Get in the Game: Leadership, Board Seats and Venture Investing with Julie Castro Abrams, CEO How Women Lead
In this inspiring interview host Natalie Benamou, Founder of HerCsuite®, sits down with Julie Castro Abrams, CEO, How Women Lead and Managing Partner of How Women Invest. Julie shares her journey from leading a nonprofit that helped start 6,000 women businesses to championing women's leadership in the c-suite, on boards and investing.
As the CEO of How Women Lead and the Founder of How Women Invest, Julie is on a mission to break down barriers and glass ceilings for women everywhere. Her innovative efforts are creating a more inclusive venture ecosystem where women are encouraged to rise in influence and take control of their financial futures. Julie is paving the way for women to access and thrive in the venture capital space, fostering both personal and professional growth.
I want you to look around, are there five women that you can talk to and say to them I believe in you. I think you should consider looking into this now so that when it's right for you, you can get in the game. To me, there's nothing better I can do for a woman.” Julie Castro Abrams
Breaking Barriers in Venture Capital
Julie shares the transformative power of women-led venture firms and the significance of collective female investing. By setting a minimum investment threshold, she has opened new doors for women to innovate and explore untapped markets. This episode highlights how empowering women in venture capital can lead to a broader impact, encouraging success for female entrepreneurs and driving innovation in under explored markets.
“In the venture space only 1.8% of all venture money goes to companies founded by women and 80% of all venture funding went to companies with no women anywhere in the founding teams.” Julie Castro Abrams
#GetonBoard Week
The conversation also explores gender parity in leadership roles, emphasizing the need for more women in C-suite positions to advocate for equitable pay practices. Julie shares the inspiration for #GetOnBoard Week an initiative aimed at equipping women with the tools to land top leadership roles, including board positions. With over 3,000 women attending this week, How Women Lead is creating a movement for influence and impact.
Natalie shares how to continue the momentum of #GetonBoard HerCsuite® Boards Mastermind and HerCsuite® Boards Retreat can continue the momentum experienced at #GetonBoard Week. Each program is focused on women landing board seats on private an publicly traded company boards.
A Support Network of 25,000 Women
Julie shares the success of cultivating a network of 25,000 women through How Women Lead. She walks us through the inspiration for How Women Invest and how funded entrepreneurs are achieving greater results in their businesses compared with other investors. This robust support system offers invaluable resources and guidance for women at leadership levels and across industries.
Inspiring Women to Rise Together
Throughout the episode, Julie's passion for reinforcing women's voices and empowering them shines through. By believing in each other and creating opportunities for women to lead, we can all contribute to a future where women's voices are not just heard but celebrated.
Tune in to this episode and feel inspired to make a plan, include women in your life and surround yourself with at least five to go with you on path to leadership.
Thank you Julie Castro Abrams for being a featured guest today and all the ways you are creating a brighter future for women today and for our daughters to step into leadership.
About Our Guest:
Julie Castro Abrams is an expert in board governance, investing and is an experienced CEO movement builder and leader. As the CEO of How Women Lead, a network of over 25,000 women, she is dedicated to breaking ceilings for women individually and collectively. She is the Managing Partner of How Women Invest, the country’s largest venture fund focused exclusively on women founders.
Connect with Host Natalie Benamou, Founder HerCsuite®
Natalie Benamou is the host of Women Leaders on the Move and the Founder of HerCsuite®, a powerful women's network providing connect circles for women’s careers and businesses. She is dedicated to making it easier for women to achieve success in all aspects of their lives. Natalie is also the Founder and President of HER HEALTHX, a nonprofit focused on improving health outcomes for women.
This podcast is sponsored by HerCsuite® Board Retreats
