She's So Suite Podcast

Kristi Faltorusso

Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

  1. APR 7

    The Hotel Management Aspirant turned Founder of Running Mate ft. Dena Lewis

    In this episode, I sit down with Dena Lewis to discuss career pivots, entrepreneurship, resilience, and the personal story behind Running Mate, an on-demand app that matches runners with verified companions for safer runs. Dena discusses her early interest in hotel management, a 20-year career in medical device sales, three earlier businesses, the trauma that pushed her to rethink runner safety, and the challenges of building a mission-driven tech startup. Timestamps 0:00 - Preview & Introduction 0:42 - Meet Dena Lewis & Running Mate Overview 3:10 - Runners' Safety Matters 10:35 - What Defines a Runner 12:45 - From Cornell Dreams to Med Device 16:30 - Handling Rejection 21:25 - Finding Purpose & Leaning Into Strengths 26:24 - Building Her First 3 Companies 34:00 - The Story Behind Running Mate 43:27 - Startup Challenges 48:31 - Living With Purpose Connect with the guest: Dena Lewis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dena-lewis-a9546a24/ Running Mate: https://www.getrunningmate.com/ Connect with Kristi Faltorusso: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the Podcast YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠ To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠ LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠ Connect with the Show Producer: Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/ _____________________ About She's So Suite Podcast: Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

    51 min
  2. MAR 24

    The Spy turned CCO at People.ai ft. Natalie Wolf

    Kristi Faltorusso sits down with Natalie Wolf, CCO at People.ai, to explore her journey from consulting to the C-suite and the leadership lessons she had to unlearn along the way. Natalie shares how growing up in a competitive consulting environment shaped her early leadership style, and why she later realized that being “tough” wasn’t enough. She dives into the importance of empathy, adapting leadership to individuals, and redefining success beyond traditional career paths. This episode is a candid reflection on growth, resilience, and becoming the kind of leader your team actually needs—not just the one you were taught to be. Timestamps 0:00 - Preview & Introduction 1:10 - Meet Natalie Wolf 2:30 - Fitness Journey & Side Hustle 5:25 - Career Aspirations vs Reality 10:45 - Career Pivots & Key Moments 15:35 - Transition from Consulting to Tech 18:20 - Leading as a Woman in Male-Dominated Environments 28:10 - Career Reflection & Proud Moments 31:24 - How Difficult Leaders Shape You & Your Career Success 34:10 - Empowering Women 37:00 - Work-Life Harmony 41:00 - You Don’t Need Permission to Lead Connect with the guest Natalie Wolf: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nmwolf/ Connect with Kristi Faltorusso Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the Podcast YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠ To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠ LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠ Connect with the Show Producer: Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/ _____________________ About She's So Suite Podcast: Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

    44 min
  3. MAR 10

    The President turned CRO at Vanta ft. Stevie Case

    In this episode of She's So Suite, host Kristi Faltorusso sits down with Stevie Case, Chief Revenue Officer at Vanta, to explore one of the most unconventional journeys to the C-suite. Stevie shares her remarkable story—from aspiring politician, to professional esports gamer, to video game designer, and ultimately becoming a top enterprise salesperson and then becoming a CRO leading a 500+ person revenue organization. The conversation dives into the power of leaning into discomfort, proving doubters wrong, building high-performing teams, and leading with vulnerability. Stevie also opens up about navigating career challenges, raising a daughter as a single mother while building her career, and the leadership lessons that helped her scale Vanta during hypergrowth. If you're interested in career pivots, sales leadership, building elite teams, or breaking traditional career molds, this episode delivers powerful lessons and inspiration. Timestamps 0:00 - Preview 1:08 - Meet Stevie Case & Vanta's Overview 2:25 - Scaling a Hypergrowth Company 4:30 - The Secret to Execution in Startups 6:40 - Childhood Dream: Becoming U.S. President 8:15 - Becoming a Professional Gamer & an Early Internet Celebrity 10:28 - Transitioning from Gaming to Game Development 11:25 - The Unexpected Career Pivot into Sales 15:00 - Parents' Reaction to Stevie's Gaming Career 18:30 - Leaning into Discomfort 21:30 - Joining Twilio and Proving the Critics Wrong 23:07 - The Mentor Who Changed Her Career 28:30 - Raising a Daughter as a Single Mom While Building a Career 30:25 - Betting on Yourself 35:25 - Building the Team at Vanta 38:15 - Hiring Secrets for High-Performing Teams 41:03 - Final Leadership Advice Connect with the guest: Stevie Case: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steviecase/ Connect with Kristi Faltorusso: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the Podcast YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠ To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠ LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠ Connect with the Show Producer: Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/ _____________________ About She's So Suite Podcast: Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

    43 min
  4. FEB 24

    The Ballerina turned CEO at Purl Advisors ft. Shannon Plumb

    In this episode of the She’s So Suite Podcast, Kristi Faltorusso sits down with Shannon Plumb, CEO of Purl Advisors, to discuss resilience, reinvention, leadership, and empowering women in revenue. Kristi shares her unconventional journey from dancing professionally at BalletMet to breaking into enterprise sales, navigating the SaaS boom in Boulder, Colorado, and ultimately stepping into the C-suite. She opens up about losing her identity after a career-ending ballet injury, navigating tech as a woman without role models, leading through mergers and acquisitions, getting laid off unexpectedly, taking the leap to launch her own advisory firm, and building and mentoring women in revenue. This conversation is honest, empowering, and packed with leadership insight for ambitious women, founders, and revenue leaders. Timestamps 0:00 - Preview & Introduction 1:11 - Meet Shannon Plumb 2:30 - Being A Paasionate Dancer 4:45 - Losing Identity & Rebuilding from Scratch 6:48 - Choosing College & Studying Interior Design 8:50 - Breaking into Sales 10:30 - The Power of Real Sales Training 13:35 - Moving to Boulder & Discovering SaaS 16:20 - Why SaaS Changed Everything 18:30 - The Challenge of Leading as a Woman in Revenue 20:33 - Navigating Authenticity in Male-Dominated Spaces 25:45 - Coaching Women Differently in Sales 29:00 - Leading Through an Acquisition & Keeping 100% of Her Team 32:10 - Getting Laid Off & The Emotional Impact 35:20 - Launching Purl Advisors 36:31 - Women in Sales & Techstars Mentorship 40:20 - The Myth of Work-Life Balance 43:00 - Don’t Wait to Be Empowered Connect with the guest: Shannon Plumb: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonplumb/ Connect with Kristi Faltorusso: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the Podcast YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠ To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠ LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠ Connect with the Show Producer: Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/ _____________________ About She's So Suite Podcast: Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depths of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

    46 min
  5. FEB 10

    The International Spy turned Founder & Principal at Cultivate CX ft. Kathleen Rouse

    In this inspiring episode, I, Kristi Faltorusso, sit down with the remarkable Kathleen Rouse, founder and principal of CultivateCX. Kathleen opens up about the pivotal moments, hard-won lessons, and bold decisions that shaped her career—from her childhood dreams of becoming an international spy to her reality leading teams across continents and founding her own impactful business. Together, Kristi and Kathleen dive deep into the exciting and challenging world of entrepreneurship, discussing everything from business failures and resilience to the unique challenges of balancing life in the “sandwich generation,” supporting both her daughter and aging parent. Tune in to hear how Kathleen Rouse continues to create space for herself and other women to rise, and why she believes compassion and courage will define the leaders of the future. Timestamps 0:00 - Preview 0:40 - Meet Kathleen Rouse 2:45 - Early career aspirations and personal backstory 5:15 - Early business failure and the lessons learned 6:42 - Critical shift during the 2020 pandemic at FinancialForce (now Certinia) 8:02 - Personal life changes influencing career moves 9:15 - Rise of solopreneurs and content creators 16:00 - How losing a first business built resilience and focus 17:15 - Balancing pragmatism with ambition 18:30 - Navigating work and family pressures 20:04 - Caring for children, aging parents & self-care 25:00 - Go-to karaoke songs 27:30 - Stopping to reflect & celebrate 31:11 - Launching grassroots movements within organizations 32:11. - Building empowered teams & achieving significant business outcomes 33:42 - Recent accomplishments at CultivateCX 37:15 - Empowering other women 41:10 - Relocating to Paris and expanding business to Europe 43:55 - Closing remarks Connect with the guest: Kathleen Rouse: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleenrouse/ Connect with Kristi Faltorusso: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the Podcast YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠ To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠ LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠ Connect with the Show Producer: Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/ _____________________ About She's So Suite Podcast: Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

    47 min
  6. JAN 27

    The NFL Cheerleader turned Founder & CEO at GrowthQ ft. Esther Iyamu

    In today’s episode, I, Kristi Faltorusso,  sit down with Esther Iyamu, founder and CEO of Growth Q. Esther shares her incredible story as the self-declared "pivot queen," taking us through the major shifts in her life—from immigrating to the US, switching college majors, being an NFL cheerleader, climbing the ranks at Cisco, and finally launching her own company. Tune in as Esther Iyamu reflects on the power of community, the importance of calculated risks, and the value of learning from both successes and setbacks. Timestamps 0:00 - Preview & Introduction 0:45 - Meet Esther Iyamu 6:00 - Life in Dubai 9:45 - Career Aspirations Growing Up 11:31 - Being The NFL Cheerleader 14:55 - Reflecting on Career Pivots and Major Decisions 19:07 - The Role of Community in Professional Growth 21:02 - Struggles with Hiring Fast & Firing Slow 27:50 - Celebrating Esther's Successes 33:27 - Raising Capital as a Female Founder 37:10 - Advice for Younger Self & Listeners 42:00 - Outro Connect with the guest: Esther Iyamu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamestherayorinde/ Connect with Kristi Faltorusso: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the Podcast YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠ To learn more about Wednesday Women, check out their Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠ LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠ Connect with the Show Producer: Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/ _____________________ About She's So Suite Podcast: Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

    43 min
  7. JAN 13

    The Safeway Checkout Lady turned CMO Advisor at G2 ft. Sydney Sloan

    Welcome to another inspiring episode of She’s So Suite. In this episode, I, Kristi Faltorusso, sit down with the CMO Advisor at G2, Sydney Sloan, for a candid conversation on career-defining moments, leadership, and setting boundaries that fuel real success. From growing up on a cattle ranch to leading at Adobe and beyond, Sydney shares the lessons that shaped her rise to the C-suite—plus empowering advice on raising your hand, protecting your wellbeing, and owning your ambition without apology. If you’re building your path to the top, this episode delivers the clarity, confidence, and motivation you need. Timestamps 0:00 - Preview & Introduction 1:09 - Sydney Sloan’s Career Journey 5:20 - Childhood Ambitions and Early Work Experiences 7:35 - Raising Her Hand 9:24 - Building strong presentation and public speaking skills 10:40 - Navigating Career Breaks, Health Challenges, and Family Life 15:45 - Reflections on choices made in her 30s 17:35 - Advice for Women Facing Career and Life Choices 22:33 - Setting Boundaries and Learning to Say “No” 26:53 - Celebrating Major Wins at Adobe and SalesLoft 31:55 - Empowering Future Female Leaders 35:00 - Evolving Roles in Marketing and Customer Success 39:40 - Be Fearless, Take Risks, Raise Your Hand, and Don’t Apologize Connect with the guest: Sydney Sloan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydsloan/ Connect with Kristi Faltorusso: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the Podcast YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠ To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠ LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠ Connect with the Show Producer: Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/ _____________________ About She's So Suite Podcast: Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

    42 min
  8. 12/17/2025

    The Prosecutor turned Founder of DoraB Global ft. Dora Boussias

    She's So Suite is brought to you by Client Success. The easiest to use, fastest to implement software to reduce churn & increase customer revenue. Request a demo at ⁠https://www.clientsuccess.com/⁠ Welcome to another inspiring episode of the She’s So Suite podcast! In this episode, I, Kristi Faltorusso, sit down with award-winning data and AI executive Dora Boussias, whose career journey is as extraordinary as it is encouraging. Born and raised on a farm in Greece, Dora Boussias started out cultivating tobacco before boldly leaping into technology—a world she knew little about at the time. Over the past three decades, she’s not only held leadership roles in major corporations like GE, Stryker, and Prudential, but has also become a fierce advocate for driving business transformation through data, innovation, and empowering women in tech. In this episode, you’ll hear how Dora Boussias’s pivotal decisions, resilience, and willingness to embrace challenges helped shape her remarkable trajectory—from mainframe programming to enterprise-level transformation and, most recently, to entrepreneurship. Whether you’re navigating a layoff, considering a career pivot, or searching for actionable leadership advice, Dora Boussias delivers both wisdom and motivation to help you take charge of your own path. Tune in for an honest, uplifting conversation that proves incredible things happen when you bet on yourself. Timestamps 0:00 - Preview 0:45 - How Kristi met Dora 2:08 - Meet Dora Boussias 4:25 - Dora Boussias’s Childhood Dream 6:47 - Moving to the U.S. & Early Career 8:40 - Leading Change and Driving Transformation 11:13 - Standing Up for Fair Compensation and Facing Adversity 18:56 - The Shift to Entrepreneurship & Lessons 24:48 - Be the Captain of Your Ship 27:55 - Navigating Layoffs & NOT being Stuck 32:05 - Advice to Younger-Self 35:45 - Closing Thoughts Connect with the guest: Dora Boussias: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doraboussias/ Connect with Kristi Faltorusso: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the Podcast YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠ To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠ LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠ Connect with the Show Producer: Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/ _____________________ About She's So Suite Podcast: Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

    38 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

You Might Also Like