7 Female Executive Mogul Members Share How to Make Your Impact

Today, women in leadership are being praised as role models for effectively guiding countries and businesses through our current public health crisis. 

Countries led by women have suffered six times fewer confirmed deaths from COVID-19 than countries led by men. The prime minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Arden, took a strong stance on the policy that brought the outbreak to a halt within two months and had zero local cases for 103 days. 

Angela Merkel's data-driven approach to combating the virus has had a far lower death rate in Germany than her male-led Western European neighbors. The Taiwanese government, led by President Tsai Ing-wen, had a plan in place for years in case of a pandemic. 

It's no surprise that the public response to their efforts is continuously trending up and right. 

Today's most effective leaders are those embracing traits once suggested feminine - empathy, vulnerability, patience, humility, and generosity. COVID-19 has shown the world that the qualities that make women excellent providers also make them great leaders.

At Mogul, we are proud to have the leading network of the most successful and influential female executives in the world as Invitation-Only members. 

Invitation-Only is a network of the most senior-level women worldwide across the Fortune 500, Big 3 consulting firms, and top-tier growth-stage startups. We created Invitation-Only to increase diversity and inclusion at the top. By leveraging 100 years of combined experience in executive recruitment, we have helped some of the world's biggest brands add diversity to their executive team. 

Like the women mentioned above, the following Mogul Members have had incredible success in their careers and continually inspire their team. Read on about these incredible women for an extra boost of motivation to show how to make your impact.

Daphne Leroy, Vice President of Strategy at ViacomCBS

Develop Your Voice

Daphne Leroy is a purpose-driven marketing and communications strategist with over 20 years of leadership experience at iconic global media companies and notable social impact organizations. She has been named one of the most influential-ethnic executives in the media industry.

Daphne began her career at FOX Broadcasting in network sales and distribution, and is currently the Vice President of Strategy in the ViacomCBS Ad Sales group. 

As a first-generation Haitian-American, Daphne's professional background is rooted in social responsibility and philanthropic endeavors. Whether empowering students and young women through her volunteer work or serving as Co-Founder and Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Haitian Roundtable (a 501c3 not-for-profit organization), Daphne is devoted to giving back. 

"As a woman of color navigating corporate environments throughout my professional journey, I discovered the significance of building your executive presence and developing your voice," says Leroy. "It's imperative to think strategically about your desired personal brand with the support of a circle of mentors, peers, and sponsors." 

"One of my professional mantras comes from a quote by Shirley Chisholm – "If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair."

Caitlin Brophy, Global Human Resources Director at PepsiCo

Shift Your Focus

Caitlin Brophy is an award-winning human resources leader and public speaker with experience leading teams to success across diverse industries, locations, and functions. 

She inspires leaders to empower and engage teams to make organizations better than when they found them. Caitlin has experience across government, union, and corporate environments. She has developed a unique perspective to identify root cause issues to form innovative solutions that enhance organizational effectiveness. 

"We tend to spend so much time focusing on what will happen if we fail -- but what if we succeed?" says Brophy.

"Shift your focus and energy to 'what if this goes incredibly well'. Even if you fail, have faith. You will learn something that will bring you where you want to be. Most importantly, never forget to take a minute to remember the mountains you've climbed, dragons you've slain, and bridges you've crossed."  

"As a great mentor once told me: we are always stronger than we believe."

Paramita Bhattacharya, Chief Marketing Officer at Blurb Inc.

Advocate For Yourself

Paramita Bhattacharya is a transformational global marketing leader with experience in launching and scaling business growth and revenue with marketing vision, commercial strategies, and operational management. 

She brings over 20 years of experience delivering the award-winning brand vision, digital and data transformation, new category creation, international market expansion, and M&A for Fortune 500 companies. Paramita also has experience across diverse industries, including IoT, 5G, and Media & Entertainment Technologies. 

Paramita is currently the Chief Marketing Officer at Blurb -- a software publishing platform leader -- after completing a stint as Global Head of Marketing at Nokia Technologies. Before Nokia, she held leadership roles at Hitachi and Adobe, overseeing successful go-to-market, product launches, brand, web and digital campaigns, and partner development. 

She is also a Forbes contributing writer, industry speaker, a multidimensional thought leader who is active on CMO boards and serves as a business mentor, startup advisor, and investor.

"One of the biggest lessons I have learned in my career is that it's not enough to work hard and expect to receive a promotion," says Bhattacharya. "It's critical to advocate for yourself -- whether by sharing your work accomplishments, raising your hand to take on a new project, or to drive meaningful value for your organization."

Tara Thurber, Director, Talent Innovation, DefinedTalent

Mindfulness is Key

Relationship building + recruiting + coaching + household manager, aka Mom -- Tara Thurber is a quality talent magic maker and life/career coach.

Through connecting and empowering others to succeed, she realized her true passion is to connect people with a vision, the actions to manifest that vision, and the inner vibe that defines them. 

Tara has had the privilege to coach, partner with, represent, and place individuals seeking growth, change, and purpose. She works with top talent in many industries -- from junior-level to the C-suite -- and with agencies and brands across the US. Tara also works with new mothers searching for a new sense of self, and professionals searching for their core purpose who want to show up and be present.

"Be present," says Thurber, "Connect with your inner self and listen to your instincts. Believe in yourself and be true to yourself. Only then can you find the truth of who you are to supersede your visions and become an even bigger force than you could ever imagine." 

"It doesn't come overnight, and it takes a lot of hard work and self-reflection. The positives and negatives all take part in the creation of learning, experiencing, and living to become your true self fully."

Iman Farrior, Head of Transaction Operations at Compass

Know Your Worth

Iman Farrior is the Head of Transaction Operations at Compass, a real estate tech company backed by SoftBank Vision Fund, among other investors. 

Previously, she was a corporate attorney at Vinson & Elkins and ExxonMobil before operating a business consulting firm and managing a residential and commercial real estate portfolio. She holds a BS in Management and Business Law from Tulane University, an MBA from Rice University, and a JD from the University of Texas School of Law. 

Iman lives in Los Angeles, CA, with her husband, James, and her four children, Baldwin (2), Lia (5), Demi (7), and Marli (7). In her spare time, Iman enjoys playing tennis and golf, attending sporting events, and traveling internationally.

"I have learned that no matter how extensive or impressive your credentials, performance, or track record, sometimes people have to be gently reminded of your value and contribution, or else you risk being taken for granted or overlooked," shares Farrior.

"You are always your best advocate!"

Jessica Sikora, Founder and President at SUPERBANDS 

Take The Leap

Jessica Sikora believes music has the power to save lives. After all, it did for her throughout her struggles with depression and suicide at such a young age.  

She strives to build up the combined power of music and hopes to fuel the community she once longed for.  

Founded in 2014, SUPERBANDS became the catalyst to push Jessica to make a difference in the stigma of the youth mental health crisis. Her hope for her organization is to create a global phenomenon and shed light on the resilience and strength that lies within all of us. 

"You never know until you leap," says Sikora. "I spent my entire life being the 'quiet girl' and never raising my hand to speak up to share my ideas." 

"I knew that starting a nonprofit with no prior experience would be a big undertaking, but I jumped in head-first and started taking chances. " 

"It still amazes me how many people I have been able to connect with just by taking a chance. Without these leaps of faith, SUPERBANDS would not be where it is today."

Dr. Amera McCoy, Chief Executive Officer at McCoy Consulting LLC

 Own Your Career

Dr. Amera McCoy, an Industrial-Organizational Psychologist, is the Owner and Founder of McCoy Consulting LLC, an organization that offers various business and individual services focused on positioning organizations and their people for long-term success. 

Before starting her own business, Dr. McCoy held leadership roles with top financial companies, including JPMorgan and CME Group. She gained unique hands-on experience with leadership, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and performance management before exiting the corporate world for small business ownership. 

Dr. McCoy continues to leverage her business acumen and writing skills to assist businesses and individuals with reaching their potential through coaching, classes, consulting, and contract negotiation. Dr. McCoy received her Ph.D. in Business Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She resides in Chicago, IL, with her nine-year-old daughter.  

“Early on in my career, I sought out mentors and sponsors to help me navigate my path," says McCoy. "I learned that although those relationships are essential, they are not responsible for your career outcome. You must still take ownership of your career.” 

“You hold the compass. When the wind drifts you away from your path, it is at that time. A strategic decision is necessary to correct the course. Such choices as these are yours and yours alone. Consequently, do not be afraid to turn back, walk away, sail through, stay put, or start over.” 

“Whatever the final selection is, you will appreciate later that you followed your true north as the destination is your leadership ascending.”