DiversifyHER

Hosted by Raven Heyward

BusinessInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

DiversifyHER is a Gen Z-led podcast where I, Raven Heyward, engage with leaders to discuss the importance of representation. My mission is to inspire young girls, create meaningful mentorship opportunities, and explore ways to empower and uplift individuals in various industries and leadership roles.

Listen to episodes

55 recent

August 16, 2026Episode 235 min

EP 54: Beyond the Ballot: Gen Z, Civic Engagement & Finding Your Voice with Vada A. Stephens II

Send us Fan Mail Listen as Raven Heyward, founder and host of DiversifyHER, converses with Vada A. Stephens II. Vada’s journey is one rooted in public service, leadership, and creating meaningful change in the communities around him. Today, he serves as Chief of Staff for Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece, where he works across policy, economic development, community engagement, and strategic initiatives impacting communities throughout Hamilton County. But his journey to this point has taken him through so many different spaces. He’s worked in corporate banking, voting rights and advocacy, the United States Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives as a Congressional Black Caucus Fellow, and even was selected for a competitive internship position under the Biden Harris administration at the White House. Outside of his professional career, Vada has continued to prioritize civic engagement and education, including serving as a Princeton Education Foundation Trustee and holding leadership roles focused on increasing political participation and community involvement. And now, he’s preparing for his next chapter as he begins law school at the University of Cincinnati College of Law this fall. Connect with Vada: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vadastephensii/

August 2, 2026Episode 137 min

EP 53: From Chapel Hill To Corporate with Nora Elsayed

Send us Fan Mail Listen as Raven Heyward, founder and host of DiversifyHER, converses with Nora Elsayed. Nora, is a field marketer at IBM in New York City, where she shapes go‑to‑market strategy at the intersection of tech, brand, and community. A UNC Kenan‑Flagler graduate and Luther Hodges Scholar, she’s also the founder of Girl Boss Gatherings and Evenin’ Out The Playin’ Field—two organizations focused on connection, confidence, and equity. Her Sudanese‑American identity, bilingual background, and love for art and sport shape her work. In 2023, she published her debut poetry collection What’s Left of Me, and she remains a devoted FC Barcelona fan. Connect with Nora! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nora-elsayed101/

April 21, 2026Episode 322 min

EP 52: Grace in the Pause: Turning Setbacks into Strength with Rhebia Heyward

Send us Fan Mail Listen as Raven Heyward, founder and host of DiversifyHER, converses with her mother, Rhebia (REE-BEE-AH). For the first time, she brings her mom on the mic, and they keep it honest. They talk about what it’s like for a parent to watch their child hurt, why Rhebia sees “divine alignment” in the pause, and how faith, prayer, and trust can quiet the urge to control everything. She shares what helped Raven's parents build a stable foundation while raising Raven's older brother, Jalen, and Raven, plus practical encouragement for anyone who didn’t grow up with the same support, including the value of counseling and choosing a healthy team around you.

April 6, 2026Episode 230 min

EP 51: Caribbean Grit, Strategic Voice with Dr.Kimberley Williams

Send us Fan Mail Listen as Raven Heyward, founder and host of DiversifyHER, converses with Dr. Kimberley Williams. She is an award-winning educator and Assistant Professor at the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, recognized by Poets & Quants as one of the Top 50 Undergraduate Business Professors. She holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Alabama and specializes in student engagement, instructional design, and strategic communication. Dr. Williams teaches managerial and corporate communication, using experiential learning and global collaboration to help students become effective, thoughtful communicators. Her work also includes leading workshops and presentations on communication, negotiation, and innovative teaching practices. Before academia, she was a professional track and field athlete sponsored by PUMA, competing internationally at events like the Pan-American Games and World Championships. Connect with Dr.Williams: LinkedIn: Kimberley Williams

January 25, 2026Episode 139 min

EP 50: How Lifting The Bottom Lifts Us All with LaChaun Banks

Send us Fan Mail Listen as Raven Heyward, founder and host of DiversifyHER, converses with LaChaun J. Banks a nationally recognized leader in equitable economic development, inclusive growth, and cross-sector collaboration. LaChaun is a Professor of Practice at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School , where she teaches Markets, Government, and Sustainable Growth, and a research fellow at the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise , contributing to the American Growth Project on place-based economic growth. She previously held senior leadership roles at Harvard Kennedy School , including serving as the inaugural Director for Equity and Inclusion at the Ash Center and the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, where she co-created the City Leader Guide for Equitable Economic Development now used by city leaders nationwide. With experience spanning academia, government, and the private sector, LaChaun has advised senior public officials, led multimillion-dollar initiatives, and helped shape frameworks that move equity from theory into practice, offering powerful insights on leadership, strategy, and building economies that work for everyone. Connect with Professor Banks! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lachaun-banks-3a201721/

October 12, 2025Episode 1027 min

EP 49: The Scholar Who Serves with Wilhem Hector

Send us Fan Mail Listen as Raven Heyward, founder and host of DiversifyHER, converses with Wilhem Hector, born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, graduated Summa Cum Laude from MIT with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and made history as the first Haitian national awarded a Global Rhodes Scholarship. He will pursue a PhD in energy systems at Oxford, aiming to pioneer Haiti’s renewable energy infrastructure and expand hands-on learning in the national curriculum. Connect with Hector! Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilhem-hector/

September 28, 2025Episode 923 min

EP 48: Authentic Leadership in Law and Life with Dorothy G. Capers

Send us Fan Mail Listen as Raven Heyward, founder and host of DiversifyHER, converses with Dorothy G. Capers with us. She is the Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary for C.H. Robinson, a global leader in logistics and transportation. She oversees a diverse legal team and reports directly to the CEO. Before joining C.H. Robinson, Mrs.Capers earned her J.D. from Howard University School of Law and her B.A. from the University of Illinois. She held senior legal roles at Xylem, National Express, and US Foods, and she also served as a litigator in both government and the private sector. She’s published on corporate governance and enforcement policy, and she actively gives back through mentoring and board service. Connect with Mrs.Capers: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorothy-g-capers-6982361/ Email: Dorothy.Capers@chrobinson.com

September 21, 2025Episode 823 min

EP 47: Mary Esposito and the Art of Creative Entrepreneurship

Send us Fan Mail Listen as Raven Heyward, founder and host of DiversifyHER, converses with Mary Esposito. She is a Morehead-Cain Scholar at UNC-Chapel Hill, entrepreneur, and content creator passionate about blending creativity with business. She is the founder of Purple Pear (@shoppurplepear), a crochet venture she started as a teenager that has grown into a thriving platform with an audience of over 307,000 on Instagram. She is also the creator of Money with Mary (@moneywithmary1), a financial literacy initiative with more than 49,000 Instagram followers, designed to make personal finance approachable and empowering for Gen Z. Connect with Mary: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-esposito-52485119a/

August 24, 2025Episode 732 min

EP 46: The Girl Boss Effect: Creating Community and Opportunity at UNC with Lauryn Taylor

Send us Fan Mail Listen as Raven Heyward, founder and host of DiversifyHER, converses with Lauryn Taylor. She is a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill, double-majoring in Media & Journalism and Public Policy. She serves as the Class of 2026 Chief Marshal and is the founder of Girl Boss Gatherings, a campus community empowering female college students through career events, social experiences, and networking opportunities. During her time at Carolina, Lauryn studied abroad in London and gained professional experience interning at both a bank and an advertising agency. On campus, she’s represented brands like Grammarly, Bearpaw, and Uber Eats as a student ambassador, and she currently works with the Carolina Alumni Association to strengthen the post-grad experience while also hosting office hours for Hussman students seeking career advice. Connect with Lauryn: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauryntaylor/

April 27, 2025Episode 633 min

EP 45: Purpose Meets Profession with Neville Poole

Send us Fan Mail Listen as Raven Heyward, founder and host of DiversifyHER, converses with Neville Poole. With a proven track record at global powerhouses including IBM and Accenture, Neville has partnered with Fortune 50/100 executives across financial services, retail, insurance, logistics, and hospitality sectors to implement lasting organizational change. Her expertise in operating model design and leadership coaching has made her a sought-after advisor for companies navigating complex transformations. Prior to fluent, Neville served as Managing Director and Business Agility Practice Leader at Accenture, where she led the largest pure-play global agile consultancy. At IBM, she was a key leader on the company's largest modernization project while serving as Partner and Enterprise Agility Strategy Leader. Bringing extensive education and professional credentials in organizational transformation and leadership development, Neville balances her executive career with community leadership, having served on the United Way Board of Directors and as chairperson for Southern Fried Agile for five years. Connect with Neville: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nevillepoole/