Smart, Driven, Women

How Do You Grow Into Leadership Without a Clear Plan? | with Executive Director Caroline Woods

Caroline Woods, executive director of Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia, discusses her nonlinear career path and growth into leadership. She emphasizes building confidence over time, embracing detours, and learning from failure rather than fearing it. She also reflects on balancing motherhood and career, highlighting that success comes from flexible priorities rather than perfect balance. If you are ready to become self assured in your unique career path then this episode is for you! Connect with Caroline: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-woods-a759189/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-woods-a759189/]

How Do You Create the Work Life You Thought You’d Have? | with Lisa Reid, CEO and Co-Founder

Lisa Angulo Reid, Co-Founder and CEO of Dear Flor, shares her journey from a driven college student to a marketing leader and entrepreneur. She emphasizes the importance of breaking big goals into manageable steps, staying curious, and pursuing work that aligns with both passion and values. She advocates for aspiring founders to know their non-negotiables and confidently take up space.   If you are ready to take the reins of your work/life and leadership journey, then this episode is for you!

How Do You Maintain Authenticity While Building a Public Voice? | with Mayor Alyia Gaskins, Alexandria

Mayor Aliyah Gaskins, the first African American woman elected mayor of Alexandria, Virginia discusses how curiosity shaped her career path, how systems helped her solve complex community challenges, and why authentic leadership matters now more than ever   She opens up about the realities the realities of running for office, while navigating criticism and balancing family life. If you want to be inspired towards authentic purpose-driven leadership and bold resilience then this episode is for you!

How Do You Find Your Authentic Drive? | with Audrey Bansil, Vice President

With over 20 years at one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies and deep experience in leadership, culture-building, and community work, Audrey shares how her motivation evolved from external pressure and perfectionism to purpose, alignment, and nervous system regulation. This conversation explores burnout vs. misalignment, redefining success, capacity-building, imposter syndrome, and why sustainable growth requires more than just awareness and skills. If you’re ready to lead, perform, and succeed without losing yourself, this episode will shift how you think about drive.

How Do You Lobby for Yourself? | with Marie Clarke, President

What happens when you stop building your career around what you should do—and start building it around what actually fits? Rona sits down with Marie Clarke, a former lawyer turned C-suite executive, to talk about navigating career pivots, trusting your instincts, and redefining success on your own terms. Together, they explore how clarity, systems, and self-trust play a critical role in long-term leadership, especially for women stepping into bigger decisions and broader influence. This conversation is for women who are questioning their next move, feeling boxed in by expectations, or ready to build a career that aligns with who they are now—not who they were told to be.   Connect with Marie Clarke: linkedin.com/in/marie-clarke-governmentaffairs [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-clarke-governmentaffairs]