Episode 10: The Art of Leaving w/Darlene Gillard Jones
Whether navigating the complexities of divorce, stepping away from a business venture, or exiting any significant chapter of your life, leaving can be a difficult art. In this episode, Kathryn and Darlene Gillard Jones discuss the nuances of knowing when to leave and the importance of doing it in a way that doesn't destroy what you’ve built.

“Figuring out how to leave is a delicate dance, and you definitely need a strategy.”
One thing you should keep in mind is that leaving is a change, and many people are not very good with change. So you have to recognize that when you leave a situation, many people will not be comfortable with you leaving because they're uncomfortable with change. You’re not disappointing people; they just don’t like change. Realizing this truth can help make it a little bit easier to leave.

“One of the things I wanna encourage everyone to do is to figure out how to remove yourself from a situation before you get to the point of losing yourself.”
It can be tempting to stay in a stable situation, even when you’re no longer growing and it’s no longer the best environment for you. When you’re thinking about how to leave, be sure to center who you are and meditate a bit. The biggest part of leaving anything is knowing yourself and your reasons for doing this. And when you're clear on that, it makes it much easier to exit.

“My goal is to leave in a way that honors me and who I am, but also to make sure that whatever I build continues on.”
You don’t have to leave in a way that hurts other people or burns bridges. Instead, you should strive to leave with dignity while preserving relationships and fostering growth. Doing this requires intention, authenticity, and a deep understanding of the impact our departures can have on those around us.

Guest
Darlene Gillard Jones: https://www.darlenegillardjones.com/

Episode 9: Global Impact w/Gizelle George Joseph

After George Floyd's death, Gizelle George-Joseph, Partner and Global Chief Operating Officer of the Global Investment Research Division at Goldman Sachs realized that she could leverage her platform to bring a voice to the issues in the Black community. In this episode, she and Kathryn discuss how businesses can be a force for positive change, the importance of diversity in leadership, and the role of inclusive research in shaping a more equitable future.

“Black women, for all of the progress that we've made over the last few decades…experience just massive inequalities across such a broad range of economic measures.”
Gizelle’s research uncovered the massive inequalities still experienced by Black women, which led to Goldman Sachs’ 1 Million Black Women, an investment initiative that committed $10 billion in direct investment capital and $100 million in philanthropic support to address the dual disproportionate gender and racial biases that Black women have faced for generations.

“If we as a society can effectively address gender and racial economic disparities, it is not just the right thing to do…it's actually really good for business and good for the economy.”
Addressing structural problems like racism actually helps the economy. Doing well in business isn't just about profits. It's about building something that resonates globally, empowers communities, addresses global challenges, and leaves a positive mark on our planet.

“As an investor, I have no interest in just making individuals rich. I am in it because I wanna see communities be right.”
Scarcity-based capitalism creates a winner-take-all mentality. But stakeholder capitalism says that we are all in this together and that we all can win. It’s really about building wealth in the community, both for those who excel in the capitalist ecosystem and those who are unable to participate actively in it.

Guest
Gizelle George Joseph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gizelle-george-joseph-9a127319/

Episode 8: What It Takes to Support a Black Woman Leader w/ Kimberly Bryant

One of the hardest people to be in the world is a brilliant Black woman because Black women leaders are rarely given the mentorship, guidance, and grace needed to be truly successful. In this episode, Kathryn and Kimberly Bryant, founder of Black Girls Code, discuss the power of supporting Black women leaders. This episode explores the strategies, practices, and nuances that go into fostering a thriving leadership ecosystem for Black women.

“We as Black women and Black-women-run entities are undervalued, underfunded, and undersupported.”
Despite doing the work and often doing it even better than others, Black women face a dearth of support in entrepreneurship. They have more barriers to raising capital and creating a strong network. Their businesses often receive less funding and publicity than similar businesses owned by white founders.

“We need to be very active about aligning Black women to be successful.”
One concrete way to support Black women leaders is not just to open a door but walk with them- hand in hand- across the threshold. One way to do this is to facilitate warm introductions, sharing why you’ve decided to invest.

“And all along the path, there were other women, mostly Black women, that kind of pushed me along and held me up every step of the way.”
Creating a network of support is important for business success. Often the highest level of support comes from those who are most proximate to the problem(s) you are trying to solve.

Guest
Kimberly Bryant: https://premierespeakers.com/kimberly-bryant/bio