The Driven Women Project

Hosted by Erin Smith

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Aug 2026

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My name is Erin Smith and I created the Driven Women Project to shine a light on female role models who have not sacrificed their feminine identities in order to excel in male dominated careers. Together we aim to inspire more women to pursue the careers they want while remaining true to their core values, and ultimately closing the gender gap at the leadership level in male-dominated spaces. After I earned my masters degree in Sport Psychology, I transferred my expertise to the male dominated world of finance. Now I run a Performance Psychology Coaching practice called Driven Beyond Excellence where I focus on helping executive women successfully navigate male-dominated careers and rise into well-deserved leadership roles. However, most of my Executive Coaching clients are men. Why? Because there are still so few women in leadership roles which means there aren’t enough role models, or mentors, or simply peers at the highest levels of leadership for the up and coming women to lean on for support – and let’s face it, we should be surrounding ourselves with as much support as possible to help keep us going when those extra challenges try to keep us down. With so few female role models it can become difficult to know which direction to go to advance your career. If you’ve ever wondered how to best “fit in” or be accepted or feel supported in your male-dominated career, then get ready to be inspired and share in the inspiration generated by women who have struggled within these dynamics, persevered, who maybe even tried to change who they are to fit in, until they realized the power in embracing their true selves and as a result are now dominating in their male-centric careers, while being unapologetically female and making massive contributions to changing the landscape so that maybe one day, “male dominated” will no longer be the case. As you listen, keep in mind that these women did not find success overnight. It was a hard-won journey of self-discovery, building a strong support network, and taking bold action, one step at a time. To Nominate a Driven Woman please visit: https://live.thedrivenwomenproject.com/nominateadrivenwoman I hope you enjoy!

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16 recent

August 7, 20261 hr 3 min

15: Baddie Li - Athlete, Wall Street/VC, Musical Artist

What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't your talent... but the room you're asking for permission from?Today's guest is someone who has reinvented herself again and again—not because she couldn't make up her mind, but because she refused to outgrow her vision.Baddie Li is a musical artist and cultural force redefining feminine power. Fusing sharp lyricism, infectious beats, and unapologetic energy, Baddie Li’s music liberates and reminds women of their own power.Also known as Lisa Carmen Wang, she is a former USA National Champion and Hall of Fame gymnast turned Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur and venture capitalist who broke barriers in business before claiming the musical stage.From leading the Bad Bitch Empire to best-selling author of the Bad Bitch Business Bible to stepping full into her artistry, Baddie Li has built a global community around her manifesto: Women don’t need permission to be powerful, wealthy, or free.Links:Lisa Carmen WangBad Bitch EmpireBaddie Li Website: https://www.baddieli.com/Baddie Li Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisacarmenwangBaddie Li’s YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lisacarmenwang?si=ftsVnysEO9C0iLRdBaddie Li’s latest song: https://venice.lnk.to/any-more-champagneBook a complimentary strategy call with Erin: https://erinsmithexecutivecoach.youcanbook.me/Nominate a Driven Woman:https://live.thedrivenwomenproject.com/nominateadrivenwomanConnect with Erin Smith directly: erin@drivenbeyondexcellence.comDownload Erin’s free ebook: https://live.thedrivenwomenproject.com/ebook

April 6, 202637 min

14: Jaime Foster - Executive Business Coach

Jaime Foster is the Founder of Impact To Income and the Wellness Business Collective. As a serial entrepreneur and certified coach with over 20 years of experience, she has successfully built multiple six- and seven-figure businesses in the coaching and wellness space. Jaime is passionate about helping wellness coaches and experts grow their businesses in a sustainable and authentic way—without relying on TikTok dances or running ads. Her signature program, Close With Confidence, empowers new wellness coaches to attract clients consistently by mastering authentic marketing, sales, and mindset strategies, so they can turn their passion into a thriving business.I found her while I was researching masculine and feminine dynamics in leadership when I stumbled upon an article she wrote aptly titled Feminine vs. Masculine Leadership Styles: Which is Better? What a great question! Because we live in a patriarchal society that deeply values traits that we tend to assign as masculine, while we devalue, undervalue, overlook, and sometime cringe at traits that we tend to assign as feminine. What’s worse is that we then take those traits we call masculine and feminine and then make sweeping categorizations that undermine both men and women as we somewhat lazily claim men are masculine and women are feminine. While it may be true that in general, men naturally tend to embody and lead with masculine traits, that doesn’t mean they don’t have or use feminine style traits – and vice versa, women can certainly more naturally embody feminine traits, but that doesn’t’ mean they don’t have or shouldn’t lead with masculine traits. In fact, because our society values it, women may tend to bury their feminine style in favor of masculine style because they see that it works. This podcast is about embracing your authentic self, so when women abandon their natural femininity in favor of masculinity it makes me sad because I believe we should be true to our nature – whether your nature is masculine or feminine at your core has no bearing on your gender – we know that there are men who are more feminine at their core and, and women who are most comfortable in their masculine energy. Which is why this discussion isn’t about gender, it’s about identifying which one you are at your core, and then striking a balance in your leadership style by consciously developing the opposite traits.I am speaking with Jaime because she shares a similar viewpoint and I want to dive deeper into this topic with her expertise. I will provide the link to the article that inspired me to reach out to her.Links:Jamie’s article Feminine vs. Masculine Leadership Styles: Which is Better?: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/feminine-vs-masculine-leadership-styles-which-better-jaime-e-foster-js3wc/?trackingId=LGdV1JAU8V903x6I5bWYDQ%3D%3DJaime’s website: https://boldedgeleadership.com/ Nominate a Driven Woman:https://live.thedrivenwomenproject.com/nominateadrivenwomanConnect with Erin Smith directly: erin@drivenbeyondexcellence.comDownload Erin’s free e-book: https://live.thedrivenwomenproject.com/ebookBook a complimentary call with Erin to determine if coaching is right for you: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/virtual-coffee-chat-with-erinsmith

October 29, 20251 hr 1 min

13: Sarah Broderick - Former Media C-Suite | Founder of The FEAT

Sarah is working to make radical changes to the future of work – specifically empowering organizations to embrace non-traditional and independent workforces, all with the goal of having an impact on the advancement of women. On episode 9 I interviewed a woman, Neha Ruch, who is championing the Power Pause – which is a rebranded way to talk about career driven women who decide to take a career break to focus on raising their young children. There is a lot of fear around this process – being a woman and a mother and getting back in the mix after a pause, and how challenging that is in a world where employers are still stuck in industrial-age thinking. To help address those fears, we have Sarah! In this episode we talk about:The concept of a portfolio career, Creating multiple income streams, and How you can use this approach to grow your career in a different way. Spoiler alert – you still have to do some grunt work in the beginning before you can reach a point where you can focus on doing the work that really drives you and ignites your passion and makes you feel successful. People are multi-faceted, yet we are expected to fit into a traditional mold and follow a linear path and take no breaks lest we appear unfocused or undedicated in the corporate world.Her firm The FEAT’s mission is providing support for women and family life that goes beyond maternity leave and focuses on the return to work. Creating real change doesn’t happen with things like internal women’s support networks. It requires a deep look at what actually drives success – hint: success isn’t dependent on how many hours you’re sitting at your desk in the office anymore. FEAT is a female focused endeavor triggered by Sarah’s realization that there is a large group of untapped talent -  independent women not actively working. It then grew into both men and women asking the question - How do we remove the stigma of “independent work” – independent contractors. How do we measure productivity and talent in a new way?Why you should stay until the end:Make sure you listen all the way through, because Sarah has answers to these incredibly important questions and more. Enjoy the show and Stay Driven!Links:Sarah’s Company The FEAT: https://www.the-feat.com/ Sarah's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahsandfordbroderick/ Sarah's Substack: https://beyondtheorg.substack.com/Book a complimentary strategy call with Erin: https://erinsmithexecutivecoach.youcanbook.me/Nominate a Driven Woman:https://live.thedrivenwomenproject.com/nominateadrivenwomanConnect with Erin Smith directly: erin@drivenbeyondexcellence.comDownload Erin’s free ebook: https://live.thedrivenwomenproject.com/ebook

September 4, 20251 hr 10 min

12: Ariel Dangelo - Financial Advisor | Founder of Helo

In this high-impact episode of The Driven Women Project, Erin sits down with Ariel Dangelo, founder of Helo and partner at Nightingale Wealth Management, to talk about why now is the moment for women to take control of their financial future—and exactly how to start.Ariel’s story is one of resilience and radical responsibility—from surviving a paralyzing spinal injury to building a fintech company that helps people get out of debt, stay on budget, and reclaim their financial agency.She doesn’t just talk theory—this episode is packed with practical tools, hard-won wisdom, and real solutions for women who want to thrive, not just survive.💡 Top 3 Reasons You Should Listen:Hear Ariel's incredible story of rebuilding her life after paralysis and a doctor’s prognosis that she’d never walk again, spoiler alert: not only is she walking again, but she’s pregnant with her first child. Ariel shares countless gems of inspiration and reframes for how to approach set-backs, work through adversity and rise into your power!Discover how app, Helo is not just another financial planning app. It actually automates budgeting, helps you build emergency savings which is crucial, and helps you hit your goals faster—with zero spreadsheets and barely any effort on your part.🧠 What We Cover:The mindset shift that you can copy that helped her go from PTSD and paralysis to founder, investor, and mom-to-beHow women approach money differently than men, and how to make it your superpowerThe truth about risk tolerance, investing with intention, and using your money for social impactHow to find your personal “sleep number”—the amount of savings that brings you peaceWhy small daily actions beat big, unsustainable plansAriel’s take on building a $10,000 emergency fund movement🛠️ Resources:For financial guidance, support and planning: https://nwsadvisors.com/ Sign up for cash flow management services: www.gohelo.com Follow Ariel on Instagram: @nightingalewealthsolutionsBook a complimentary strategy call with Erin: https://erinsmithexecutivecoach.youcanbook.me/ Nominate a Driven Woman:https://live.thedrivenwomenproject.com/nominateadrivenwoman Connect with Erin Smith directly: erin@drivenbeyondexcellence.comDownload Erin’s free ebook: https://live.thedrivenwomenproject.com/ebook Try a compound interest calculator: Investor.gov Calculator

July 16, 202553 min

11: Amy Yancey - President + CEO UConn Foundation

In this episode we speak with President and CEO of the UConn Foundation, Amy Yancey - a powerhouse in higher education philanthropy who most recently launched the largest fundraising campaign in UConn’s history: the $1.5 billion Because of UConn initiative that just experienced a $720M raise which exceeded their initial launch goal. Congratulations to Amy, her team, and UConn!Amy leads all philanthropic fundraising, alumni relations, and endowment investments for the University of Connecticut—including all campuses, UConn Health, and Athletics. She also serves on President Radenka Maric’s senior leadership team.Before UConn, Amy held senior fundraising leadership roles at Boston College, the University of Virginia, Penn State, and the University of Tennessee, where she earned a bachelors in philosophy and a masters in plant sciences and agricultural economics. Her work has led to over $15B raised in support of scholarships, faculty, research, and more.But Amy's leadership story goes far beyond dollars raised. From navigating male-dominated spaces to modeling bravery for her daughter, Amy offers a masterclass in pragmatic, purposeful leadership—and what it truly takes to thrive at the top.This conversation is packed with real talk, strategic insight, and powerful reflection on what it means to lead with integrity, vision, and heart.🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How Amy raised $15.1B (and why she measures success in impact, not ego)Why she walked away from a decade-long role and how she modeled bravery for her daughter. The surprising truth about mentorship vs. sponsorshipHow to move from performance to influence in male-dominated industriesPractical tips on asking for more—and getting paid what you’re worthMake sure you listen all the way through, because Amy shares her deeply reflective and candid insights around the evolution of true inclusivity and equity in our society. If you’re feeling stuck, I promise, you’ll want to adopt her mindset on unlimited abundanceEnjoy the show and Stay Driven!Follow Amy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanceyai/ Learn more about the UConn Foundation: https://www.foundation.uconn.edu/ Book a complimentary strategy call with Erin: https://erinsmithexecutivecoach.youcanbook.me/ Nominate a Driven Woman:https://live.thedrivenwomenproject.com/nominateadrivenwoman Connect with Erin Smith directly: erin@drivenbeyondexcellence.comDownload Erin’s free ebook: https://live.thedrivenwomenproject.com/ebook 

June 17, 202546 min

10: Julie Ingersoll - Chief Investment Officer

You don’t need an Ivy League degree to rise to the top. You need clarity, courage—and the right kind of leadership.Meet Julie, a powerhouse in private equity real estate. From investment banking analyst to Chief Investment Officer at CBRE Investment Management, she now co-leads a $34B portfolio and a team of 140 professionals.She was recently named 2023 North American Industry Figure of the Year by PERE. But that’s not why this episode is so special.I had the honor of being her Executive Leadership Coach in 2024—and what unfolded in our coaching sessions was nothing short of transformational.🎙 In this episode:The feedback that shocked her—and became a turning pointHer raw perspective on gender and successHow Gandalf (yes, that Gandalf) changed her leadership styleAnd why authenticity isn’t a buzzword, it’s a performance strategyJulie’s story is proof that you don’t have to conform to succeed. You just have to own who you are—and lead like you mean it.👇 Listen now. You won’t forget this one.LINKS:Connect directly with Julie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-julianna-ingersoll-a04a5b8 Book a complimentary strategy call with Erin: https://erinsmithexecutivecoach.youcanbook.me/Nominate a Driven Woman:https://live.thedrivenwomenproject.com/nominateadrivenwomanConnect with Erin Smith directly: erin@drivenbeyondexcellence.comDownload Erin’s free ebook: https://live.thedrivenwomenproject.com/ebook

February 6, 202540 min

09: Neha Ruch Mother Untitled

This episode of The Driven Women Project Podcast is not just for mothers—it’s for any woman who has ever questioned society’s definition of success.If you’ve ever felt pressure to conform to someone else’s definition of success, this episode will reframe everything.In this episode, I sit down with Neha Ruch, the founder of Mother Untitled, a movement redefining the way we view stay-at-home motherhood. Neha’s work has caught the attention of Oprah, Drew Barrymore, Kourtney Kardashian, Mandy Moore, and more, and her new book, The Power Pause, is changing the narrative around career breaks for women.We talk about:🔥 What it really means to be a driven woman🔥 How to own your decisions—whether that means focusing on career, family, or both🔥 The biases that women face when re-entering the workforce—and how to overcome them🔥 Why pausing is not giving up, and how to preserve your career optionality🔥 How to have financial conversations with your partner before stepping away from workConnect with Neha and her movement here:THE POWER PAUSE BOOK!! BUY HERELinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nehaleelaruch/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/motheruntitled/?hl=en Website: https://www.motheruntitled.com/ Links: https://linkin.bio/motheruntitled/ If you want help with your own career shift, consider reaching out to Erin, an Executive Leadership Coach who has helped countless women make career transitions or come back to work after her own Power Pause. Book a complimentary strategy call with Erin: https://erinsmithexecutivecoach.youcanbook.me/ Nominate a Driven Woman:https://live.thedrivenwomenproject.com/nominateadrivenwoman Connect with Erin Smith directly: erin@drivenbeyondexcellence.comDownload Erin’s free ebook: https://live.thedrivenwomenproject.com/ebook

December 11, 202452 min

08: Jen Saarbach Former Wall Street VP, Co-Founder of The Wall Street Skinny

Jen Saarbach spent nearly a decade rising from Associate to VP on Wall Street starting with Lehman Brothers in 2008, Barclays, and then Morgan Stanley, after which she decided to leave the finance world, only to recently return with a passion for democratizing access to Wall Street for everyone. She co-founded The Wall Street Skinny which is a phenomenal platform that quickly exploded on social media, and is now offering courses to help folks competitively prepare for a career on Wall Street. Jen and her co-founder, Kristen Kelly, host a podcast of the same name absolutely loaded with information that aims to demystify the world of finance. They explain jargon, talk with experts, and straight up teach listeners everything from “what is an investment bank” to portfolio management to private equity and hedge funds – they also tackle topics like what it’s like to be a woman on wall street. This has been one of my favorite conversations to date. Jen is full of incredible insights and she gets straight to the point. This episode is packed full of tips and Jen is a fast talker so you will want to listen to this episode multiple times to make sure you catch all the gems. We talk about:Quality mentorshipHow women can sometimes be harder on other women than menHow to think about leaving behind a legacy you can be proud ofMake sure you listen to the end because Jen drops some advice about how to be your authentic self in an intense environment filled with pressure to perform. IT'S EXCELLENT!Want to learn more about Jen and The Wall Street Skinny?:The Wall Street Skinny Flagship Course: https://www.thewallstreetskinny.com/investment-banking-private-equity-fundamentals.Use code “MZPDJR” at checkout and receive 20% off their flagship course.Follow The Wall Street Skinny: IG: https://www.instagram.com/thewallstreetskinny/ LinkedIn Jen Saarbach: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-saarbach/ LinkedIn The Wall Street Skinny: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-wall-street-skinny/posts/?feedView=all Schedule a complimentary strategy call with Erin: Smith:https://erinsmithexecutivecoach.youcanbook.me/Nominate a Driven Woman:https://live.thedrivenwomenproject.com/nominateadrivenwoman Connect with Erin Smith directly: erin@drivenbeyondexcellence.comDownload Erin’s free ebook: https://live.thedrivenwomenproject.com/ebook

November 20, 202451 min

07: Dr. Gail Lebovic – Surgeon, Inventor, Serial Entrepreneur

I’m excited to share this conversation with you because Dr. Gail Lebovic has an incredibly impressive background in multiple male dominated fields. Most importantly, she has committed her career to improving the delivery of healthcare for patients around the world, especially woman’s health. Internationally recognized for her groundbreaking work as an Oncoplastic Surgeon, Dr. Lebovic is also highly regarded as a creative inventor and successful serial entrepreneur.Along with her highly skilled team, she has developed and brought to market numerous innovative products. The team has achieved multiple successful acquisitions totaling nearly $500M.Dr. Lebovic holds over 50 US patents, is a member of the Forbes Business Council, and currently serves as Founder and CEO of Silicon Valley Innovations. Her company is focused on bringing novel drug delivery platforms to the multi-billion dollar nasal healthcare and feminine healthcare markets. Their initial product called NasoClenz is on the market as the first intranasal antiseptic, perfect for those of us seeking nasal relief products. Dr. Lebovic told me she loves to pay attention to areas of the body that are neglected – like the nose. I tried NasoClenz, and let me tell you, it is the product I never knew I needed, and now I will not travel without it. You know how your nose gets dry on airplanes? Well this stuff was a dream. NasoClenz was also designed for patients with allergies, chronic sinus issues, CPAP users and more. She has served as director of several important clinical programs and is the Founder of the Society of Oncoplastic Surgery,Listen in to hear how Dr. Lebovic did all of this, including her take on being likable, and how she navigated being told in medical school that being a surgeon is not for women!Enjoy the show and Stay Driven!Meet Dr. Lebovic: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaillebovic/Visit Dr. Lebovic’s news blog here: https://svi-inc.com/news/ Nominate a Driven Woman:https://live.thedrivenwomenproject.com/nominateadrivenwoman Connect with Erin Smith directly: erin@drivenbeyondexcellence.comDownload Erin’s free ebook: https://live.thedrivenwomenproject.com/ebook

July 10, 20241 hr 1 min

06: Kat Benzova Rock 'n Roll Photographer

🌟 Meet Kat Benzova: Rock Photography's Trailblazer! 🎸📸 🌟From a globe-trotting fashion model to the tour photographer for Guns N’ Roses, KatBenzova has become one of the world's most sought-after rock photographers.She's worked with legends like AC/DC, Aerosmith, KISS, and many more. With herown philanthropic foundation, Mission 11, Kat's work and social impact are aweinspiring, and she is nowhere near done evolving. 🔊 Tune in to hear: 🔊🎤 Exclusive insights from Kat’s extraordinary journey.💪 Struggles and triumphs in an intense male-dominated industry.🌍 Inspiring stories from her charitable foundation, MISSION 11.🧠 Mindset and growth: Overcoming challenges and finding balance.💡 Empowering perspectives: How environment shapes us and the importance of rebalancing our feminine energy.Don't miss this episode filled with powerful moments and valuable lessons. Listen now and get inspired to create your extraordinary life! 🎧✨Kat’s website: https://www.katbenzova.com/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/katbenzova_rockphoto/Nominate a Driven Woman:https://live.thedrivenwomenproject.com/nominateadrivenwomanSchedule a complimentary strategy call with Erin: https://erinsmithexecutivecoach.youcanbook.me Download Erin’s free ebook: https://live.thedrivenwomenproject.com/ebook

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The Driven Women Project

About the show

Listen to episodes

15: Baddie Li - Athlete, Wall Street/VC, Musical Artist

14: Jaime Foster - Executive Business Coach

13: Sarah Broderick - Former Media C-Suite | Founder of The FEAT

12: Ariel Dangelo - Financial Advisor | Founder of Helo

11: Amy Yancey - President + CEO UConn Foundation

10: Julie Ingersoll - Chief Investment Officer

09: Neha Ruch Mother Untitled

08: Jen Saarbach Former Wall Street VP, Co-Founder of The Wall Street Skinny

07: Dr. Gail Lebovic – Surgeon, Inventor, Serial Entrepreneur

06: Kat Benzova Rock &apos;n Roll Photographer

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06: Kat Benzova Rock 'n Roll Photographer