Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Avanthi Shah, a venture capitalist, AI leader, and award-winning entrepreneur focused on the future of deep tech innovation. As General Partner at NextVersed Ventures and a leader at NextVersed AI, Avanthi brings decades of experience spanning Silicon Valley startups, emerging technologies, and advising organizations ranging from NASA to financial institutions. Recognized as CNBC's Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, she is passionate about supporting founders, advancing women in venture capital, and helping bridge the gap between innovation and impact.

In this episode, Catherine and Avanthi dive into the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, deep tech investing, and the importance of getting more women involved in venture capital. Avanthi shares insights into the startup ecosystem, the future of AI, and why this moment presents a major opportunity for women investors as wealth continues to shift into female hands. The conversation also explores mentorship, startup growth, microfinance, and how investing can create both financial returns and meaningful societal impact. This inspiring discussion offers practical insight for entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone curious about the future of technology and innovation.

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Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Rose Garcia and Arabella (Bella) Barkow, two powerhouse entrepreneurs and advocates making a major impact in the LGBTQIA+ community. Rose Garcia is widely recognized as the real-life inspiration behind the iconic character "Papi" on the hit series The L Word and later became a fan favorite on The Real L Word. Beyond television, she has built a successful real estate career, become a respected speaker and emcee, and is a Stage 3 ovarian cancer survivor now thriving in remission. Bella Barkow is an accomplished event producer whose career spans decades of large-scale LGBTQ+ festivals and live entertainment experiences, including LA Pride, Outloud Festival, and The Dinah. Together, through their company BellaRose Productions, they are ushering in a bold new era for the legendary Dinah festival.

In this inspiring conversation, Catherine, Rose, and Bella discuss the journey of acquiring and evolving The Dinah into a modern cultural force while staying true to its roots of inclusivity, celebration, and community. They open up about the challenges they've overcome personally and professionally, from navigating adversity and breaking barriers in business to building authentic brands centered around purpose. Rose shares her experience balancing entrepreneurship, visibility, and advocacy while surviving cancer, while Bella reflects on how embracing her identity ultimately became her greatest professional strength. The episode explores leadership, resilience, representation, and the importance of creating spaces where people feel seen, safe, and empowered. Their passion for community-building and commitment to elevating queer voices shines throughout the conversation.

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Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with entrepreneur and AI innovator Bethany Crystal, founder and CEO of Build First, an AI learning lab and product studio focused on helping people turn ideas into working products—often in under an hour. With a background spanning startups, venture capital, workforce development, and leadership roles at organizations including Union Square Ventures, Tech:NYC, and Stack Overflow, Bethany has spent more than a decade helping people adapt to major technology shifts. She is passionate about making AI approachable and practical for everyday people, and has already trained more than 1,500 individuals through hands-on workshops, hackathons, and live build sessions.

In this episode, Bethany and Catherine dive into the rapidly evolving world of AI and what it means for entrepreneurs, creators, and the future of work. Bethany shares how she unexpectedly began building AI-powered mini apps for her own family and how that experience led her to launch Build First. The conversation explores why learning to "build" with AI is becoming an essential skill, how non-technical founders can use AI tools to bring ideas to life faster than ever before, and why experimentation is more important than perfection in today's business landscape. Bethany also discusses balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood, her grassroots leadership work in New York City, and her belief that the future belongs to people willing to adapt, create, and embrace emerging technology.

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https://buildfirst.ai/

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Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Allison Byers, a founder, investor, and capital access advocate dedicated to creating a more inclusive funding ecosystem. She is the founder of Scroobious, a relationship-first capital access platform, and the author of Fundraising for The Rest of Us. Allison also co-authored California's landmark Fair Investment Practices by Venture Capital Companies Law and serves on multiple boards. Prior to her work in venture advocacy, she co-founded a medtech company spun out of MIT, raising nearly $10 million and bringing an FDA-registered product to market—an experience that ultimately revealed the deep systemic inequities in funding that shaped her mission today.

In this episode, Allison shares her firsthand experience navigating the venture capital landscape and the pivotal moment that exposed the disparities founders face—when the all-male team that acquired her company went on to raise significantly more capital. She and Catherine dive into the structural barriers that prevent underestimated founders from accessing funding, and how Allison is actively working to dismantle those barriers through policy, education, and community-building. The conversation highlights the importance of relationship-driven capital, transparency in fundraising, and empowering founders with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed. This episode is both an eye-opening look at the realities of venture funding and a practical guide for building a more equitable path forward.

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Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Briana Cash, a Grammy®-nominated musician and award-winning singer-songwriter whose work spans television, film, and advertising, with placements across major platforms like Amazon Prime, Paramount+, and Hulu. An accomplished live performer, Briana has shared the stage with notable artists across genres and is an active member of leading industry organizations including The Recording Academy and the Society of Composers and Lyricists. Beyond her music career, she is also a passionate advocate for creators' rights, having successfully defended her own name and trademark in a multi-year legal battle. She now educates others on intellectual property, branding, and the evolving impact of AI on creative ownership.

In this episode, Briana shares her journey navigating the music industry while maintaining ownership of her identity and work. The conversation dives into the realities of sync licensing, building an independent career, and why protecting intellectual property is more critical than ever—especially in an era shaped by rapidly advancing technology. Briana also discusses the lessons learned from her legal battle, how it reshaped her mission, and the importance of educating creators to safeguard their brands. This episode offers valuable insight for entrepreneurs, artists, and anyone building a personal brand in today's digital landscape.

https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com

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Today on the Invest In Her Podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Sarah Phillips, a junior at Princeton University studying the History of Science with a minor in Entrepreneurship and the CEO of Girls Into VC, a global nonprofit expanding access to venture capital. Sarah leads a community of over 10,000 members across more than 75 countries and 25 university chapters, creating programs that give students hands-on experience with startups and investment funds. She has worked with organizations including Instacart, Teva Pharmaceuticals, AEI HorizonX, and Curist, building experience across technology, healthcare, and early-stage innovation. Passionate about inclusion, Sarah focuses on increasing representation in venture capital and believes that the future of innovation depends on who gets the opportunity to participate.

In this episode, Sarah shares her perspective on breaking into venture capital at a young age and why access and education are the biggest barriers facing aspiring investors—especially women. The conversation explores how Girls Into VC is creating real pathways for students to gain experience, build networks, and understand the mechanics of investing early on. Sarah and Catherine discuss the evolving landscape of venture capital, the role of emerging technologies like AI in shaping startups, and why diversity in decision-making is critical to building better companies. Sarah also offers insight into how young people can start positioning themselves for opportunities in VC today, emphasizing curiosity, initiative, and the importance of being in the right rooms.

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Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Melissa Moody, a founder and marketing leader known for building products and movements that create meaningful impact. She is the cofounder of Wednesday Women, a global movement and executive membership designed to amplify extraordinary women leaders. Melissa has led multiple startups, including serving as CEO of Matcha and founding CMO of Gated, and spent over 14 years at Google helping major brands develop innovative digital strategies and user experiences. Now based in Anchorage, Alaska, she continues to advise early-stage founders and champion purposeful growth and leadership.

In this episode, Melissa shares her perspective on building businesses and communities that truly matter, emphasizing the importance of clarity, focus, and taking bold action. She and Catherine dive into what it means to create movements—not just companies—and how relationship-driven growth can unlock new opportunities for founders. Melissa also discusses her experience transitioning from corporate leadership at Google into startup life, offering insights on navigating risk, scaling with intention, and supporting women in leadership through initiatives like Wednesday Women. The conversation highlights the power of community, the value of aligning work with purpose, and the mindset shifts needed to build something impactful and enduring.

WednesdayWomen.com

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Today on the Invest In Her Podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Janine Firpo, an accomplished speaker, author, and social entrepreneur who has spent her career working at the intersection of women and their money. From her early days at Apple Computer to leadership roles at Hewlett-Packard, the World Bank, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Janine has consistently driven meaningful impact. In 2017, she pivoted from a 35+ year career in technology and international development to focus on empowering women through investing. She is the author of Activate Your Money: Invest to Grow Your Wealth and Build a Better World and co-founder of Invest for Better, a nonprofit dedicated to mobilizing women to use their financial power for positive change.

In this episode, Janine and Catherine dive into the critical role women play in reshaping the financial landscape through intentional investing. They discuss how many women are already investing—often unknowingly—but may not realize the power they have to align their money with their values. Janine shares actionable insights on how to "activate" your money, shift from traditional investing mindsets, and build wealth while supporting companies and initiatives that create a better world. The conversation also highlights the importance of education, community, and confidence in helping more women step into investing as a tool for both personal growth and global impact.

Websites Mentioned

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Today on the Invest In Her Podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Deborah Stavis and Chelsea Stavis, a dynamic mother-daughter duo redefining private wealth management through a family-first lens. Deborah brings over 35 years of experience as a private wealth manager, having built and led two successful Registered Investment Advisory firms with approximately $1 billion in assets under management. A respected educator and community leader, she has taught at Rice University and been recognized by major publications including Forbes and The Wall Street Journal. Her daughter, Chelsea, serves as Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer of Stavis Wealth, where she leads marketing, media, and community initiatives while also producing original content and programming. With a background in investment banking and a creative career in film and storytelling, Chelsea brings a multidisciplinary approach to empowering families and communities through financial education and engagement.

In this episode, Deborah and Chelsea share how they are modernizing wealth management by integrating legacy planning, philanthropy, and education into a more holistic and approachable experience. They discuss the importance of financial literacy—especially for women—and how creating open, engaging conversations around money can transform generational outcomes. The conversation also explores the evolution of family offices, the role of storytelling in financial empowerment, and how their "edu-tainment" approach is helping clients feel more confident and informed. Together, they offer a compelling perspective on building wealth with purpose, strengthening family legacies, and making financial planning more inclusive for future generations.

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Catherine Gray, host of the Invest In Her Podcast, interviews Laura Rippy, Managing Partner and Board Member at Alumni Ventures, where she leads multiple funds, including The Yard Ventures (Harvard), Green D Ventures (Dartmouth), the Women's Fund, and the U.S. Strategic Tech Fund. Laura was ranked the #1 Woman Early Stage Investor in 2025 by Business Insider. A three-time CEO and seasoned executive, she has led and scaled numerous tech startups across Boston, Seattle, and Dallas-Fort Worth, and brings deep experience from her time at Microsoft. With a background in strategy consulting during Germany's economic unification and degrees from Harvard Business School and Dartmouth College, Laura brings a uniquely global and operationally grounded perspective to venture investing.

In this episode, Laura shares her journey from operator to top-ranked venture investor and unpacks what truly differentiates successful founders in today's competitive landscape. She and Catherine discuss the evolving venture capital ecosystem, the importance of access and education for women entering investing, and how Alumni Ventures is democratizing venture capital by opening doors to a broader investor base. Laura also offers insight into evaluating early-stage opportunities, building high-performing teams, and the critical role of pattern recognition and conviction in investing. The conversation highlights both the challenges and opportunities for women in venture, reinforcing the importance of visibility, community, and strategic capital in driving long-term impact.

Websites Mentioned

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Today on the Invest In Her Podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Tessa de Flines, co-founder of AtVenture Platform, whose mission is to close the wealth and funding gap by activating diverse angel investors through education, community, and capital. Tessa brings more than 18 years of corporate leadership experience from global institutions such as GE and ABN AMRO, along with 8 years as an entrepreneur and Fractional COO helping startups create structure, strategy, and execution as they scale. She is also a Founding Partner at Masters of Scale and an active angel investor through AtVenture Platform, Great Stuff Ventures, and her own portfolio. Passionate about increasing access to capital and opportunity, Tessa mentors founders, speaks globally on inclusive investing, and works to inspire more women and underrepresented investors to participate in the startup ecosystem.

In this episode, Catherine and Tessa discuss the barriers that keep many women and diverse investors from entering the world of angel investing—and how education, community, and access to deal flow can change that. Tessa shares insights from her work building AtVenture Platform, where she focuses on demystifying investing and empowering individuals to become early-stage backers of impactful startups. The conversation explores the importance of expanding the investor base, how more inclusive investing leads to stronger innovation, and why activating new angel investors is critical to closing the funding gap for women founders. Together, they highlight practical ways people can get involved in startup investing while helping reshape the future of entrepreneurship.

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