Women Influencers

Hosted by Veronica Malolos, CCIM

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117

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Sep 2026

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About the show

Imagine getting to know the most successful women influencers in business and commercial real estate today. Hi, I am Veronica Malolos, CCIM, Founder and CEO of Capital Stack Real Estate Group, a commercial real estate company serving the Greater Orlando area. By bringing the unique stories of successful women on my podcast, my hope is to inspire and motivate other women in the different stages of their lives or careers. For corporations looking to increase their female talent pool perhaps this will help open more doors for women in their industry. I invite you to tune in and be inspired. Remember...if they can do it, you can do it, too! Get ready to be inspired and motivated by some of the most successful women influencers in business and commercial real estate today!

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October 12, 202623 min

Creating Opportunity with Chandell Stone

In this episode, I sit down with Chandell Stone, president of the Academy of Career Training, whose passion for education has grown into a mission to expand economic opportunity. From teaching mathematics in Harlem to supporting women entrepreneurs across Latin America, Chandell has dedicated her career to helping others build confidence and pursue their potential. Chandell shares how experiencing educational inequities inspired her to become a teacher, and how her journey eventually led to entrepreneurship. After participating in Y Combinator, she built a community where women founders could access resources, connect with investors, and receive support for their businesses. We also discuss a business failure that challenged Chandell to separate her identity from her professional achievements. She reflects on nurturing a life beyond work and why confidence, preparation, and connections matter. Her acquisition of the Academy of Career Training in Kissimmee brings that mission into career training and workforce development. When I ask Chandell what advice she would offer our listeners, she encourages women to recognize their value and approach opportunities with confidence: “Believe in that value so that you never sell yourself short.” - Chandell Stone Connect with Veronica: https://capstrata.com/ https://www.instagram.com/floridacommercialist/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/ Connect with Chandell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandell-stone/ https://academyofcareertraining.com https://worklingua.com #WomenInfluencers #VeronicaMalolos #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Education #WorkforceDevelopment #CapStrata #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #CCIM

September 8, 202628 min

Liz Landry: From Operator to Owner

In this episode of Women Influencers, I sit down with Liz Landry, a leadership coach, motivational speaker, and longtime Keller Williams leader who has helped thousands of entrepreneurs and real estate professionals build thriving businesses. Liz shares how her desire for independence led her from managing multimillion-dollar retail stores as a teenager to launching her own real estate business at just 23 years old. When the housing market collapsed, she was forced to learn how to lead herself, support her team, and navigate a business through one of the most challenging periods in the industry’s history. We discuss the transition from being the operator at the center of everything to becoming the owner of a business that can stand on its own. Liz explains why working harder can only take an entrepreneur so far, how leaders create growth by developing other leaders, and why the habits that helped build a business may eventually become the very things holding it back. When asked what advice she would give to other leaders and entrepreneurs, Liz encourages them to begin developing their leadership skills sooner than they think they need to. Leadership takes time, and waiting until a business has already grown can leave its people, systems, and owner struggling to keep up. “Start earlier than you think.” — Liz Landry Connect with Veronica: https://capstrata.com/ https://www.instagram.com/floridacommercialist/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/ Connect with Liz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizlandry/ https://www.instagram.com/thelizlandry/ https://a.co/d/0eouNdfB #womeninbusiness #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #entrepreneur #CCIM

August 31, 202624 min

Choose Yourself: Whitney Voisin on Finding Your Voice

In this episode, I sit down with Whitney Voisin—better known as Coach Whit—a self-leadership coach and speaker who helps women reclaim their identities, find their voices, and lead their lives with purpose. Whitney shares how she grew from a quiet “wallflower” who struggled to speak up for herself into a woman committed to helping others recognize that their voices matter. Whitney’s path began in speech-language pathology, where she spent nearly 18 years working with children before entering the coaching world in 2018. She opens up about facing her fear of speaking before hundreds of women, building a coaching business with her husband, and raising five children in a blended family—all while learning that courage does not require fear to disappear. We also discuss why choosing yourself is not selfish, especially for mothers who become consumed by caring for everyone around them. Whitney explains how small daily promises—whether through fitness, journaling, faith, or her morning “Fire Starter”—can help women step off the hamster wheel of overwhelm and reconnect with who they are. “We wake up every single morning to a new day.” — Whitney Voisin Connect with Veronica: https://capstrata.com/ https://www.instagram.com/floridacommercialist/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/ Connect with Coach Whit: ApogeeWoman.com https://www.instagram.com/itscoachwhit/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/itscoachwhit/ #womeninbusiness #CRE #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #realestatepodcast #realestatedevelopment #commercialdeveloper #entrepreneur #CCIM #ApogeeWoman #WomenInLeadership #SelfLeadership #Motherhood #PersonalGrowth

August 24, 202626 min

Raising an Entrepreneur: Margo Machol Bisnow

In this episode, I sit down with Margot Machol Bisnow, bestselling author of Raising an Entrepreneur and former commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission. Margot shares what she learned from interviewing successful entrepreneurs and their families about the experiences that helped them become confident, resilient, and willing to take risks. One theme appeared again and again: these entrepreneurs had someone who believed in them. Rather than choosing their children’s passions for them, their parents supported what brought them joy, encouraged their hard work, and allowed them to experience failure as part of learning and growth. Margot also shares stories from raising her own two sons, her difficult decision to walk away from her original publishing contract, and why parents must recognize that the path that worked for them may not be right for their children. We also discuss financial responsibility, perseverance, and the importance of giving children room to discover who they are. Her advice to parents is simple but powerful: “See what gives your child joy, and then tell them how proud you are of how hard they’re working in that.” Connect with Veronica: https://capstrata.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/ Connect with Margot: https://raisinganentrepreneur.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/margot-machol-bisnow-a29550b5/ Buy her book: https://a.co/d/0fd2eUDX #womeninbusiness #CRE #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #realestatepodcast #realestatedevelopment #commercialdeveloper #entrepreneur #CCIM #womeninCRE

August 17, 202626 min

Michele Richman: Finding the Courage to Tell Your Story

In this episode of Women Influencers , I sit down with Michele Richman, Chief People Officer and Lead Coach at Lawline, an online continuing legal education company that began as a television program created by her parents. Michele shares how growing up in a family business shaped her journey from politics and prosecuting housing fraud for the Department of Housing and Urban Development to practicing personal injury law and eventually joining her brother at Lawline. Today, she leads professional development, coaches law firm leaders, and helps others build more fulfilling careers. We also discuss the moment Michele’s son renamed her “Productivity Woman” in his phone, inspiring her to reconsider how she saw herself and return to her love of writing. Her essays eventually became The Stories We Almost Don’t Tell: Finding the Courage to Tell Yours , a book exploring fear, grief, motherhood, accepting support, and finding the courage to share the experiences that shape us. “Your story matters. Your voice matters now. And the person who needs to hear what you have to say is waiting.” — Michele Richman Connect with Veronica: https://capstrata.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/ Connect with Michele: https://michelerichman.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-richman/ Buy her book: https://a.co/d/09ax5q5o #womeninbusiness #CRE #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #realestatepodcast #realestatedevelopment #commercialdeveloper #entrepreneur #CCIM #womeninCRE

August 3, 202620 min

Start Small: John McNellis on Building a Career in Real Estate Development

In this episode, I sit down with John McNellis, longtime real estate developer, columnist, and author of Making It in Real Estate, Third Edition , whose career began in law before he discovered that he was far more interested in making deals than advising on them. John shares how growing up with a mother who built a successful all-female real estate brokerage shaped his perspective on women in business. He reflects on watching her overcome the challenges of working in a male-dominated industry while supporting her family and putting four children through college. He also explains how he transitioned from practicing real estate law into shopping center development, eventually building a career spanning more than 40 years. Along the way, John continued writing, first as a columnist for the San Francisco Business Times and later as the author of Making It in Real Estate , which has now grown into its third edition with 34 new chapters. We discuss the realities of development, the level of risk involved, and why more women should have access to mentorship, professional networks, and opportunities within the industry. John also shares how he has helped women advance through organizations such as the Urban Land Institute and offered guidance to aspiring developers throughout their careers. For anyone interested in entering development, John recommends beginning with a smaller project that provides experience with purchasing, financing, contractors, renovations, and sales before taking on something larger. His advice is a reminder that you do not need to begin with a massive development to start building your experience: “Start small.” — John McNellis Connect with Veronica: https://capstrata.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/ Connect with John: https://www.johnmcnellis.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mcnellis-b6a1674/ Buy his book: https://a.co/d/0guzJVfd #womeninbusiness #CRE #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #realestatepodcast #realestatedevelopment #commercialdeveloper #entrepreneur #CCIM #womeninCRE

June 29, 202621 min

Reclaiming Power, Peace, and Happiness with Teri Chilcoat

In this episode, I sit down with Teri Chilcoat, keynote speaker, author of Surviving the Toxic Workplace: From an HR Insider, and founder of Inner Authority Co., whose story begins in Minnesota, where she grew up with a single mom, learned independence early, and developed a strong drive to work hard and create a better future for herself. Teri shares how she started working at a young age, worked full time through college, and eventually found her way into human resources after taking what was supposed to be a two-day assignment at Time Warner Cable. That opportunity turned into the beginning of a 20-year HR career, where she gained a behind-the-scenes view of how leadership, culture, and company values do not always align. She reflects on the moment she realized that toxic work environments are often accepted by people who feel grateful just to have a job. Through her experience in HR, Teri saw how employees can feel stuck, powerless, or unsure where to turn, and how even HR professionals can be limited by the culture and leadership around them. That realization inspired her to write Surviving the Toxic Workplace as a resource for people who need practical steps, perspective, and a way to regain agency. Today, Teri continues her work in HR while speaking, writing, and leading workshops that help organizations improve retention, self-awareness, and employee engagement. Her advice to anyone feeling stuck is a reminder that even difficult seasons are not permanent: “If you’re feeling stuck right now, it’s only temporary and you can get through this.” — Teri Chilcoat Connect with Veronica: https://capstrata.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/ Connect with Teri: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-chilcoat-phr/ https://www.innerauthoritycompany.com/about-me Buy her book: https://a.co/d/06oURIbX #womeninbusiness #CRE #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #realestatepodcast #commercialbroker #entrepreneur #CCIM #innerauthority

June 15, 202624 min

Unapologetic: Cassy Williamson

In this episode, I sit down with Cassy Williamson, keynote speaker, author, founder of Unapologetic Women, and strategic performance coach at Impact Eighty-Eight, whose story begins as a military kid learning the value of service, leadership, and showing up for something bigger than herself. From an early age, Cassy knew she was different, full of energy, passion, and a voice that did not always fit neatly into the boxes others expected. Cassy shares how her journey took her from music and advocacy for military families, to pediatric healthcare, to the homebuilding industry, where she eventually found herself in sales training and leadership development. Through each transition, the same theme kept showing up: the tension between being fully herself and being asked to compromise the very qualities that made her effective. She reflects on the moment that helped launch the Unapologetic movement, when a leader told her she would not be taken seriously by executive leadership unless she learned to “tone it down.” Instead of shrinking, Cassy wrote the chapter “No You Tone It Down” and leaned into a message that would become her book, her community, and her mission: helping women own their voice, their authenticity, and their impact. Today, Cassy leads Unapologetic Women, a growing community of women across the country built on love, kindness, growth, and connection. Her advice to the audience is a reminder that courage often has to come before confidence: “Do the thing before you actually feel ready to do it.” — Cassy Williamson Connect with Veronica: https://capstrata.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/ Connect with Cassy: https://www.cassywilliamson.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassywilliamson/ #womeninbusiness #CRE #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #realestatepodcast #commercialbroker #entrepreneur #CCIM #unapologetic

May 21, 202623 min

From Sri Lanka to Strategic Finance: Dana Udumulla’s Story of Resilience and Balance

In this episode, I sit down with Dana Udumulla, Head of Strategic Relations at Madison Trust, whose story begins in Sri Lanka and leads to the United States with just $200, two suitcases, and a dream. As an immigrant, woman, and young professional in finance, Dana has built a career around helping investors, sponsors, and operators better understand alternative investments and retirement capital. Dana shares how she came to America nearly 10 years ago after losing her father at a young age and helping care for her mother and sister. She arrived with very little, worked multiple jobs while going to school, and eventually pivoted from her original goal of becoming a lawyer into finance, where she discovered a passion for capital, investment structures, and helping people stand out instead of becoming just another number. She reflects on her early career at Madison Trust, where she started in customer service and grew into leadership roles by staying curious, learning the business, and building credibility one conversation at a time. Dana also opens up about the challenge of being taken seriously in rooms where people often underestimated her, and how persistence, preparation, and confidence helped her earn trust and create real impact. Today, Dana works with sponsors and operators across the country, helping them understand how retirement capital can support alternative investments and capital raising. Her advice to ambitious professionals is a reminder that success should not come at the cost of your well-being: “Learn the art of balance.” — Dana Udumulla Connect with Veronica: https://capstrata.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/ Connect with Dana: https://www.madisontrust.com/sponsors/dana-udumulla/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/thanuriudumulla/ #womeninbusiness #CRE #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #realestatepodcast #commercialbroker #entrepreneur #CCIM #immigrantstories

April 30, 202621 min

Marriage, Money, and Mindset: Julia & Gino Barbaro

In this episode, I sit down with Julia and Gino Barbaro , life coaches, multifamily real estate investors, and partners in both business and life, whose journey is rooted in faith, family, and a shared commitment to helping others achieve financial and relational success. Gino and Julia share how their upbringings shaped their perspectives on money and life. Gino grew up in a hardworking Italian immigrant family with a structured approach to finances, while Julia was raised by a single mother in a household where money was often a source of stress. Their paths came together at the restaurant Gino purchased, where Julia worked, and together they built a life centered on family, raising six children and eventually stepping into coaching and education. A defining moment in their journey came when Gino considered leaving the restaurant business to pursue real estate full time and move their family to Florida. Julia’s immediate trust in that decision became a cornerstone of their relationship, reinforcing the importance of partnership, communication, and shared vision. Through their transition into real estate and coaching, they began helping others not only build wealth but also strengthen relationships, shift their mindset, and take ownership of their lives. Today, the Barbaros are most proud of the impact they’ve had on families, from helping individuals achieve financial independence to even saving marriages through their coaching. Their message blends practical wisdom with emotional growth, emphasizing both connection and personal responsibility: Gino shared a quote from Stephen Covey “Seek first to understand, then be understood.” And Julia shared, “Forgiveness… it’s an ongoing process.” Connect with Veronica: https://capstrata.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/ Connect with Julia and Gino: https://barbaro360.com/ #womeninbusiness #CRE #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #realestatepodcast #commercialbroker #entrepreneur #CCIM #family #barbaro360