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


Sheilah Dorsey -070



Science and music: it is rare to have a career in both of these fields, but for Sheilah Dorsey, they are a perfect match.  She’s been singing all of her life, but she also gets plenty of joy from working in biotech where the goal is to discover life-saving drugs and treatments.  Her love of music goes way back to her childhood when her father rescued an old jukebox from a restaurant.  On that day, Sheilah was introduced to just about every form of music and a lifelong love of singing, songwriting, and recording was born. But from 9-5, Monday through Friday, this talented singer cannot be found singing at all.  For the past ten years, Sheilah has been earning a living in healthcare systems management and administration.  Her life story is a rich tapestry of experience in two very different worlds.  As it turns out, Sheilah is not the only biotech pro who loves music.  She is fronting a band called Almost The Cure and will be singing for charity at the famous Battle of the Biotech Bands May 30, 2019, at Club Royale in Boston.  In this interview, Sheilah shares her life philosophy:  “Don’t ever let fear stop your goals and dreams.  Once you have life and breath, the possibilities are endless.”  Download this one today. You’ll be glad you did!    #biotechbattle  @bostonwomeninmediaandentertainment   #storybehindhersuccess    #16LifeLessons    #mydoveproductions


Sharon Kan -069



Are you ready for a masterclass in entrepreneurship?  Meet Sharon Kan.  She has spent the last 20 years incubating and launching successful businesses in high potential markets.  And we’re not talking about the small stuff.  Sharon has nurtured and developed ideas that have been acquired by giants like Barnes & Noble, Microsoft, SSA Global, and Oracle. Born and raised in Israel, Sharon’s early life experience was shaped by five wars and countless terror attacks that left her feeling constantly on edge, but always resilient and hopeful for a brighter tomorrow.  Educated in the UK and France, Sharon is also the co-founder of the WIN Lab at Babson College.  Her latest project is a unique company called Pepperlane where she serves as CEO.  The mission is to create a movement focused on 24 million stay-at-home moms in the United States alone.  Sharon wants to build a thriving “mother economy” and her philosophy about entrepreneurship might surprise you because it is not about the money, it is always about the power of ideas.  Get out your pen and paper for this episode because there is a lot of wisdom here! @bostonwomeninmediaandentertainment   #storybehindhersuccess    #16LifeLessons    #mydoveproductions


Shannon O’Mara -068



Are you a mentor?  Have you ever been mentored by someone?  Passing on what we know for the betterment of someone else is a gift and this week’s guest is a big believer in the power of mentorship.  Meet Shannon O’Mara, Vice President & Associate Director of credit research at Loomis Sayles and Founder of UWIN:  the Undergraduate Women’s Investment Network.  Raised in Upstate New York, Shannon earned a BA in economics as well as her management certificates in finance and accounting from the University of Rochester.  The single mom of two teenagers, Shannon shares many life lessons including:  “show up fully, whether you are at work or with your family” as well as her mentoring mantra:  “If you can see it, you can be it.”   For a quick shot of determination, drive and passion, this success story checks all the boxes. @bostonwomeninmediaandentertainment   #storybehindhersuccess    #16LifeLessons    #mydoveproductions


Jacy Dawn Valeras -067



This episode is for the dreamers and the doers.  And most of all, it is a life lesson, because sometimes dreams come true in ways we never could have imagined.  Meet Jacy Dawn Valeras, singer/songwriter and CEO & Founder of Platinum Circle Media in Nashville, Tennessee.  Raised in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Jacy started making money by singing at funerals when she was 13 and by the time she hit high school, she was performing all over New England.  In 2009, Jacy and her boyfriend packed up their car and moved to Nashville where she created a career in a niche she never expected or even dreamed of.  “Make good out of obstacles, says Jacy, they just might take you someplace better.”  @jacydawnvaleras  @bostonwomeninmediaandentertainment   #storybehindhersuccess    #16LifeLessons    #mydoveproductions 


Roberta Sydney -066



Meet a woman who’s outstanding career has had three chapters:  one in finance/banking, one in real estate development and one as an independent director, executive and business builder.   In this candid interview, Roberta Sydney shares her belief that relationships in business and in our personal lives are everything.  Now the CEO of Sydney Associates, Roberta’s rise to the top has often included being the only woman in the room and at the negotiating table.  She is guided by a tireless work ethic and a true passion for bringing out the best in every person she works with.  A graduate of Wellesley College, Harvard Business School and MIT, Roberta is in a league of her own, and could easily sit on her laurels, yet this exceptional woman has made it a priority to help and guide the next generation of women executives. “I believe in finding the genius in others and allowing that to shine,” says Roberta.  And if you think her life has been easy, think again.  This is a story rooted in love of family, responsibility, and determination.  For an entre into excellence in business and in life, download Roberta’s powerful life story.  @robertasydney   #storybehindhersuccess    #16LifeLessons    #mydoveproductions 


Kim Weild -065



In this episode, we traveled to ArtsEmerson’s gorgeous Paramount Theatre in Boston to meet Kim Weild, director of American Moor written and performed by Keith Hamilton Cobb.  Described as an “urgent solo work that examines the experience of black men in America” American Moor is the kind of play that asks the kinds of questions that jar the soul and make us think. Raised in Westchester County, New York, Kim spent the first part of her life as a ballerina, dancing with the New York City Ballet and attending a private high school for the performing arts.  Her decision to leave the world of dance to pursue a career in theatre arts was a brave left-hand turn she remains grateful for to this day. In this interview, Kim shares the key to being a great actor, an inspiring director, a hard worker, and an effective college professor.  Her views on success and what matters most in life are worth your download. “I think kindness is a super-power” says Kim. We couldn’t agree more.   @artsemerson   @kimweild   @keithhamiltoncobb   #storybehindhersuccess    #16LifeLessons    #mydoveproductions 


Lisa Nickerson -064



Meet a woman who started showing the business community what she was made of in high school when she won her regional newspaper’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award!  Lisa Nickerson has been steadily climbing the ladder toward success ever since and is now the CEO and Founder of Nickerson PR and Nickerson Real Estate Partners. Recently recognized as one of Boston’s most powerful women in real estate, Lisa is a big believer in philanthropy and serves on the boards of Boston Women in Media & Entertainment, Housing Families and the ULI Women’s Leadership Initiative. Her incredible climb to the top has not been without obstacles and roadblocks.  The mom of three teenagers, Lisa shares her devotion to not only mothering but mentoring her children. Her boundless energy and tireless work ethic have been both a blessing and a curse, and her wise advice to rising female entrepreneurs and executives is worth your download.  @NickersonPR    @NickersonRE   #storybehindhersuccess    #16LifeLessons    #mydoveproductions 


Dana Siegal -063



Meet a woman who has taken her skills and talents in the healthcare field and married them to her lifetime love of the arts and the fight against cancer. Dana Siegal is a wife, a mother, an RN, the Director of Patient Safety for CRICO Strategies and the Artistic Director for a non-profit called Voices of Hope. Founded in 2009, Voices of Hope is made up of 200 cast members who have all been impacted by cancer.  Together, they sing, and dance, and entertain, all to benefit cancer research.  But, as Dana will tell you, Voices of Hope is more than a theatre group, it is a cancer community and her role is to bring out the very best in every person who wants to share their talent. In this inspiring interview, Dana reveals a life story that has included a life-altering MS diagnosis in her 20’s and the decision to stay positive and resilient in the face of loss.  A source of strength and hope to so many people, Dana Siegal believes that we can find reason and purpose in everything that happens to us.  @danaewensiegal    @voicesofhopeboston     #storybehindhersuccess    #16LifeLessons    #mydoveproductions