When Thayer Lavielle joined Wasserman, she recognized an opportunity to drive change from within one of the world’s leading sports and entertainment agencies. What began as a conversation about how to better support women across industries became The Collective—a global initiative dedicated to advancing the power of women through data, strategy, and storytelling.

As Managing Director, Thayer has helped transform how brands and organizations view women’s impact as consumers, fans, and leaders. In this episode, she discusses the evolution of women’s sports, the cultural moments fueling its momentum, and why authentic influence starts with service and purpose.

Episode Highlights

• The inspiration behind The Collective and how it’s elevating women across sports, music, and entertainment
• Research-driven insights revealing the true scale of women’s fandom and purchasing power
• Key cultural milestones that have shifted public perception of women’s sports
• The challenges and rewards of building a new brand within a global agency
• Lessons from Thayer’s early career in journalism and beauty that shaped her leadership approach
• What influence really means and how it’s best expressed through service and authenticity

Thayer’s perspective offers a thoughtful look at how advocacy, business, and storytelling can come together to create lasting impact for women everywhere.

Links and Resources

Connect with Thayer Lavielle on LinkedIn

Connect with Wasserman on LinkedIn

Learn more about The Collective

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When Diana Thomas became one of the first women in the United States to give birth through donor egg IVF in 1996, there were no guidelines, agencies, or contracts. It was determination and uncharted territory. Today, as Founder and CEO of The World Egg and Sperm Bank, she is on a mission to bring transparency, ethics, and rigorous standards to a rapidly growing and often misunderstood industry.

Episode Highlights

• Diana’s groundbreaking 15-year journey through infertility and how it shaped her mission to protect and empower future families
• Eye-opening truths about the global egg donation landscape, including trafficking, exploitation, and overlooked legislative gaps
• Why transparency and rigorous screening are critical—and the essential questions every hopeful parent should ask their clinic
• Practical advice for women navigating fertility challenges, including how to advocate for themselves in an emotional and complex process

Whether you are navigating fertility yourself or want to understand an industry that touches millions, Diana’s insights are both eye opening and inspiring.

Links and Resources

Connect with Diana Thomas on LinkedIn

Connect with the The World Egg and Sperm Bank on LinkedIn

Learn more about The World Egg and Sperm Bank

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Rikki Marler, Vice President of Client Development at Pēq, joins Women of Influence to share how she helps brands move beyond surface-level metrics to understand the true incremental impact of their campaigns. With a background in shopper marketing and lessons learned from early mentors, Rikki talks about why today’s marketers need real-time insights, how transparency has guided her career, and the importance of staying curious when navigating change.

Episode Highlights:

• The shift from proof of performance to proof of value in marketing.
• Why in-flight optimization is essential as budgets tighten.
• Lessons in transparency from early career mentorship under Walmart’s first COO.
• Staying curious and using an “advisory board” to navigate career twists.
• Influence as making people feel seen, heard, and empowered.

Links and Resources

Connect with Rikki Marler on LinkedIn

Connect with Pēq on LinkedIn

Learn more about Pēq

Want more from SheSpeaks?

* Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! *

• Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksup
• Contact us at podcast@shespeaks.com
• WATCH our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV