For women seeking to make their mark as entrepreneurs and business leaders, the statistics can be daunting. Despite ongoing efforts to promote gender equity in business, research shows that women–particularly women of color–face significant challenges. As of 2023, only 10% of Fortune 500 CEOs were women, with just 1% being women of color. Meanwhile, women-founded startups received less than 2% of venture capital funding.
However, numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. Despite systemic barriers, many women and people with marginalized identities are already thriving as innovators, leaders, and changemakers–building businesses that aim to foster social change and collective empowerment.
Inspired by these entrepreneurs’ stories, the Student Board of the Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Program at UW has launched Her Entrepreneurial Rise, a podcast series hosted by GWSS major Kelen Tamurian! Throughout March–Women’s History Month–Kelen will interview women business leaders across diverse industries, exploring their successes, setbacks, and advice for those just starting out on their professional journeys. These conversations will celebrate the ingenuity and resilience of women in business while taking a “real and unfiltered” look at the challenging, sometimes-messy process of “building something meaningful.” Success stories aren’t written overnight. Community support and self-care are as vital as individual initiative. And this, Kelen and her guests contend, should give aspiring entrepreneurs cause for optimism. As Kelen reminds us at the end of the first episode, “success isn’t about perfection. It’s about taking that first step, learning as you go, and daring to rise.”
Listen to the first two episodes of Her Entrepreneurial Rise on Spotify now! In Episode 0: Her Entrepreneurial Rise – Breaking Barriers, Building Futures, Kelen introduces the series’ objectives. In Episode 1: Inspiring Confidence & Mental Resilience in Young Girls – A Conversation with Jilyne Jarvis of ZGiRLS, she interviews the founder of a nonprofit dedicated to mentoring and empowering girls aged 11-14. They discuss youth advocacy, the nonprofit sector, and the importance of self-care as a leader. New episodes drop twice weekly through March–tune in and get inspired!
Congratulations, Kelen, on bringing this engaging, timely podcast series to the UW community!