Take it from the Ironwoman

Pilar Colomé (1970) Salvadoran / Spanish.
Documentary filmmaker, winner of Best Short Documentary at TAFFNY with “Jocelyn and the Coyote”, winner of IBERMEDIA production funds with her author–autobiographical documentary “The Motorcycle Journey” (2026), winner of PIXEL PRO funds with her documentary “From Windward to Leeward”. She is currently producing and co-directing the documentary series “The Path of Life”, and among her productions stand out “El Salvador is Worth It” and “The Hidden Face of the Border”. With a career of 30 years directing and producing, she has also been Post-producer for international streaming series. Teacher, jury member of film funding programs, film activist. In her youth...

Dr. Hoda Kilani, CCDP®, CPCC, is a certified Career and Academic Coach who has guided over a thousand clients toward meaningful next steps aligned with their aspirations. Her work goes beyond helping people choose a career; she helps them develop self-awareness, authentic agency, and create meaning in an uncertain future. A global speaker and passionate advocate for Career Literacy, Hoda works to ensure people are better prepared to navigate their futures with confidence and purpose. Through coaching, community partnerships, conferences, academic writing, and career conversations on YouTube, podcasts, and radio in English and Arabic, she continues to inspire meaningful c...

Chuck Blechman wears several hats because he doesn't believe fulfillment comes from just one thing. As a part-time CTO at a startup, he helps build complex technology systems. Through Manhattan Coaching Associates, he helps thoughtful people navigate complex life and career decisions. Whether he's working with software, running through Central Park, or spending time with family and friends, Chuck is driven by curiosity, lifelong learning, and helping people get the most out of life.

Social:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesblechman/
https://www.manhattancoachingassociates.com/

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Finalist "Women in...

Dr. Molly Stillwell is a leadership coach, qualitative researcher, and founder of The Uprising Collective. She holds a PhD from Saybrook University, where her research was awarded Dissertation with Distinction and produced an original theory of how humans find purpose through life's transitions. She spent years in academic research and has facilitated leadership development across eight countries, including Morocco, which she has made her second home. Her work sits at the intersection of evidence-based research, sacred feminine wisdom, and intentional AI — helping high-achieving women stop leading from exhaustion and claim their place at the tables where the future is be...

Founder. Strategic Financier. Keynote Speaker. Building the Future of Impact Capital.

Over the past 25+ years, I've structured more than $500 million in equity and debt transactions across the U.S., China, Hong Kong, and Africa, helping founders, Fortune 500 companies, investors, and innovators secure the capital needed to scale from seed through Series A, restructurings, acquisitions, and public markets.

Today, I'm the Founder & CEO of Noble Care Corp., an AI-powered healthcare infrastructure company building the future of women's health through research, care coordination, patient-owned data, and media. Our mission is to unlock billions in covered care while...

Cheryl Wilkins graduated as the 2000 valedictorian of Marymount Manhattan College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude. She later received her Master’s degree in Urban Studies from Hunter College.
Cheryl is the Co-Founder and Co-Director of Columbia University’s Center for Justice (CFJ), where she works to end the nation’s reliance on incarceration, advance new approaches to safety and justice, and contribute to national and global conversations on transformative justice policy. Through research, advocacy, and leadership development, she partners with directly impacted communities to reimagine systems of justice and accountability.
She also serves...

www.susannemueller.biz

Social media handles:
Podcast: Take it from the Ironwoman (weekly episodes since 2019)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/take-it-from-the-ironwoman/id1483227257
Blogger: https://smuellernyc.blogspot.com/ (weekly posts since 2010)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanne.mueller.nyc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanne.mueller.the.ironwoman/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanne-mueller-ma/
Substack: https://takeitfromtheironwoman.substack.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@susanne_mueller_nyc

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Finalist "Women in Cloud - Podcast of the YEAR" - #empowHERaccess Global Prestige Awards 2026<...

Noemi Beres is the Co-Owner of Podcast Connections, helping entrepreneurs and experts grow through meaningful podcast interviews. A linguist with a Master's degree in Danish Language and Literature, she has worked in online marketing since 2007 and is passionate about communication, connection, and storytelling. Based in Cyprus, Noemi is also the creator of the Walk with Noemi vlog and Silent Thinking Sessions, both focused on mental and emotional well-being through calm, reflective conversations and daily walks.

Websites:
https://www.podcastconnections.co/
https://noemiberes.com/

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/noemiberes/

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Lorenzo:
🏃‍♂️ I was the opposite of the Corporate Ultra Runner.

👦 At 10, they told me not to run because I was asthmatic.
🏊‍♂️ At 14, they told me to quit swimming because I wasn’t good enough at school or in the pool.
🎓 At 18, I became the first in my family with a high school diploma.
🎓 At 21, the first in my family with a university degree.
🤝 At 23, I ended up shaking the hand of Olympic swimming champion Ian Thorpe when my corporate career started at Adidas Global HQ.

💡 That’s when I realized something had changed after 10 years...

As the author of five books on nutrition, fitness, wellness and fulfilling life’s goals, she has a special interest in enhancing the education of the general public, and providing accurate health information to today’s consumer.
Passionate about her own wellness, Patricia ran 20 marathons, 110 half marathons, and climbed towers and stadiums all over the world. Now at 65, she is a Yin Yogi and gym devotee, determined to stay strong for life.

Married with a grown daughter, she is an avid knitter and book club junkie.

Credentials:
YouTube, Host, It’s OK to be Old...

I am a 46-year-old wife, mother, and runner from South Jersey.  I have been happily married to the most loving, supportive man for almost 15 years. I am the proud mother of three children, TJ (22), Alexandra (13), and James (12). I currently run our small family business with my husband in the automotive industry. We are a three-store Napa Auto Parts group, Val-U Auto Parts. One of my passions, and my tried-and-true outlet, is running. Although I am more of a natural ultra-runner, I was able to run a Boston-qualifying time this year at the Delaware Marathon. 

Follow her journey of...

Lindsay Borden is a reformed actor (the more obscure the venue, the more likely she was to appear there), a former chef (having cooked in temples of haute cuisine as well as soup kitchens), and a semi-successfully-retired late-adult onset Presbyterian pastor. She lives in New York City where she preaches, protests, volunteers, and writes about things that trouble her and things that bring her joy.

Recent publications include the CNF piece, “Inheritance,” in The Twin Bill magazine (https://thetwinbill.com/), which also featured Lindsay’s flash fiction piece, “Glimmering,” in its first anthology publication, Early Innings. Audio of her ser...

Susanne Mueller Zantop is a communications technology entrepreneur and high altitude mountaineer based in Switzerland, working with senior leadership in high pressure-situations. She founded her first company at 24, worked in large corporations on senior leadership levels, later co founded CEO Positions AG to support C-Level executive teams to convey strategic messages in their markets. Susanne has climbed some of the world’s highest mountains—including Mount Everest—and uses the lessons from extreme environments to explore leadership under difficult circumstances, setbacks, and transformation.

Today, she joins us to tell the story how she managed to continue leading her co...

Susanne Mueller Zantop is a communications technology entrepreneur and high altitude mountaineer based in Switzerland, working with senior leadership in high pressure-situations. She founded her first company at 24, worked in large corporations on senior leadership levels, later co founded CEO Positions AG to support C-Level executive teams to convey strategic messages in their markets. Susanne has climbed some of the world’s highest mountains—including Mount Everest—and uses the lessons from extreme environments to explore leadership under difficult circumstances, setbacks, and transformation.

Today, she joins us to tell the story how she managed to continue leading her co...

Dr. Lisa Nichols is co-founder and President of ALLMYNE a new travel app. Dr. Nichols is the Director for Brookdale Mobile Crisis Team, Brooklyn NY. She received her Ph.D. from Alliant International University in San Diego, California. She has been a part of Mobile Crisis Teams and Psychiatric Emergency rooms in New York City for over 20 years. She has done research and worked with refugees, PTSD, HIV/AIDS, and ethics.

Dr. Nichols has a Master’s in Business Administration from Sciences Politiques, Paris, France and been trained in 6 Sigma and Lean Fundamentals. Dr. Nichols has a Ba...

Founder/ Data S ience, AI & Economic Consultant at Analytics TX LLC

Consulting practice focused on analytics, economic analysis, and executive advisory.
• Design consulting frameworks to audit enterprise datasets, resolve data silos, build Python analytics workflows, predictive analysis, and statistical models, translating complex data into decision systems for founders and leadership teams.
• Advise organizations on analytics infrastructure, AI tool selection, and pipeline architecture; deliver executive training in statistical reasoning, business analytics, and economic indicators.
• Provide statistical and economic expert analysis used in U.S. litigation, including modeling, statistical evaluation of claims, and expert reports. Statistical modeli...

Amanda Fornal is an explorer, technology consultant, executive coach, photographer, diver, and startup advisor with more than 25 years of experience in business and innovation. She has traveled to more than 100 countries and all continents, combining exploration, storytelling, and entrepreneurship in her work. Amanda is the founder of Founder Buddies and Women in Exploration, a Fellow of The Explorers Club, and a Director at Founder Institute Germany.

She is also the creator of the Investing in Kindness research initiative, which explores the relationship between kindness, leadership, and long-term success through interviews across industries and cultures. Her work focuses...

Audra Mallow is Founder and Principal of Long Course Capital, LLC, an investment advisory firm that serves high net worth individuals, families, and small businesses. The firm provides guidance on investments and related matters. Before starting her company, Audra served for sixteen years with Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Barclays, in their Private Wealth Management divisions. She was a Vice President at each of those firms and advised wealthy families on all aspects of global investment and financial management, including asset allocation, equity, fixed income, currencies, commodities, alternative investments, trust and estate planning, tax management and philanthropy.

...

Ariana is the CEO & founder of AccelIQ.digital, an AI strategy + product firm with the ExcelInsight AI solution. ExcelInsight AI transforms spreadsheet analysis sprawl into reliable, decision-grade reporting, modernizing finance and operations fast.

With 20+ years in corporate finance (Shell, PwC, Continental/United Airlines) and my own ventures, she has directly experienced the pain of manual processes and messy data. In 2021, she launched AccelIQ to build bespoke AI solutions that solve complex operational problems and drive measurable business results.

Additionally, she serves as a Program Leader for the Kellogg Executive Education program, AI Strategies for Business...

Pamela Thompson, a leadership and transition coach, global consultant, and three-time bestselling author who has lived and worked on five continents—including in conflict zones like Afghanistan. Pamela supports mission-driven women at life and leadership crossroads to navigate change, lead through uncertainty, and move forward without burning out. She’s the founder of Female Wave of Change Canada and creator of the Art of Change Framework, helping women turn transitions into purposeful new chapters.

Follow her:

https://www.youtube.com/@pamelathompson6393
https://www.instagram.com/pamelathompson_author/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/change-coach-facilitator/

I am Susanne Mueller, orgininally from Switzerland, a certified business coach (ICF/PCC) , TEDx speaker, Ironman triathlete, author of four books, and the creator of Take It From the Ironwoman, a weekly podcast now surpassing 500+ episodes with guests from every corner of the globe. Based in New York City, my life's work sits at the intersection of endurance, storytelling, and human potential. I have completed one full Ironman triathlon, five half-Ironman races, 26 marathons, summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, and published over 800 weekly blogs — not as personal accolades, but as proof that ordinary people can do extraordinary things, one step at a ti...

Robert was born with Fibular Hemimelia, a birth defect that led to his amputation at just 10 months old. Facing numerous challenges throughout his youth, including the absence of a consistent father figure, surviving abuse, and a life-altering house fire, Robert's journey was far from easy. However, these trials only fortified his resolve, transforming his struggles into a powerful narrative of resilience and determination.

Now a devoted father and husband, Robert has turned his hardships into a source of inspiration for others. He has traveled extensively across the country, sharing his message of hope and resilience at conferences...

I am Blandine Rolea, a French woman who embraces life through connection, discovery, and sport. I share my positive energy on LinkedIn, encouraging others to step out of their comfort zone, take action over perfection, and trust in human kindness. I have completed marathons, including the Great Wall of China Marathon, and long night walks with colleagues. Passionate about meaningful encounters and generosity, I inspire people to care for themselves through movement and to open up to others, driven more by passion and desire than pressure or discipline.

Follow her uplifting stories on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin...

Leyla Novini is an entrepreneur and founder of The Creativity Quotient, offering one-on-one and group coaching for creative professionals. As a Creative Life Coach, she empowers passionate individuals to reconnect with their creativity, overcome self-doubt, and design a life that reflects their true artistic spirit. With a blend of intuitive guidance and practical strategy, she helps clients break through blocks and bring their creative visions to life, whether they're changing careers, launching a creative business, or simply craving more inspiration and fulfillment in their work.
With an extensive career in the tech industry, she has held roles specializing...

In 2018, Andrew O’Brien nearly lost his leg — and with it, the belief that his body could ever carry him the way it once had. Today, he’s running 26.2 miles in Cape Town on May 24th to raise money for Congolese refugees through UNHCR, fueled by a love for Africa that was born during his first visit to Cape Town in 2019, was deepened in the internally displaced camps of Goma in the DRC in 2024, and cemented in the refugee camps of Burundi in 2025. This is a comeback story, a mission, and a whole lot of heart — and we’re so glad he...

Gina Chen is the Founder and Managing Attorney of One Ally, a boutique corporate law firm redefining what it means to practice business law with both rigor and heart. A former M&A attorney at Davis Polk, Paul Weiss, and Mayer Brown, Gina has led and advised on over $10 billion in transactions, representing public companies, private equity funds, and high-growth businesses across industries.

But Gina’s path to Wall Street began far from it. A first-generation immigrant who came to the United States at age nine, she has spent her life navigating the intersection of community and ca...

Dominique is the CEO at Group Coaching HQ. She has built group coaching programs for Fortune 500 companies, and has trained over 300 coaches in the art of group coaching. As a consultant for organizations scaling their group coaching programs, she supports them to amplify their coaching culture.

She holds a M.Ed in Educational Leadership and Change, is an ICF PCC, Certified Mentor Coach, Certified Systemic Team Coach, Hogan Assessments Certified Coach and certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Facilitator and Coach.

A surfer and adventurer, and she lives a peaceful life in Brooklyn, NY.

Social Me...

I have always believed that people carry far more depth than they feel safe revealing. Beneath what is spoken, there is curiosity, intelligence, and longing waiting to be discovered. I am drawn to that space. I move toward it instinctively.

I do not stay on the surface. I never have. I follow questions inward, then further, then further still. Discovery has always felt more natural to me than certainty. I build by going deeper, not wider. Each layer reveals another.

Intuition guides my work. It arrives as a physical knowing, a jolt, a signal that...

My passion and purpose have always been to support individuals in work and life. In 2017, I realized my dream of creating a world and business dedicated to helping others achieve their goals while dedicating more time to volunteering and giving back.

Prior to starting CKL Strategy, I spent 20 years in advertising and communications agencies in strategy, client and account management, project management, business development and leadership.

My career began in live entertainment, progressing in the industry’s top two agencies over 15 years. As part of agency leadership, I managed regional and local teams and impacted ag...

Rebecca Bonnington, MSc Coaching & Licensed Trainer of NLP, she is the CEO and Founder of Tricres. She’s on a mission to give brilliant business coaches the best toolkit to create kick-ass cultures in their client’s businesses.

Tricres was never meant to be your bog-standard ordinary business coach training company. With over 25 years of running her own businesses, Rebecca is ready to revolutionise business coach training by building a global community of like-minded business coaches.

You’ll learn the entire Kick Ass Culture Coach Training Course with Rebecca. She’s trained over 100 brilliant business coaches...

Julie B. Hughes ran her first ultra marathon, the historic JFK 50 Mile, and discovered it felt a lot like writing a book: a solitary act of courage that only becomes possible because of the community cheering you forward, one step and one word at a time. A licensed physical therapist, author, and mother of two, Julie founded the Run to Write Community to help others find their footing on the road and on the page when life’s challenges feel overwhelming.

She encourages members to tackle their challenges, believing in the therapeutic nature of storytelling, and her bo...

Get ready to meet a true champion for small business owners! Alice Chin is the founder and CEO of Your Other Half, an HR consultancy that helps entrepreneurs build teams they love without the legal landmines, leadership headaches, or overwhelm.

With over 20 years of hands-on HR experience and more than a decade at the helm of Your Other Half, Alice has helped 150+ small businesses across the country reduce chaos, strengthen leadership, and grow with integrity. Backed by a powerhouse team with 120+ combined years of HR expertise, Your Other Half is built to meet any team challenge a...

Everything I do includes the full expression of my heart, my innovative brain, a smattering of humor, and New York grit.

I strive to creatively guide my clients to craft stories that incorporate all of their parts and connect with the right people. My clients range from solo entrepreneurs, authors, and speakers to small-mid-sized businesses. They often come to us through referrals and are frustrated from going through one too many rounds of bright shiny internet BS.

As the online world becomes more crowded, complex, and divisive, we must be more discerning about what we...

Everything I do includes the full expression of my heart, my innovative brain, a smattering of humor, and New York grit.

I strive to creatively guide my clients to craft stories that incorporate all of their parts and connect with the right people. My clients range from solo entrepreneurs, authors, and speakers to small-mid-sized businesses. They often come to us through referrals and are frustrated from going through one too many rounds of bright shiny internet BS.

As the online world becomes more crowded, complex, and divisive, we must be more discerning about what we...

Qin Gao is the endowed Professor and Associate Dean for Doctoral Education, Acting Director of Asian American Initiative at Columbia University in New York. She is also a coach, trainer, and speaker who specializes in career development, professional relationships, and leadership for people in academia, including graduate students, professors, researchers, and administrators. Further, she is a professor of social policy and social work, and associate dean for doctoral education at Columbia University. Her motto is “See the Light; Be the Light.” Through coaching, she inspires clarity, hope, and strategies for awareness and action. She holds a PhD in Social Work...

Akihiko Morita, Ph.D., is a Board Member of ICF Thought Leadership Institute (TLI). As a professional coach and practical philosopher, Akihiko seamlessly integrates academic insights with real-world coaching applications. His extensive background as a Japanese diplomat, United Nations official, and director of an international NGO provides him with unparalleled intercultural perspectives and global expertise.

With a Ph.D. in social thought and over a decade of experience as a university professor, Akihiko brings academic rigor and a depth of knowledge to his coaching practice. His own transformative journey with coaching profoundly changed his life, enabling him...

Follow his career:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brunotager/

Bruno is a French-Lebanese American now in his third career. He began in PR and communications, then shifted gears into restaurant management—two worlds that taught him how people think, feel, and connect. Today, he’s a startup founder in tech, building software to help teams create products people truly want, instead of the endless stream of AI noise. His path has been anything but linear, and that’s exactly what keeps it interesting. Bruno’s biggest lesson? People will always surprise you—if you stay curious enough to...

Bruno is a French-Lebanese American now in his third career. He began in PR and communications, then shifted gears into restaurant management—two worlds that taught him how people think, feel, and connect. Today, he’s a startup founder in tech, building software to help teams create products people truly want, instead of the endless stream of AI noise. His path has been anything but linear, and that’s exactly what keeps it interesting. Bruno’s biggest lesson? People will always surprise you—if you stay curious enough to let them.

Follow his career:
https://www.linkedin.c...

Bruno is a French-Lebanese American now in his third career. He began in PR and communications, then shifted gears into restaurant management—two worlds that taught him how people think, feel, and connect. Today, he’s a startup founder in tech, building software to help teams create products people truly want, instead of the endless stream of AI noise. His path has been anything but linear, and that’s exactly what keeps it interesting.

Bruno’s biggest lesson? People will always surprise you—if you stay curious enough to let them.

Follow his path:
https://ww...

Diana Feinstein, Founder of Max Pact Health, is a health strategist who helps busy, high-achieving women navigate (peri)menopause with strength, clarity, and confidence. She teaches women to treat their health as their greatest ROI—an investment that fuels energy, stability, and fulfillment in this transformative season of life.

Blending behavior science, emotional agility, and personalized health strategy with cutting-edge fitness and nutrition support, Diana guides women through the changes of (peri)menopause with grounded, real-time insight and practical tools tailored to their day-to-day lives.

Social Handles:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxpacthealth/
Fa...