Transformational Women Leaders of 2024 | Leyna Nguyen | Exeleon Magazine

Wmen

LEADERS TO WATCH

Leading With Integrity

Leyna Nguyen

DYNAMIC LEADERS 2024

EDITORIAL

NOTE

As we release the latest issue of Exeleon Magazine on International Women's Day, we are proud to celebrate the achievements of transformational women leaders who are shaping the future.

In this special issue, we feature thoughtprovoking articles that highlight the diverse experiences and insights of women leaders. Ashley Graham's "The Power of Finding your Authentic Voice" is a must-read for anyone seeking to unlock their true potential. Donna Rosa's "What You Don’t Know About Women Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries" sheds light on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by women in emerging markets.

Liz Toombs' "Importance of Female Mentorship" emphasizes the crucial role of mentorship in empowering the next generation of women leaders. Meanwhile, Aja McCutchen's "Revolutionizing Women's Health: The Need for Gastrointestinal Solutions" addresses the pressing need for innovation in women's healthcare. Our issue also features inspiring interviews with women who have made remarkable transitions in their careers.

Most importantly, we are honored to feature former Emmy award-winning journalist Leyna Nguyen, who has now dedicated herself to helping people take control of their finances with VanMay Finance. Her story is a testament to the power of reinvention and the impact of financial literacy.

We hope that this issue will not only celebrate the achievements of these remarkable women but also inspire our readers to pursue their own paths of leadership and innovation. Happy Women's Day and Women's History Month!

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DARYL YEUNG

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CONTENTS

ASHLEY GRAHAM

24

MORGAN MCCARVER

Leading with LEYNA NGUYEN

“ “

As we grow it’s important for us to nd people whose “why” aligns with ours. Product knowledge can be learned, certications can be earned, but integrity and heart can’t be taught.

WWith the advancement of time and human civilization, the concept of leadership has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of society.

Scholars, philosophers, and leaders themselves have attempted to deine leadership, but not one single deinition has withstood the test of time due to the luid nature of leadership expectations.

Nonetheless, in recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on leading with integrity This emphasis on integrity in leadership is not just a preferred trait but has become a fundamental expectation for organizations across the board.

With over 25 years of journalistic experience, Leyna Nguyen is an example of one such leader who leads with integrity in both her professional and personal endeavors.

Leyna's transition from being an awardwinning journalist to a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist showcases how integrity can be the cornerstone of impactful leadership.

Fittingly, Leyna Nguyen features on the Cover of Exeleon Magazine's Transformational Women Leaders to Follow in 2024.

BRANCHING INTO JOURNALISM

Born in Vietnam and raised in the United States as a refugee, Leyna's journey is a testament to resilience, leadership, and the relentless pursuit of proving herself.

As the eldest of three children in a Vietnamese family, Leyna naturally assumed the role of a leader from a young age. Her early experiences of navigating a new culture, learning English as a Second Language (ESL), and striving to meet her parents' expectations while itting in at school, instilled in her a strong sense of responsibility and a drive to excel.

She recalls, “I knew a lot was expected of me and I took it upon myself from a very young age to do better and be better—I was out to prove something—although I wasn't really sure what that something was, I just knew I had this drive.”

As Leyna grew up, this drive led her to a distinguished career in journalism, a ield she had been passionate about since elementary school. “I was fascinated with

watching the news and I wanted to be the reporter who was always in the know.”

For her, journalism represented an honorable profession that served the public.

Over the years, Leyna's diverse career in journalism has deeply inluenced her perspective on storytelling and its impact on society.

Despite the industry's changes over the years, she believes that journalism can still uphold its noble purpose. "WHAT stories we tell and HOW we tell them can effect change. That inluence should be handled with integrity." Leyna points out.

MAKING WAVES

With over 25 years of TV broadcasting experience, Leyna Nguyen became a familiar face and a household name in Los Angeles and beyond. Her journey in television began in Augusta, GA during the 90s and she quickly rose through the ranks to work for the leading NBC afiliate in Sacramento before making her mark in LA,

Throughout her career, Leyna has demonstrated her skills in various aspects of broadcasting, from producing shows to ield reporting and anchoring. She has also

worked on documentaries, radio, and stage, showcasing her adaptability and talent in different media formats. Her expertise extends to technical aspects such as shooting and editing as well.

Leyna is a ive-time Emmy Award-winning journalist with appearances in over 35 television shows and movies, including popular titles like NCIS, Supergirl, The District, Austin Powers, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Her ability to connect with audiences and tell compelling stories has earned her critical acclaim and a loyal following during her journalism career.

FINDING HER PURPOSE…AGAIN!

At the age of 49, Leyna retired as a journalist and TV broadcaster. She explains, “I retired at the age of 49 because frankly I didn't love my job anymore. I was a primetime anchor at CBS in Los Angeles—a coveted position that paid me well, but it was no longer fulilling—I didn't feel like I was in the right place anymore. My son was starting high school, my daughter was going into middle school and all their lives—mom worked nights.”

Leyna's choice to step away from her successful career was driven by a desire to be more present for her family

VANMAY FINANCIAL

Transitioning from her successful career in television news, Leyna Nguyen is now channeling her expertise into helping people take control of their inances so they can retire comfortably.

Together with her husband, Denny Hooten, a inancial adviser with Merill Lynch and inance professor at USC, Leyna co-founded VanMay Financial. Their approach to inancial advising is client-centered, treating each client with respect and attention regardless of their

inancial status. They aim to provide a comprehensive range of inancial products and services, guided by integrity and a genuine desire to help people take control of their inances.

As Executive Field Chairman at First Financial Security, Leyna and Denny are responsible for adding hundreds of millions of dollars in protection and wealth to many families. In just 10 months, she became a million-dollar producer at FFS with no prior knowledge or experience in the industry and was inducted into the prestigious Chairman's Club. Together, they have provided families with nearly $500 million in coverage.

Talking about her partnership with Denny, Leyna mentions “As a team, he and I can provide our clients with just about every inancial product that's out there. We also share the same values

when it comes to customer service. We treat the client who's living paycheck to paycheck with the same respect and attention as the person who's worth $100m.”

She adds, “As we grow it's important for us to ind people whose “why” aligns with ours. Product knowledge can be learned, certiications can be earned, but integrity and heart can't be taught.”

Moreover, Leyna attributes their success to hard work and a deepseated commitment to educating people about their inancial options and helping them make informed decisions.

Beyond her professional engagements, Leyna is deeply committed to philanthropy and community service. She is the founder of Love Across the Ocean (LATO), a non-proit organization that provides humanitarian aid in Vietnam and supports veterans, refugees, and disaster relief efforts in the U.S. Her philanthropic work is driven by a sense of gratitude for the opportunities she has had in America and a desire to give back to those in need.

She remarks, “I've always said my goal was to become so rich that all I'd do is travel the world doing charity work. I'm not that rich yet but we've been able to help hundreds of thousands of people over the years and that keeps my cup full.”

during the formative years of their lives. She acknowledges that it was a hard decision to walk away, but it made the most sense at that moment.

“A year after I retired, COVID hit. It was ironically the most wonderful couple of years for our family. We thrived on all the extra time we spent together!”

However, as life began to return to normal, Leyna found herself at home, alone, with no actual purpose. Soon after, she decided to start a YouTube Channel to teach English pronunciation, and the channel became an instant hit.

As she expanded her content to cover inancial education, she tapped into a pressing need for accessible and simpliied inancial advice. Drawing on her journalistic skills, Leyna simpliied complex inancial concepts and made them relatable, even translating them into Vietnamese to reach a broader audience. Through this new venture, she discovered a renewed sense of purpose.

“Suddenly, I felt useful again—I was making a difference in people's lives, and I realized that my whole career as a journalist was just practice for what I am doing right now” she proudly exclaims.

LOOKING AHEAD

Leyna Nguyen's vision for the future is a blend of professional ambition and personal fulillment. Professionally, she is passionate about expanding her impact in the inance space. Recognizing the widespread need for inancial guidance, she is focused on building a team of leaders who embody her values and work ethic.

Her aim is not just to grow her team in numbers, but to cultivate individuals who

A DAY IN MY Life

As I get older and especially since I'm now helping people with retirement, life insurance and long-term care, I'm more aware of the need for self-care. People tend to take good health for granted until they don't have it anymore.

During the covid lockdown I started leading a hula-hoop exercising class on Zoom mostly as a fun way to connect with people, but I developed an intense workout that's transformed a lot of people. Some have stopped their medications for cholesterol and pre-diabetes as a result of the workouts. That's why we're still going strong.

After my workout, I'm in back-to-back meetings most days. I do YouTube livestreams every Mondays and Thursdays, and two inance shows on Vietnamese language TV programs.

My husband and I both work at this speed. There are nights we are just bushed, but the feeling we get from helping people gives us the energy to keep going. Denny is great at making sure we set aside time for family on weekends. We also have our date night so we can look at each other with no laptops in between us.

prioritize integrity and the well-being of their clients above all else. Leyna's excitement about this endeavor stems from her commitment to making a difference in people's lives.

On a personal level, Leyna cherishes the value of time and seeks to make the most of it with her loved ones. She aspires to create more memorable moments with her children before they embark on their own journeys. Traveling with her husband is another priority, as she believes in the power of exploring new places for the mind and soul.

Additionally, she is dedicated to giving back to her aging parents, who have made numerous sacriices for her well-being. She hopes to provide them with experiences and comforts they would not seek out on their own. “They've spent their whole lives being frugal and helping others, so I'd really like to spend money on them, and spoil them with experiences they would never pay for on their own. That would really bring me a lot of joy,” she mentions.

Shorts EXELEON

One Book Entrepreneurs must read – The Third Door

One Line to Describe Transformational Leadership – Success isn't about what you've been able to accomplish, it's about what you've inspired others to do.

One Quote that Motivates you the most –Work in silence, let success be your noise.

One Advice for Women Entrepreneurs –Support and encourage other women. Lifting others up gives you power; those who believe keeping others down is the only way to rise above them hasn't met “business karma.”

One Movie / Show you recommend –Succession.

The Power of Finding Your Authentic Voice

Embracing Self-Awareness and Overcoming the Inner Critic

Wrien by Ashley Graham

My journey as a thought leader, public speaker, and podcast host has ultimately been deined by a deep understanding and appreciation of my own voice, but this wasn't always the case. As we all know, there is no shortage of challenges on the road to success. Just like we each have our unique voice and deinitions of “success,” we also have our own idiosyncratic methods of navigating these obstacles.

Those who have listened to my podcast, The Conscious Publicist Podcast , know I believe in a cohesive relationship between the past, present, and future. I remind myself of two principles daily: I am always in a perpetual state of becoming, and our past is a prologue, not a verdict.

Our previous experiences lay the foundation for who we are today and aspire to become. However, while the past may shape and inform the present, it should never limit our future identity.

In the process of voice activation and using the voice to guide, inspire, and educate, I have learned the importance of not rushing toward the future nor dwelling on the past. Instead, I cherish the past and present as a vital part of my journey.

It is extremely helpful to create anchor points in my past experiences, as these moments inform my actions and thoughts in the present, continuously guiding me toward a future self that embodies my ideals.

When it comes to thought leadership, we often encounter a familiar adversary: the inner critic. This overly critical voice can either hold us back or spur us to improve. Relecting on recent public speaking engagements, my inner critic, which could easily echo the judgments of my past self, would have had a lot to criticize.

During one of these experiences, I felt myself struggling with selfdoubt as I began questioning the value of my words. Managing this internal dialogue has always been a delicate balance; my past self would likely have allowed these fears to impede my progress. However, through my journey, I have learned to coexist with my inner critic –acknowledging its presence while consciously limiting its inluence to

prevent it from restricting my progress. Finding the right equilibrium allows us room for growth without becoming paralyzed by self-doubt and the past.

My stance toward inding the authentic voice results from extreme self-awareness. Being attuned to my processes, I see myself in a constant evaluation state. Over time, I have realized that my perception of my voice won't always align with how others will receive it. While this might seem uncomfortable initially, this gap between self-perception and external feedback also offers growth opportunities. What feels imperfect to us could be incredibly impactful to someone else and vice versa. This process of selfawareness is key, especially when it comes to using my voice effectively.

Our voice, typically in tune with our emotions, can expose deeper aspects of self-expression, perfectionism, and even the human

desire for acceptance. In the presence of others, our fears about how we might be received (or perceived) can create an atmosphere of insecurity.

How will our external voice sound to others? What if we say something foolish? And if we are being uniquely ourselves, will we be judged negatively?

Uncomfortable situations, such as public speaking or conversing with strangers, often trigger this instinctual response because we feel a lack of safety. Despite recognizing the fear and discomfort that sometimes come with using my voice in a public setting, I have done signiicant work not to let any preconceived reservations hold me back. I have learned to navigate the luctuations of my thoughts, balancing what I feel called to share and how it can best be delivered.

Activating my voice has been a challenging and rewarding journey of consistently continuing to show up, both despite and considering

About the Author

As the Founder of The Conscious Publicist®, Ashley Graham's mission is to guide and inspire people. Her overarching goal is to assist others in unlocking their limitless potential, enabling them to share their brilliance and expertise with the world. With a deep belief in the power of storytelling, Ashley is dedicated to helping clients build meaningful connections and relationships. She considers her work's "people relations" aspect to be vital in fostering a more conscious and sustainable world.

By guiding clients in developing the necessary practices and strategies to align their connections

the possibilities. After all, the connection we seek in communication isn't always within our control. Success is dependent not only on the message delivered but also on the space we create for our listeners to come to their own understanding.

Navigating the delicate balance of audience interpretation, your message acts as a looking glass, relecting how your authentic voice resonates with others. This interaction offers invaluable insights, sharpening your understanding and mastery of your voice. Each piece of feedback will shape your expression, making it more impactful with every step forward. Gradually, this journey will amplify your capacity to convey your thoughts and ultimately draw your audience closer to the heart of your message.

with their goals, Ashley aims to shape a future where conscious living is the norm. With her passion for conscious living and dedication to empowering purpose-driven businesses, Ashley is creating a more conscious and sustainable future. Through TCP, she ampliies the voices of those seeking to make a positive impact, helping them share their stories authentically and effectively. With a commitment to growth, resilience, and personal development, Ashley is a leader who continues to evolve, inspiring others on their entrepreneurial paths.

What You Don’t Know About Women Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries

Wrien By Donna Rosa

Women's History Month ushers' women across the globe into the limelight and advocates for women's equality. Yet, we're overlooking millions of women as if they were invisible: female entrepreneurs in developing countries . They are unseen and unheard outside the international aid community, but they are a quiet, hardworking, and productive force.

I've come to know their stories and sorrows, struggles and successes. I'm a business coach for entrepreneurs in emerging economies, and before I discovered this calling, I never knew it was a thing. I'd spent the bulk of my career in the corporate world, wanting to give back to society but not knowing how. Over time I realized that I'd accumulated a measure of business experience,

and I could either die with it in my head or share it with those who would most beneit from it.

Eventually, I found my way into international development, supporting microenterprises in low-income countries. I saw a key success factor being overlooked: while small business owners were provided technical support and sometimes inancing, they were not being taught day-to-day business management or planning. So I stepped in to ill the gap.

I love this work because it takes so little to make a massive difference in people's businesses--and lives. And I love entrepreneurs because they are like sponges, eager to absorb everything they possibly can, and grateful for the help. They are exceedingly strong and resilient,

and they don't realize it. They are my heroes.

THE ENTREPRENEURIAL LANDSCAPE

When you think of entrepreneurship in poor countries you might envision a woman selling crafts or vegetables in a local market. Of course there's that—a lot of it. However, entrepreneurs fall along a continuum, from lowincome solopreneurs to small established businesses to high-tech innovators seeking global venture capital. All are found in the developing world, but here I focus on those I work with, microenterprises with 1-10 employees.

While we in the West tend to glorify entrepreneurship (especially

EXELEON SPOTLIGHT

startups) it's just the opposite in many poor countries. Steady wagepaying full-time jobs are rare and prestigious. Since there are few jobs available even for the educated, the only way to make a living is to igure out how to sell something. Such business owners are called “entrepreneurs of necessity.”

I work with both male and female entrepreneurs, and many of the problems they face traverse gender. If you think entrepreneurship is hard, try doing it in a developing country. They deal with innumerable annoying obstacles that shouldn't be issues, like lack of (or intermittent) electricity or clean running water. If they are fortunate enough to have access, it's expensive. Every day they cope with poor infrastructure, extremely limited resources, little or no access to capital, unpaved roads, expensive distribution, old equipment that constantly needs repair, and unreliable suppliers and labor. It's lonely at the bottom.

Underlying all this is the most insidious problem of all: they most simply don't know how to manage a business, however small. How could they? There are no Small Business Administrations that give free assistance and advice. Unstable, under-resourced governments burden businesses with regulations and red tape and thwart businessenabling environments. Aid agencies, NGOs, and social businesses do provide inancial/resource aid and technical training, but there's just not enough to go around.

Women’s Work

Some time ago the international

donor community igured out that when they enable women, they enable entire communities. Turns out that there's a multiplier effect for resources spent supporting them. When women acquire skills and develop incomes, they use a greater portion of that money for their families and communities than men do. That means better education and health for children, as well as poverty reduction. With that kind of ROI, aid has focused on supporting women in many ways, including business.

With the resulting attention on women, I've had the opportunity to work with both individual female business owners and women's groups. I enjoy both. I marvel at how women seem to come together naturally to support each other, especially in dificult circumstances.

I vividly remember a group I worked with in rural Kenya, where the women took it upon themselves to improve their community after a boy was found dead in an open sewer pit. They began reporting open sewers to the health department, and with that success, initiated all sorts of activities. Projects included sanitation improvement, protecting the local river, advocating for children's' rights, promoting local droughtresistant crops, assistance for young parents on family, maternal and child issues, gender sensitization, trainings in adjacent communities, and helping women generate sustainable incomes.

I was equally impressed by their business smarts: they acquired some grant funds, and instead of simply dividing the money among the members they chose to create a

small enterprise to generate ongoing income for all.

FEMININE BUSINESS BURDENS

There has been signiicant progress for working women and women's rights over the past 50 years. World Bank data indicates that in most countries, women can now sign contracts, open bank accounts, and register businesses, although access to credit is still a problem.

Still, women face obstacles that men do not. Some are cultural and others are simply discriminatory, but either way, women are systematically excluded from economic opportunities, and it prevents them from developing their businesses.

The uneven playing ield starts in the playground: girls have less access to education than boys. When they marry their needs can be subordinated. If a woman does manage to create a small business, she adds that on top of her responsibilities for child-rearing and running the home.

It can be dificult for businesswomen to access muchneeded credit in the developing world, which is interesting since women are far less likely than men to default on loans. A report by the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi) states that “Seventy percent of formal women owned SMEs in developing countries are either shut out of inancial institutions or can't get the capital they need.” That makes women's businesses smaller, less proitable, and slower growing than their male counterparts. Understandably, they tend to be

more concerned with business survival rather than growth.

Legally women are routinely discriminated against in family, land rights, and labor laws. These regulations can be worse for women entrepreneurs than the business laws: they determine whether women can make independent economic decisions, enter contracts, or own, manage, or inherit assets and property. Loans, for example, usually require collateral. Because men can own land and other assets and women often can't, they are immediately excluded from opportunities to borrow.

Other factors play a role, too. Women frequently lack the business networks, contacts, and access to markets to build successful businesses. They open

businesses without management skills, education, training, or experience.

BUSINESSWOMEN RISING

Despite the uphill battle, I have high hopes for women entrepreneurs in developing nations. They are both determined and undeterred. If we arm them with skills, encouragement, and funding they have a ighting chance. They deserve not just support, but admiration.

It's important to note that developing-country entrepreneurs need the right form of assistance for their businesses to thrive. I ind they do best when they learn key concepts in the context of their own businesses rather than large scale, one-off generalized training; it's dificult for them to go home and

apply what they learn after a workshop. That's why I prefer oneone or small group coaching, which enables me to learn the ins and outs of each business and provide the handholding and encouragement they need to develop selfconidence and achieve proitability.

If you are part of a business with a social mission, CSR program or ESG mandate consider lending some brain trust, inancing, or mentorship to developing-country women entrepreneurs. Your knowhow can make a big difference with even a small investment.

For more information on Donna and her work visit www.efourenterprises.com and www.donnamrosa.com

About the Author

Donna Rosa is Founder and Chief Entrepreneurship

Oficer of EFour Enterprises LLC. EFour stands for Empowering Entrepreneurs in Emerging Economies, providing remote business coaching tailored to the special needs of entrepreneurs in developing countries.

Donna spent most of her career in the food industry. She eventually transitioned into international development, working with microenterprises and small businesses to reduce poverty in Africa, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Central America, the Middle East, and Russia.

In addition to her work with entrepreneurs, Donna

is heavily involved in improving global food security. She founded and manages the Food Science for Relief and Development (FSRD) program under the International Division of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). In 2023, Donna was the recipient of IFT's Humanitarian Award for Service to the Science of Food in honor of Elizabeth Fleming Stier. She has also written a book chapter on careers in this emerging ield.

Donna currently mentors' women entrepreneurs in Africa under the FAO-IAFN Women SMEs Accelerator Program and serves on several nonproit boards related to international development.

FemaleEntrepreneurs ChangingtheGame

Amid the cacophony of the business world's hustle and bustle, a silent revolution brews – one led by female entrepreneurs who are not just participating in the game but are fundamentally altering its dynamics. This transformation goes beyond mere numbers; it's about the qualitative shift in outlook, approach, and impact that women are bringing to the entrepreneurial landscape.

PIONEERING INNOVATION IN TECHNOLOGY

At the heart of this revolution lie women who are not just breaking into tech but are reshaping its frontiers.

Artiicial Intelligence and Machine Learning : In the innovative sphere of AI voice cloning, female entrepreneurs are leading by example. For instance, Sarah, a ictitious but representative entrepreneur, has developed cutting-edge AI voice cloning software, augmented by AI video technology, tailored for educational content.

This software allows educators globally to create personalized lesson plans spoken in their voice, scaling individualized learning opportunities without compromising the personal touch. Sarah's initiative is revolutionizing how educational content is delivered and experienced, showcasing the transformative power of women in tech. Another example is Fei-Fei Li, co-director of Stanford University's Human-Centered AI Institute, who is leading critical advancements in AI, emphasizing ethical implications and humane applications.

Cybersecurity : Trailblazers such as Katie Moussouris, Founder of Luta Security, specializing in vulnerability coordination and bug bounty programs, are not only securing the digital realm but also ensuring inclusivity and diversity within it.

Video Editing and Production : A real-life example from the realm of digital video production is Nancy Abraham, co-head of HBO's Documentary and Family Programming. Throughout her illustrious career, Nancy has been pivotal in producing and releasing critically acclaimed documentaries that use tech innovations in video production and editing to their maximum potential. Her transformative work exempliies a harmonious blend of storytelling and technical brilliance, demonstrating the essential role female leaders play in the everevolving landscape of video content.

TRANSFORMING FUNDING LANDSCAPES

The funding terrain, once tough terrain for female-led ventures, is witnessing a paradigm shift, thanks to both the emergence of women-centric venture funds and the increasing acknowledgment of the value

driven by women entrepreneurs.

VENTURE FUNDS FOR WOMEN

Ÿ BBG Ventures : An earlystage fund focused on consumer internet and mobile startups with at least one female founder.

Ÿ Female Founders Fund (F3) : Investing in female-led technology companies, F3 is reshaping how investor's view gender diversity in startups.

DRIVING SUSTAINABLE AND SOCIAL ENTERPRISES

Female entrepreneurs are at the forefront of intertwining proitability with purpose, emphasizing sustainable practices and social impact as core business strategies.

Ÿ Eco-Friendly Fashion : Stella McCartney has been a pioneer in sustainable luxury fashion, championing ecofriendly practices long before they became a trend.

Ÿ Social Impact Ventures : Jessica O. Matthews, the founder of Uncharted Power, which harnesses kinetic energy for clean, consistent power access in underserved communities worldwide.

CULTIVATING COLLABORATIVE ECOSYSTEMS

At the core of the silent revolution sweeping through the entrepreneurial landscape, lies a deep-seated commitment to cultivating collaborative, rather than purely competitive, ecosystems. This paradigm shift is about creating and nurturing spaces where women can thrive together — breaking away from the traditional cutthroat business cultures that have often marginalized or ignored female achievement and potential. These collaborative environments are fertile grounds for innovation, empowerment, and sustainable growth, embodying the very essence of what this revolution is about inclusivity, mutual support, and shared success.

FORUMS AND NETWORKING GROUPS: NURTURING SPACES FOR GROWTH

In pursuit of these ideals, dynamic forums and networking groups have emerged, designed to connect, support, and elevate female entrepreneurs. These platforms provide invaluable opportunities for learning, mentorship, and collaboration, fostering a sense of community and belonging among women navigating the complexities of

entrepreneurship. They are not

just spaces for transactional interactions but are built on the principles of empathy, advocacy, and genuine support.

SheEO : Standing out as a beacon of collective empowerment, SheEO represents a global community steadfast in supporting, inancing, and celebrating female entrepreneurs. It operates on a revolutionary “radical generosity” model, where contributors, referred to as “Activators”, pool their resources to fund and support women-led ventures. Beyond inancial assistance, SheEO offers mentorship, networking connections, and strategic advice, creating a robust ecosystem where female entrepreneurs can lourish.

Lean In Circles : Inspired by Sheryl Sandberg's Lean In movement, Lean In Circles are intimate groups that meet regularly to foster encouragement and support among women at various stages of their professional and entrepreneurial journeys. These circles operate on the principles of conidentiality and trust, providing a safe space for sharing experiences, challenges, and triumphs. The unique structure of Lean In Circles emphasizes peer mentorship and accountability, ensuring

members not only receive support but also give back by uplifting others within the group.

These forums and groups are more than just meetings or social networks; they are transformative communities that inspire women to dream bigger, persevere through challenges, and succeed together. By prioritizing collaboration over competition, these platforms are emblematic of a broader shift towards a more inclusive, supportive, and sustainable approach to entrepreneurship. They exemplify how collective action and shared vision can lead to meaningful change, not just for individual women but for the business ecosystem as a whole.

REDEFINING LEADERSHIP

This revolution brings forth leaders who embody empathy, resilience, and a vision that extends beyond the bottom line, setting new precedents for what effective leadership looks like.

Ÿ Emotional Intelligence : More than ever, female leaders are leveraging emotional intelligence as a powerful tool for navigating the complexities of business and leadership.

Ÿ Inclusive Decision Making : Inclusion is not just a

buzzword but a strategic approach that female entrepreneurs are embedding into their leadership models, recognizing the value of diverse perspectives and experiences.

THE FUTURE IS FEMALE

The narrative of the silent revolution is continuously being written by women who dare to dream, innovate, and challenge the status quo. Their journeys signify a departure from traditional pathways to success in entrepreneurship, embracing a holistic, inclusive, and sustainable approach to business. This revolution is not merely a trend but a sustainable movement towards a more equitable and progressive business world, signaling a promising future where the game is no longer the same because of the indelible mark left by female entrepreneurs.

In sum, the silent revolution is a testament to the power of female entrepreneurship not just in reshaping industries but in crafting a more inclusive, empathetic, and sustainable future for all. Through their innovative ventures, ethical leadership, and collaborative networks, these women are not just changing the game; they are setting the stage for a new era in business.

Taking a Closer Look at the Importance of Female Mentorship

Wrien by Liz Toombs

The phrase “be who you needed when you were younger” plays on loop in my head. I don't recall when I irst heard it or who said it. What I do know, however, is how much it resonates with me. That simple phrase is a powerful guideline for the decisions that I make both personally and professionally. It echoes in my mind when I interact with my nieces. It is the driver for how I lead my team members, and it is the “why” behind the mentoring focus of PDR Interiors, an interior decorating irm I manage and founded nearly 15 years ago.

One thing that intrigues me about the phrase is that the term “younger” is relative. When I was in my 20s, it would make me think of

myself as a young child, likely elementary school age. Then in my 30s, I began to identify my younger self as college-aged Liz. Now that I'm in my 40s, that word brings to mind my early days as a young working professional. Who and what I needed at each of those junctures in life looked very different. I am extremely fortunate to have had some exceptional female role models over the years who taught me so much and helped shape my outlook on life across multiple fronts.

WHO I NEEDED?

My paternal grandmother was a nurturer. She was a teacher by profession. Many of my brightest childhood memories took place in

her presence or at her home. I watched her host gatherings for her friends and make special efforts to stay connected with them via phone calls and by sending thoughtful cards in the mail. She saw the creative side of me and encouraged my artistic nature. She modeled how spending time connecting with people makes them feel seen and understood.

In college, I worked part time as a nanny for several families. A commonality those families shared was working mothers, many of whom owned their own business. It was inspiring to witness their respective successes as hairdressers, realtors, and attorneys. I was immersed in their homes helping them take care of

EXELEON SPOTLIGHT

their children and absorbed the stories they told about their life experiences. Hearing them talk about how they got their start and witness how far they'd come was highly impactful while completing my college education and deciding what path to take myself.

As a young professional, I encountered a group of amazing women that were worthy of emulation. One of the most special among them was Lulu, a client I worked with for over a decade. She had a penchant for mentoring and fostering young talent throughout her life.

She came to me with wild ideas for her home and had full conidence that I would igure out how to make them come to fruition. Her belief in me gave me the conidence to try new things and explore design options that I would not have considered otherwise.

Very few of the moments I shared with these women were formal appointments with a goal to discuss a certain topic or for me to learn a new life skill. Most of these moments just happened and I didn't recognize how much they shaped me until many years later.

Mentorship is rarely an oficial arrangement. Instead, like my stories, it's a relationship fostered naturally where one woman teaches, encourages, or shares her life experiences with another. I recognize how each of these mentors gave me conidence to get to the next stage of my life. When I examine how I approach

relationships in my life, I see the relections of each of these special women.

THE EFFECT OF MENTORSHIP

I am an extroverted introvert. I like to engage one-on-one or in small groups to have more intimate conversation and connection with people. I adore sending a handwritten note to someone, whether that be to thank them for a gift or just to let them know they are special to me. When a friend shares a dream or goal, she has for herself, I am right there cheering her on and helping igure out how to make it happen. This is a direct result of my grandmother's inluence.

I am contacted regularly by numerous young professionals about breaking into the design ield. I would be lying if I told you I'm thrilled every time I get an inquiry. Sometimes, I'm in the thick of my busy season and the last thing I perceive having time for is interviewing or creating space for a new team member. At the very least though, I always take a coffee meeting. Do you know what happens every time? The conversation gives me a sense of purpose. When I talk about my career path, I am reminded that all the experiences I have had happened for a reason. Even if that reason is only to share it with someone else to help them as they navigate the same situation, just as the moms I nannied for shared with me 20 years ago.

I lead a small team of designers and

interns at PDR. I honestly prefer a smaller irm over a large company environment, back to the extroverted introvert thing! My style of leadership is to let my people have ownership of their project as I don't want to micromanage. I offer them guidance when needed and help them with any hurdles, but otherwise I want them to have autonomy in their work. My belief is that this style of work lets them learn the most effectively. If they make a mistake, they recognize that mistake is theirs and now know how to avoid it in the future. If they have a win, that is their win. They can celebrate it and be proud of themselves. I believe that letting somebody have the space to igure it out on their own makes them a better designer and professional. I credit Lulu for that philosophy.

WHO NEEDS YOU?

I challenge you to examine the areas in your life where you could mentor those coming up behind you. Who did you need when you were younger? How can you be that to the young women you encounter? Maybe you see opportunity with your children, coworkers, or fellow book club members. I assure you there are plenty of people out there who could beneit from your experience if you would only share it. In closing, my recommendation is be proactive and give it a shot. I have no doubt it will be one of the best decisions you've ever made.

About the Author

Liz Toombs is a Certiied Interior Decorator and the Owner/Lead Decorator for PDR Interiors, a irm she launched nearly 15 years ago in Lexington, Kentucky. She is known as the go-to decorator for sorority interiors on college campuses. The work of Toombs and the PDR Interiors team can be seen on more than 100 college campuses across 25 states in all regions of the country. She is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and an alumna of Alpha Gamma Delta. Mentoring women is a keystone of PDR, something Toombs learned to value through her fraternity experience.

Dr. Kristal Lau

Dr. Kristal Lau on Postpartum Wellness and Leadership

Read this exclusive interview with Dr. Kristal Lau, where she shares her journey and vision for postpartum wellness and leadership.

What according to you makes one transformational? How do you integrate the same thought into your leadership?

I view this trait as having the ability to evolve in both our personal and professional journeys and lifting others up along the way. Change is the only constant so knowing when and how to pivot and evolve while still caring for those around us is the mark of a transformational leader. It takes a special person to nurture others as they themselves are doing dificult inner work.

As a leader, I strive to walk the talk. I embrace change when I notice a shift happening - in my personal life and as an entrepreneur. I make it a point to talk about it too! It helps my peers and my target audience relate to me as someone like them whom they can trust to lead them towards better outcomes.

Can you share a bit about your journey from being a physician to becoming a postpartum wellness consultant?

I never wanted to be a doctor. So, I took a chance and quit my medical career when I chose to move with my husband due to his work. I tried to pivot into another career, but I couldn't ind anything I liked. But I've always wanted to be an author and business owner, so during my second pregnancy, I wrote and published my book 'Postpartum 30' to pass down my cultural Chinese coninement postpartum practice to my children.

As I was writing my book, I also started helping moms navigate their postpartum journey based on my personal experiences and my medical, public health, and scientiic background. I realised I was on to something!

The postpartum industry didn't (and still doesn't) have many streamlined guides for health and service providers when I started and postpartum wellness isn't an established industry or ield either. So, I created this niche position of 'Postpartum Wellness Consultant' for myself to ill the gap!

What inspired you to found Bridges In Health, and what are its core missions?

I want my daughters to be valued as mothers if they choose to start families in the future. I want them to live in a future where mothers and families have everything they need to thrive in our modern world. I want them to grow up differently than I did, where I was fed narratives about how 'motherhood destroys a woman'.

So I created Bridges In Health with a mission to disrupt the status quo in postpartum, maternal, and family wellness by redeining industry and policy standards, and to become the leading global authority in postpartum, maternal, and family wellness, setting the stage for change for the future generation of mothers and families.

Can you explain how Bridges In Health delivers a 360° holistic postpartum and maternal wellness experience?

Bridges In Health has two target audiences - something that goes against the grain of regular business advice. We work with professionals, leaders, and organizations to help them provide the best for the mothers and families they serve. And we work directly with mothers and families to deliver coaching and other programs.

Things we learn from both audiences are used to inform all our consulting and coaching services and programs - this is how we're able to provide a full holistic experience. We're the literal 'Bridge' that connects both our target audiences' worlds.

We also approach wellness through evidence-based practices, and we take into account the realistic needs of mothers and families when we deliver our consulting and coaching services i.e. we make recommendations and create plans based on a mother and her family's inances, their available support system, local policies, and local health systems.

As an author, can you share a bit about the topics you cover and how your publications support your mission in maternal wellness?

My book 'Postpartum 30' has a speciic message: bridging traditional Chinese coninement postpartum practice with modern postpartum care. I write about the origins of this traditional and cultural practice and challenge aspects of it such as the need to include fathers and husbands in the childbirth recovery process.

I also give recommendations on how to adapt the practice to our modern lives. This is an important topic for women like me who have migrated from the East to the West and there's a desire to preserve our heritage in our motherhood journey. It's also important for the future generation of East Asian mothers or those in mixed families to have a reference of this cultural practice to help them continue this practice.

My book is my stepping-stone to growing my work in postpartum wellness. It sets the tone for how cultural practices are here to stay and modern postpartum care needs to include cultural considerations into their postpartum programs. My book also describes how a cultural postpartum practice can be tailored to match the unique lifestyle of mothers and their families. It ties in with our holistic approach!

How do you plan to expand or evolve the services offered by Bridges In Health to meet the changing needs of mothers and families?

One of my core business values is “Collaboration, Not Competition”. The task of raising the next generation is complex and multilayered, so it's impossible for one business, or one industry to claim to have the answer for mothers and families. This is why I use collaboration to grow and evolve my business through partnerships and projects.

I've also never liked how businesses are taught to do “Competitor Research” and get into a cycle of out-doing one another. So, I

perform “Collaborator Research” instead to identify major, minor, and upcoming players within and outside my industry. And I assess how we can work together to serve our target beneiciaries, mothers and their families.

What advice would you give to new mothers navigating the postpartum period?

Trust your instincts despite the chaos that reigns during this vulnerable and intense lifechanging moment. And ind your tribe to nurture your instincts. Our modern world has unfortunately been designed to challenge your natural instincts so it will take effort to stand your ground. Remember to include a trusted health provider in your tribe so that you have someone to help you debunk misinformation and someone to get good scientiic information from.

Dr Kristal Lau invites you to join her in a monthly discussion to “Shape a Better Future for Mothers and Families”. Join her here in the Postpartum Progress Monthly - a curated resource for professionals and industry leaders illed with insights about postpartum wellness and postnatal care.

A JOURNEY OF STRENGTH WITH PVOLVE

Written by Rachel Katzman

It's 2016. I'm living in New York City and, like so many others, bouncing around the thriving boutique itness studio scene. Despite all the time I put into my workouts, I still found myself unsatisied with my results - and worse, I was in pain. A diagnosis of scoliosis soon followed, and I knew that my lifestyle would have to change.

That is when I was introduced to functional itness, which emphasizes moving in a way that supports your body for everyday life - before I knew it, my body felt strong, mobile, and energized. Feeling inspired, I began

assembling a team to put the pieces together for Pvolve, a low-impact workout methodology that abandons the notion that itness must be punishing to be effective.

We started with a small studio in Chinatown, NYC, where we offered classes and a camera on a tripod to ilm the workouts for uploading. We developed a suite of patented resistance-based products to pair with the functional movements. Leading with science was important to me. We brought on a team of Doctors, Clinicians, Physical Therapists, and PHDs to help validate the method and help push the upper limits on what this

profound way of moving could do for our members.

Since then, we have built a digital platform with over 1,300 ondemand workouts that feature everything from classic Strength & Sculpt and Progressive Weight Training classes to workouts designed for women's unique and evolving physiologies. This includes pelvic loor training, workouts for the phases of the menstrual cycle, and a menopause series intended to mitigate the often-debilitating symptoms that accompany the transition into menopause.

In seven years, we have opened

eight studios across the US and Canada and have over twenty-ive in development through our franchise partners. We have undergone three clinical trials that underscore the eficacy of the method. And most importantly, we have an incredible community of thousands of members worldwide who have transformed their bodies and their relationships with itness through Pvolve.

In 2023, I had my biggest “pinchme” moment of all, when our most famous member, Jennifer Aniston, came aboard the company in an oficial capacity. She now helps advise on content

and programming and stars in our ad campaigns.

What started as a personal quest to ind a workout that would give me results without pain, has grown into a solution for many women with various goals and sensitivities. And while it's hard to believe it's been seven years; it's thrilling to know how bright the future is ahead.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rachel Katzman is the Founder of Pvolve, an omnichannel itness company with a science-led method that pairs low-impact, functional movement, and patented resistance equipment to sculpt, strengthen, and restore the body. Rachel launched the company in 2017 and remains a leading force within the female-led company. Known for her customer-centric leadership style, Rachel drives the brand's creative vision forward, elevating the overall

member experience and growing the global digital platform. Before Pvolve, Rachel founded Cuvee Beauty, a champagne-based haircare line, in 2016 and sold it in 2019. Rachel has been recognized in top publications such as Forbes, Marie Claire, and Women's Health. She was also honored on Inc. Magazine's list of “2023's Most Dynamic Entrepreneurs” and the “2023 Entreprenista 100.”

Morgan McCarver

Crafting Stories with Ceramics

What according to you makes one transformational? How do you integrate the same thought into your leadership?

I believe being transformational is really a two-sided question. Firstly, if you are transformational, then you have gone through a transformation yourself.

Secondly, to be transformational means to be an integral catalyst for encouraging transformation in others. Undergoing scoliosis spinal fusion surgery as a young teenager was my biggest transformational experience. That experience ultimately led me to discovering my passion for ceramics, which has taken me on this journey for the rest of my life.

Physically, I was transformed to have a rigid posture for the rest of my life, but mentally, I also became closed off and very introverted. This doesn't sound like the origin story of a leader, but after a decade of seeing the shy and timid individual I had become, I was able to

recognize the beauty in my story and inally feel comfortable sharing it.

This second transformation allowed me to come out of my shell and sing the praises of beauty through my pain. I was able to see how my trauma was a necessity for my testimony. Now, I can't help but share my story with others in the hopes of helping them too. My goal through my art, book, and experiences is that I can be that integral catalyst for encouraging transformation in others.

I want to encourage people to discover their own creativity and to see the goodness in their own lives. This is how I try to lead—by encouraging those around me to recognize their creativity and ind joy in the talents and passions that God has given them.

Could you share the journey that led you to become both a ceramist and a stitchery artist?

I've always looked for a creative

outlet. When I was little, both of my parents worked, so my grandmother kept me. She would make homemade play dough on the stove and let me help her color it with food coloring. Then we'd sit and play for hours. I say that's my earliest start with a clay-like medium. Both of my grandmothers also taught me to sew by hand and machine as well.

As I got older, I was involved in competitive dance. Dance was my identity, my friend group, my exercise, and my creative passion. It was all taken away from me though when I had scoliosis spinal fusion surgery at age 14. I had 3 s-curves in my spine that were only getting worse by degrees over time. Even though I wore a corrective back brace for 3 years, my spine was still getting worse. It was also rotating, affecting my organs. My lung capacity was the irst thing to be inhibited, and the doctors knew my spine would only continue to get worse. I was praying that I wouldn't have to have the surgery, but that wasn't the story God had for me.

After the surgery where the doctors fused my entire spine with 2 titanium rods and 18 screws, I had a yearlong recovery process where I wasn't supposed to bend, twist, pick up anything over 10 pounds, jump, and especially dance.

This year was such a challenge for me because I was physically and mentally changed, and my creative outlet was forbidden. I ended up taking a summer pottery class and immediately fell in love. I found freedom in my relationship with clay. It had the lexibility I could no longer ind in my own body. I kept taking class after class and eventually went to college for ceramics. I have my degree from South Carolina School of the Arts, Anderson University, SC.

Upon graduation I oficially started my own business Morgan McCarver Porcelain. For over a decade I didn't talk about my scoliosis experience. I didn't want to share my story. I wanted to blend in as “normal.” I started to realize though that God gave me this story for a reason.

Looking back on that experience over 13 years later, I'm able to see that God allowed me to have the surgery so that I could discover my love for pottery. My passion for ceramics has taken me farther than dance ever could have. At the time, I thought dance was the best thing for me, but God had something so much better for me. What felt like the worst thing to happen to me ended up being my turning point. Through ceramics I've been able to share my story and the amazing work that God has done in my life, and now I have written a book called “God the Artist” that unpacks the creativity of God as well as gives an inspirational account of pottery

and how it is referenced in the Bible.

Can you describe the primary themes and inspirations behind your ceramic and stitchery work?

Like the female mentors in my life, native wildlowers have always been near to me; I just have to seek them out. Women have historically been compared to delicate lowers; I reinterpret that symbolism by allowing the porcelain wildlower imagery to represent a woman's inner strength. I apply my drawings as transfers similar to a seamstress overlaying patterns and designs on a dress form. Individuality within the identical is found through surface design.

Hexagons embody the human desire to control organic. The hexagon verges on circular, but still upholds rigid angles. Similarly, the organic female silhouette adapts to cultural beauty standards through rigid stays and corsetry.

My experiences with scoliosis corrective back bracing and surgery allow me to empathize with my corset-wearing ancestors. Metal rods and boning are ingredients for both corsetry and scoliosis surgery. My back brace was painful but designed to correct my form. The surgery straightened my spine permanently with metal screws and rods.

Similarly, the Victorian corsetry was designed to “perfect” the female

body through constricting boning. My “S” curve needed to be straightened, while Victorian women used their corsets to enhance their curves.

Inner strength has a different meaning for everyone. For me, it's learning from my female ancestors and mentors, relying on my Faith, and building from my own experiences.

My work relects the delicacy that is associated with women, porcelain, and lowers, but it also reveals the natural strengths of these three as well.

What challenges do you face in your creative process, and how do you overcome them?

Probably the biggest challenge I

face in the studio is my physical limitations. Moving boxes of pottery around get heavy and taxing. I'm trying to be better at listening to those signals from my body instead of ignoring them and pushing through the pain—that's how I've ended up breaking toes, developing tendonitis, and messing up my knee. It can be a ight against yourself to stop doing what you love and take a break, but it's better in the long run to preserve your body for future decades of art making.

Also, there are many hazards in the ceramic studio; for example, breathing in clay dust can lead to silicosis, and most dry glaze materials should not be inhaled. Several ingredients can cause cancer. The kiln fumes are also harmful…all that to say it's

important I take the proper precautions to protect myself from the dangerous side of my craft.

Other challenges include being willing to take the risk and deciding on which risks taking. There are a lot of opportunities in the art world, but they all won't be a good it, so doing research to decide how beneicial something might be is always a good idea.

My advice is that if you've researched and believe you can pull it off, then go for it! Why not apply? That mentality has given me some amazing experiences. Of course I get rejected too, but I don't let myself focus on that. I am always looking to what is ahead and planning for the next application.

How do you engage with your audience and the wider community through your art?

Participating in shows, residencies, and festivals is a great way for the community to meet me, the artist, instead of just seeing my art. I love these events because they allow me to get feedback from the community on my work as well.

When it is not show season, I have work in about 10 galleries and shops in the Carolinas and Tennessee, so my work is always available for purchase. Recently I've been doing book signings with the release of my new book, “God the Artist: Revealing God's Creative Side Through Pottery.” These signings, and the book in general, have allowed me to connect with my audience on a whole new and personal way, as well as broaden my community and reach a wider audience as well.

I also actively serve in my church and recently was able to offer wheel throwing classes for the middle and high school students. Being able to teach students who are the same age I was when I discovered pottery truly allowed me to come full circle and be able to give back. I was able to give these students an introductory experience to a creative process that could be as transformational for them as it was for me. It was an honor to be able to provide that experience for them and watch them connect with the clay and fall in love with ceramics like I did all those years ago.

How has your art evolved over time, and where do you see it heading in the future?

The beauty of life is that we're always evolving, growing and changing, so naturally this is relected in my art. Sometimes my work evolves from a customer feedback approach—changing a handle to better suit the customer for example. Sometimes my work evolves based on the statement I want to make.

My wildlower designs are a relatively new body of work for me, only a couple of years old. I say that wildlowers are my favorite lowers because they are such an unexpected surprise. I love seeing them on my drive through the mountains or on a walk. No one plants them or cultivates them. No gardener makes sure they have enough sunlight or water. Wildlowers look delicate but have an inner strength to them that is so beautiful. They grow for no one but God. They aren't trying to please anyone. They simply grow in their own beauty whether anyone ever sees them or not. Some also have defense mechanisms too, for

example thistles have thorns for protection. This commentary on the balance between visible delicate beauty and unexpected inner strength is really where my work is seated. In the same way, porcelain looks delicate - and is to some degree - but it is also beautifully strong. It has speciic strengths that make it ideal for use in bathroom sinks and toilets. It is used in some bone transplants. It has also been used in elements on rocket ships. There is a hidden strength there that gets overlooked. Similarly with Victorian women, they were supposed to look and be beautiful, but they still had such intellect and hidden power.

As a female artist I relate to and draw from these examples. Because of my scoliosis surgery, I appear delicate. I am not as strong as most ceramic artists. Lifting a 50-pound box of clay is my limit. While physically I appear delicate, I too have a hidden strength that empowers me to make my art and write “God the Artist.” I've learned I can't dwell on my limitations, rather I should focus on my strengths. My hope is that my work empowers and inspires others to recognize the beauty in their own lives and to ind their balance between delicacy and strength.

Who's to say how my art evolves in the future? The beauty of the present is not knowing and being allowed to discover the journey as I go. Right now, this is my art, and this is the message I'm designed to share, but I can't wait to see how my work changes in the coming years and what statement I'll be making then!

Are there any upcoming projects, exhibitions, or workshops that you're excited about?

Always! I have a solo exhibition coming up in April that I'm preparing for right now. I'll also begin hosting Christian small groups in my studio space for a weekly pottery lesson and study of “God the Artist.”

I've also been invited back to Edgewood Cottage for the third consecutive year as an Artist in Residence with the Blowing Rock Historical Society. This program is very unique in that artists are given a week to transform a historically preserved cottage into an art gallery. There are artist teams that rotate weekly throughout the summer, and this year I'll be selling my ceramics in the Cottage May 27June 2, 2024.

I'm always thinking and planning new projects, so follow me on social media to see what I'm up to. Of course, I'll also be participating in shows and festivals again in the fall.

How can individuals and collectors best support your work?

Please visit my website www.MorganMcCarver.com From there, you can shop for my ceramics on my Etsy and Faire sites, see a complete list of the shops and galleries that carry my work, sign up for my newsletter, connect with me on social media, see pictures of my work, and buy my book! I love connecting over art and creativity, so please don't hesitate to reach out with questions, inquiries about custom orders, or just for artrelated conversation!

Revolutionizing Women’s Health

The Need for Gastrointestinal Solutions

Wrien by Aja McCutchen

As a female gastroenterologist having treated now approximately 40,000 women, I have irsthand witnessed the grim realities of a woman's experience in the traditional healthcare system.

Women are twice as likely to experience irritable bowel syndrome, a disturbance of the brain gut axis, compared to men. Women also experience increased risk of pelvic loor disturbances, alternating bowel habits with constipation and diarrhea, bloating as well as diseases such as gallstones.

Irritable bowel syndrome, for example, is intensiied around menstrual cycles with 70% of women experiencing a shift in symptoms, yet little data exist on the optimal management and understanding of the exact mechanisms of these illnesses.

It was not until the past decade, that we began to formally guide our

women with dietary and therapeutic recommendations for their functional bowel symptoms, such as the FODMAP diet. In addition to the lack of therapies, we know that there is a decreased awareness of gender speciic symptoms and a stark lack of accessible solutions.

The data shows, and I have witnessed, that 46% OF THE FEMALE POPULUATION experience gut health issues with a signiicant portion unmanaged. We know that women and men are anatomically and hormonally unique, with women sharing anatomical space with their digestive organs and their reproductive organs, yet we have very little research to help guide our therapies! In addition to the lack of data in women speciic digestive illness, women are more likely to experience dismissals and delays in diagnosis, with an average wait time of 24-26 days to see a GI specialist or an OB/GYN.

This underscores the urgent need for gender sensitive research, structural and societal reform, and deliberate strategies to address the unmet needs of our women suffering from digestive illnesses.

The Impact of Unresolved Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Women

While it's true that women have a longer life expectancy than men, it's also known that women are more likely to bear the negative impacts of chronic illness both personally and socially. Studies have shown that women are more likely to experience dismissal of symptoms, delays in diagnosis and suffer higher rates of chronic illness, inancial loss and morbidity. Gut health is a major contributor to women's disease burden. Overall. Gut health represents a $140B market with GI patients costing employers 3 to 8 times more than a healthy adult.

th

Gi issues are the 4 largest driver of employee related healthcare cost. On average, women are spending $7,000 per year for common GI symptoms, adding a signiicant inancial burden to households. Women suffering from GI issues are looking for solutions to restore their control and choice.

Our Journey to Help Close Gender Gaps in Women's Digestive Health

In January of 2023, myself along with two women physician cofounders embarked upon a journey to enter the fem-tech space to address the unmet needs of women and their digestive symptoms. As women physician founders with combined 50+ years of experience, we were stunned by the ABSENCE of physician founders in the femtech space.

We also quickly discovered that there were no signiicant gastrointestinal solutions in the femtech market. It was appalling to see such an incredible GAP in a trillion-dollar sector. The numbers speak for themselves as it relates to need for women seeking female

centric digital solutions, as the annual revenue for low app, which just focuses on menstrual cycle, is $100 million.

Entering the femtech market and digital tech space using AI power has been quite a journey. After bootstrapping most of our startup, we encountered the same issues that many physician entrepreneurs and women entrepreneur's encounter.... A lack of funding! To compete in the market, we needed to grow our team... To add members to the team... we needed money.

Our Vision for the Future of Women's Digestive Health

We are hopeful that the recent launch of the Women's Health Initiative in November of 2023 along with the February announcement of $100 M to accelerate women's health research will allow founders like me, researchers, and innovators to help close the glaring gaps in women's digestive diseases.

Throughout our entrepreneurial journey, we have encountered many amazing founders committed to

About the Author

Dr. Mccutchen with a dynamic career spanning 17 years as a gastroenterologist, stands at the forefront of medical innovation and leadership. She has played an instrumental role in the executive sphere, notably as a key igure in establishing the third largest private equity-backed healthcare platform in the United States. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed, earning her multiple accolades including

change the landscape of women's health journeys, from wearables to destigmatizing and validating the lived experiences of women. We know that partnership is key to magnifying the impact of our discoveries. Shared API for example, helps to accelerate our discoveries. In the world of digestive diseases, we are acutely aware of women's hormonal changes that may contribute to the digestive changes that woman experiences, with studies inally underway.

As research emerges on women health, we are beginning to uncover the inluence of the microbiome, changes in diversity of the microbiome and link this to various disease states. I am hopeful that, as we learn more about women's biochemical changes, diet, and lifestyle inluences, microbiome variations and gender differences, we can then begin to create and build personalized therapies that uniquely address the concerns and needs of our women. Our hope is that our motto, Better Gut, Better Woman, will one day be a true household reality.

the prestigious "Physician of the Year" award, a testament to her relentless pursuit of challenging and reshaping industry norms. Her pioneering spirit is further evidenced by her trailblazing roles: the irst Black female to serve on the executive committee and the board of directors for United Digestive, and as the national chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for Independent GI.