WomenHeard New York Women in Communications

The Matrix Awards by NYWICI serves as our opportunity to recognize exceptional leaders in the communications industry. This year’s theme is Rule Breakers! The 2024 honorees don't just accept the status quo, they are carving their own paths forward and rewriting the rules to success. Listen to this episode to hear directly from some of our honorees, host, scholarship recipients, and attendees! 



Sarah Ng, senior journalism major at Hofstra University and three-time NYWICI Scholarship recipient, took to the red carpet on May 21 and interviewed Matrix Awards honoree Rakia Reynolds, Founder and Executive Officer of Skai Blue Media; Matrix Awards host, Peloton instructor and TODAY Show contributor Ally Love; President and CEO of GLAAD Sarah Kate Ellis; NYWICI President-elect Brandi Boatner; and a few of our 2024 NYWICI Scholarship recipients.

“Always learn the ‘other thing’ – it doesn’t hurt to have an extra skill set.” In this interview, WomenHeard host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich speaks with Tess Quinlan, a NYWICI Scholarship Winner, Content Planning Lead for the NBA, and MBA graduate. Tess began her career in broadcast communications at Marquette University and an internship at Yahoo Sports. Learning a little bit about every sport was key to growth in her roles - she covered college basketball and football for USA Today, as well as tackled podcasts and editorial partnerships at NBC. 



At the NBA, Tess works on DTC (direct to consumer) – everything from leading content production for the app to working with Peloton as a launch partner to covering the Olympics. Listen to this episode to learn what it's like to work in sports communications, gain actionable advice on how to find a mentor, and advocate for yourself throughout your career path. 

"Get comfortable talking about yourself... it's not bragging if it's based on facts." Cate Luzio spent two decades in financial services, most recently as the Global Head of Multinational Corporate Banking for HSBC, before she made a sharp career pivot. In 2018, she launched and self-funded Luminary, a global, membership-based professional education and networking platform offering resources, programming, and community to propel women to the top of their industries.

Cate speaks with host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich about why accomplishments don't just speak for themselves and the untapped potential of transforming networking into the practice of relationship-building. Listen to this episode for what gave her the motivation to create Luminary, the power of an "exploratory conversation", as well as key pieces of advice for entrepreneurs and women who want to check off their next achievement.  

"You may lose a job you love, you may have someone betray you... this will not define you." In this episode, WomenHeard: Changemakers host Georgia Galanoudis speaks with Kristi VandenBosch, President at OLIVER Agency. Formerly the CEO of Publicis, Chief Digital Officer of MXM (now Accenture Song) and Senior Vice President at Revlon, Kristi's leadership in communications has given her a wealth of expertise - not just in industry knowledge but in cultivating her values.

After speaking at a conference, she was offered a beer and a job - and this began her new journey at OLIVER agency. Holding emotional space for clients is one of her superpowers - establishing quality connections no matter how far up the ladder you may be. Listen to this episode for inspiring details on moving business goals forward and embracing "change moments". 

Please note that this episode includes explicit language and themes.

"Pull others up with you as you climb." If you're seeking a new role, striving for better pay, or preparing yourself for layoffs affecting the communications, media and tech industries, this episode will give you clarity on resilience in all types of career transitions. With an effective coaching style that's been highlighted in TIME, Fortune, and Fast Company (to name a few!), ⁠Phoebe Gavin⁠ works with clients to customize growth plans and leverage tactics to navigate the fast-paced and ever-changing labor market.

She speaks with WomenHeard host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich about being more intentional with your choices, differentiating between your brand and brand assets, as well as asking the foundational question, "Does this meet my needs?" Listen to this episode for details on how to grow your knowledge of AI tools (and why that's relevant to your career!). Plus, learn what it takes to succeed in a competitive job market, how to maintain marketability, and give yourself "grace and space" to climb learning curves. 

"Don't ask for permission" may be your next confidence builder after listening to this episode! WomenHeard host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich interviewed New York Women in Communications' new President, Laura Brusca. Laura started her career at a NYC agency, Ruder Finn, where she found creative outlets by raising her hand for new initiatives. From working on a program for life-saving malaria medicine to sustainability at H&M, she took her six years of experience and went in-house at Forbes. 

Laura recently celebrated a decade at the global media company - collaborating with stakeholders across teams, including working on the infamous "30 under 30" list of entrepreneurs and leaders in a diverse variety of sectors. She was recently promoted to Chief Communications Officer at Forbes and became NYWICI President within the same few months! Listen to this episode for details on how to strategically advance at your company, as well as get the inside track on her vision for NYWICI in the year ahead.