Dr. Carol Simmons, “Doc”
Tiffany-O sits down with her mentor and aunt, Dr. Carol Simmons—an extraordinary trailblazing leader, educator, and community advocate.
The How She Rises Podcast
Not just leadership stories. The conditions behind them.
From technology and AI to entrepreneurship, infrastructure, and the C-suite, the podcast brings forward the experiences that research must not overlook.
Welcome to the podcast
An inspiring space where we come together to lead boldly.
In today’s fast-paced corporate world, the journey for women leaders is both challenging and rewarding, with a critical 10-year window to secure key leadership roles.
Here, we share not just strategies, but stories—real-world experiences, insights, and practical advice to guide you through the complexities of leadership. Whether you’re aiming to accelerate your career or make a lasting impact, this is your space to feel supported, inspired, and empowered every step of the way.
Why representation matters
01
Women accelerate their careers elsewhere when they can’t see a path to the C-suite.
02
A lack of diverse female leaders at the top deters women from joining.
03
Without a seat at the table, women forge their own paths.
Why representation matters
Season 1: Reflections for my 25-year-old self.
Amy Pierquet
A seasoned entrepreneur and owner of Waterfront Graphic Design on career transitions, entrepreneurship, and embracing change.
Janis Mitchell
Valuable insights on career, confidence, and the importance of humility when starting from the bottom.
Coming soon
Season 2 is in production.
New conversations on where the runway is shortened or lengthened—who had influence, and what they did.
Season 1 guests
The women behind the stories.
From successful entrepreneurs to visionary leaders, our guests share their unique journeys, lessons learned, and the strategies that propelled them to the top.
Dr. Carol Simmons
Executive Director, Black Farmers Co-Operative
Amy Pierquet
Owner/Designer, Waterfront Graphic Design
Janis Mitchell
Founder, Info Fortress Solutions
Julie Homsy
Talent Acquisition Consultant
Patrice Thornton
Human Resources
Brandy Farrar
Qualitative Research Methodologist
Monica McGee
Visual Artist and Entrepreneur
Katie Winchenbach
Attorney, Podcast Host, and Nonprofit Leader
Aytakin Aliyeva
Founder, Femigrants
Yannette Lebrun
Interior Designer, YL Designs Home Decor
Tammy Alvarez
CEO, Career Winners Circle
Aina Alive
Agile & Enterprise Coach
Lynnett Berger
Strategic Leader, Global Enterprise Transformation
Shanise Pearce
Speaker & Advocate; Founder, The Advocate’s Table
Jaime Chambron
Career Advancement & Personal Branding Expert
Dr. Xaulanda Simmonds-Emmanuel
Organizational Development Consultant
Wanda Williams
IT Manager, Constellation
Andrea Marshall
Navy Veteran, IT Specialist, Real Estate Professional
Share your leadership journey
Your story could inspire the next generation of women leaders.
Whether you’ve navigated the C-suite or are on the rise, your voice matters. Nominate yourself or someone you know—guests contribute qualitative insight to the research, and every application is reviewed personally.
For women leaders
Nominate yourself or another woman
Tell us about the leadership journey you want to share—the barriers, the turning points, and what you would tell your 25-year-old self.
For allies & sponsors
Tell us about a runway you helped shorten
We invite men and other allies who can speak concretely about sponsoring a woman into a role, opening access, or changing a decision.
Your host
About Tiffany-O
With over two decades of experience in leadership development, Tiffany-O has dedicated her career to empowering women to break through the barriers that hold them back. Her passion for leadership, combined with her expertise in organizational excellence, has made her a trusted advisor for women leaders across industries.
Through this podcast and her broader work, Tiffany continues to advocate for gender equity in leadership, inspiring women to own their power and make their mark.
Your story belongs in the evidence
Add your voice to the Global Impact Survey.
Rise. Reach Back. Repeat.
A global leadership intelligence & impact initiative.
An initiative of Virtual Partner.
© 2026 How She Rises · Virtual Partner, LLC