WomenHeard

New York Women in Communications
  • 4.8 (22)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Presented by New York Women in Communications, WomenHeard is a career-focused podcast where women across the communications industry share personal stories and practical advice. Hosted by career expert Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich and NYWICI Past President Georgia Galanoudis, the series explores career growth, equity, compensation, and the pivotal moments that shape confident, effective leadership. Real Stories. Real Advice. Real Talk.

  1. Paula Ngon, PR & Brand Communications Strategist, NFL

    2D AGO

    Paula Ngon, PR & Brand Communications Strategist, NFL

    "There's so much content and so many opportunities for storytelling. If one thing doesn't work, we'll try again, pivot to the next thing, or expand!"  In this episode, WomenHeard host Georgia Galanoudis speaks with PR powerhouse Paula Ngon. Paula established her communications expertise in a wide range of well-known brands: People, Vanity Fair, GQ and GQ Sports, as well as The Estée Lauder Companies. After attending the Super Bowl live, she loved the sheer joy of the fandom and was intrigued by working in the sports industry. At the NFL, she puts on some of the biggest events in the world and intersects her experience and passion for media, events, entertainment and public re​lations. Recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, an ADCOLOR Future Honoree and a Black Pioneer by PR News, Paula drives cultural moments that reach millions. Listen to this episode for the importance of hands-on learning and finding balance after facing a serious health challenge.

    35 min
  2. Caitlin Girouard, Head of Crisis Communications & Director of Corporate Communications, PayPal

    FEB 24

    Caitlin Girouard, Head of Crisis Communications & Director of Corporate Communications, PayPal

    "If you're young [in your career] and something is of interest to you, take the chance and just do it because you never know."  In this episode, WomenHeard host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich interviews Caitlin Girouard at PayPal, a fintech company revolutionizing online payments and commerce infrastructure. Caitlin started out with strong interests in politics and law, transferring her skills in conflict resolution to crisis communications. Julie and Caitlin talk about how her line of work is actually "anti hair on fire" and the value of building a strong foundation of trust to maintain a company's mission. Plus, you'll hear the advantages of "learning by osmosis" and the value of taking a risk.

    46 min
  3. Changemakers: Alia Lamborghini, SVP Global Revenue, Yahoo DSP

    JAN 28

    Changemakers: Alia Lamborghini, SVP Global Revenue, Yahoo DSP

    "As you rise in your own career, you look around and you realize you have this incredibly powerful network, and you want to make sure that you keep it close.” In this episode, WomenHeard: Changemakers host Georgia Galanoudis speaks with Alia Lamborghini - a senior leader in digital advertising and revenue strategy. She invites us to learn more about the world of DSP (demand-side platform) as an advertising exchange - similar to buying and selling in the stock market with real-time bidding of assets. Listen to this episode for how strategic revenue building connects to the media industry, as well as leadership lessons for how to make your team feel supported and motivated in a fast-paced environment.

    36 min
  4. Sam Wolf, Executive Vice President of Corporate & Public Affairs, Burson

    12/19/2025

    Sam Wolf, Executive Vice President of Corporate & Public Affairs, Burson

    “The speed at which information is traveling has changed. That also means the speed at which myths and disinformation is traveling, and how it’s shared and amplified especially with AI and search engines, is really a whole new factor for consideration.” In this episode, WomenHeard host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich interviews public relations powerhouse Sam Wolf. Her “strategic sparkle” has woven her career threads through small, midsized and global agencies, showcasing storytelling expertise across media, tech, and governmental sectors. Sam walks through the tenets of crisis communications: factors that go into an assessment, the importance of trust, and how silence is increasingly not an acceptable response. Listen to this episode for how Sam brings vulnerability to her leadership. She shares a story with our audience about a job that didn’t work out early on and how to lean on both your gut feelings and mentors. Plus, how the “flexibility stigma” is related to what she thinks is the biggest challenge facing women in the workforce today.

    47 min
  5. Changemakers: Beth Feldman, SVP Communications, The CW Network & SVP Communications, Nexstar Media Inc./Networks

    11/11/2025

    Changemakers: Beth Feldman, SVP Communications, The CW Network & SVP Communications, Nexstar Media Inc./Networks

    "Bring people onto your team that might have skill sets that you don't have, that complement the overall team. Bring them along with you. Don't be intimidated by their talents." In this episode, Womenheard: Changemakers host Georgia Galanoudis speaks with Beth Feldman, the incoming 2026 President of NYWICI! As a leading network television communications professional, she's launched wide-reaching campaigns for Emmy-award winning shows on CBS including CSI, The Amazing Race, as well as Everybody Loves Raymond.  Listen to this episode for the benefits of being transparent about what you don't know, following what lights you up, and why writing is the foundation for everything.

    46 min
  6. 2025 Trailblazer Awards: Red Carpet Recap

    09/25/2025

    2025 Trailblazer Awards: Red Carpet Recap

    NYWICI’s Trailblazer Awards is a celebration of the next generation of industry leaders in communications, marketing, advertising, and public relations. Sarah Ng, Digital Content Producer at The New York Post and three-time NYWICI Scholarship recipient, took to the red carpet to interview the four honorees. Listen to this episode for insights from Jessica Ling, Executive Vice President, Global Advertising at American Express; Danielle Wallis, Chief Marketing Officer, Connected Commerce & Head of Card Marketing at JPMorgan Chase; Talia Bender Small, President at The Female Quotient; and Leah Seay Anise, Consumer Communications Lead at OpenAI. You’ll also hear from our Trailblazer emcee, Alexis Christoforous at ABC News and Beth Feldman, Senior Vice President at Nexstar Media Group and President-Elect for NYWICI!

    20 min
  7. Changemakers: Elizabeth Donovan, SVP & Global Head of Retail and Commerce Media Networks, Acxiom/IPG

    09/16/2025

    Changemakers: Elizabeth Donovan, SVP & Global Head of Retail and Commerce Media Networks, Acxiom/IPG

    "I think you're a great leader when you make other leaders."  In this episode, Womenheard: Changemakers host Georgia Galanoudis speaks with Elizabeth Donovan, a visionary media executive at global agency and technology firm Acxiom/IPG. As a SVP, Head of Retail and Commerce Networks, she spearheads strategy, tech innovation, revenue acceleration and strategy across retail, hospitality, finance, and beyond. Formerly, Elizabeth architected and led the successful launch of the Marriott Media Network, the hospitality industry’s first media network. She built a multi-functional organization from the ground up, reshaping how brands engage travelers through meaningful, data-enriched advertising experiences. Listen to this episode for stories from over 18 years in the media industry, including how to build a strong foundation of support.

    39 min
  8. Francesca Donner, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, The Persistent

    08/19/2025

    Francesca Donner, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, The Persistent

    “In most mainstream news, women’s stories are not prioritized. They’re not centered. Women are often covered as an afterthought, as a sidebar to the main event, as if women are not an integral part of the story.” In this episode, WomenHeard host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich interviews Francesca Donner, the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Persistent. Dedicated to amplifying women’s voices and stories, the platform’s mission is to "cover women for a change". Francesca honed her storytelling skills and newsroom expertise at The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Forbes, launching initiatives that brought together a rich variety of perspectives. Listen to this episode for Francesca's thoughts on AI's effect on the newsroom and hear her perspective on what it means for allies to step in.

    59 min
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4.8
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Presented by New York Women in Communications, WomenHeard is a career-focused podcast where women across the communications industry share personal stories and practical advice. Hosted by career expert Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich and NYWICI Past President Georgia Galanoudis, the series explores career growth, equity, compensation, and the pivotal moments that shape confident, effective leadership. Real Stories. Real Advice. Real Talk.

Information

  • Creator
    New York Women in Communications
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    106
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © New York Women in Communications
  • Show Website
    WomenHeard

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