Leading by Lifting: The Power of Female Mentorship

The Story Only You Can Tell: Why Career Storytelling Matters More Than Ever

In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, automation, and rapid workplace change, one thing remains uniquely human: your story. In this episode of The Trailblazer Chronicles, Judy sits down with Marcelle Yeager, a career storytelling expert who believes that understanding and communicating your story may be one of the most important skills of the future. Together, they explore how career storytelling goes far beyond resumes and LinkedIn profiles. It’s about understanding your experiences, recognizing your value, building authentic relationships, and communicating who you are in a way that creates opportunities for and meaningful connections. Whether you’re building a business, leading a team, navigating a career transition, or simply wondering how to stan out in a changing world, this conversation will help you see your story in an entirely new way. Bio: Marcelle Yeager is the president of Career Valet, which has helped professionals across diverse industries since 2012 transform their experience into a compelling executive narrative that accelerates career transitions. She has been featured on the podcast How I Built This with Guy Raz and mentioned in Forbes and MONEY Magazine. Her work was regularly published in the U.S. News and World Report On Careers blog and on ClearanceJobs. From 2015-2019, Marcelle simultaneously ran ServingTalent, a boutique recruiting firm for military and government spouses posted overseas. Prior to this, Marcelle spent 10 years in consulting firms practicing strategic communications. Marcelle has an MBA from the University of Maryland and a BA from Georgetown University. She has built Career Valet while raising three children across five countries.

I Never Thought It Would Happen To Me: The Courageous Conversations We Avoid

None of us believe tragedy will happen to us…until it does. In this deeply meaningful episode of The Trailblazer Chronicles, Judy sits down with her dear friend and colleague, Jane Blaufus, whose personal experience with unexpected loss transformed her mission and her message. Today, she is passionate about helping individuals and families have the courageous conversations that most people avoid…about finances, planning, protection, and the practical realities of life. This conversation isn’t about fear. It’s about love. Together, they discuss why “not having enough time or not being ready to talk” is not an excuse, how avoiding difficult conversations often creates unnecessary chaos, and why preparing your family is one of the greatest gifts you can give the people you care about. This episode may just be the nudge someone needs to finally have the conversation they’ve been putting off.  Bio- Jane is the author of the third edition of WITH THE [STROKE] OF A PEN: Claim Your Life. Her book and comprehensive planning binder have become acclaimed as two of the most actionable, personal and financial planning resources available today for families, individuals and business owners alike. She is on a mission to help advisors to get the ‘Courageous Conversations’ started with their clients to become their ‘advisor for life’. An international keynote speaker, Jane has delivered highly rated sessions at four MDRT conferences around the globe along with numerous keynote speeches across North America.  She brings to the table 25+ years of insurance expertise as a financial advisor, sales manager and corporate executive. Today she is the Principal of The Blaufus Group Inc., based in Toronto, Canada and consults extensively into the financial services industry. Jane is a frequently sought after guest expert on Television, Radio and Podcasts. Her reputation and expertise make her an influential business coach to many financial services professionals around the world.

Your Next Edit: Reinvention, Retirement, and What Comes Next

What happens when the career you’ve built so carefully begins to shift…and you start asking, What’s next for me? In this episode of  The Trailblazer Chronicles, Judy sits down with Andrea Maizes, who is passionate about helping women leaders approaching the later stages of their careers think intentionally and reinvention, retirement and the next chapter of life. Inspired by her new book, Your Next Edit, why this transition is about so much more than finances, and how to move into what’s next with clarity, purpose, and excitement. Together, they unpack the emotional, practical, and deeply personal side of leaving one season and stepping into another. This episode is for every woman who knows there’s more ahead…and wants to step into it thoughtfully, confidently, and fully. #Reinvention #Retirement #WhatComesNext #YourNextEdit #TrailblazerChronicles Andrea Maizes Hello@andreamaizes.com [Hello@andreamaizes.com] 954-326-1883 Website:  www.andreamaizes.com [http://www.andreamaizes.com] LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreamaizes/ Substack:  The Next Edit [https://thenextedit.substack.com/] Bio:   Burnout and retirement readiness can feel almost identical, but confusing the two can have serious consequences. After 35 years as a senior HR executive, Andrea Maizes walked away from her corporate career and quickly learned that exhaustion isn’t the same thing as being ready for what’s next. Losing the title, the structure, the social network and the built-in purpose was far more destabilizing than she expected. Today, Andrea is a certified executive and retirement coach (ACC, CPRC) who works with founders, CEOs, and senior leaders navigating major transitions.  She helps high achievers slow down long enough to ask the right question:  Am I running from something… or moving toward something? Because at 55+, a reactive exit can impact income, identity, and future options in ways people underestimate. Andrea is the author of Your Next Edit and the creator of The Next Edit Substack, where she focuses on the emotional, psychological and social side of life after success - the part traditional planning rarely addresses.

Leading by Lifting: The Power of Female Mentorship

What does it take to empower the next generation of women leaders? For this week’s guest on The Trailblazer Chronicles, it begins with one word: mentorship. With five years of passionate work mentoring women, Urmi Hossain has witnessed firsthand how the right guidance at the right moment can change everything. In this uplifting conversation, we explore the role mentorship plays in confidence, clarity and career growth…and why women supporting women is the foundation of leadership that lasts. Whether you’ve been a mentor, are looking for one or want to start giving back in a new way, this episode will leave you feeling inspired and equipped to lead by lifting others. #TrailblazerChronicles #WomenInLeadership #MentorshipMatters #FemaleMentorship #EmpoweredWomenEmpowerWomen #WomenSupportingWomen #LeadWithPurpose Bio Urmi Hossain is a self-published author, speaker, podcast host, and finance professional based in Canada. She holds the CFA and CAIA designations and works in the financial services industry while actively advocating for women’s empowerment, identity, and self-leadership. Her book, Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth from Interracial Struggle, explores her journey as a third-culture woman navigating belonging, culture, and self-worth. Urmi also hosts Stories Beyond Borders, a podcast amplifying diverse voices on identity, migration, language, and the meaning of home. She serves as Co-Chair of Women in Leadership’s Montreal Chapter and is passionate about public speaking, mentorship, and continuous growth.

Purpose, Connection and the Heart of a Leader-A Marine’s Journey in Creating Belonging and Meaning

In this moving and deeply human episode of The Trailblazer Chronicles, Judy sits down with M. Alexis Wright, a remarkable leaders whose 23-year military career has been shaped by purpose, presence and the fierce love of mentorship. A self-described “mom to Marines,” she shares how her journey of service transformed from proving herself in a male-dominated world to becoming a source of belonging and purpose for the next generation. Together, they explore the evolution of leadership, the power of showing up authentically, and why connecting others, to themselves, to each other, and to a mission bigger than themselves, is the most courageous act of all. Bio- Margaret Alexis Wright is a native Texan and a highly accomplished leader with a distinguished career of service. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and holding a Master’s degree in International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University, Alexis served as a Marine Corps Intelligence Officer with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Throughout her career, she’s held key roles in national security, including serving as an Aide to the Secretary of the Navy, completing U.S. Army Command and Staff as an Art of War Scholar, and advising international partners. Alexis is adept at strategic analysis, problem-solving, and cross-cultural communication. Today, she serves as the Security Assistance Branch Head at the Marine Corps’ Training and Education Command and as an instructor at the Marine Corps Civil Military Operations School. Alexis resides in Occoquan, Virginia, with her partner, LTC R. Zach Alessi-Friendlander, USA and their beloved dog, Jolene (who, they warn, will steal your man!).