Edition No 182. Every story matters.
The WIE Suite
A membership community for women leaders and culture creators (we're hiring)
DEAR WOMEN WHO DO,
In this Women's History Month, it is clear that there are STORIES to be told and we need more of those voices across the board. That's why we are bringing you Charlotte Castillo who is leading a rallying cry for more Latina voices, actress Spencer Grammer who shares a story about how an injury forced her to learn a new form of expression, and Susan Harlow who offers ideas on how to ensure your story sticks and your executive presence is on-point with your message.?
WIE SUITE WOMAN?
Charlotte Castillo on the Need for Latina Voices
Charlotte Castillo is the Managing Director of Poderistas?, a nonprofit celebrating Latina culture. A seasoned brand strategist and collaborative leader, she has 20+ years of experience in media, marketing, and advocacy for the Latinx community. Previously, she was an award-winning senior executive at ViacomCBS, driving impactful cultural and community initiatives. ?
Our mission matters because demographics are not destiny after all. Despite remarkable population growth, Latinas still have only a fraction of the political power they need and deserve. Latinas make up the largest age and gender cohort in key states, which means Latinas should be driving growth in the electorate across the country particularly in Texas, Florida, California, Nevada, Arizona and New York. Yet, numbers tend to show that more than half of eligible Latinos still stayed on the sidelines and did not participate.
Why is that? What we have learned from research and experience is that Latinas, in particular, do not believe their vote matters because they are not yet certain their lives matter, much less their votes. U.S. media and society still portray us as “outsiders'' in this country - a perception that we have internalized. Add to that the fact that many of our parents were not citizens or came from countries where democracy is not fully realized meaning that we were, likewise not inculcated with a culture and practice of voting while we were growing up in this country. We believe this sense of confidence and belonging is directly tied to low political participation.
To fully realize our civic, economic, personal and political power, we need to transform the narrative about ourselves to ourselves. Shift the sense of our own influence, identity and belonging from WITHIN, and know our power year around
IN THE NEWS
Actress, Musician, and Hollywood Insider Spencer Grammer on the Future of Hollywood, Overcoming Obstacles, Finding Magic, and Continuing to Transform
Spencer Grammer is an American actress best known for her roles as the voice of Summer Smith in the Adult Swim animated science-fiction series Rick and Morty and as Casey Cartwright in the ABC Family college comedy-drama series Greek.?
You were the victim of a random stabbing attack a few years ago. But, rather than limit your career, that has taken you in a new direction. Can you share more?
The stabbing in July of 2020 has been one of the most redefining moments of my entire life. It’s even hard to write this and talk about it still to this day. I suffered an immense amount of pain (still do) and the inability to use my right hand normally. I do not have feeling in most of my right hand, but you learn to tolerate it more and more as time goes on, like white noise in the background. There was a point in which I realized I would spend more of my life in pain and with this disability than without it; I would have to make the “injury” work for me.
MASTERCLASS MOMENTS
Elevating Your Executive Presence: Lessons from Susan Harrow for Female Leaders
Susan Harrow is a media trainer, marketing strategist, martial artist + author of the bestselling book Sell Yourself Without Selling Your Soul? (HarperCollins).??
“Competence leads to confidence. The more you do something, the more you role-play it, the more you feel it, and the more you embody it.”
For female executives aiming to make a lasting impression in the boardroom, on stage, or in the media spotlight, Susan Harrow’s offers the Five R’s framework. These steps—Relaxation, Role Play, Repeat, Realign, and Revel—are not just about improving performance but embodying a presence that exudes confidence, clarity, and authority.
MUST READ?
OUR WEEKEND READING LIST.?
COMMUNITY NEWS
UPCOMING EVENT
Decoding TikTok to Accelerate Your Business Practice
Harness the full power of TikTok and elevate your business strategies with this valuable masterclass from Khartoon Weiss, Vice President of Global Business Solutions at TikTok. With over 20 years of expertise in marketing and tech, Khartoon has been instrumental in accelerating TikTok’s global business solutions, particularly in expanding the reach of the Big 6 Agencies and global brands. Her innovative leadership has earned her recognition from top industry awards, including Campaign’s “40 Over 40,” AdAge’s “40 Under 40,” and AdWeek’s “Top 50.” RSVP HERE