Today on Take the Stage, and our special series Ladies Who Rock, we shine the spotlight on Noramay Cadena, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Supply Change Capital, gets candid about her journey from the San Fernando Valley to MIT, from Boeing to building a venture fund—without the traditional playbook. Her story is one of grit, reinvention, and creating access for others.

Episode Highlights:

[02:00] That Tap-on-the-Shoulder Moment Noramay reflects on a high school guest speaker whose story helped her finally see what was possible for her—and why representation is still her guiding light today.

[06:25] Rejecting the Life She Knew Raised by working-class parents and a teen mom herself, Noramay shares what fueled her drive: not knowing what she wanted, but knowing exactly what she didn’t.

[08:40] The Leap to MIT—with a Baby in Tow She opens up about the leap of faith it took to leave California for Massachusetts, with no real roadmap—just a deep fear of staying the same.

[11:08] Muscle Memory for Hard Things From working campus jobs to support her family to interning abroad, Noramay recounts how she powered through undergrad by staying hyper-focused on the present moment.

[16:50] From Boeing to Bold Moves After a successful 12-year career in aerospace, she realized she had been following her mentor’s path—and it was time to carve her own.

[22:55] Breaking into VC Cold No VC background, no network—just conviction. Noramay talks about launching her first venture firm the hard way and everything she learned from that process.

[30:05] Why She Said Yes to the Risky Path She breaks down why she initially chose to co-found a firm instead of joining an established one—and how that shaped her approach to venture capital.

[31:55] The Birth of Supply Change Capital Noramay and her partner came together over shared values to launch a firm focused on food, culture, and climate—and why they’re building infrastructure no one sees but everyone needs.

[34:55] What Fuels Her Focus Her mom’s voice. The reality of food insecurity. And a desire to solve urgent, human-centered problems. These are the voices that drive Noramay’s investment lens.

[37:10] What Kinds of Startups They're Backing She breaks down the difference between “wedge in food” and “first in food” companies—and explains why this $10T market is ripe for innovation.

[41:55] Why Engineers Are Moving into Food From aerospace to agriculture, Noramay explains why STEM-trained professionals are finding new purpose in food systems and agtech.

[48:35] Rethinking “Nontraditional” Noramay shares why skillset and mindset matter more than pedigree—and the very real (and perceived) risks firms take when they overlook that.

[53:45] What Her 16-Year-Old Self Would Say Now If she could see her now? "F yeah." A goosebump moment about betting on yourself—even when no one else does.

Connect with Noramay on LinkedIn

Supply Change Capital on LinkedIn | Website

Connect with Alexis on Linkedin | Website

alexis@career-rockstars.com

Today on Take the Stage, and our special series Ladies Who Rock, we shine the spotlight on Samara Mejia Hernandez, Founding Partner at Chingona Ventures, a Chicago-based, early-stage venture capital fund.

Samara shares how she broke into venture capital, built a bold brand with Chingona Ventures, and redefined success on her own terms. From raising capital while pregnant to flipping the script on pattern recognition in VC, Samara brings the kind of truth, grit, and clarity every founder and investor needs to hear.

Episode Highlights:

[02:02] Samara explains how the name Chingona Ventures came to be, why it resonates, and how it helps the firm stand out with a brand that bites.

[06:43] She reflects on not knowing if there was space for her in VC—and how she followed her interests, took risks, and leaned on mentors instead of waiting for permission.

[09:05] Samara shares how she discovered early-stage investing during business school.

[11:28] She opens up about giving herself a six-month timeline post-MBA to break into VC, taking on projects, and how she reframed risk to stay focused on her goal.

[16:11] She walks through the final interview moment that led to her first VC job—and how she boldly made the case for herself by focusing on her sales experience.

[18:32] Samara reflects on applying for jobs where she didn’t check every box, pushing past imposter feelings, and showing up with what she could bring to the table.

[20:56] She talks about negotiating a “non-negotiable” job offer, how it almost backfired, and why that one move cemented her place on the team.

[27:46] Samara opens up about fundraising while pregnant, how she decided to stop hiding it, and what she learned about partnership and presence through that experience.

[30:11] She shares how she leaned on a community of mom investors, learned to delegate, and built boundaries that made her sharper at both work and parenting.

[32:35] Samara credits her parents, husband, and flexible team setup for helping her raise kids and raise capital—making it work through collaboration and clarity.

[34:54] She debunks the myth of “having it all” and shares the honest reality of being amazing at work some weeks—and at home during others—and why that balance is enough.

[41:43] Samara unpacks power dynamics in investor meetings and why mutual respect, not hierarchy, leads to better long-term partnerships.

[44:07] She breaks down why chasing pattern recognition in VC leads to sameness—and how Chingona Ventures wins by backing founders others overlook.

[48:33] Samara reflects on the pace of change in the industry, why it takes time to shift the system, and how every win builds a foundation for what’s next.

[53:13] Her advice to future founders and investors? Just do it. Don’t wait for the perfect moment—start small, celebrate failure, and keep going.

Follow Take the Stage for more episodes!

Connect with Samara on ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

📍 Chingona Ventures: ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

📩 Connect with Alexis Alvarez on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠

🌐⁠⁠⁠ career-rockstars.com⁠⁠

Today on Take the Stage, and our special series Ladies Who Rock, we shine the spotlight on Bukie Adebo Umeano, Investment Principal at Anthemis, a global VC firm that backs inclusive fintech and insurtech founders.

Bukie dives into her unconventional journey into venture capital, the lessons she’s picked up along the way, and shares no-nonsense advice for anyone looking to break into VC or carve out their own path in a not-so-linear career.

Episode Highlights

[02:25] How Bukie’s Career Path Took Shape

Bukie shares how she stumbled into consulting post-undergrad (without even knowing what VC was!) and how each career step helped her refine what she actually wanted in her professional life.

[09:06] Discovering Venture Capital

She walks us through the gradual “lightbulb moments” that got her thinking seriously about VC.

[11:25] Building Skills Before You Get the Job

Bukie breaks down the two biggest things junior VC hopefuls need to demonstrate.

[16:13] How to Build a Standout Investment Thesis

She shares her own experience crafting an investment thesis pre-VC and explains her method for combining deep-dive research and market analysis to build a point of view that turns heads (even if your first few ideas miss the mark!).

[22:49] Avoiding the One-Size-Fits-All Trap

Bukie highlights how every VC firm is different—and why it’s crucial to tailor your approach when networking or applying.

[27:32] Networking Tips That Actually Work

Bukie shares the real strategies that helped her build meaningful connections in the VC world.

[34:39] Navigating Bias and Underestimation

Bukie opens up about being underestimated in rooms where people don’t expect to see a Black woman investor—and how she prepares, shows up confidently, and handles those moments with grace and resolve.

[46:02] Learning Through Deal-Making

Reflecting on leading early-stage deals and the surprising personal growth that comes with negotiating investment terms.

[48:22] Recognition and Staying Energized

Bukie talks about being named a VCJ Rising Star for 2025, what that recognition means to her, and why moments of validation—while not the ultimate goal—help fuel the journey.

Follow Take the Stage for more episodes!

Connect with Bukie on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

📍 Anthemis: ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠

📩 Connect with Alexis Alvarez on ⁠LinkedIn

🌐⁠⁠ career-rockstars.com⁠⁠

Today on Take the Stage, and our special series Ladies Who Rock, we shine the spotlight on Clara de Bienassis, People & Well-being Director at Stone Soup Consulting, a global social impact consultancy rooted in empathy, diversity, and purpose-driven work.

Clara’s journey is anything but traditional—starting in investment banking and ultimately finding her calling in impact. In this episode, she shares how an early experience with microfinance in Ecuador reshaped her career, and why she believes business can—and should—be built around human connection.

Episode Highlights:

[02:11] Clara’s Career Journey

From Finance to Impact: Clara reflects on her early years in banking, how childhood experiences shaped her values, and the pivotal moment in Paris that introduced her to the world of NGOs and microfinance.

[03:24] Leaving Banking for Purpose

Clara opens up about feeling unfulfilled in banking and how a microfinance internship in Paris—and a volunteer stint in rural Ecuador—helped her realign her career around impact.

[06:51] Choosing Values-Aligned Work

Clara explains how she evaluates organizations to ensure alignment with her values, highlighting the importance of shared language, strategy, and intuition.

[07:34] Joining Stone Soup

Clara shares how she built her way into a leadership role at Stone Soup through relationship-building and aligned collaboration, eventually becoming a partner.

[08:32] Diversity as a Strength—and a Commitment

With a team spanning over 12 countries, Clara explains how true diversity—not just as a buzzword—drives richer problem-solving and innovative thinking at Stone Soup (even if it comes with challenges).

[09:56] Making the 4-Day Workweek Work

Clara walks through their trial of a 32-hour, 4-day week for core staff—same pay, same expectations—and how it’s improved well-being without sacrificing performance.

[12:36] Empathy and Vulnerability in Leadership

Clara connects empathy to company culture, leadership, and being woman-led—pointing out how listening, openness, and acceptance of failure drives Stone Soup’s internal success.

[15:57] Rethinking Remote Work

Clara reflects on the return-to-office trend and explains why flexibility is a non-negotiable for mission-driven consulting, especially when working globally.

[17:12] Connection in a Global Remote Team

From dedicated chat channels to “virtual coffees” to biennial retreats, Clara outlines the small-but-intentional practices that create connection across their distributed team.

[19:35] Advice for Values-Driven Leaders

Clara’s tip? Build strategy and values collaboratively—and make sure people join not just to work but to be part of something larger than themselves.

[20:45] The Meaning Behind 'Stone Soup'

Clara ends with the legend that inspired the firm’s name—a metaphor for collective contribution, shared resources, and creating something greater together.

📍 Stone Soup Capital: Website | LinkedIn

Connect with Clara on LinkedIn:

Follow Take the Stage for more episodes:

🌐 career-rockstars.com

📩 Connect with Alexis Alvarez on LinkedIn

Today on Take the Stage, and our special series Ladies Who Rock, we shine the spotlight on Maria de Palacio, Head of Finance and Operations at GAWA Capital, the largest impact fund manager in Spain that is focused on providing market-based solutions to key societal issues.

Maria shares how she transitioned into impact investing, why Europe has a unique opportunity to lead, and the power of women-led finance communities. She also unpacks the differences between ESG and impact investing and how returns and impact can work together.

Episode Highlights

[02:24] Maria’s Journey into Impact Investing

• From consulting and financial regulation to impact investing, Maria shares what led her to this space and why it felt like the right move.

[04:42] What is Impact Investing?

• Maria explains how impact investing differs from ESG, why it’s more than just a buzzword, and how investors measure real-world impact.

[07:04] The Role of Serendipity in Career Moves

• Making a big career shift isn’t easy, but Maria shares how unexpected moments and a strong sense of purpose helped her take the plunge.

[15:30] Trends Shaping the Impact Investing Landscape –

• From increased regulations to combating "impact washing," Maria breaks down the latest shifts in the space and what’s on the horizon.

[17:47] Can Europe Take the Lead in Impact Investing?

• With global policies evolving, Maria discusses whether Europe can take the reins in impact investing, despite political and regulatory challenges.

[22:41] The Power of Women in Finance & Community Building

• Maria highlights how women-led networks are driving change in investing and why building a strong community is key for professional growth.

[29:49] Impact vs. Returns: Do You Have to Choose?

• A common misconception is that impact comes at the cost of returns—Maria sets the record straight on why financial performance and meaningful impact go hand in hand.

[36:54] Future of Impact Investing & Final Thoughts

• Maria shares her vision for where the industry is headed and why younger generations are playing a crucial role in pushing impact investing forward.

📍 GAWA Capital: Website

📍 Women in Impact Investing Network: Reach out to Maria for details!

Connect with Maria on LinkedIn:

Follow Take the Stage for more episodes:

🌐 career-rockstars.com

📩 Connect with Alexis Alvarez on LinkedIn

In this episode of Take the Stage, and our special series Ladies Who Rock, we shine the spotlight on Isabelle Fuchs, Senior Associate at Eden Capital Management, a female-founded, lower middle market private equity firm focused on education, business services, and software.

Isabelle reflects on her transition from ECM to PE, discussing the challenges and key learnings along the way. She shares how her background in competitive soccer influenced her approach to career growth, emphasizing perseverance, adaptability, and incremental improvement. The conversation also touches on the role of mentorship, navigating a male-dominated industry, and how she is leveraging AI to enhance deal sourcing and workflow efficiency.

Episode Outline and Highlights

2:08 | Isabelle shares how her early dreams of playing professional soccer were derailed by injuries, leading her to shift her focus to finance. She discusses how discipline and perseverance from sports shaped her transition into investment banking and eventually PE.

6:31 |Isabelle details the challenge of moving from ECM to the buy-side. She highlights the setbacks she faced and how she ultimately made the leap to PE with Alexis’s guidance.

11:06 | Isabelle explains her philosophy of making small, consistent improvements to bridge knowledge gaps.

17:07 | After her recent promotion, Isabelle reflects on the shift from an associate to a leadership role.

24:09 | Isabelle describes how she spearheaded AI integration at Eden Capital to streamline outreach and increase efficiency.

30:49 | A discussion on how AI is reshaping PE particularly in the LMM. Isabelle shares insights on industry adoption, resistance to change, and the potential future role of AI in due diligence and portfolio management.

35:14 | Isabelle highlights the role of mentorship and networking organizations in supporting women in PE. She discusses the barriers non-traditional candidates face and how firms can foster stronger communities to support diverse talent.

39:39 | Isabelle reflects on the value of having a strong recruiter and how Alexis played a pivotal role in her transition to PE.

44:15 | For those aspiring to move into private equity, Isabelle shares advice on persistence, skill-building, and leveraging networks. She also provides guidance for current associates on continuously learning and staying proactive in career growth.
49:37 | Isabelle concludes with a conversation on embracing challenges, maintaining a growth mindset, and celebrating progress along the way.

Connect with Isabelle:

Isabelle Fuchs ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Eden Capital LinkedIn⁠ | Website

Resources Mentioned:

• Wall Street Prep
• Wall Street Oasis (WSO)
• Barbarians at the Gate – A well-known book covering major LBO transactions​.
• Mastering Private Equity – A book that provides a high-level overview of private equity, covering topics such as fund structures and LP relationships​.
• Synergist Network—Synergist Network is a national network of women in investing, with chapters in New York City, San Francisco, Boston, LA, and Chicago.
• Capital Supper Club

• Open Table Brooklyn Book Bodega

Connect with Alexis:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | alexis@career-rockstars.com

In this episode of Take the Stage and our special series, Ladies Who Rock, we shine the spotlight on Jessica Patton, Co-founder and Managing Director at 5th Century Partners (5CP), a purpose-driven private equity firm redefining the industry through intentional culture and a commitment to diversity.

From her early days as a Howard University graduate with a knack for finance to her roles at Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and now 5CP, Jessica has forged a trailblazing path in alternative investments.

Jessica shares her serendipitous journey into private equity, the values that define 5CP’s success, and how diversity isn’t just a focus but intrinsic to their DNA. She also opens up about the challenges and rewards of balancing leadership and motherhood, offering insights that inspire both seasoned professionals and emerging leaders alike.

Episode Highlights

1:30 - Jessica's Journey to Private Equity

Jessica reflects on her path from a working-class family in Detroit to Howard University and her serendipitous introduction to finance through her mother’s job. She shares pivotal moments that shaped her entry into the industry.

5:40 - The Role of Serendipity in Career Progression

Jessica explains how preparation and luck played roles in her career, from securing internships at Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan to landing her first private equity role.

12:12 - Transitioning from Private Equity to Operations

Jessica discusses her move into an operator role at a middle-market portfolio company, gaining P&L experience, and learning the dynamics of scaling businesses post-acquisition.

16:16 - Establishing a Purpose-Driven Private Equity Firm

The founding story of Fifth Century Partners: Jessica details her alignment with co-founders on creating a firm focused on intentional culture, transparency, and diversity.

22:18 - Finding Mentors and Advocates in Your Career

Jessica highlights the importance of mentorship, sharing personal stories of managers who invested in her growth and advice on identifying supportive leadership during interviews.

28:07 - Building a Strong Foundation for Career Success

The value of early-career rigor: Jessica emphasizes learning technical skills and understanding your work style during the first few years of your career.

33:19 - The Journey of Self-Discovery and Work Ethic

Jessica explores the significance of aligning purpose with work, iterating on personal strengths, and how these elements contribute to long-term success.

34:45 - Building a Culture of Excellence

5CP’s cultural pillars—excellence, transparency, and collaboration—drive team performance and inclusivity while fostering a strong sense of belonging.

38:02 - Transparency and Team Collaboration

Jessica elaborates on fostering open communication and ensuring all team members are aligned toward common goals, creating an environment where everyone wins together.

41:49 - The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion

Jessica shares how diversity is intrinsic to 5CP’s DNA and strategy, reflected in its leadership, team composition, and portfolio management.

47:51 - Balancing Motherhood and Career

Jessica candidly discusses her journey as a new mother, the challenges of balancing personal and professional roles, and the lessons she’s learned about fluidity and prioritization.

57:04 - Advice for Aspiring Female Leaders

Jessica’s key takeaways for women in finance: be relentless in self-growth, build meaningful networks, and seek mentorship and guidance from leaders who align with your values.

Jessica Patton's⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

5CP ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠

Connect with Alexis Alvarez on⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ | alexis@career-rockstars.com