She Lights the Way

Stitches of Resilience, with Beverly Downen

You're about to meet a true trailblazer whose journey will stir your soul. From the humblest of beginnings to the bright lights of the cosplay world, Beverly Downen's path is one of perseverance, resilience and an unwavering belief in herself.

Prepare to be moved as Beverly shares pivotal moments that shaped her unconventional journey - like the day her single mother gave her "permission" to chase artistic dreams despite their modest means. You'll be inspired by how Beverly alchemized pain into power after 9/11 by pivoting with courage.

But Beverly's story transcends the personal. This visionary created SheProp, a thriving community empowering underrepresented voices and providing them with a safe space. She also triumphs over vulnerability to publish a daring book on cosplay artistry.

More than a maker, Beverly is a torch-bearer, illuminating the way for others to boldly embrace their passion and potential. Let her powerfully poignant storytelling ignite your spirit to craft your own audacious journey.

Show Notes: 
Introduction
- From small town Vermont to the cosplay world

Early Life & Pivotal Moments  
- Growing up in Vermont with supportive single mom 
- Signing petition in 3rd grade to forge positive change
- Getting the "permission" to follow artistic dreams 

Finding Her Path
- Attending art school, early creative career in New York 
- 9/11's impact, the courage to pivot 
- Discovering cosplay

Crafting Community  
- Creating SheProp for underrepresented makers & artists
- Providing a safe, supportive space away from "male gaze"
- The power of finding your people

The Vulnerability of Writing
- Dream of authoring a book on cosplay with EVA foam  
- Facing fears, working with an editor/publisher
- Growth from the challenging but rewarding process

Words of Wisdom
- "If it terrifies you, try it" - embracing discomfort
- The value of giving yourself permission 
- Sharing her mother's creative legacy

What Inspires Her 
- Cosplay as an artistic outlet and "art therapy"
- Sharing her passion with her stepchildren
- The joy of the cosplay community

The Through-Line
- Her mother's profound influence and supportive lessons
- Finding meaning in difficult experiences  
- Lighting the way for others through her story

Guest Bio: 
Beverly Downen is a maker, author and educator, crafting high-quality costumes based on pop culture characters as well as elaborate original designs. When she’s not crafting a new costume or tutorial in her workshop in Portland, Oregon, she travels to conventions across the country to host workshops and lectures designed to help makers of all experience levels. She is also founder of SheProp, a thriving community for underrepresented makers & artists, providing them with a safe, supportive space, and author of a book …

Outside the cosplay world, Beverly works as an MRI technologist in a busy outpatient clinic at EPIC Imaging, where she has also authored MRI policies and procedures manuals.

Beverly holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute, an Associate of Arts & Sciences in Radiologic Technology & Science from North Country Community College, and MRI Certification Training through Portland Community College.

Learn more about Beverly’s work and connect with her:
Instagram
Downen Creative Studios
Downen Photography
Cosplayer’s Ultimate Guide to EVA Foam
SheProp

Cracking the Boys’ Club Code, with Beth Corbett

In the corporate world, women have often found themselves navigating a labyrinth of challenges, fighting against invisible barriers, and striving for recognition. Yet amidst the shadows, there are those who carry torches, lighting the way for others to follow. Beth Corbett is one such beacon of light, illuminating paths for women in the male-dominated world of packaging.

From shy overachiever to unstoppable force as the President of the Enterprise Group at AE Global, Beth Corbett talks about battling sexism and self-doubt as she shatters glass ceilings and uplifts those around her. In our conversation, she reflects on her early years when female mentorship was scarce and women were often held to different standards. In the face of adversity, Beth remains steadfast in her commitment to support other women, recognizing the importance of lifting each other up in a world where the odds are often stacked against us.

From confronting raucous boardroom behavior to advocating for fair compensation, her candid anecdotes offer a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality in the workplace. Her philosophy of fostering open communication, valuing honesty, and building strong, supportive teams resonates deeply. Through her leadership, Beth creates spaces where women are empowered to thrive, where their voices are heard, and where their contributions are valued.

Beyond the boardroom, Beth's commitment to giving back is evident. From mentoring young women to championing causes related to women's wellness, she remains dedicated to lighting the way for future generations. Her pledge to perform 57 acts of kindness before her 57th birthday is a testament to her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in the world.

As Beth's story unfolds, it serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for women everywhere, reminding us that while the journey may be fraught with challenges, it is also illuminated by the collective strength and resilience of those who dare to defy the status quo. Beth's journey is not just her own—it is a testament to the power of women supporting women, lighting the way for a brighter, more equitable future.

 

Show Notes: 

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:10 Empowering Women Through Networking and Mentorship

02:21 Challenges and Triumphs in a Male-Dominated Industry

07:25 Navigating Career and Self-Worth

10:15 The Impact of Education and Early Influences

11:52 Career Journey: From PR to Packaging Leadership

15:08 Building Effective Teams and Leadership Philosophy

19:58 Career Advice and Personal Growth

23:06 Looking Ahead: Goals and Acts of Kindness

 

Guest Bio: 

Beth Corbett, a passionate and knowledgeable leader in sustainable packaging and supply chain solutions, excels at developing complete solutions for the pharma, cannabis, health & beauty, consumer electronics, natural products & supplements, and retail market segments.

As a sales leader with experience building and managing $100mm+ teams, developing growth strategies, and training and motivating sales staff, she wields a strong record of achieving and beating sales targets and revenue goals.

Today, Beth leads a high-performing team as the President of Enterprise Sales at packaging firm AE Global. During her earlier tenure at Neenah Papers, one of the world’s preeminent paper manufacturers, she worked with premium brands including Tiffany, Estee Lauder, L’Oreal and Starbucks. 

Beth is a Founding Member of the Seattle Women in Business for Good, contributes to the National Cannabis Industry Association as a member of its Packaging/Labeling and Sustainability committees, and holds a B.A. in Journalism and Business from the University of Oregon.

 

Learn more about Beth’s work and connect with her:

LinkedIn  

Article: From Different Packaging For Different Distribution To Low-pH Products, Trends Behind-The-Scenes Beauty Companies See Bubbling Up

Article: Meet Elizabeth Corbett | Passionate Cook, Gardener and Developer of Sustainable Cannabis Packaging & Supply Chain Solutions

From Highland Fling to Hacking, with Ruth Suehle

Think you know what to expect from an open source leader? Think again! Ruth Suehle is a kaleidoscope of passions - from software to Scottish dancing, embroidery to mermaiding.

In this inspiring interview, Ruth shares her delightfully zigzag journey from journalism grad to open source pioneer at major tech companies. Along the way, you'll discover her unexpected forays into baking, cosplaying, crafting, and more!

Ruth's story shatters preconceptions about having just "one passion." Instead, she'll inspire you to embrace all your curiosities and interests. You'll get her refreshing take on what true success means and tips for "doing all the things" that light YOU up.

Whether you're a techie, maker, dancer or aspiring "kaleidoscope" yourself, don't miss this captivating look at Ruth's colorful, unconventional life. Her authenticity and zest will make you rethink what's possible!

Show Notes:
00:00 Welcome to She Lights the Way: Meet Ruth Suehle
00:12 Introducing Ruth: A Journey from Journalism to Open Source
00:34 Ruth's Multifaceted Life: From Open Source to Scottish Dancing
01:31 Exploring Passions and Pivotal Moments
02:37 The Zigzag Path: Embracing Change and Finding Joy
06:25 Creative Outlets and the Joy of Making
09:33 Leadership and Learning in the Open Source Community
11:00 Reflecting on a Rewarding Life and Defining Success
14:26 Advice for a Fulfilling Life: Do Things That Matter
21:50 Looking Forward: Anticipations and Aspirations
23:19 Closing Thoughts: The Essence of She Lights the Way

Guest Bio:
Ruth Suehle is Director of Open Source at SAS, where she is creating a nearly 50-year-old analytics, data management, and AI software company’s first open source program office (OSPO). Ruth has helped build open source communities for nearly two decades, much of which she spent in the OSPO at Red Hat.

She is executive vice-president of the Apache Software Foundation, a producer of the ApacheCon conference, and serves on the Open@RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) advisory board. In the past, Ruth served on the governing board and TSC of the Open 3D Foundation. Co-author of Raspberry Pi Hacks (O’Reilly, December 2013) and former editor of Red Hat Magazine and opensource.com, she is a frequent writer, currently as core contributor at GeekMom.com (previously of WIRED), where she covers the adventures of motherhood and fandom.

Learn more about Ruth’s work and connect with her:
LinkedIn
Twitter/X
GitHub
Women Take the Conn
Raspberry Pi Hacks

Note: The title of the book about the women of Star Trek that Ruth talks about in our discussion has been changed to Women Take the Conn.

An Inspired Pursuit of Knowledge, with Dawn Foster

In this episode, host Nicole Huesman talks with Dr. Dawn Foster, director of data science at the CHAOSS Project, about her unexpected career journey from a farm in Ohio to becoming a leader in the tech industry. Despite initially pursuing teaching, Dawn changed course to computer science and found her passion in open source and data science. 

She shares how her innate curiosity, grit, and willingness to step out of her comfort zone led her across roles like sysadmin, market researcher, and software developer at iconic companies like Intel, VMware, and Puppet Labs. Dawn's zigzagging path underscores that our background doesn't define our future, and makes a clarion call to boldly author our own story.

Through candid reflections, Dawn provides invaluable insights and hard-won wisdom about being visible about our accomplishments, asserting ourselves for opportunities, and most importantly, examining what makes us truly happy at work beyond just climbing corporate ladders. Her journey is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning, especially for women navigating careers.

Show Notes: 
00:00 Welcome to She Lights the Way
00:27 Meet Dr. Dawn Foster: From Farm to Data Science
00:55 The Unconventional Journey to Tech and Business
03:01 Dawn's Impactful Career in Open Source and Beyond
05:20 Embracing Opportunities and Learning Along the Way
15:45 The Power of Mentorship and Advocacy
17:45 Dawn's Proudest Moments and Key Learnings
25:08 She Lights the Way: Being a Beacon for Others
27:35 Wrapping Up: The Journey Continues

Guest Bio: 
Dawn leads the data science initiative for the CHAOSS project where she is also a Governing Board member / maintainer. Dawn is an OpenUK board member and co-chair of the Contributor Strategy Technical Advisory Group for the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF).

Dawn has 20+ years of experience working in open source positions at companies like VMware, Intel and Puppet Labs with expertise in managing people, open source strategy, building new communities, and managing existing communities with a particular emphasis on developer and open source communities. She has held a wide range of roles over the years, including UNIX system administrator, researcher, consultant, strategist, director / manager, and more.

Dawn holds a PhD from the University of Greenwich, an MBA from Ashland University, and a BS in Computer Science from Kent State University. Dawn blogs about online communities as the author of the Fast Wonder Blog, and she's blogged for The New Stack, Linux.com, GigaOM’s WebWorkerDaily, and in various other places.

She has done over a hundred talks at industry events, including many Linux Foundation events, KubeCon, OSCON, SXSW, FOSDEM and more. In her spare time, she enjoys reading science fiction, running, traveling and finding the best vegan delicacies in the many places she visits. 

Learn more about Dawn’s work and connect with her:
Website
GitHub
LinkedIn  
Twitter/X
Mastodon

Collaborating with Intent, with Jen Wike Huger

Jen Wike Huger, content strategist, editor and community builder, shares her 15+ year journey through the tech world. With refreshing authenticity, she delves into the challenges of not having a technical background, yet carving out a successful career at the intersection of community, marketing, and open source software. 

Jen's story is one of embracing your unique strengths while having the courage to learn what you need to better understand "the other side." Her wisdom on fostering intentional collaboration and human connection in our digital era is both practical and poignant. 

From establishing creative processes at Red Hat's opensource.com to nurturing communities of writers globally, Jen has been a catalyst for open culture. Her reflections will inspire you to find that elusive "joy barometer" as you navigate your own winding professional path.

Jen's insights could not be more timely as we emerge from the isolating years of the pandemic. Hear her balanced perspective on integrating work and life, getting out of career ruts, and appreciating the beauty in combining technical and non-technical talents.

This conversation with Jen will leave you feeling heard, inspired and motivated to bring more humanity to our tech-driven world.

Show Notes: 
00:00 Welcome to She Lights the Way
00:47 Jen Wike Huger: Journey into Tech
02:17 The Magic of Collaboration and Purpose at Red Hat
04:29 Navigating Career Shifts and Embracing Soft Skills
06:54 Mastering Collaboration in a Remote World
15:02 The Joy of Intentionality and Overcoming Challenges
21:45 Reflecting on Achievements and Looking Forward
24:20 Finding Joy and Balance in Work and Life
27:56 Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations

Guest Bio: 
As content strategist, editor and community builder, Jen Wike Huger has written hundreds of blogs, newsletters, and other marketing materials over the past 20 years. As an editorial manager for 10 years at Red Hat, a global leader in software, on the opensource.com team, she multiplied content production without compromising quality by perfecting her process and relationship engagement. She also led company-wide marketing strategies for tech startups. As founder of a new consulting business, Sunshine Content Strategy, she works with marketing, sales, and DevRel teams to create compelling content. 

Learn more about Jen’s work and connect with her:
Website
LinkedIn
Twitter

Additional Resources: 
Transcript

Leading with Passion and Purpose with Karen Freeman

In this empowering interview with accomplished architect Karen Freeman, she radiates hope amid the challenges of the healthcare field, where we’ve witnessed an alarming exodus of workers. Karen shares her personal journey from a small town to becoming a leader in healthcare design and architecture, with a balanced focus on young patients and the workers who care for them, while illuminating her mission to support women in advancing their careers.

With passion, she shares her own winding journey into pediatric design. An architect molded from a childhood love of Legos, she found clarity and purpose in healing spaces for little ones. She discusses the importance of inclusivity in healthcare design, particularly in creating supportive environments for healthcare workers with neurodiversity. Now a leader in her field, she avows to lift other women through the Women in Healthcare organization as its national president. She urges - be a sponsor - don't just mentor, speak their names, clear their way. 

As she steps into a thrilling new role leading a global pediatric practice, Karen stays grounded in purpose. With exciting new projects on the horizon, Karen's vision for the future of pediatric healthcare design shines brightly. Her authenticity, compassion, and wealth of knowledge shine through. This is a must-watch for anyone interested in architecture, healthcare, women in leadership, or making a difference in the world. Karen's story and perspective will motivate and empower you.

Show Notes: 
00:00 Introduction to the Episode
00:48 The Challenges Faced by Healthcare Workers
01:04 The Importance of Neurodiversity in Healthcare
02:02 Karen's Journey into Architecture and Design
04:18 Karen's Passion for Pediatric Healthcare Spaces
05:41 Designing Spaces for Neurodiverse Healthcare Workers
10:24 Karen's Early Interest in Architecture
15:43 The Role of Women in Architecture and Healthcare
20:14 Karen's Role in the Women in Healthcare Organization
24:14 Karen's Definition of Success
26:38 Karen's Future Goals and Aspirations
31:37 Lighting the Way for Others

Guest Bio: 
Based in Atlanta, Karen is an HOK principal and the firmwide practice leader for Pediatrics. With more than 25 years of planning and design experience, she balances the needs of occupants and clients with the project’s broader goals to broker the compromises so critical for success. She has delivered more than 4 million square feet of healthcare space in her career and has special expertise in and a passion for pediatrics and subspecialty care for children’s health.

Karen is a founding member and the national president of Women in Healthcare, a national nonprofit that empowers and supports the mentorship and growth of women in healthcare leadership roles. She holds a Six Sigma Lean Black Belt in Healthcare (LBBH) and is one of fewer than 450 board-certified healthcare architects in the U.S. per the American College of Healthcare Architects (ACHA). As a frequent speaker and author, Karen’s thought leadership has been featured internationally in media outlets including Healthcare Design, Building Better Healthcare Magazine and Hospitencia.com.

Learn more about Karen’s work and connect with her:
Website
HOK Forward
LinkedIn

Resources & Links: 
HOK Establishes Centers of Expertise for Pediatric and Behavioral Health Design (Article)
Designing for Neurodiversity in Pediatric Healthcare Spaces (Article)
Pediatric Mental Health Crisis Needs Bold Design Strategy (Article)
Pediatric Design for Improved Patient Experiences (Article)
Inclusive Design for Complex Buildings (Article)
How to Create More Inclusive Pediatric Healthcare Environments (Article)

Dancing Words with Zaji Cox

Meet Zaji Cox, a multifaceted artist who illuminates the paths of writing, dance, and navigating neurodivergence. In this discussion, we delve into Zaji’s unique journey, exploring her fusion of poetry and dance, her experiences in the publishing world, and the challenges and triumphs she’s faced as a woman of color and a neurodivergent artist. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of art in breaking boundaries, connecting with others, and embracing one’s unique voice. As she continues to light the way with her words and movements, Zaji invites us to join her on a journey of creativity, resilience, and the joy of self-expression.

Resources & Links:
Transcript
Zaji's Website
Zaji on YouTube
Zaji on Instagram
Zaji on Facebook
Plums for Months (Memoir)
When the Self Has Gone (Essay)

Disrupting the Status Quo with Jennifer Cloer

In this debut episode, I sit down with Jennifer Cloer, longtime friend and the visionary behind the Chasing Grace docuseries, to talk about the role of storytelling in inspiring and empowering women. We explore how the pandemic has provided an opportunity to rethink the workplace, and talk about hard-fought lessons learned. Jennifer also reveals what success means to her.

Resources & Links:
Transcript
Story Changes Culture
Chasing Grace Project