CAREER

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WOMEN MAKING INDIANA SHINE BRIGHT

Get to know these brilliant and empowering women

By Mary Farucci

Thresette Briggs

Thresette is passionate about helping women achieve their highest performance. Her company provides keynotes, training, facilitation and coaching so women “will have the right mindset, the right opportunities and the right culture to do so.” Having firsthand experience with poverty, the near loss of her physical voice and a lack of confidence and self-esteem inspires Thresette to help others find the tools to overcome them. What she enjoys most about what she does is getting to use her spiritual gifts and strengths every day, seeing significant transformations in the leaders and companies her business helps, and the absolutely wonderful people in her tribe. “Identify and use your gifts and strengths,” she says. “By doing so, you’ll have the most impact on everything you do and everyone you touch. And you’ll be in the best position to help others.”

Thresette believes that sisters give us strength when we don’t have any. They lift you out of the darkest valley and applaud you when you’re shining. “You know they have your back and they keep you on track. There’s nothing like a strong, supportive sisterhood.” Most importantly, she adds, “Be uniquely you, you won’t get anything original from an echo.”

Mariah Oliver

Mariah, founder of Boss Babe Network, has been able to use her platform to uplift and empower women in a variety of ways. She holds events to connect boss women, incorporates blog contributions to educate on related topics, and provides opportunities for women-owned businesses to showcase themselves. Mariah has had to overcome many things, but she has found her biggest obstacle to be “imposter syndrome” and is overcoming it by reminding herself that she is deserving of everything that comes to her. “Positive affirmations can truly be useful!” Mariah exclaims. And she keeps what drives her close by, as her biggest inspiration is her older sister, Whitney, whose character inspires her professionally and personally.

Mariah says she finds the most fulfillment when she meets ambitious entrepreneurs, hears their “why”, and gets to work with them in some capacity. She believes that you can truly do anything you put your mind to, as long as you take the leap with passion and discipline and, as she puts it, “don’t over think it!” Mariah understands that we, as women, face many unique challenges daily and believes the most valuable benefit of sisterhood is being reminded that we are not alone. “No matter what you are going through, there ARE other women out there that can relate to you and offer support.” And remember, “be yourself; the rest will follow.”

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Gloria Howell

Gloria tries to help people see the good in everything, even in the darkest of situations. She likes to radiate joy through her smile and make people laugh. Raised in a low-income household, Gloria says there were times when she didn’t have a whole lot and resources were scarce, but her mother and grandmother always had a way of doing a lot with a little. “As a student affairs educator working at a Black Culture Center and teaching freshman students, I get the best seat in the house when it comes to watching students grow and develop,” she says. “My Black students in particular are incredibly special. I mentor a lot of them, and I love to witness their journeys. The successes, the growing pains, all of it. It’s such a joy to support them and to learn from them.”

For Gloria, sisterhood is magical. For Black women in particular, she believes sisterhood can transform so many aspects of our lives, including how we think, which is so critical to how we act. “True sisterhood is one of the best demonstrations of love. It exudes compassion, joy and the capacity to weather any storm,” she says. “Value integrity and don’t let anyone or anything cause you to compromise that.”

Kristen and her husband created a podcast titled “All Things Career,” where their mission is to empower people of color with the unwritten rules of careers. Kristen agrees that our professions play a critical role in our lives, and she wants to encourage people of color with helpful information that she wishes she had known earlier.

Kristen’s personal career path started off tragically when, two weeks before she was scheduled to leave for college, her father was killed in an accident at work. In that moment, Kristen said her world as she knew it came crashing down. “I was now a caregiver for my special needs sister,” Kristen says. “While that obstacle was not easy, it shaped me into being a better woman, wife and colleague.”

For Kristen, working professionally in the diversity, equity and inclusion space is truly a dream come true. “[Beyond] caring for others at home, I get to care about others every day at work. I’m a walking example of when your passion and purpose are on display, the right opportunities will find you.”

Some of the best advice Kristen was given is to be the person you wish you had, especially professionally. “According to research conducted by Lean In, women have worse experiences than men at work. That means that we have to pass on our learnings to one another and be our sister’s keeper,” Kristen says. “We have to help each other because there is no other [support] like a tribe of women cheering another woman on!”

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Denasiha Christian

“I love encouraging others by making them feel comfortable in their own skin,” Denasiha says. She explained how her biggest obstacle in life has been reprogramming herself in terms of what she wants and what she requires out of life. “There are too many people acting and trying to look like someone else. Why? I encourage everyone to get familiar with who they are authentically,” Denasiha says, “The person they were before someone convinced them not to be. There is always room for healing and growth as individuals, but I believe that as long as it’s coming from a place of positivity and love we should be who we are unapologetically.” To Denasiha, a healthy and balanced sisterhood is important because it gives you a place of comfort when you need it, a kick in the butt when you’re trippin’ and inspiration to grow and be the best version of yourself when you have the right people in your circle.

Two things Denasiha lives by: 1. Authenticity is the number one beauty hack; no pressure, no diamonds. 2. As her dad told her, “It’s okay to be upset about something, just don’t stay upset for too long.” In other words, Denasiha says, “acknowledge how you feel. Let it out if you need to but keep moving forward. Don’t let it stop you.”

Nikki Fultz

Nikki says she’s lucky to have multiple places in her life to be able to encourage others. “As a teacher, I get to encourage my students to try their best, develop a wider growth mindset, and celebrate both their successes and failures,” Nikki says. “As a leader in the LGBTQ community, I can encourage people to be their authentic selves and be proud of who they are. As a mom, I encourage my kids to be kind and compassionate and to find ways to help others.” One of the biggest obstacles Nikki has overcome is having some people she cares about reject her because of who she is. “Coming to terms with losing important people is extremely difficult, especially as a teenager,” Nikki explained. “I hope that this decreases, and that acceptance of LGBTQ people becomes commonplace.”

Nikki began volunteering with Pride and joined the Board of Directors as a teenager in the early years of the organization. Throughout her time there, she met some incredible people and has been able to see young, struggling LGBTQ youth grow up to be successful adults. “Most importantly, I am a part of an organization that puts on many events throughout the year where people can come together, be themselves, and find their sense of community,” she said.

Nikki believes that women in general “should be equally represented across all parts of society, and if we fight for that and for each other, our world will be so much stronger.” 6

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Raquel believes that so often, we see other’s successes and compare it to ourselves and where we are in our journey, without realizing the work and hurdles that that person has been through to get where they are. And she’s no stranger to hurdles. Raquel is the first person in her family to be born in America, and to teenage parents no less, mostly raised by her father. After an unsuccessful marriage ravaged by her husband’s addiction, she went on to raise three children as a single mother and earn her Master’s degree. She feels in so many ways her life embodies the American Dream, but she also feels bound by a lot of expectations. “I try to live my truth,” Raquel says. “I feel that I can encourage others most effectively by being open and honest about my successes and failures. We are enough. I find that so often we are trying to be the perfect spouse, friend, mother, daughter, that we forget to simply be ourselves. That in being true to who we are will find fulfillment and honor.”

Raquel explained she understands that having love and unconditional support from women that see you, love and accept you where you are in your journey is vital for our growth. “Women can both encourage us and call us to task when we are falling short. It is an incredible blessing.”

Angel Cassandra Nathan

Angel serves as a project manager for a research grant that promotes equity awareness among primary school teachers. Her favorite part of the job is the self-exploration she encourages teachers to do in an effort to acknowledge the hidden biases we all hold. She believes this will help them become better educators, but more importantly, she believes it will allow them to see themselves more clearly and the impact self has on our interactions with others. “Blind positivity can feel daunting and inauthentic. Instead, I attempt to acknowledge the challenges of a situation and help others think through positive and negative aspects,” Angel says. “For me, this is a better long-term solution to difficult times.”

Angel affirms that you don’t have to do it all. Many of the messages in an attempt to build positive identities have built unhealthy and unrealistic practices. “As women, many times we attempt to do everything on our own, and we can. However, the cost for doing it all can have devastating effects on your physical and mental wellbeing,” she says. “We all need help, rest, and security and it’s okay to have a support system so you can have that.” When it comes to sisterhood, Angel believes it’s an essential part of restoring your soul. “Although I do not have any biological sisters, I have a host of cousins and friends who have evolved into my sister circle. This group of women help support me when I am down by uplifting and reminding me of my own strength, beauty and limits.” 8

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Rebecca Bormann

Rebecca says it’s so incredible to see the smile on someone’s face when they see and own all of their greatness. “I think one of the best ways to encourage others is to become a mentor,” she says. Through a partnership with Women & Hi Tech, Rebecca mentors female college students, emerging female leaders and women making a career pivot to tech. “It’s awesome to be a part of these amazing ladies’ lives and for them to be a part of mine! I’ve also enjoyed mentoring K-12 students with the Brandon Foundation, a nonprofit very near and dear to my heart,” Rebecca said.

“I have been in technology for almost 20 years now, a field still highly dominated by men,” she explains. “Several times throughout my career, I have been excluded from the conversation, my opinion has been discounted, I have been talked over and I’ve been “mansplained” to more times than I can count.” There was even a time when a client refused to negotiate a contract with her because she is a woman and asked to speak to her boss. According to the client, women didn’t understand financials or negotiating. “Being challenged by these obstacles has taught me how to use my voice, to stand in my worth and to take up the space I need and deserve to be an effective leader in business and tech,” Rebecca says. “It has also given me a fierce passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion for all, particularly women in STEM.” Her message to all women is this: “Fully know and accept in mind, body, soul and spirit that you are enough. You are beautiful. You are worth it. You deserve it. You matter.”

Reesha admits she’s known for correcting others when they speak poorly about themselves. “The power of tongue is so much stronger than we give it credit for,” she says. A self-described problem solver and nurturer, Reesha’s one to roll up her sleeves to help her loved ones seek solutions. “I am a huge advocate of getting proper rest and taking time to assess what systems can be put into place to make life more peaceful,” she says. “By employing the will to fight for your life (and a great therapist), all things are possible.” Reesha adds that as women, cliché or not, we need to take up space. And she encourages Black women in particular to correct folks when they mispronounce their name and to make people say things with their chest. “Style your kinks and curls however you please and fight tooth and nail against the culture of code-switching,” she said. “The world needs everything we have or my God, would it be a total snooze-fest.”

Reesha says although she doesn’t have any sisters by kinship, it doesn’t feel that way. “My friends allow me to vent, share all my crazy quirks (and funny Tweets), and we just pour into one another. We are very invested in seeing one another reach our dreams and it helps to know you have women on your side when things get sticky out here,” she said. “My sisters keep my tank full, and I do the same for them. Our hugs are tight, our wine glasses poured, our Kleenex ready, and we cover one another in prayer daily.”

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Katie Jackson-Lindsay

Katie grew up in a single parent home attending public school in the inner city of Indianapolis. On those demographics alone, she was continually reminded from a young age that there were limitations to her achievement, often told that her goals were too high or unrealistic. And, upon starting her career in law, she was reminded that as a young, Black, female there were things that she could not do right away and definitely could not do alone. “I defied these expectations by excelling very quickly at my first job as a Marion County deputy prosecutor,” Katie says. “I was one of the youngest attorneys promoted to major or felony court and I developed a reputation as a formidable trial attorney within my first five years of practice.” In 2013, she started her own criminal defense law firm. Since then, she has successfully represented more than 500 clients across in the State of Indiana, advocating for each one during what is likely one of the most challenging moments they have ever faced. “Being charged with a crime comes with significant losses, beyond the obvious loss of freedom. These losses often cannot be repaired even if and when they are proven to be innocent,” Katie says. “Doing this work allows me to meet people from all walks of life that simply need to know that someone is with them on this journey to ensure that they get the best possible outcome, and ultimately, a fair shot.” “I firmly believe that I cannot inspire another person to do something that I am not working on myself,” Katie says. She wishes that all women could truly believe in the idea that you miss 100% of the shots that you never take. As women, she believes that we tend to be so selfless, fearful and focused on the care of others that we often forget our own needs and goals. “Years go by where we have deferred our own dreams, big and small, as a result of putting others first or simply because of our fear of failure,” Katie explained. “If we as women simply took each shot, despite the extra burdens, potential for failure, or the [guilt over] the idea that we are doing something just for us… I think we would live lives that are so much more fulfilled. I will not limit myself to do small things in life just because others do not believe that I can do something better. I will always find a way or make a way.”

Starla Kay Mathis

Starla is all about words of affirmation! She loves to pour into others and encourage them to reach their goals by sharing her processes, her struggles, her wins and her challenges, which is just what she does for female business owners and creatives as the founder of Create. Connect. Collab. Starla says it’s truly a blessing to a part of a community of women that want to see each other win. “Every day, I have to shut down the negative self-talk, fears, or doubts, or I’ll get nothing accomplished,” she said. “I have quotes all around my home and office to remind me that I am capable of great things!”

Starla’s passionate about creating lifestyle content on her blog, YouTube channel and podcast that bring value and inspire others to create a life they love. Her therapist once told her, “Focus on what matters most,” which has helped her with being overwhelmed and living in the moment. “As a wife, mother of two, business owner, etc. I have many different things going on at once and it can be overwhelming,” Starla said. “[Now], if my body needs rest. I rest. If my kids have a program, I’m there. Nothing else matters before my family and self-care.” 12