Coffee Break W/ Nywici

It's a special episode of WomenHeard with guest host Linda Descano! A former president of NYWICI, Linda is the Global Chief Integration & Marketing Officer at Havas Red. In this conversation, she sits down with a panel of experts to discuss the 2024 Global Women in PR Annual Index, the only in-depth global research study of women working in the PR and communications industries. Linda is joined by three powerhouse executives: Sue Hardwick, co-founder and president of Global Women in PR; Annie Lohmeyer Riva, Principal, Global Corporate Affairs at management consultancy Korn Ferry and NYWICI Programming member; and Singleton Beato, Global EVP and Chief DE&I Officer at global ad group McCann and NYWICI Chief Strategy Officer and board member. Listen to this episode for the panel's perspectives on return to office (RTO) and flexibility, the impact of career breaks, ageism, and actionable ways to break through barriers. Other resources mentioned: Carla Harris. 

"The big lesson for life is no matter how prepared you are, life will throw you curveballs - and actually, those are sometimes the most wonderful and serendipitous stories that you will ever get a chance to create." In this episode, WomenHeard host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich interviews Pilar Guzmán, Editorial Director at Oprah Daily - the eponymous media and membership community from Hearst Magazines and Oprah Winfrey! Pilar oversees content strategy across the brand's platforms. Pilar is a three-time Editor-in-Chief (formerly Condé Nast Traveler, Martha Stewart Living, and Cookie Magazine) who started her career journey writing travel guides! From road tripping through Italy to having a front row seat to all things digital media in New York, Pilar worked in both print and multi-platform magazine focuses. She also co-founded The Swell, a global community and learning platform helping people navigate the second half of their lives. Listen to this episode for the career advice that solidified Pilar's path in cre

“I’ve always been a person who has strong opinions. But having an opinion is not always the same as making a decision… I try to balance gut instinct with data.”  In this episode, Womenheard: Changemakers host Georgia Galanoudis speaks with Leah Meranus, CEO, North America of dentsu X - a global media agency within dentsu, known for its unique ability to defy convention to deliver meaningful outcomes for leading brands. She leads over 1,000 people - no small task!  Listen to this episode for tips on maximizing your decision-making power and how to avoid listening to a “focus group of one”.

"You have to master the art of seeing things unseen. Whether you're looking at trends, whether you're looking at data - the data, the trends - tell a story." In this episode, WomenHeard host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich sits down with Brandi Boatner, incoming 2025 President of New York Women in Communications! Brandi has been recognized and named by PR News as a Changemaker and one of the Top Women in PR. She also received an Honorable Mention for PR Week’s Outstanding In-House PR Professional. In her current role in Corporate Affairs, she supports Global Influencer Marketing for IBM's consulting business, helping to drive market education and brand relevance around IBM’s AI for Business.  Upon college graduation, Brandi knew she wanted to work for a global brand - little did she know this instinct would turn to 15 years at IBM! She observed the needs of the company - along with the evolving tech landscape and new media platforms - and made a business case to design roles for herself that supported those solutio

"Whatever the context is, whatever the setting that we're operating in - ultimately, as leaders, we are in the business of building relationships." In this episode, WomenHeard: Changemakers host Georgia Galanoudis speaks with Jill Cress, Chief Marketing & Experience Officer at H&R Block - a leader in tax preparation services. A 2024 Matrix Awards honoree, Jill's extensive brand experience also includes PayPal, National Geographic and MasterCard.  She has been recognized for numerous accolades, including Adweek’s inaugural Marketing Vanguard list, Forbes’ list of the World’s 50 Most Influential CMOs, Forbes’ inaugural CMO Next List, and Business Insider’s 25 Most Innovative CMOs. At H&R Block, she leads a diverse team of customer experience, marketing, and communications professionals. Listen to this episode for the importance of curiosity about context and how her theater roots supported her career journey. 

"You know, nobody's working on their Plan A... I'm in the middle of the alphabet somewhere - but most people are on Plan B, Plan C, Plan D - particularly when you get to my age. So, I think that's healthy for people to realize. Your first act doesn't have to be your only act.”   In this episode, WomenHeard host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich speaks with Liz Georges, Senior Director of Climate Communications at WWF. The World Wildlife Fund works in nearly 100 countries to advocate for sustainable policies and deliver innovative solutions that protect local species and their habitats. Liz started out at a PR agency, then pivoted to environmental law while volunteering at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. After her legal career, she worked in membership and then communications at nonprofits: Washington Project for the Arts, the Cheetah Conservation Fund, and The Nature Conservancy.  As an executive in climate communications, Liz puts the audience at the core of WWF's outcomes and thinks about the best way to engage the

"Am I going to be uncomfortable and leave here with nothing? Or am I going to be uncomfortable and make a connection?" In this specially recorded conversation from NYWICI's Communications Career Conference at Spotify Headquarters, you'll hear a fireside chat with two inspiring leaders: Tammy Tibbetts, Co-Founder and CEO of She’s the First, a global nonprofit advancing girls' education and leadership opportunities, and Dana Canedy, Managing Editor of Guardian US, an award-winning publication covering American and international news. Tammy and Dana discussed a wide range of topics, from the importance of mentorship and authentic relationship-building to tools for overcoming setbacks.  This conversation was recorded in September 2024. 

"Your career is not a yellow-brick road. It's not going to begin one place and end neatly someplace else."  In this episode, WomenHeard host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich speaks with Asha Curran, CEO of GivingTuesday - a global giving network that embodies radical generosity. What started as a hashtag in 2012 following Black Friday's shopping surge (#GivingTuesday) has become a powerful network of local leaders in over 80 countries! They inspire communities to both donate and volunteer, which can be seen in their annual Impact Report. Asha's original goal was to sign up 100 nonprofits to join in at 92NY, where Giving Tuesday was originally piloted. She ended up with over 2,000 nonprofits interested in a shared mission! It's no surprise Asha was named to the Nonprofit Times’ Top Fifty Power and Influence list from 2019-2023.  Asha started her communications career as a Publicity Assistant in publishing. She intentionally restructured her career once she became a mom - adding roles to her resume of a childbirth e

"Every day is an opportunity to learn something, to challenge yourself. It doesn't end - especially in a business like ours." In this episode, WomenHeard: Changemakers host Georgia Galanoudis speaks with Daisy Expósito-Ulla, 2018 inductee of the Advertising Hall of Fame by the American Advertising Federation (AAF) and CEO of d exposito & partners. A former Matrix Awards winner, she supports several scholarships including NYWICI's The Esperanza.  Daisy's strategic approach has reshaped the advertising industry - helping clients engage today's multicultural consumers and diverse segments of Hispanics and Latinos. Some of Daisy's current clients include the Smithsonian Institute, McDonald’s, Nielsen, and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Prior to founding d expósito & Partners, she was Chairman/CEO of Young & Rubicam/WPP’s The BravoGroup.  In 1964, Daisy immigrated with her family to the US as a political refugee from Cuba. To acclimate to American culture, her &q

"There's a huge percentage of the population that's not thinking about their potential." In this episode, WomenHeard host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich speaks with Erin Loos Cutraro in a pivotal presidential election year. As the Founder and CEO of She Should Run, Erin leads this national, nonpartisan nonprofit seeking to drastically increase the number of women considering a run for public office. After teaching middle school history, she got her master's degree. She pivoted into politics after a graduate school connection introduced her to a statewide campaign in Erin's home state of Missouri. In her prior role as a Deputy Director of Communications, she supported the Missouri Secretary of State with writing, voter access, understanding her voice, plus managing intentions and risks.  This opportunity sparked a renewed interest in politics and a chance to apply her skills to education reform, reproductive justice, and supporting women running for office - the latter of which inspired Sh

“From Day 1, my experience in life is [that] you fight. You’re resilient. No matter what life hands to you, you take it and you make lemonade out of it.” In this episode, WomenHeard: Changemakers host Georgia Galanoudis speaks with Zain Habboo, Chief Marketing & Mobilization Officer at International Rescue Committee – one of the world’s largest emergency relief organizations. The ability to build your own path is one of the greatest legacies of Zain’s family. From grandparents who helped build medical infrastructure and successful hotels in Iraq, to her father who was imprisoned under the Ba'thi Party for a crime he didn’t commit, Zain learned incredible stories of strength. Growing up in Jordan, she visited refugee camps with her parents and knew that she wanted a role in building humanitarian efforts. Zain moved to Washington, DC where she calls herself a “multi-sector athlete” – working in media, agencies, and private companies. In her current role at IRC, she leads teams and resources that support

"We are not the people this [system] is designed for so there's this whole scarcity energy to fight so hard... but there's room for all of us."  In this episode, WomenHeard host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich interviews Sara Rodriguez. A former ballet dancer who studied political science, she became passionate about how policies and grassroots work can create impactful, societal change. Through Sara's internship with Day One, a nonprofit providing critical education and guidance to NYC's youth on dating abuse and domestic violence, she rediscovered her love for writing.  Adding her expertise of a political lens to communications, she became the Content Director for Kirsten Gillibrand's 2020 presidential campaign and worked in her HQ. This opened up a new world of professional opportunities for Sara and she got more clarity on what she wanted to say yes to and what her goals were. In her current role at NYLAG, she helps combat social, racial and economic injustice by advocating for peo

Caroline Hofmann, Chief Business Officer, Thirty Madison “Don't get discouraged by the first interruption.” In this episode, WomenHeard host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich interviews Caroline Hofmann of Thirty Madison, which offers virtual-first healthcare access. Working as a consultant at McKinsey gave her the "itch to build something" and she pivoted to an early-stage fintech startup, Republic, before joining Thirty Madison to build their migraine business, Cove. Caroline oversees Nurx, a telehealth provider for women that covers everything from contraceptive care to mental health to dermatology. Her team's goal is to serve women comprehensively with an accessible app platform.  Ahead of the 2024 general election, they conducted a report to better understand how much agency respondents felt they had over their healthcare decisions. 71% of women reported they have made at least one health related behavior change due to today's reproductive healthcare policies. Listen to this interview for

"I've always gone into things with a lot of curiosity and learned by doing." In this episode, WomenHeard: Changemakers host Georgia Galanoudis speaks with Katherine Barna. As the Head of PR for Waymo (formerly the Google self- driving car project), a pioneering technology company on a mission to be the world's most trusted driver, she's built upon her strong foundation of brand building. Katherine's woven storytelling throughout her communications journey, both at media and tech companies - fully embracing that a non-traditional road to PR is what makes her a strong practitioner. Listen to this interview to hear about how a "Degree in Feelings" and intentionality can increase your leadership capacity. 

"I know that it means a lot to me when I see people who have gone through a lot in their lives and have overcome it." In this episode, WomenHeard host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich interviews Checkey Beckford, an Emmy® Award-winning reporter for NBC 4 New York. A Jamaican immigrant who got her start in PR, Checkey transitioned to broadcast reporting - writing, shooting and editing her own stories in Florida, Illinois, and California - ultimately landing in the #1 largest TV market: New York. Now she appears in front of millions on weekday evenings, breaking news and covering general assignment stories. Listen to this interview for relocation advice to "move on and move up", especially in the midst of major life changes. Plus, Checkey's candid thoughts on working motherhood and what she learned from Oprah. 

"The way I've had to show up in rooms, [I've] done my fair share of swimming upstream... but when you're someone who's faced adversity, there's a confidence that exudes after that." In this episode, WomenHeard: Changemakers host Georgia Galanoudis speaks with Matrix 2024 Honoree Rakia Reynolds! As the Founder and Executive Officer of an award-winning strategic communications agency, Rakia has been named by Inc. Magazine as one of the 27 Business Leaders Aiming to Change the World, listed as one of the 25 Most Socially Influential Tastemakers on Dell’s “Inspire 100” list, and was on Forbes' “Next 1000” list. Listen to this interview to hear about her formative years and how it inspired her creativity. Plus, what she does for grounding and restoration.

The Matrix Awards by NYWICI serves as our opportunity to recognize exceptional leaders in the communications industry. This year’s theme is Rule Breakers! The 2024 honorees don't just accept the status quo, they are carving their own paths forward and rewriting the rules to success. Listen to this episode to hear directly from some of our honorees, host, scholarship recipients, and attendees!  Sarah Ng, senior journalism major at Hofstra University and three-time NYWICI Scholarship recipient, took to the red carpet on May 21 and interviewed Matrix Awards honoree Rakia Reynolds, Founder and Executive Officer of Skai Blue Media; Matrix Awards host, Peloton instructor and TODAY Show contributor Ally Love; President and CEO of GLAAD Sarah Kate Ellis; NYWICI President-elect Brandi Boatner; and a few of our 2024 NYWICI Scholarship recipients.

“Always learn the ‘other thing’ – it doesn’t hurt to have an extra skill set.” In this interview, WomenHeard host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich speaks with Tess Quinlan, a NYWICI Scholarship Winner, Content Planning Lead for the NBA, and MBA graduate. Tess began her career in broadcast communications at Marquette University and an internship at Yahoo Sports. Learning a little bit about every sport was key to growth in her roles - she covered college basketball and football for USA Today, as well as tackled podcasts and editorial partnerships at NBC.  At the NBA, Tess works on DTC (direct to consumer) – everything from leading content production for the app to working with Peloton as a launch partner to covering the Olympics. Listen to this episode to learn what it's like to work in sports communications, gain actionable advice on how to find a mentor, and advocate for yourself throughout your career path. 

"Get comfortable talking about yourself... it's not bragging if it's based on facts." Cate Luzio spent two decades in financial services, most recently as the Global Head of Multinational Corporate Banking for HSBC, before she made a sharp career pivot. In 2018, she launched and self-funded Luminary, a global, membership-based professional education and networking platform offering resources, programming, and community to propel women to the top of their industries. Cate speaks with host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich about why accomplishments don't just speak for themselves and the untapped potential of transforming networking into the practice of relationship-building. Listen to this episode for what gave her the motivation to create Luminary, the power of an "exploratory conversation", as well as key pieces of advice for entrepreneurs and women who want to check off their next achievement.  

"You may lose a job you love, you may have someone betray you... this will not define you." In this episode, WomenHeard: Changemakers host Georgia Galanoudis speaks with Kristi VandenBosch, President at OLIVER Agency. Formerly the CEO of Publicis, Chief Digital Officer of MXM (now Accenture Song) and Senior Vice President at Revlon, Kristi's leadership in communications has given her a wealth of expertise - not just in industry knowledge but in cultivating her values. After speaking at a conference, she was offered a beer and a job - and this began her new journey at OLIVER agency. Holding emotional space for clients is one of her superpowers - establishing quality connections no matter how far up the ladder you may be. Listen to this episode for inspiring details on moving business goals forward and embracing "change moments".  Please note that this episode includes explicit language and themes.