WIN/WIN: Women in Innovation

In this episode, we are joined by Joanna Strober, CEO and co-founder of Midi Health. Joanna’s career spans venture capital, entrepreneurship, and now category-defining innovation in women’s midlife care. We explore how her own experience navigating perimenopause sparked the idea for Midi, and how she transformed a small pilot into one of the fastest-growing women’s health platforms. Joanna opens up about the realities of fundraising in an underestimated category, the emotional resilience required to lead through “no’s,” and why starting a company in your fifties can be a strategic advantage. Listen for insights on:The advantage of pursuing innovation through addressing personal pain pointsHow to accept a fundraising ‘no’ as a data point, not an identityThe superpower of starting a company later in life/career Learn more:Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoiaJoanna Strober (Guest): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannastrober/Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.coAudio Editor: Samantha Gattsek

In this episode, host Zoia Kozakov sits down with Marissa Steinmetz, Head of Digital Product, eCommerce at Coterie. With over a decade of experience spanning industries from luxury fashion to liquor and now baby care, Marissa shares how she’s built a career on adaptability, empathy, and innovation. She reflects on leading through ambiguity while designing digital experiences that truly make parents’ lives easier.Listen for insights on:Pivoting product skills across luxury, liquor, beauty, and now baby careWhat “wartime innovation” really looks like in a fast-scaling startupBuilding empathy for customers—even when you’re not (yet) the end userLeading through uncertainty and crisis with resilience and clarityLearn more:Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoiaMarissa Steinmetz Israel (Guest): https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-steinmetz-israel-1b101511/Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.coAudio Editor: Samantha Gattsek

In this episode, Ariba Jahan, Head of Transformation for North America at Anomaly, shares her journey from studying biomechanical engineering and attending medical school to leading innovation and transformation across nonprofit, startup, and agency environments. She opens up about embracing a multi-hyphenated career, navigating ambiguity with confidence, and redefining what it means to “have it all” as a mother, immigrant, and woman of color. Ariba also explores the intersection of innovation and transformation, how to bring others along on the journey, and the importance of anticipating unintended consequences in emerging technologies like AI.Listen for advice on:Building clarity and buy-in for innovation and transformation rolesNurturing a culture of experimentation and co-creationSustaining confidence while navigating uncertaintyIdentifying and addressing biases in product and service designLearn more:Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoiaAriba Jahan (Guest): https://www.linkedin.com/in/aribajahan/Ariba's podcast - Unmissables: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unmissables-with-ariba-jahan/id1707384312Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.coAudio Editor: Samantha Gattsek

In this episode, Scout Brisson, CEO of De Soi, discusses her journey from corporate life to leading a startup in the booming non-alcoholic beverage industry. She reflects on the importance of celebrating achievements, the challenges of transitioning from a corporate environment to entrepreneurship, and the complexities of recognition in her career. Scout also shares insights on the regulatory challenges in the beverage industry and the future trends indicating a shift towards non-alcoholic options, especially among younger generations.Listen for advice on:How to navigate ‘getting on the shelf’ in the world of beverage The importance of community and mentorship for women in leadershipBalancing vision and execution in businessFiguring out the role of recognition in your personal life and careerLearn more:Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoiaScout Brisson (Guest): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scout-brisson-558674121/Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.co

In this episode, Mallory Contois, Head of Community at Mercury and founder of Old Girls Club, joins Zoia on the podcast. Mallory has had many chapters in her career, including being an early-stage employee at Pinterest and Compass, working at LinkedIn, and being a COO at an early-stage startup. Today, she epitomizes what it means to be a true leader and woman in innovation, juggling a multitude of roles, projects, and initiatives in what is an inspiring career for all.Listen for advice on:What it takes to build a flourishing community How to navigate ego vs. intuition in career decisionsThe pillars of creating safe and authentic spaces for womenWhy community is a business-driving lever Learn more:Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoiaMallory Contois (Guest): https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorycontois/Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.co

In this episode, Zoia sits down with Emily Heyward, who is the co-founder and Chief Brand Officer of Red Antler. In her second appearance on the WIN/WIN podcast, Emily shares more about her new role (in addition to Red Antler), as a Founding Partner at Habitat Partners, which is an early-stage venture fund. Listen for advice on:The role of consumer empathy in investingHow being authentic has shifted in the world of brandPivoting and navigating a new role at a senior levelLearn more:Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoiaEmily Heyward (Guest): https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-heyward-5465253/Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.co

In this episode, Phoenix Porcelli, SVP of Global Sales at Convene, shares her journey from working in prestigious hospitality institutions to becoming a leader in a startup environment at Convene. She discusses the importance of innovation in sales, the concept of the glass cliff, and how she navigated leadership challenges to ascend to her current position, while uplifting the entire Convene organization. Listen for advice on:Transitioning from mid-level leadership to an executive teamHow to enable innovation in a sales practiceWhat it takes to navigate and overcome a glass cliffFinding the right people and partners to help you sustain career successLearn more:Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoiaPhoenix Porcelli (Guest): https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoenix-anna-porcelli-cmp-31501916/Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.co

In this episode, Kristine Locker, the CEO & Founder of Locker, shares her journey from the real estate industry to entrepreneurship in consumer technology. She discusses the inception of Locker, a platform designed for everyday consumers to curate and save their favorite products, akin to Pinterest but focused on shopping. Kristine reflects on the challenges of being a first-time founder, the importance of networking and mentorship, and her experiences with investors. Listen for advice on:How to optimize your network in a way that enables growthThe role of personal experiences in shaping professional resilienceBalancing your identity and professional role (especially as a founder)Navigating gender and its role throughout fundraising and building a company Learn more:Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoiaKristine Locker (Guest): https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinelocker/Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.co