Stellar Women
84 episodes - English - Latest episode: 21 days ago - ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsStellar Women celebrates female leaders making their mark in technology. These women share their stories and practical tips to inspire emerging leaders, build a supportive community of allies, and promote gender equity and empowerment.
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Episodes
74: Gather Some Workflow, Career, and Life Advice from Martha Louks
March 28, 2024 19:00 - 20 minutes - 18.4 MBShortly after she took the stage during our keynote at Relativity Fest 2023 in Chicago, Martha Louks—director of technology services at McDermott Will & Emery—sat down with me for a Stellar Women podcast. And wow, did Martha have a wealth of insight to share with us. During our conversation, you’ll hear this superstar’s thoughts on short message data and the e-discovery challenges it presents; the many possible avenues of an e-discovery career; how to balance being a professional and a sin...
73: Tackling the Next Challenge, Together with Monica Harris
January 30, 2024 06:00 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MBThe Stellar Women community empowers women in the legal technology field to harness the power of technology to thrive—both at work and in life, and Monica Harris is doing just that. My chat with Monica left me felling inspired and ready to tackle the next challenge, and I hope it does the same for you—because, as Monica says, anything is possible and everything will work out
72: Making Space for Authenticity with Erin Coupe
August 02, 2023 05:00 - 20 minutes - 18.4 MBWhen it comes to living and working to your fullest potential, authenticity is key. It's also essential for overcoming the negative self-talk and catastrophic assumptions that can sometimes dominate our thinking in a high-pressure working world. In this episode of Stellar Women, Blair Cohen interviews Erin Coupe of Authentically EC to talk about how to connect with your truest self to be more intentional at work and find greater balance in life.
71: How Farrah Pepper Sparks Joy at Work with Technology and Collaboration
March 31, 2023 05:00 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MBThis episode of Stellar Women features Farrah Pepper—chief legal innovation counsel at Marsh McLennan, a 2023 AI Visionary, and "the Mary Poppins of e-Discovery"—discussing the modern demands of leaders, change management, and more. Farrah and our host, Blair Cohen, also chat about the necessity of tech in the current practice of law, why e-discovery pros are basically superheroes, and what it truly means to be successful in a business environment. Farrah says she got comfortable with techn...
70: Corinne Cartwright on Pitching Stakeholders and Buying In to Your Own Worth
February 22, 2023 06:00 - 22 minutes - 20.3 MBWe all know that feeling. You know the exact solution for a problem that has been a pain in your ... side for what feels like forever. But your solution costs money or time or needs sign-off from a boss or maybe even a CFO. What is that secret to getting that buy in from the top? Well, if you listen to a conversation with Corinne Cartwright, a senior manager and solutions architect at BDO USA, you're going to find out. During our chat, Corinne takes us through her career in business develo...
69: Kelly Friedman on the Power of Persistence, Perfectionism, and AI
January 25, 2023 06:00 - 31 minutes - 28.7 MBFor those of you who already know Kelly as a thought leader in e-discovery, buckle up to hear from a side of her you may not have heard before. Simply put, Kelly is an all-star and a problem solver in every aspect of her life—and she has some important, honest stories to share about starting out as a young woman in the law and technology, carrying on in the face of doubt, and building relationships along the way.
68: The Techie and the Lawyer: Professional Powerhouse Cristin Traylor and Sara Skeens
September 14, 2022 05:00 - 24 minutes - 22 MBSo many of us have that go-to person at work—the one who completes our dynamic duo. At McGuire Woods, one such duo is Cristin Traylor and Sara Skeens. In this episode of Stellar Women, learn more about how they work together to help move the needle for their clients and their careers.
67: Emma B-F and Being Your Own Kind of Leader
July 27, 2022 14:00 - 14 minutes - 13 MBIn this episode of Stellar Women, leadership coach Emma B-F demystifies what it takes to be a senior leader and shares some tips on identifying your ideal leadership style. Find Emma on social media or check out her group coaching program, Rise Up.
66: Bishu Solomon Girma on Steadiness Amidst Steady Change
June 24, 2022 14:45 - 24 minutes - 55.7 MBWhat does it mean to be a good leader? It isn’t just authoritativeness, or being adaptive, or getting creative—it’s all of that and more. In this episode of Stellar Women, Mary Rechtoris and Mila Taylor discuss flexible leadership styles, making space for diversity and inclusion, and setting realistic goals with Bishu Solomon Girma—head of customer success at Access Legal.
65: Show Up and Listen with Nicole Kelsey
June 01, 2022 18:30 - 26 minutes - 60.6 MBIn the latest episode of Stellar Women, Mary Rechtoris and Mila Taylor sit down with Nicole Kelsey—chief legal officer at Amyris and an inclusion, diversity, and belonging advocate. Nicole shares her thoughts on allyship, combating burnout, making mistakes, taking accountability, and the importance of language as we create a dialogue in the DEI space.
64: EDRM Crossover with Mary Mack & Kaylee Walstad
March 31, 2022 10:00 - 19 minutes - 18 MBStellar Women is delighted to launch our first crossover podcast of 2022 with our friends and partner, EDRM. In this episode, Blair and I joined Mary Mack and Kaylee Walstad to share how we have been faring the last few months (spoiler alert: we are in good spirits)! We also dove into why we are focusing on small acts of kindness this year, and shared personal examples of how these acts have manifested in each of our lives. Be sure to listen as we share what the transition back to the offic...
63: Julia Hasenzahl on Employee Happiness & the Double Burden
February 23, 2022 17:25 - 24 minutes - 22.8 MBThis month’s Stellar Women guest—Julia Hasenzahl—kept it real, allowing for an engaging and substantial conversation with hosts Mary Rechtoris and Mila Taylor. Throughout the episode, Julia shares how leadership polls their employees each week to gauge happiness, in hopes to identify areas for improvement. Interestingly, Julia notes the goal is to not get a 100 percent happiness score nor is the goal to get 100 percent participation. Rather, their goal is simple—assess where people are and un...
62: 2021 Year in Review with Heena Bhambhlani
January 25, 2022 15:00 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBAs per Stellar Women tradition, Mila and I had this past year’s Stellar Women Innovation Award winner on the podcast—Heena Bhambhlani. I always leave our conversations with Heena feeling so inspired, and this one was no different. Heena shares her story into e-discovery, her leadership style, and what the Stellar Women community means to her. And, to close out the month, Heena shares her goals for 2022, including becoming a better version of her already-stellar self.
61: Making Networking More Tangible & Less Daunting with Nikki MacCallum
November 23, 2021 12:00 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBLove it or hate it, networking is a crucial aspect to navigating and advancing your career. We all need to do it, so why not be a pro at it? For Stellar Women, we’re providing listeners a preview of what’s to come in our next workshop. On December 8, Nikki MacCallum will share what she’s about successfully networking and provide tangible next actions for you to try. In this episode, Nikki talks about a time networking propelled her comedy career forward, and how networking has changed since ...
60: Trusting and Standing Up for Yourself with Deeanna Fleener
November 09, 2021 15:00 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBDeeanna Fleener joined Mila and I on Stellar Women to talk about a recent project where she took a stand. After other project participants continually talked over her, she decided to take herself off the call. From there, she strategized on how she could participant in a way that felt right for her.
Excelling at Public Speaking & Building Diverse Companies with Shannon Brayton
October 26, 2021 12:00 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MBMila and I had a much-anticipated guest on this episode of Stellar Women—Shannon Brayton. After hearing Shannon speak with our CEO Mike Gamson at a company event, we knew we had to have her on the podcast due to her energy, authenticity, and wealth of experience in both marketing and the world of tech. Shannon brought that same energy to the podcast. During this episode, we discuss why innovative companies are making diversity a part of their strategy early in their founding, her most contro...
58: Catching up with Innovation Award Finalists Rebecca Grant, Kamaka Martin, & Heena Bhambhlani
September 28, 2021 14:00 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MBWe are counting down the days until next Wednesday for our Innovation Awards ceremony. Our Innovation Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the individuals who make our community stronger. These are individuals dedicated to innovation, elevating emerging leaders, and making our industry a better place. The Stellar Women Innovation Award is one that is dear to my heart. This year will mark the fourth year bestowing the award, with previous winners including Joy Murao, Stephanie Clerkin, and ...
57: Increasing Access to Justice through Pro Bono with Tiffany Graves
September 09, 2021 15:00 - 22 minutes - 21 MBStellar Women had the great opportunity to connect with Tiffany Graves this week on the podcast. Tiffany discusses how a dedicated guidance counselor helped start her path in the law, and how her career has evolved since earning her law degree. During the conversation, Tiffany also discusses her transition from the private to public sector, and how her time in both areas prepared her for her current role as the first pro bono counsel at Bradley.
56: Setting & Adhering to Boundaries with Mary Mack & Kaylee Walstad
September 01, 2021 13:00 - 15 minutes - 14.2 MB1 https://www.relativity.com/blog/prioritizing-mental-health-pandemic-stellar-women-mary-mack-kaylee-walstad/ 2 https://edrm.net/2021/05/stellar-women-edrm-crossover-mental-health-podcast/
55: Mentoring Junior Lawyers with Judge Kimberly Johnson
August 19, 2021 05:00 - 21 minutes - 19.3 MBOftentimes, our careers don’t follow a linear path. Opportunities may arise that may be completely different than what we expected but may serve us and our goals. This was true for Judge Kimberly Johnson, who went to graduate school to study psychology. Her path changed and led her to law school, ultimately becoming a trial attorney and a judge. In this episode, Mila and I chatted with Judge Johnson on the importance of giving junior attorneys opportunities to argue a case in the courtroom, ...
54: Leading a Male-Dominated Team & Squashing Imposter Syndrome with Reade Heredia
July 27, 2021 13:00 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBFor Stellar Women, Mila and I had the great privilege of sitting down with Reade Heredia. Reader shares her tips for success as a leader including gathering feedback from her team on presentations in addition to praising in public and coaching in private. When it comes to imposter syndrome, Reade quoted Maya Angelou and said, “when you know better, you do better.” The best way for Reade to overcome any feelings of self-doubt is through preparation. She prepares for any upcoming obligation an...
53: “Brag Better” with Author Meredith Fineman
July 13, 2021 13:00 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MBStellar Women had not one, but two special guests on the podcast this month. Exiger’s Global Head of Marketing Kody Gurfein co-hosted with me as we chatted with Meredith Fineman about her book "Brag Better." During our conversation, Meredith details her writing process, how to brag strategically to advance your career, and why we should talk positively about our professional accomplishments. And, she shares why it is important for professionals to know that their accomplishments are worth t...
52: Finding Hidden Opportunities & Stop Apologizing with Krista Deurmeier
June 22, 2021 14:00 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBWhen entering the legal field, Krista Deurmeier had a set plan. She planned to work as a paralegal and then go to law school. That plan changed when she realized the many opportunities that existed in the paralegal profession. In this Stellar Women episode, Mila and I chat with Krista about the opportunities within the field and why we need to stop apologizing.
51: Helping Your Team Own Their Careers with Rebecca Grant
June 03, 2021 13:00 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBStellar Women was excited to welcome Rebecca Grant back to the podcast. If you missed her Stellar Women debut, check it out here. We had the opportunity to connect with Rebecca on her leadership style and how she helps her team navigate their careers, whether that is working flexible hours or taking on a new role on an entirely different team. As a technologist and lawyer, Rebecca also shared why access to justice is important to her and her company, icourts.
50: Active Allyship with Mike Gamson
May 25, 2021 11:00 - 23 minutes - 21.3 MBThat distinction is what Mila and I chat with Relativity CEO Mike Gamson about on our latest episode. Action is really the key word there. Mike shares the moment that launched his journey toward active allyship, how he is an active ally in the tech community, and what a more equitable world looks like to Mike Gamson.
49: Prioritizing Mental Health During a Pandemic with Mary Mack & Kaylee Walstad
May 04, 2021 05:00 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBLet's be real: The past year has been tough. We have been in a pandemic for over a year, and that can take a toll on mental health. The uptick in vaccinations do bring a beacon of hope, and there is something to be said for light at the end of the tunnel. However, many of us are still struggling. In honor of Mental Health Awareness, I joined the Stellar Women podcast as a co-host alongside Mary Rechtoris to talk about these issues in detail. We brought in the ever-fabulous duo from EDRM, Ma...
48: Uniting the Stellar Women Community
April 28, 2021 05:00 - 24 minutes - 22.8 MB#1 Join our LinkedIn group. If you think of the podcast as our way to provide tangible advice for our listeners, the LinkedIn group is a way to provide that two-way communication. Our community is a wealth of knowledge, so we created the LinkedIn group to share tips, check in with each other, and share compelling articles. We also will be including updates to the Stellar Women program, including our next workshop coming up in late June. Please join and invite your friends and colleagues. We ...
47: Launching & Building ‘Black Tech Queens’ with Karimah Campbell
April 21, 2021 11:00 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBIn this episode, Mila and I chat with Karimah about the video series, her passion for inclusion, diversity, and belonging, and the steps we all can take toward creating a more equitable industry.
46: Amplifying Voices & Why Representation Matters with Jigisha Lock
April 14, 2021 10:00 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MBCheck out this episode to learn about having transparent conversations with your peers, navigating career changes, and creating and developing diverse teams.
Building your Brand with The Data Diva Debbie Reynolds
April 07, 2021 10:25 - 16 minutes - 15.1 MBTRANSCRIPT Mary Rechtoris: Hey, Stellar Women fans. I'm your host, Mary Rechtoris. Mila Taylor: And I'm your co-host, Mila Taylor. Stellar Women shines a light on female leaders, making their mark in tech. MR: Mila and I are super excited to welcome Debbie Reynolds to the Stellar Women podcast today. MT: Hello, Debbie. Welcome. Debbie Reynolds:Thank you so much. I am so excited to do this. I was dreaming about this. I'm like, oh, I can't wait to talk to you ladies. MT: We are excited...
45: Building your Brand with The Data Diva Debbie Reynolds
April 07, 2021 10:25 - 16 minutes - 15.1 MBTRANSCRIPT Mary Rechtoris: Hey, Stellar Women fans. I'm your host, Mary Rechtoris. Mila Taylor: And I'm your co-host, Mila Taylor. Stellar Women shines a light on female leaders, making their mark in tech. MR: Mila and I are super excited to welcome Debbie Reynolds to the Stellar Women podcast today. MT: Hello, Debbie. Welcome. Debbie Reynolds:Thank you so much. I am so excited to do this. I was dreaming about this. I'm like, oh, I can't wait to talk to you ladies. MT: We are excited...
44: Voicing Your Value for a Role, Raise, & More with Sonia Chowdhury
March 04, 2021 12:00 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MBUnderstanding your value is imperative for professionals today. According to Sonia Chowdhury, doing your research is a key step in having a better grasp on your market value and what you bring to your team and organization. In this episode, Mila and I chat with Sonia about her experience in the compliance world, engaging in conversations with your managers, and mentorship.
43: Minisode with Gina O'Neill
February 25, 2021 14:27 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBFor this Stellar Women episode, co-hosts Mila Taylor and Mary Rechtoris chat with Gina O'Neill from Herbert Smith Freehills. Gina highlights the importance of undergoing regular training so you stay current in the latest technical trends and advance your professional development. Having been in the industry for 29 years, Gina also shares how the industry has evolved, and how gender norms have shifted over the years. Check out the episode to hear more!
42: Advocating for Your Team with Heena Bhambhlani
February 09, 2021 11:58 - 16 minutes - 14.7 MBMila and I enjoyed our conversation with Heena Bhambhlani about her motivation for entering the legal field and how she is a fierce advocate for her teams. While based in Mumbai, Heena and her team handle e-discovery matters for EY’s clients across the globes. According to Heena, she lets the team’s excellent work speak for itself. Check out this episode to learn about mentoring your teammates and how to champion your team’s works with clients and throughout organizations.
41: Embracing Diverse Teams with Beth Finkle & Corinne Cartwright
February 02, 2021 11:30 - 22 minutes - 20.3 MBEmbracing and celebrating inclusion and diversity is imperative. During this episode, BDO’s Beth Finkle and Corinne Cartwright share why embedding inclusion and diversity into their culture is important for them personally as well as for BDO as an enterprise. Stellar Women chatted with Beth and Corinne on what BDO has done to create a more inclusive and diverse workforce, and how to instill confidence in yourself when you may be the only female in a pitch meeting, or an important client cal...
41: Embracing Diverse Teams with Beth Finkle & Corinne Cartwright
February 02, 2021 11:30 - 22 minutes - 20.3 MBEmbracing and celebrating inclusion and diversity is imperative. During this episode, BDO’s Beth Finkle and Corinne Cartwright share why embedding inclusion and diversity into their culture is important for them personally as well as for BDO.
40: Juggling Work and Home Life with Ellen Blanchard
January 18, 2021 14:25 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MBIn this episode, Mary and I were joined by Ellen Blanchard, director of e-discovery and information governance at T-Mobile. Ellen took us through her journey from sports photography to a position on the board of Mother Attorney Mentoring Association.
39: 2020 Year in Review with Kenya Dixon
January 05, 2021 14:30 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MBThis year has posed challenges for many in our Stellar Women community. Some have had to navigate remote work with virtual learning, others have had to find new ways to connect with colleagues and loved ones, and many have found new opportunities in the wake of the chaos. This year’s Stellar Women Innovation Award Winner, Kenya Dixon, joined Mila and myself to share what she’s learned about herself this year, connecting with mentors both inside and outside of your industry, and why you shou...
38: Handling Life's Unexpected Turns with Betty Nguyen
December 16, 2020 13:46 - 22 minutes - 20.4 MBMila and I were really excited to have Betty Nguyen on Stellar Women. In addition to being a DJ and rugby player, Betty is part of our inaugural Relativity Fellows program, which welcomes motivated individuals from overlooked communities to learn with us and on our software. Betty is not one to shy away from taking the path less traveled. She has followed her passion and skillset throughout her life, whether that is becoming a DJ (who met Joe Jonas) to playing professional rugby to ultimate...
38: Handling Life's Unexpected Turns with Betty Nguyen
December 16, 2020 13:46 - 22 minutes - 20.4 MBMila and I were really excited to have Betty Nguyen on Stellar Women. In addition to being a DJ and rugby player, Betty is part of our inaugural Relativity Fellows program, which welcomes motivated individuals from overlooked communities to learn with us and on our software.
37: Giving Yourself Grace, Astrology Signs, & Everything in Between with Rachel Billstein & Heidi Girod
December 09, 2020 13:45 - 28 minutes - 26.4 MBFor this month’s Stellar Women, Mila and I had a lot of fun catching up with JND eDiscovery’s Rachel Billstein and Heidi Girod. The duo share their takes on mentorship, with Heidi noting that there are often times where people come into your life and present opportunities that can change the course of your future. Tune into the episode to learn about all things sun and moon signs, the importance of giving yourself grace, and tips for navigating these unprecedented times in both your work an...
36: Leading with Positivity with Kamaka Martin
December 02, 2020 13:22 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MBTo build a strong pipeline of leaders, organizations should invest in training and professional development opportunities, according to this month’s Stellar Women guest Kamaka Martin.
36: Leading with Positivity with Kamaka Martin
December 02, 2020 13:22 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MBTo build a strong pipeline of leaders, organizations should invest in training and professional development opportunities, according to this month’s Stellar Women guest Kamaka Martin. Not only is it essential to provide these resources, leaders should also have an awareness of who they are as a leader and person so they can understand their strengths, and their areas for growth. In this episode, Mila and I caught up with Kamaka on practical tools for navigating difficult conversations and w...
35: Going In-House with Lesley Chan
November 23, 2020 21:03 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MBFor this Stellar Women episode, we spoke to Lesley Chan about the many mentors who she seeks for advice on navigating her career. As senior legal counsel at AMP Capital, Lesley discusses the transition from working in a law firm to going in-house, and how her curious nature makes her well-suited to that type of work environment. Check out this episode to see what Lesley enjoys about the corporate world and why she embraces the spillover between her work and personal life.
34: Maribel Rivera
November 17, 2020 14:34 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBAfter chatting with Maribel Rivera, it is no surprise that she was the winner of our inaugural Inclusion Breakthrough of the Year Award. This Innovation Award celebrates an individual who is a driving force in creating a more equitable industry, organization, and/or local community where everyone feels like they belong. And, Maribel is the epitome of what this award means. In this episode, Maribel openly walked us through her life's events that led her to be the compassionate and driven lea...
34: Maribel Rivera
November 17, 2020 14:34 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBAfter chatting with Maribel Rivera, it is no surprise that she was the winner of our inaugural Inclusion Breakthrough of the Year Award. This Innovation Award celebrates an individual who is a driving force in creating a more equitable industry, organization, and/or local community where everyone feels like they belong. And, Maribel is the epitome of what this award means.
33: Winnie Lai, Walita Jendo, Clare Longworth, & Megan Twibell
October 22, 2020 11:26 - 18 minutes - 17.2 MBFor this special episode of Stellar Women, we brought in some all-stars from Relativity’s own solutions team. Winnie Lai, Walita Jendo, Clare Longworth, and Megan Twibell may work across time zones, but these teammates are always up for helping each other out and staying in communication to foster collaboration throughout their department. Mila and I chatted with them about everything from why Winnie loves chicken to the many avenues that professionals can pursue in the e-discovery field—an...
32: Joanne Fung, Kim Olivier, & Sati Soni
September 30, 2020 15:22 - 18 minutes - 17 MBFor this episode of Stellar Women, we made our way around the globe—virtually, of course—to catch up with some of the women who make up the Control Risks global task force. It was enlightening to hear their unique perspectives on this profession and how to be successful. Joining us are Joanne Fung from the States, Kimlynne Olivier from South Africa, and Satinder Soni from the UK. Much like our scattered geographies, our conversation touched on an array of topics from the challenges and oppo...
31: The 2020 Innovation Award Finalists
September 10, 2020 13:32 - 29 minutes - 26.7 MBStellar Women is excited to sit down with the finalists for this year's Stellar Women Innovation Award. My colleague and Innovation Awards co-host, Johnathan Hill, and I caught up with Lekecia Barclay, Sarah Thompson, and Kenya Dixon on what this award meant to them. We also discussed their spirit for innovation, advice for supporting up-and-coming leaders in this field, and steps organizations can take to help make e-discovery a more gender equitable field. Be sure to tune into the Innovat...
30: Allyship with Altlaw
July 20, 2020 14:43 - 19 minutes - 18 MBIn this second allyship-focused episode, Stellar Women in e-Discovery travels across the pond to London. While there, I had a chance to talk about mentorship and elevating women in e-discovery with Altlaw Owner Terrence Searle and Project Manager Cassie Parker. JC Steinbrunner, the brand director at Relativity, also shared his experience being a leader on our brand team and how he works to ensure his team thrives in their work, and in life. Listen to this episode to see how Altlaw creates a...