Joy Lim Nakrin -080



When the red light goes on and I’m on the air, I don’t think about the thousands of people who are watching me. I just try to connect with one person. -Joy Lim Nakrin

Words of wisdom from NBC 10 & NECN Boston news anchor Joy Lim Nakrin. She has spent much of her professional life in front of the camera, not just here in the United States, but on ESPN and MTV Asia and as the host of a reality show in Malaysia. Joy moved through television markets, most recently from Fox 25 in Hartford, Connecticut to Boston, and along the way, has been grateful for every opportunity she has had to learn her craft. The child of immigrants, Joy grew up in rural North Carolina and is of Chinese, Filipino and Jewish decent. When her relatives had a hard time understanding English, it was Joy who stepped in as their interpreter. Education was held in high regard in Joy’s home and she recalls getting punished if she didn’t get straight A’s in school. She began her college experience as a pre-med major, only to shift to philosophy when she realized she just couldn’t stand the sight of blood! Faced with what her next step in life would be, Joy applied to Duke University Law School and became one of college’s youngest graduates. That law degree has served Joy well, giving her an extra dose of confidence and legal knowledge when it comes to pointed questions. A passionate advocate for the Boston area’s Chinese and Filipino population, Joy volunteers her time on behalf of the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, is a spokesperson for the MSPCA’s Clear The Shelters Campaign and serves on the board of the Asian American Journalists Association of New England.     @BWME   #storybehindhersuccess    #16LifeLessons    #mydoveproductions


Lauren Pimpare -079



Ten days after our son was born, the doctors sat us down and said that he was going to be a vegetable. -Lauren Pimpare

Lauren’s story is both heartbreaking and uplifting, all at the same time. A successful executive in the healthcare field, Lauren is a big believer in the power of the word “we”, so she founded two organizations called Tomorrow’s Women Today and the Boston Women’s Leadership Council. At that time in her life, the sky was the limit. It was June 15, 2011 and Lauren was in labor with her second child. The city of Boston was alive with excitement as the Bruins shut out Vancouver 4-0 in game 7 of the Stanley Cup. Always huge hockey fans, Lauren and her husband decided to name their son “Boston” in honor of the Bruin’s victory. And then, the unthinkable happened. Lauren’s baby experienced a traumatic brain injury during childbirth. On a day that started with bliss, Lauren’s world turned upside down. Eight years later, the lessons have been many. The same women Lauren rallied to form her supportive professional organizations have come running to her door to offer help with open hearts and hands. Her climb up the career ladder experienced a full stop, but her journey remains rich and meaningful. “When women come together, we’re unstoppable. You can’t quiet us. We’re loud and powerful and we have a lot to say”. If you have a child with special needs, this episode will fill you with hope and love. @BWME   #storybehindhersuccess    #16LifeLessons    #mydoveproductions


Shannon Silvestri -078



Nothing feels more incredible than saving someone’s life. -Shannon Silvestri

Meet Shannon Silvestri: wife, mother, marathoner, coach, fitness instructor and organ donor. A longtime resident of the little seaside town of Beverly, Massachusetts, Shannon was a champion field hockey player who received a scholarship to Boston College where she was later inducted into the school’s athletic Hall of Fame. When her daughters were born, Shannon made the decision to be a stay at home mom, diving head first into volunteer work for their school and town as a coach and at the Beverly YMCA as a fitness instructor. A billboard in town showed the picture of a woman named Deb Debski and the question: “Could you be the one?” You see, Deb was in desperate need of a liver transplant. Shannon called the number on the billboard to see if she could be tested as a match. “I felt like God called me to do this, and if I didn’t do it, I knew Deb would die.” Many tests later, Shannon was told she was a perfect match for Deb. The lengthy surgery was performed and Deb’s life was saved. “It’s overwhelming to think there’s a part of me inside her, keeping her alive” says Shannon. “I call her my other half”. We call this story inspiring. If you have ever thought about organ donation, this episode is for you. #motherrunner  #americanliverfoundation  @BWME   #storybehindhersuccess    #16LifeLessons    #mydoveproductions


Jennifer Hanes -077



In a room full of men, I have to be decisive, clear and succinct. I have to own whatever it is I believe in. -Jennifer Hanes

I’ve been looking for women in powerful, senior leadership roles and I’ve found one. Meet Jennifer Hanes, Division Executive, Securities Finance & Processing for Capital Markets, FIS. The world’s largest global provider dedicated to banking and payment technologies, FIS is the acronym for Fidelity Information Services, Inc. The company serves more than 20,000 institutions in over 130 countries and Jennifer is in the thick of it all overseeing teams in the United States and around the world. Climbing the career ladder is something Jennifer has been doing for decades and her success story is a reflection of her tireless work ethic, her focus on the job at hand, her fearlessness, and her dedication to delivering tangible results. In this interview, she shares her views on being a mother and a career woman, as well as her leadership philosophy, the importance of mentorship, and her hopes for the next generation of women at the top. @BWME   #storybehindhersuccess    #16LifeLessons    #mydoveproductions

 


Cathy Poulin -076



Joy. Inspiration. These are contagious emotions and I’m always on the lookout for women who embody them. In the spotlight, Cathy Poulin, an exceptional woman I first interviewed about 10 years ago. I remember thinking that meeting her had been just as exciting as watching her on TV. You see, Cathy was the sidekick to a guy named Bob, owner of Bob’s Discount Furniture. Together, they jumped on couches, reclined in chairs, and shared the kind of vibe that made viewers want to get in their cars and drive to Bob’s to buy their next piece of furniture. But what viewers didn’t know is what I have discovered in this interview: Cathy Poulin is a brilliant marketer and a clever businesswoman with a long history of doing great things for others. She is a wife, a mother, a daughter, a clown, a former TV show host and school teacher, a giver, a doer, a creator and a bright light wherever she goes. Now the owner of Pitch Perfect Consulting, Cathy is focused on representing businesses who believe in sharing their success with causes they believe in, as well as giving a voice to the many non-profits she works with. “I have always known that I had a gift for creating ideas and making them come to fruition” says Cathy, “I just go for the heart because there is always a story there.” Rising entrepreneurs will want to download this episode. Her advice about the power of relationships is powerful stuff.  #cathypoulin  #bobsdiscountfurniture  @BWME   #storybehindhersuccess    #16LifeLessons    #mydoveproductions


Liz Ryan -075



The more you reach out…the more you tell your story…the more you share…the more will come back to you. -Liz Ryan

In this episode, we hear the story of a mom whose son has a rare, incurable and potentially deadly disease. Meet Liz Ryan, wife, mother of two, career woman and first generation American. What started as flu-like symptoms in January 2018 turned out to be Juvenile Myositis. For nearly 4 months, Liz and her husband watched their once laughing, curious, active 4 year old boy turn into a child who couldn’t walk, sit up, or even lift his head off the pillow. Liam’s diagnosis requires regular plasma transfusions, steroids and a low dose chemotherapy drug. Now 5, Liam is often tired, but always joyful. Born to Vietnam refugees who fled their country through Cambodia’s infamous “killing fields”, Liz shares her parent’s powerful work ethic as the impetus for her own determination to save her son’s life. She and her husband Luke have joined forces with a non-profit called The Cure JM Foundation whose mission is to spread awareness about the disease. Their website is www.CureJM4Liam.com. The chances of being hit by lightening are 1 in 500,000 and that is the same chance a child has of getting JM. By sharing their son Liam’s story, Liz and Luke are determined to support and offer encouragement to kids with JM and their families with love, hope and care. @Boston25 @bostonwomeninmediaandentertainment   #storybehindhersuccess    #16LifeLessons    #mydoveproductions


Susan Brady -074



Throughout the course of my career, I’ve had the good fortune of working with incredible women who have overcome hurdles and are willing to talk about it.  -Susan Brady

And talk about it, she does. Meet Susan Brady, newly named Managing Director of the Simmons University Institute for Leadership and author of Mastering Your Inner Critic and 7 Other High Hurdles To Advancement. A wife, mother and role model for so many women in Boston and beyond, Susan is one of those people who lights up the room and is willing to share her story with arms wide open. Raised on the little island of Martha’s Vineyard, Susan has spent her career surrounded by great women leaders. Her mission is to share what she knows and to remind us all that “you are enough, you matter, and most of all, you have unique value”. For a master class in leading with purpose and compassion, this episode is for you.  @bostonwomeninmediaandentertainment   #storybehindhersuccess    #16LifeLessons    #mydoveproductions


Liz Powers -073



One of her artists paints on canvas, using only the wheels of his wheelchair. Another just had one of his creations licensed to Starbucks. Meet Liz Powers, co-founder & Chief Happiness Spreader at ArtLifting, a socially conscious business that provides a marketplace for homeless and disabled artists to sell their artwork. Founded by Liz and her brother, Spencer in 2013, Art Lifting now has over 100 artists who provide incredible works of art. These artists are experiencing independence, receiving 55 % of the proceeds from the sale of their work. Seeing a person go from hopeless to hopeful is what Liz strives for each and everyday. A graduate of Harvard, Liz volunteered at local shelters throughout her college years and quickly realized that art therapy enabled this vulnerable population the chance to express their loss, their fears, their anger and their untapped talents. Says Liz: “I would just throw out art supplies on the table and if somebody was really stumped, I would just step back and say: paint hope.” And paint they did. What started out with a grant from Harvard is now a thriving business. The domino effect of empowering these artists is what brings this exceptional young woman her greatest joy.  A picture on a wall purchased from www.artlifting.com is more than a nice thing to do. It is a validation of someone’s talent and a tangible way to create positive change. @bostonwomeninmediaandentertainment   #storybehindhersuccess    #16LifeLessons    #mydoveproductions


Elizabeth Hopkins -072



You wake up, make your coffee, check your phone, and flip on the TV to catch the local news. You see gorgeous women and handsome men, telling you what’s happening in the world. But what is it REALLY like to be a news anchor? Meet Elizabeth Hopkins, news anchor for Boston 25 Morning News. The daughter of an educator and an NYPD police captain, Elizabeth thought she might like to follow in her father’s footsteps, imaging she might even become a police commissioner. But when she was presented with the opportunity to intern at a TV station, everything changed and she was bitten by the news bug. With stops in South Dakota, Rhode Island and Boston, Elizabeth has worked her way up the ladder from small to major market broadcaster. The life lessons she has learned along the way are what she values most, saying: “there is so much more of a powerful lesson to learn when things are NOT going your way.” Her parent’s wisdom and her husband’s devotion are what keep her going through a workday that begins with an alarm that goes off at midnight. For a dose of wisdom, faith, and good old- fashioned advice, download Elizabeth’s story today. We’re pretty sure you’ll be glad you did!   @bostonwomeninmediaandentertainment   #storybehindhersuccess    #16LifeLessons    #mydoveproductions


Katie Donovan -071



True success in business is when you can do what you want, when you want, and know that you are being paid equally. -Katie Donovan

If you believe in equal pay for women and minorities, this episode is for you. Meet Katie Donovan, the founder of Equal Pay Negotiations. She’s a pay equity expert and a trailblazer in this field. In fact, it was Katie who started a movement to ban the use of salary history in hiring and compensation decisions and her efforts were central to the passage of the bill she drafted here in Massachusetts. Two years later, 11 other states and 10 local jurisdictions have banned or restricted the use of salary history through new laws or executive orders. Born and raised in Chelsea, Massachusetts AKA the poorest city in the state, Katie is the daughter of a former school teacher and a local politician who got his start as a bat boy for the Boston Red Sox. Her father continued working for the legendary franchise, rising up the ranks to Executive Vice President. His message to Katie was two-fold: Anything is possible and life isn’t fair. Grab your best friend for a listen to this episode and don’t forget to take notes!    @bostonwomeninmediaandentertainment   #storybehindhersuccess    #16LifeLessons    #mydoveproductions