Jasmine Minor, Emmy Award-winning journalist at ABC7 Chicago and founder of the Rise Society, joins Rhonda for an inspiring and deeply personal conversation about identity, reinvention, and the power of failure as a catalyst for growth. From playing Division I college tennis and pursuing the US Open to pivoting into journalism with zero experience and eventually becoming a multi-Emmy-winning reporter covering race and culture, Jasmine's story is one of radical resilience and purposeful impact. This episode is a must-listen for every ambitious woman who has ever had to rebuild and discovered something greater on the other side.

Key Takeaways:

• Why learning to fail as an athlete is one of the most transferable skills in business and life
• How Jasmine pivoted from competitive tennis to journalism and what she did to earn her seat at the table
• The importance of redefining success beyond trophies, titles, and accolades
• Why women need curated spaces to breathe, collaborate, and build without competition
• How the Rise Society is bridging the gap between girls in sports and women in the global economy
• What Robin Roberts told Jasmine that she still carries with her today

Meet Jasmine Minor

Jasmine Minor is an Emmy Award-winning journalist at ABC7 Chicago, where she covers race and culture bringing nuance, humanity, and intentionality to stories about underserved and underrepresented communities. A former Division I tennis player, Jasmine earned her master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University and has built a career defined by impact over accolades.

Jasmine is also the founder of the Rise Society, a curated community dedicated to connecting and empowering women leaders, and the Kevin Minor Legacy Fund, which provides scholarships to girls in tennis in honor of her late father. Her upcoming Rise Affair Gala a Wimbledon-inspired event featuring a fireside chat with Robin Roberts of Good Morning America brings her dual missions of women's empowerment and girls in sports together on one stage.

Follow Jasmine on Instagram | Learn more about the Rise Society | Support the Kevin Minor Legacy Fund at minorlegacy.com

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Natalie Plain, founder and CEO of Billion Dollar Beauty, joins Rhonda for a powerful conversation about entrepreneurship, reinvention, intellectual property, and building a brand from the ground up. From interning at the White House during the Clinton administration to producing television in Los Angeles and eventually launching a beauty company, Natalie Plain shares the behind-the-scenes realities of pivoting careers and betting on yourself. This episode is packed with honest insight for ambitious women navigating business growth, personal evolution, and the courage it takes to keep building.

Key Takeaways:

• Why starting from the bottom can become your greatest advantage
• How Natalie Plain transitioned from media and journalism into beauty entrepreneurship
• The importance of protecting trademarks and intellectual property early
• What ambitious women need to know about building long-term, sustainable brands
• Why surrounding yourself with the right people matters in every career transition
• How resilience, adaptability, and self-belief shape successful reinvention

Meet Natalie Plain

Natalie Plain is the CEO and Founder of Billion Dollar Beauty A Consumer Product Goods brand that is distributed throughout, Australia, Asia, Europe and North America. As an industry veteran of over 20 years, Natalie has spun off her fortress of Billion Dollar intellectual property into the launch of Billion Dollar Brands where she owns everything from concept to the consumer experience.

Natalie has developed every vertical in her corporation and continues to break new ground through strategic brand acquisitions, licensing rights and as an author and broadcaster specializing in the field of intellectual property.

As a certified Women Owned company, Natalie studied and earned her trade through mentorship such as serving as a White House intern Working as a ghostwriter for President Bill Clinton and a press correspondent for First Lady Hilary Clinton.

Natalie graduated from California State Long Beach with a B.A. degree and currently resides in Southern California with her husband and two children.

Visit her website | Follow her on Instagram

How She Pivoted

Natalie Plain began her career in journalism and television production, including a White House internship and work in media. But after discovering the confidence and transformation that beauty products could create, she found herself pulled toward entrepreneurship and eventually launched what would become Billion Dollar Beauty.

If Im going to run my business, Im going to run it my way. - Natalie Plain on episode 38 of She Thrives with Rhonda Coleman Wandel

Building the company came with financial risk, business challenges, and trademark battles, but Natalie stayed committed to learning every part of the business from the ground up. Her journey is a reminder that career pivots rarely happen overnight. They happen through curiosity, persistence, and the willingness to keep building even when the path is uncertain.

Insights for Ambitious Women

Throughout the conversation, Natalie shares how success is often built in the moments no one sees. From internships to entrepreneurship, she approached every opportunity as a chance to learn, grow, and strengthen her skill set.

Dont ever tell yourself its too late. - Natalie Plain on episode 38 of She Thrives with Rhonda Coleman Wandel

Natalie also speaks candidly about protecting your intellectual property, taking calculated risks, and surrounding yourself with people who support your vision. Her message for ambitious women is simple but powerful: trust yourself, stay open to growth, and give yoursel

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Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com

Key Takeaways:

• You can pivot your career without starting from scratchskills transfer
• Starting before you feel ready is often the key to growth
• Your network and visibility (even Instagram) can unlock real opportunities
• Profit and purpose can coexist in a meaningful business
• Comparison slows growthfocus on your own path
• Authenticity matters more than audience size in business

Meet Samantha Dockery

Samantha Dockery is the founder of LoveLuvv Sparkling Wines, a luxury sparkling wine brand rooted in culture, celebration, and storytelling. A hospitality entrepreneur and champagne educator, shes been featured on local Chicago TV and partners with hotels, wedding professionals, and lifestyle brands to reimagine how people experience bubbles. From pop-ups to premium pours, Samantha blends business, joy, and intentionalways with a glass raised.

Visit her website | Follow her on Instagram

How She Pivoted

After 13 years in wedding planning, Samantha Dockery realized she no longer wanted a business that required her constant physical presence. She began exploring how to stay connected to celebration while creating more freedom and long-term impact. That vision led her to launch a sparkling wine brand sourced from France and Italy.

If you really believe in your vision, the provision will come.

Instead of waiting for perfect conditions, she leveraged what already existedpartnering with winemakers and securing exclusive blends. Her pivot was both strategic and intuitive, proving that reinvention doesnt require starting overjust thinking differently.

Insights for Ambitious Women

Samantha Dockery reminds women that growth often requires action before certainty. Whether in business or life, waiting until you feel fully ready can keep you stuck. Her journey highlights the importance of trusting yourself and moving forwardeven when it feels uncomfortable.

Do it afraid but do it smart.

She also emphasizes that success isnt about doing everything alone. Building support, seeking guidance, and staying grounded in your own vision are what sustain long-term growthespecially during career transitions and reinvention.

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Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com

Key Takeaways:

• Why career transitions are often messy, emotional, and longer than we expect
• How personal life events can spark powerful professional reinvention
• The hidden challenges faced by support function leaders like legal, compliance, and cybersecurity
• Why collaboration often breaks down inside organizationsand how to fix it
• The importance of community and conversation during moments of career uncertainty
• How coaching helps leaders move from isolation to impact

Meet Natalia Ombach

Natalia is an executive and leadership coach, she works mostly with leaders of corporate support functions, like Legal, Risk, Compliance, or Cybersecurity in global organisations, helping them to reclaim ownership and direction of their function, be more impactful and be seen as strategic partner in their leadership team.

She brings 15+ years of international corporate experience, including leadership roles in legal, risk, compliance, and DEI.

Visit her website | Follow her on LinkedIn | Access her FREE Booklet here

How She Pivoted

Natalia Ombachs career pivot didnt happen overnight. After years of building a respected corporate legal and risk career while raising a family, she began to feel that something was missing. That feeling intensified after a traumatic accident involving her son, which changed how she viewed community, connection, and the role other people play in our strength during difficult times.

You feel stronger just because other people wish for you to feel stronger. shared Natalia on episode 36 of the She Thrives with Rhonda Coleman Wandel podcast.

That experience reshaped how Natalia thought about leadership and relationships at work. She began exploring coaching as a way to help others navigate the same emotional and professional complexity she had experienced. What started as curiosity evolved into a new career focused on helping leaders better understand themselves, their teams, and the invisible dynamics that shape workplace culture.

Insights for Ambitious Women

One of Natalias most powerful lessons is that uncertainty during a career transition is completely normal. Many professionals believe they should have everything figured out by a certain age or stage in their careers. Natalia challenges that assumption, reminding listeners that questioning your path is often the first step toward meaningful growth.

It is normal. Theres nothing wrong with you. expressed Natalia on episode 36 of the She Thrives with Rhonda Coleman Wandel podcast.

For ambitious women navigating career pivots, Natalia emphasizes the importance of reaching out to others for conversation, guidance, and perspective. Instead of trying to solve career uncertainty alone, she encourages professionals to explore ideas through dialogue, mentorship, and communitybecause the right conversation can open doors to entirely new possibilities.

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Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com

Key Takeaways:

• Why long-distance caregiving adds unique emotional and logistical challenges
• How lived experience can spark purpose-driven career reinvention
• The importance of dignity, autonomy, and safety in caregiving decisions
• How removing friction and complexity creates better outcomes for families
• What it looks like to build a solution instead of settling for broken systems
• Why clarity and advocacy matter when supporting loved ones from afar

Meet Laura Williams

Laura A. Williams is the visionary founder of Respitely, the worlds first CareGifting marketplacemaking it as easy to gift care as sending flowers or a meal. A former corporate leader turned caregiving innovator, Laura brings firsthand experience as a long-distance caregiver and court-appointed conservator for her mother. Her work bridges technology, compassion, and community, redefining how families support one another through lifes most challenging seasons with dignity and ease.

Visit her website | Follow her on Instagram

How She Pivoted

Laura Williams career pivot was driven by necessity, responsibility, and love. While supporting her mother from a distance, Laura found herself navigating fragmented caregiving systems, time-sensitive decisions, and overwhelming administrative hurdles. Acting not only as a daughter but also as her mothers legal advocate, she saw firsthand how difficult it was for families to find trusted care quickly and with confidence.

My job is not only to be her daughter, but also her legal advocateand to make sure she can stay at home safely and with dignity.

Rather than accepting the friction and inefficiency of existing options, Laura reimagined the process entirely. She built a platform that removes guesswork, pre-vets care options, and allows families to secure care when and where its neededtransforming a deeply personal challenge into a scalable, purpose-driven solution.

Insights for Ambitious Women

Lauras story is a reminder that reinvention doesnt always come from ambition aloneit often comes from responsibility. For professional women balancing caregiving, leadership, and personal growth, this episode highlights how clarity and conviction can guide powerful career transitions.

Caregiving from a distance adds an additional layer of complexityyou cant be there at a moments notice.

Laura encourages women to trust their lived experience as expertise. By honoring emotional intelligence, practical problem-solving, and advocacy, ambitious women can build careers that reflect both competence and compassionwithout compromising impact or integrity.

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Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com

Key Takeaways:

• Why career pivots often unfold over years, not months, and why patience matters
• How transferable skills like storytelling and communication unlock new industries
• The power of staying in a beginners mindset during career transitions
• Why financial planning and timing are critical when leaving corporate roles
• How authentic brand building starts with self-trust, not external validation
• What transformational travel teaches us about growth, leadership, and perspective

Meet Paula Amato

Paula Amato is a seasoned PR and communications professional whose career spans music and the arts, wellbeing, social impact, and transformational travel. She is the founder of PAI/Life, a creative communications consultancy based in New York City. Throughout her career, Paula has led strategic storytelling, brand positioning, event curation, and partnership development for iconic artists and musicians, award-winning producers, CEOs, authors, and forward-thinking brands.

Before founding PAI/Life, Paula Amato served as National Publicity Director at Atlantic Records and later as an adjunct professor at New York Universitys Steinhardt School, where she taught public relations at the undergraduate level. Her work today bridges narrative strategy with purpose-driven impact, helping organizations communicate with clarity, depth, and intention.

Visit her website | Follow her on LinkedIn

How She Pivoted

Paula Amatos career has never followed a straight lineand thats exactly what made her evolution possible. After launching her career in the music industry at a young age, Paula later moved into independent consulting, where she explored wellness, functional medicine, and personal development. Over time, those interests naturally intersected with her communications expertise, opening the door to transformational travel and purpose-driven work.

My trajectory has not been linear, but every phase taught me something I needed for the next one.

Rather than forcing a fast transition, Paula allowed her pivot to unfold gradually. She spent years learning a new industry, building relationships, and redefining her roleproving that sustainable reinvention often requires curiosity, humility, and the willingness to sit in uncertainty.

Insights for Ambitious Women

One of Paulas most powerful lessons is that career transitions dont require abandoning your past, they require reframing it. She encourages women to recognize their transferable skills and trust that experience gained in one industry often becomes the foundation for success in another.

We all underestimate ourselves. Sometimes what feels like your weakness is actually the exact thing someone else needs.

For ambitious women navigating reinvention, Paula emphasizes preparation over pressure. Financial planning, emotional readiness, and patience allow space for aligned opportunities to emergeoften in unexpected ways. Growth, she reminds us, happens when we stop rushing and start trusting ourselves.

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In this episode of The Rhonda Coleman Wandel Podcast, Okera Banks, designer, style expert, and founder of the Okera Banks Collection and OTG Essentials, shares her remarkable journey from Charleston to Hollywood to building a global fashion brand rooted in purpose. From her early years in costume design to launching her own line, Okera opens up about courage, creativity, and the spiritual faith that has guided every pivot. Her story is a masterclass in trusting your instincts and designing a life that fits who you truly are.

Key Takeaways:

• How Okera Banks turned her love of fashion into a purpose-driven brand
• The difference between a stylist, a costume designer, and a fashion designer
• Why every woman should learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable.
• How faith and intuition can lead your biggest life pivots
• Lessons from working in Hollywood, fashion, and entrepreneurship
• The importance of legacy, community, and building brick by brick"

Meet Okera Banks

Okera Banks is an American designer, style expert, and entrepreneur whose work blends elegance, confidence, and authenticity. She is the founder of Okera Banks Collection and OTG Essentials, created for women who lead with purpose and live life on the go. Her designs have been featured on CNN, VH1, and E! Online and are sold in boutiques including Hudsons Atlanta Airport and the Bank of America Marketplace by Seneca Women. A graduate of Clark Atlanta University, Okeras mission is simple: to help women travel in on-the-go style."

Meet Okera

How She Pivoted

Okera Banks began her career as a costume designer and stylist in Hollywood, working behind the scenes on television and film. But her entrepreneurial spirit and design education kept calling her toward something bigger. What began as a birthday gift of handmade skirts eventually evolved into a full-fledged fashion line.

I didnt chase exposure, I just needed an outfit I couldnt find. Thats how the first collection was born, shared Okera Banks on episode 32 of the Rhonda Coleman Wandel podcast.

Through fearless pivots, Okera transitioned from entertainment to entrepreneurship, creating timeless collections for women who want to look stylish while living in motion. Each piece, she says, is designed to make women feel confident, comfortable, and seen.

Insights for Ambitious Women

Okeras wisdom extends far beyond fashion. She speaks candidly about resilience, financial freedom, and how obedience to God shapes her creativity and direction.

Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Dont let fear or other peoples opinions talk you out of what God told you to do, encouraged Okera Banks on the RCW podcast

Her story is an empowering reminder that success is not linear, and that the real work of becoming who youre meant to be starts with faith, courage, and the willingness to pivot.

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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com

Key Takeaways:

• Why major career transitions rarely happen fearlessly and how to move forward anyway.
• The power of redefining success based on your own values rather than external expectations.
• How working with coaches can accelerate clarity, confidence, and strategic decision-making.
• The importance of building and leaning into your network when pursuing reinvention.
• Why taking personal responsibility for your career trajectory is essential for long-term fulfillment.

Meet Rhonda Coleman Wandel

Rhonda Coleman Wandel is an accomplished attorney, former Google legal professional, and the founder of a growing legal and business strategy consulting firm. With over a decade of experience supporting leaders and organizations, she now helps women executives, general counsels, and business owners navigate growth with confidence and clarity.

Visit her website | Follow her on Instagram

How She Pivoted

Rhondas first major pivot began over a decade ago when she transitioned from a 10-year teaching career into law school as a newly single mother of two. Despite uncertainty, she followed a calling to create a different future for herself and her family ultimately building a thriving legal career and earning a role at Google, a milestone many consider the height of professional success.

Sometimes you look behind you and know you cant stay there, and you look at where youre standing and realize you cant stay there either the only way to go is forward.

Her second pivot emerged from a growing sense that she had reached a ceiling and needed more room to grow. Through deep self-work and strategic guidance, she recognized that entrepreneurship held the freedom, purpose, and impact she craved even if it meant stepping away from the security of corporate life.

Insights for Ambitious Women

One of Rhondas biggest lessons is the importance of tuning into your own definition of success. Instead of chasing titles or external validation, she encourages women to ask why they want what they want and to honour what truly aligns with their happiness, health, and wellbeing. This shift became foundational in her transition from corporate to entrepreneurship.

I stopped looking at what I didnt have and started looking at what I wanted and how I could get it.

Rhonda also highlights how coaching, community, and planning can transform your trajectory. By building a support network, leaning into professional relationships, and taking responsibility for your growth, you create a powerful roadmap for reinvention one that is grounded, strategic, and deeply empowering.

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Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com

Key Takeaways:

• How to recognize when its time to pivot and make a career change.
• Why aligning your career with your values leads to greater fulfillment.
• The lessons Lily learned from founding and running her own consulting company.
• How motherhood reshaped her perspective on work, balance, and success.
• Practical insights for women navigating career transitions with confidence.
• The importance of letting go of labels and embracing seasons of change.

Meet Lily Schurra

Lily Schurra is a senior commercial counsel at Sourcegraph, where she combines her expertise in contracts, legal operations, and technology. Previously, she founded LOLI Consulting, a legal operations and innovation firm, and has worked with global legal teams and emerging tech companies to optimize processes and scale smart. With a background in both law and entrepreneurship, Lily brings a unique perspective on career reinvention and professional growth.

Meet Lily

How She Pivoted

Lilys career began in traditional law, but she quickly realized litigation wasnt her calling. After roles in insurance and corporate contracts, she discovered her passion for legal operations; streamlining processes and finding smarter ways to work. That led her to create LOLI Consulting, an accidental business she started during a season of burnout and transition.

I lovingly say that I accidentally started a company, because I gave myself a couple of weeks to breathe, and then people just started saying yes., shared Lily Schurra on episode 31 of the Rhonda Coleman Wandel podcast.

Running her own business gave Lily the freedom to choose projects, be present with her children, and align her career with her values. Eventually, she pivoted again, returning to a full-time role that offered the same sense of purpose and balance she had cultivated as an entrepreneur.

Insights for Ambitious Women

Lilys story is a powerful reminder that success doesnt come from titles or labels, it comes from creating work that fits your life. She emphasizes the importance of testing ideas, trying projects in small chunks, and giving yourself permission to pivot as your needs evolve.

Do it scared, do it experimentally, do something. The worst thing that can happen is that you end up in the exact same position youre in today, encouraged Lily Schurra on the RCW podcast

Her wisdom encourages ambitious women to stop chasing arbitrary milestones and instead focus on alignment, joy, and growth. Whether youre starting a business, stepping into leadership, or making a career change, Lilys journey proves that reinvention is always possible.

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Keli Frazier-Coxs story is rooted in both personal and professional transformation and her voice is one every ambitious woman needs to hear.

Key Takeaways:

• Why over-performing doesnt guarantee promotion or recognition
• How to build influence without burning out
• The difference between managing and truly leading
• How to shift your mindset from proving yourself to knowing your value
• What it means to lead with intention in todays workplace

Meet Keli Frazier-Cox

Keli Frazier-Cox is the founder of Promote Leaders and the creator of the Intentionally Balanced Leadership framework. With over 25 years of experience in global executive roles, including Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Learning and Development, she now works as a leadership coach and keynote speaker. Her mission is to help professionals become the kind of leaders others want to follow.

Meet Keli

How She Pivoted
Keli Frazier-Cox spent decades excelling in corporate leadership roles. But behind the impressive titles was a woman carrying the weight of over-functioning, managing perception, and navigating the unique pressure of being the only one who looked like her in the room. After hitting a personal turning point, Keli stepped away from corporate life and gave herself permission to pursue a more meaningful kind of impact.

I was doing everything right. But I realized I was filling the wrong gap, shared Keli Frazier-Cox on episode 30 of the Rhonda Coleman Wandel podcast.

That clarity became the foundation for Promote Leaders; a business built to support executives who want to lead with more authenticity, balance, and presence. Kelis journey is a reminder that success is not just about elevation, its about alignment.

Insights for Ambitious Women
Keli offers a new model for what leadership can look like, especially for women who are tired of overworking, overproving, and being overlooked. Her framework invites high-achievers to stop performing and start leading from a place of strength, self-trust, and clear priorities.

You dont have to burn out to be taken seriously, encouraged Keli Frazier-Cox on the RCW podcast

Whether youre managing a team, navigating a promotion, or considering a bold career move, Kelis insights are both strategic and soulful. This episode is a permission slip to do things differently and thrive because of it.

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Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com

Julie Ryder is a UK-based inclusion consultant and founder of an award-winning training business that helps organisations better support deaf employees and customers. In this episode, Julie shares her deeply personal journey of becoming profoundly deaf in her twenties, losing the career she had worked so hard for, and building a new path with purpose. From lip-reading lessons to launching a national consultancy, Julies story is one of resilience, reinvention, and using lived experience to create change.

Key Takeaways:

• What it feels like to acquire hearing loss mid-career
• How to rebuild identity and confidence after becoming profoundly deaf
• Why inclusion and accessibility are essential workplace tools
• How Julie launched a national consultancy with just one flyer and a kitchen shelf
• The three ingredients that help anyone move forward after a major life shift

Meet Julie Ryder

Julie Ryder is the founder of a UK-based workplace training consultancy that specialises in deaf awareness and inclusive communication. After becoming profoundly deaf as a young adult, she transitioned out of her career in banking and built one of the UKs most respected deaf awareness training businesses. Julie has trained thousands of professionals across sectors, with clients including the BBC, Royal Mail, and the Houses of Parliament.

Meet Julie

How She Pivoted
Julie Ryder began her career in banking with a clear plan for advancement. But when she became profoundly deaf in her twenties, her world shifted completely. Over several years, her hearing declined so dramatically that even basic communication at work became a challenge. She was moved to lower-level roles, sent farther from home, and eventually left the field altogether, grieving the career and identity she had worked so hard to build.

What was left then was the shell of me, just starting out with a new identity as a newly-deafened person, shared Julie Ryder on episode 29 of the Rhonda Coleman Wandel podcast.

Her turning point came when she volunteered to deliver a deaf awareness training session during a rehabilitation program. That small act sparked something bigger. With a single flyer and a borrowed computer on a kitchen shelf, Julie began offering training in her community. Two decades later, her consultancy is one of the most respected in the UK.

Insights for Ambitious Women

Julies journey is a powerful reminder that we are allowed to begin againand that adapting to a major life change does not mean giving up ambition. She speaks with honesty about grief, mental health, and the long road to confidence. Her work shows how lived experience can be a source of credibility and impact.

If youve got personal commitment, support, and the opportunity, you can thrive, encouraged Julie Ryder on the RCW podcast

Julie also reflects on how her deafness influenced her parenting, making her more intentional, communicative, and open with her children. Her message is clear: when life shifts direction, youre allowed to shift with it and you can still build something extraordinary.

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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com

Key Takeaways:

• Why strong leadership starts with self-awareness and trust
• How to use feedback loops to build stronger teams and cultures
• What to look for when making a career pivot into a new industry
• How to lead strategic change without losing human connection
• The mindset shift that helps you thrive in high-growth environments

Meet Stephanie Hildreth
Stephanie Hildreth is a high-impact executive known for leading with both heart and precision. Formerly CEO of Mindful magazine, she now serves as Chief of Staff and Head of Customer Success at a fast-growing tech company. With experience across SaaS, media, and health tech, Stephanie is passionate about operational excellence, leadership development, and building cultures rooted in emotional intelligence and transparency.

Meet Stephanie

How She Pivoted

Stephanie Hildreths career has never followed a straight lineand thats by design. After a winding path into her first leadership roles, she realized her true strengths were rooted in emotional intelligence and the ability to lead through change. As CEO of Mindful magazine, she navigated a major transformation, growing the business while realigning its vision and ultimately leading it through a successful exit.

There was a moment when I said, if not me, then who? And that changed everything, shared Stephanie Hildreth on episode 28 of the Rhonda Coleman Wandel podcast.

That clarity has guided each step since. Whether transitioning into new industries or taking on dual leadership roles in tech, Stephanie has stayed grounded in her core values. Her career evolution shows that you dont have to choose between performance and purposeyou can build a path that honours both.

Insights for Ambitious Women

Stephanies story is a blueprint for leading with intentionality and grace. She believes success isn't about proving your worthits about aligning your work with who you are. From navigating imposter syndrome to embracing risk, her insights help ambitious women show up with more confidence and clarity.

Leadership isn't about being the loudest in the room. It's about being the clearest, encouraged Stephanie Hildreth on the RCW podcast

Her career pivots remind us that growth often begins with a questionand that reinvention starts when we stop waiting for permission and start trusting our capacity to lead.

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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com

Kyla Denanyoh is a lawyer, storyteller, and founder of KD Creative, a multimedia agency that helps small business owners amplify their voice through podcasting. In this episode, Kyla shares her winding path through law school, bar exam setbacks, and eventual transition into entrepreneurship. Her story is one of resilience, reinvention, and radical self-trust; an empowering reminder that success doesnt always follow the traditional route. Whether you're navigating a pivot, recovering from a setback, or redefining what success means to you, Kyla's journey will leave you inspired.

Key Takeaways:

• Why your bar exam results dont define your worth or your future
• How to reclaim your gifts after burnout or misalignment
• The mindset shift that helped Kyla stop hiding her legal background and start using it differently
• A simple exercise Kyla used to build confidence (and finally launch her podcast)
• What it really looks like to build a business rooted in authenticity, not approval

Meet Kyla Denanyoh
Kyla Denanyoh is the founder of KD Creative, a podcast production agency that helps small business owners show up, speak clearly, and get visible. Shes also the host of You Are A Lawyer, a podcast highlighting the real stories of lawyers doing meaningful work beyond the courtroom. With a background in law and a gift for storytelling, Kyla uses creativity to make entrepreneurship feel more human and more possible, for herself and her clients.

Visit her website | Follow her on Instagram

How She Pivoted
After graduating law school, Kyla Denanyoh expected to follow the traditional path: pass the bar, become a lawyer, and work her way up. But when she didnt pass the bar (twice), everything she thought she knew about success started to unravel. She found herself hiding her education, taking basement jobs in law firms, and feeling like shed failed. But little by little, she started to realise: she hadnt failed, she was just meant to build something different.

It took therapy. It took affirmations. I used to sit in the mirror and say, You are a lawyer. You are a lawyer. Over and over. Because I had to believe it before I could build from it, shared Kyla Denanyoh on episode 27 of the Rhonda Coleman Wandel podcast.

Kyla eventually launched her own creative agency and her own voice. Through podcasting, entrepreneurship, and years of unlearning what success was supposed to look like, she built a business that reflects her strengths and her story.

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Whitney Harper is the co-founder of Advos Legal and Advos Pro, where she helps law firm owners leave hourly billing behind and build practices they truly enjoy. In this conversation, Whitney shares how her small-town upbringing and strong family roots shaped her confident mindset, how she navigated career changes with intention, and how she is rewriting the rules of modern legal practice. Her story will encourage you to rethink how you work and remind you that more joy and freedom are within reach.

Key Takeaways:

• How growing up with a supportive community shaped Whitneys confidence
• Why the traditional hourly billing system needs to change and how Whitneys P3 Method works
• The importance of personal agency when designing a fulfilling career
• How to pivot your career while appreciating the lessons from your past
• Simple mindset shifts to help you take back ownership of your professional journey

Meet Whitney Harper
Whitney Harper is an innovative lawyer and co-founder of Advos Legal and Advos Pro. Through her P3 Method, she shows lawyers and business owners how to move past the billable hour and create sustainable practices they actually enjoy running. With a unique mix of legal expertise, business strategy, and a human-first approach, Whitney is a trusted guide for law firm owners who want more freedom, profit, and satisfaction in their work.

Visit her website | Follow her on Instagram

Insights for Ambitious Women
Whitneys journey is a powerful reminder that you have choices. She believes when your work no longer feels right, you can redesign it to suit you better. Her P3 Method proves that when lawyers focus on valuable deliverables instead of tracking hours, they create more freedom for themselves and a better experience for clients too.

When something does not feel good, you can change it. When you are not getting the result you want, it is on you, encouraged Whitney Harper on the RCW podcast

For any woman feeling stuck in old patterns, Whitneys approach offers hope and a practical path forward. By getting clear about what you want and taking small steps every day, you can build a career and life that truly fit.

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Want More Like This?
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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

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Want More Like This?
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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com

Want More Like This?
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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com

Want More Like This?
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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com

Want More Like This?
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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com

Want More Like This?
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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com

Want More Like This?
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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com

Want More Like This?
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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com

Want More Like This?
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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com

Want More Like This?
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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com

Want More Like This?
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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com

Want More Like This?
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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com

Want More Like This?
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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com

Want More Like This?
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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com

Want More Like This?
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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com

Want More Like This?
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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

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Want More Like This?
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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

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Want More Like This?
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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

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Want More Like This?
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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

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Want More Like This?
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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

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Want More Like This?
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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

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Want More Like This?
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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

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Want More Like This?
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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com

Want More Like This?
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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com

Want More Like This?
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And if youre ready for even more honest stories, career inspiration, and powerful insights, join Rhondas monthly newsletter. Its where ambitious women get the encouragement, tools, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to thrivestraight to your inbox.

Subscribe to the newsletter and catch more episodes at RhondaColemanWandel.com