Invest In Her with Catherine Gray

Today on the Invest In Her Podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Sarah Lerner-Mantel, Managing Partner at Roll Tack Ventures, a Midwest-based venture capital firm investing in Series A and B B2B technology companies that drive growth, improve efficiency, and reduce risk. Before launching Roll Tack Ventures, Sarah helped scale Wayfair's 33-million-SKU marketplace and co-founded a med-tech company that developed an innovative ventilator during COVID-19, leading the company through acquisition. Her mission is to help exceptional founders grow industry-defining companies by providing not only capital, but meaningful strategic support and connections. 

In this episode, Catherine and S...

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Kelly Gushue, Wealth Coach, founder of Personal Finance Warrior, and a passionate advocate for helping women build lasting wealth. With experience as a Portfolio Strategist and Financial Advisor, Kelly empowers women entrepreneurs to take control of their financial futures through investing, wealth-building strategies, and alternative investments such as venture capital and private companies. A Harvard graduate with an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Kelly is also a sought-after speaker who has addressed audiences around the world, including at the United Nations, on...

Today on the Invest In Her Podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with John Ehlers and Dayn Conrad, two seasoned land banking experts and passionate advocates for helping more women build wealth through real estate. John Ehlers is a Certified Land Banking Specialist and Regional Manager with more than four decades of experience in real estate, business leadership, and wealth strategy. Dayn Conrad is a Regional Manager, entrepreneur, educator, and sought-after speaker known for helping clients understand complex investment opportunities and make confident financial decisions. Together, they have spent decades educating investors on the power of land ownership and the...

Today on the Invest In Her Podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Archita Mandal, founder and CEO of Upend Now, a transformative AI platform designed to bridge the gap between technology and creative storytelling. Archita works at the intersection of deep tech, media, and entertainment, building agentic AI solutions for the AdTech and FilmTech industries. A former Entrepreneur in Residence at NEC X, Stanford LEAD graduate, Grace Hopper speaker, award-winning filmmaker, and member of Women in Film Los Angeles and Women in Media, she brings a unique combination of technical expertise and artistic vision to her work. Her films...

Today on the Invest In Her Podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Dr. Lesley Robinson, Founder & CEO of Embolden Education and Co-Founder of the ayana Foundation. A passionate advocate for entrepreneurial leadership, Dr. Robinson has spent more than two decades helping founders, educators, and students develop the confidence, skills, and community needed to thrive. She currently serves as Associate Director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship at Colorado State University and previously founded the Kendra Scott Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute at The University of Texas at Austin. Through her work, she has championed equitable access to entrepreneurship education, funding, and...

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Avanthi Shah, a venture capitalist, AI leader, and award-winning entrepreneur focused on the future of deep tech innovation. As General Partner at NextVersed Ventures and a leader at NextVersed AI, Avanthi brings decades of experience spanning Silicon Valley startups, emerging technologies, and advising organizations ranging from NASA to financial institutions. Recognized as CNBC's Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, she is passionate about supporting founders, advancing women in venture capital, and helping bridge the gap between innovation and impact.

In this episode, Catherine and Avanthi dive...

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Rose Garcia and Arabella (Bella) Barkow, two powerhouse entrepreneurs and advocates making a major impact in the LGBTQIA+ community. Rose Garcia is widely recognized as the real-life inspiration behind the iconic character "Papi" on the hit series The L Word and later became a fan favorite on The Real L Word. Beyond television, she has built a successful real estate career, become a respected speaker and emcee, and is a Stage 3 ovarian cancer survivor now thriving in remission. Bella Barkow is an accomplished event producer whose career...

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with entrepreneur and AI innovator Bethany Crystal, founder and CEO of Build First, an AI learning lab and product studio focused on helping people turn ideas into working products—often in under an hour. With a background spanning startups, venture capital, workforce development, and leadership roles at organizations including Union Square Ventures, Tech:NYC, and Stack Overflow, Bethany has spent more than a decade helping people adapt to major technology shifts. She is passionate about making AI approachable and practical for everyday people, and has already trained more th...

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Allison Byers, a founder, investor, and capital access advocate dedicated to creating a more inclusive funding ecosystem. She is the founder of Scroobious, a relationship-first capital access platform, and the author of Fundraising for The Rest of Us. Allison also co-authored California's landmark Fair Investment Practices by Venture Capital Companies Law and serves on multiple boards. Prior to her work in venture advocacy, she co-founded a medtech company spun out of MIT, raising nearly $10 million and bringing an FDA-registered product to market—an experience that ultimately revealed th...

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Briana Cash, a Grammy®-nominated musician and award-winning singer-songwriter whose work spans television, film, and advertising, with placements across major platforms like Amazon Prime, Paramount+, and Hulu. An accomplished live performer, Briana has shared the stage with notable artists across genres and is an active member of leading industry organizations including The Recording Academy and the Society of Composers and Lyricists. Beyond her music career, she is also a passionate advocate for creators' rights, having successfully defended her own name and trademark in a multi-year legal battle. S...

Today on the Invest In Her Podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Sarah Phillips, a junior at Princeton University studying the History of Science with a minor in Entrepreneurship and the CEO of Girls Into VC, a global nonprofit expanding access to venture capital. Sarah leads a community of over 10,000 members across more than 75 countries and 25 university chapters, creating programs that give students hands-on experience with startups and investment funds. She has worked with organizations including Instacart, Teva Pharmaceuticals, AEI HorizonX, and Curist, building experience across technology, healthcare, and early-stage innovation. Passionate about inclusion, Sarah focuses on increasing representation...

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Melissa Moody, a founder and marketing leader known for building products and movements that create meaningful impact. She is the cofounder of Wednesday Women, a global movement and executive membership designed to amplify extraordinary women leaders. Melissa has led multiple startups, including serving as CEO of Matcha and founding CMO of Gated, and spent over 14 years at Google helping major brands develop innovative digital strategies and user experiences. Now based in Anchorage, Alaska, she continues to advise early-stage founders and champion purposeful growth and leadership. 

I...

Today on the Invest In Her Podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Janine Firpo, an accomplished speaker, author, and social entrepreneur who has spent her career working at the intersection of women and their money. From her early days at Apple Computer to leadership roles at Hewlett-Packard, the World Bank, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Janine has consistently driven meaningful impact. In 2017, she pivoted from a 35+ year career in technology and international development to focus on empowering women through investing. She is the author of Activate Your Money: Invest to Grow Your Wealth and Build a Better World...

Today on the Invest In Her Podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Deborah Stavis and Chelsea Stavis, a dynamic mother-daughter duo redefining private wealth management through a family-first lens. Deborah brings over 35 years of experience as a private wealth manager, having built and led two successful Registered Investment Advisory firms with approximately $1 billion in assets under management. A respected educator and community leader, she has taught at Rice University and been recognized by major publications including Forbes and The Wall Street Journal. Her daughter, Chelsea, serves as Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer of Stavis Wealth, where she leads marketing...

Catherine Gray, host of the Invest In Her Podcast, interviews Laura Rippy, Managing Partner and Board Member at Alumni Ventures, where she leads multiple funds, including The Yard Ventures (Harvard), Green D Ventures (Dartmouth), the Women's Fund, and the U.S. Strategic Tech Fund. Laura was ranked the #1 Woman Early Stage Investor in 2025 by Business Insider. A three-time CEO and seasoned executive, she has led and scaled numerous tech startups across Boston, Seattle, and Dallas-Fort Worth, and brings deep experience from her time at Microsoft. With a background in strategy consulting during Germany's economic unification and degrees from Harvard...

Today on the Invest In Her Podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Tessa de Flines, co-founder of AtVenture Platform, whose mission is to close the wealth and funding gap by activating diverse angel investors through education, community, and capital. Tessa brings more than 18 years of corporate leadership experience from global institutions such as GE and ABN AMRO, along with 8 years as an entrepreneur and Fractional COO helping startups create structure, strategy, and execution as they scale. She is also a Founding Partner at Masters of Scale and an active angel investor through AtVenture Platform, Great Stuff Ventures, and her...

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Marcia Dawood, an experienced angel investor, venture partner, and passionate advocate for increasing women's access to capital. Marcia is a venture partner with Mindshift Capital, a founding member and past chair of Golden Seeds, and a longtime leader in the angel investing ecosystem. She has invested in dozens of early-stage companies and has become a prominent voice encouraging more women to participate in investing and building wealth through early-stage opportunities.

In this episode, Marcia shares insights from her new book, Unapologetic Wealth, which is currently...

Catherine Gray, host of the Invest In Her Podcast, interviews Mirela Sula, global award-winning entrepreneur, author, and founder of the Global Woman movement. With a background in psychology, counseling, journalism, and teaching, Mirela has built an international platform dedicated to empowering women to start businesses, become public speakers, write books, gain media visibility, and expand their networks worldwide. She is the Founder and CEO of Global Woman Club, with clubs in over 30 cities across more than 20 countries, and the Founder of Global Woman Magazine, the Global Woman Summit and Awards, and The Business Woman Today. A bestselling author of 15...

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Janet C. Salazar, a Philippine-born American businesswoman, global leadership strategist, and founder of the Alpha Whisperers International Network. Known as an advisor to top advisors, Janet is recognized for her strategic insight, discretion, and her ALPHAWHISPERERS™ philosophy, which empowers influential leaders behind the scenes. A Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Residency alumna, she has served as Chief Representative to the United Nations for FSUN and works closely with global corporations, governments, and United Nations entities to build high-impact partnerships. She is Chairman and CEO of ALPHAWIN Venture Group, a pr...

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray interviews Julie Cole — a dynamic entrepreneur, recovered lawyer, and mom of six who traded in her legal career to co-found Mabel's Labels, the award-winning company that grew from a basement startup into a multi-million dollar industry leader. As Senior Director of Mabel's Labels, Julie has helped revolutionize the durable label market while becoming a recognized voice in entrepreneurship, parenting, and women's leadership. She is an award-winning businesswoman, best-selling author, and in-demand speaker and media contributor, with appearances on major outlets including NBC's The Today Show, CNN, and The Huffington Po...

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Lauren Grattan, Co-founder and Chief Community Officer of Mission Driven Finance. Lauren's background in nonprofit development made her eager to activate more capital for social change, ultimately leading her to co-found Mission Driven Finance, where she leads community-based strategy and shapes both internal culture and partner relationships. With nearly a decade of experience fundraising for organizations ranging from large universities to grassroots initiatives, Lauren brings a deeply values-driven perspective to capital allocation. Her blended Irish, Chinese, and Native Hawaiian heritage informs her commitment to reconnecting capital and...

Today on the Invest In Her Podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Cindi Englefield, a seasoned entrepreneur, business advisor, and angel investor dedicated to helping women founders build scalable, profitable companies and achieve meaningful exits. Cindi grew up in an entrepreneurial family and went on to found Show What You Know Publishing, an education company she successfully scaled across multiple states before selling it after 20 years. She later launched Englefield Business Advisors and co-founded Accelerating Angels, along with the Accelerating Angels Foundation, to expand access to capital and investor readiness for women-led businesses. She serves on multiple boards and...

Today on the Invest In Her Podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Priya David Clemens, a seasoned journalist, storyteller, and the founder of Bridge Media Company and Keepsake Studios. With more than two decades of experience as an anchor and correspondent for national broadcast platforms including CBS News, NBC News, and MSNBC, Priya has covered everything from presidential elections to cultural and technological shifts around the world. An Edward R. Murrow Award recipient and multiple-time Emmy Award nominee, she now helps organizations, civic leaders, and families tell meaningful stories that connect people to purpose and preserve legacy.

...

Today on the Invest In Her Podcast, host Catherine Gray interviews Nomiki Petrolla, a product leader and tech founder on a mission to close the access gap for women in technology and entrepreneurship. With more than 15 years of experience leading product, design, and strategy across healthcare, fintech, artificial intelligence, and enterprise SaaS, Nomiki has built and scaled products in some of the most male-dominated sectors of tech. She is the founder of PDS Lab, an accelerator launched to help women build and launch tech companies from the ground up, and the creator of Theanna, a data-networking platform designed to...

Today on the Invest In Her Podcast, host Catherine Gray interviews Judyanna Yu, Founding Partner of One Six 8 Ventures. Judyanna is a seasoned finance executive and venture capitalist with nearly two decades of experience as a CFO across VC-backed public and private medtech and biotech companies. Based in Calgary, she leads One Six 8 Ventures, a venture capital fund focused on high-growth medtech opportunities in active M&A markets, with a particular emphasis on under-ventured regions. Drawing from a global career that spans eight cities across North America and Asia, Judyanna brings deep expertise in capital formation, financial governance, and...

Today on the Invest In Her Podcast, host Catherine Gray sits down with Valerie Milano, a respected Senior Editor and entertainment critic at The Hollywood Times. With a journalism career spanning publications such as Communications Daily, Discover Hollywood, Hollywood Today, Television International, and Video Age International, Valerie brings decades of experience covering film, television, music, and cultural events. Beyond media, she is deeply committed to community service and advocacy, volunteering with organizations including Human Rights Campaign, LAMBDA Legal, and The LGBTQ Center of the Desert. A longtime member of the Los Angeles Press Club, Valerie is also known for...

Today on the Invest In Her Podcast, host Catherine Gray sits down with Dr. Maria Uloko and Meredith Yinger for a powerful conversation on the women's health revolution. Dr. Uloko is a board-certified urologist and internationally recognized leader in comprehensive sexual health, known for her groundbreaking work in vulvar anatomy, sexual dysfunction, menopause care, and closing gaps in women's healthcare. Meredith Yinger is a Telly Award–winning filmmaker, bestselling author, and founder of She TV Media, a female-led production company amplifying untold stories. She is currently in production on her bold new documentary, Vulva La Revolution, which is reshaping ho...

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray sits down with award-winning musical writer Nico Juber and Tony-nominated director Kristin Hanggi for a dynamic conversation about what it really takes to develop, produce, and invest in Broadway musicals. Nico—named a "Woman to Watch on Broadway" by the Broadway Women's Fund—is the creator of Millennials Are Killing Musicals and co-writer of Winner, with work supported by New York Theatre Barn, IAMA Theatre Company, and multiple national arts organizations. Kristin is best known for directing the smash-hit Rock of Ages, earning a Tony nomination for Best Direction of a...

Catherine Gray, the host of Invest In Her, interviews multi-Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actress, Sharon Gless and her best friend, Dawn La Freeda, one of America's largest restaurant franchise owners, owns over 115 restaurants in her career. These profoundly accomplished women are also the executive producers of the documentary, Show Her the Money. The movie addresses how women are getting less than 2% of venture capital funding and demystifies what venture capital is. Featuring rock-star female investors who invest in diverse women entrepreneurs with innovations that will change the world, Show Her The Money reminds us that money is power and...

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Hillary Talbot and Jennifer Kuan, Ph.D., Managing Partners of être Venture Capital. Hillary is a sailor, surfer, and former competitive Alpine skier who brings over 20 years of startup ecosystem experience to VC, helping founders shape strategy, drive profitability, and build toward successful exits. She co-founded être to dismantle barriers for women and minority founders and support entrepreneurs solving real-world challenges through manufacturing and critical technologies. Jennifer, a Ph.D. in Business from UC Berkeley and MS from Stanford, is a tenured economics and entrepreneurship professor whose ac...

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Holly Hartman, a multi-venture founder, ecosystem architect, and President of The WO Network: Women Leaders of Kentuckiana. Holly is the creator of CollabCode™, an equity-informed framework designed to help founders and organizations collaborate with clarity and lead with purpose. With 25+ years in sales, marketing, and movement-building, she is known as a super-connector and trust-centered strategist who helps visionaries grow without losing their roots. Holly has been recognized as a multi-award-winning community builder, including NAWBO KY Woman Business Owner of the Year 2025 and Today's Woman Most Admired Woman no...

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray sits down with award-winning musical writer Nico Juber and Tony-nominated director Kristin Hanggi for a dynamic conversation about what it really takes to develop, produce, and invest in Broadway musicals. Nico—named a "Woman to Watch on Broadway" by the Broadway Women's Fund—is the creator of Millennials Are Killing Musicals and co-writer of Winner, with work supported by New York Theatre Barn, IAMA Theatre Company, and multiple national arts organizations. Kristin is best known for directing the smash-hit Rock of Ages, earning a Tony nomination for Best Direction of a...

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Corinne Goble, CEO of the Association of Women's Business Centers (AWBC). Since joining in 2019, Corinne has led the organization through a period of national expansion and strategic growth, now representing over 150 centers across all 50 states.

In this episode, Corinne shares what it takes to scale a national network that supports women entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journey. She discusses the importance of access to capital, digital upskilling, and the critical role public policy plays in ensuring lasting impact for women-owned businesses. Corinne also...

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Dr. Stacy Feiner, a relational psychologist, family advisor, and author who supports founders and family enterprises in resolving conflicts and strengthening team dynamics for long-term success.

In this episode, Dr. Feiner explains how emotional conditions within teams and families can either block or unlock progress. She shares her transformative coaching model that brings clarity and cohesion to business leaders, helping them prepare for succession, growth, and long-term impact.

With experience working across Fortune 500 companies, higher education, and her own firm, Dr. Feiner blends...

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Radhika Iyengar, a TEDx speaker, serial entrepreneur, board executive, and one of the Top 100 Women of the Future. She is also co-author of *Enterprise Blockchain Has Arrived* and a leading voice in AI, web3, and blockchain innovation.

In this episode, Radhika shares how her work has helped raise over $900 million for startups and how her expertise in responsible AI, blockchain, and personalized medicine is shaping the future of tech. She offers insights on emerging trends in healthcare, data security, and inclusive innovation across global markets.<...

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Kristin Thomas, founder of Marble Collective, an AI-powered global salon that deepens cross-sector relationships and amplifies the presence of women leaders through digital legacy and connection.

In this episode, Kristin introduces the Marble Collective as a dynamic space for high-impact women to connect, align, and thrive across fields. She explains how the platform preserves and elevates women's voices using AI, and why creating intentional communities is crucial for long-term influence and innovation.

Kristin also shares lessons from her 20-year career in real estate...

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Agata "Aggie" Chydzinski, co-founder of Athena Advisory Collective, a women-owned advisory firm that partners with founders to grow and scale the long-term value of their businesses.

In this episode, Aggie shares how her two decades of experience as a strategist, operator, and advisor shaped her hands-on, relational approach to helping business owners strengthen financial clarity, streamline operations, and build scalable systems. She explains how Athena serves clients across industries with revenues ranging from $300K to $50M, and how personalized guidance can drive meaningful enterprise growth.<...

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Diane Osgerchian, Co-Founder of Blast Marketing, a digital marketing agency dedicated to growing small and midsize businesses. Diane is also a New York City real estate investor and a seasoned digital ad sales professional with a rich background working for major companies like CNNMoney.com, USNews.com, Investopedia, and DoubleClick (Google). Her career highlights include launching CNNMoney.com's ad sales team and driving millions in revenue through her client-first, relationship-driven approach.

In this episode, Catherine and Diane discuss the evolution of digital advertising, the importance...

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Lauren Makler, Co-Founder and CEO of Cofertility, a human-first fertility ecosystem that empowers women to freeze their eggs for free when donating half, making egg donation more accessible and less transactional.

In this episode, Lauren shares how her personal fertility journey inspired the creation of Cofertility and how the company is redefining how egg donation and egg freezing are approached. She talks about her vision to increase access, empathy, and innovation in reproductive health, making options more inclusive and equitable for women across different backgrounds.<...

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Fielding Jamieson, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Tipt Ventures. With a rich background in innovation across major media and tech companies like NBCUniversal, Comcast, and R/GA Ventures, Fielding brings her expertise in scaling startups and fostering sports and tech collaborations to the conversation.

In this episode, Fielding shares how her work at the intersection of media, sports, and technology led to the creation of Tipt Ventures. She talks about the changing landscape of women in sports, the importance of inclusive investment, and how the...