This Power of the Ask podcast episode features Jully Alma Taveras, also known as Investing Latina, a Plutus Award-winning bilingual personal finance expert.

In this powerful episode, Jully shares her journey of starting Investing Latina to help others avoid the financial struggles she faced herself, such as credit card debt, and emphasizes the importance of building good credit and establishing sound financial habits.

As an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, she connects deeply with her audience, many of whom share similar backgrounds. Her platform focuses on creating a supportive community where people can share their financial stories and learn from one another.

Despite facing cultural barriers and financial challenges throughout her life, Jully highlights the importance of small, consistent investments and savings. She encourages people to look at their financial goals as separate but related endeavors—savings for security and investing for future growth. Jully's story of overcoming debt and building wealth is a testament to the power of intentional financial planning and resilience.

Her efforts have significantly contributed to increasing financial literacy and wealth-building in the Latina community. By promoting open conversations about money and providing practical steps to achieve financial stability, Jully continues to inspire and empower others to take control of their financial futures.

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Jully-Alma Taveras, also known online as Investing Latina, is a Plutus Award-winning bilingual (Spanish) personal finance expert. She writes for publications like CNBC, Time's Next Advisor, HuffPost, and others on money topics ranging from saving to investing. On her YouTube channel, she tells money stories from the lens of a Dominican Republic-born immigrant living in New York who went from being a shopaholic to a smart spender and diligent investor. Her money philosophies have inspired thousands of women to live minimally & spend intentionally, so that they can invest more.

Jully is a sought-after Fortune 20 speaker and facilitator that has led workshops at Nasdaq, Google, Verizon and at The White House Economic Council (2021) among others. She has taught over 10,000 people how to invest through her program The Investing Workshop. Although she has a social following of 39k+ on Instagram and collective social impressions of over 23 million, she is extremely approachable and is an educator to the core. She is the eldest of 3 in her own family, so her audience sees her as the older sister who will force you to do better while also being your cheerleader along the way.

This Power of the Ask podcast episode features Jo Franco, CEO of JoClub, a journaling company that fosters clarity, connection, and community. Jo's journey is marked by resilience and determination, from her early years in Brazil to her current success as an entrepreneur and content creator. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Jo moved to the USA at age six, learning English and navigating challenges as an undocumented immigrant. Despite these obstacles, Jo excelled academically and professionally.

Her entrepreneurial spirit blossomed during college in Manhattan, where she rejected corporate roles to launch a YouTube channel. Overcoming financial struggles and visa uncertainties, Jo's breakthrough came with a major deal in 2015, leading to her hosting a Netflix travel show and founding a successful journaling company during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jo credits her mother's fierce independence and resilience throughout her journey as guiding forces. Her upbringing taught her the value of hard work, financial responsibility, and seizing opportunities. Jo's story reflects a blend of ambition, adaptability, and a deep-rooted desire to create a global impact through her ventures and personal growth.

On this episode of the The Power of the Ask podcast, Jo Franco:

💠 Shares her passion for building relationships by making other people feel seen and heard.

💠 Explains the role of preparation, research, asking questions, and actively listening in moving forward.

💠 Discusses the importance of finding common ground and maintaining relationships.

Jo advises listeners to invest in themselves, their skills, and their knowledge through research and conversations with people from all walks of life. For her, the long game is the bottom line.

“Power and progress come the earlier we can get our hands on the books, have these conversations, take action, and look at investing or saving,” she said. “There should be a sense of urgency. You can start seeing how it moves -- if you're in the money world, time is your greatest asset, and that’s the bottom line. You need to get into the game and also invest in yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask anyone, ‘How can I help?’ This is the number one question that opened doors for me.” Sharing the story of creating a cycle of empowerment makes this Power of the Ask a great listen.

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Jo Franco is the CEO and creator of JoClub, a journaling company fostering clarity, connection & community. A world traveler, TV and podcast host, writer, polyglot, and global soul, Jo moved to the United States from Brazil at age six with her mother and siblings and uses her life story to teach others to invest in themselves, their skills, and their knowledge. A gifted content creator, writer, on-camera host, and brand enhancer, Jo finds energy and enlightenment in connecting with strangers and firmly believes in making moves.

Jo also hosts the Not Your Average Jo podcast, designed to amplify perspectives from all over the globe. Jo and her co-adventurers cover topics ranging from travel hacks to financing the lifestyle of a digital nomad, language learning, finance, love, culture, fitness, and anything that will help grow our perspectives and minds. Each episode has a global filter. At the end of every episode, Jo shares tangible takeaways that will inspire all her listeners to make daily life feel a little less average — at home or on the road.

Jo earned a BBA in Marketing and Communications from Pace University. Her impressive resume includes being a speaker at the SXSW Interactive Conference on Innovation in Digital Media.

In this episode of the Power of the Ask podcast, Dana Cox, MBA, PMP, Senior VP of Global Delivery Enablement at MasterCard, and 2023 Savvy Ladies Mentorship Award recipient, shares insights on cultivating talent, building transformative relationships, and balancing her roles as a mother of six and grandmother of three. She emphasizes the importance of preparation, strategic communication, and self-reflection in leadership.

Dana recounts overcoming corporate challenges, including a pivotal moment when her innovative idea saved her company millions. Her dedication to empowering others is evident in her work with Custom Collaborative and her travel business, Cox Travel Adventures. Dana inspires through meticulous time management and continuous learning.

In this episode, we will discuss how Dana:

💠 Shares her passion for realizing your full potential and fearlessly pursuing it.

💠 Explains that preparation and being well-informed are key to meaningful contributions.

💠 Discusses the importance of creating a cycle of empowerment and guiding others in their careers.

She credits her success to a supportive network, constructive feedback, and the inspiring stories that make the Power of the Ask come to life

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Dana L. Cox, MBA, PMP, is a highly accomplished executive in the corporate world, currently serving as the Senior Vice President of Global Delivery Enablement at Mastercard. With a heart full of love for family, friends, and community, Dana has successfully climbed the corporate ladder from an administrative assistant to her current role, raising her family and becoming an entrepreneur, building her curated luxury travel business. Dana combines traditional work ethic, modern thinking, and passion for mentoring rising talent. Recipient of the 2023 Savvy Ladies Mentorship Award alongside her mentee Mara, Dana cultivates talent across cultures and teams while forging relationships that transform, inspire, and make an impact on not only the people she works with but also how her work moves forward, embracing her brilliance.

Dana earned a BS in Business from Upper Iowa University and an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University. She calls her six children and three grandchildren her “heart and soul” and calls out her “support system village” for supporting her on her journey. She serves on the board of Custom Collaborative, an innovative New York City-based social enterprise that helps women from low-income and immigrant communities earn fair pay by launching businesses and careers in the fashion industry.

Overview:
Introduction 00:00
Finding Your Voice 01:06
The Journey 05:18
A Seat at the Table 08:42
The Importance of a Support System 12:48
Becoming a Leader 14:20

This episode of the Power of the Ask podcast features executive, attorney, team builder and management strategist Melissa Norden, JD, CEO of NYC-based nonprofit Bottomless Closet.

As a passionate nonprofit executive with strong business acumen, Melissa has guided small and large organizations for more than 20 years. She distills complex business issues into creative, pragmatic, actionable solutions. She focuses on building and navigating diverse stakeholder relationships and developing high-performance teams.

On the #podcast, Melissa:

💠 Shares her passion for helping disadvantaged women access the tools they need to feel successful and empowered.

💠 Explains the mission of Bottomless Closet and the advocacy and support they have given to more than 25,000 women.

💠 Discusses the importance of teaching women financial management skills so they can first move up, and then model that knowledge for their children.
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Melissa celebrates small victories and cultivates optimism in the women served by Bottomless Closet. “Seeing success around you,” she says, “inspires you to strive for your own. Without self-confidence and self-worth, it’s hard to project that to others.” Her inspiring story makes this Power of the Ask episode a great listen. [LINK]

Melissa Norden, JD, Bio: Melissa is an executive, attorney, and strategist dedicated to empowering disadvantaged women. With over 20 years of experience, she has led small and large organizations, offering creative and actionable solutions. As CEO of NYC-based Bottomless Closet, she builds diverse stakeholder relationships and high-performance teams.

Melissa earned her JD from Brooklyn Law School and transitioned to the nonprofit sector, spending 13 years with the ASPCA, where she managed a $170 million organization with over 700 employees. For the past eight years, she has led Bottomless Closet, helping women achieve self-sufficiency through interview attire selection, resume reviews, interview coaching, and professional development workshops.

Melissa’s solutions-focused approach and dedication to helping others drive her passion.

Overview
Introduction to Melissa Norden 00:00:00
Tell Us About Bottomless Closet 00:03:01
What Inspired You? 00:11:25
What Does Transformation Mean to You? 00:15:30
What Story Inspired You the Most? 00:20:00
Bringing Positivity Forward 00:24:03
The Impact of Feeling Confident 00:27:57
Money & Finances For Women 00:31:13

This episode of the Power of the Ask podcast features financial media spokesperson and wealth activist Lazetta Rainey Braxton, MBA, CFP®, co-CEO and co-founder of 2050 Wealth Partners and founder of Lazetta & Associates.

For nearly 30 years, Lazetta has worked to build successful entrepreneurial ventures, drive innovation, and navigate the complexity of diversity in the financial services industry. She possesses a unique understanding of consumer engagement, talent management, and regulatory requirements shaping the evolving financial services landscape.

On the podcast, Lazetta shares her inspiration to pursue financial planning and her desire to level the playing field for women and minorities. She explains how her experience with toxic work environments in the financial industry led her to form her own financial advisory firm. She provides tips for women starting out in their careers or businesses and underscores the importance of being comfortable with financial information — no matter what the setting. Lazetta stresses financial education, podcasts, and online resources are crucial in providing valuable information to this generation and the next.

For Lazetta, it’s all about doing the work. Her advocacy is anchored in humanity, in people, in reminding institutions that they are a consortium of people. Her passion for amplifying diversity, inclusion, equality, and belonging in the financial planning profession is exciting and a great listen.

Overview:
Tell Us About Yourself 00:00
Let's Talk About the 1% 04:45
What Surprised You About Financial Education 13:10
What You Need to Know 15:48
Inspiring Self Confidence 20:55
Putting You Into A Box 27:03
Power of the Ask 29:51

Important Links:

Lisa Zeiderman, Esq., CDFA, CFL - Forbes Business Council | LinkedIn
Precious L. Williams - Perfect Pitch Group | LinkedIn
Lazetta Braxton |Linkedin

This episode of the Power of the Ask podcast features economic equity strategist Mary Hagerty Ehrsam, president of partnerships at Operation HOPE, Inc., where she cultivated $300M in revenue streams and avenues for growth, scale, and sustainability.

For more than three decades, Mary has served as a leader in economic equity and financial dignity, working to drive $3.5B in private investment into underserved, low-wealth communities worldwide. She developed and launched the HOPE youth programs, expanded the HOPE Inside model nationwide, and led the global expansion in South Africa and the Middle East.

On the podcast, Mary shares how she came to Operation HOPE more than 25 years ago and how its mission to enact social justice through an economic equity lens was something that resounded with her. She has led the organization nationally to 274 cities, educating millions of individuals. But, Mary stresses, it's not just about the numbers and outputs, it's about the outcomes.

For Mary, teamwork makes the dream work. Her passion for economic equity, financial dignity, corporate social responsibility, and public-private partnerships is inspiring and a great listen.

Overview
Tell Us About Yourself 00:00
What Are You Most Proud Of 15:42
Why Financial Education Is Important 20:57
Taking Control of Your Future 26:47
What Programming Is Impactful? 32:40
Growing Demands 38:01

Important Links:

Lisa Zeiderman, Esq., CDFA, CFL - Forbes Business Council | LinkedIn
Precious L. Williams - Perfect Pitch Group | LinkedIn
Mary Ehrsam | LinkedIn

Join the movement of empowerment with "The Power of the Ask" podcast, where women are encouraged to embrace their voices. Hosted by Savvy Ladies Lisa Zeiderman and Precious Williams, this episode features an insightful conversation with Clara Sierra, a trailblazing figure in the financial industry.

Clara Sierra, a Dominican American working mom, shares her journey from humble beginnings to senior director of business development at Moody’s Analytics. Through her story, listeners will be inspired to break free from societal norms, embrace their authenticity, and build strong networks that elevate themselves and others.

The episode delves into the importance of networking, authenticity, and asking for what you’re worth in both personal and professional spheres. With practical advice and powerful insights, Clara encourages women of diverse backgrounds to step into their power and create meaningful change in their lives and communities.

Listeners are reminded that success is not a solo journey but a collective effort, and by lifting each other up and advocating for themselves, women can redefine the narrative and achieve their fullest potential. Join the movement of empowerment today and unleash the power of asking.

Overview
Tell Us About Yourself 0:00
Building Your Network 6:13
Connecting Diversity in the Financial Industry 12:39
What Do You Take the Most Pride In? 17:59
Impactful Change 22:09

Important Links:

Lisa Zeiderman, Esq., CDFA, CFL - Forbes Business Council | LinkedIn
Precious L. Williams - Perfect Pitch Group | LinkedIn
Clara Sierra | LinkedIn

This episode of the Power of the Ask podcast features investment professional Derby Chukwudi, the current Miss New Jersey USA and a 1st generation Nigerian-American born in Dallas, TX, raised in Lagos, Nigeria, and now resides in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Derby shares her inspiring story of juggling a demanding career on Wall Street with her reign as Miss New Jersey USA. She is passionate about advocating for financial literacy among young people to prepare them for a future of financial freedom and choices. On the podcast, she discusses the importance of building capacity, asking for what you want, and using your voice to make a difference. Her insights on leadership, goal-setting, and overcoming fear will motivate you to pursue your own dreams, no matter how big they may seem.

Derby Chukwudi’s Bio:

Derby is a member of the Global Investment Strategy Team at JPMorgan Private Bank in Midtown, New York. Prior to this role, she worked at the New Jersey Private Bank alongside a team responsible for advising ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, and foundations on various wealth management matters, including asset allocation and investment portfolio construction, lending, and wealth transfer planning. Derby joined J.P. Morgan in 2018 as a Summer Analyst and returned full-time in 2019 after graduating with her undergraduate degrees. Derby graduated cum laude from Berea College with a BSc. Degree in Business Administration and B.A. degree in Economics.

Overview:
Personal Growth and Legacy (01:20)
Career Growth and Financial Literacy (17:34)
Networking and Asking the Right Questions (27:00)

Important Links:
Savvy Ladies
Precious Williams' LinkedIn
Lisa Zeiderman's LinkedIn
Derby Chukwudi's LinkedIn