In celebration of International Women’s Day, we’ve gathered empowering stories from CEOs who have faced and surmounted significant challenges. From advocating for justice and equality to pivoting business strategies during a pandemic, here are three inspiring tales that highlight the resilience and leadership of women in the face of adversity.
- Advocating for Justice and Equality
- Empowering Women Through Entrepreneurship
- Pivoting Business Amidst Pandemic
Celebrating Success Stories of 3 Women CEOs
Advocating for Justice and Equality
Justie Nicol, CEO, Colorado Lawyer Team
Throughout my legal career, as a former prosecutor for the largest DA’s office in Colorado and in my work with the ACLU, I’ve navigated significant professional challenges and have been dedicated to fighting for the underrepresented and those whose voices are often ignored. This journey has not only been about overcoming personal obstacles but also about striving to make a meaningful impact within the justice system, advocating for fairness and equality.
One of my most significant challenges was transitioning from a prosecutor, where I learned the intricacies of the legal system from the inside, overseeing traffic, misdemeanor, felony, and juvenile cases, to taking a stance against systemic injustices while working on a large class-action lawsuit with the ACLU. This case was on behalf of prisoners in a facility known for its cruel conditions, dubbed ‘Gladiator School,’ located in Idaho. The depth of the constitutional violations and the cruelty of the punishment underscored the importance of the fight for civil liberties and highlighted the profound issues within the incarceration system. This experience solidified my resolve to continue fighting for what’s right, promoting equality, and protecting individual rights, making it a cornerstone of my professional and personal ethos.
Empowering Women Through Entrepreneurship
Priyanka Swamy, CEO, Perfect Locks
I’m passionate about celebrating women’s resilience and strength, especially when facing life’s challenges head-on. My life has been full of challenges. I have learned to accept myself for who I am, eventually leading me to create a brand that aims to empower others. When I was growing up in India, I faced a lot of social pressure and bullying about my hair and looks. But instead of letting these things hurt my soul, I used them to fuel my goals. I didn’t want to live up to anyone else’s idea of what beauty looks like, so I set out on a journey to create my definition of beauty. When we started Perfect Locks, it wasn’t just about building a business. We wanted to create a space for women to express themselves and be themselves. Our products and services are designed to empower women and help them feel confident and confident in themselves. I encourage all women to share their experiences and triumphs. Whether you have overcome physical, emotional, or professional obstacles, your story is one that we should celebrate and share. Let’s inspire each other and continue to break down barriers to create a new generation of empowered women.
Pivoting Business Amidst Pandemic
Tasia Duske, CEO, Museum Hack
In 2020, I had just stepped into the role of CEO at Museum Hack. Mere months into my leadership transition, the pandemic hit. Our main means of operation and sources of revenue instantly disappeared. Museums were on lockdown, and in-person events were indefinitely paused. We couldn’t lead tours through institutions, nor did any of them want consulting services—since they couldn’t accept visitors for an unknown period. Rather than waiting out the storm, my team and I immediately sprang into action mode. We pivoted to virtual events and launched our sister brand, TeamBuilding.com. Within a week of shutdowns, we had new business plans, and we began our hiring process. Not only did we survive the pandemic, but we also launched a wildly successful new brand and were profitable in our first year—we had more demand than we could accommodate in those first few seasons! Four years out, the Museum Hack brand continues to operate under the TeamBuilding.com umbrella. I’m still a C-suite executive in charge of a badass team of creatives and event masters, and I fully embraced the digital nomad life and started traveling the world with my partner while we ran and grew our business.
Celebrating Women of Today.