Michelle De La Isla, CEO of Hack.Diversity, is committed to empowering young people from underrepresented communities to succeed in the tech industry. Her personal journey, marked by resilience and gratitude, includes overcoming homelessness and single motherhood, serving as mayor, and graduating from Harvard. In this episode of the Women on the Move podcast, with host Sam Saperstein, Michelle shares her story and vision for Hack.Diversity.

Raised by her grandparents after her mother fled to Puerto Rico, Michelle's life has been shaped by those who believed in her potential. She married, graduated from Wichita State University, and moved to Topeka, KS where she became involved with organizations like the Mexican American Women's National Association, advocating for Latina women. She co-founded a mentorship conference to inspire young women of color to pursue higher education.

Michelle's civic engagement led her to the Topeka City Council and eventually to the mayor's office, where she served during challenging times, including the COVID pandemic. Encouraged by her daughter, she ran for mayor and won. After her term, she pursued further education at Harvard and transitioned to a venture philanthropy role in Cambridge, MA.

In September 2023, Michelle became CEO of Hack.Diversity, an organization that bridges the gap between tech firms and overlooked talent. The organization offers fellowships to individuals who have the skills to succeed in tech but lack connections. The program empowers fellows with training and partners with host companies to improve inclusivity.

Disclaimer: The speakers’ opinions belong to them and may differ from opinions of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates. Views presented on this podcast are those of the speakers; they are as of December 17th , 2024 and they may not materialize.

Cheryl McKissack Daniel, CEO of McKissack & McKissack, discusses the future of diversity in the construction industry in this episode of the Women on the Move podcast with host Sam Saperstein. As the leader of the oldest minority- and women-owned construction firm in the U.S., Cheryl emphasizes the importance of diversity in all project phases. Her firm, with roots dating back to 1790, has a rich history of overcoming racial and gender barriers. Cheryl's great-grandfather, Moses McKissack III, and his brother Calvin became the first Black licensed architects in the United States in 1920.

Cheryl's journey began with degrees in civil engineering from Howard University, followed by experience at Weidlinger Associates and Turner Construction in New York City. Her mother, who took over the family business after Cheryl's father suffered a stroke, taught her the importance of relationship-building and embracing her identity as a woman in a male-dominated industry.

Cheryl commuted between New York and Nashville to learn from her mother, gaining insights into business development and staff management. She stresses the value of maintaining long-term relationships and being true to oneself as a woman leader. Cheryl is proud of the progress women have made in leadership roles across various sectors and believes their influence has positively changed business practices.

Disclaimer: The speakers’ opinions belong to them and may differ from opinions of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates. Views presented on this podcast are those of the speakers; they are as of December 10th , 2024 and they may not materialize.

Diana Rodriguez, co-founder and CEO of Pride Live, is a prominent LGBTQ+ activist dedicated to making a difference through fundraising and advocacy. In this episode of the Women on the Move podcast, with host Sam Saperstein, she discusses her journey and the impact of Pride Live, which supports marginalized LGBTQIA+ organizations and initiatives like the Stonewall National Monument and Stonewall Day concert.

Her career includes fundraising roles at the Clinton and Jackie Robinson Foundations before co-founding Pride Live. Diana emphasizes the importance of learning from every opportunity, whether positive or negative. Her tenure at renowned non-profit organizations taught her about the necessity of being prepared and resilient.

She stresses the need for women, especially women of color, to possess these qualities and embrace discomfort. Transitioning from working behind the scenes to leading Pride Live was challenging, but Diana embraced the discomfort of being the organization's face and voice.

Today, Diana thrives in her role, supported by a talented team, compassionate board, and engaged funders. She believes in creating opportunities for others and continues to push for greater awareness and support for the LGBTQ+community.

Disclaimer: The speakers’ opinions belong to them and may differ from opinions of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates. Views presented on this podcast are those of the speakers; they are as of December 4th , 2024 and they may not materialize.