Women Taking Over Family Businesses with Avery Hale Smith and Host Catherine Gray Ep. 446

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Katie McCormick Lelyveld, founder of Meld—the AI-powered career readiness platform for NextGen women. Katie brings a powerhouse background as a former White House press secretary to First Lady Michelle Obama and now serves as a Strategic Leadership Innovation Fellow at the Technology and Entrepreneurship Center at Harvard University. With decades of experience advising top-tier leaders and entrepreneurs, Katie is channeling her strategic communications expertise into creating a mission-driven platform that equips high-potential women with the tools, mentorship, and confidence needed to thrive in today’s workforce. In this episode, Catherine and Katie discuss the genesis and mission of Meld, exploring how the platform bridges the gap between education and professional success for women aged 20–28. They delve into Katie’s journey from political strategy to tech founder, the power of intergenerational mentorship, and the role of AI in scaling access to leadership insights. Katie highlights how Meld helps young women build professional confidence and connections—offering high-touch coaching, curated content, and a growing community of executive mentors. This conversation also underscores the importance of preparing women to lead in the innovation economy, with Katie sharing how Meld is making career readiness accessible and impactful for the next generation. meldmore.com https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com https://svwomenfoundersfund.vc www.sheangelinvestors.com    Follow Us On Social Facebook @sheangelinvestors Twitter (X) @sheangelsinvest Instagram @sheangelinvestors & @catherinegray_investinher LinkedIn @catherinelgray & @sheangels  

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Tina M. Boyd, a seasoned business leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for women’s empowerment in real estate. Tina is the founder of Property Angel Partners LLC, a private money lending company that helps women become confident, knowledgeable lenders in real estate. She also leads GRIT & Polish Coaching, a platform designed to help women elevate their real estate businesses through strategic insight and operational excellence. With over a decade of experience in HR and business transformation, Tina combines her corporate leadership skills with her passion for mentoring women to become successful and savvy real estate investors. In this insightful episode, Tina and Catherine dive into the world of private real estate lending and explore how women can leverage capital, confidence, and community to thrive in a male-dominated field. Tina shares the foundational principles behind building a sustainable lending business and how her experience in HR and organizational strategy uniquely positions her to guide others. They discuss the importance of mindset, due diligence, business fundamentals, and how mentorship plays a crucial role in empowering women to invest wisely and profitably. Whether you're a seasoned investor or curious about stepping into real estate lending, Tina provides practical advice and encouragement to help you start strong and grow with intention. www.propertyangelpartners.com www.gritandpolishcoaching.com https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com https://svwomenfoundersfund.vc www.sheangelinvestors.com    Follow Us On Social Facebook @sheangelinvestors Twitter (X) @sheangelsinvest Instagram @sheangelinvestors & @catherinegray_investinher LinkedIn @catherinelgray & @sheangels   #InvestInHer #FinancialWellness #WomenInFinance #FinancialEmpowerment #MoneyMindset #InclusiveFinance #FintechForGood #BehavioralEconomics #WealthBuilding #FinancialHealth #EmpowerWomen #MoneyMatters #SheAngelInvestors #InvestInYourself #FinancialFreedom  

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray delivers a special solo episode for the first time ever—without a guest! As the visionary founder of She Angel Investors and executive producer of Show Her The Money, Catherine takes listeners behind the scenes of her game-changing movement to close the funding gap for women entrepreneurs. She celebrates the official launch of the Show Her The Money book, available everywhere starting July 15th, and reflects on the journey of creating both the film and its powerful global tour. This episode marks a milestone in the campaign to educate and inspire more women to participate in venture capital. In this passionate and deeply personal episode, Catherine shares the story of how a single film evolved into a 100+ city “movie-ment,” fueled by purpose-driven investors, inspiring female founders, and corporate allies like Wells Fargo. She outlines how the film gained traction through festivals, earned critical acclaim, and created community conversations wherever it screened. Catherine also reveals the impact of the tour, the inspiring women featured in the companion book, and her hopes for the future—including upcoming educational initiatives and a docuseries. With laughter, heartfelt stories, and a clear call to action, she reminds us that investing in women isn't just the right thing to do—it’s the fun and impactful thing to do. https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com https://www.sheangelinvestors.com Follow Us On Social Facebook @sheangelinvestors Twitter (X) @sheangelsinvest Instagram @sheangelinvestors & @catherinegray_investinher LinkedIn @catherinelgray & @sheangels   #InvestInHer #FinancialWellness #WomenInFinance #FinancialEmpowerment #MoneyMindset #InclusiveFinance #FintechForGood #BehavioralEconomics #WealthBuilding #FinancialHealth #EmpowerWomen #MoneyMatters #SheAngelInvestors #InvestInYourself #FinancialFreedom

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Anne Richie, Managing Director and Founder of The Mezzanine Fund. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, Anne has helped reshape how capital flows to overlooked entrepreneurs by providing flexible debt capital through her fund. She also leads ACR Capital and has extensive experience across the capital spectrum, including roles in distressed lending, private equity, and venture capital. Anne has served as a CFO and CRO, advised more than 100 businesses annually through the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Initiative, and is a respected speaker and educator on capital access. Her impressive resume includes board memberships, awards from Crain’s Cleveland, and an MBA from the University of Michigan. In this episode, Anne breaks down the importance of flexible debt and why traditional funding mechanisms often fail to support small and underserved businesses. She shares how The Mezzanine Fund fills this gap by offering non-dilutive capital to help entrepreneurs achieve sustainable growth without giving up equity. Catherine and Anne explore the nuances of debt versus equity, how capital should serve the business owner—not the other way around—and Anne’s mission to ensure more women and minority-owned businesses gain fair access to growth capital. Her insights are both inspiring and actionable for founders looking to scale on their own terms. Website Mentioned: https://www.themezzaninefund.com https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com https://svwomenfoundersfund.vc www.sheangelinvestors.com    Follow Us On Social Facebook @sheangelinvestors Twitter (X) @sheangelsinvest Instagram @sheangelinvestors & @catherinegray_investinher LinkedIn @catherinelgray & @sheangels  

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Avery Hale Smith, Chief Experience Officer at Backroads, the world’s leading active travel company. Born into a family of entrepreneurs, Avery was inspired early on by global travel, cultural engagement, and a strong sense of purpose. Since joining Backroads, founded by her father Tom Hale, she has led major innovations in guest experience and business development, including the launch of Women’s Adventures and a new segment tailored for travelers in their 30s and 40s. With a background in psychology, communications, and social advocacy, Avery is a visionary leader shaping the future of active travel. In this uplifting episode, Avery shares her journey of returning to the family business and helping lead it into its next era with a fresh, inclusive, and mission-driven approach. She and Catherine explore how travel can foster connection, empowerment, and global consciousness. Avery discusses her passion for people-first leadership, building meaningful customer experiences, and launching travel products that inspire joy, wellness, and exploration. Her story is a powerful reminder of how combining passion with purpose can open up a world of impact.   https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com https://svwomenfoundersfund.vc www.sheangelinvestors.com    Follow Us On Social Facebook @sheangelinvestors Twitter (X) @sheangelsinvest Instagram @sheangelinvestors & @catherinegray_investinher LinkedIn @catherinelgray & @sheangels   #InvestInHer #FinancialWellness #WomenInFinance #FinancialEmpowerment #MoneyMindset #InclusiveFinance #FintechForGood #BehavioralEconomics #WealthBuilding #FinancialHealth #EmpowerWomen #MoneyMatters #SheAngelInvestors #InvestInYourself #FinancialFreedom  

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Liz Svatek, a powerful voice for female empowerment and radical self-acceptance. Liz is the host of the top-rated Conversations With Warrior Women Podcast, where she amplifies the stories of women who have faced fear and grown into their power. She helps women access their inner warriors through curated masterminds, coaching, and workshops. Liz also serves on the board of Moms in Office and Don’t Hide It Flaunt It, and sits on the advisory board of the She Angels Foundation. In this inspiring episode, Liz and Catherine dive into what it means to embody the warrior spirit and how women can reclaim their voice and power—especially in times of transition or challenge. Liz opens up about her own journey and transformation, offering insights on how to love your fear, rewrite your story, and step fully into your leadership potential. She also shares the launch of her new 8-week group coaching experience, The Warrior’s Way, designed to help women rediscover their voice and create aligned impact. This transformational program builds on her podcast and coaching work to guide women in rewriting their stories and stepping into bold, purpose-driven action. Listeners are encouraged to visit her website for details and to join the waitlist or sign up for the next session. Websites Mentioned:   https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com https://svwomenfoundersfund.vc www.sheangelinvestors.com    Follow Us On Social Facebook @sheangelinvestors Twitter (X) @sheangelsinvest Instagram @sheangelinvestors & @catherinegray_investinher LinkedIn @catherinelgray & @sheangels  

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Sarah Dusek, a visionary entrepreneur, investor, and advocate for female founders. After building and selling her first company, Under Canvas, for over $100 million, Sarah launched Enygma Ventures, a venture capital fund focused on supporting women-led businesses in Africa. Her work has empowered over 10,000 entrepreneurs through investor-readiness programs. Sarah is also the author of Thinking Bigger: A Pitch Deck Formula For Women Who Want To Change the World, and the Co-Founder & CEO of Few & Far, a net positive travel company pioneering aerial safaris and large-scale ecological regeneration in South Africa. In this powerful episode, Sarah shares her journey from scaling a $100M company to reimagining the intersection of business, impact, and investment. She and Catherine dive into the systemic funding gap facing women entrepreneurs and how Sarah is working to close it through Enygma Ventures. They also discuss her new ventures in climate-positive travel, the importance of storytelling in pitch decks, and how building a bold, values-aligned business can truly change the world. Whether you're an investor, founder, or dreamer, this episode will inspire you to think—and act—bigger. Websites Mentioned: www.enygmaventures.com www.fewandfar.com https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com https://svwomenfoundersfund.vc www.sheangelinvestors.com    Follow Us On Social Facebook @sheangelinvestors Twitter (X) @sheangelsinvest Instagram @sheangelinvestors & @catherinegray_investinher LinkedIn @catherinelgray & @sheangels  

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Christina Richardson, the founder of Foundology, associate professor in entrepreneurship at University College London, and host of the FounderFuel Show. With a background as a tech entrepreneur and former brand strategist at Nestlé, Britvic, and Mercedes, Christina brings deep insight into the founder journey. She is on a mission to support entrepreneurs through the emotional and operational rollercoaster of startup life. Through her platform Foundology, Christina facilitates group coaching for founders and recently published the Founder Resilience Report, exploring how to cultivate resilience in entrepreneurship. In this inspiring episode, Catherine and Christina dive into the critical importance of resilience for founders and how it can be developed as a core entrepreneurial skill. Christina shares the mental and emotional toll of startup life, what her research uncovered about founder psychology, and how group support models like FounderCircles can dramatically improve both performance and well-being. They also touch on Christina's journey launching two tech startups, her work educating the next generation of business leaders, and why resilience is the superpower every founder needs. https://foundology.org https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com https://svwomenfoundersfund.vc www.sheangelinvestors.com    Follow Us On Social Facebook @sheangelinvestors Twitter (X) @sheangelsinvest Instagram @sheangelinvestors & @catherinegray_investinher LinkedIn @catherinelgray & @sheangels  

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Rebecca Palmer, a visionary leader and financial wellness expert redefining how individuals engage with their money. With a background in behavioral economics and consumer financial health, Rebecca is dedicated to building systems that support long-term stability and resilience. Her work bridges innovation and inclusion, making financial tools more accessible for all communities. In this inspiring conversation, Catherine and Rebecca explore the evolving definition of financial wellness—moving beyond budgeting and credit scores to holistic well-being. They unpack how financial stress impacts mental and emotional health, the importance of tailoring solutions for underserved populations, and how fintech can play a pivotal role in empowering individuals. Rebecca also shares actionable insights on how organizations and individuals alike can shift their financial mindset to align with values and long-term goals. https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com https://svwomenfoundersfund.vc www.sheangelinvestors.com    Follow Us On Social Facebook @sheangelinvestors Twitter (X) @sheangelsinvest Instagram @sheangelinvestors & @catherinegray_investinher LinkedIn @catherinelgray & @sheangels  

This week on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray speaks with Paige Hendrix Buckner, CEO of All Raise, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing women and non-binary individuals in venture capital. Paige’s career path—from public policy and entrepreneurship to leading founder training programs—has been shaped by her commitment to equity and community building. At All Raise, she’s helping reshape the VC landscape to be more inclusive and representative. In their conversation, Paige shares how her experience as a founder helped her understand the systemic barriers underrepresented founders face when raising capital. She and Catherine dive into the cultural shifts needed within venture capital, the importance of data-backed inclusion efforts, and how All Raise supports investors and founders at every stage. Paige also talks about building momentum through collective action and why inclusive innovation is the future of successful investing. https://www.allraise.org https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com https://svwomenfoundersfund.vc www.sheangelinvestors.com    Follow Us On Social Facebook @sheangelinvestors Twitter (X) @sheangelsinvest Instagram @sheangelinvestors & @catherinegray_investinher LinkedIn @catherinelgray & @sheangels