Removing Barriers from Innovation

In this episode, Amruta Moktali, Chief Product Officer at Skyflow, shares her journey in product management and discusses the challenges and decisions she has faced throughout her career. Amruta also explains the role of a Chief Product Officer at a Series B company and the need for a strong partnership between product and engineering. Amruta encourages women to overcome imposter syndrome and seek feedback to grow their careers. Key takeaways:&nbsp;<ul><li>Surround yourself with intelligent people who challenge and inspire you.</li><li>Believe in yourself and your ability to learn and grow.</li><li>Build a strong partnership between product and engineering for successful innovation.</li><li>Protect and use sensitive data while preserving privacy.</li></ul> Learn more:<ul><li>Zoia Kozakov (Host): <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia</a></li><li>Amruta Moktali (Guest): <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/amrutamoktali/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/amrutamoktali/</a></li><li>Women in Innovation: <a href="http://www.womenininnovation.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.womenininnovation.co</a></li></ul>

#116 Amruta Moktali | Chief Product Office @ Skyflow

The Value of Betting on Yourself

In this episode, Nisreen Hasib, CEO and founder of Signoff, shares her journey from being the COO of Unbound to starting her own company that focuses on solving the housing crisis. Nisreen challenges the traditional definition of success in the startup world and shares insights on getting into Techstars. Key takeaways:&nbsp;<ul><li>Align your career choices with your foundational values.</li><li>Trust your intuition and take risks when making career decisions.</li><li>Challenge the traditional definition of success and choose your path.</li><li>Focus on building a scalable impact rather than solely raising venture capital.</li></ul> Learn more:<ul><li>Zoia Kozakov (Host): <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia</a></li><li>Nisreen Hasib (Guest): <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nisreen-hasib/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/nisreen-hasib/</a></li><li>Women in Innovation: <a href="http://www.womenininnovation.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.womenininnovation.co</a></li></ul>

#115 Nisreen Hasib | Founder & CEO @ Signoff

Innovating with Impact: A Trailblazing Journey in Fintech

This episode explores Betsy Cohen and Amanda Abrams’ journey and experiences in the finance and investment industry. They discuss the skills and qualities they seek in founders, the vision for Cohen Circle and Radiate Capital, and their role in innovation in fintech. Through a discussion of their personal and professional experiences, Zoia, Amanda, and Betsy touch on what diversity means to them and conclude with a discussion on gender dynamics in the workplace and the industry. Listen for advice on:&nbsp;<ul><li>How thinking outside the box and reinventing oneself plays a unique role in the financial and investment industries</li><li>Why financial inclusion and impact investing are essential areas of focus for innovation in fintech</li><li>How diversity can drive innovation and success</li><li>The challenges and opportunities within fintech and the future outlook on its next phase</li></ul>Learn more:<ul><li>Zoia Kozakov (Host): <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia</a></li><li>Cohen Circle: <a href="http://cohencircle.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://cohencircle.com</a></li><li>Women in Innovation: <a href="http://www.womenininnovation.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.womenininnovation.co</a></li></ul>

#114 Amanda Abrams (CEO) & Betsy Cohen (Founder) | Cohen Circle & Radiate Capital

Empowering Choices: Egg Freezing and Proactive Fertility Care 

In this episode, host Zoia Kozakov shares her personal experience with elective egg freezing and interviews Dr. Fahimeh Sasan, Chief Innovation Officer and Founding Physician at KindBody. They discuss the importance of proactive fertility care, the challenges and barriers in the industry, and the need for accessibility and equity in women's health. They also provide an overview of the egg-freezing process, debunk misconceptions, and highlight the benefits of being proactive about fertility. The episode emphasizes the importance of empowering women to make choices about their bodies and the future of reproductive health. Listen for advice on:<ul><li>Egg freezing is a proactive and preventative approach to fertility care, allowing women to preserve their eggs for future use.</li><li>Access to fertility care and egg freezing should be improved to ensure equity and empower women to make choices about their bodies.</li><li>The egg-freezing process takes about two weeks, with minimal disruption to daily life and a short recovery period.</li><li>KindBody is leading the way in innovation and accessibility in the fertility care industry, focusing on improving the patient experience and providing transparent pricing.</li></ul> Learn more:<ul><li>Zoia Kozakov (Host): <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia</a></li><li>Dr. Fahimeh Sasan (Guest): <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-fahimeh-sasan-b18408169/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-fahimeh-sasan-b18408169/</a></li><li>Women in Innovation: <a href="http://www.womenininnovation.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.womenininnovation.co</a></li></ul>

#113 Fahimeh Sasan | Chief Innovation Officer & Founding Physician @ KindBody 

Redefining the Workplace for Success

In this episode, join Zoia as she interviews Patrice Meagher, CEO and founder of Milkmate, a revolutionary breast-pumping solution for the workplace. Milkmate’s solution is comprised of modular furniture components, including a multi-user breast pump, and single-use parts that are all ready for immediate use. Patrice shares her journey, from her career in commercial real estate to developing and running her own company. They also discuss the importance of inclusive workplaces and the power of advocating for yourself. Listen for advice on:<ul><li>Navigating the nuances of being a working parent in the workplace</li><li>Inclusive workplaces and the need for better maternal benefits and wellness solutions</li><li>The power of advocating for yourself and creating change as a minority or as a ‘first’</li></ul> Learn more:<ul><li>Zoia Kozakov (Host): <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia</a></li><li>Patrice Meagher (Guest): <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrice-hayden-meagher-268a7a19/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrice-hayden-meagher-268a7a19/</a></li><li>Women in Innovation: <a href="http://www.womenininnovation.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.womenininnovation.co</a></li></ul>

#112 Patrice Meagher | Founder & CEO @ MilkMate

Revolutionizing D2C Brand Building

In this episode, join Zoia as she delves into the world of brand building and direct-to-consumer (D2C) innovation with Suze Dowling, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer at Pattern Brands. Discover how Suze and her team are revolutionizing the D2C industry by combining acquisitions and in-house incubations to create a family of home brands. Gain valuable insights into their approach to building successful brands, overcoming challenges, and the importance of staying customer-centric in a rapidly evolving landscape.&nbsp; Listen for advice on:<ul><li>The key feature of a winning team is&nbsp;</li><li>How to approach equity as a founder</li><li>Going from being a brand builder to a product builder</li><li>Re-thinking consumer brands and D2C’s business models</li></ul> Learn more:<ul><li>Zoia Kozakov (Host): <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia</a></li><li>Suze Dowling (Guest): <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzedowling/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzedowling/</a></li><li>Women in Innovation: <a href="http://www.womenininnovation.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.womenininnovation.co</a></li></ul>

#111 Suze Dowling | Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer @ Pattern Brands

Resilience, Reinvention, and Redefining Success

In this episode, Zoia and Emi Neitfeld, writer of “Acceptance: a Memoir,” have a captivating conversation as they delve into the gripping story of navigating workplace challenges, transitioning from engineering to writing, and challenging societal expectations. Explore the power of personal narratives, resilience beyond traditional narratives, and the future of innovation in journalism.&nbsp; Listen for advice on:<ul><li>Transitioning from engineering to full-time writing</li><li>Challenging resilience narratives and embracing honest conversations</li><li>Re-thinking validation from others vs. self-importance</li><li>Navigating workplace challenges and gray areas for women</li></ul> Learn more:<ul><li>Zoia Kozakov (Host): <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia</a></li><li>Emi Nietfeld (Guest): <a href="https://www.eminietfeld.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.eminietfeld.com/</a></li><li>Women in Innovation: <a href="http://www.womenininnovation.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.womenininnovation.co</a></li></ul>

#110 Emi Nietfeld | Writer of "Acceptance" & ex-Google and Meta Engineer

Know Your Better Self

In this episode, Zoia interviews Courtney Carlsson, the founder of Paradym, a mental health platform. They discuss Courtney's journey as a founder, how she approaches building her startup, and the unique features of Paradym that set it apart.&nbsp; Listen for advice on:<ul><li>What’s it like fundraising as a pregnant female founder&nbsp;</li><li>How to innovate a two-sided marketplace</li><li>What makes a successful mental health product&nbsp;</li><li>Why prioritizing healing is vital to making the most of a maternity leave </li></ul> Learn more:	•	Zoia Kozakov (Host): <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia</a>	•	Courtney Carlsson (Guest): <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneycarlsson/?originalSubdomain=uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneycarlsson/?originalSubdomain=uk</a>	•	Women in Innovation: <a href="http://www.womenininnovation.co" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.womenininnovation.co</a>

#109 Courtney Carlsson | Founder & CEO @ Paradym Health

Tap Into Your Curiosity

In this episode, Jameelah Calhoun, Eventbrite’s Vice President and Global Head of Product and Customer Marketing, sits down with Zoia. Together, they discuss Jameelah’s tremendous trajectory, ranging from financial services to working at Amazon’s Audible and Eventbrite. Jameelah’s visionary thinking and authentic speaking make for another meaningful conversation about innovation, leadership, and intersectionality on the podcast.&nbsp; Listen for advice on:<ul><li>How to go about launching a 0-to1 initiative at a corporation</li><li>Why curiosity and portfolio-career thinking are critical to leadership&nbsp;</li><li>Navigating innovation at a time of renaissance (vs. wartime)</li><li>Balancing the impacts of being different from others in a company</li></ul> Learn more:<ul><li>Zoia Kozakov (Host): <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia</a></li><li>Jameelah Calhoun (Guest): <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameelah-calhoun/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameelah-calhoun/</a></li><li>Women in Innovation: <a href="http://www.womenininnovation.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.womenininnovation.co</a></li></ul>

#108 Jameelah Calhoun | Vice President, Global Head of Product & Customer Marketing @ Eventbrite

Advice and strategies from some of the top women innovation leaders today about how they’ve designed their careers and continue to shake up an industry.

WIN/WIN is an original podcast from Women In Innovation featuring conversations between Zoia Kozakov and women leaders who’ve carved careers in the historically male-dominated innovation space (innovation consultancies, innovation departments in Fortune 500 companies, and the startup ecosystem) — defining their own futures and creating a world where we all win.&nbsp;Each episode presents a one-on-one interview with a compelling innovator, delivering practical advice, strategies, and the stories of what drives them.

WIN/WIN: Women in Innovation

Social Media

Follow

Your Hosts

Zoia Kozakov