The Power of the Pivot: Denise Shade on Leadership and Ownership

Women, Wealth, and Worth: A Conversation with Grace Arnold

In this episode of In Her Land, hosts Carrie Aguilar and Mara Kamat sit down with financial advisor, writer, and advocate Grace Arnold for an honest conversation about women, wealth, and financial confidence. Grace shares her journey from corporate finance and strategy into entrepreneurship, why she became passionate about helping women take ownership of their financial futures, and the realities of navigating a male-dominated industry. Together, they unpack the importance of financial literacy, the risks of disengaging from household finances, and how women can build confidence through curiosity, education, and active participation. From raising financially aware daughters to redefining “girl math,” this episode is an empowering reminder that knowledge is not a burden, it is our right.

The Power of the Pivot: Denise Shade on Leadership and Ownership

In this episode of In Her Land, hosts Carrie Aguilar and Mara Kamat sit down with Denise Shade, corporate executive turned entrepreneur and CEO of Audit One, to explore her journey from a 20+ year career at KeyBank to acquiring and leading her own company. Denise shares how a long-standing goal of business ownership guided her career decisions, the realities of leaving a stable leadership role to take a calculated risk, and what it actually takes to find and buy a business. From the power of networking and mentorship to navigating failed deals and building the right team, this conversation offers a candid look at entrepreneurship through acquisition and the mindset required to make the leap.

Living the Chapters: Insights from Susan Nash

In this episode of In Her Land, hosts Carrie Aguilar and Mara Kamat sit down with Mara’s mother, Susan Nash, CFO of Helix Linear Technologies, for a deeply personal conversation on career, motherhood, and the reality of navigating life without a perfect plan. From building her career in a male-dominated manufacturing industry to making pivotal decisions for her family, Susan reflects on the chapters that shaped her path and the lessons she learned along the way. She shares insights on leadership, resilience, embracing change, and why living life in the moment often matters more than trying to control it. This episode is an honest look at what it means to grow, adapt, and lead with both strength and perspective.

Attracting What Matters: Jennifer Scheel’s Vision for Cleveland

In this episode of In Her Land, hosts Carrie Aguilar and Mara Kamat sit down with Jennifer Scheel, Executive Attraction Officer for the City of Cleveland, to talk about her journey from consulting in aerospace and defense to leading efforts that bring new businesses and jobs to the region. Jennifer shares what inspired her to pivot into civic leadership, how she balances career ambition with motherhood and personal challenges, and why creating meaningful economic opportunity is central to her work. This conversation explores reinvention, resilience, and the importance of choosing purpose-driven work that strengthens both communities and careers.

Brave Over Perfect: Insights from Christina Breen

In this episode of In Her Land, hosts Carrie Aguilar and Mara Kamat sit down with Christina Breen, Head of School at Laurel, to explore her journey from a large family in Massachusetts to leading one of Cleveland’s most beloved institutions. Christina reflects on the resilience she built through setbacks, the lessons she learned from hearing “no” before stepping into headship, and her belief that girls must learn to be brave rather than perfect. From navigating AI in education to fostering civil discourse and launching innovative programs like Laurel Leads, she shares her vision for preparing young women to lead with confidence, curiosity, and courage. This conversation is a powerful reminder that growth often begins with failure and that leadership starts with finding and honoring your voice.