich interviews Francesca Larson, founder and CEO of creative and technology agency Studio Mosaic. She got her storytelling start as a NYWICI Scholarship Recipient, which she credits with launching her career and her sense of self. 

After stints in politics PR, she was inspired to work on projects and products with a mission to amplify community voices. Listen to this interview for her perspective on the future of work, along with the career paths she followed and the ones she created for herself. 

"Money should be working for you." It's never too late to level up! In this special event recording sponsored by Yahoo!, you'll learn from Judy Herbst, financial expert and the Executive Director of Savvy Ladies. This nonprofit is dedicated to providing free financial education and resources to women, empowering them to achieve financial independence.

Moderated by Jackie Hyland, NYWICI member and Associate Director of Corporate Affairs, Sustainability at KPMG US, this conversation focuses on how to manage your money instead of it managing you. Whether it's building a diversified investment portfolio, shoring up an emergency fund that fits a tight job market (potentially 9 months of runway) or leveraging your earning potential, you'll come away with actionable tips to explore your next steps to long-term wealth building. 

Resources mentioned: Free Financial Helpline; CFP Board; Podcast: Power of the Ask; Ellevest; Jean Chatzky

"As part of a daily practice, I think about earning trust and earning reliability in the eyes of those that I work with — and work for. It's about what I advocate for and the behaviors that I model." 

In this episode, Womenheard: Changemakers host Georgia Galanoudis speaks with Tracy-Ann Lim, a NYWICI Trailblazer Honoree in the 2024 inaugural class and a powerful storytelling strategist. As the Chief Media Officer at JPMorganChase, she manages a fast-paced global team of 100+ people. Prior to this role, Tracy-Ann filled executive roles at media agencies in New York, LA and Ireland where she is from. Listen to this episode for why simplicity can be a strategic advantage, along with how to build trust with your team and trust in your brand. 

“That’s why people came to work for me – because they were going to learn and they were going to grow. That, to me, is the whole beauty of work. If you’re just going to go somewhere and be a cog in the wheel, then you can do that anywhere. You know, if you’re an intelligent, creative person, that’s going to get old really fast.”

In this episode, Womenheard: Changemakers host Georgia Galanoudis reconnected with Lesley Jane Seymour, founder and CEO of CoveyClub.com. Lesley first joined our NYWICI podcast in 2023 and she’s back with her trademark honesty and updates! The former Editor-in-Chief of Marie Claire, Lesley has been at the editorial helm of beloved and influential magazines: Vogue, Women’s Wear Daily, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, YM, Redbook, and More. She launched CoveyClub.com in 2017, a lifelong learning community empowering women ages 40+. Listen to this episode for insights on entrepreneurship and knowing when to make a change.