Reading has power. That’s a pretty straightforward and obvious universal truth, right? Well, for students with language-based learning disabilities, literacy doesn’t come easily, and for a long time, classrooms weren’t equipped with strategies or programs to help. Nearly 20 years ago, Nancy Blair and Pat Roberts set out to change that. The first step was launching AIM Academy in suburban Philadelphia. The second was creating the AIM Institute for Learning & Research. Next? The duo has a book in the works, making for a timely opportunity for Women to Watch’s Sue Rocco to touch base with two guests who first appeared on her show a decade ago.

It's been a while, but after nearly a decade, the timing was right for Women to Watch's Sue Rocco and Dr. Margie Warrell to reconnect. Margie, a past guest and globally recognized author, leadership advisor, and keynote speaker, recently published a new book. Sue and Margie discuss The Courage Gap: 5 Steps to Braver Action, and explore the factors that inspired her writing. Whether you're an aspiring leader or seeking growth, this conversation offers wisdom worth putting into action.

Pressure is something Erin Lydon has lived with her whole life. The product of an “achievement-oriented” family, she furthered a multi-generational line of graduates from Bates College, the elite liberal arts school in Lydon’s native state of Maine. But as she carved out her professional and personal paths, Lydon came to realize that venturing beyond her comfort zone was crucial to her development. Now, as an executive strategic advisor, the TEDx speaker and former president of Poker Power tells Women to Watch’s Sue Rocco she has found her calling by demanding the best for herself, while getting results for growing companies.

The financial bug bit Shalanda Armstrong when she was young. The Detroit native bought her first stock before her 13th birthday, and soaked up savvy money management tips from her parents. Even though she’s built a burgeoning career in venture capitalism by launching her own fund, 100KM Ventures, other interests, like space and sports, have shaped her career approach. Women to Watch’s Sue Rocco explores the influential experiences and lessons from Armstrong’s life, and picks her brain about navigating a global economy in flux.

Lend? Donate? Through LENDonate, you can do either or both. Founder and CEO Vivienne Hsu came up with the concept after seeing a need for capital to flow more freely into the non-profit sector. How did she get her idea off the ground? What personal and professional experiences shaped her vision? Women to Watch’s Sue Rocco retraces Hsu’s path to entrepreneurship by exploring her roots in Hong Kong, ability to overcome language barriers, and commitment to faith.

Put your head down and work. To Shikha Miglani, the formula is simple. With her mother and father setting a strong example, the Saarthee co-founder and CEO learned early in life that persistence can go a long way towards making the difference between success and failure. This determination has helped her throughout her career, especially when she set out on her own and tapped into her entrepreneurial spirit. Women to Watch’s Sue Rocco talks with Miglani at length about the influence of her parents, and why she believes Saarthee is well-positioned to offer data and analytics solutions with the help of AI.

Lindsey Scrase has always done her own thing, letting personal and professional instincts be her guide. The approach hasn’t always been comfortable, but the results speak for themselves. The Ann Arbor, MI native has demonstrated leadership prowess at just about every stage of her career - from her days as a crew leader at a fast food chain restaurant to her current role as COO of Checkr, a streamlined, AI-powered background-checking platform. In a conversation with Women to Watch’s Sue Rocco, Scrace discusses the importance of diversity-based hiring practices she learned during her decade at Google, and why everyone - even her own kids - could benefit from stepping outside their boxes.

Sonya Weigle built a successful career, but she also had obligations. More than obligations, they were priorities. With a young, growing family at home, she knew the professional path she carved out for herself wasn’t sustainable, so she made some tweaks. Nevertheless, Weigle continued to achieve. Now, three decades later and with an increasing sense of autonomy in her life, the seasoned executive is prepared to make what could be her most ambitious and inspired pivot yet - the launch of a brand new, dynamic community for fellow women leaders. Women to Watch host Sue Rocco catches up with Weigle, who shares her vision for The Catalytic Collective and explains why it’s never too late to put yourself first.