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Interviews with Influential Women: Donna Berber

Adversity and sorrow can often put things in perspectives and reveal a clear path. For A Glimmer of Hope President Donna Berber, that’s exactly what led her to advocate for Ethiopia’s impoverished women. In this installment of Interviews with Influential Women, we discuss how she discovered her passion and what women can do to find their way too.

In 200 words or less, please give my readers a short background on your personal journey that brought you to today.

When images of the great famine in Ethiopia emerged in the mid-1980s, I was shaken to my core. I was in my 20s, sitting in my comfortable home in London as I witnessed the suffering of people a world away. This planted a seed for what would become my life’s work and passion.

Years later, after life took my family and I to Texas, the voice inside became too loud to ignore. It was then that I was moved to found A Glimmer of Hope in 2000 to empower women and girls living in the rural, impoverished villages of Ethiopia.

Over the course of this amazing journey, I have traveled throughout Ethiopia and met a forgotten people burdened by extreme poverty. The need to affect change in the world often starts from the broken places in our hearts. I realized through this work that my path here began at a very young age after losing my father in a plane accident. I find that the tragedies in our life can often become our inspiration, and this was certainly true for me.

Who are your top 3 female role models, and what about each inspires you?

Mother Teresa immediately comes to mind. Her outreach to the poorest of the poor is the most absolute reflection of selflessness I have ever witnessed or experienced. She fulfilled her mission to do God’s work—giving love and a place to die with dignity to so many. I am so humbled by her life’s work and how it lives on in others today.

Marianne Williamson, an author and advocate for women and the world’s poor and hungry, is also a true inspiration. She encourages women to step into their own power, enrich their lives, and honor their gifts—ultimately, fulfilling one’s own potential in the world. In her recent efforts to seek public office, she brings a level of consciousness never before seen in our political system.

Pema Chodron, as the first American woman to be ordained as a Buddhist monk, has broken a centuries-old tradition. She carries with her a message of the deepest compassion and self-love, as well as awareness for deep reflection of this human experience. Her teachings offer great insights and a wonderful roadmap for personal journeying, with Pema herself as a perfect example.

What challenge (s) did you face & overcome to get to where you are?

My greatest challenges stem from my childhood memories of losing my father and personal belief systems about not feeling worthy (both of which held me back in many ways). It curtailed my growth and contained me so that I shrank rather than expanded. Through many years of searching from within, I began to identify these belief systems as simply untrue. From that place, I have been able to extend and expand myself to fulfill the potential of being a woman in the world with a dream.

What are the 3 most important things you do (or did) that contribute to your success?

I followed my heart from a place where I was deeply moved. I witnessed an abhorrent sense of imbalance and injustice in the world, and I followed this thread as it pulled me along a journey into a completely unknown space. I trusted the thread not knowing where it would end, but knowing I was compelled to do so.

I listened to the inner and outer voices. I listened to the voice inside of me that became louder and louder as my vision became stronger—refusing to accept “no.” I also learned when to take outside counsel. I allowed myself to be mentored by those who had walked the path before me. Tapping into the shared experiences of others, during both challenges and successes, has been invaluable.

Finally, I tune into those around me. I listen to what is being said, and unsaid—allowing me to fully comprehend the underlying dynamics. The personal growth that has come through listening and honest communication has had a profound impact on the work we do at A Glimmer of Hope. Before we ever break ground on a project, we listen to community to fully understand their needs. Hearing directly from the people allows us to establish partnership and trust from the outset and create an environment that changes the lives of women and girls for years to come.

What are the 3 most important things women need to do or consider when charting their next chapter of life, whenever that may be for them?

I believe women need to connect with their passion. Incredible wisdom comes from the intersection of your passion, your gifts and what the world needs.

It’s important for women to respect and follow their instincts. Women are highly intuitive beings. We often have the answers we need and tapping into that wisdom is something women do exceptionally well.

I find as I move through this phase in my life, I get the best input from other women. Women can amplify and elevate their vision by garnering the support of those with like minds, like hearts and shared passions. Sharing knowledge, struggle and joy can be immensely inspiring and energizing.

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Donna Berber is deeply passionate about the issues of injustices relating to poverty and women in Africa. Born in London, England, Donna’s world was shaken as a young woman when she saw horrific images of starvation camps during the Ethiopian famine in the mid 1980s.

After Donna and her family moved to Texas in 1991, the call within became too loud to ignore, and she was compelled to take action. From that, A Glimmer of Hope was born in 2000. Glimmer works in four vital areas—water, health care, education and microfinance—to create a powerful force to lift villages out of extreme poverty in rural Ethiopia. Since its founding, Glimmer has invested more than $85 million and built more than 9,000 projects in Ethiopia.

In 2014, Donna stepped into the role of president of A Glimmer of Hope, building on her significant contributions and passion as founder. Donna lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, Philip, and their three incredibly handsome sons.

Interviews with Influential Women: Diane Craig

Resilient. Powerful. Inspiring. Those are just a few words that I’d use to describe President and Founder of Corporate Class Inc. Diane Craig.

Featured in this installment of Interviews with Influential Women, Diane and I discuss just how she achieved monumental success for herself and her company amid constant personal tragedy.

In 200 words or less, please give my readers a short background on your personal journey that brought you to today.

One day, I was driving, and I saw a sign that read: “It took 20 years for this man to become an overnight success.”

I wish it had read 10 years, because I guess I took it literally. For the next 20 years, I was compelled to relentlessly pursue my dream and goal of growing my business.

I always had a passion for meeting people with great presence. After graduating from my fashion design program and teaching Haute Couture, I became an image consultant in our nation’s capital, Ottawa. In the 90’s, my claim to fame was working with Canadian political leaders. Not long after, I realized that appearance was only a part of what presence is all about. Content is still King/Queen.

I began studying what it meant to bring presence to each speech, conversation or room. In 2007, I launched my Executive Presence System, and it is now internationally recognized—including a licensing program launched internationally 2 years ago.

Who are your top 3 female role models, and what about each inspires you?

Christine Lagarde: As one of Europe’s most influential ambassadors in the world of international finance, she exudes Executive Presence. She is intelligent, well spoken, worldly, sophisticated and an inspiration to many women who believe reaching the top in a male dominated industry is nearly impossible.

Carolyn Wilkins: According to The Wall Street Journal, she is today’s most influential woman in Canada’s banking industry, not to mention the first woman to grace our currency. When I met Carolyn in 2010, she shared her aspirations with me, and we both agree that she exceeded them! She was able to reach this success, while remaining humble and kind.

Peggy McColl: She is a long-time friend and fearless entrepreneur. Over the years, she has overcome so many obstacles. The drive and passion put into what she believes in has always been an inspiration to me.

What challenge (s) did you face & overcome to get to where you are?

There were professional challenges but none as difficult as the personal ones. A year after I started my business, my husband was diagnosed with cancer and died 3 months later. We had been married 17 years. I was now a grieving single parent of two wonderful children, Kenny 12 and Sandrine 7. Four years later, my beautiful little girl Sandrine, at the age of 11, was killed in a school bus accident.

Overcoming those tragedies and finding the motivation to continue facing the challenges of owning my own business seemed insurmountable at times. My husband and daughter became my inspiration for forging ahead, and my son became my motivation. I wanted to provide financially and be a role model for him.

What are the 3 most important things you do (or did) that contribute to your success?

  1. Seeing the glass half full
  2. Taking risks
  3. Believing in myself

What are the 3 most important things women need to do or consider when charting their next chapter of life, whenever that may be for them?

  1. Make time for yourself (yes, be selfish – go to the gym, frequent the spa, visit your friends)
  2. Continue learning (keep growing your professional and personal development activities)
  3. Remain current and relevant

Diane Craig is the corporate world’s choice for Executive Presence Training.

As President and Founder of Corporate Class Inc., Diane’s ongoing 30-year career mentoring North America’s business professionals spans Fortune 500 companies, multinationals and numerous educational institutions.

She maintains an intensive schedule of presentations and is a frequent speaker at national business meetings and conferences. The media seek out Diane’s perspectives on social, political and business etiquette — from conduct issues and appropriate attire to body language interpretation. She is frequently quoted in The Globe and Mail and National Post and appears regularly on CBC and CTV.

Diane is dedicated to community service. She serves as a Board Member for the Trillium Gift of Life Network, the provincial organization responsible for organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Diane is on the Board of Directors at Intriciti, an organization committed to the integration of faith and business.

Frequently heralded for her inspirational role in leadership, Diane is the recipient of many awards including the Governor General of Canada Meritorious Service Medal; Canadian Living Magazine and Avon Canada’s Women of Inspiration Award; Toastmaster International’s Communication and Leadership Award.

Interviews with Influential Women – Liz Edlich

Authenticity and kindness are essential to long-term success. Equipped with these attributes, Radical Skincare Co-founder Liz Edlich ranks them high in what has propelled her success. In this latest Interview with Influential Women, Liz highlights the people that have helped her along her journey and discusses the steps you need to take to ensure your next chapter of life is one you desire.

Please give my readers a short background on your personal journey that brought you to today.

We approach skincare and life the same way, radically. As daughters of Dr. Richard F. Edlich MD-PhD (world renowned Professor of Plastic Surgery), we worked in his lab and burn unit at the University of Virginia. Before the age of ten, we were exposed to the science of skin rejuvenation at extreme levels. Since then, we have been inspired by our dad to be radical and go above and beyond, as he changed the landscape of medicine from his wheelchair with multiple sclerosis.

It was part of our DNA that we ended up in the skin care industry in Los Angeles. For 15 years, we created over 100 products for celebrities and others. But when it became personal, we had to get radical. With Rachel developing Rosacea after her second child and gravity taking its toll on our skin, we decided to do something about it.

We challenged our chemists and after perfecting it and trialing it, we found it.

After scooping the product out of lab in sample bottles and labeling them with magic markers, we gave this youth elixir to our friends as party favors. This experiment transformed our skin and the skin of our friends. Given our family heritage and life-long mission to make a radical difference, we were compelled to share radical skincare with others.

Just like there is a technology for creating the strongest skincare that can soothe sensitive skin, there is a technology for creating a life you love. It is with that commitment that we have been traveling around the world sharing our life- changing skincare and coaching woman on creating a life that they love. Delivering radical results and nothing less in life is our mission.

Who are your top 3 female role models, and what about each inspires you?

My Mother: I am inspired by her ultimate kindness… her quiet strength to have stayed by my father’s side and watch his degeneration with MS for 40 years, selfless dedication to her kids, and love of music and people. She always supported the underdog and those that cannot take care of themselves.

Yvette Mimeux: As an all-time beauty, actress and force to be reckoned with, Yvette, “Tinkerbell” as I call her, is an activist for joy, travel, animals, food and life experiencing every moment and making it beautiful. Her artistic eye casts a poetic hue of vibrant color, exotic tastes and laughter that make every moment a celebration. I carry this nature with me and work to breathe the same spirit into each one of my moments.

My Sister: There are no words. It just is.

I am lucky. I collect people. I have many mentors and friends that I learn from, and I take the best of them with me.

Dyan Cannon: for teaching me unconditional love and faith.

Cynthia Kersey: for her loving energy and giving.

Maria Price: for mentoring and molding me from 19 to 31 in the business world to help me operate within structure, although I still can be a bull in a china shop. 🙂

Melanie Griffith: for her loving generosity.

Goldie Hawn: for her grace and laughter.

Shawn Taddey: for her generosity, magical expression and embracing passion.

Eva Vapori: for her joy and laughter.

Baroness Scotland: for her humility with purpose and driven spirit.

Really, the list is much longer. Each person left his or her imprint and special footprint. And on life’s journey, it is wonderful to draw from them to become a better me.

P.S. there is a very long list of men as well.

What are the 3 most important things women need to do or consider when charting their next chapter of life, whenever that may be for them?

First, it is important to identify your passion and what lights you up. It may be different at different times in your life. Passion and purpose are great indicators of a direction that you should explore to achieve success and happiness in whatever stage that you are in.

Second, set clear goals and have a vision of what lights you up. Being able to see the image of what you want is important to get emotionally involved, providing you with the energy to create it.

Third, have a radical dream team around you that see your possibility and support your journey. Don’t be afraid of failing; be terrified of not trying, says Baroness Patricia Scotland (Attorney General of England).

As we progress through life, we get the gift of perspective and realize that every moment counts. No excuses; no regrets.

Experiencing life, people, places and things is the spice that guarantees a rich life well lived.

What are the 3 most important things you do (or did) that contribute to your success?

One: I am incredibly tenacious. I will persevere in the extreme, if I am on a purposeful mission that matters. This has served me and hurt me at times, as I have achieved regardless of the adversity before me and hung on too long when I should have let go.

Two: I am an optimist. I see what is possible, not what isn’t. I always think of how to go over, under and around to get where I need to go. I see a better, brighter day and believe that people are basically good. As my mom would say, “We are all doing our best at any given time” (as long as my hormones are in line 🙂 if they are off – no telling)

Three: I am a risk taker and willing to make mistakes. That has been a real gift.

Four (if I may add one more): I am authentic and kind. I think that these are two very important factors in creating success, happiness and fulfillment. People feel it, and it moves them. You feel good when you practice both, and it moves you.

Who is the most influential women in your life?

 

Liz Edlich brings an extensive career in financial management, capital sourcing, product development, production and market strategy to her position at Radical Skincare.

Edlich’s cultivation of relationships with top investment managers and funds led her to become Managing Director of Heritage Asset Management, where she took the firm from $68 million to $500 million in assets under management during a three-year period before advising and brokering the sale of Heritage Asset Management to a third party. As a private investment banker and strategic business consultant, she was involved in numerous public and private business transactions. She has spent the last 15 years of her career in the Direct Marketing and skincare business at her company One World Live, developing over 100 products for celebrities and influencers. While at One World, Edlich focused on corporate strategy while managing product and company acquisitions, celebrity relations, commercial production and closely collaborating on product development and packaging.

Edlich’s career has also been defined by her commitment to giving back. Throughout her life, Edlich has volunteered her time and resources to advance important causes. From working with burn victims and developmentally disabled youths to children with facial deformities with Operation Smile in LA and in Africa; seeing her father through Multiple Sclerosis Rehab to working with the American Heart Association, Edlich has always been dedicated to making a difference in peoples’ lives.

Interviews with Influential Women – Monica Dodi

Success requires knowing who you are and what you want, being willing to take risks, and adapting. At least, that’s what I deduced after chatting with Women’s Venture Capital Fund Co-founder Monica Dodi. In this Interviews with Influential Women, we discuss the key components leading to Monica’s success that are critical for other female entrepreneurs. We also discuss the much-needed focus for successful women to play a bigger role investing in their counterparts.

Please give my readers a short background on your personal journey that brought you to today.

I was born and raised in New York City by immigrant parents. I always helped my mom in her beauty salon and dad in his restaurant. It was this entrepreneurial spirit that influenced just about every job I’ve had (even my first one at eleven years old). After attending Georgetown University, I joined a start-up, providing a service similar to Lexus Nexus (only for engineering). I was fortunate enough to be involved with one that was a big hit, and it enabled me to ride the wave. In five years, we sold out to a German conglomerate, which was when I went back for my MBA at Harvard. Soon after that, I worked for MTV, as their number two person in Europe. From MTV, I ran Disney’s Consumer Products in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. I left Disney to start my own private company as a Disney licensee. When I finally came back to the states, I moved on to Warner Brothers and American Online (AOL)—working within start-up divisions. Now, I’m on the other side of the start-up world—the funding side as a venture capitalist, helping entrepreneurs. 

What are the most important things you do (or did) that contribute to your success?

While launching MTV Music Television in Europe across 16 countries, I learned some big lessons. I ran the business side of things dealing with revenue and distribution. Every country in Europe had different ways of doing things. Cable television was just starting there. We broke even after a year, but only by breaking through a lot of barriers.

Advertisers were accustomed to budgeting on a country-by-country basis. Even though many Fortune 500 companies (such as Coca-Cola) were natural advertisers for the MTV market of young adults 18 to 34, we could not get advertising deals because they would not commit on a pan-European level. We almost packed up and left. However, I ended up going to the headquarters of companies like these, bypassing the advertising agencies—which were none-to-pleased. This fearlessness to break the rules has been my number one key to success.

I also learned that opportunities are not always in the place you first look, so your willingness to stay open and jump when you see an opportunity is critical. When I joined Disney, they were looking to break up into various parts. Usually, that’s when people often leave, but I joined anyway. It was at that time Roy Disney brought in Michael Eisner and Frank Wells to turn it around, which began the era of The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast and so forth. It was fun to be part of it. We restructured and reorganized the whole business in Europe.

Being part of Disney during that time, I witnessed licensees making a lot of money, so I jumped from Disney and started a paper products company mainly in greeting cards. I sold my products to major retailers and later cashed out to American Greetings. This is another component of entrepreneurial success—figure out what your exit is because that’s how you really make your money. Selling to American Greetings was an opportunity to get the return on my investment.

What are the most important things women need to do or consider when charting their next chapter of life, whenever that may be for them?

The most important thing to remember is the only sure thing is change. You have to be flexible if you are going to be successful.

I had a job at Warner Brothers when I first returned to the States. A merger with Turner stopped their entry in the market I had been hired for, which looked bad but led me to becoming CEO of brands at AOL—a much better job. While at AOL, they merged with Time Warner and moved their entire operations to the east coast. I did not want to uproot my kids again, so I stayed in California, which got me involved in the venture capital arena.

None of these changes were in my plans, and sometimes they didn’t look good at first sight. However, each one has led to amazing opportunities.

When I first entered the venture capital world with Software Technology Ventures, I found out that less than 7% of venture capital goes to teams that have women as part of the founding team. This is despite all the research showing gender diversity results in higher productivity, profitability and return on investment. These studies and more are linked on our website, Women’s Venture Capital Fund. Any woman looking to raise money should become familiar with these statistics, so she can sell herself better.

Wanting to change the amount of capital available to women entrepreneurs, I started my own venture capital firm with Edith Dorsen, who brought fiduciary rigor. and discipline to balance my entrepreneurial spirit. This is something all entrepreneurs must recognize—know your strengths and weaknesses and surround yourself with good people who do well the things you don’t.

We raised our first stage money from our close network of friends and family—a step many female entrepreneurs see as a detriment—then we started fundraising. This was during the depth of the recession, so it was challenging. Really challenging. There were many times that we thought that we should just pack up our bags, but we stuck to it. Many are not prepared to stick it out during tough times, but that’s what being an entrepreneur is all about.

As of now, we have invested in five companies and plan to invest in two to three more in the coming year. Our goal is to raise another fund that’s bigger, better and faster, but in this stratified environment of venture capital, we will have to prove our investment track record as a team especially because of our focus on women-led companies. 

Who are your top 3 female role models, and what about each inspires you?

Ironically, one of my favorite role models is Lauren Bacall. Sadly, she passed away last year. When she first started, she did not experience much success. However, she got advice from some big shot (I believe, Samuel Goldwin) and became a woman that men respected. She gave them as much grief as she took—whether it was Humphrey Bogart or Jason Robards, Gary Cooper or Clark Gable. She had a robust sense of humor. She was a person of her own mind. She said what she thought. More importantly, she just didn’t take anything they said seriously.

Not taking things seriously has been my guiding principle. It’s not that I shrug off work, but I don’t let it consume me. You’re in control of your own work. You can’t let work control you. With my kids or work, I want to do it with pleasure and joy.

My second role model is Lucille Ball. You have to know your own mind. You really do. And Lucille Ball knew her own mind. She knew what she wanted to do and was the driving force of the I Love Lucy show.

Barbara Standwick would be my third. She was also a woman of her own mind. I love that. She set her mind on something and just got it done.

Don’t go for the “hat in hand / please help me” kind of attitude. In a business scenario, people won’t touch you (or your idea) with a 10-foot pole. If you exude more than just confidence (perhaps determination), you are likely to achieve whatever your goal is.

What challenge (s) did you face & overcome to get to where you are?

Every day has challenges. It’s often not the big stuff but the little things that trip us up. 

Probably my biggest challenges have had to do with my children. That is where I have put my priority. My first boss always used to say, “The most fragile thing are people.” Money and resources can be manipulated, but people are fragile. If your child is having a difficult time, you have to take time to be there for them. Those challenges are the ones that keep me up late at night worrying, not the ones in business.

At work, the toughest feat is finding opportunities to find happiness in. I was really fortunate, and part of that happened by merely putting myself out there. I believe that if you make a move, the universe fills in the rest. I’ve really enjoyed myself. And when you’re having fun, you just perform better.

What do you consider the top issues women face today?

The problem is that on the other side of the table from women entrepreneurs—there are only men that invest. So I ask women, “Do you invest in startups?” There are many high net-worth women out there. Why not get in on it and start investing in them? It’s not just the fault of the men. Women need to step up and start writing checks.

If women with money set aside 10% for riskier assets as angel investors (like big portfolios do), it would help ENORMOUSLY in setting up a pool of money to invest in women and make a huge difference in the paradigm that we’re talking about. There are a lot of female entrepreneurs out there. There is no lack of that. There’s a lack of female investors.

We need to look for ways to change the way we look at where women are today and create solutions outside the box like the Women’s Venture Fund. We started this new fund by targeting women, rather than force change in the current private equity arena.

What are the biggest opportunities available to women today?

Women need to wake up to just how much power and influence we actually wield. Women control billions of dollars of assets. Women direct billions of dollars of consumer spending. Companies are starting to wake up to the market women represent, and if we step up, women could be influencing a great wave of innovation on the horizon.

Is there anything else you would like to share? 

People will bend over backwards for you, as long as you make it fun and interesting (or if there’s a lot of money to be had). Yet, even if there’s a lot of money and you have an excellent business plan, things change. Investors, employees and suppliers entrust those with the ability to adapt. They want to know you’re not only going to survive but shine. That’s a characteristic that has no gender. Then again, in times of war throughout human history, it was women that kept civilization going.

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Monica Dodi is an international, entrepreneur. A visionary on the cutting edge of the high-tech landscape, she has founded four highly successful companies, spearheaded rapid turnarounds and negotiated numerous licensing deals with Fortune 500 companies. 

As co-founder of MTV Europe and head of Business Development, Monica’s marketing expertise, operations and negotiating skills led to MTV becoming the fastest growing channel on the continent. She then joined Walt Disney where, as head of European Licensing, she was responsible for the successful turnaround of their Consumer Products business.

Returning to the U.S. to help Warner Bros. roll out television channels worldwide, Monica was recruited by Brandon Tartikoff to be CEO in charge of launching AOL’s Entertainment Asylum which soon became the fastest growing entertainment destination on the web.

At Softbank Technology Ventures, Monica focused on new media investments and served as the Fund’s Entrepreneur in Residence. She continues to be a sought-after advisor to and angel investor in new ventures spanning internet innovations, content creation and data technologies, mobile applications, and social media.

As Managing Director and Co-founder of the Women’s Venture Capital Fund, she spearheaded the formation of this fund focused on investments in new companies with gender diversity, an overlooked, yet high potential for growth, sector in venture capital.

Interviews with Influential Women – Sandy Gallagher

The new year brings a wealth of opportunities, but without the proper perspective, you’ll continue to overlook the chances at achieving the new life you inherently desire. Co-Founder and CEO of the Proctor Gallagher Institute, Sandy Gallagher substantiates this point by reiterating that our lives are only limited by our imagination. In the second interview for my Interviews with Influential Women Series, she sat down with me to discuss her journey to finding her passion and outlines the steps on how you can get there by asking yourself just one question.

In 200 words or less, please give my readers a short background on your personal journey that brought you to today.

In 2006, I was in the midst of a very successful legal career and an equity partner in a major Seattle law firm—a career I’d worked my whole life to achieve. One day, a friend invited me to what she described as a “leadership seminar” being conducted by a man I’d never met, named Bob Proctor. It sounded interesting, so I accepted the invite, but I didn’t go into it with any particular expectations. I certainly didn’t expect the entire course of my life to change.

Yet, early on in his presentation, Bob posed a question that did exactly that: “what do you really want?” Amazing as it may sound, it wasn’t a question I’d ever been asked or had asked myself. Once I did, I found myself facing some very surprising answers.

As I sat there in Bob’s audience, taking in the ideas he was sharing, I realized that I was in the presence of a truly extraordinary human being. That day, in response to that question, I wrote down a new goal for myself: to become a part of Bob Proctor’s inner circle of advisors. Soon thereafter, I was. And today, Bob and I are full business partners and co-founders of the Proctor Gallagher Institute.

Who are your top 3 female role models, and what about each inspires you?

I’ve been fortunate to know many amazing and inspiring women throughout my life. My stepmother, Margel Gallagher, is definitely up at the top of the list. Margel inspires me because she is a woman of velvet and steel and balances both perfectly.

I’ve always looked to Sandra Day O’Connor as a great female role model and found her life story to be a source of inspiration and encouragement. She moved into an area of power and prestige that had never been extended to women before. She did what had to be done to get where she wanted to go.

I am also so inspired by my dear friend Cynthia Kersey. Cynthia has dedicated herself to educating people who otherwise have no hope of being educated. She found and followed her passion, and she is truly changing the world as a result. I admire tremendously the good work she is doing through her Unstoppable Foundation. We support it in a big way through the Proctor Gallagher Institute.

What are the 3 most important things you do (or did) that contribute to your success?

I’ve had two very different careers now, and there are definitely some common denominators that have contributed to my success in both. One thing I do (and have always done) is go into every situation consciously expecting success—whether it’s a speech or a meeting or simply the day ahead of me. Interestingly enough, our outcomes almost always conform to our advance expectations. When you expect things to go well, they tend to go well, even if you’re thrown a curve ball. And of course, the opposite is also true: if you expect a bad day, meeting, or trip, that’s probably what you’ll experience.

Another thing I try to do is respond to problems by immediately stepping back and looking for a solution or opportunity rather than reacting emotionally or allowing them to overwhelm me. Unforeseen challenges and glitches are an inevitable part of life, but they only get in the way of you achieving your goal if you allow them to. There is always, always a way forward. Things are rarely as bad as they can seem at first, and very few things are unfixable. I can’t tell you how many times a so-called “problem” wound up being the best thing that could have happened. It’s really a matter of trusting your vision and keeping your mind focused on that ultimate destination, then staying calm and recalibrating your route as needed when roadblocks show up.

Finally, years ago, I began setting aside time at the beginning and end of each day to focus on the specific things I am grateful for. The impact it has made on my life is immeasurable. Gratitude is such an enormously powerful force. It has the most amazing way of multiplying the good things, and makes it almost impossible to get stuck in the bad. In fact, if I could give someone only one piece of “life-changing” advice, it would be to start a dedicated, daily gratitude practice. The effect on your mindset and outlook is instantaneous, and it’s a gateway to so many other epiphanies and long-term transformations.

What do you consider the top issues women face today?

On a global level, there are still so many places in our world where women and girls face unimaginable obstacles to education. Every day they quite literally risk their lives to receive what we enjoy as a fundamental right. This past year, we saw some particularly horrifying examples of the lengths certain groups will go to, to prevent female education. And this is something that impacts all of us. Educated citizens—men AND women—are what will bring stability and peace to their nations, and ultimately to the world. This is why I am so committed to our work with the Unstoppable Foundation. As I said before, this organization is doing such amazing work, and I am extremely proud to be a part of it.

What are the biggest opportunities available to women today?

First of all, I absolutely believe that (in the time and place we are fortunate enough to be living) any woman’s opportunity is only limited by her imagination. But what I see that is different today (versus say 20 or even 10 years ago) is women having a much greater ability to follow their passions, share their gifts, earn a healthy income doing it—and really do it all on their own terms. Technology has made it so much easier to find and connect with people who share our interests and who need what we (as individuals) have to offer, and people are increasingly comfortable using these technologies in every aspect of their lives. And as a result, many of the old constraints are no longer relevant. You don’t need to subordinate your personality or interests to fit into a traditional corporate mold. You don’t need to uproot yourself or your family, or stay in a certain place in order to have that “dream” career. You don’t even need to leave your home. We have female bloggers who are making a living simply by putting their personal stories and perspectives out there. We have female entrepreneurs who have a product or service they believe in, build a website to market it and attract customers from all over the world. We have women like you, who have taken your skills, experience, and passion and forged something completely new out of them, and created this incredible online resource and attracted a huge community. This is real; this is the new economy! It’s just a fantastic thing, and I do think that women in particular are benefitting from it.

What are the 3 most important things women need to do or consider when charting their next chapter of life, whenever that may be for them?

Start with the question that started it for me: “what do you really want?” Get quiet, let your thoughts follow your heart’s lead and give yourself permission to step outside of your current parameters and think big and boldly. Don’t let your mind get hung up on doubts, such as “people will think I’m crazy.” You’re right. Maybe they will. But who cares? And don’t get sidetracked by practicalities—things like “where would I get the money?” Remember that your job is to take care of the “what,” do that and the universe will take care of the “how.” Take the time and space you need to get to the right answer. When you land on it, you’ll know. It feels a lot like falling in love!

Once you’ve figured out what you really want to do, create a specific goal that will manifest that vision, and make it a good one. We always say a goal should be big enough to excite and scare you at the same time. So if you get that little clench in your chest when you think of it, that little impulse to pull back, you know you’re on to something! Picture your goal as clearly and in as much detail as you can. Get yourself emotionally involved with it— see and feel yourself doing this thing. That’s what is going to bring your subconscious on board and start automatically moving you toward this new reality.

Finally, ACT. Take some action, every single day, that brings you closer to achieving that goal. And remember that not every action needs to be monumental. Some days, you’ll take big leaps. But even the smallest, most mundane step is progress, and the universe will reward it. In The Science of Getting Rich, Wallace Wattles says that thought is what moves your goal towards you, and action is what moves you towards it. So get dreaming, get goal setting, and get things moving!

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I’d like to thank you for the opportunity to share my story with your readers, Amy. I love the work you’re doing here. You’re providing such a valuable resource to women out there looking to find their path and realize their dream. You are living YOUR dream, and elevating others’ lives in the process. That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? I wish you wonderful things as you move forward on your journey!

Sandy Gallagher has traversed the business world of high finance. As an esteemed attorney in banking law, Sandy regularly handled billions of dollars in mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, and other big-ticket transactions, and was an advisor to boards and top executives of Fortune 500 firms.

Yet, an encounter with Bob Proctor set Sandy on an extraordinary new path — one that would ultimately change not only her life, but countless others. Through Bob’s teachings, Sandy finally understood the “why” behind her lifelong success. Now she has left her high profile law practice to teach others how to do what she had done joining forces with Bob . After their first collaboration, Thinking Into Results — Sandy’s brainchild, which is widely acknowledged as the most powerful corporate transformational program of its kind — she quickly became CEO and President of Bob’s organization, Proctor Gallagher Institute.

Today, Sandy shares international speaking stages with Bob and works closely with him and their team of professionals to provide coaching, training and consulting on the most profound, powerful, and transformative concepts and strategies humankind has ever known.

Interviews with Influential Women – Lisa Tener

As a big proponent of being mentored and mentoring, I want to give you an opportunity to be inspired by a variety of successful women to be your best and boldest self.  This, my first in the Interviews with Influential Women Series, will do just that.  Lisa Tener recently won the Stevie Award for Mentor and Coach of the Year.  She is a regular contributor to Huffington Post and one of my valued mentors!

Please give my readers a short background on your personal journey that brought you to today.

As a child, I wanted to be a writer “when I grew up.” I wasn’t an avid reader until high school, though, so I am still catching up! While running a nonprofit organization in Boston I got an idea for a book that had nothing to do with my day-job—a book about transforming anger by tapping into one’s creativity, inner wisdom and sense of humor. I teamed up with two authors with loads more experience than I possessed—an anger expert and a cartoonist. The media loved our exercises—Angerobics—and our national publicity included features in Glamour, WebMD, CNN Headline News, PBS TV, ESPN radio and more. Shortly after the book came out,  I began teaching the steps I had developed for “Writing in the Zone.”  Soon, people came to me not only for help with writing in a state of flow, but asking for help with their book proposals and getting published.  It was a great fit with my business and marketing background (two management degrees from MIT), because a book proposal is like a business plan for a book. That led to an invitation to be on the faculty of Harvard Medical School’s CME publishing course, where I meet many of my clients.

Who are your top 3 female role models, and what about each inspires you?

My role models are not necessarily household names but people who’ve had a strong influence in my life. My mother-in-law, the artist Anne Mimi Sammis, is one of my role models. She works in bronze, watercolor and acrylic, creating work that’s about peace, love and celebrating the joy of life. Many of her sculptures are in public spaces—at the Narragansett sea wall, children’s museums, atop a church in Aspen, CO. She’s super-creative and playful—and brings that creative energy and fun into all aspects of her life.

Another mentor and role model my friend Julia Griffin. Julia teaches about intuition and manifestation. Because of Julia, I meditate every day. She’s helped me see how to appreciate life more and create a life that’s joyful. And she’s a role model for spending time outdoors, drawing power from our connection with nature and God.

And another role model is Tama Kieves. In addition to being a life coach, she’s a writer who truly trusts her own voice and isn’t trying to be “marketable.” In this day and age, that takes a certain kind of strength to trust the muse and not try to make things happen.

All three women meditate regularly and consistently spend time on their creative endeavors.

What challenge (s) did you face & overcome to get to where you are?

There were health challenges, which turned out to be a huge gift. They led me to powerful healing and even to the idea for my first book. They opened me spiritually. The other challenge was just starting a business from scratch. At that time, self-publishing had not yet blossomed the way it has now. There weren’t many people doing what I do, so I didn’t really have models for it—I had to invent the business as I went. That was a challenge but also a gift, since it allowed me to create my book coaching business from my heart and soul.

What are the 3 most important things you do (or did) that contribute to your success?

Wow, there are so many things but I would say: 1) Stayed true to my vision. I didn’t make much money at first, and it would have been easy to take a “day job.” However, I trusted my intuition that what started out as “creativity coaching” and morphed into “writing coaching” and then “book coaching” could be a thriving and fulfilling business and vocation. 2) Invested in my business by hiring high quality professionals. When I finally hired a virtual assistant (the wonderful Geri Lafferty) who helped me with my newsletters and administrative tasks my business took up. Geri freed me up to do more of the work I love—coaching, editing and teaching book writing. If I’d know how freeing it was, I think I would have invested sooner. I also invested in business coaches to teach me what they knew about having an internet-based business. I hired professionals for services like copywriting and website design—people who were excellent at what they did. It’s easy to think, as a writer, “I can write my own copy” but my copywriter has done a much better job than I ever did. It’s her expertise. Having said that, you also have to know when not to follow another person’s advice. Particularly with business and money coaches, they may have something that works for them but doesn’t feel right to you. Trust me. 3) Wrote a book! A well-written book that captures your unique voice helps prospective clients get to know you. It provides instant credibility. It opens up doors for the rest of your life. I never could have guessed that writing a book about transforming anger would lead to an invitation to be on the faculty of Harvard Medical School’s CME publishing course. And beyond the doors it opens, writing a book invites you to step into your own personal power—and own your voice—in a very powerful way. It’s perhaps the ultimate personal growth tool—just as a bonus.

Are there any obstacles specific to being a woman you have encountered?

When I worked in the corporate world, I did encounter obstacles, particularly sexual harassment. I was afraid to report it because I thought I might lose my job or make it harder for the next woman to get a job in that company.

How did you handle them?

I left that job as fast as I could! I had been accepted to MIT’s Sloan School of Management right out of college but had decided to defer and work instead. The two-year window was already over but I called them up and asked if they’d extend the offer for the coming year and they did. I love being an entrepreneur because the only obstacles to my business are ones I create—which I can un-create.

What do you consider the top issues women face today?

The thing I see most in the women I coach is that they are so focused on helping others that they will often put everything else before their biggest dreams. I think their biggest challenge is giving themselves permission to really go for it—whatever their “it” is. Having said that, as a mom, there are times to hold back and wait. Childhood is a precious time and so it may make a good deal of sense to curtail speaking engagements and business trips in order to have more quality time with family.

That leads me to the other huge challenge, particularly for moms— how to find a balance between work and home life. Work can be seductive. It’s easier to excel at work than at parenting. Parenting is so much harder! I have to set limits with work, especially working at home, so that it doesn’t take over. A third big issue is how to be a woman in an environment that is usually designed by males. Much of corporate life runs counter to the way we are wired. I suggest women find a workplace that feels more supportive or start your own business. Don’t let a soul-less workplace suck you dry. It can.

What are the biggest opportunities available to women today?

As an entrepreneur, I think the biggest opportunities are in creating your own thing—a “thing” that makes a big difference in the world, uses your gifts and skills in a maximal way, is fun and makes you grow. It’s less about a particular field and more about finding an arena that makes you shine your brightest and also nudges you to continue to expand and grow. You get to create your own “thing” from scratch—with your personal vision and values. You don’t have to squeeze yourself into someone else’s expectations or an environment that forces you to leave half of your personality at home. You get to be you and shine. And the sky’s the limit on your earnings.

What are the 3 most important things women need to do or consider when charting their next chapter of life, whenever that may be for them?

1) What gifts do you have that you are under-using or might like to explore more?

2) What makes your heart sing: what do you LOVE to do and how can you incorporate that into your vision for this next chapter?

3) What difference do you want to make for people (your clients, yourself, your family, the world)?

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Just that I’m excited to see your vision, Amy. You have this marvelous blend of savvy-business woman and soulful, feminine power that comes from a very deep place. Seeing you bring these two aspects together is exciting and a powerful invitation for women of any age to redefine success on their terms. It’s a powerful message that we can be women—and all that means to us—and also be very successful, particularly financially. I think there’s a myth that if we fully embrace our femininity, we can only earn so much. You bust that myth to pieces. For some of the women authors I have worked with, the business and money piece can be stumbling blocks. They can write an award-winning book but they resist fully stepping into their power when it comes to money. I’m so glad you are out to help women change that.

Award-winning book writing coach Lisa Tener merges a love of writing and business by helping entrepreneurs, health professionals, therapists, coaches and others grow their businesses and/or themselves by writing and publishing nonfiction books, mainly how-to/self-help. Her clients have been published by /signed contracts with major publishing houses; received five- and six-figure advances and major media coverage; and won top industry awards. She has appeared on ABC World News Tonight, PBS-TV, and in Glamour magazine, The Boston Globe, The Providence Journal, Family Circle, Body & Soul Magazine and many others. She received her bachelors and masters degrees from MIT’s Sloan School of Management and she currently serves on the faculty of Harvard Medical School’s CME Publishing Course.