The Boss Ladies Podcast
by Manasi Gajjalapurna and Sualeha Irshad
Welcome to The Boss Ladies Podcast, where co-hosts Manasi and Sualeha crowdsource knowledge by providing a platform for impact-oriented women to share their authentic experiences. From developing low-cost prosthetics to producing Oscar Award-winning documentaries, we showcase the insights of women who prove why the future really is female.
Episodes
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Ep. 67 - Leveraging Data & Tech to Revolutionize Campaigns and Building a Diverse Talent Pipeline in Progressive Politics with Mare Ahmed, Operations Director at Bluebonnet Data
In our latest episode, we sit down with Mare Ahmed, the Operations Director at Bluebonnet Data, a non-profit focused on leveraging data and technology to support progressive political campaigns and organizations. Mare discusses her initial exposure to and fascination with political science and…
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Ep. 66: The Psychological Significance of Built Environments, Designing Global Museum Exhibitions, & Climate-Focused Material Innovations with Elizabeth Bridges
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Elizabeth Bridges, a designer currently leading Brand and Creative Strategy at Brimstone, a startup creating carbon-negative cement for cities, and a visiting professor at the Pratt Institute School of Design, where she has developed and adapted...
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Ep. 65: Accelerating Scientist-Led Entrepreneurship, Navigating TTOs, & Charting the First Wave of Enterprise AI with Devika Thapar, Co-Founder at Wilbe
Welcome back to the Boss Ladies Podcast! In this week’s episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Devika Thapar. Devika is the co-founder of Wilbe, the first full-stack venture firm where scientists can access entrepreneurship & career resources, advocacy, venture funding, and lab space all in…
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Ep. 64: Inventing Visual Moonbounce Technology, Studying the Dissolution of Consciousness through a Cosmic Perspective, and Decoding Simulated Extraterrestrial Messages with Daniela de Paulis
In this episode, we sit down with Daniela de Paulis, an award-winning media artist and radio operator whose artistic practice is informed by space in its wildest meaning. We open the episode by discussing Daniela’s experience at the Dwingeloo radio telescope in the Netherlands and how she…
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Ep. 63: Designing Digital Ecosystems for Personal Finance, Weaving Identity-Based Symbolism Into Art, & Empathetic AI with Kim Ryu at Microsoft AI
In the latest episode of The Boss Ladies Podcast, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Kim Ryu, a Product Designer at Microsoft AI, working on designing consumer-facing AI. Previously, Kim has served as a Product Designer at Inflection AI, acquired by Microsoft AI, Product Design Manager with a focus...
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Ep. 62: Bringing Diverse Voices To AI Reporting, Working At Journalism’s Biggest Defunct Media Startup, and Freelance Journalism From WSJ to Nat Geo with Jackie Snow
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Jackie Snow, a freelance journalist with words, photos, and videos published by The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and National Geographic. Previously, Jackie has also served as an Associate Video Producer at Fast Company, an Associate...
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Ep. 61: Breaking Down Traditional Corporate Philanthropy Models & Building the First Sustainability-Centered Rewards Marketplace with Eunice Jung at Future
In the latest episode of The Boss Ladies Podcast, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Eunice Jung, Head of Partnerships at Future. Future is a payment platform that pays you to go green—giving you 5% cash back or more and rewards on everyday green purchases through partnerships with brands that...
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Ep. 60: Quantifying Nonhuman Charisma, Slow Journalism, and Nat Geo's Out of Eden Project with Andrea Vale
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Andrea Vale, a scientific expedition videographer and photographer and current staff writer at Freethink. Andrea has served as an ocean exploration filmmaker for organizations like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Oxford...
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Ep. 59: Harnessing Non-Pharmaceutical Solutions & VR to Transform Chronic Pain Treatments with Dr. Beth Darnall, Director of Stanford Pain Relief Innovations Lab
In our latest episode, we sit down with Dr. Beth Darnall, Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine under the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine. We open the episode with how Dr. Darnall’s path through graduate school led to her focus on revolutionizing...
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Ep. 58: Competitive Lifesaving, Vertically Integrated Menstrual Markets, & Redesigning the Tampon For The First Time in 90 Years with Co-Founder of Sequel, Amanda Calabrese
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Amanda Calabrese, Co-Founder and CMO at Sequel, which recently received FDA clearance for it’s re-engineered performance-oriented tampon. Sequel’s FDA clearance marks the first time the tampon has been majorly redesigned since it’s invention…
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Ep. 57: Re-Inventing Cultivated Meats at a $1B Startup & Technical Self-Mentorship with Rachel Valenzuela, Director of Discovery at UPSIDE Foods
In our latest episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Rachel Valenzuela—Head of Discovery at Upside Foods, the first company globally to receive FDA approval for cultivated meats from real animal cells—to chat about her journey through chemistry, chemical biology, and genome engineering through...
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Ep. 56: Stepping Inside a Dead Star, Black Hole Exploration, and Experiencing Our Observable Universe, with Kimberly Arcand, Visualization Scientist at NASA's Chandra X-Ray Observatory
In this week's episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Kimberly Arcand, a visualization scientist and Emerging Tech Lead for NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, which has its headquarters at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Massachusetts. We open this episode with…
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Ep. 55: Evolution of the EU’s Digital Policies, Transatlantic AI Governance, and Brussels to the Bay with Giulia Geneletti
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Giulia Geneletti, currently studying European Affairs—specifically, Digital Technologies, New Technologies, and Public Policies—at Sciences Po, and previously worked as a Tech Policy Trainee at the European Union Office in San Francisco connecting...
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Ep. 54: Creating Trailers for Netflix, Producing Impactful Entertainment, and The Art of Cinematic Storytelling with Emilie Sabath
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Emilie Sabath, a creative director and cinematic storyteller who has built impactful and award-winning entertainment and brand campaigns for clients such as Netflix, Amazon, Intel, Lays, Redbull, and National Geographic. We open this episode by...
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Ep. 53: Launching The Earth Prize, UNWRA Partnership, and Pioneering Climate Literacy in Education with Angela McCarthy, CEO of The Earth Foundation
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Angela McCarthy, CEO of The Earth Foundation, which strives to foster a self-perpetuating ecosystem that accelerates positive change toward environmental sustainability. The Earth Foundation is home to The Earth Prize, an environmental...
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Ep. 52: Advancing Federal Policy in Climate, Clean Energy Demonstration Projects, & Manufacturing with Tanya Das, Senior Associate Director of Energy Innovation at the Bipartisan Policy Center
In this episode of The Boss Ladies Podcast, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Tanya Das, who currently serves as the Senior Associate Director of Energy Innovation at the Bipartisan Policy Center and advanced federal policy in climate, clean energy, and manufacturing. Prior to this work, Tanya...
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Ep. 51: Catalyzing the Political Power of Young People in Honor of National Voter Registration Day with IGNITE
Today on The Boss Ladies Podcast, we're honoring National Voter Registration Day 2023 in collaboration with IGNITE! In this special episode, IGNITE's Legislative Advocacy Manager, Saha Salahi, interviews our co-hosts, Manasi and Sualeha, on their current relationship with political leadership and...
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Ep. 50: Revolutionizing Reproductive Care through Futureproof Fertility Clinics with the Co-Founders of Ovom Care: Lynae Brayboy, Felicia von Reden, and Christina Hickman
Welcome to the 50th episode of The Boss Ladies Podcast! In this week's episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with the co-founders of Ovom Care; Lynae Brayboy, Ovom’s Chief Medical Officer & IVF Researcher; Felicia Von Reden, Chief Executive Officer & Patient Care Expert; and Christina Hickman,...
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Ep. 49: Scientific Storytelling, Improv For Nobel Prize Winners, and Redefining Empathetic Leadership with Dr. Christine O’Connell, Executive Director of Riley’s Way Foundation
In the newest episode of The Boss Ladies Podcast, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Dr. Christine O’Connell, the Executive Director of Riley's Way Foundation, former marine and environmental science professor, and a leading expert in science communication, training thousands of scientists,...
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Ep. 48: Expanding Access to Sustainable Period Care with Erin Burk, VP of Business Development at August
In this week's episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Erin Burk, VP of Business Development at August, a start-up focused on providing sustainable period care. We open the episode by touching on Erin's transition from independent consulting and Big Tech to her experience in redefining periods…
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Ep. 47: Blueprints For Effective Communication, Self-Mentorship, and Shifting Funding Norms For Female Entrepreneurs with Hitha Palepu, CEO of Roshan Pharmaceuticals & Author of We’re Speaking
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Hitha Palepu, author of How To Pack & We're Speaking: The Life Lessons of Kamala Harris. as well as the newsletter #5SmartReads curating the best of news, healthcare, and female-centric success stories reaching over 100,000 accounts. We kick off...
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Ep. 46: Deploying Products For Fair and Free Elections at Facebook, Proactive vs Reactive Democracies, & the Geopolitical Impact of 2024 with Katie Harbath, CEO of Anchor Change
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Katie Harbath, a global leader at the intersection of elections, democracy, civic and tech. She is the CEO of Anchor Change, the Senior Advisor at the International Republican Institute, and Fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center, the Integrity...
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Ep. 45: Driving Product Development in Food and Beverage Through Flavor Chemistry, Sensory, and Consumer Science at Starbucks with Carol Karahadian
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Carol Karahadian, a Sensory and Consumer Science Consultant and previous Director of Product & Process Technology, and Sensory at Starbucks. We open the episode by discussing Carol’s decision to study food science and flavor chemistry at the...
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Ep. 44: Gamifying Taboo Topics through Radical Board Game Design with Experiential Designer Nashra Balagamwala
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Nashra Balagamwala an experiential designer originally from Pakistan and a graduate of Harvard University and the Rhode Island School of Design. Previously, she worked at Hasbro before transitioning into designing various board games for social...
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Ep. 43: Using Decision Science to Influence Global Healthcare Policy Around Hepatitis B & Designing Cost-Effective Interventions Alongside the WHO with Dr. Mehlika Toy
In our latest episode, Manasi and Sualeha interview Dr. Mehlika Toy, an epidemiologist and instructor at Stanford University. In this episode, we start off by discussing the public health burden of Hepatitis B, a viral liver infection, affecting nearly 1 in 30 individuals, or 296 million people...
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Ep. 42: The Future of Work, Collaborative Intelligence, and Doomsday Experiment with Rebecca Hinds, Head of The Work Innovation Lab by Asana
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Rebecca Hinds, Head of The Work Innovation Lab at Asana and recent Stanford Ph.D. graduate in management science and engineering. We begin this episode by discussing Rebecca's Ph.D. research and how we can define "the future of work" across…
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Ep. 41: The Power of Local Politics, Corporate Social Responsibility, & the Tampon Tax with Jocelyn Yow, California's Youngest WOC Mayor
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Jocelyn Yow, the Legislative Advocacy Director at IGNITE and Councilmember in the City of Eastvale, California. Through her current work at IGNITE, Jocelyn develops strong coalitions with various companies and nonprofit organizations across the...
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Ep. 40: IGNITE Norma K. Stone Young Women Run Texas 2023 - From Representation to Influence: Exploring the Power of Media for Social Changes
Sualeha tunes in live from Austin, TX at the IGNITE Norma K. Stone Young Women Run Texas 2023 conference. Tune in to hear her moderate From Representation to Influence: Exploring the Power of Media for Social Changes with Emily Flores, Founder of Cripple Media, the first-ever media company where...
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Ep. 39: The Fourth Industrial Revolution, Innovating In A VUCA World, and Agile Governance With Rebecca King
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Rebecca King, The Lead of the World Economic Forum's Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR). With a background in consulting, specifically with a focus on education, Rebecca currently works at the WEF to contextualize the...
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Ep. 38: Pitfalls of Finnish Exceptionalism, Anti-Science Beliefs, and Auditory Neuroscience with University of Helsinki Post-Doc Caitlin Dawson
In this episode, we sit down with Caitlin Dawson, a postdoctoral researcher, and instructor for the University of Helsinki's Changing Education International Master's Program. Originally from Ohio, she completed both her Master's Degree and Ph.D. in music psychology internationally before…
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Ep. 37: How global communities thrive when girls realize their full potential — an episode with Malala Fund Assembly
In this week's episode, we collaborated with Assembly, a digital newsletter and publication from Malala Fund. Co-founded by activist and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, Malala Fund works to create a world where all girls can learn and lead. We invited three Assembly readers from across the world...
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Ep. 36: SXSW 2022 Live Podcast Stage — Gen Z on the Power of Authentic Voices
Manasi and Sualeha tune in live from Austin, TX at the SXSW 2022 Live Podcast Stage! Tune in to hear their first in-person episode, Gen Z on the Power of Authentic Voices. Description: With a rise in novel perspectives and values in policy, tech, and impact, society is beginning to take on a new...
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Ep. 35: The Social Cost of Carbon, De-Risking Global Investments With the UNCDF, and Effective Altruism with Angela Zhong
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Angela Zhong, a student studying Economics and Environmental Policy at Harvard and a recent Partnerships, Policy, and Communications Intern at the UN Capital Development Fund. We start by discussing Angela's thoughts on the social cost of carbon,...
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Ep. 34: Engineering Orbital Missions, Designing the First Spacesuit For Women, and Crowdfunding with Sabrina Thompson, CEO of GIRL IN SPACE CLUB
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Sabrina Thompson, Aerospace Engineer at NASA and CEO & Founder of GIRL IN SPACE CLUB where she’s brought together a group of women who span fashion design, product development, and space travel to develop a prototype for a women’s space travel…
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Ep. 33: The Female Web3 Ecosystem, Circular Fashion, & Journalism for Luxury Brands with Maria Popova, Co-Founder of Shiny, Everyday Goddesses, & WRDRB
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Maria Popova, CEO & Founder of Shiny, a metaverse ecosystem that helps other businesses and individuals navigate web3 and Everyday Goddesses, a 2,222 generative collection aimed at growing female influence in the NFT space. We also discuss Maria’s...
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Ep. 32: Democratizing Prosthetics for Amputees in Vietnam with Ella Trinh, Co-Founder of Vulcan Augmetics
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Ella Trinh, Co-founder & COO of Vulcan Augmetics, a startup that develops affordable, high-functioning prosthetics to reach unserved amputees in Vietnam. We discuss transferable skills Ella adopted from her first venture in fashion e-commerce and...
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Ep. 31: What Reproductive Longevity Will Unlock For Human Aging with Dr. Jennifer Garrison, Co-Founder & Director of the Global Consortium for Reproductive Longevity & Equality
Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Dr. Jennifer Garrison, Assistant Professor at UCSF and the Buck Institute of Research on Aging, as well as the Director of the Global Consortium for Reproductive Longevity & Equality, to discuss how reproductive longevity will actually help our species live…
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Ep. 30: The Future of Fusion Energy With Helion Energy Nuclear Materials Scientist Claire Saunders
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Claire Saunders, a nuclear materials scientist at Helion Energy and Materials Science Ph.D. graduate from CalTech. We cover the significance of harnessing fusion energy for a clean energy future and how Helion is working to progress this mission…
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Ep. 29: Investing in Incarcerated Communities through STEM Education with Alex Schieber
In this episode, Sualeha sits down solo with Alex Schieber, UCSD Ph.D. Candidate for Biological Studies and West Coast Leader at Nucleate, an organization that aims to catalyze the formation of life science ventures by helping scientists translate their work into real-world applications. In this...
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Ep. 28: Unlocking The Underutilized Political Power of Young Women with Sara Guillermo, CEO of IGNITE
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Sara Guillermo, CEO of IGNITE, the nation’s largest young women’s political leadership organization that works to address the lack of women in elected office by building a pipeline of next-generation leaders who are poised to flex their political...
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Ep. 27: “Periods should end a sentence, not a girl’s education” with Oscar-Award Winning Producer Melissa Berton
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Melissa Berton, executive director of The Pad Project and 2019 Oscar Award Winner for Best Documentary Short as the producer of ”Period. End of Sentence”. In our conversation, we discuss how Melissa’s experience as a high school English teacher…
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Ep. 26: Designing the Future of Everything with Nonfiction Industrial Designer Phnam Bagley
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Phnam Bagley, an industrial designer, futurist, and co-founder at Nonfiction, an industrial design firm that turns science fiction into reality for a better future. Previously, her work has spanned creating cutting-edge hardware and experiences in...
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Ep. 25: Developing A Female-First Social And Learning Platform With Julian Guthrie, CEO of Alphy
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Julian Guthrie, NYT Best-Selling Author of Alpha Girls and CEO of Alphy, a new tech platform to advance women. In our conversation, Julian shares how her career as a journalist and author enabled her to share empathetic and diverse storytelling…
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Ep. 24: Growth Oriented Decision Making at NASA and Forward-Thinking Mindset With Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne, a seasoned aerospace engineer whose 25-year career at NASA has spanned a variety of projects from systems engineering for the Orion Crew modules to leading public-private partnerships for NASA’s lunar commercialization...
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Ep. 23: Building a Data Driven Analytics Platform for Gender Equality and Social Inclusion with Jessica Menon, CEO of Equillo
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Jessica Menon, CEO of Equilo, a groundbreaking platform that harnesses big data and analytics to provide decision-makers with highly effective gender equality and social inclusion analysis tools. Jessica breaks down the power of understanding...
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Ep. 22: Exploring The Value Of Intentional Design in Educational Change with Becky Lee, Director at IDEO
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Becky Lee, a Director at IDEO and part of the Design for Learning team, where she designs joyful and inclusive projects focused on equitable access to enhance the education space. She has worked with schools, NGOs, and companies alike to craft...
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Ep. 21: Challenging Societal Norms through Songwriting with Avanti Nagral
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha chat with Avanti Nagral, a singer-songwriter, and the first dual degree student at Harvard University and Berklee College of Music. Avanti’s coming-of-age empowerment pop draws inspiration from her background in Indian Classical, Broadway, and Gospel music and...
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Ep. 20: Building The Future of Education with Social Entrepreneur and Futurist Raya Bidshahri
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Raya Bidshahri, founder and CEO of School of Humanity, an innovative online high school that trains learners how to solve real-world problems through its skill-based curriculum. Previously, she has been a founding member of numerous organizations...
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Ep. 19: Developing Gender Inclusive Technologies, Bias in AI Language Models, and Digital Inclusion with Genevieve Smith
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Genevieve Smith, Associate Director of the Center for Equity, Gender & Leadership at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business. With a background in International Development, Genevieve shares her experience in addressing women's needs throughout…
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Ep. 18: Innovative Communities And The Power Of Incubators With Valerie Fox
In this episode, Manasi and Sualeha sit down with Valerie Fox, the past co-founder and Executive Director of the DMZ at Ryerson University, ranked the #1 university business incubator in North America and #3 in the World. Currently, she is the Chief Innovation Consultant of The Pivotal Point,...
About this show
Welcome to The Boss Ladies Podcast, where co-hosts Manasi and Sualeha crowdsource knowledge by providing a platform for impact-oriented women to share their authentic experiences. From developing low-cost prosthetics to producing Oscar Award-winning documentaries, we showcase the insights of women who prove why the future really is female.
Hosted by
Manasi Gajjalapurna and Sualeha Irshad
Categories