In this episode, Catherine Ann McCourt, Global Technology Consulting Leader at EY, reflects on her 25+ years in consulting and her journey from Partner to global leadership. She shares how mindset, self-belief, and continuous learning are essential for thriving in fast-changing technology environments, while also addressing innovation blockers like fear of change, siloed cultures, and legacy systems. Catherine discusses overcoming imposter syndrome at the senior level, the role of mentorship and “finding your tribe,” and why diverse, inclusive teams are key to driving transformation and long-term business success.

Listen for advice on:

• How to set new milestones after hitting big career goals
• Why mindset and confidence matter more than hard skills
• Strategies for breaking through common innovation blockers
• The power of inclusion and “finding your tribe”

Learn more:

• Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia
• Catherine McCourt (Guest): https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinemccourt/
• Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.co

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ariba Jahan, Head of Transformation for North America at Anomaly, shares her journey from studying biomechanical engineering and attending medical school to leading innovation and transformation across nonprofit, startup, and agency environments. She opens up about embracing a multi-hyphenated career, navigating ambiguity with confidence, and redefining what it means to “have it all” as a mother, immigrant, and woman of color. Ariba also explores the intersection of innovation and transformation, how to bring others along on the journey, and the importance of anticipating unintended consequences in emerging technologies like AI.

Listen for advice on:

• Building clarity and buy-in for innovation and transformation roles
• Nurturing a culture of experimentation and co-creation
• Sustaining confidence while navigating uncertainty
• Identifying and addressing biases in product and service design

Learn more:

• Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia
• Ariba Jahan (Guest): https://www.linkedin.com/in/aribajahan/
• Ariba's podcast - Unmissables: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unmissables-with-ariba-jahan/id1707384312
• Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.co
• Audio Editor: Samantha Gattsek

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Scout Brisson, CEO of De Soi, discusses her journey from corporate life to leading a startup in the booming non-alcoholic beverage industry. She reflects on the importance of celebrating achievements, the challenges of transitioning from a corporate environment to entrepreneurship, and the complexities of recognition in her career. Scout also shares insights on the regulatory challenges in the beverage industry and the future trends indicating a shift towards non-alcoholic options, especially among younger generations.

Listen for advice on:

• How to navigate ‘getting on the shelf’ in the world of beverage
• The importance of community and mentorship for women in leadership
• Balancing vision and execution in business
• Figuring out the role of recognition in your personal life and career

Learn more:

• Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia
• Scout Brisson (Guest): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scout-brisson-558674121/
• Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.co

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Mallory Contois, Head of Community at Mercury and founder of Old Girls Club, joins Zoia on the podcast. Mallory has had many chapters in her career, including being an early-stage employee at Pinterest and Compass, working at LinkedIn, and being a COO at an early-stage startup. Today, she epitomizes what it means to be a true leader and woman in innovation, juggling a multitude of roles, projects, and initiatives in what is an inspiring career for all.

Listen for advice on:

• What it takes to build a flourishing community
• How to navigate ego vs. intuition in career decisions
• The pillars of creating safe and authentic spaces for women
• Why community is a business-driving lever

Learn more:

• Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia
• Mallory Contois (Guest): https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorycontois/
• Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.co

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Zoia sits down with Emily Heyward, who is the co-founder and Chief Brand Officer of Red Antler. In her second appearance on the WIN/WIN podcast, Emily shares more about her new role (in addition to Red Antler), as a Founding Partner at Habitat Partners, which is an early-stage venture fund.

Listen for advice on:

• The role of consumer empathy in investing
• How being authentic has shifted in the world of brand
• Pivoting and navigating a new role at a senior level

Learn more:

• Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia
• Emily Heyward (Guest): https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-heyward-5465253/
• Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.co

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Phoenix Porcelli, SVP of Global Sales at Convene, shares her journey from working in prestigious hospitality institutions to becoming a leader in a startup environment at Convene. She discusses the importance of innovation in sales, the concept of the glass cliff, and how she navigated leadership challenges to ascend to her current position, while uplifting the entire Convene organization.

Listen for advice on:

• Transitioning from mid-level leadership to an executive team
• How to enable innovation in a sales practice
• What it takes to navigate and overcome a glass cliff
• Finding the right people and partners to help you sustain career success

Learn more:

• Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia
• Phoenix Porcelli (Guest): https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoenix-anna-porcelli-cmp-31501916/
• Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.co

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Kristine Locker, the CEO & Founder of Locker, shares her journey from the real estate industry to entrepreneurship in consumer technology. She discusses the inception of Locker, a platform designed for everyday consumers to curate and save their favorite products, akin to Pinterest but focused on shopping. Kristine reflects on the challenges of being a first-time founder, the importance of networking and mentorship, and her experiences with investors.

Listen for advice on:

• How to optimize your network in a way that enables growth
• The role of personal experiences in shaping professional resilience
• Balancing your identity and professional role (especially as a founder)
• Navigating gender and its role throughout fundraising and building a company

Learn more:

• Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia
• Kristine Locker (Guest): https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinelocker/
• Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.co

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Frances shares her journey from data scientist to Venture Capital partner at Two Sigma Ventures. She discusses the evolution of her understanding of risk, the importance of independent thinking, and navigating a career in venture capital. Frances also addresses the cyclical nature of the investment market, the role of gender in her career, and her vision for the future of venture capital, particularly in relation to AI technology.

Listen for advice on:

• The pros and cons of traditional vs. corporate venture capital
• How women can create their own measuring sticks for success
• Creating an equitable and strategic investment decision mechanism
• Ways to understand and engage with new technologies and innovations (such as AI)

Learn more:

• Zoia Kozakov (Host): http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoia
• Frances Schwiep (Guest): https://www.linkedin.com/in/frances-schwiep-554832b/
• Women in Innovation: http://www.womenininnovation.co

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.