This episode of the Power of the Ask podcast features Bonnie Wan, AdAge 2022 Chief Strategy Officer of the Year, partner and Head of Brand Strategy at Goodby, Silverstein & Partners and the bestselling author of “The Life Brief.”

An immigrant from Taiwan who lived in both Los Angeles and New York City, Bonnie has always been fascinated by human behavior, by what drives people, and by what fuels their purpose. That curiosity led to her transformative roles in branding and strategy and to develop the “Life Brief,” a creative brief that helps people find clarity about their life goals and navigate challenges with purpose.

For many people, the idea of transformation brings images of giant leaps, but Bonnie suggests small changes that can be implemented every day to help create forward momentum. Bonnie has written briefs to fit all aspects of life, from marriage to leadership to finances. She notes that the practice of being very clear and connected to your innermost truth about what you want and what matters most at each stage of your life will help you navigate through that compass.

In the financial realm, that means asking the right questions. As a strategist, Bonnie says questions are her best friends. Her first wealth brief question is, ‘What is enough?’ The second is, ‘What do you want to be rich in?’ Bonnie believes the power of the ask is important to women, especially financially. She declares, “If you don’t ask, you don’t get.” She concludes by saying women need to know what they’re worth, what’s sacred and what’s worth fighting for. That kind of clarity allows them to pivot their careers and their asks in different ways when the time calls.

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About Bonnie Wan:

Bonnie Wan is Partner and Head of Brand Strategy at Goodby, Silverstein & Partners and the bestselling author of “The Life Brief.” AdAge named her the 2022 Chief Strategy Officer of the Year and a 2023 Leading Woman for reaching new heights in an ever-changing marketing landscape. A career brand strategist, Bonnie has spent more than 30 years working with companies to articulate the essence of who they are and has transformed this practice into a creative brief for her life and a personal development strategy for individuals — “The Life Brief.” Bonnie’s creative brief has grown from an agency talk into a workbook, keynote talks and workshops, and, in 2024, a book.

“The Life Brief: A Playbook for No-Regrets Living” is a USA Today bestseller and Amazon Best Book of the Year 2024. Modeled after the creative brief, a tool used by many innovative companies to unlock clarity and unleash action, The Life Brief carves a path for living with intention and imagination.

Today, Bonnie teaches others how to get clear, get creative, and get courageous about living without regret through her keynote talks, workshops and retreats. And thanks to the clarity she found in her own Life Brief, Bonnie answered her desire to spend more time with her husband, four kids and dog Charlie.

Important Links:
Savvy Ladies
Precious Williams' LinkedIn
Lisa Zeiderman's LinkedIn
Bonnie Wan's LinkedIn

This Power of the Ask podcast episode features smart shopping expert, lifestyle journalist and TV commentator Trae Bodge.

With a passion for helping people save and get the best value for their money, Trae has been featured on national and regional news, sharing her expertise in smart shopping, saving money, and setting financial boundaries. She not only teaches others to be mindful of what they spend and how, but she also walks the talk. Trae calls herself a notorious penny pincher but notes she doesn’t sacrifice style or fun. She encourages open discussions about financial boundaries, setting spending limits, and creating allowances.

On the podcast, Trae provides practical tips for smart shopping, including timing purchases for sales, using deal sites, earning cash back, and leveraging credit card points. She highlights the significance of regular savings for emergencies, vacations, education, and retirement. At the same time, Trae emphasizes the balancing act between saving and prioritizing yourself, saying it’s important to enjoy life while creating joy for others.

As the mother of a teen, Trae understands that teaching kids about money is the key to preparing them for a financially independent future. She shares ideas on teaching them about identifying money, understanding its value, and distinguishing wants from needs. For adults, she suggests setting personal spending limits, shopping in their closets, and making saving a positive habit. Trae concludes by discussing the importance of saving for both short-term needs and long-term goals, encouraging listeners to adopt mindful spending habits and utilize available tools to enhance their financial well-being.

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About Trae Bodge:

Trae is an accomplished lifestyle journalist and TV commentator specializing in budget-friendly living, personal finance, family travel, and retail for more than a decade. She has appeared on-air over a thousand times, including GMA, Today Show, NBC Nightly News, CBS Mornings, Inside Edition, and network affiliates around the country. Her writing and expert commentary have appeared in Forbes, Time, Marketwatch, MSN, USNews.com, Kiplinger, Yahoo, and numerous others. Her money-saving tips can be found online at truetrae.com and at @truetrae on IG, FB, and Twitter.

Trae was selected as a founding member of the Kiplinger Advisor Collective, named one of 5 Black Financial Influencers to Follow in 2024 by Nerdwallet, one of 10 Best Savvy Shopping Bloggers for 2024 by Cardrates, a Top Voice in Retail by LinkedIn, and a top personal finance expert by GoBankingRates and FlexJobs. In 1997, she co-founded the cult cosmetic brand, Three Custom Color Specialists and is co-founder of the media coaching firm, One Take.

Important Links:
Savvy Ladies
Lisa Zeiderman, Esq., CDFA, CFL - Forbes Business Council | LinkedIn
Precious L. Williams - Perfect Pitch Group | LinkedIn
Trae Bodge |Linkedin

This Power of the Ask podcast episode features Jully Alma Taveras, also known as Investing Latina, a Plutus Award-winning bilingual personal finance expert.

In this powerful episode, Jully shares her journey of starting Investing Latina to help others avoid the financial struggles she faced herself, such as credit card debt, and emphasizes the importance of building good credit and establishing sound financial habits.

As an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, she connects deeply with her audience, many of whom share similar backgrounds. Her platform focuses on creating a supportive community where people can share their financial stories and learn from one another.

Despite facing cultural barriers and financial challenges throughout her life, Jully highlights the importance of small, consistent investments and savings. She encourages people to look at their financial goals as separate but related endeavors—savings for security and investing for future growth. Jully's story of overcoming debt and building wealth is a testament to the power of intentional financial planning and resilience.

Her efforts have significantly contributed to increasing financial literacy and wealth-building in the Latina community. By promoting open conversations about money and providing practical steps to achieve financial stability, Jully continues to inspire and empower others to take control of their financial futures.

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About Jully-Alma Taveras:

Jully-Alma Taveras, also known online as Investing Latina, is a Plutus Award-winning bilingual (Spanish) personal finance expert. She writes for publications like CNBC, Time's Next Advisor, HuffPost, and others on money topics ranging from saving to investing. On her YouTube channel, she tells money stories from the lens of a Dominican Republic-born immigrant living in New York who went from being a shopaholic to a smart spender and diligent investor. Her money philosophies have inspired thousands of women to live minimally & spend intentionally, so that they can invest more.

Jully is a sought-after Fortune 20 speaker and facilitator that has led workshops at Nasdaq, Google, Verizon and at The White House Economic Council (2021) among others. She has taught over 10,000 people how to invest through her program The Investing Workshop. Although she has a social following of 39k+ on Instagram and collective social impressions of over 23 million, she is extremely approachable and is an educator to the core. She is the eldest of 3 in her own family, so her audience sees her as the older sister who will force you to do better while also being your cheerleader along the way.

Important Links:

This Power of the Ask podcast episode features Jo Franco, CEO of JoClub, a journaling company that fosters clarity, connection, and community. Jo's journey is marked by resilience and determination, from her early years in Brazil to her current success as an entrepreneur and content creator. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Jo moved to the USA at age six, learning English and navigating challenges as an undocumented immigrant. Despite these obstacles, Jo excelled academically and professionally.

Her entrepreneurial spirit blossomed during college in Manhattan, where she rejected corporate roles to launch a YouTube channel. Overcoming financial struggles and visa uncertainties, Jo's breakthrough came with a major deal in 2015, leading to her hosting a Netflix travel show and founding a successful journaling company during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jo credits her mother's fierce independence and resilience throughout her journey as guiding forces. Her upbringing taught her the value of hard work, financial responsibility, and seizing opportunities. Jo's story reflects a blend of ambition, adaptability, and a deep-rooted desire to create a global impact through her ventures and personal growth.

On this episode of the The Power of the Ask podcast, Jo Franco:

💠 Shares her passion for building relationships by making other people feel seen and heard.

💠 Explains the role of preparation, research, asking questions, and actively listening in moving forward.

💠 Discusses the importance of finding common ground and maintaining relationships.

Jo advises listeners to invest in themselves, their skills, and their knowledge through research and conversations with people from all walks of life. For her, the long game is the bottom line.

“Power and progress come the earlier we can get our hands on the books, have these conversations, take action, and look at investing or saving,” she said. “There should be a sense of urgency. You can start seeing how it moves -- if you're in the money world, time is your greatest asset, and that’s the bottom line. You need to get into the game and also invest in yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask anyone, ‘How can I help?’ This is the number one question that opened doors for me.” Sharing the story of creating a cycle of empowerment makes this Power of the Ask a great listen.
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About Jo Franco:

Jo Franco is the CEO and creator of JoClub, a journaling company fostering clarity, connection & community. A world traveler, TV and podcast host, writer, polyglot, and global soul, Jo moved to the United States from Brazil at age six with her mother and siblings and uses her life story to teach others to invest in themselves, their skills, and their knowledge. A gifted content creator, writer, on-camera host, and brand enhancer, Jo finds energy and enlightenment in connecting with strangers and firmly believes in making moves.

Jo also hosts the Not Your Average Jo podcast, designed to amplify perspectives from all over the globe. Jo and her co-adventurers cover topics ranging from travel hacks to financing the lifestyle of a digital nomad, language learning, finance, love, culture, fitness, and anything that will help grow our perspectives and minds. Each episode has a global filter. At the end of every episode, Jo shares tangible takeaways that will inspire all her listeners to make daily life feel a little less average — at home or on the road.

Jo earned a BBA in Marketing and Communications from Pace University. Her impressive resume includes being a speaker at the SXSW Interactive Conference on Innovation in Digital Media

In this episode of the Power of the Ask podcast, Dana Cox, MBA, PMP, Senior VP of Global Delivery Enablement at MasterCard, and 2023 Savvy Ladies Mentorship Award recipient, shares insights on cultivating talent, building transformative relationships, and balancing her roles as a mother of six and grandmother of three. She emphasizes the importance of preparation, strategic communication, and self-reflection in leadership.

Dana recounts overcoming corporate challenges, including a pivotal moment when her innovative idea saved her company millions. Her dedication to empowering others is evident in her work with Custom Collaborative and her travel business, Cox Travel Adventures. Dana inspires through meticulous time management and continuous learning.

In this episode, we will discuss how Dana:

💠 Shares her passion for realizing your full potential and fearlessly pursuing it.

💠 Explains that preparation and being well-informed are key to meaningful contributions.

💠 Discusses the importance of creating a cycle of empowerment and guiding others in their careers.

She credits her success to a supportive network, constructive feedback, and the inspiring stories that make the Power of the Ask come to life

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About Dana L. Cox, MBA, PMP:

Dana L. Cox, MBA, PMP, is a highly accomplished executive in the corporate world, currently serving as the Senior Vice President of Global Delivery Enablement at Mastercard. With a heart full of love for family, friends, and community, Dana has successfully climbed the corporate ladder from an administrative assistant to her current role, raising her family and becoming an entrepreneur, building her curated luxury travel business. Dana combines traditional work ethic, modern thinking, and passion for mentoring rising talent. Recipient of the 2023 Savvy Ladies Mentorship Award alongside her mentee Mara, Dana cultivates talent across cultures and teams while forging relationships that transform, inspire, and make an impact on not only the people she works with but also how her work moves forward, embracing her brilliance.

Dana earned a BS in Business from Upper Iowa University and an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University. She calls her six children and three grandchildren her “heart and soul” and calls out her “support system village” for supporting her on her journey. She serves on the board of Custom Collaborative, an innovative New York City-based social enterprise that helps women from low-income and immigrant communities earn fair pay by launching businesses and careers in the fashion industry.

Important Links:

Savvy Ladies
Lisa Zeiderman, Esq., CDFA, CFL - Forbes Business Council | LinkedIn
Precious L. Williams - Perfect Pitch Group | LinkedIn
Dana Cox | LinkedIn

This episode of the Power of the Ask podcast features executive, attorney, team builder and management strategist Melissa Norden, JD, CEO of NYC-based nonprofit Bottomless Closet.

As a passionate nonprofit executive with strong business acumen, Melissa has guided small and large organizations for more than 20 years. She distills complex business issues into creative, pragmatic, actionable solutions. She focuses on building and navigating diverse stakeholder relationships and developing high-performance teams.

On the #podcast, Melissa:

💠 Shares her passion for helping disadvantaged women access the tools they need to feel successful and empowered.

💠 Explains the mission of Bottomless Closet and the advocacy and support they have given to more than 25,000 women.

💠 Discusses the importance of teaching women financial management skills so they can first move up, and then model that knowledge for their children.
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Melissa celebrates small victories and cultivates optimism in the women served by Bottomless Closet. “Seeing success around you,” she says, “inspires you to strive for your own. Without self-confidence and self-worth, it’s hard to project that to others.” Her inspiring story makes this Power of the Ask episode a great listen. [LINK]

About Melissa Norden, JD:
Melissa is an executive, attorney, and strategist dedicated to empowering disadvantaged women. With over 20 years of experience, she has led small and large organizations, offering creative and actionable solutions. As CEO of NYC-based Bottomless Closet, she builds diverse stakeholder relationships and high-performance teams.

Melissa earned her JD from Brooklyn Law School and transitioned to the nonprofit sector, spending 13 years with the ASPCA, where she managed a $170 million organization with over 700 employees. For the past eight years, she has led Bottomless Closet, helping women achieve self-sufficiency through interview attire selection, resume reviews, interview coaching, and professional development workshops.

Melissa’s solutions-focused approach and dedication to helping others drive her passion.

Important links:
Savvy Ladies
Lisa Zeiderman, Esq., CDFA, CFL - Forbes Business Council | LinkedIn
Precious L. Williams - Perfect Pitch Group | LinkedIn
Melissa Norden |Linkedin

This episode of the Power of the Ask podcast features financial media spokesperson and wealth activist Lazetta Rainey Braxton, MBA, CFP®, co-CEO and co-founder of 2050 Wealth Partners and founder of Lazetta & Associates.

For nearly 30 years, Lazetta has worked to build successful entrepreneurial ventures, drive innovation, and navigate the complexity of diversity in the financial services industry. She possesses a unique understanding of consumer engagement, talent management, and regulatory requirements shaping the evolving financial services landscape.

On the podcast, Lazetta shares her inspiration to pursue financial planning and her desire to level the playing field for women and minorities. She explains how her experience with toxic work environments in the financial industry led her to form her own financial advisory firm. She provides tips for women starting out in their careers or businesses and underscores the importance of being comfortable with financial information — no matter what the setting. Lazetta stresses financial education, podcasts, and online resources are crucial in providing valuable information to this generation and the next.

For Lazetta, it’s all about doing the work. Her advocacy is anchored in humanity, in people, in reminding institutions that they are a consortium of people. Her passion for amplifying diversity, inclusion, equality, and belonging in the financial planning profession is exciting and a great listen.

About Lazetta Rainey Braxton:

Lazetta is a financial expert, social entrepreneur, business strategist, and board leader advancing wealth and human capital for the common good. In 2008, she founded Financial Fountains, a fee-only financial planning and registered investment advisory firm serving clients around the country. In 2020, she co-founded 2050 Wealth Partners, financial planning for thriving professionals, small business owners, first-generation wealth-builders, and sandwich-generation wealth-protectors. At the same time, she launched her own business consulting firm, Lazetta and Associates, to nurture culturally aware and hospitable workplace environments that ignite innovation and allocate equity among their employees.

Over her 25+-year career, Lazetta catapulted innovative strategies by equipping individuals and leaders to align their balance sheets and P&Ls with their vision and values, adopt virtual engagement prior to the pandemic, amplify marginalized voices in workplaces, build dynamic professional teams, and balance IQ and EQ for optimal engagement at home and work. She was named in the top 10 Investopedia’s 100 Top Financial Advisors and served as Board Chair of the Association of African American Financial Advisors (AAAA) and its Foundation's inaugural Board President. She has devoted much of her career in financial services to diversifying the financial planning profession and creating progress toward a more inclusive field with career and advancement opportunities. She earned a BS in Finance and International Business from the University of Virginia in 1995 and an MBA in Finance from Wake Forest University in 2004.

Important Links:

Savvy Ladies
Lisa Zeiderman, Esq., CDFA, CFL - Forbes Business Council | LinkedIn
Precious L. Williams - Perfect Pitch Group | LinkedIn
Lazetta Braxton |Linkedin

This episode of the Power of the Ask podcast features economic equity strategist Mary Hagerty Ehrsam, president of partnerships at Operation HOPE, Inc., where she cultivated $300M in revenue streams and avenues for growth, scale, and sustainability.

For more than three decades, Mary has served as a leader in economic equity and financial dignity, working to drive $3.5B in private investment into underserved, low-wealth communities worldwide. She developed and launched the HOPE youth programs, expanded the HOPE Inside model nationwide, and led the global expansion in South Africa and the Middle East.

On the podcast, Mary shares how she came to Operation HOPE more than 25 years ago and how its mission to enact social justice through an economic equity lens was something that resounded with her. She has led the organization nationally to 274 cities, educating millions of individuals. But, Mary stresses, it's not just about the numbers and outputs, it's about the outcomes.

For Mary, teamwork makes the dream work. Her passion for economic equity, financial dignity, corporate social responsibility, and public-private partnerships is inspiring and a great listen.

About Mary Ehrsam:

Mary is President of Partnerships at Operation HOPE, Inc. in Atlanta. Prior to joining HOPE, Mary began her career in strategic economic development and poverty alleviation by launching the Los Angeles affiliate of Habitat for Humanity — growing the organization from a $35K budget to $3.2M, constructing 64 homes in partnership with recipient homeowners, and conducting the 1995 Jimmy Carter Work Project with 25 homes built in five days.

Mary expanded her focus to comprehensive economic equity with Operation HOPE in 1997. She developed and launched the HOPE youth programs, expanded the HOPE Inside model nationwide, and led the global expansion in South Africa and the Middle East. Working with the Global Dignity co-founders, Mary developed the “Course in Dignity” curriculum that has been delivered, in partnership with the World Economic Forum of Young Global Leaders, in 100 countries on four continents. She currently serves as the co-lead of the Financial Literacy for All (FL4A) initiative. In 1990, Mary earned a BA with honors in Economics from Gettysburg College, from whom she received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2022.

Important Links:

Savvy Ladies
Lisa Zeiderman, Esq., CDFA, CFL - Forbes Business Council | LinkedIn
Precious L. Williams - Perfect Pitch Group | LinkedIn
Mary Ehrsam | LinkedIn