Julie Castro Abrams is leading a movement of women who invest in women-led companies, and are transforming the venture landscape as a result. As the founder and CEO of How Women Lead, she’s devoted to getting more women on public and private boards, and as the Managing Partner at How Women Invest, she has created a unique VC firm where thousands of women are investing in other women-led companies – with groundbreaking results. In this episode, Julie shares her perspective on the progress being made toward diversity in venture and on corporate boards, the importance of a strong personal frame for oneself and others, taking empowered action in the face of injustice, the hierarchy of philanthropy, and the inspiring movement of women who are investing in other women founders who, in turn, are creating successful businesses across a broad spectrum of industries – from female-focused to AI-driven.
Julie is the founder and CEO of How Women Lead, a sought-after speaker, and a consultant who helps leaders achieve their growth and breakthrough goals. She’s also a philanthropist who created How Women Give and serves as the governance chair for the Women’s Funding Network. Julie has won many awards including the Jobs Genius Award, Morgan Stanley Innovation Award, Cisco Innovation in Technology, “Women Who Could Be President” League of Women Voters, Stevie Award for Best Non Profit Executive, Human Rights Award from the Commission on the Status of Women, the Women of Color Action Network, Leadership California and the Marin Women’s Hall of Fame in 2011.
Key Insights:
- The impact of your personal frame on your ability to succeed
- The growth and gains that result from board diversity
- The power of women investing in women-led companies
- Maimonides’ hierarchy of philanthropy and how it relates to investment
Guest Bio:
Julie Castro Abrams is an expert on building boards that add a strategic advantage including proactive searches for women on corporate boards. An experienced CEO and sought-after speaker in entrepreneurship and how women lead, she is widely recognized because of her unique ability to connect people and facilitate rich conversations that make change happen. Julie partners with terrific CEOs to build high performance, multicultural teams, in particular boards that make organizations better. She has a successful consulting practice with leaders she admires to achieve their growth and breakthrough goals.
Julie’s commitment to justice and community are well known in her personal and professional endeavors. She serves as a leader on the boards of organizations focused on women and children, Latinos, economic development and the arts. Julie is a philanthropist who launched How Women Give and serves as the Governance Chair for the Women’s Funding Network. Thousands of new businesses attribute their launch and growth to her support which has resulted in millions toward the economic growth in communities. She is a leader in the country’s movement to build and fund start ups.
How Women Invest is an early stage venture firm seeking to realize untapped economic potential by focusing on the intersection of female founders and female investors. Only 2% of companies founded by women get venture backing, though 40% of companies were founded by women, and they generate 26% greater return than those founded by men.
Julie has won many awards including the Jobs Genius Award, Morgan Stanley Innovation Award, Cisco Innovation in Technology, “Women Who Could Be President” League of Women Voters, Stevie Award for Best Non Profit Executive, Human Rights Award from the Commission on the Status of Women, the Women of Color Action Network, Leadership California and the Marin Women’s Hall of Fame in 2011.
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