SheSpeaks: Women of Influence

Few investors understand the business of games from both sides of the table like Phylicia Koh. A General Partner at Play Ventures, an early-stage fund investing globally in gaming, consumer apps, and gaming-adjacent tech, she has led investments in Alter (acquired by Google), Arya, BibleChat, and Alinea. Before joining Play as Employee #1, she spent nine years in marketing and growth, including at the Singapore Economic Development Board.In this episode, Phylicia joins Aliza Freud to unpack the $200 billion gaming industry, which is bigger than movies, TV, and music combined, and what marketers can learn from it. They discuss how AI is driving an explosion in ad creative and why personal AI agents could soon put consumers in control of the ads they see. Phylicia also shares how she fell into venture capital and why getting comfortable with risk starts with knowing yourself.Episode HighlightsWho’s really playing — Today’s average gamer is in their mid-30s, split about evenly between men and women, and plays on a phone.Gaming’s marketing playbook — How games built some of the most rigorous approaches to targeting and engagement.The creative volume machine — Why top apps test up to 1,000 new ads a month, and how AI makes that possible for small teams.Agents for the consumer — Phylicia’s vision of a personal AI “bodyguard” that filters out ads you don’t want.Messaging over targeting — Why understanding your customer still beats any algorithm.Risk and starting over — Leaving a senior marketing role for an entry-level VC job, and why overplanning holds you back.Links and Resources Connect with Phylicia Koh on LinkedIn Learn more about Play VenturesWant more from SheSpeaks?* Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! *Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at [email protected] our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV

What does it take to create content people connect with? For Fara Wilson, it starts with showing up as yourself.In this episode of Women of Influence, host Aliza Freud sits down with the creator behind TheFaraFix to discuss her unexpected journey from corporate marketing and communications to content creation. What began as a creative outlet during the pandemic grew into a community built around everyday life, practical tips, and honest recommendations.Fara shares how she found her voice, why building trust goes beyond sponsored posts, and how her marketing background shapes her approach to brand partnerships. She also offers advice for creators navigating comparison, perfectionism, and the pressure to chase trends.Episode HighightsFinding your voice: Getting comfortable in front of the camera after a career behind the scenes.Building community through everyday content: Why sharing real experiences helps audiences feel connected.Creating effective brand partnerships: Balancing a brand’s message with your own voice and audience’s needs.Making people stop scrolling: Pairing strong hooks with useful, relatable content.Growing on your own terms: Moving past perfectionism and focusing on your progress instead of someone else’s numbers.Using AI as a business tool: Fara’s perspective on supporting creativity while preserving human connection.Links and ResourcesFollow @thefarafix on InstagramFollow @thefarafix on TikTokWatch @thefarafix on YoutubeLearn More About Fara WilsonWant more from SheSpeaks?* Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! *Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at [email protected] our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV

Katelyn Rhoades has built her career on a philosophy she repeats often: take messy action. A Forbes-featured social media strategist and founder of Enfluence Marketing Studio, she grew her Instagram following past 200,000 from scratch, scaled a 7-figure boutique agency, and turned a $19 digital guide into a six-figure passive income stream — all after starting out selling her own clothes for grocery money at 21.In this episode, Katelyn joins Aliza Freud to talk about building a following imperfectly and consistently, how a $19 PDF guide turned into six figures in passive income, and why she believes AI raises the value of human perspective rather than replacing it. They also dig into handling public criticism, her "Oh Well" for turning rejection into redirection, and why ambitious women struggle to stop people-pleasing.Episode HighlightsFrom selling clothes to a 7-figure agency — How Katelyn went from struggling to cover college costs to building a following, an agency, and a media brand from nothing.Messy action over perfect action — Why her earliest, most awkward videos were the foundation for everything that came after.The $19 product that made six figures — How a simple Canva PDF guide, priced to be accessible, turned into a six-figure passive income stream — and why she now pairs it with live coaching to stand out.Handling the good, the bad, and the ugly — Why she built her team a "brag about it" channel to counterbalance the sting of public criticism.AI as amplifier, not replacement — How Katelyn uses AI to help her organize and articulate ideas while keeping her voice and perspective front and center.The "Oh Well” Theory — Her personal framework for reframing rejection as redirection, not a verdict on her worth.Redefining influence — Why Katelyn measures success by impact, not follower count — and what "visibility without influence" really means.Links and ResourcesFollow Katelyn Rhoades on Instagram Listen to Call Her CreatorBuy the Visibility Content VaultWant more from SheSpeaks?* Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! *Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at [email protected] our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV

Kristen Sellentin has built a career on the same thing that makes any good friend worth listening to: authenticity. A Houston-based family lifestyle creator with more than 845,000 followers across social media, she creates content spanning family life, DIY projects, recipes, home decor, seasonal celebrations, and everyday motherhood — and has become a trusted voice for modern families along the way. Her partnerships with brands like Walmart, Target, Netflix, Sony, General Mills, Nike, Michael's, Crayola, and M&M's are proof that relatability, not polish, is what actually moves people to buy.In this episode, Kristen joins Aliza Freud to talk about what it really takes to build a community versus an audience, why authenticity always outperforms polish, and how she evaluates brand partnerships to protect the trust she's built. They dig into the mechanics of a great hook, the shift toward long-term brand partnerships and UGC, and why — even in an AI-driven content landscape — her community can tell the difference between a real photo and a generated one, and responds accordingly.Episode HighlightsFrom hobby to full-time business — How Kristen's early posts about crafts and motherhood evolved into a career built on sharing wins, failures, and everything in between.Community over audience — Why trust, consistency, and authenticity — not follower count — are what actually drive brand results.The anatomy of a hook — Why leading with the finished product (not chronological storytelling) is what keeps audiences watching, and how on-screen text and pacing factor in.The value of long-term brand partnerships — Why ongoing creator-brand relationships lead to stronger content, deeper trust, and better results for everyone involved.Creating multiple income streams — How Kristen has built a business beyond sponsored posts, and why diversification matters for creators.Using AI without losing authenticity — How Kristen incorporates AI into her workflow while ensuring her content still feels personal, genuine, and true to her brand.Kristen's story is a reminder that in a crowded creator economy, the edge isn't more content — it's more trust, built one authentic post at a time.Links and ResourcesFollow Kristen Sellentin on InstagramFollow Kristen Sellentin on TikTokWant more from SheSpeaks?* Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! *Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at [email protected] our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV

Few people have experienced the retail industry from as many angles as Anne Mezzenga. With more than 25 years of experience spanning journalism, retail, marketing, and technology, she's held leadership roles at Target, co-founded the influential retail podcast Omni Talk, and now leads Retail Field Report, where she uncovers the people and ideas shaping the future of commerce.In this episode, Anne joins Aliza Freud to discuss the rapidly evolving retail landscape, from AI-powered shopping and social commerce to the growing importance of authentic human connection. Together, they examine why creators are becoming indispensable to modern commerce, how brands can stay relevant in an increasingly fragmented marketplace, and what leaders should be doing now to prepare for what's ahead. Anne also shares lessons from her own entrepreneurial journey and why curiosity, authenticity, and trust remain the most valuable currencies in business.Episode HighlightsPreparing for the next era of commerce — Why AI, social commerce, and agentic shopping are redefining how consumers discover and purchase products.The human advantage in an AI-driven world — Why authentic experiences, trusted recommendations, and creator voices remain essential to building consumer confidence.How retail brands are adapting — From luxury retailers embracing "invisible AI" to brands navigating an increasingly complex mix of sales channels.Creators are becoming commerce engines — Why creator content is fueling retail media, product discovery, PDPs, and AI search in ways traditional marketing can't.From corporate leader to entrepreneur — Anne reflects on building Retail Field Report and creating a platform centered on meaningful conversations rather than headlines.The power of authentic storytelling — Why asking better questions, staying curious, and leading with empathy create stronger content and deeper connections.Links and ResourcesConnect with Anne Mezzenga on LinkedInFollow Retail Field Report on LinkedInLearn more about Retail Field ReportWant more from SheSpeaks?* Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! *Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at [email protected] our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV

Mary Matyas has spent twenty-five years moving across every layer of the digital media ecosystem — from operating leadership at Criteo, The Trade Desk, and MediaMath, to the deal table as COO and Managing Partner at Ironbound Group, a boutique M&A advisory firm specializing in FinTech, AdTech, and MarTech. What sets her apart from most advisors: she's been the operator on the other side of the table.In this episode, Mary unpacks what the Publicis acquisition of LiveRamp could mean for identity, RampID, and the future of "neutral" data infrastructure. She breaks down how platforms like Meta are pushing advertisers toward open targeting and message-first strategies, why better creative works with modern algorithmic delivery rather than against it, and what acquirers actually look for when evaluating ad tech and martech businesses. Plus: a firsthand look at the Criteo/Hook Logic integration, the retail media consolidation coming, the creator economy's missing infrastructure, and where AI is actually moving the needle.Episode HighlightsWhat the Publicis/LiveRamp deal really signals — what a $2B acquisition tells us about the future of identity, RampID, and whether "neutral" data infrastructure can survive inside a holding company.Open targeting and the creative imperative — how Meta and other platforms are nudging advertisers away from tight audience controls, and why message-first creative is the new competitive advantage.The M&A playbook from both sides of the table — what strategic buyers and private equity look for differently when evaluating ad tech, martech, and agency businesses, including the role of leadership and culture.Why earnouts don't have to be a trap — the structural conditions that make earnouts a feature rather than a fight waiting to happen.Criteo and Hook Logic as a retail media origin story — a firsthand account of integration friction that ultimately helped define an entire category.The creator economy's unfinished business — why measurement, contracts, and brand safety remain the missing infrastructure holding the space back.Where AI is actually delivering — why the real impact is showing up in data quality, fraud detection, and supply path optimization rather than in replacing authentic creative voice.Links and ResourcesConnect with Mary Matyas on LinkedInConnect with Ironbound Group on LinkedInLearn more about Ironbound GroupWant more from SheSpeaks?* Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! *Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at [email protected] our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV

Amy Vollet has spent her career at the intersection of media, commerce, and retail — watching the entire landscape transform around her. Now leading the digital commerce practice at Saatchi X, part of Publicis Commerce, she brings together media planning and buying, data and analytics, and e-commerce into one end-to-end approach that reflects how consumers actually shop today.In this episode, Amy shares her perspective on how retail media has evolved from shopper marketing, why the brand-retailer relationship is more complicated than ever, and what it takes to stay competitive when private label is growing and AI is rewriting the rules of media buying. She also gets candid about leadership, the lost art of humanity in business, and what the next generation is teaching us about intentional personal branding.Episode HighlightsHow the retail media conversation has expanded to include the retailer as a full partner — and why that changes everythingWhy social media has collapsed the traditional purchase funnel, turning a single piece of content into an end-to-end brand experienceThe "four shelves" framework: digital, physical, social, and agentic — and what it means for content strategyWhy brand-building remains the most powerful answer to private label competitionHow AI agents are already changing media planning — and why the human 20% is what separates good from greatHer "no dead ends" philosophy and what it really means to be omni-channelWhy she defines influence as advocacy — and how that shapes the way she leadsLinks and ResourcesConnect with Amy Vollet on LinkedInLearn more about Saatchi X and Publicis CommerceWant more from SheSpeaks?* Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! *Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at [email protected] our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV

When Sarah Centrella hit a breaking point in her life, she was left with uncertainty, pressure, and no clear path forward. In that moment, a simple shift in thinking opened the door to something new: the idea that her future could be shaped by what she chose to believe.As an author, speaker, and coach, and the author of multiple books including her newest release Think It, Sarah has spent over a decade helping individuals and executives reprogram their mindset, aligning their thoughts with the outcomes they want to create. In this episode, she breaks down how internal dialogue shapes reality, why many people unknowingly reinforce the same patterns, and how small, intentional shifts in thinking can unlock entirely new possibilities. Episode HighlightsThe moment that sparked her mindset shift and changed the trajectory of her lifeHow thoughts influence outcomes and why repetition plays a key role in rewiring the brainWhat mental fitness looks like in practice and how to apply it dailyWhy negative self-talk is often the biggest barrier to growthSimple tools, including the Power of Pause, to interrupt unhelpful thinkingHow visualization and future planning can create clarity and momentumSarah offers a practical and grounded perspective on influence, showing that real change starts internally. By becoming more intentional with our thoughts, we can begin to shape better outcomes in both our personal and professional lives.Links and ResourcesConnect with Sarah Centrella on LinkedInLearn more about Sarah’s Mindset & Vision SettingPurchase Sarah’s BooksWant more from SheSpeaks?* Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! *Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at [email protected] our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV

When Thayer Lavielle joined Wasserman, she recognized an opportunity to drive change from within one of the world’s leading sports and entertainment agencies. What began as a conversation about how to better support women across industries became The Collective—a global initiative dedicated to advancing the power of women through data, strategy, and storytelling.As Managing Director, Thayer has helped transform how brands and organizations view women’s impact as consumers, fans, and leaders. In this episode, she discusses the evolution of women’s sports, the cultural moments fueling its momentum, and why authentic influence starts with service and purpose.Episode HighlightsThe inspiration behind The Collective and how it’s elevating women across sports, music, and entertainmentResearch-driven insights revealing the true scale of women’s fandom and purchasing powerKey cultural milestones that have shifted public perception of women’s sportsThe challenges and rewards of building a new brand within a global agencyLessons from Thayer’s early career in journalism and beauty that shaped her leadership approachWhat influence really means and how it’s best expressed through service and authenticityThayer’s perspective offers a thoughtful look at how advocacy, business, and storytelling can come together to create lasting impact for women everywhere.Links and ResourcesConnect with Thayer Lavielle on LinkedInConnect with Wasserman on LinkedInLearn more about The CollectiveWant more from SheSpeaks?* Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! *Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at [email protected] our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV

When Diana Thomas became one of the first women in the United States to give birth through donor egg IVF in 1996, there were no guidelines, agencies, or contracts. It was determination and uncharted territory. Today, as Founder and CEO of The World Egg and Sperm Bank, she is on a mission to bring transparency, ethics, and rigorous standards to a rapidly growing and often misunderstood industry.Episode HighlightsDiana’s groundbreaking 15-year journey through infertility and how it shaped her mission to protect and empower future familiesEye-opening truths about the global egg donation landscape, including trafficking, exploitation, and overlooked legislative gapsWhy transparency and rigorous screening are critical—and the essential questions every hopeful parent should ask their clinicPractical advice for women navigating fertility challenges, including how to advocate for themselves in an emotional and complex processWhether you are navigating fertility yourself or want to understand an industry that touches millions, Diana’s insights are both eye opening and inspiring.Links and ResourcesConnect with Diana Thomas on LinkedInConnect with the The World Egg and Sperm Bank on LinkedInLearn more about The World Egg and Sperm BankWant more from SheSpeaks?* Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! *Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at [email protected] our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV