March 2021 by Austin Woman Magazine

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How have you seen the market change since this time last year?

This year the Austin market has continued to grow and become increasingly competitive. Even through the pandemic, people continue to move here from out of state with equity to buy a house. They are looking for more space and a better quality of life. Austin can provide that. This makes for a very attractive location to set some roots. What should buyers be aware of as they prepare to purchase a home?

Buying a home right now can be daunting. The market is very competitive. I educate my buyers and work with them from the beginning on specific strategies that focus on the perfect home for them. Then when they find the right fit we are able to move quickly. Be prepared for bidding wars. We discuss the process and specific strategies I can help them take to win bidding wars. Can you share with us a little bit about why you’re so passionate about what you do?

I love being a small part of a really big life moment like buying or selling a home. For many of my clients, this is their first time buying or selling a home. My goal is to make the process as stress-free and fun as possible. I’m helping them make one of the most important financial decisions of their life. I do not take that lightly. What separates your team from other real estate teams in Austin? As a native Austinite, I love helping my clients find their home in this amazing city. I come from a nonprofit background, so finding meaning in my work has always been important to me. With me and my team it’s not about the sale but instead about building long-term relationships with our clients. I advise clients what type of homes to target based on resale value and potential. I absolutely love helping first-time buyers, specifically women, purchase their new home and begin the next chapter. I am focused on our clients getting exactly where they are in life.

When you’re not busy with work how do you spend your time?

I spend most of my time with my family: husband Jordan, 5-year-old son, Hudson and 1.5-year-old daughter, Blake. Since I grew up in Austin, my two sisters, their kids and my parents live here, so we have been spending a lot of time together during COVID-19. I love to run at Lady Bird Lake and go to restaurants, breweries and vineyards around Austin. I am very involved in several nonprofits in Austin including Austin Diaper Bank, IDEA Public Schools, Teach For America Austin, Foundation Communities and Shalom Austin. What inspired you to become a real estate agent?

I love helping people start to build generational wealth. Many of my clients are first-time home buyers who have worked very hard to save for a down payment and want to stop paying rent, start paying themselves back and gain equity in their home. I also love being able to give back to the community, which is why I donate a portion of each sale to a local Austin nonprofit.

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COPENHAGEN’S DIRECTOR OF INTERIOR DESIGN MAURICE BRANTLEY SHARES FURNITURE TRENDS ON THEIR WAY OUT, WHAT PIECES ARE WORTH THE INVESTMENT AND HOW TO TRANSFORM YOUR SPACE. What types of furniture are on their way out? As we have entered into a new decade, my belief is that we have a new appreciation for classic and clean contemporary design. Bulky and overstuffed leather/fabric two-toned sofas with nail heads and fringe-trimmed pillows have had their day. Rustic and oversized occasional tables in dark cherry and fussy ornate case goods were the prize back in the ’80s and ’90s. Today we find that the furniture seeker is looking for streamlined comfort in seating, many with adjustable headrests and push-button motorization that is inconspicuous and quietly transports us into an effortless transition of calm relaxation. What types of furniture are worth the investment? Comfortable and well-made seating that is crafted to endure is usually where my design clients want to start. Don’t skimp on quality materials and workmanship. We spend a lot of time in our sofas, loveseats and occasional chairs so that should be a paramount priority. Soft, durable leather lasts for years. Beautifully made dining tables that can easily extend to accommodate dinner guests paired with well-made dining chairs are also an important consideration. A well-made mattress made of quality materials is well worth the investment of ensuring a good night’s sleep. What’s an easy way to transform a room? Switching out those tired pillows on a sofa with something fresh and modern is an easy quick fix. Look at your dated accessories and lamps and opt for something with a new pop of color. A new light-transitioning LED lamp can be a quick perk. Consider a fresh coat of paint or take a risk with one vibrant hued accent wall to breathe new life into a tired old room.

If you’re beginning a room makeover, what pieces should you start with? Believe it or not, you should start with the pieces and art that you know you are going to keep! We almost all have treasures that we will never part with. Identifying them first will help your designer suggest appropriate selections that will complement the things you already love. As mentioned before, comfortable seating usually tends to be where my design clients want to start. Integrated technology has become a new option that is very appealing to millennials. Exquisitely engineered media units are also desired and sought after as not just a means to conceal technology but a focus of something amazing and beautiful to look at. How do you decide a color palette for a space? We all respond to color differently and it is usually an emotional response. Neutral is always safe and sure but don’t be afraid to express yourself by living with colors that you love. I usually take my cues from existing art and plan colors around it. Environment is also a key factor—natural light cascading through the room as it changes throughout the day. Are there big windows with views of mountains or rolling hills? All of these are questions to take into consideration when planning a harmonious interior.

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Join Us! Celebrate AUSTI N BUSI N ES S WOME N We are proud to host the sixth annual Woman’s Way Business Awards as an opportunity to pause, recognize and promote women who are building the future of Austin. Women who are challenging outdated structures, envisioning new models and laying the foundations for an inclusive, authentically expressed and innovative city. To date, the Woman’s Way Business Awards are Austin’s only awards exclusively for women-owned and women-led businesses.

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FEATURE

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FEATURE

RAISING THE BARRE

Photo by Rudy Arocha.

BY BRIANNA CALERI

ATXWOMAN.COM | 11

CONTENTS | MARCH

24 44

COUNT US IN Women in Numbers

FROM THE DESK OF Kimberley Jones

START THE CONVO Climate Justice in Central Texas

SEE HER WORK Florist Leanna Rinaldi

58 RECIPE REVEAL

Griyo and Bannan Peze

ON THE MONEY Investing in Cryptocurrency

I AM AUSTIN WOMAN Meghan Ross

ATX WOMEN TO WATCH 32

DANIELLA D. LYTTLE

ELLEN TROXCLAIR

LIZ CASS, LINDSAY M. PALINSKY, KIM NUGENT-ANDERSON

37 TONYA RILEY, CATHY HAMILTON, SHILPA SHAMAPANT AND SHELLEY ADAIR

64 12 | AUSTIN WOMAN | MARCH 2021

MONICA MORALES, TANIA LESKOVAR-OWENS, CHRYSTAL SMITH

SHALEIAH FOX, PENNY BRANDT, MONICA VON WAADEN

NAKEENYA WILSON, KRISTEN HUGULEY, DR. CHELSEA M. GRAY

KATHLEEN ZIMMERMANN, NANCY KRENEK, CAROLYN SCHWARZ

VAL BENAVIDEZ, NAYA DIAZ

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COMMUNITY FIRST — FROM START TO FINISH

APRIL 11 – 30

CONTRIBUTORS This month, we asked our contributors: Who’s a woman you admire who broke all the rules?

A PUBLICATION OF AW MEDIA INC.

VOLUME 20, ISSUE 7

RUDY AROCHA Photographer, “The Queen of Curiosity,” Page 46

DAWN WESTON

• Can’t wait for summer

Publisher

•W ill never take for granted being able to shower again

NIKI JONES

Creative Director

•N eeds a snowmobile in case it ever snows (like it did) in Austin again

CY WHITE

Woman he admires: “No doubt, Notorious RBG!”

Managing Editor DARBY KENDALL

MADELYN GEYER

Copy Editor

Writer, “The Moon Looks Glorious,” Page 44 •C ompleted one marathon and five half marathons

PARKE BALLANTINE

Director of Events and Branding Strategy

•T he Outer Banks in North Carolina is her favorite place on the planet

OLIVIA HUNTLEY, KATY MABEE

•S tudied abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland, during college

Account Executives ANNE COX

Operations and Production Coordinator CONTRIBUTORS

Editorial: Brianna Caleri, Madelyn Geyer, Monica Godinez, Jenny Hoff, Allie Justis, Darby Kendall, Hannah J. Phillips, Meghan Ross Art: Rudy Arocha, Anne Marie Bloodgood, Michael Thad Carter, Gaby Deimeke, Constance Doyle, Karla Gryzmala, Anton Komar, Romina Olson, Jessica Wetterer INTERNS

Paige Cissel, Madelyn Geyer, Monica Godinez, Allie Justis, Janelle Marquez, Chloe Young

AW MEDIA INC. MELINDA GARVEY

KIP GARVEY

Co-founder/Co-owner

CEO/Co-owner

SAMANTHA STEVENS

Co-founder

ASHLEY GOOLSBY

CFO

Austin Woman is a free monthly publication of AW Media Inc. and is available at locations throughout Austin and in Lakeway, Cedar Park, Round Rock and Pflugerville. All rights reserved. To offer feedback, email feedback@awmediainc.com. For submission information, visit atxwoman.com/jobs. No part of the magazine may be reprinted or duplicated without permission. Visit us online at atxwoman.com. Email us at info@awmediainc.com. 512.328.2421 | 7401 West Slaughter Lane, Austin, TX 78739

Woman she admires: “Diane Keaton is a woman I admire who broke all the rules. She dismantled and continues to dismantle how women thought they should dress, act and age in film and real life. She’s an unconventional badass!”

JESSICA WETTERER Illustrator, “Women In Numbers,” Page 24 • Is currently living in Quintana Roo, Mexico • Loves scuba diving with sharks •H as eaten some form of taco for the past 30 days straight Woman she admires: “Frida Kahlo was a badass artist and original rule breaker. Not only did she pursue and win the heart of a famous artist, she then became one herself. I love her for living her life by her own rules: with passion, conviction and a little bit of gender-bending fashion.”

MONICA GODINEZ Writer, “Women In Numbers,” Page 24 •O nce received a signed letter from former President Barack Obama •M osh pitted with Travis Scott during Kanye West’s concert • Has dyed her hair 11 times in six years Woman she admires: “In recent years, Democratic representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has taken the nation by storm. I hold AOC in high regard as she continuously inspires women and Latinx individuals to fight against intolerance and injustice.”

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Let’s all take a minute and just stop. Take a deep breath. We deserve it. Our city and state have been through a lot. There is a considerable amount of mental and physical anguish that we have all endured. Let’s remember to be kind to ourselves and others as we heal from the crisis that we experienced together. We are all stronger on the other side and we can be proud that the people of our community took care of one another. How amazing it is to see humans coming together to help their family, friends and strangers get through a disaster. Local businesses stepping up and helping their communities. It really shows that we are all in this together. It’s truly inspiring. Flip to page 19 to see what our followers shared about how they survived the 2021 Winter Storm. Look for our special Woman to Watch section highlighting some of the women leading Austin’s nonprofits. We partnered with I Live Here I Give Here to share a little more information on them and 2021 Amplify Austin Day. This month our theme is “Troublemakers.” Troublemakers get a bad rap, right? But look at what a troublemaker really is. It’s those people who create change. Question the norms. Those who do things their own way and break barriers. The stories in these pages speak to women who are doing just that. They don’t take no for an answer, and they open another door when one is closed. These women are inspiring our community on a daily. Our cover woman, Lisa Eggerton, talks about how timing and taking calculated leaps are worth the risk to reach your full potential. We also sat down with Ballet Austin to discuss how they are investing in equity and changing the traditional boundaries of ballet. We hope that these “troublemakers” inspire you to set your goals high and take the risks that you need in order to get there. Remember that your only limit is you.

DAWN WESTON PUBLISHER

DIAMOND-LEVEL PARTNER

PLATINUM-LEVEL PARTNERS

Photo by Romina Olson.

Publication of Austin Woman would not be possible without the support of our monthly advertisers and sponsors, who believe in the impact we are making in the Austin community. The following businesses have stepped up their support of our efforts beyond traditional advertising and we are proud to recognize them as our partners. The team at Austin Woman is grateful for these businesses that have shown their commitment to the advancement of women in Austin and hopes you, as readers, recognize their efforts and support these businesses and all our regular advertisers.

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Can’t get enough of this issue? Check us out at atxwoman.com.

Riders Against the Storm “Flowers for the Living,” the latest release from Riders Against the Storm, is a vibrant celebration of Black culture and Black lives. Amber Lee Diamond Influencer and Austin native Amber Lee Diamond chats about love, representation and her life-changing experience on MTV’s Are You The One? Champions of Change Meet the nominees of Divinc’s Champions of Change, an awards ceremony that honors those who are using their platforms to help create spaces for those who are underrepresented. Leti Garza Leti Garza has always used her voice to spread light. She spoke with Austin Woman about her upcoming album, “Borderland,” and her desire to be a voice for the voiceless. Don’t forget to visit and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

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WIN THIS! UNCLUTTERED CONSULTATION Ready for a little spring (cleaning)? After this February we’re sure everyone is! This month, we’ve teamed up with one of our partners: Uncluttered. One lucky winner will get a two-hour virtual consultation with founder, Helen Bohuslav, to tackle any room of your choice (valued at over $130). Uncluttered Austin was founded in 2019 and offers a variety of options to add organization and improved function to your home, office or any space you can dream up. Enter to win by following us @austinwoman on IG. We’ll choose a winner at the end of the month. 18 | AUSTIN WOMAN | MARCH 2021

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Riders Against The Storm photo from “Flowers for the Living,” directed by Justin Humphrey. Amber Lee Diamond photo by Anton Komar. DivInc photo courtesy of DivInc. Leti Garza photo courtesy of Leti Garza. Uncluttered photo courtesy of Uncluttered.

CONNECT WITH US

COMMUNITY VOICES: THE 2021 WINTER STORM In February, Austin was hit with one of the most historical winter storms to pass over the Lone Star state. As we dealt with water shortages, power outages and food scarcity we saw a rise in community support, outreach and care. Our followers share some of the lessons learned and surprises from our shared adversity.

“

HOW WE SUPPORTED EACH OTHER

WHAT SUPRISED US How How How How How

much water we use supportive everyone was unprepared we were cold it can get inside resilient we are

How much we learned

”

The average number of layers we wore morning, noon and night to keep warm

Donations to local organizations and groups • Sharing water and heat • Hosting guests and neighbors Dispersing helpful information Food exchanges • Laughter and comfort • Teaching emergency skills

NEIGHBORS

PETS

CARDS DRAWING

THINGS THAT GOT US THROUGH

CANDLES

SOCIAL MEDIA Responses from Instagram poll

Special Advertising Section

TIN WOMAN S ’S AU

HOME SURVIVAL GUIDE

We’re all spending a lot more time at home these days. Now that spring has (hopefully) sprung, no doubt you’re looking to clean up and organize your current home. Or maybe you’re even in the market to upgrade to new digs. To help out we’ve pulled together a list of some local experts who can lend a hand no matter what you’re thinking.

CONCIERGE GARAGE CLEANOUTS

KONCEPT GARAGE

REAL ESTATE WITH GRACE AND GRIT

ROOTS RESIDENTIAL GROUP

Imagine finishing your Tabata class while your kids grab their sidewalk chalk and the laundry spins behind you... all inside your “amazing garage.” This team of professional organizers transforms the most problematic garages into clean, functional spaces that connect you to your amazing life. The best part is they need less than one hour of your time to do it. Go ahead, launch your Etsy store and run it from your organized-forever garage (or maybe just take a Peloton class). konceptgarage.com

Roots Residential is a curated team of real-estate experts and masterful negotiators providing exemplary service with grace and grit. Led by founding broker, Wendi Slaton Anderson, we treat everyone with respect and work diligently toward a favorable outcome for all. We know Austin, we know real estate and we want to know and grow with you. Roots Residential Group is progressive, community focused, creative and cool. rootsre.com

VIRTUAL INTERIOR DESIGN (EDESIGN)

SEVEN INTERIORS Seven Interiors specializes in eDesign, a DIY online design service that is an affordable alternative to hiring an interior designer for traditional full-scope design services. Packages include to-scale furniture layout, realistic concept and mood boards, clickable shopping list and designs tailored to fit your personality and lifestyle. The best part? We provide you with a professionally designed room or entire home you can implement on your own timeline. seveninteriors.design

Special Advertising Section

IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL ORGANIZING SERVICES

UNCLUTTERED AUSTIN Uncluttered Austin provides both home- and businessorganizing services, individualized to your personal needs. From small spaces to full home organization, packing and unpacking, we offer support with purging and creating a simpler life. Uncluttered is focused on supporting women in our community. We donate 5% of each project to Black Mamas ATX. Mention Austin Woman for $75 off five hours of in-person organizing services, or $50 off five hours of virtual services. unclutteredaustin.com

HELPING PEOPLE MAKE SMART HOME DECISIONS

DOYENNE INSPECTIONS Doyenne means “a woman who is the most respected or prominent person in a particular field.” Whether you are building, buying, selling or maintaining your home, Doyenne Inspections is always striving to live up to that name. We are happy to host a socially distant walk-through or virtual review. We explain the general condition of the home and talk through any major issues that need to be addressed, mentioning items that can be monitored for future maintenance. All findings are detailed in our mobile-friendly report. doyenneinspections.com

REAL ESTATE AND INVESTMENT COACHING

TROXCLAIR RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE At Troxclair Residential Real Estate, our team can help you make the booming real estate market work for you through an investment strategy that will create lasting wealth. We help clients stay ahead of the curve to sell their property for top dollar, build their investment portfolio or find the perfect home for their unique family. Connect with us for a complimentary investment strategy consultation based around your individual goals, along with contractor estimates. troxclairresidential.com

EXPERTS ON AUSTIN REAL ESTATE

LINDSAY NEUREN GROUP A third-generation Austinite, Lindsay Neuren brings a unique perspective to her clients looking to buy and sell in her beloved hometown. With over a decade of experience, the Lindsay Neuren Group’s vast knowledge of the diverse neighborhoods helps their clients find the area in Austin that best fits their lifestyle. Whether you’re relocating, buying your first home, moving within the Austin metro area or investing in the Austin market, their team will share their expertise and professional approach with you. lindsayneurengroup.com

STAFF PICKS

SORRY NOT SORRY

We ask the staff three things they did that might have seemed crazy when said out loud, but they have zero regrets about. ANNE COX PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

I absolutely despise going grocery shopping. I’ll put it off for weeks until I’m living off ramen noodles. The thought of having to spend an hour in a crowded grocery store stresses me out! Once the pandemic hit, I started doing H-E-B Curbside for all my groceries since they started offering it for free, and I haven’t looked back. I get everything I need right from the app, and I save money because I don’t buy things I don’t need. Reality TV has replaced my typical “going out” nights and I’m not mad about it. I definitely miss going to bars and clubs with friends, but I also have found that staying in with a couple bottles of wine or to-go margaritas can be just as fun. Whether it’s American Idol Sunday, Bachelor Monday or Drag Race Friday, my roommates and I always know how to have a great time even from our living room.

PARKE BALLANTINE DIRECTOR OF EVENTS AND BRAND STRATEGY

As part of my senior thesis, titled “Anti-Racism as an Identity for White Queers,” (modeled after the book White Men on Race: Power, Privilege, and the Shaping of Cultural Consciousness by Eileen O’Brien and Joe Feagin) I interviewed seven self-identified white queer anti-racists about their racial awareness and perspectives on a variety of topics. The film and subsequent audio series was screened at the Pride Film Festival and on campus. I was initially uncertain to share my own analysis, not wanting to claim expertise when no substantial research had been done. I ultimately felt good. These topics are essential to helping all white people understand how our consciousness is shaped, especially the multifaceted paths for healing our notions of superiority, even when we have intersecting identities that are marginalized. In 2012, with other queers and femmes in the Bay Area, I created a short film series called Femme Gang to address inequities within the queer community and larger communities for femmes. The erasure of femme, the stigma and demeaning of femme and the violence and abuse that femmes face were all centered through comedic and empowered visuals. I was nervous to come out as femme and proud but felt it was a conversation that needed to happen and ultimately felt fabulous doing so within and for my community. In 2018 the New York Post asked me to speak publicly about my consensual non-monogamous marriage. I was nervous to speak publicly about something that is misunderstood and often stigmatized: women’s sexuality, women’s empowered sexuality and definitely unapologetic queer sexuality. The article was somewhat sensationalized, but I was ultimately proud to own who I am and show another version of what healthy, loving relationships and sexual empowerment can be for everyone, but especially for femmes and women.

22 | AUSTIN WOMAN | MARCH 2021

All photos courtesy of respective staff members.

This was a few years ago, but adopting my sweet kitty, Tommy! When I moved away for college my parents were very adamant that I shouldn’t adopt a pet because I wouldn’t have time to take care of it and I would end up giving it to them. Five years later, and Tommy boy and I are still the best of friends. He’s been with me through three apartment moves, a pandemic and most recently a winter storm. I don’t know what I would do without him.

OLIVIA HUNTLEY ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Moving away from New York was a change I don’t regret. Then a few months later, I rescued a dog from halfway across the country, sight unseen. One other funny thing I don’t regret is chopping off my long locks less than a week after meeting my boyfriend.

“”

I rescued a dog from

CY WHITE

halfway across the

The first time I remember actually shaking some tables was when I was about 9 or 10 years old. I took my illustrated Bible to school when I was in third grade. Not because I was particularly religious, even at that age. I just genuinely hated being told I couldn’t do something, and in the ’90s, at least in my school, there was a rule that Bibles weren’t allowed. Obviously I thought that was complete and utter stupidity. So I did it, because how dare someone tell me I can’t?

country, sight unseen.

MANAGING EDITOR

Fast forward to high school. Sitting in my history class. We had a substitute that day. A casual friend of mine was attacked by a huge football player right in front of the substitute teacher. I found a police officer after school and reported him. The kid, of course, got a slap on the wrist (the kind of typical “he’s the quarterback” stuff you see in movies), but I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

All photos courtesy of respective staff members.

Leap to 2018. I get an opportunity that I can’t refuse. I’ve been writing about South Korean music for almost a decade now. But prior to 2018 I never actually wanted to visit the country. No reason. Just wasn’t interested. Well, I got the opportunity to cover one of the biggest music festivals (and the biggest punk festival) in Asia, Zandari Festa...for free! I went by myself and stayed for three weeks. Everyone freaked out, but having been to the country twice I know that 2018 trip was the best decision I’ve made in a long time.

MADELYN GEYER EDITORIAL INTERN

I’m not much of a risk-taker or a rule breaker (hopefully that will change in the future), but there’s one change I made I have no regrets about and rules I’ve broken before: I moved halfway across the country by myself in 2018. In continual pursuit of my goals, I’m not afraid to break social rules by being bold and reaching out to people first instead of waiting for them to come to me. I’ll break fashion rules once in a while. Like getting ridiculously dressed up for something very casual.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 23

COUNT US IN

WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION BUILD THEIR OWN EMPIRES

Women in construction are renovating the rules surrounding male-dominated industries. BY MONICA GODINEZ ILLUSTRATIONS BY JESSICA WETTERER

13% On a national scale, women own 13% of construction firms today.

10.9% In 1964, women made up 6.5% of the construction industry—a number that increased to 10.9% in 2020.

10% Overall 10% of women-owned startups are concentrated in construction.

$39,000 The Austin Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction has awarded up to $39,000 in scholarships to young students pursuing a future career in the construction industry.

24 | AUSTIN WOMAN | MARCH 2021

91% Despite the underrepresentation in the industry, women’s earnings equal 91% of the earnings of their male counterparts.

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EDUCATING THE GENIUS GENERATION! Established in 1875, we are Austin’s oldest institution of higher learning and only Historically Black College and University (HBCU). Support HT’s Genius Generation, Amplify Huston-Tillotson University, March 4th-5th, 2021 amplifyatx.org/donate 900 CHICON STREET, AUSTIN, TX 78702 | 512.505.3000 | htu.edu

FROM THE DESK OF

CINEMATIC REBELS

The Austin Chronicle’s Editor-in-Chief Kimberley Jones recommends five films featuring women stirring up revolutionary trouble. BY MADELYN GEYER

Kimberley Jones, editor in chief of The Austin Chronicle, ruminates daily on the state of things. “There’s a lot of ugliness in the world. It can be easy to get cynical and beaten down, especially now during a pandemic. I have an editor’s column where I speak directly to our readers and I feel that responsibility. Not to be sunshiny when things are gloomy, but to be a force of good and try to help where we can,” she remarks. Jones landed a job as a proofreader at the Chronicle right out of college. After a brief screenwriting adventure in Los Angeles, she returned to Austin and moved between positions at the Chronicle until becoming editor in chief in 2016. She’s always found her passion in alternative media, which “was founded explicitly to question authority, demand transparency and to stir up trouble,” she says. Jones astutely knows that “sometimes being able to be a force of good is to shine a light on terrible things happening in our community. That’s often how change happens.” Before becoming editor in chief, she oversaw the film section as screens editor. Jones believes critics and film reviews can be a force for good as well. “It’s our job to point people in the direction of great work.” Jones does just that with her list of five recommended films about women stirring up trouble.

THE LADY EVE The screwball comedy is my very favorite genre, maybe because screwballs are so often about mouthy women stirring up trouble and tweaking traditional gender roles. Think Katharine Hepburn, Irene Dunne, Claudette Colbert or, in the case of this sterling 1941 picture, Barbara Stanwyck, who plays a card sharp who cons Henry Fonda into falling in love with her…twice. Even when he breaks up with her, there’s no question who’s in charge when she growls, “I need him like the ax needs the turkey.”

BORN IN FLAMES This rousing vision of radical feminism filtered through alternative history imagines a revolution brewing among women who are fed up with being secondclass citizens. Emphatically rough-edged and low-budget—and all the more potent for it—Born in Flames broke ground when it was first released. Few ’80s films were foregrounding Black and queer lives. Forty years later, its depiction of mass protest against systemic oppression feels more relevant than ever.

RAISE HELL: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MOLLY IVINS The shadow of former Texas Observer editor, nationally syndicated columnist and professional rabble-rouser Molly Ivins looms large in Texas, especially for those of us working in progressive media. This affectionate 2019 documentary by Janice Engel does a fine job summarizing Ivins’ extraordinary career and that famously cutting tongue. This 2010 comedic riff on The Scarlet A, starring Emma Stone in her breakout role, has some surprisingly nuanced ideas about gender expectations, sexual stigmatization and the way misinformation moves on social media. The ’80s and ’90s teen sex comedies I grew up with were fairly crude and, well, almost always about dudes. I’m jealous the generations after me have Easy A’s Olive to relate to.

KNOCK DOWN THE HOUSE This documentary’s look at the grassroots campaigns of four progressive female Democrats trying to win congressional seats in the 2018 midterm election is seriously inspiring, even when you know going in that three out of the four failed in their bids. Spoiler: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pulled off the win. It’s a treat to have a front-row seat to her perseverance and monster charisma. 26 | AUSTIN WOMAN | MARCH 2021

Photo courtesy of Kimberley Jones.

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START THE CONVO

CLIMATE JUSTICE IN CENTRAL TEXAS

Environmental activism in Central Texas is essential to conserve its biodiversity. BY DARBY KENDALL

Central Texas is home to more than just friendly neighbors, fantastic food and beautiful views. Due to its unique placement in the state, the area is also a biodiversity hotspot. Seven different ecoregions all come together on the Edwards Plateau, creating an environment of unmatched biodiversity deep in the heart of Texas. Unfortunately, habitat destruction, climate change, pollution of surface water and threats to underground water from oil and gasrelated projects like the Permian Highway Pipeline has jeopardized this diversity. Texans like Rae “Purly” Gates, co-founder and chief instigator at Clean Energy Now Texas (CENT), don’t take the threat to natural resources lightly, choosing to volunteer their time to climate justice and environmental activism. “When the [Permian Highway] Pipeline showed up with the proposed route that was a mile and a half from my cabin door, I got very involved. Our community has a lot of aging hippies like me in it...a lot of us were former activists in our 20s and 30s,” Gates says. “We were able to organize meetings; we were able to get together and stay in communication about what was going on.” Though Gates and her neighbors throughout Central Texas put up a public fight against the pipeline for over a year, the line is now in full service as of January 2021. The outcome of their battle wasn’t ideal, but it did bring awareness to the issue of environmental protection to many Texans. Katherine Romans, executive director of Hill Country Alliance, a nonprofit organization that works to preserve the natural resources and heritage of Central Texas, has seen communities gain a new environmental awareness. “When the Permian Highway Pipeline was coming in, communities were seeing that the process is so slanted towards the oil and gas companies having this blank check to basically design their pipelines in a black box and not involve any community participation, any landowner involvement. That has elevated the need for changes to the way pipelines are routed within the legislature,” she says. “We're hopeful that this is going to have started the conversation.” For many, the conversation around climate justice is just beginning to ramp up as time runs out to reverse, or even slow, climate change. There is still much to fight for when it comes to the environment. Texans in particular are in a unique position to pressure representatives who are historically backed by the oil industry. A main focus for CENT is putting pressure on The Railroad Commision of Texas, the inaptly named agency that regulates the oil and gas industry in the state. 28 | AUSTIN WOMAN | MARCH 2021

“The Railroad Commission basically has been one of our prime targets for action, because the Railroad Commission does not do its job to protect public health and the environment during the construction of pipelines and other infrastructure,” says Gates. “Oil and gas will not stop without pressure. We have to change the laws.” Holding elected officials accountable for accurately representing their constituents and local interests in clean energy is an essential step toward environmental protections in our state. “Increasingly, elected officials and community leaders at all different levels of government are seeing the need to put community values and community resources first,” says Romans. “As we have more folks moving to our state, our population is growing, and communities just want to have more of a say on where that infrastructure is routed and how it impacts their local natural resources.” The approach to attending town hall meetings and in-person protests has shifted due to the pandemic, so Gates suggests taking this time to educate yourself on the issues and attend virtual events. “The pandemic has radically changed, globally changed the way protest is being held,” Gates says. “Since the pandemic, there have been a lot of new ways that we've been protesting. CENT organized a week of action, the last week of July...and it was all done online until the final event on Saturday. We had petitions that people could sign; we had phone numbers of legislators with sample scripts for calling to your representative that week.” Now is an ideal time to reach out to representatives because the Texas Legislature is in session through the end of May. With sessions occurring only every other year in Texas, these next couple of months are crucial for environmental action on the legislative level. Though contacting government officials can seem a daunting task, Romans emphasizes that you have to make your voice heard and occasionally be a bit of a troublemaker in order to protect the planet. “I feel like when you know that what you are fighting for is right, you have to be willing to make a little bit of trouble...and stand up to an industry that's typically been given so much free rein to run roughshod over small communities and individual landowners,” she says. “I feel like it's critical to be willing to take risks and do what needs to be done to make your voice heard. We won't have changes without that.”

HOW TO START THE CONVO Do your research. Look locally. Find a local environmental nonprofit whose mission you agree with and reach out. See what kind of volunteer efforts they need and offer your time to benefit their work. Educate yourself. Use the plethora of online resources available to learn what environmental threats may be occuring in your area, as well as other pipelines and oil-centric projects arising that need national attention. Contact your representative. From the city council members to the state and national senators that represent you, be vocal about your interests in climate justice. Don’t be afraid to cause a little trouble.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 29

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WOMEN to WATCH Our pages are full of stories of Austin’s most engaging, empowering and successful women, and this section is specially designed to provide you access to even more incredible role models and success stories. Be part of this amazing group and share your story with thousands of women. Contact us at sales@awmediainc.com or call 512.328.2421 for more information. PHOTOS BY ROMINA OLSON

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D A N I E L L A D . LY T T L E

AT T O R N E Y A N D M A N A G I N G PA R T N E R , LY T T L E L A W F I R M , P L L C

aniella Lyttle is the managing partner at Lyttle Law Firm, PLLC, a boutique law firm in South Austin with attorneys specializing in family law, immigration law and wills and estates. The firm, currently consisting of three highly regarded attorneys, has over 30 years of combined experience. Lyttle is also a credentialed mediator, litigator and serves as the senior attorney of the firm. She oversees the strategic vision and company culture. Originally from Brazil, Lyttle moved to Austin from Florida in 2003 after completing her contract as an Army medic in an infantry unit. One of Lyttle’s constant areas of focus is building a firm where diverse clients, both in Texas and internationally, have access to high-quality legal services, provided in a transparent, honest and ethical manner. The firm offers legal services in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French and Russian. lyttlelaw.com

32 | | AUSTIN WOMAN | MARCH 2021 32 SPECIAL PROMOTION | ATXWOMAN.COM

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ELLEN TROXCLAIR

F O U N D E R , T R O X C L A I R R E S I D E N T I A L R E A L E S TAT E G R O U P

llen Troxclair is a public policy creator, nonprofit leader, bestselling author and founder of Troxclair Residential Real Estate Group. As the youngest woman to serve on the Austin City Council, she made a name for herself as a principled advocate for accountable spending and lower property taxes. Named a “Champion Woman” by the Independent Women’s Forum, Troxclair has taken her leadership skills in public office to real estate. She has been recognized as one of the best Realtors in the business by both the Austin Business Journal’s Profiles in Power Awards and Platinum Top 50’s Realtor Awards. She and her husband, Caleb, are the proud parents of three children and are devoted to showing them the importance of giving back through nonprofit volunteer work and community involvement. She has built a thriving business in the community through hard work, perseverance and a passion for others. Troxclair is ready to be your best advocate in navigating Austin’s challenging real estate market. troxclairresidential.com

ATXWOMAN.COM | SPECIAL PROMOTION | | 33 ATXWOMAN.COM 33

EMPOWER AND UPLIFT WOMEN IN OUR COMMUNITY ON AMPLIFY AUSTIN DAY Amplify the good in our community when you support local nonprofits March 4 and 5. From providing essential food, shelter and safety, to empowering young girls to be confident leaders and study STEM fields, to keeping mothers healthy and creating support networks for women entrepreneurs, there are many nonprofits here in Central Texas working day in and day out to improve the lives of local women. On Amplify Austin Day (March 4-5), our community’s biggest day of giving organized by nonprofit I Live Here I Give Here, you can find hundreds of local nonprofits in need of your support on amplifyatx.org. In a year defined by unprecedented challenges and unmatched dedication to stepping up services during a time when they are needed most, a gift of any size goes a long way to ensure that Central Texas women will receive help and support beyond the pandemic.

From Girlstart, Latinitas and Black Mamas ATX, to the Girls Empowerment Network, YWCA Greater Austin, Truth Be Told and Les Dames d’Escoffier, there are numerous organizations making today and tomorrow brighter for girls and women in our city. In this special “Women to Watch: Amplify Austin Day Edition,” you’ll learn about some of these organizations and the generous women in our community who are paving the way for a more equitable, more vibrant and more prosperous future. You’ll also discover how you can play an important role in shaping that future.

Advocate for the causes that inspire you.

Search by keyword and cause category, and you will find nonprofits with missions centered on women’s health; youth education; advancing racial equity and social justice; providing safety and resources for refugees and victims of violence; equipping women with tools, professional trainings, workwear and networks to succeed as business leaders, creatives and entrepreneurs; supplying breast milk for infants and support systems for new parents and so much more. If there is a cause or issue that personally moves you, it is likely that a Central Texas nonprofit is working to address it, right here in our backyard.

On Amplify Austin Day, your gift goes further through matching dollars and prize incentives generously donated by I Live Here I Give Here’s partners, and joins with gifts from thousands of others in our community for an amplified impact. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to maximize your donation!

Beyond Amplify Austin Day, I Live Here I Give Here aims to make it easy for anyone—individuals, couples, families, groups and businesses—to give back to the community in a way that is meaningful for the donor and transformational for local nonprofits. Use amplifyatx.org year-round to volunteer, fundraise, donate and advocate for the causes that inspire you. When we connect with the causes we care about and get involved with local nonprofits, we cultivate the spirit of generosity that makes Austin the place we all love to live.

Find a cause that inspires you and get involved today at AmplifyATX.org. Join the generosity movement on social media and share how you give back using #ILiveHereIGiveHere.

Armstrong Community Music School (ACMS)

Liz Cass, Executive Director Liz Cass is the executive director of the Armstrong Community Music School and the founding executive producer of Local Opera Local Artists (LOLA). She is also an active performing opera singer. ACMS believes in the transformative power of music and that access to music and musical study belong to all. acmsaustin.org

Art Beat Foundation

Lindsay M. Palinsky, Executive Director A lifelong dancer and theater practitioner, Lindsay M. Palinsky applies creativity to all aspects of her life. As the executive director of the Art Beat Foundation, she combines years of hands-on dance teaching with over 15 years of nonprofit experience. Palinsky is dedicated to bringing the arts to underserved populations. artbeatfound.org

Austin Center for Grief & Loss

Kim Nugent-Anderson, Executive Director Kim Nugent-Anderson is the executive director of The Austin Center for Grief & Loss. Nugent-Anderson is a former television news reporter and litigation attorney who began supporting nonprofits after her own battle with late-stage cancer. Nugent-Anderson is passionate about assisting people as they move from grief to a place of healing. austingrief.org

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Austin Junior Forum

Tonya Riley, President, 2020-2021

Tonya Riley is the current president of Austin Junior Forum, a nonprofit women’s volunteer organization supporting Austin’s women, children and elderly through hands-on community service and grants to its service partners, funded by the Christmas at the Caswell House event. AJF’s Teddy Bear Program provides Austin’s first responders with stuffed teddy bears and dalmatians for children in crisis situations. austinjuniorforum.org

Austin Threads (a division of San Antonio Threads)

Cathy Hamilton, Founder and CEO Court-appointed special advocate Cathy Hamilton has witnessed the indignity of teen girls selecting used bleached underwear from a barrel. This inspired her to bring San Antonio (and Austin) Threads to life. It’s a retaillike environment where often overlooked teens in foster care can shop for free. Hamilton has impacted the lives of those suffering neglect and abuse. austinthreads.org

Austin Speech Labs

Shilpa Shamapant and Shelley Adair, Co-founders In 2008, speech therapists Shilpa Shamapant and Shelley E. Adair co-founded Austin Speech Labs to support stroke survivors and their loved ones in rebuilding their lives. This dynamic organization provides intensive, affordable and innovative speech and cognitive therapy, conducts research with partnering universities and trains hundreds of aspiring speech therapists. austinspeechlabs.org

ATXWOMAN.COM | SPECIAL PROMOTION |

DivInc

Monica Morales, Partner/ VP of Development Monica Morales is partner and VP of development at DivInc, building partnerships that provide funding for critical resources to support women and underrepresented entrepreneurs. She has over 15 years of experience in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Previously, Morales served as interim executive director for the Central Texas ADA. linkedin.com/in/monica-morales-divinc

Austin Center for Grief & Loss

Foster Angels of Central Texas

Tania Leskovar-Owens, Executive Director Tania Leskovar-Owens is the executive director of Foster Angels of Central Texas, an organization that aids children in foster care and provides a sense of normalcy. Under Leskovar-Owens’ leadership, Foster Angels has implemented additional programming called “Guide to Thrive” that specifically serves the needs of youth aging out of care. fosterangelsctx.org/tania

Foster Village

Chrystal Smith, Founder and CEO As a licensed foster parent, Chrystal Smith saw the gaps in the system firsthand. This inspired her to launch the nonprofit organization Foster Village Inc. Since 2016, Foster Village has served thousands of families throughout Central Texas and is changing the landscape of child welfare from the ground up. fostervillageaustin.org

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Fresh Chefs Society

Shaleiah Fox, Co-founder and Board Chair Shaleiah Fox is an advocate and philanthropist who has worked to turn her personal journey through the foster care system into positivity wherever possible. In 2011, she co-founded Fresh Chefs Society, a local nonprofit committed to empowering young people aging out of foster care through the power of food. freshchefs.org

Golden Hornet

Penny Brandt, Ph.D., Managing Director Penny Brandt is a musician, mother and musicologist. Frustrated by elitism in classical music, she found her calling as an arts leader through the Women Composers Festival of Hartford. Now she works with Golden Hornet to reimagine classical music through programs like String Quartet Smackdown (Alamo on Demand: March 27). goldenhornet.org

HopeAustin

Monica von Waaden, Founder and Executive Director Monica von Waaden is the founder and executive director of HopeAustin, a local nonprofit endeavoring to “create opportunity through food security.” HopeAustin ensures food security, hope, dignity and respect to 2,500 students in 82 schools across six school districts. Prior to HopeAustin, von Waaden raised two sons with her husband, Mark, was a domestic violence attorney and a special education teacher. hope4austin.org

ATXWOMAN.COM | SPECIAL PROMOTION |

Huston-Tillotson University

Nakeenya Wilson, Vice President of Institutional Advancement Nakeenya Wilson serves as the vice president of Institutional Advancement at Huston-Tillotson University. She is a Leadership Austin alumni, volunteer commissioner for the City of Hutto, member of Impact Austin and 2020 Texas Conference for Women Target Storyteller honoree. Wilson is also the former executive director of Black Mamas ATX. htu.edu

Leander Educational Excellence Foundation (LEEF)

Kristen Huguley, Executive Director Kristen Huguley leads the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation as the executive director. She has impacted multiple nonprofits through community involvement programs, marketing strategies and assisting in national emergencies to ensure the nonprofits could best serve the community. Huguley currently serves as the board chair of the Leander Chamber of Commerce. leeftx.org

March of Dimes

Dr. Chelsea M. Gray, Chair for the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction Dr. Chelsea M. Gray is the chief anesthesiologist and medical director at Oakwood Surgery Center in Austin. As chair for the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction, Gray is passionate about helping others and understands the importance of reducing the risk of prematurity and poor birth outcomes in Texas. Gray, grateful for her own three healthy children, believes that every baby deserves the best possible start. marchofdimes.org

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Not Your Ordinary School (NYOS) Charter School

Kathleen Zimmermann, Executive Director Kathleen Zimmermann is the executive director of Not Your Ordinary School (NYOS) Charter School and has garnered more than 25 years of experience within the fields of education, operations and financial management. Now she's leading the charge in the construction of a new campus facility for NYOS, opening Summer 2021. nyos.org

ROCK, Ride On Center for Kids

Nancy Krenek, PT, DPT, HPCS, CEO/Founder Nancy Krenek is a pioneer researcher and therapist in equine-assisted services, promoting “Healing Thru Horses” for children, adults and veterans throughout Central Texas. In 1998, Krenek founded ROCK in Georgetown, TX, where she currently serves as CEO. She is also a professor and leader at TAMU. rockride.org

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas

Carolyn Schwarz, Chief Executive Officer Carolyn Schwarz joined Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas as CEO in 2013. Previously, she led Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM), which provides access to health care for Austin's musicians. Recognitions include Austinite of the Year at the Austin Under 40 Awards and an Austin Business Journal Profiles in Power Award. rmhc-ctx.org

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The Texas Freedom Network

Val Benavidez, President and Executive Director Val Benavidez is a longtime organizer who started by organizing fellow students at the University of Texas. Today, Benavidez leads the Texas Freedom Network, a nonpartisan grassroots organization of progressive religious and community leaders and young Texans. She is the proud daughter and granddaughter of Mexican immigrants, farmworkers, railroad builders and all-around rabble rousers. tfn.org

YWCA Greater Austin

Naya Diaz, Executive Director Naya Diaz is on a journey to impact marginalized communities of color and break intergenerational cycles of injustices. Her hope is to create a community that strives for justice and individual as well as communal liberation. Diaz believes revolution starts in the heart and leads into our policies and legislation. ywcaaustin.org

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ATXWOMAN.COM

I Live Here I Give Here is centered around advancing generosity.

Here are some of the numbers that show the impact they have had on our community. $69 million unrestricted dollars raised for local nonprofits over the past eight years on Amplify Austin Day 35 million actions for good (including volunteer hours donated, dollars given and social media advocacy posts) counted across Central Texas over the past four years on #GivingTuesday 30,000+ donors stepping up to give on Amplify Austin Day each year 675+ Central Texas nonprofits participating in Amplify Austin Day 550 Central Texans trained to be generosity leaders in our community through the Austin Involved Board Internship Program and See Us Give SPECIAL THANKS TO:

HUSTON-TILLOTSON UNIVERSITY

HEALTH ALLIANCE FOR AUSTIN MUSICIANS (HAAM)

Colette Pierce Burnette is the president and CEO of HustonTillotson University, Austin’s oldest institution of higher learning and only Historical Black College and University (HBCU). Since President Pierce Burnette’s 2015 arrival to our capital city, she has been a woman on a singularly focused mission: ensuring that any and all barriers to her students’ success are elucidated, deconstructed and, ultimately, obliterated.

Rachel Hanss Blair is deeply committed to HAAM’s mission of providing access to affordable health care for Austin’s working musicians. As COO, Blair leads HAAM’s musician program development and health care delivery model creation.

myhaam.org

htu.edu

BUILDING COMMUNITY FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR THROUGH POLICY EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING Programming includes education around policing, black art, affordable housing and beyond.

Central Texas Tortoise Rescue was created to help care for, rehabilitate, and re-home pet box turtles and tortoises whose owners could no longer keep them. They now help more than a hundred animals every year, and are passionate about ensuring each animal has the best possible chance at thriving. texastortoiserescue.com

Mission: Austin Justice Coalition serves people who are historically and systematically impacted by gentrification, segregation, over policing, a lack of educational and employment opportunities, and other institutional forms of racism in Austin.

austinjustice.org

SEE HER WORK

THE MOON LOOKS GLORIOUS

Florist Leanna Rinaldi conveys a warm, desertinspired aesthetic in her unique floral designs. BY MADELYN GEYER

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Rinaldi expresses gratitude that she’s always been able to do something she loves as her job. “I’m a very creative person, and I’m really glad that I was able to transition from ballet to this and not have to sacrifice my artistic side when I had to stop dancing.” Though no longer pirouetting, Rinaldi brings a ballerina’s grace and a nature lover’s soul into her exuberant and rejuvenating designs.

Photo by Constance Doyle.

he moon changes tides, transforms men to werewolves and inspires Leanna Rinaldi, the founder of Moon Flora Studio in Austin. “I just love the moon,” she says. “If the moon is looking glorious, I’m going to point it out.” As a former ballerina, Rinaldi spent much of her life in studios and liked the idea of her floral designs emerging from an art studio. After dancing professionally for eight years, Rinaldi retired from ballet due to a career-ending injury. Dancing was her entire life, so the thought of what to do next was a terrifying prospect. It couldn’t be just any job, but a career that creatively fulfilled her artistic soul. “I had a lot of time to think while I was recovering from surgery,” Rinaldi reflects. “In that time, I decided to retire and start a business.” But what would the business be? Rinaldi adored flowers. She found peace and rejuvenation in them. “I’m very drawn to nature, so all my creations are really influenced by it,” she muses. Flower power, one might say. Even while dancing, she was never far from this passion. “I chose to intern with a floral design company in Miami when I was with the Miami City Ballet and I just fell in love with it. It didn’t feel like work to me.” Rinaldi founded Moon Flora Studio in August 2020, the name perfectly encapsulating her passions. Opening a business during the pandemic is not for the faint of heart, but Rinaldi was tired of waiting. “I said, ‘You know what? It’s never going to be the right time. So I’m just going to go for it.’” Rinaldi’s warm, earthy arrangements are inspired by the California desert, nature and the heat and color of Miami. She explains, “I like to pick unique flowers that many people don’t use and incorporate dried flowers, because they bring light and texture to everything. I like that you can reuse them as well.” Rinaldi strives to dismantle the idea of what floristry should be, sometimes including foraged sticks or leaves in a design. “I want to stay away from the stark, old-fashioned way of arranging flowers. From the typical ‘greenery and roses’ type of thing. I want my designs to be joyful and awe-inspiring.” To some, floristry is simply tossing spray-painted flowers in a vase. Rinaldi shows that floristry is a graceful art form, requiring the same precise choreography as a ballet performance. When designing for a wedding, small gathering or special occasion, Rinaldi uses the client’s vision, colors and themes to bring materials together. “We’ll discuss the vibe they’re going for, whether that be rustic or classic, the vessels they’d like and then go from there.” The process of approaching each arrangement as a detailed work of art and showcasing floral beauty in unique, ethereal arrangements brings Rinaldi—and her clients—incredible joy. “I discovered that I love to put smiles on people’s faces,” she says. “I want people to look at the flowers and say, ‘Wow, I’ve never seen that before.’”

Top left photo courtesy of Mackenzie Smith Photography. Top right photo courtesy of Leanna Rinaldi. Top center and bottom photos courtesy of Heritage Stills and Films.

I want my designs to be joyful and awe-inspiring.

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THE QUEEN OF CURIOSITY BigCommerce CMO Lisa Eggerton tackles the world with wide eyes and an open mind. BY HANNAH J. PHILLIPS, PHOTOS BY RUDY AROCHA SHOT ON LOCATION AT BIGCOMMERCE

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All clothing by Estilo, 2727 Exposition Blvd., estiloboutique.com.

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Lisa Eggerton knows how to tell a good story. Born in New Orleans, a city steeped in narrative, the arc of her decadeslong career unfolds as more of a novel with colorful plot twists than the bio of a C-suite executive who has helped take not one, but two Austin tech companies public in the last nine years. While a love of storytelling rarely appears in the job description for leaders in the tech industry, Eggerton considers it one of the driving forces of her career. An early love of reading instilled the curiosity and open mindedness that would become Eggerton’s calling card—first, in the advertising world of New York and San Francisco, and now, in Austin’s booming tech community. Growing up as an only child, Eggerton recalls relying on reading for companionship, escape and a source of joy. A favorite was Harriet the Spy, whose titular hero always carries a marble-covered composition book to jot down her observations on life as an 11-year-old. “I think I still have Harriet the Spy moments,” says Eggerton. “She’s not a role model, per se, since she’s not always a likeable character, but I gravitated toward her love of observing other people. It’s such a great book about being curious.” Eggerton’s own curiosity eventually led her to live in the same location as the book’s setting, New York City. After earning a literature degree from Tulane University, she left her hometown with a college friend on the Amtrak Crescent, a 30-hour train ride from the Big Easy to the Big Apple. Arriving in New York City with a suitcase and duffle bag, Eggerton waited tables before finding her first job as a production assistant with a group called Festival Productions. The jazz festivals evoked her New Orleans nostalgia, but the role was seasonal; August found her searching for freelance work until festival season resumed in the spring. When the owner of Festival Productions mentioned a junior position in the company’s marketing division, Eggerton decided to accept—at least until April, anyway. “I wasn’t particularly interested in corporate marketing at the time, but I decided to give it a try,” says Eggerton. “It ended up being an extraordinary job. American Express was their main client, and I learned so much. I shifted into that role and never went back.” The shift was more natural than it might render on paper. Eggerton went from assisting the talent at large music festivals to helping American Express roll out new programs for its platinum-level card holders. Where nearly every contemporary credit card company offers some form of membership feature today, AmEx was revolutionary in its late-’90s rollout of premium perks.

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“I got to do things that no other young woman living in a seventh-floor walkup in New York would ever get to do,” Eggerton recalls. “We produced Julia Child’s 80th birthday party where the highest level cardholders could have lunch with her and celebrate her birthday. On the one hand, I was sharing a can of Goya beans at night with two roommates; by day, I’m at the Four Seasons with Julia Child.” Eggerton revisits that juxtaposition with palpable gratitude. Some opportunities just come down to perfect timing. “I hate when women attribute success to luck because it can do such a disservice to drive and hard work,” she says. “I typically don’t do that, but in this case, it was just pure luck that the clock ran out on the jazz festival job because I would have capped out.” Instead, Eggerton established herself in the marketing world, working in New York for almost a decade before relocating to San Francisco. Like her first job at Festival Productions, the Bay Area move was not an opportunity she actively pursued, but it sparked her curiosity and presented a new career storyline. In New York, she had become one of the only women on a leadership team in a recently acquired company, Euro RSCG (now Havas Creative). As the company expanded to California, she recalls chatting with her CEO about why the new offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco weren’t coming together as they should. “I remember him telling me, ‘I’m not interested in admiring problems; I’m interested in solving them,’” says Eggerton. “He said, ‘If you have a better way, move there and go fix it.’” So she did. Within the month, Eggerton left her apartment, friends and New York network, moving to California as general manager of the company’s West Coast division. Looking back, she imagines the move may seem impulsive at first glance. But she submits that decisions can have short timelines without springing from whim. If anything, Eggerton’s signature curiosity, sifted like a diamond through high-pressure environments, has crystallized over time into a robust set of criteria for approaching each new career choice with confidence. “I always ask if something will propel me forward in a way that’s exciting and gratifying, something that puts me on a new trajectory,” she says. “I don’t operate with a five-year plan or destination in mind. Instead, I evaluate opportunities based on whether the space has enormous potential; whether I will be good at it and bring value to the role; whether it will be challenging and teach me something new and whether it will excite and energize me because I am able to have an impact.”

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“”

I feel particularly comfortable being a truth-teller; I’m unafraid and unapologetic about tackling a difficult challenge.

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Applying those filters, Eggerton often knows early in the process if it’s a yes or no, and she has also made a point throughout her career to consult various mentors along the way. Stressing the importance of bringing in as many unique perspectives as possible, she finds value in striking a gendered balance when exploring new ventures. Of course, as the only woman on male-dominated leadership teams in the early years of her career, seeking a male perspective was often a more practical than personal choice. “For me, it was partially a necessity to translate some of my ideas in a way that was more consumable by my peer set,” Eggerton says. “The world isn’t going to adapt to my communication style, so I’ve had great male mentors who act as a proxy for my audience.” Even as the workforce evolved over the last two decades, she consistently invited a variety of opinions when coming to a new crossroads. “I often see female leaders only seeking advice from other female leaders,” she says. “And while I never want to discount the value of that, it can become one-dimensional. There are plenty of things I’ve explored with male mentors, colleagues and friends because I value their viewpoint on impact, blind spots and development areas.” Today, Eggerton is in a career stage where she more often seeks advice from peers than mentors, but she still prioritizes the value of different perspectives and applies the same criteria. She moved into her current position as chief marketing officer (CMO) at BigCommerce by asking the same questions she always has. After leaving her last position as CEO of Umbel, Eggerton intended to take a year off and focus on personal projects. When the BigCommerce opportunity came up, she knew almost immediately that the position ticked all the right boxes. “I knew that eCommerce is an industry that was poised to grow dramatically,” says Eggerton, “and I looked at the market conditions and saw that the company could be a flyer. I also looked at the leadership team and recognized that they had the experience necessary to take this high-growth company to a great outcome.” Ultimately, Eggerton also saw that it would be a win for Austin, which became a new criteria after moving here in 2010. Drawn by the city’s bootstrapping spirit of innovation, she worked on strategic growth initiatives at Dell before becoming CMO at Bazaarvoice. There, she was part of the leadership team that took the company public in 2012, which not only set the precedent for her later position as CEO at Umbel, but also for taking BigCommerce public in August of last year. “Austin has been generous to me,” says Eggerton. “Being part of a company and taking it public, I saw what that did for employees going on to start their own company, or buy a house, or do something bigger. At BigCommerce, I wanted another win for Austin, and I wanted to work for a company where there was care for having an inclusive environment. There’s no opportunity so compelling I would take it if it wasn’t.” BigCommerce met Eggerton’s criteria both practically and personally. Where market conditions and potential for impact were practical considerations, inclusivity was—and remains—deeply personal. Apart from her own experience as the only woman on a leadership team, Eggerton says her definition of inclusivity has expanded in recent years because she has a transgender child transitioning from female to male. “Those teens have the highest suicide rate of any cohort, and a component of that is that they don’t feel seen for who they are,” says Eggerton. “I take that as a life-or-death matter now, not a discretionary issue. Going through this with my kid has shifted my lens to make me think more expansively about what it means to have welcoming environments where you can be your most authentic self.”

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From her own experience, Eggerton believes it’s not a choice to care about inclusivity when you have only worked in an environment with a 50/50 leadership team, or even 60/40. “I see what it’s like when you are one of the few or the only person in a room, and that needs to change,” she says. “I have a strong sense of self, so I can hold my ground in environments when it’s not there, but the fatigue of it adds up.” For Eggerton, examples of discrimination span a spectrum from the overt disrespect of prospective investors addressing questions to her male CFO, to smaller patterns of gender bias like being the automatic point person for administrative questions on business trips with male colleagues. In the past, when she first noticed her former colleagues—well-meaning male peers—leaned on her to coordinate meetings and dinners, she gently pushed back. “I just stopped answering,” says Eggerton. “For months, I just said I didn’t know when dinner was or where we were meeting until one of them finally realized and they all caught on: I am not here to coordinate with you; I am your peer and no more well-equipped to manage the specifics. Those are the little things—and these are guys I love who are compassionate, ethical people and allies—but the accumulation of little things can create an environment where you have to fight for your seat at the table.” Besides their cumulative effect, Eggerton argues that these unintended slights can actually be more painful and difficult to face directly. Getting in the ring is one thing, she says, but the innate instances of discrimination are both more disappointing and exhausting. “And we wonder why women tap out!” she says. “Part of it is they don’t see themselves reflected the way they want.” Tackling the issue has to be a joint effort. While men have to be receptive to both overt and subtle experiences, women have to get comfortable sharing those examples as they would any other feedback, in depersonalized, approachable ways. Eggerton encourages women to sit in that discomfort—even when it means literally sitting on your hand instead of raising it to volunteer for additional responsibilities. Flipping the myth that women need to show commitment in order to get ahead, Eggerton has seen how overstretching yourself can actually distract your attention from creating the highest value in your career.

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Ironically, she learned this particular lesson after volunteering to be the executive sponsor for a diversity group at a previous company. Managing speaker programs, setting up diversity surveys and creating employee resource groups, Eggerton realized the role was not only draining her but detracting from her ability to perform to her highest potential as an executive. She recognized that she was already representing diversity and inclusion, and further, that the initiative would actually have a greater impact not coming from her. “I realized what a terrible message it sends that the woman in charge is responsible for fixing the women problem,” she says. “I had to go back to my CEO and say, ‘I know I took this on, but I also have some very aggressive targets to reach, and this should be more equitably distributed among the team.’” When the CEO not only agreed but got personally involved in the program, the change happened much faster than it might have otherwise. The resulting message had a far greater impact on company culture. “Together, we were able to fix that, and it was much more powerful not being led by a woman,” says Eggerton. “In the end, it sent a much stronger signal that it’s not women worried about women, but a company committed to an inclusive workplace.” Apart from producing much quicker cross-functional results, Eggerton notes that the shift recused her from a burden that wasn’t hers, which in turn freed her to advance in her own role. After all, isn’t that the point of such initiatives? The collaborative problem-solving— her desire to call in, rather than call out—showcases Eggerton’s trademark ability to see both the forest and the trees, to trace the overarching story in each unfolding subplot. To a degree, that ability to see potential stumbling blocks as opportunities is just the sign of a good marketer, whether optimizing internal systems, identifying new target consumers and sales tactics or finding new gaps in the market and creating new features to meet them. On the other hand, this discernment comes full circle with Eggerton’s natural curiosity and love of storytelling. Ultimately, that’s where she’s comfortable calling herself a troublemaker. “I feel particularly comfortable being a truth-teller; I’m unafraid and unapologetic about tackling a difficult challenge,” she says. “I’m not out here creating a disruptive way to invent a spleen, but I’m changing the world in my own ways by making it more inclusive, being curious and pushing forward.”

ATXWOMAN.COM | 53

RAISING THE BARRE

A ballet company humbles itself and learns how to commit to diversity in meaningful ways. BY BRIANNA CALERI

Ballet, Michelle Martin points out, is about creating lines.

ENACTING CHANGE

“Everything that you’re looking for in classical ballet relates to establishing a line through the body,” she says. “If you are wearing dance clothes—particularly tights on your legs—that cut your line... then you’re doing a disservice to the dancer and you’re not moving anything forward.” For as long as there have been ballet dancers of color, they’ve been forced into the wrong shades. It’s not a superficial difference. It affects the dancer’s sense of belonging as well as their actual performance and appearance of belonging. In 2019, an article in the Guardian celebrated the UK’s first line of pointe shoes to match Black and brown skin. It shouldn’t be revolutionary, but it is: dancers at Ballet Austin wear the right colors for their skin. Martin is the associate artistic director of Ballet Austin, one of the 15 largest classical ballet companies in the United States. With Martin’s help alongside Artistic Director Stephen Mills and Executive Director Cookie Ruiz, Ballet Austin is tackling these obvious practical issues and much larger, more ambiguous ones in a racial equity company reboot. Ballet Austin has known for decades that the medium carries a centuries-long reputation both as an impeccable art and an impenetrable bastion of white, upper-class culture. Around four years ago, the company got involved in nationwide initiatives that lit a new fire under its equity efforts. Since then, through intensive audience research, internal auditing and goal-oriented industry conversation, Ballet Austin has been identifying which historical lines need breaking, and which ones can be fortified with its influence. Ballet Austin is nationally celebrated for Mills’ choreography work, which is not only progressive in style, but in humanitarian substance. His original work Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project was recognized in 2006 by the Anti-Defamation League with the Audrey & Raymond Maislin Humanitarian Award. Martin teaches alongside him, acting as a mentor for dancers as they move through the company’s various pipelines from early-childhood training to national renown. Meanwhile, through administrative efforts, Ruiz supports securing funds to subsidize those pipelines and maintain stability for those dedicated to the art form. As COVID-19 shuttered arts organizations, the trio remained on task. The dancers had to be engaged as athletes, and everyone on staff had to be paid. Ballet Austin had to keep offering art to its audience, especially as the world became desperate for healing in any form. The company had to put its allyship training to work as the country descended into protests and even insurrection. Ruiz sums up the organization’s existential responsibility: “Whether or not there’s a performance really doesn’t matter in terms of Ballet Austin’s obligation to employing our artists.”

Three and a half years ago, Ballet Austin was invited to participate in a nationwide program sponsored by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation called The Equity Project: Increasing the Presence of Blacks in Ballet. Twenty-one of the largest ballet companies in the U.S. (who are also the largest employers of dancers) gathered together under the leadership of Dance Theatre of Harlem, The International Association of Blacks in Dance and Dance/USA for coaching on creating a more equitable national landscape in ballet. Participants flew from city to city for two years of conferences and conversations about doing more than simply hoping for more equity by putting detailed practices in place. Toward the end of the program, Ballet Austin’s answer was to put together an employee-led task group that would carry those principles forward. The Equity Leadership Team, as it’s now called, then commissioned an internal landscape analysis run by an external consultant. The results showed a lack of conversation at Ballet Austin about race. As much as Mills, Martin and Ruiz had been talking, it wasn’t reaching ears throughout the rest of the company. To keep up, they’ve continued undergoing allyship training, while Martin started moderating optional small-group discussions with the rest of the staff. Ruiz succinctly points out the need for “organizational opportunities for individuals to do individual work.” Finding more diverse representation on the board of directors had also proved difficult over years of wishful thinking. Starting with low representation in a small group, Ballet Austin was moving the needle one person at a time. Progress was slow, and strides were undone the moment anyone left. To commit more deeply to its goal—35% BIPOC representation on the board—for the past three years, Ballet Austin assembled nominating committees that were entirely made up of people of color. Like any nominating committee, they reach out to prospective members and invite them to performances and events to continue to let the work speak for itself. The difference is simply a more welcoming face to those who would worry they don’t belong in ballet. This is the lament of many white-led organizations trying to invite members of color through good intentions alone. Martin points out, “What I’ve heard a lot of people say—and I’m sure these words left my mouth as well—‘We just don’t see a lot of people of color who come to our auditions.’ If you’ve been excluded and harmed for generations...if you don’t see others that look like you in an organization, why would you want to present yourself?”

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Photo by Anne Marie Bloodgood.

Photo by Michael Thad Carter.

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While the Ballet Austin team is building nominating committees, it’s also looking into starting a paid internship and an apprenticeship program for BIPOC college students. Getting them involved just before graduation could widen the company’s admin talent pool past the same kinds of applications that have been coming in for years. This way, Ruiz explains, the company will be less reliant on “the luck of the draw” while rushing to fill gaps. A similar program, Ballet Austin II, has been in place for dancers since Martin established it in 1999. Catching dancers early in their careers, as dramatic as it may sound, means developing talent in children and getting them ready to hit the dance floor running, so to speak, when they hit 18. From then and until they’re 23, they become a part of Ballet Austin II. There they take classes, perform with Ballet Austin and receive health services, eventually moving on to the main company or one of the 42 others across the U.S. contracted with the program. Right now, nearly 80% of Ballet Austin dancers come through this pipeline. This type of development is common with professional dance companies. This also means the diversity issues that are common to ballet are already coming up before a dancer even signs up to audition. One of the shifts Martin made in recent years is reexamining the training organizations Ballet Austin II is sourcing from. The program is now fostering partner relationships with institutions that work specifically with young dancers of color, including the Chicago High School for the Arts and the International Association of Blacks in Dance. Martin also recognizes the barriers even those dancers, who seem set up for success, face. Parents are often worried about sending their Black children away at the cusp of adulthood to a Southern company, to work in an industry that historically mistreats them. Even if they wanted to, they might not be able to afford it. Countering both issues takes continuous work and relationship-building. Over time, personally validating the experiences of BIPOC dancers in one-on-one discussion and maintaining scholarships like the Butler Fellowship Program could invite more diverse dancers to step onto its stage. CONSTANT GROWTH A dancer’s career onstage, like any athlete’s, is short and could end with an injury or, say, a pandemic, at any time. While Ruiz’s concern is getting those dancers through the door, Martin’s is making sure these young dancers fighting for coveted jobs are not only growing in ways they think others want to see. “That’s not how artists are developed,” she says, through an exasperated chuckle. So why should an arts organization put itself under the same stress? During an intensive audience research program, Martin and Ruiz realized that developing a connection was more complicated than showing the audience what Ballet Austin thought they were ready for. “My only lens previously had been what we wanted people to get from what we were doing,” Martin says. “That is not what people necessarily come to you for, and that’s often not what they find.” The invite-only research program that upended these assumptions was run by the Wallace Foundation and took a year of applications and audits to qualify for. Just three dance companies were admitted to the group of 25 arts organizations: Ballet Austin, New York City’s Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre (whose Texas-born founder is famous for preserving Black contributions in dance) and Seattle’s hugely popular Pacific Northwest Ballet. Each company had a different goal. Austin’s was to learn to engage audiences in their new, less familiar offerings, while traditional stories like Swan Lake and The Nutcracker regularly sell out. In its write-up, the Wallace Foundation notes that there were two simple things drawing Austin audiences in: “the social experience of spending time with family and friends at an event and the emotional or intellectual reward of experiencing the art itself.” Ballet Austin also learned that familiarity with the experience of attending a ballet was more important to ticket buyers than familiarity with the story itself. The company was suddenly, measurably free to widen its repertoire past the unfamiliar. All they had to do was explain it. One project Martin is excited to unveil to audiences over the coming years is a triptych of children’s ballets highlighting non-Western European cultures, starting with Filipino folktales choreographed by Ballet Master Alexa Capareda, who came up through Ballet Austin’s Butler Fellowship Program. This is a tangible result of another continuous line, created by ballet, from scholarship to training, to staff, to audience, including the children and families who are familiar with how folktales are told, even if they’re less familiar with Filipino lore. Other audience members may see themselves in the non-white narrative and go on to take public classes at Ballet Austin, some of which are free thanks to the money they spent on ticket sales and donor subsidies. The cycle begins again. Ballet Austin knows results will come slowly, and only if they’re willing to put ideas out. Their hypothesis that framed their Wallace Foundation audience was wrong. Their internal culture audit found unflattering blind spots. They didn’t know exactly what to say when the country cried out about police brutality, but their simple online statement of support led to an invitation from Black Women in Business to join their ongoing food drive. Of course, cultural leaders have to do their due diligence, but they will often be wrong, and they can’t afford to let that fear keep them from making necessary trouble. Ruiz embraces the opportunity to rebuild after the pandemic—not just getting things back to normal, but elevating them to a more equitable space. She promises, “We have no intention of putting it back the same.”

Which ballet step represents you as a person? Ruiz: “As an executive director, it’s probably most fitting that I would identify with the grand jete. Because to me, it represents my ongoing desire to take those large leaps forward on behalf of our artists and through our mission.” Martin: “A pas de basque. This is not a flashy step. It’s a very grounded movement. It requires managing dynamics of energy and coordination. I am not a flashy person; I strive to be very grounded.” What’s something traditional that you love? Ruiz: “I’m deeply impacted each year by the capacity of The Nutcracker, which is very traditional. To bring so many people together...over all these years, seem[s] to celebrate family. But family…in a way that reaches across ages and races and cultures and ethnicity and just brings us together as a community.” Martin: “I love corps de ballet work…because I love to watch the power and the community that is created by a group of women working together. We don’t have a company that has a lot of cookie-cutter bodies. The challenge and the beauty, to me, is creating a unison and a symmetry out of people’s energy and the dynamics of the way in which they move.” What’s your favorite way to make trouble? Ruiz: “My favorite way to make trouble is through advocacy. To me, that means showing up and standing up and speaking up for a greater cause.” Martin: “Right now…the thing I’m most passionate about is racial justice and racial equity. I wouldn’t call myself a troublemaker, but I think we, as white leaders, have all gotten ourselves into some trouble, and we all have to work together to get ourselves out.” ATXWOMAN.COM | 57

RECIPE REVEAL

GRIYO, BANNAN PEZE AND HAITIAN PRIDE

Chef Nahika Hillery offers fresh perspectives to change the Haitian narrative in America. BY ALLIE JUSTIS

When Chef Nahika Hillery set out to bring

Haitian cuisine to Austin with her famous food truck Kreyól Korner, she had a uniquely difficult task. She was attempting to become a pioneer in the Austin food scene where she would be the first to showcase the rich culture that Haiti has to offer. But Hillery says that she doesn’t just want to stop there. Her main passion is to change the narrative of how many Americans see Haiti in general. “Just being of Haitian descent, my dad always jokes that I’m 200% Haitian,” says Hillery. “I just felt a responsibility to my culture, being a Haitian ambassador, to find a way to bring a piece of home to my new home here in Austin. “I want to find ways to highlight Haitian culture in a positive light because in the media there’s a misrepresentation,” she continues. “Haiti is only talked about when it comes to the natural disasters and the poverty, but we also have this eclectic, vibrant culture. If [I could highlight] that here, then I would feel like I am fulfilling something that was missing.” Even though her food truck is retiring, she is in the process of creating a cloud kitchen that would be able to cater, deliver and more. “Moving to the cloud kitchen model allows us to be able to offer customers food being delivered to their door rather than in person,” says Hillery. “It helps cut down on costs and helps us provide higher quality food for our customers. It’s actually really nice, and I’m loving the cloud kitchen concept for our next step.” One mainstay recipe of Kreyól Korner is griyo with bannan peze, or fried pork with fried plantains. Hillery says this dish has a special place in her heart. “Griyo is our best seller on the truck, but it’s also one of the most popular dishes in Haiti,” she says. “From how it’s cleaned, to how it’s marinated, to how it’s cooked, I feel it’s very unique to Haiti and Haitian cuisine, so I really wanted to highlight griyo the most.”

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GRIYO AND BANNAN PEZE: HAITIAN FRIED PORK SHOULDER AND FRIED PLANTAINS Serves 4 people; Prep time: 20 minutes; Total time: 1 hr 30 minutes

Ingredients Epis (seasoning base):

Fried Pork & Plantains:

6 garlic cloves

2-3 lbs pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch cubes

1/4 cup vinegar

1 tablespoon vinegar

2 tablespoons lime juice

3 limes, juiced, separated

1/4 cup canola oil

2 cups water

Fresh parsley, to taste

1 tablespoon seasoning salt

1/2 green bell pepper

2 sprigs thyme

1/2 red bell pepper

1 Scotch bonnet pepper

1/2 onion

3 tablespoons canola oil, for frying

1 Scotch bonnet pepper

1 plantain

2 cloves 2 scallion stalks 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon adobo seasoning 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon

Sauce (optional): Saved pork broth 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 bell pepper, julienned 1 onion, julienned

Directions 1. Add all of the epis ingredients into a blender and blend. Set aside. 2. W ash pork in water with vinegar and the juice of 2 limes. Let it sit in the mixture for about 2 minutes, drain and rinse off with cold water. 3. I n a large bowl, take the epis blend and pour it over the drained pork shoulder. Massage the epis into the pork shoulder evenly. Cover bowl and marinate for a minimum of 1 hour (for best results, refrigerate and marinate overnight). 4. Over medium-high heat, place marinated pork into a pot and allow to brown for 3 minutes. Add water, seasoning salt, thyme, Scotch bonnet pepper and juice from 1 lime, then cover the pork and cook for 45 minutes. Remove pork from broth and set aside. 5. To make the sauce, using the pot already containing pork broth, add tomato paste and mix well. Add bell pepper and onion and mix. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes. Keep warm for serving. 6. I n a separate pan, bring frying oil to 350 degrees and fry pork for 1 minute or until it has browned evenly. Remove and set aside. 7. Prepare a bowl of salt water for the plantains. Peel the plantain. Cut by the bias into 5-6 slices. Fry in the oil for 2 minutes. 8. F latten plantain with a flat-surfaced item (i.e., plate) and then soak in salt water for 10 seconds. Fry again for 1-2 minutes until golden brown, then serve immediately with fried pork and sauce. Pair with red beans and rice.

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INVESTING IN CRYPTOCURRENCY

What you need to know about this industry disruptor. BY JENNY HOFF

Cryptocurrencies are block-chain-based digital technology that theoretically you could use to make purchases, although few places currently accept them as a form of payment. However, at the time of this writing, Bitcoin, the original cryptocurrency that came out more than 10 years ago, has reached an all-time high, surpassing $40,000 per coin. Its most recent bump came after Elon Musk, who recently moved his foundation to Austin, announced he invested $1.5 billion in the digital currency and in the near future Tesla would accept it as a form of payment. To put the growth of this industry disruptor into perspective, just over three years ago, one coin cost less than $1,000. Even for wary investors, it’s hard to ignore growth like this, regardless of if they’re unsure what these coins represent and if they’ll be around in a year or two. There are many first-time investors wanting to reap some of the potential profits, whether it’s buying a fraction of a Bitcoin or investing in cheaper cryptocurrencies. However, unlike more stable investments, cryptocurrencies swing wildly, easily going up or down by thousands of dollars in a matter of days. “Whenever you’re investing in something, you don’t want to put in any amount of money you’re not willing to lose,” says Inc. 500 entrepreneur and investor Brian Evans. “There is always a risk element. That’s just the reality. But in this growing market, what’s happening now is a lot of things are going up.”

“”

How to buy cryptocurrencies If you’re looking to invest in Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency, it’s not as easy as buying it through E-Trade. You’ll have to download a Bitcoin “wallet” through a secure app, ensuring your bank will allow you to make the purchase via your debit card or linked checking account. You may need to provide identification. Once you buy the currency, you’ll need to store the code generated for you in a secure location. If you lose it, you lose all access to your coins and whatever value they may gain. To invest or not to invest? Currently there are many coins to choose from, ranging in price from less than a penny for a coin to tens of thousands of dollars per unit. Knowing which ones to buy takes research and time, but Evans says it’s wise to start with the original disruptors. Before moving on to more obscure and cheaper coins, “my advice to people getting into the market is to look at Bitcoin and Ethereum to start with,” says Evans. While it definitely feels like a bubble with such enormous growth in a short amount of time, there is future potential for digital currencies to become more mainstream. There is also technology behind them that can be used for other purposes. As of now, their worth is dependent on what people are willing to pay for them. If you believe Elon Musk’s move is the beginning of a new trend, it might be worth putting some money in the game. However, if you can’t see a future where cryptocurrencies stick around, you may be better off investing in an index fund, real estate or gold— investments that have a proven track record of steady growth and maintaining value.

Cryptocurrencies swing wildly, easily going up or down by thousands of dollars in a matter of days.

62 | AUSTIN WOMAN | MARCH 2021

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I AM AUSTIN WOMAN

YOU CAN’T SHUT ME UP

Meghan Ross finds her voice in comedy and raises it for all women and nonbinary people in the industry.

64 | AUSTIN WOMAN | MARCH 2021

This meant applying an inclusion rider and hiring a crew and lead cast made up entirely of women and people of color. I didn’t wait for anyone to give me permission to do it the way I wanted. That decisiveness is what led me to collaborating with my brother on my next two short films that premiered in The New Yorker last year—both “Daily Shouts” adaptations of hilarious, feminist pieces written by Sophie Kohn and Rebecca Caplan. While I can say I’ve found my voice over this last decade pursuing comedy and film, that doesn’t necessarily mean I’ve figured it all out. It just means I’ve come to realize what kind of impact I want my work to have, while recognizing there are gatekeepers and decisionmakers holding the keys to those industry doors. Unfortunately for them, I’m not that quiet, opposite-of-outspoken child with a sensitive stomach anymore. (Okay, I’m an adult with a sensitive stomach.) I’m a troublemaker, an Austin woman and someone who’s not going to shut up until the industry catches up.

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n paper (or internet), I might come off as the furthest thing from a troublemaker. As a kid, I was a good student, to a fault—I had a stomachache the entirety of second grade due to school-related anxiety. When my eighth-grade yearbook printed predictable quips about each student, mine was, “And Meghan’s busy stressing out over a test in the hallway.” For a decent chunk of my life, I checked all the non-troublemaker boxes: quiet, shy, introverted and whatever word the opposite of “outspoken” is. If I was to continue with the tropes, this would be the moment where I’d dramatically declare, “And then…I found comedy!” But that’s not how my journey went. I was already spending those formative years consuming all the comedy I could, from Strangers with Candy to In Living Color and Laverne & Shirley. So I didn’t need to “find” comedy. What I needed to find was my voice. (Cue studio audience response of “oohs” and “ahhs” for this corny-but-true reveal.) Once I found my voice, gained the tiniest semblance of self-esteem (thank you, therapy) and discovered firsthand the vast inequities across the entertainment industry, you couldn’t shut me up. I soon learned that the comedy theater where I trained, and the TV networks where I worked, didn’t value my voice or perspective. I had to figure out how to carve my own path in an industry infamous for not only keeping more doors closed than open, but binding them shut with a double-bolted lock. And if that didn’t work…try to shimmy through a window or find a side entrance. That’s when my co-creator, Liisa Murray, and I decided to produce our own late-night variety show, That Time of the Month. It was in direct response to the fact that despite the gender and racial diversity the New York comedy scene boasts, show lineups didn’t depict that at all. There weren’t even any late-night shows with female hosts on TV at that point back in March 2015, but we were determined to create one on our own, booking women and nonbinary performers in standup, improv, sketch, music and more. It took the aftermath of the 2016 election for my voice to get even louder. I had just moved to Austin and brought the show along with me. In its new form, I decided to infuse it with topics I cared deeply about—from reproductive rights to civil rights—and invite on experts and activists to educate us. It was during these last few years in Austin, as I got involved as a local activist myself, that I found a way to use comedy to make these issues more accessible for all audiences, while learning from the inspiring women and nonbinary leaders out there doing the work. Another aspect that was important to me was partnering with womenand-nonbinary-owned small businesses as show sponsors, many of whom had turned their side hustles into careers—a feat I, myself was chasing after with comedy. When I finally set out to write, produce and direct my first short film, An Uncomfortable Woman, I knew I wanted it to look nothing like the white male-dominated sets I’d been on up until that point.

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March 2021

Articles inside

RECIPE REVEAL Griyo and Bannan Peze

ON THE MONEY Investing in Cryptocurrency

SEE HER WORK Florist Leanna Rinaldi

FROM THE DESK OF Kimberley Jones

TONYA RILEY, CATHY HAMILTON, SHILPA SHAMAPANT AND SHELLEY ADAIR

VAL BENAVIDEZ, NAYA DIAZ

SHALEIAH FOX, PENNY BRANDT, MONICA VON WAADEN

MONICA MORALES, TANIA LESKOVAR-OWENS, CHRYSTAL SMITH

KATHLEEN ZIMMERMANN, NANCY KRENEK, CAROLYN SCHWARZ

COUNT US IN Women in Numbers

LIZ CASS, LINDSAY M. PALINSKY, KIM NUGENT-ANDERSON