In this episode, explore the transformative power of embracing change with Trisha Daho, founder of Empowered Leadership Cultivation. Trisha opens up about leaving the security of a corporate leadership role to pursue her passion for building equitable and inclusive workplaces. Learn how self-reflection, mindset shifts, and courage can help you move beyond the limits of traditional career paths to create a life that aligns with your values and ambitions.

From lessons in resilience to building meaningful relationships and thriving in uncertain times, Trisha offers a candid and inspiring roadmap for finding your purpose. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re on the right path or wondered what it takes to pivot toward something new, this episode is for you.

Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.

The key moments in this episode are:

[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast
[01:03] Meet Trish Daho: A Journey of Courage
[02:11] Trish's Career Transformation
[03:36] The Importance of Self-Reflection
[04:47] Discovering True Passion and Alignment
[06:26] Embracing Leadership and Excellence
[08:06] Building a Personal Brand
[14:56] Resilience and Overcoming Challenges
[18:57] Daily Habits for Success
[20:57] Creating Space for Strategic Thinking
[21:44] Dealing with Setbacks
[25:08] The Importance of In-Person Interactions
[28:31] Building Strategic Relationships
[35:06] Empowered: Culture and Leadership Development
[37:04] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Beyond Barriers, you’ll discover the transformative power of values-based leadership with Jackie Edmundson. Jackie shares her inspiring journey from selling sodas as a child entrepreneur to leading a cutting-edge performance marketing company. Guided by loyalty, genuine relationships, accountability, fun, and winning, Jackie has built a leadership philosophy rooted in empathy and authenticity.

Jackie opens up about navigating tough decisions, such as team restructurings during challenging economic times, and explains how staying true to her values has helped her deliver bad news with compassion and respect. She also dives into the importance of fostering a positive team culture, celebrating small wins, and leading with transparency to build trust and drive success.

Whether you're a rising professional or a seasoned leader, this episode will empower you to align your actions with your values, embrace courageous conversations, and lead with integrity

Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.

The key moments in this episode are:

[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast
[01:29] Jackie's Early Entrepreneurial Journey
[02:29] The Importance of Communication
[04:56] Aligning Career with Values
[11:10] Building Confidence and Overcoming Fear
[18:07] Transitioning to Leadership Roles
[22:46] Authentic Leadership and Building Your Tribe
[23:34] Breaking Down Barriers with Tough Leaders
[24:49] The Power of Asking for Help
[26:47] Staying Grounded as a CEO
[30:52] Building Your Personal Brand
[33:25] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Beyond Barriers, you’ll hear a transformative conversation about balancing career ambition with the responsibilities of motherhood. Mel Goodman, a former corporate leader turned entrepreneur, shares her candid journey of navigating the challenges of building a career while raising two young daughters. Mel recounts how she reached her breaking point, burned out, and then rebuilt her life by embracing the idea of becoming the CEO of her own life.

You’ll learn about her powerful inside-out approach to redefining success, grounded in clarity, alignment with values, and a mindset shift toward prioritizing what truly matters. Mel discusses the realities of the mental load, societal pressures, and unspoken biases working moms face—and how she created WorkMom to help other women thrive without compromising their ambition or fulfillment. If you’re ready to reclaim your time, focus, and confidence, this episode is for you.

Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.

The key moments in this episode are:

[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast
[00:26] Redefining Success: A Personal Journey
[01:03] Challenges of Working Mothers
[01:18] Mel Goodman's Story
[03:10] Balancing Career and Motherhood
[05:04] The Impact of COVID-19
[06:25] Realizations and New Beginnings
[08:42] The Grow Framework
[11:15] Integrating Life and Career
[13:06] The Importance of Reflection and Clarity
[19:10] Building Confidence and Resilience
[23:17] Entrepreneurial Journey
[25:06] Identifying the Need for a New Perspective on Working Motherhood
[26:12] Building Confidence and Resilience as an Entrepreneur
[26:18] Daily Habits and Rituals for Success
[28:39] Balancing Work and Family Without Childcare
[29:59] Empathy and Support for Working Parents in the Workplace
[35:56] The Importance of Networking and Mentorship
[46:17] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Beyond Barriers, discover the driving forces behind entrepreneurial success as Hanna Kassis, a seasoned financial innovator and founder, shares his journey of resilience, self-belief, and focus. Hanna takes you through his evolution from a first-generation leader to a trailblazer in private credit markets, having raised over $1.4 billion and launched transformative businesses like OAREX Capital Markets and Babylon Asset Management.

Learn how unwavering focus and a disciplined mindset have helped him overcome challenges, navigate risk, and turn vision into reality. Whether you’re aiming to grow your career or build a business, this episode provides invaluable lessons in scaling success with clarity and precision.

Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.

The key moments in this episode are:

[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast
[00:26] The Importance of Slowing Down
[00:58] Meet Hanna Kassis: A Journey in Finance
[02:11] Early Career and Entrepreneurial Beginnings
[04:24] Lessons Learned in Business
[06:27] Current Ventures and Business Philosophy
[09:00] Leadership and Personal Growth
[12:49] Navigating Cultural Identity and Ego
[23:05] Building Resilience and Overcoming Challenges
[26:15] The Importance of Forward Progress
[26:25] Mentorship and Its Impact
[28:20] Decision-Making and Risk-Taking
[30:45] Trusting Your Gut
[34:08] Goal Setting and Achievements
[37:30] Building and Leveraging Your Network
[40:59] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Beyond Barriers, Charles Smith, an extraordinary leader, shares his inspiring journey from delivering mail to directing boardrooms. With grit, determination, and an unwavering commitment to equity, Charles recounts his rise from humble beginnings on Chicago’s west side to becoming the CEO and Founder of CS Insurance Strategies, a thriving national insurance brokerage.

Charles opens up about his childhood on Chicago’s west side, where he learned the power of community, love, and grit. He reveals how his ability to cultivate relationships, align values, and embrace resilience propelled him forward—even when others doubted his potential. As a champion for minority-owned businesses and equity-driven leadership, Charles highlights how businesses can thrive by fostering inclusive and transparent practices.

This episode will inspire you to take charge of your career, find strength in challenges, and create lasting change in your community and beyond.

Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.

The key moments in this episode are:

[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast
[00:27] The Power of Patience
[01:23] Charles Smith's Journey Begins
[03:43] Early Life and Influences
[06:05] Navigating Challenges and Building Relationships
[11:00] From Mailroom to CEO
[15:28] The Importance of Mentorship
[19:30] Balancing Multiple Roles and Reflection
[27:50] Reflecting on Teenage Parenthood
[30:27] Setting and Achieving Goals
[34:17] Navigating Relationships and Mentorship
[38:09] Challenges and Opportunities in Business
[41:07] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Beyond Barriers, we explore a transformative journey with Deborah Kilpatrick, Ph.D., Executive Chair of Evidation Health. From humble beginnings in rural Georgia to breaking ground in Silicon Valley’s health tech landscape, Deborah’s career reflects a powerful philosophy: that true success is about surpassing one’s self. Inspired by her father’s role as a high school football coach, Deborah leads with a coaching mindset, motivating her team to reach their potential. She shares how this approach has fueled her impactful journey and commitment to lifelong growth.

Deborah offers valuable lessons on fostering impact, building supportive networks, and defining your own success. Tune in to discover how Deborah’s dedication to impact, self-competition, and lifelong growth offers a roadmap for creating a career with purpose and resilience.

Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.

The key moments in this episode are:

[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast
[00:26] Taking the First Step
[00:48] Redefining Success with Deborah Kilpatrick
[02:35] Deborah's Journey from Rural Georgia to Silicon Valley
[06:56] Building Evidation Health
[10:13] Leadership and Mentorship
[13:36] Navigating Career Transitions
[19:09] The Importance of In-Person Interaction
[24:47] Peer Mentoring and Professional Growth
[26:58] Overcoming Intimidation: Building Confidence
[28:46] The College Experience: Thriving in a New Environment
[31:42] Empowering the Next Generation: Female Representation in Engineering
[35:14] Daily Routines: The Power of Consistency
[38:22] Building Meaningful Relationships: Key Influences
[40:48] MedTech Women: Changing the Conversation
[45:34] Lightning Round: Personal Insights and Legacy

In this episode of Beyond Barriers, Hanan Dakhil, Director of DEI at Canyon Partners, reflects on her non-linear career journey. With over 20 years at the firm, Hanan shares how determination, mentorship, and self-advocacy helped her pivot from a research assistant to a leadership role that was not initially part of the firm's structure when she began.

Along the way, she overcame self-doubt, navigated work-life integration as a mother, and embraced just-in-time learning to develop new skills. Hanan also reveals how her background in political science and international relations sparked her passion for philanthropy, mentorship, and community empowerment, leading her to champion initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion at Canyon Partners.

Hanan’s journey is a powerful reminder that embracing uncertainty and leaning into your strengths can create impact not only for yourself but for others. If you're ready to reinvent your career or make a difference, Hanan’s insights will inspire you to stay committed and forge your own path.

Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.

The key moments in this episode are:

[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast
[00:30] The Source of True Confidence
[01:13] Meet Hanan Dakhil: A Journey of Determination
[02:56] Hanan's Professional Growth at Canyon Partners
[03:54] Navigating Career Challenges and Parenthood
[06:10] Finding Passion and Purpose Outside Canyon
[08:22] The Power of Mentorship and Sponsorship
[13:39] Overcoming Self-Doubt and Building Confidence
[18:30] Continuous Learning and Staying Ahead
[20:52] Strategic Approach to Workplace Enhancement
[21:26] Balancing High-Stress Work and Family Life
[24:03] Daily Habits for Success
[26:38] Building and Leveraging Community
[29:14] Lightning Round: Personal Insights

In this episode of Beyond Barriers, Naseem Sayani, Co-Founder and General Partner at Emmeline Ventures, shares her powerful journey from consulting to venture capital, revealing how trusting her instincts has led her to make bold decisions in high-stakes environments. You’ll learn how Naseem’s ability to blend intuition with innovation has helped her identify game-changing founders and direct capital toward marginalized groups in venture capital.

Naseem shares insights into how her fund drives industry transformation through investments in women-led businesses across key sectors like women’s health, fintech, and sustainability. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, an investor, or a leader navigating your career, Naseem’s story will inspire you to embrace uncertainty and lead with impact.

Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.

The key moments in this episode are:

[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast
[00:27] Embracing New Challenges
[00:51] Introducing Naseem Sayani
[01:16] Trusting Your Gut in Leadership
[02:02] Naseem's Career Journey
[03:37] The Power of Instinct in Venture Capital
[04:46] Building a Diverse Investment Portfolio
[06:20] The Importance of Taking Bold Risks
[07:27] Navigating Career Transitions
[13:59] The Role of Travel in Gaining Clarity
[16:10] Building a Personal Brand
[19:36] Overcoming Career Obstacles
[24:15] Realizing the Power of Gender Leverage
[26:01] Making Tough Decisions and Taking Risks
[26:57] The Role of Transparency in Decision Making
[28:14] The Importance of Vision in Pitching
[36:41] Building Strategic Relationships
[42:16] Lightning Round: Personal Insights and Reflections