News from the Peak

In this episode, Maureen, Gemma and Claudia sat down, each in their own living room across several miles on both sides of the Atlantic, to have a lovely conversation with visual artist Aideen Barry. Aideen Barry is a world renowned artist living and working in Cork, Ireland. In 2020 she was elected to the RHA- Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts, a collective of contemporary artists and architects dedicated to the advancement of arts and culture in Ireland. She is also a member of Aosdána, a collective that honors artists whose work has made an outstanding contribution to the creative arts in Ireland. Aideen lectures regularly in several universities and schools of visual art in Ireland, the US and Europe. Claudia and Aideen met in 2013, when Aideen was one of the thirty artists in residence at the artists’ retreat Claudia directs in the summer upstate New York. In this episode, together they cherish memories, laugh together, and the four of us touch upon the complex, multilayered issues and the profound intricacies of being a mother and a professional in today’s society. We hope you will enjoy listening to these conversations, and dive into the musicality of the various accents you will hear, while we celebrate women’s accomplishments, and life, together. If you are curious about Aideen please visit her website [https://www.aideenbarry.com/], and follow her on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/aideenbarry/?hl=en].

In this episode, we had the privilege of talking with Altynai, a gifted artist from Kyrgyzstan, whose story is a powerful reminder to stay true to your passion—even when it feels like the path is not straight. Altynai shares what it’s like to be a woman creating art in a place where creative paths aren’t always supported, and how sisterhood and solidarity across the globe can spark hope and inspiration. She talks about the incredible support she received from people around her—mentors, teachers, multiple parents —and how that encouragement changed the course of her life. It reminded us that one of the most powerful ways we can make the world better is by uplifting and educating women everywhere. When we invest in women’s education and creativity, we help entire communities thrive. We also loved hearing what a regular day looks like for her and realizing how—even though our lives may look different—we’re all grappling with many of the same struggles and aspirations.  It’s a heartfelt exchange about creativity, resilience, and the ripple effect of supporting one another. Don’t miss it.

Your voice is powerful—but finding it, fighting for it, and fueling it is a journey. In this episode of News from the Peak, we dive into what it means to truly own your voice, whether in personal struggles, professional challenges, or creative pursuits. Our Grays Peak Strategies teammate Shantelle Williams shares her personal journey of overcoming domestic violence and the fight to protect her business from a multibillion-dollar company. These experiences have taught her that finding her voice is just the beginning—standing firm and nurturing it is what creates lasting change.

As we celebrate International Women's Day and Women's History Month 2025, the theme "Moving Forward Together" reminds us of the power of women educating and inspiring generations. This year, my colleague Gemma Hilario from Killarney, Ireland, and I had the privilege of interviewing women from Italy, Brazil, New Zealand, and Ireland. Despite the vast distances between us, common themes emerged in our conversations—proof that, regardless of location, culture, or background, women share a collective strength and vision for the future. Hosted by Gemma Hilario and Maureen Leif, Our guests include Juliana Peixinho, and Paula Knaap, Claudia Cannizzaro, and then Claudia interviews Gemma to close out the show. Please check out the News from the Peak section of our website for much more information on our guests and this episode ..

Maureen Leif and Liz Bullard welcome our friend from Ireland for her first of what we hope will be many appearances on our show. The three talk about executive coaching, leadership, and facing the world with positivity and grace.