Women of Color Rise

Analiza Quiroz Wolf

Welcome to the Women of Color Rise podcast! I’m Analiza Quiroz Wolf, proud Filipina American, mom of two, and former CEO of a non-profit and Captain in the US Air Force. My mission is to support having more diverse leaders at the table, especially women and people of color. We’ll be talking with successful CEOs and C-suite women leaders of color and learning about their leadership journeys. If you are a woman or woman of color who wants a seat at the table, you’re in the right place. Website: www.analizawolf.com

  1. When to Say Yes with Christie Wong Barrett, Former CEO and Owner of MacArthur

    2 DAYS AGO

    When to Say Yes with Christie Wong Barrett, Former CEO and Owner of MacArthur

    In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Christie Wong Barrett, former CEO and owner of MacArthur, a global manufacturer of innovative labels and functional components with operations in the U.S., China, Mexico, and Poland. Christie currently serves as an Independent Board Member for DMI Companies, a Lecturer at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, and Co-Director of AmplifyD, a nonprofit incubating startups led by minority and women founders. She has also advised on national manufacturing policy through her appointment to the White House Advanced Manufacturing Partnership.   Christie shares her framework for evaluating opportunities—when to say yes and when to say no: Is it new? If it’s a fresh opportunity, consider saying yes. Are you passionate? Ensure it aligns with your interests, passions, and goals. Will it build your skillset? Growth potential makes an opportunity worthwhile. Can you realistically succeed? You should have at least one foundational strength—whether it’s knowledge of the industry, clients, or team—to set yourself up for success. Does it create multiple benefits? Look for opportunities that offer value beyond just work—advancing your career, expanding your network, or opening future doors.   While it’s tempting to say yes to everything, Christie emphasizes the importance of prioritizing what truly matters. Ideally, we should only say yes when all these criteria align.   Thank you, Christie, for your insightful advice!   Get full show notes and more information here: https://analizawolf.com/episode-100-when-to-say-yes-with-christie-wong-barrett

    19 min
  2. Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation with Dr. Gail Christopher, Former Vice President at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation

    10 APR

    Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation with Dr. Gail Christopher, Former Vice President at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation

    How can we build connection and compassionate communities? In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Dr. Gail Christopher, the visionary behind the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) framework. Dr. Christopher is the Executive Director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity and a former Vice President at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, where she spearheaded transformative initiatives like America Healing and TRHT. Recognized as one of the 10 Most Influential Women Scholars in Health Promotion by the American Journal of Health Promotion in 2023, Dr. Christopher continues to inspire change worldwide. Dr. Christopher shares the powerful foundation of TRHT, designed to replace the false hierarchy of human value with a vision of our shared humanity. This framework has had a profound impact across the U.S. and beyond, with over 70 college campuses implementing TRHT campus centers. The Five Pillars of TRHT: Narrative Change: Redefining stories to reflect shared humanity. Racial Healing & Relationship Building: Fostering compassion across diversity to create authentic, human connections. Separation: Addressing the systemic ways society perpetuates division and hierarchy. Law: Reforming immigration policies, voting rights, and criminal justice systems to uphold equality. Economy: Transforming economic systems built on exploitation to prioritize equity. The Five-Step Process for Change: Create a Vision for Success: Imagine a future where equality and shared humanity replace hierarchy. Use Data to Assess Reality: Evaluate current conditions against the envisioned future. Engage Key Stakeholders: Identify and involve the individuals and communities necessary for progress. Set Goals: Establish clear, short- and long-term objectives to guide action. Sustain the Effort: Build systems for funding, communication, and volunteer support to ensure lasting impact. Dr. Christopher reminds us that this work is both a framework and a methodology—a guide for communities, institutions, and nations to advance racial healing and equity. Thank you, Dr. Christopher, for your leadership and for inspiring us to envision a future grounded in our shared humanity. Get full show notes and more information here: https://analizawolf.com/episode-99-truth-racial-healing-and-transformation-with-dr-gail-christopher

    30 min
  3. From Pivot to Tony-Winning Theater Leader with Khady Kamara Nunez, Executive Director of the Perelman Performing Arts Center

    27 MAR

    From Pivot to Tony-Winning Theater Leader with Khady Kamara Nunez, Executive Director of the Perelman Performing Arts Center

    Aspiring to lead in theater?   In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Khady Kamara Nunez, Executive Director of the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC). Before this role, Khady served as Executive Director of Second Stage Theater, where she was part of the leadership team that won a Tony Award for Take Me Out.   Khady shares her inspiring journey from Senegal to the U.S., where a night at the theater changed her life’s trajectory. Though her decision to pursue theater initially caused friction—her mother hung up when she called to share the news—Khady followed her passion and learned invaluable lessons along the way:   Embrace the Pivot: Pursuing your passion can be uncertain, but taking the leap allows you to live without regrets. If needed, you can always pivot later. Embrace Failure: Facing the unknown, like navigating and leading theater during COVID, showed Khady that mistakes are opportunities to learn and improve. Know Your Values: When Khady discovered a report showing a lack of people of color leading regional theaters, she was motivated by her belief in representation and set her sights on becoming a leader in the industry.   Thank you, Khady, for showing us the power of resilience and passion in leadership! Get full show notes and more information here:https://analizawolf.com/episode-98-truth-racial-healing-and-transformation-with-dr-gail-christopher

    19 min
  4. Navigating Tech Leadership: Entrepreneur to Boardroom with Sonita Lontoh, Technology Leader, Asian American Hall of Fame Inductee and Board Director

    13 MAR

    Navigating Tech Leadership: Entrepreneur to Boardroom with Sonita Lontoh, Technology Leader, Asian American Hall of Fame Inductee and Board Director

    How can you amplify your leadership in technology?   In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I sit down with Sonita Lontoh, an inspiring technology leader and inductee into the Asian Hall of Fame and Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame. Sonita currently serves on the boards of Sunrun (Nasdaq: RUN) and TrueBlue (NYSE: TBI) and has held senior executive roles at HP, Siemens, and PG&E. Recognized by the White House and U.S. State Department, Sonita shares actionable insights on amplifying your career in technology.   Sonita shares helpful advice to amplify a career: Embrace change and failure: Explore your passions early, pivot when needed, and view failure as a learning opportunity. For example, Sonita started her career by pursuing an entrepreneurial passion in gaming, successfully launched a company, and later pivoted to corporate leadership after selling the business. Find your purpose: Align your passions, skills, and purpose to guide your career path. Sonita found her purpose at the intersection of technology and sustainability, which became her north star in driving innovation and impact throughout her career. Seek mentors and sponsors: Build a support network of role models who inspire and guide you, regardless of their level. Sonita leveraged mentorship from diverse leaders, including women and men, to navigate career transitions and grow into leadership roles. Think like an owner: Go beyond your role to drive the broader success of your organization. Sonita exemplified this by creating and scaling new businesses within large companies like Siemens, transforming innovative ideas into operational success.   Sonita’s wisdom offers invaluable guidance for navigating the challenges of technology leadership.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://analizawolf.com/episode-97-navigating-tech-leadership-entrepreneur-to-boardroom-with-sonita-lontoh

    36 min
  5. 5 Keys to Build Self-Confidence with Sheena Yap Chan, Author and Podcast Host, Tao of Self-Confidence

    27 FEB

    5 Keys to Build Self-Confidence with Sheena Yap Chan, Author and Podcast Host, Tao of Self-Confidence

    How can you amplify your leadership in technology?   In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I sit down with Sonita Lontoh, an inspiring technology leader and inductee into the Asian Hall of Fame and Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame. Sonita currently serves on the boards of Sunrun (Nasdaq: RUN) and TrueBlue (NYSE: TBI) and has held senior executive roles at HP, Siemens, and PG&E. Recognized by the White House and U.S. State Department, Sonita shares actionable insights on amplifying your career in technology.   Sonita shares helpful advice to amplify a career: Embrace change and failure: Explore your passions early, pivot when needed, and view failure as a learning opportunity. For example, Sonita started her career by pursuing an entrepreneurial passion in gaming, successfully launched a company, and later pivoted to corporate leadership after selling the business. Find your purpose: Align your passions, skills, and purpose to guide your career path. Sonita found her purpose at the intersection of technology and sustainability, which became her north star in driving innovation and impact throughout her career. Seek mentors and sponsors: Build a support network of role models who inspire and guide you, regardless of their level. Sonita leveraged mentorship from diverse leaders, including women and men, to navigate career transitions and grow into leadership roles. Think like an owner: Go beyond your role to drive the broader success of your organization. Sonita exemplified this by creating and scaling new businesses within large companies like Siemens, transforming innovative ideas into operational success.   Sonita’s wisdom offers invaluable guidance for navigating the challenges of technology leadership.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://analizawolf.com/episode-96-5-keys-to-build-self-confidence-with-sheena-yap-chan

    23 min
  6. How to Take Risks and Make Career Leaps with Melissa Santoro, Former Vice President, De Beers

    13 FEB

    How to Take Risks and Make Career Leaps with Melissa Santoro, Former Vice President, De Beers

    In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Melissa Santoro, Former Vice President of De Beers and Former Head of Finance at Macy’s Backstage. With a career spanning finance and strategy roles at Fortune 500 companies to start-ups, Melissa is now an angel investor and board member.   Melissa shares powerful strategies for taking risks and making bold career moves: Be Curious: Explore new opportunities, even without prior experience. Melissa accepted a challenging and unpopular role conducting fine jewelry analysis—a field she had no prior experience in—and this opened doors for her to lead analysis on new ventures. Be Confident: Trust your skills and your ability to learn. Melissa explains how she embraces new challenges, knowing she can gain the knowledge she needs along the way. Build Community: Leverage your network for support. Melissa emphasizes the importance of asking for help and tapping into your community for guidance.   Melissa will also be hosting a session on March 5 called “Cultivating A Growth Mindset in the Modern Workplace.” It caters to women in leadership, with a focus on building wealth, health, and longevity as women are living longer than ever—often until age 90.   For more details, visit here.   Thank you, Melissa, for sharing your inspiring advice and strategies!   Get full show notes and more information here:https://analizawolf.com/how-to-take-risks-and-make-career-leaps-with-melissa-santoro-former-vice-president-de-beers

    16 min
  7. Connect to Culture, Spirit, and Homeland with Grace Nono, Filipino Singer and Scholar of Philippine Shamanism

    30 JAN

    Connect to Culture, Spirit, and Homeland with Grace Nono, Filipino Singer and Scholar of Philippine Shamanism

    Seeking a deeper connection to culture, spirit, and homeland? In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Grace Nono—a celebrated Filipino singer, ethnomusicologist, and scholar of Philippine shamanism. Grace holds advanced degrees in Humanities, Philippine Studies, Religious and Gender Studies, and Ethnomusicology from institutions like Yale University and NYU. She has also served as a post-doctoral fellow at Harvard Divinity School. Grace shares how reconnecting to the land and indigenous Filipino cultural and spiritual practices has grounded her: Land Connection: Returning to her birthplace in Mindanao to reconnect with the earth. Spiritual Connection: Learning from living Babaylan about ancestral and land-based spirituality. Cultural Connection: Exploring music, arts, and traditional healing practices. Grace also offers two transformative opportunities: Online Webinar Series: Learn from master indigenous practitioners in martial arts, music, and healing. In-Person Immersion in the Philippines: Yuta: Co-Creating with Mother Earth is a 10-day program that includes cultural immersion, healing practices, and community building with Filipino and global participants.   Thank you, Grace, for inspiring others to reconnect with their roots and heritage! Get full show notes and more information here: https://analizawolf.com/ep-94-connect-to-culture-spirit-and-homeland-with-grace-nono-filipino-singer-and-scholar-of-philippine-shamanism-1

    26 min
  8. How Breast Cancer Changed My Leadership at Work and in Life with Johanne Morne, Executive Deputy Commissioner for the New York State Department of Health

    16 JAN

    How Breast Cancer Changed My Leadership at Work and in Life with Johanne Morne, Executive Deputy Commissioner for the New York State Department of Health

    Is it possible for life-or-death news to bring hope? In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Johanne Morne, Executive Deputy Commissioner for the New York State Department of Health. With a long career in public health, Johanne has been guided by her commitment to equity, social justice, and trauma-informed care. At age 42, Johanne was diagnosed with breast cancer while transitioning into a major role she had worked tirelessly to achieve. Faced with the dilemma of prioritizing her health or career, she chose to reframe the question: How can I focus on both? Now celebrating ten years of being cancer-free, Johanne shares how her experience transformed her leadership at work and in life: Focus on community: Johanne leaned on her strong community of family, friends, and faith, deepening those connections throughout her journey. Clarity on her legacy: Cancer clarified Johanne's desire to leave a meaningful impact, especially around equity. She became bolder, speaking out on hard truths about inequities while balancing this with levity. She also felt empowered to take calculated risks, asking herself, “If X happens, can I stand by it?” Bringing hope: Battling cancer taught Johanne the importance of hope—not just for herself but also at work. As she navigated difficult conversations, she realized balancing hard facts with hope and humor was essential to prevent despair. Even during COVID, she highlighted positive aspects, like the flexibility of remote work. Seeing life as temporary: Johanne embraced the idea that life’s moments—whether joyful or challenging—are temporary. This perspective allowed her to choose how she spent her time and aligned her actions with her values. Embracing authenticity: Cancer helped Johanne lean into her true self, becoming more confident and unapologetic in her leadership. Thank you, Johanne, for sharing your inspiring story and bringing hope to all of us. Get full show notes and more information here: https://analizawolf.com/ep-93-how-breast-cancer-changed-my-leadership-at-work-and-in-life-with-johanne-morne

    28 min
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    About

    Welcome to the Women of Color Rise podcast! I’m Analiza Quiroz Wolf, proud Filipina American, mom of two, and former CEO of a non-profit and Captain in the US Air Force. My mission is to support having more diverse leaders at the table, especially women and people of color. We’ll be talking with successful CEOs and C-suite women leaders of color and learning about their leadership journeys. If you are a woman or woman of color who wants a seat at the table, you’re in the right place. Website: www.analizawolf.com

    Information

    • Creator
      Analiza Quiroz Wolf
    • Years Active
      2021 - 2025
    • Episodes
      92
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © Analiza Quiroz Wolf
    • Show Website
      Women of Color Rise

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