Ariel Tavor | Most Influential Leaders to Watch in 2024 | Exeleon Magazine
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SAM MIZRAHI 22
ALEX HURWORTH
Pioneering Strategic Innovation in Financial Services
Founder & Managing Director
Founder and Managing Director of Lions Financial, is a visionary leader whose career exempli ies innovation, strategic thinking, and a commitment to client success in the inancial services industry.
With a deep-rooted family history in entrepreneurship and a decade of experience in Fortune 500 companies, Ariel has built Lions Financial into a premier irm that excels in delivering tailored inancial solutions. His approach combines precision, creativity, and a client-centric philosophy, positioning him as a key player in transforming the inancial landscape.
EARLY INFLUENCES AND CAREER FOUNDATIONS
Ariel's passion for inance was sparked by his upbringing in a family of entrepreneurs and investors, where he was immersed in business from a young age. "Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by conversations about investments, business strategies, and entrepreneurship," he recalls. This environment nurtured his natural curiosity for inance and investment, inspiring him to pursue a formal education in economics and inance. Equipped with a solid academic foundation, Ariel embarked on a career that began with prominent roles in Fortune 500 insurance and investment companies.
During these formative years, Ariel honed his analytical and strategic skills, gaining a nuanced understanding of global markets and client needs. His time in these companies revealed the potential of inancial services to drive growth, not only for individuals but also for businesses. "I realized early on that inance is more than just numbers—it's about creating opportunities and building a future," says Ariel. This exposure laid the groundwork for his future endeavors and ultimately inspired the creation of Lions Financial.
STRATEGIC VISION AND INNOVATION
Ariel's experience with Fortune 500 irms was pivotal in shaping his strategic approach to launching Lions Financial. Recognizing the limitations of conventional inancial services,heenvisioneda irmthatwouldoffermorethanjust standard inancial products. "I wanted to create a company that truly understands and addresses the unique challenges and opportunities faced by each client," he explains. Lions Financial was founded as an independent, diversi ied inancial services company, designed to provide a full spectrum of risk management, business consulting, and capitalsolutionstailoredtotheuniqueneedsofeachclient.
One of Ariel's de ining innovations at Lions Financial is the implementation of the "lion's hunting strategy," a meticulous approach to inancial planning and decision-making inspired by the strategic precision of a lion in the wild. This philosophy underscores the importance of careful analysis, strategic foresight, and agile execution, ensuring that clients achieve their inancial objectives with con idence. "Our approach is all about being strategic and precise—just like a lion hunts, we carefully plan and execute every move to ensuresuccess,"Arielnotes.
EXPERTISE IN RISK MANAGEMENT ACROSS INDUSTRIES
Ariel's expertise in risk management is a cornerstone of Lions Financial's success. He has developed specialized frameworks to address the distinct challenges of various industries, including trucking, hospitality, and technology. By tailoring risk management strategies to each sector's unique needs, Ariel ensures that clients bene it from customized solutions that mitigate risks and capitalize on opportunities.
For example, in the trucking industry, Lions Financial focuses on operational risks and regulatory compliance, while in hospitality, the emphasis is on inancial stability amidst market volatility. In the technology sector, Ariel's strategies revolve around protecting intellectual property and managing rapid innovation cycles. "Risk management is not a one-size- its-all solution," Ariel explains. "We dive deep into each industry to understand its speci ic challenges and develop strategies that are both comprehensive and precise."
This industry-speci ic approach to risk management has solidi ied Lions Financial's reputation for delivering value to clients across diverse sectors. "Our clients know they can count on us to protect their interests and help them navigate the complexities of their industries," he adds.
LEADERSHIP AND TEAM DYNAMICS
Ariel's leadership style is de ined by collaboration, empowerment, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. He fosters a culture of innovation at Lions Financial, where team members are encouraged to leverage their diverse backgrounds and skills to achieve collective success. "I believe in the power of a strong, collaborative team," says Ariel. "When everyone brings their unique perspectives to the table, we can achieve incredible results."
Under his guidance, the irm has assembled a talented team of professionals who share his commitment to delivering exceptional results. Central to Ariel's leadership is his belief in empowering individuals to take ownership of their roles and contribute to the irm's success. He actively supports the professional development of his team, providing opportunities for growth and leadership within the organization. "It's important to me that everyone on the team has the chance to grow and develop their skills," he emphasizes. "This not only bene its them but also strengthens our ability to serve our clients effectively."
This collaborative approach not only enhances team dynamics but also ensures that Lions Financial remains agile and responsive to changing market conditions. "In a fast-paced industry like ours, adaptability is key," Ariel notes. "Our team's ability to work together and innovate is what sets us apart."
UNIQUE SOLUTIONS AND CLIENT-CENTRIC SERVICES
Lions Financial offers a comprehensive range of services designed to meet the complex inancial needs of its clients. These include inancial planning, asset management, insurance solutions, and retirement planning. Ariel's focus on innovation is re lected in the irm's use of advanced inancial modeling tools, which allow clients to visualize potential outcomes and make informed decisions. "We believe in the power of technology to enhance our services and provide our clients with the best possible experience," Ariel states.
One of the irm's standout offerings is the SIRE system, a proprietary, four-step process that ensures a thorough and methodical approach to client solutions. The SIRE process includes:
• Survey: Gathering data to assess the client's current situation.
• Insight: Analyzing data to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities.
• Recommend: Proposing 2-3 strategic solutions with detailed pros and cons.
• Execute: Collaboratively implementing the agreed-upon solution with the client's leadership team.
"We designed the SIRE system to be a comprehensive, client-focused process," Ariel explains. "It ensures that every decision we make is
based on a deep understanding of our clients' needs and goals."
This structured, client-centric methodology enables Lions Financial to deliver personalized solutions that align with each client's speci ic business goals. "Our clients appreciate that we take the time to really understand their businesses and tailor our services to help them succeed."
FUTURE VISION: EXPANSION AND TECHNOLOGICAL INTEGRATION
Ariel's future vision for Lions Financial is centered on expansion and technological integration. He is
COVER STORY
committed to leveraging emerging technologies to enhance service delivery and client engagement. One upcoming initiative is the launch of a digital platform that will provide clients with real-time insights and personalized inancial planning tools, further reinforcing the irm's commitment to transparency and innovation. "The future of inancial services lies in technology," Ariel asserts. "We're excited to be at the forefront of this transformation and to offer our clients cutting-edge solutions."
In addition to technological advancements, Ariel is focused on expanding Lions Financial's geographic reach. By entering new
markets and forming strategic partnerships, the irm aims to serve a broader clientele while maintaining its high standards of service. "Expansion is a key part of our growth strategy," Ariel says. "We're looking to bring our expertise to new markets and help even more clients achieve their inancial goals."
Ariel Tavor's leadership journey is a testament to his dedication to precision, innovation, and client success. Through Lions Financial, he has created a irm that is not only responsive to the evolving inancial landscape but also proactive in delivering solutions that empower clients to achieve their inancial goals. With a clear vision for the future, Ariel continues to lead Lions Financial into new frontiers, ensuring that the irm remains a trusted partner for businesses and individuals alike.
His commitment to excellence and forward-thinking approach to inance has earned him a reputation as an in luential leader in the industry, positioning him to shape the future of inancial services with precision and innovation. "Our mission is to provide our clients with the highest level of service and to continually push the boundaries of what's possible in inancial services," Ariel concludes.
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Why Sustainability in New Real Estate Development Matters
Luxury Real Estate Developer Sam Mizrahi has served the Canadian real estate community for over 25 years. As the founder and president of Mizrahi Developments, Sam has become a leader in the development of large scale luxury condominiums in Toronto and Ottawa. His expertise stems from his experience in custom home developments in areas of Forest Hill, Lytton Park, Port McNicoll, and Richmond Hill. Mizrahi is committed to growing the high-end luxury marketplace while creating sustainable and environmentally friendly projects that will stand the test of time.
We sat down with Sam to discuss his approach when it comes to high-end real estate that can make a positive impact on our world.
S
Q: Why do you think sustainability matters when it comes to developing new properties?
Sam Mizrahi: The conversation around sustainability is no longer just a 'hip trend' in the real estate marketplace. It has become a part of the fabric of the industry and consumers are starting to expect it. Sustainable practices not only reduce environmental impact, but they can help cut operational costs and increase the long-term value of properties. By doing our part when developing new properties, we can contribute to healthier living conditions and boost the conversation of sustainability practices that people can use in their day to day lives.
Q: What is Mizrahi Developments doing to meet your goals for sustainable and environmental spaces?
Sam Mizrahi: When we start a new project it is really important that we take the time to have conversations with residents of the community and city leaders and see what kind of improvements we can make in their area. Once we get to the building process, we turn to green technologies. We use low-impact materials to reduce waste and emissions.
We also invest in renewable energy and ef icient waste management systems. Smart home technology is another great way to ensure owners and tenants are comfortable while conserving energy use.
Q: What can be done about older properties that weren't originally built with the same goals as properties of today? Can those spaces meet current standards?
Sam Mizrahi: Yes, absolutely. We are seeing really great innovations being implemented when it comes to renovating homes and condos in the industry. We are seeing more natural materials being used and alternatives that are more friendly to the environment. For those looking to renovate I would suggest taking a look at what can be saved and rehabilitated in the current space. Rather than replacing everything, you might be able to use original features like exposed brick to your advantage.
Q: What are the challenges that developers face when building sustainable properties?
Sam Mizrahi: I think it is important for people to realize that there can be higher costs upfront when building sustainably. The
materials that we use are of high quality. You can't cut corners. I think another challenge is knowing that you need to invest the time into making it all happen. Our team is constantly attending conferences, talking to industry professionals and doing research to stay up to date with the latest green measures that we can use in our developments. You need to be willing to commit 100% to sustainable and green practices.
Q: Where do you see the future going for the relationship between real estate and sustainable efforts?
Sam Mizrahi: I see the connection between the two getting stronger. I think that sustainability measures will remain an integral part of the industry well into the future. It pushes us to become innovative and ind ways to build smarter. Sustainable practices have allowed us to help curb costs for tenants and renters, which helps with in lation and increased demand for housing. Sustainability doesn't just positively impact the environment - it can have a transformative effect on the housing market and on the economy of a city or province.
Nurturing Compassionate Leadership
Wri en by Michelle Tyler
In environments with exemplary leadership and nontoxic workplace dynamics, the buzzword du jour is undoubtedly "empathy." A term that has become as ubiquitous as water coolers in of ice corridors, it's a concept everyone seems to grasp, yet only some truly understand. It might surprise many to learn that, in psychology, there are two types of empathy: emotional and cognitive. When a person experiences or can identify with the feelings of another and even share in their distress, that's emotional empathy in action. Cognitive empathy is understanding another person's point of view, opinions, and outlook not through emotion but through knowledge or awareness. It's a close cousin to emotional intelligence. Both types are
essential to great leadership, but is empathy enough when today's workplace demands understanding, tangible action, and genuine concern?
Enter empathy's nuanced sibling –compassion. The unsung hero in the narrative of effective leadership. Unlike empathy, compassion is a dynamic force, propelling leaders from awareness, understanding, and feeling to tangible action. It's the bridge between acknowledging employees' struggles and actively working to ind solutions to lessen or eliminate those burdens. In essence, compassionate leadership doesn't stop at empathizing; it compels leaders to create environments where everyone feels genuinely cared for.
Though the distinction between empathy and compassion is subtle, it is still signi icant. Leaders who comprehend this difference are more than just ticking off diversity and inclusivity checkboxes. They positively in luence workplace cultures where everyone, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, health, and disability status, feels valued, seen, heard, and embraced.
The outdated perception that leaders who demonstrate compassion are weak is a false narrative that diminishes and sti les organizational growth. By embracing compassion into management practices with awareness and intentionality, leaders can still handle weighty
Bridging the Gap Between Empathy and Action
duties while building solid foundations that foster a culture of trust, support, learning, and shared accountability. Leaders who respond compassionately to employees nurture a psychologically safe atmosphere that allows creativity, learning, and collaboration to thrive while boosting performance and company loyalty, all of which positively impact an organization's bottom line and competitive advantage.
Even so, the challenges leaders face when navigating the delicate balance between empathy and its proactive counterpart, compassion, persist. Many well-intentioned leaders ind themselves witnesses to employees navigating the rollercoaster of life, which often involves grappling with personal obstacles – the kind that hit hard, like losing a loved one, going through a divorce, facing an injury, becoming a caretaker, or dealing with chronic health issues. These aren't just road bumps; they're emotional avalanches that can tumble into the workplace, leaving a trail of impact on performance and well-being. It's like trying to juggle life's curveballs while balancing on a unicycle –challenging, to say the least. Leaders wanting to infuse compassion into their current leadership style should consider the following:
Work on becoming more present and aware. As Henry David Thoreau famously said,“...most…live lives of quiet desperation.” Quiet suffering can be discerned by observing unusual behavior or noticing abrupt changes in performance. Verbal and non-verbal signals such as lack of eye contact, tone of voice,
or physical agitation can all be calls for concern. Taking the initiative to privately and thoughtfully discuss these changes with an employee so you can collaborate on easing the burden is the difference between allowing an employee to cope in silence while struggling to perform and possibly failing or sharing in a solution-oriented approach to their setback that helps them reach their full potential.
Be ready to act and get creative on inding solutions that have the potential to alleviate an employee's burden so they can actively move forward to perform at their best. Things like creating space for a lexible work environment, expressing con idence in an employee's capabilities, introducing a reboarding program for those forced to take extended leave where they phase back into work with a reintegration plan, and considering parental transition support programs, which allows new parents to work part-time for a certain number of months after taking parental leave.
Everyone's experiences and struggles are worthy of consideration. Regularly check your biases to ensure you aren't making snap or automatic judgments based on beliefs that certain groups of people and their struggles are less than others.
Learning the art of active listening and regularly extending social cues that foster connection help to build relationships, and encourages empathetic responses. Strive to hear words while genuinely understanding the emotions and struggles behind them. Compassionate leaders go beyond
acknowledging dif iculties; they roll up their sleeves to collaboratively ind growth opportunities. Something as simple as making eye contact during a conversation without glancing at your phone makes a world of difference to those engaged in or perceiving the interaction.
Lead by example by demonstrating vulnerability and authenticity. Normalize leaders sharing their own challenges and growth experiences to create a culture that encourages psychological safety and continuous learning. Having regular meetings where employees feel safe to share successes and missteps creates learning opportunities for everyone. It inspires honesty and a sense of ownership that in luences others to ask for help should they encounter making mistakes of their own.
The call for compassionate leadership is not merely a trend but necessary in today's complex and diverse workplaces. While empathy lays the groundwork, compassion propels leaders to make a lasting impact. Practical implementation requires a deliberate shift from understanding to action – a commitment to creating workplaces where empathy isn't just discussed but demonstrated through compassionate leadership. The journey may seem daunting, but every step brings us closer to a workplace where everyone truly belongs.
Michelle Tyler is head of operations and a co-founder of New Era ADR. She may be reached at michelle@neweraadr.com.
The Keys to Maintaining Optimism as an Entrepreneur
Written by Abid Salahi
Optimism for entrepreneurs is almost a necessity for survival, at least in the beginning. It's had a rough go in the business world, where the concept is more preferably attributed with resilience and perseverance than pure optimism. It's worth noting that leaders who claim to be optimistic in the business world often are only “cautiously” so. It reminds me of the long stretch of time in the beginning where my company continuously generated no revenue but we stayed the course regardless of the challenges.
UNDERSTANDING THE ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET
What sets you apart as an entrepreneur isn't that you necessarily have innovative and new ideas but are willing to execute on them and see them to the end regardless of the outcome. This is all while making sacri ices in your daily life, whether it be missing
social events with friends or simply having time to yourself.
Optimism isn't just a personality trait but rather a crucial element in entrepreneurial success. Research in psychology and business studies has revealed that optimism helps entrepreneurs perceive opportunities where others see obstacles.
THE IMPORTANCE OF OPTIMISM FOR ENTREPRENEURS
Optimism helps you maintain a positive outlook despite numerous setbacks and uncertainties that are all too common while building a business from scratch. I started building my intech with a “cool” app idea that essentially generated no revenue in the beginning. To top it up, it wasn't free to build and had many monthly costs which I selffunded right from the start.
Essentially, with optimism you get entrepreneurs who are willing to invest more effort and focus on their projects to actually make it successful. Now how do you de ine success?
A study based out of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on dispositional optimism was able to ind a correlation between entrepreneurial success and dispositional optimism. This is where individuals take proactive steps to improve and protect their health while maintaining an expectation of future success across life domains.
Key Strategies for Maintaining Optimism
These are some of the strategies that I live by in order to maintain a positive outlook in my entrepreneurial journey:
FOCUS ON SMALL WINS
This one is quite signi icant. Instead of going for moonshots and hitting setbacks constantly, try to aim for smaller achievements which in turn will give you small victories. Everyone has big goals for their business and a certain vision of what it could be like one day far in the future, but that can also make your current smaller wins look insigni icant and not worth celebrating.
STAY FLEXIBLE AND OPEN TO PIVOT
I didn't know I would need to go through 3 different product iterations and completely deprecate initial builds of my product when I started out. What helped me get through it is staying resilient in the process and keeping an open mind. Being willing to adapt to different business models or strategies based on market feedback is an essential part of the journey. Why?
Just because you make a cool new product, it doesn't mean others will ind it necessarily useful. Changing strategies and focus can lead to a lot of success down the road if done correctly. After we pivoted our strategy, we started seeing a ton more traf ic and user growth on our website, going from ~100 visitors per month to now over ~10,000.
INVEST IN YOUR HEALTH
This one is probably obvious but it's essential to keep a healthy lifestyle while continuing your entrepreneurial journey. That means working out regularly, staying active while also continuing to remain social with your friends and family, although the social part might get reduced.
By keeping your mind clear and your body healthy, you're naturally more resilient to setbacks in your business and are more willing to maintain a positive outlook. This has personally helped me a lot!
FINAL THOUGHTS
As an entrepreneur, staying optimistic isn't just nice to have; it's pretty much a must, especially at the start. It's funny how in business, people talk a lot about being tough and pushing through, but they don't always talk about just being optimistic. In my own journey, there were times when it seemed like we weren't making any money at all. But we kept going, believing things would get better and the expenses were justi ied.
Being an entrepreneur means you're willing to jump in and do the work, trying to make your big idea a reality. And sure, it means you might miss out on hanging out with friends or just chilling by yourself sometimes. But that's where being optimistic makes a big difference. It's not just about feeling good; it helps you see chances to succeed where others might just see problems.
I started with a cool app idea that didn't make money right away. It cost a lot to get going, and I was paying for everything myself. But being optimistic meant I kept working hard, looking forward to making it a success. And success? Well, it turns out that people who are optimistic tend to do better, because they're always looking for ways to improve and expecting good things to happen.
To stay optimistic, I focus on the small wins, stay lexible and ready to change my plan, and I make sure to take care of my health. Celebrating the little victories keeps you moving forward. Being open to changing your plan can lead to big wins later on. And keeping healthy helps you bounce back from the tough times.
So, remember, being optimistic as an entrepreneur helps a lot. It keeps you going through the hard times, ready to catch the next opportunity. And for me? After we changed our approach, more people started visiting our website—going from about 100 visitors a month to over 10,000. That's what staying optimistic can do.
About the Author
I'm Abid, one of the co-founders of a intech startup that helps Canadians compare and ind credit cards best for them as accurately as possible. Starting this wasn't easy, especially because when you have no web traf ic, no brand takes you seriously, translating to no money. But, I stayed optimistic, worked hard, and learned a lot along the way. Now, I like to share my experiences and tips with other entrepreneurs, hoping to make their journeys a bit easier.
Time is Precious
An Interview with Alex Hurworth
lex Hurworth is a dynamic executive coach and consultant who has dedicated over two decades to building and improving software, leading the design and strategy of numerous apps across global markets. After an extensive career in technology, including pivotal roles in corporate and pandemic response projects, Alex experienced a signi icant career shift.
A"Time is Precious" was born from Alex's personal journey of overcoming burnout and recognizing the inite nature of life. In this interview, Alex discusses her career evolution, the pivotal moments that led to her transition into coaching, the impact of her global experiences, and her vision for empowering others through leadership. She also addresses the barriers women face in taking career risks and provides valuable advice for organizations looking to advance female leadership.
Re lecting on your transition from tech leader to executive coach, what pivotal moments or insights prompted this shift in your career path?
I've always been driven by a desire to have a real impact. While that showed through the apps and software we created, my greatest ful illment came from developing my direct reports. After 20 years in the corporate grind, working relentlessly on projects for the CEO, CTO, and then additionally as part of New York State's pandemic response, I was burned out. It was time for a change.
In 2021, I decided to leverage my entrepreneurial spirit and start my own business focused on partnering with organizations to support them in elevating their talent's leadership. This allows me to channel my energy into what I'm most passionate aboutempowering others to grow as leaders.
You've had the opportunity to work in several global cities. How have these diverse cultural experiences in luenced your professional approach and leadership style?
Working overseas taught me the immense value of experiencing different cultures. It was a humbling reminder that my perceived "norms" are just one
way of viewing the world. This experience has made me vigilant about not making assumptions about my clients or direct reports.
Each person is unique, with their own needs and values. To truly unlock someone's potential, I must nurture and appreciate them as an individual, not treat them as part of a monolithic group. This approach is crucial to bringing out the best in others.
Can you tell us more about the genesis of 'Time is Precious'? What was the moment or motivation that sparked the idea for this venture?
This is deeply personal. Ten months into the pandemic, I had my irst and only panic attack. Though nothing compared to the heroics of frontline workers, I was burned out from working until midnight most nights on a COVID response app, alongside my regular duties. That panic attack made me feel like I was dying. It was a wake-up call that life is short. Once that project ended, I knew I had to prioritize my wellbeing and inally pursue my dream of starting my own business.
Now that I've made the leap, I'm noticing more and more frequently how people are dissatis ied with their work situation, burnt out, or knowing they're capable of more, but paralyzed by fear and the powerful inertia of the status quo. It's easier to sleepwalk through the familiar routine: wake up, go to work, attend meetings, go home, repeat. The paycheck and bene its further entrench the cycle. And in the blink of an eye, one year becomes two, three then ive.
IN –FOCUS
Making a change requires venturing into the unfamiliar and can be risky. It means extra work on top of daily duties - speaking up for a promotion, rallying your team around an audacious idea, or even leaving to start your own business. But that's where growth happens when you muster the courage to disrupt your comfortable patterns.
So, I named my company after that transformative experience, as a reminder of why I'm doing this. Depending on what you believe, we have one life. Let's make the most of it!
What do you believe are the most signi icant barriers today that prevent women from taking more risks in their careers? How do you address these challenges in your coaching sessions?
Gender norms discourage women from voicing their opinions at work. Lack of con idence and imposter syndrome are constant hurdles. The gender pay gap and societal pressures mean many women lack the inancial safety net to take entrepreneurial risks - it feels safer sticking with a steady paycheck and health insurance. For mothers, the high cost of childcare makes returning to work economically challenging. There are so many barriers holding women back from pursuing their ambitions and starting businesses.
My last name is Hurworth (“herworth”). I think that is no accident! My mission is to elevate women into leadership roles, increasing their wealth and independence so they can take risks professionally and personally. I want them to speak up fearlessly, and to learn to
quieten voices of self-doubt and second-guessing. My coaching helps clients get crystal clear on their goals and maps out the micro-steps to achieve them. Through low-risk experiments, they see that inaction is impossible - these small steps build unstoppable momentum towards transformative change. They realize their true capability, learning that it's action that creates con idence, not the other way around. They don't need to wait for con idence before making moves.
I give my clients the tools and mindset to boldly pursue what they want without restraint. With inancial independence comes the power to take chances and lead more purposeful lives on their own terms.
In your opinion, what are the essential elements for maintaining a ful illing professional life without compromising personal happiness and well-being?
The essential elements for maintaining a ful illing professional life without sacri icing personal happiness and well-being are self-awareness and the courage to take purposeful action. Selfawareness means deep understanding your core values, priorities, and boundaries.
What's most important to you?
What lines won't you cross? Get clear on your non-negotiables for a life of integrity. From that selfknowledge, you must have the courage to get into action and have those dif icult yet critical conversations. Voice your needs, assert your boundaries, stand irm
IN –FOCUS
on your principles - all in an objective, compassionate way. Don't let discomfort keep you from expressing what truly matters.
When you know yourself and can communicate authentically, you create the space to honor all parts of who you are - professional, personal, family, health, spirit. You
learn to integrate these into a cohesive, sustainable way of living and leading that feels deeply aligned. It's not easy, but it's a skill that can be practiced. The more you exercise your voice with selfawareness, the more natural and empowering it becomes to uphold your vision for a rewarding professional journey and a life you
feel genuinely good about.
Finally, what advice would you give to organizations looking to genuinely advance female leadership within their ranks?
My top three recommendations are:
1) Mandate unconscious bias training to increase awareness around gender and minority biases, signaling leadership's commitment.
2) Offer equal parental leave regardless of gender. This allows any parent to be the primary caretaker without career impacts traditionally falling on birthing parents.
3) Provide leadership skills training, investing in upskilling women and creating more role models.
By implementing these, we'll start dismantling biases, update outdated caregiving norms, and empower women to step into their power as leaders. It's about creating an equitable culture of growth for all.
Revolutionizing Women’s Health
The Need for Gastrointestinal Solutions
Wri en by Aja McCutchen
AAs a female gastroenterologist having treated now approximately 40,000 women, I have irsthand witnessed the grim realities of a woman's experience in the traditional healthcare system.
Women are twice as likely to experience irritable bowel syndrome, a disturbance of the brain gut axis, compared to men. Women also experience increased risk of pelvic loor disturbances, alternating bowel habits with constipation and diarrhea, bloating as well as diseases such as gallstones.
Irritable bowel syndrome, for example, is intensi ied around menstrual cycles with 70% of women experiencing a shift in symptoms, yet little data exist on the optimal management and understanding of the exact mechanisms of these illnesses.
It was not until the past decade,
that we began to formally guide our women with dietary and therapeutic recommendations for their functional bowel symptoms, such as the FODMAP diet. In addition to the lack of therapies, we know that there is a decreased awareness of gender speci ic symptoms and a stark lack of accessible solutions.
The data shows, and I have witnessed, that 46% OF THE FEMALE POPULUATION experience gut health issues with a signi icant portion unmanaged. We know that women and men are anatomically and hormonally unique, with women sharing anatomical space with their digestive organs and their reproductive organs, yet we have very little research to help guide our therapies! In addition to the lack of data in women speci ic digestive illness, women are more likely to experience dismissals and delays in diagnosis, with an average wait time of 24-26 days to see a GI
specialist or an OB/GYN.
This underscores the urgent need for gender sensitive research, structural and societal reform, and deliberate strategies to address the unmet needs of our women suffering from digestive illnesses.
THE IMPACT OF UNRESOLVED GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOMS IN WOMEN
While it's true that women have a longer life expectancy than men, it's also known that women are more likely to bear the negative impacts of chronic illness both personally and socially. Studies have shown that women are more likely to experience dismissal of symptoms, delays in diagnosis and suffer higher rates of chronic illness, inancial loss and morbidity. Gut health is a major contributor to women's disease burden. Overall, Gut health represents a $140B market with GI patients costing
employers 3 to 8 times more than a healthy adult.
th Gi issues are the 4 largest driver of employee related healthcare cost. On average, women are spending $7,000 per year for common GI symptoms, adding a signi icant inancial burden to households. Women suffering from GI issues are looking for solutions to restore their control and choice.
OUR JOURNEY TO HELP CLOSE
GENDER GAPS IN WOMEN'S DIGESTIVE HEALTH
In January of 2023, myself along with two women physician cofounders embarked upon a journey to enter the fem-tech space to address the unmet needs of women and their digestive symptoms. As women physician founders with combined 50+ years of experience, we were stunned by the ABSENCE of physician founders in the femtech space.
We also quickly discovered that there were no signi icant gastrointestinal solutions in the femtech market. It was appalling to
see such an incredible GAP in a trillion-dollar sector. The numbers speak for themselves as it relates to need for women seeking female centric digital solutions, as the annual revenue for low app, which just focuses on menstrual cycle, is $100 million.
Entering the femtech market and digital tech space using AI power has been quite a journey. After bootstrapping most of our startup, we encountered the same issues that many physician entrepreneurs and women entrepreneur's encounter.... a lack of funding! To compete in the market, we needed to grow our team... To add members to the team... we needed money.
OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF WOMEN'S DIGESTIVE HEALTH
We are hopeful that the recent launch of the Women's Health Initiative in November 2023 along with the February announcement of $100 M to accelerate women's health research will allow founders like me, researchers, and innovators to help close the glaring gaps in women's digestive diseases.
About the Author
Dr. Aja McCutchen with a dynamic career spanning 17 years as a gastroenterologist, stands at the forefront of medical innovation and leadership. She has played an instrumental role in the executive sphere, notably as a key igure in establishing the third largest private equity-backed healthcare platform in the United States.
Her efforts have not gone unnoticed, earning her
Throughout our entrepreneurial journey, we have encountered many amazing founders committed to changing the landscape of women's health journeys, from wearables to destigmatizing and validating the lived experiences of women. We know that partnership is key to magnifying the impact of our discoveries. Shared API helps to accelerate our discoveries. With studies inally underway, we are acutely aware of the women's hormonal changes that contribute to their digestive experiences.
As research emerges on women health, we are beginning to uncover the in luence of the microbiome, changes in diversity of the microbiome and link this to various disease states. I am hopeful that, as we learn more about women's biochemical changes, diet, and lifestyle in luences, microbiome variations and gender differences, we can then begin to create and build personalized therapies that uniquely address the concerns and needs of our women. Our hope is that our motto, Better Gut, Better Woman, will one day be a true household
multiple accolades including the prestigious "Physician of the Year" award, a testament to her relentless pursuit of challenging and reshaping industry norms. Her pioneering spirit is further evidenced by her trailblazing roles: the irst Black female to serve on the executive committee and the board of directors for United Digestive, and as the national chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for Independent GI.
Women Entrepreneurs: Driving Growth and Defying Challenges
Women-owned businesses
are a powerful force in today's global economy, demonstrating remarkable growth and resilience over the decades. With 12.3 million women-owned businesses today compared to just 402,000 in 1972, the landscape has signi icantly transformed. This exponential rise highlights the increasing role of women entrepreneurs, who now constitute 43% of the total number of entrepreneurs worldwide.
Key Statistics on Women Entrepreneurs
Growth and Representation
1. Explosive Growth : The number of women-owned businesses has surged from 402,000 in 1972 to 12.3 million today in the United States alone. This trend is expected to continue, re lecting the persistent rise in female entrepreneurship.
2. Global Presence : Women make up 43% of entrepreneurs worldwide, underscoring their substantial contribution to the global business landscape.
3. Age Demographics : Women between 40 and 59 years of age comprise the highest percentage of female business owners, accounting
for 62% of the total. This age group bene its from extensive experience and established networks, crucial for business success.
Achievements and Challenges
4. Unicorn Success : In the irst half of 2019, ten women-owned businesses achieved unicorn status, a testament to their innovative capabilities and market impact.
5. Gender Bias : Over 35% of female entrepreneurs have encountered gender bias, affecting their ability to secure conventional loans and other inancial resources.
6. Startups : Women owned and operated about 31% of startups in the United States as of 2021, showcasing their growing in luence in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Financial Independence and Business Financing
7. Self-Reliance : More than 50% of female entrepreneurs depend solely on their businesses for their inancial needs, highlighting their reliance on the success of their ventures.
8. Financing Challenges : Only a quarter of female entrepreneurs request business inancing at the inception of their businesses, often due to barriers in accessing capital. Women typically seek $35,000 less in funding than their male counterparts.
9. Revenue Disparity : A staggering 88% of women-owned businesses generate below $100,000 in annual revenue, illustrating the inancial challenges many female entrepreneurs face.
Industry Representation and Impact
10. Underrepresented Sectors : Women own just 13% of irms in the construction, administration support, industrial, and waste management sectors. However, their presence in these traditionally male-dominated industries is gradually increasing.
11. Business Ownership : One in every three businesses globally has a woman as the principal owner, re lecting a signi icant yet uneven distribution across different
regions and industries.
Comparative Insights: Male vs. Female Entrepreneurs
12. Entrepreneurial Spirit : Both genders show an equal likelihood (32%) of starting and running a business, indicating a shared entrepreneurial drive.
13. Crowdsourcing Success : Women have a higher success rate (69.5%) in crowdsourcing compared to men (61.4%), suggesting effective community support for female-led ventures.
14. Loan Disparities : On average, women received $39,000 in business loans in 2020, compared to $44,000 for men, highlighting persistent funding inequities.
15. Stress and Pessimism : Female entrepreneurs report higher stress levels and pessimism about business growth, with 26% feeling more stressed than their male counterparts.
16. Investment Returns : Investors receive 63% more returns from women-led startups than from male-led ones, demonstrating the inancial viability of investing in women entrepreneurs.
The Impact of COVID-19
17. Resilience : During the pandemic, 70% of female entrepreneurs worried about their businesses' survival. Despite these challenges, many women-owned businesses adapted and thrived.
18. Government Support : In Canada, the government allocated
$15 million to support female entrepreneurs affected by the pandemic, illustrating the importance of institutional backing.
19. Saudi Arabia : Arabian women account for 33% of businesses in Saudi Arabia, and they are projected to signi icantly boost revenue, highlighting their growing economic in luence.
Employment and Economic Contributions
20. Employment : Female entrepreneurs employ over 9 million workers, contributing signi icantly to the labor market and economic growth.
21. Minority-Owned Businesses : Women of color, particularly African-American and Hispanic women, own a rapidly growing number of businesses, providing millions of jobs and generating substantial revenue.
Conclusion
The narrative that men dominate the business world is increasingly becoming outdated. Women entrepreneurs are breaking barriers, driving economic growth, and creating employment opportunities across various industries. Their perseverance, innovative spirit, and resilience are paving the way for a more inclusive and dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem. As women continue to rise in the business world, their impact on the global economy is set to grow even more profound.
Consuelo Vanderbilt Brings Creativity to the Worlds of Networking, Family Offices and Fashion
Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin is a
serial entrepreneur, driven by three distinct missions that showcase her exceptional talent and visionary leadership.
SohoMuse, the innovative platform she co-founded, re lects her lifelong dedication to empowering creative professionals. Committed to raising all ships, not just a few, she has created a space where collaboration and opportunity can truly thrive for everyone in the industry.
In the inancial community, where family of ices manage the wealth of the most prestigious and impactful families, her voice is highly sought after for her insights on critical issues that help these families drive innovation and positive change all around the world.
Drawing on her extensive experience in the jewelry sector, Consuelo is now poised to expand her in luence in the fashion industry with the launch of her debut accessories line, specializing in handbags.
SohoMuse, celebrating its ifth anniversary this year, is the irst-ofits-kind vertical social network dedicated to the creative industry. Serving as both a community and a portfolio platform, SohoMuse unites top talent from various creative ields in one central hub, offering the tools and features professionals need to work more ef iciently, network more effectively, and exponentially increase exposure and opportunities. With its exclusive, invitation-only membership model, SohoMuse enables creative professionals to showcase their
talents and projects, collaborate with peers, and source talent globally—all within a secure and trusted ecosystem.
SohoMuse World is a recently created younger tier helping to nurture collaborations discover talent encourage mentorship and internship opportunities through our event and educational technology platform which connects to our top tier talent.
Consuelo, a seventh-generation descendant of American railroad and shipping tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt, is a highly sought-after speaker at family of ice conferences. Her unique combination of personal heritage and entrepreneurial expertise makes her a powerful voice in the industry. Upcoming engagements include the LATAM Investment Convergence Summit, hosted in collaboration with Opal Group, on Monday, October 7th in Miami, Florida. She will also be speaking at the prestigious YPO Conference on Sunday, October 13th, held at Fisher Island, Palm Beach. In addition, the Council for Global Change is to honor Consuelo with a special recognition for her commitment to the organization.
Later this fall, Consuelo will continue the Vanderbilt family's legacy in the fashion industry with the launch of an exclusive capsule collection of handbags under the brand name Consuelo Vanderbilt By Ximena Kavalekas . This highly anticipated collection will debut at a special event in New York City, marking the next chapter in her entrepreneurial journey.
About Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin:
Serial entrepreneur and visionary Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin has made a lasting impact across multiple industries, from music and fashion to business and philanthropy. A descendant of the legendary Vanderbilt family, she was recently featured in Elysian Magazine as one of New York City's most in luential and inspirational women. With a career as a singer, songwriter, actress, and entrepreneur, Consuelo continues to shape industries and inspire those around her.
Her music career has seen her perform globally alongside Vanessa Carlton, Mya, and Joe Cocker, with her singles consistently ranking in the Billboard Top 20. As the founder of C&R Productions, she has achieved multiple chart-topping hits, including “Naked” and “Feel So Alive,” which earned her Billboard's #2 Breakout Artist honor. Her last ive singles were top 20 in the US, last three singles were top 10. Her last single made #5 in the US Charts. In addition, Consuelo has also toured extensively in Europe and the United States.
In addition to her music career, Consuelo has made her mark in the fashion industry, launching the jewelry line Homage by Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin with HSN. She is also the founder of SohoMuse, the leading professional network for creative industries, designed by creatives for creatives. For more information about SohoMuse, please visit www.sohomuse.com.
Link11 European Cyber Report: Growing Complexity and New Security Risks – A Race Against Time
While digital transformation has revolutionized our lives, it has also led to an ever-increasing complexity of cyber threats. According to a recent IBM study, the average cost of a data breach worldwide is over $4 million. The situation is no different in Germany: the latest Bitkom survey shows that a clear majority of companies (80 percent) have seen an increase in cybercriminal activity.
The number of DDoS attacks on the Link11 network increased by more than a quarter (26 percent) in the irst half of the year. Turboattacks, which have maximum impact in the shortest amount of time, also require organizations to respond quickly. “The time attackers need to compromise a system is getting shorter and shorter. Companies need to adapt their defenses to this new pace,” says Jens-Philipp Jung, CEO of Link11.
In the irst half of 2024, there was a signi icant increase in such turbo attacks to over 34 percent. This means that about one third of all attacks take full effect within the irst ten seconds. This trend underscores the increasing professionalism of attackers and the need for organizations to continuously adapt their security measures.
What are the reasons for this development?
The professionalization of hackers is evident in their use of increasingly sophisticated tools and techniques to coordinate and intensify their attacks. One of the most important developments is the growth of powerful botnets These consist of millions of compromised devices and allow attackers to generate huge amounts of data in a short period of time. A particular challenge is the increasing automation of cyber attacks by bots . These automated programs overload systems, steal data, and launch targeted attacks.
Another critical issue is the security maturity of application programming interfaces (APIs) . The growing number of APIs and the fact that they are often poorly secured make them an attractive target for cybercriminals. Continuous monitoring and regular security audits are essential to
adequately protect APIs and be prepared for attacks.
The digital landscape is becoming increasingly complex, making organizations more vulnerable to cyber attacks. The cost of such attacks is high and can threaten a company's very existence. According to a Bitkom survey, twothirds of companies see their existence threatened by cyber incidents. To protect themselves, companies need a holistic security strategy. “Cybersecurity is not a goal; it is a process. Companies need to be proactive and constantly adapt to the changing threat landscape,” Jung added. The use of arti icial intelligence and automation can help identify and close security gaps faster. Companies should invest in modern security solutions to protect their digital infrastructure and ensure their competitiveness.
