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Welcome back to the She’s So Suite Podcast, where we spotlight powerful women who’ve carved their paths to the C-suite. In this episode, I, Kristi Faltorusso, sit down with Debra Senra, CEO and Founder of Hyphenate. Debra takes us on a candid journey—from her childhood dream of becoming a paleoethnobotanist, to her ambition of serving as a Supreme Court Justice, and ultimately, to her rise as the Founder of Hyphenate. Together, we explore the pivotal moments and bold risks that shaped her career.
You’ll hear raw reflections on overcoming challenges such as workplace bias, pay disparities, and the pressures of perfectionism—along with Debra’s philosophy of leading with authenticity, empowering future women leaders, and creating honest conversations about the realities women face on their climb to the top. Plus, she offers some unfiltered advice: you need the confidence of a “rich white man” to forge your own path and ignore the noise.
Tune in and get ready to feel empowered.
Timestamps
0:00 – Preview
0:50 – Meet Debra & Learn About Hyphenate
4:50 – Career Aspirations Growing Up
9:45 – Pivotal Career Decisions
13:07 – Nobody Knows Anything
15:26 – Dealing with Criticism, Bias & Negative Feedback
20:30 – Emotional Toll and Overcoming Pay Discrepancies
24:47 – Successes, Pride, and Authenticity
30:15 – No One Is Perfect
31:58 – Empowering Other Women
35:15 – Balancing Work & Life
43:10 – Parting Advice and Closing Thoughts
Connect with the guest:
Debra Senra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debrasenra/
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/
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Keywords:
career prioritization, career advancement, mentoring for women, women in leadership, C-suite women, female CEO, female founder, SaaS startups, AI-powered software, generative AI, pay disparity, gender bias, career transitions, career advice for women, parenting and career, negotiation skills, professional confidence, leadership challenges, career pivots, mentorship for women in tech empowered women, ambition, overcoming obstacles
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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.
