From Grit to Growth with Nelly Mubashi: A CEO Playbook for Women in Finance
Release Date: 07/07/2025
The Audacity to Lead with Stacie Selise Shannon: The Superpower of Ambition
Fearless Females
In this episode, host Lorie Jones welcomes Stacie Selise, executive leadership strategist and CEO of the Stacie Selise Group, a powerhouse who recounts her journey from in-store customer service rep at a retail counter to leading thousands as one of the youngest vice presidents at that same Fortune 20 company, to then owning and being her own brand. Stacie shares candid insights on what it takes to break barriers in corporate America as a woman of color, the necessity of making your voice heard, and why you should never shrink to fit someone else’s expectations. Discover why Stacie believes...
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Owning the Unknown with Jennifer Rayner: Trusting Your Own Voice
Fearless Females
In this episode, host Lorie Jones welcomes Jennifer Rayner, founder of Moniwell and a visionary in the financial world. Jennifer shares how she turned an unexpected start in finance into a mission to change how people feel about their money. Jennifer opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome, betting on bold ideas, and building success on her own terms. Hear her distinctive take on breaking barriers in a field traditionally exclusive to men and redefining what financial empowerment truly means. She discusses the importance of diversity in how we approach and solve problems in finance....
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Fierce and Fearless with Melissa Wallace: Building Companies That Build Women Up
Fearless Females
This week, host Lorie Jones sits down with Melissa Wallace, founder and CEO of the Fierce Foundry, for an authentic and empowering conversation about navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Melissa opens up about her unconventional journey from dreaming of attending law school to building a career at the intersection of marketing, tech, and women’s health. She shares how hitting rock bottom financially during the pandemic became a pivotal moment that led her to create organizations dedicated to bridging the gender gap in business funding and supporting female tech founders....
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Beyond the Bar with Brooke Cozort: Redefining Success Midlife
Fearless Females
In this episode, host Lorie Jones spotlights Brooke Cozort, an ERISA attorney whose career path defies expectations. Brooke shares how she built a successful footing in finance—then bravely charted a new course back to law school in her mid-30s, all while balancing motherhood. Brooke’s story is a refreshing testament to the power of reinvention, resilience, and trusting your instincts over the typical timeline. She candidly shares her reflections on imposter syndrome, leadership missteps, and what it looks like to start over when you’re already professionally established, bringing you...
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Stepping into Purpose with Deborah Takahara: From Headlines to Heart
Fearless Females
This week, host Lorie Jones sits down with Deborah Takahara, the extraordinary former broadcast journalist and current public information director for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Deborah candidly shares her journey from overcoming childhood shyness to building a high-profile media career, and ultimately making a bold pivot to prioritize her family and align with her values. Deborah’s story shines a spotlight on the courage required to redefine success in the face of societal expectations and what it means to lead a values-driven life. She shares how she leveraged her unique skill...
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Breaking the Overwhelm Cycle with Libby Greiwe: A New Way to Work and Win
Fearless Females
In today’s episode, host Lorie Jones sits down with the remarkable Libby Greiwe, owner of the Efficient Advisor and an inspiring force in the world of financial planning. Libby’s journey is anything but ordinary: she went from engineering physics to sports marketing, eventually to start a seven-figure financial planning firm while working just three days a week to be a super-present mom. More than just a process-driven, organized powerhouse, Libby is refreshingly honest about her struggles—from moments of overwhelm and burnout to learning the strength of imperfection. Lorie and Libby...
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Bold Transitions with Tracey Windsor: Finding Strength in Change
Fearless Females
In this episode, host Lorie Jones welcomes Tracey Windsor, CEO of Windsor Edge and former New York City dancer, for a conversation that’s equal parts energizing and insightful. Tracey shares her bold leap from the arts into nonprofit leadership and eventually the high-stakes world of private equity, showing that success favors those who embrace change and pursue what excites them. Tracey discusses making tough career pivots, overcoming doubt, and staying true to your passions while navigating male-dominated or established professional spaces, with practical advice on building strong...
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Courage in Action with Kate Seybold: A Woman’s Journey into Firefighting
Fearless Females
In this episode, host Lorie Jones welcomes Kate Seybold, an inspiring lieutenant with the Clear Creek Fire Authority, whose unconventional journey is a testament to following your passion. Kate candidly shares her experience of walking away from a stable career in architecture, despite family expectations and a master’s degree, to pursue a calling in emergency services. You will hear about the courage it takes to make bold career moves, the importance of trusting your instincts, and how embracing risk can lead to a truly fulfilling life. Kate also opens up about building confidence, breaking...
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Becoming Whole with Kateri O'Grady: Finding Power in Transition
Fearless Females
In this episode, host Lorie Jones sits down with Kateri O’Grady, a fractional COO and the founder behind her own consulting powerhouse, Kateri O'Grady Consulting. Kateri shares the riveting story of how surviving five strokes forced her to recalibrate her life and career, ultimately propelling her toward entrepreneurship. She gets candid about the grit required to build a business, the importance of advocating for yourself, and what it really means to honor your own value in the workplace. Kateri’s insights on setting boundaries, embracing your wins, and carving a space where impact truly...
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Prepared on Purpose with Polly Breit: Living with intention
Fearless Females
Today, host Lorie Jones welcomes Polly Breit, executive vice president at CCS Fundraising, for a dynamic conversation packed with wisdom and authenticity. Polly’s unconventional journey from teaching third grade in Los Angeles to leading ambitious fundraising campaigns proves that career pivots can lead to extraordinary success, in particular, when fueled by purpose and staying true to oneself. With refreshing honesty, Polly challenges the idea of “faking it till you make it” and champions the power of authenticity and trusting your unique strengths. She opens up about the...
info_outlineIn this episode, host Lorie Jones sits down with Nelly Mubashi—CEO and co-owner of NWAM, LLC (Northwest Asset Management and RIA Innovations). From a childhood in war-torn Nicaragua to climbing the corporate ladder and eventually building a $9.2 billion company from the ground up, Nelly's story is all about defying expectations.
Nelly was denied company support to take her Series 7 exam but took matters into her own hands, fueling a career that would become a beacon of inspiration for women everywhere. In this conversation, you will hear about her unconventional entry into finance, the importance of knowing your "why," and the unique challenges she faced as a first-generation immigrant woman in leadership.
Lorie and Nelly also discuss learning from bad advice, the power of authentic self-expression in the workplace, and the essential lesson of self-advocacy and being your own cheerleader. Let this conversation be the spark that fuels your ambition and confidence.
Show Highlights:
- The power of your “why” for a purpose-driven life and career. [04:36]
- How Nelly Mubashi entered finance in the face of gatekeeping. [08:27]
- Lessons from the rise of a recession-born RIA firm to phenomenal growth. [12:32]
- Simple yet profound advice for the fear of lacking expertise. [16:37]
- Why blending a warm management style with clear-cut processes in HR policy matters. [20:57]
- A story about language, culture, self-consciousness, and fitting in. [25:50]
- Girls really should sometimes just have fun—and network. [29:58]
- Find confidence in the universality of insecurity in achievers. [34:02]
- An insider’s view of the dual challenge faced by women co-owner CEOs. [37:40]
- Should a CEO in a hybrid staff role transition to a CEO-only focus? [41:10]
- Reminding young professionals to be their own cheerleaders. [44:24]
Connect with Nelly Mubashi at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelly-mubashi-6097664/. Do make sure to mention “Fearless Females podcast with Lorie Jones” in your message to her!
If you enjoyed this episode, please go to Apple Podcasts and leave a review!
For more information about Lorie Jones, go to https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females.