Libsyn Directory

96. 5 Keys to Build Self-Confidence with Sheena Yap Chan, Author and Podcast Host, Tao of Self-Confidence

Release Date: 02/27/2025

115. Play the Game to Change the Game with Erica Mosca, Nevada State Assemblymember and Founder/Executive Director of Leaders in Training

Women of Color Rise

What does it mean to play the game to change the game? In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Erica Mosca—Nevada State Assemblymember and Founder/Executive Director of Leaders in Training. Her nonprofit now empowers over 200 students annually with a 100% college acceptance rate and 81% postsecondary persistence. Erica is also the first Filipina elected to the Nevada State Legislature and is running for her third term. Growing up, Erica didn’t see herself represented in classrooms, on television, or in politics. When she learned that only 1% of elected officials...

114. Embrace Feminine Energy in Leadership and Parenting with Shavon Terrell-Camper, Realignment Coach and Former Therapist

Women of Color Rise

What does it mean to bring feminine energy into leadership and parenting? In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Shavon Terrell-Camper, a Realignment Coach and former therapist with over 3,000 hours of coaching experience helping individuals build self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and authentic leadership. Shavon shares how to shift from default masculine approaches—power, control, being right—into a more expansive definition of leadership and parenting grounded in feminine energy. Go beyond default definitions: Strong leadership doesn’t have to mean...

113. Take a Yearlong Sabbatical with an Around the World Family Trip with Gloria Lee, Social Entrepreneur and Lecturer at UC Berkeley and Stanford

Women of Color Rise

In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Gloria Lee—Social Entrepreneur, Lecturer at UC Berkeley and Stanford, and visionary behind a new venture focused on helping elders thrive while aging in place. A seasoned educator and nonprofit leader, Gloria’s career includes Founder, CEO of Educate78, President and COO of New Schools Venture Fund, and Area Superintendent and COO of Aspire Public Schools. Gloria didn’t just dream about traveling the world with her husband and two sons—she made it happen. In our conversation, she shares how she turned this bold vision into...

112. Inclusive Leadership with Jana Reed, COO of Nonprofit Finance Fund

Women of Color Rise

How do you get real team buy-in? In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I talk with Jana Reed, COO of Nonprofit Finance Fund. Jana brings years of experience as a systems-level leader—previously serving as COO of iMentor, co-founder of Ascend Learning, and Chief of Schools at Citizens of the World Charter Schools. Jana walks us through how her leadership has evolved—from focusing on modeling hard work to now prioritizing shared values, clear communication, and co-creation with her team. We discuss: The importance of frameworks like operating agreements and shared...

111. Run for Your School Board with Judith Cruz, Former Board President, Houston Independent School District

Women of Color Rise

Thinking of running for school board? In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Judith Cruz, Former Board President, Houston Independent School District. Judith has over twenty-five years of experience as an educator, non-profit leader, and volunteer in public schools. Judith shares her path to school board leadership—and what it really takes to serve well. Know your why – Serving on a school board is a powerful way to create change, but it’s not easy. It’s unpaid, political, and full of competing priorities. Judith reminds us that while advancing student outcomes...

110. Be a Mentor with Fernande (Nan) Duffly, First Asian American Judge to Massachusett’s Supreme Court

Women of Color Rise

Do you mentor others? In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Fernande (Nan) Duffly, the first Asian American Judge appointed to the Massachusetts Supreme Court. Nan shares how mentorship played a critical role in her journey. Her mentor, Sam Adams, encouraged her to consider becoming a judge—something she hadn’t envisioned for herself. At the time, there were very few people who looked like her in those roles. Now, Nan pays it forward. She actively mentors young lawyers and students, especially those from diverse backgrounds. For Nan, mentoring isn’t...

109. Stay and Lead in Your Home Community with Dr. Nancy B. Gutiérrez, President & Lead Executive Officer, The Leadership Academy

Women of Color Rise

In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Dr. Nancy B. Gutiérrez, President & Lead Executive Officer of The Leadership Academy, a nationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to developing transformational leadership for educators at all levels. Nancy also serves on the boards of The Hunt Institute, brightbeam, and The Neurodiversity Alliance, and is the Board Chair of Education Leaders of Color (EdLoC). Nancy is the co-author of Stay and Prevail: Students of Color Don’t Need to Leave Their Communities to Succeed (2023), which shares powerful stories of leaders who choose...

108. Accelerate Your Liberation Journey with Jillian Juman, CEO, Envision Education

Women of Color Rise

In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Jillian Juman, CEO of Envision Education—a network of high-performing middle and high school charter schools in Oakland, CA. Jillian shares her powerful journey toward liberation and what it means to lead as a Black woman who embraces curiosity, intuition, and spiritual connection. Lean into curiosity and play: Jillian follows what sparks her interest—even if most things don’t lead anywhere—and trusts that the few that do are exactly where she’s meant to be. Notice when you don’t fit: She’s learned to...

107. Embrace Being the Face of an Organization as an Introvert with Angira Sceusi, Executive Director of redefinED atlanta

Women of Color Rise

In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Angira Sceusi, Executive Director of redefinED atlanta, a nonprofit committed to ensuring every student in Atlanta can attend an excellent K-12 public school. Angira was named to the 2025 Atlanta 500, a list of the city’s most powerful leaders, and selected for the 2026 class of Leadership Atlanta. Angira shares her journey from being a behind-the-scenes introvert to stepping into the spotlight and embracing her role as the face of the organization. Here’s what helped her: Name the self-doubt. Even with advanced degrees...

106. How to Find a Mentor with Veronica Conforme, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Greenhouse E3

Women of Color Rise

How can you find a mentor? For this Women of Color Rise episode, I speak with Veronica Conforme, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Greenhouse E3, a national nonprofit developing diverse pipelines of future education leaders. Veronica describes herself as a rebel—she turned down her father’s advice to become an accountant and instead set out to change the world. Her career includes serving as COO of the NYC Department of Education, leading UP Education Network in Massachusetts, and serving as Chancellor of the Education Achievement Authority of Michigan. Veronica credits...

More Episodes

How can you amplify your leadership in technology?

In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I sit down with Sonita Lontoh, an inspiring technology leader and inductee into the Asian Hall of Fame and Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame. Sonita currently serves on the boards of Sunrun (Nasdaq: RUN) and TrueBlue (NYSE: TBI) and has held senior executive roles at HP, Siemens, and PG&E. Recognized by the White House and U.S. State Department, Sonita shares actionable insights on amplifying your career in technology.

Sonita shares helpful advice to amplify a career:

Embrace change and failure: Explore your passions early, pivot when needed, and view failure as a learning opportunity. For example, Sonita started her career by pursuing an entrepreneurial passion in gaming, successfully launched a company, and later pivoted to corporate leadership after selling the business.
Find your purpose: Align your passions, skills, and purpose to guide your career path. Sonita found her purpose at the intersection of technology and sustainability, which became her north star in driving innovation and impact throughout her career.
Seek mentors and sponsors: Build a support network of role models who inspire and guide you, regardless of their level. Sonita leveraged mentorship from diverse leaders, including women and men, to navigate career transitions and grow into leadership roles.
Think like an owner: Go beyond your role to drive the broader success of your organization. Sonita exemplified this by creating and scaling new businesses within large companies like Siemens, transforming innovative ideas into operational success.

Sonita’s wisdom offers invaluable guidance for navigating the challenges of technology leadership.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://analizawolf.com/episode-96-5-keys-to-build-self-confidence-with-sheena-yap-chan

TOPICS