Elevate: A Women's Leadership Institute Podcast
For a decade, we've been at the intersection of leadership, gender and the workplace. With our cornerstone product, The ElevateHER Challenge, we have worked to bring the vision and value to companies of creating more gender equitable workplaces.
To celebrate 10 years in this space, we share with you political and business leaders varying perspectives on the topic as well as the women who are creating change everyday in their workplaces and communities.
One conversation at a time, we work to change hearts and minds.
Pat Jones, WLI Founder
Nicole Carpenter, WLI Director
Patti Cook, WLI Director of Communication
Kris Jenkins, Tech Founder and Male Ally
#additivevalueofwomen
Elevate: A Women's Leadership Institute Podcast
Robyn Cohen: Women's Advocacy Is More Than Just Raising Awareness
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Robyn Cohen, Senior Vice President at Universal Media, embodies movement in every aspect of her life – from her global travels to her tireless advocacy for women in leadership. Her extraordinary journey began with a family business that pioneered shopping mall advertising over 40 years ago and continues today as she helps transform that legacy business for the digital age.
The conversation reveals how Cohen's nomadic spirit has shaped her unique approach to community building. Having lived everywhere from Toronto to Sao Paulo, she developed a remarkable talent for entering new environments and immediately creating meaningful connections. "I never feel alone because I build a network," she explains, offering listeners practical strategies for overcoming networking anxiety and making authentic connections even when attending events solo.
Cohen's advocacy work began during the early days of social media. As one of the first executive directors for Girls in Tech, she launched the Los Angeles chapter in 2008 and broadened the conversation beyond technology to examine how women were leading across all industries affected by the digital revolution. This wider lens allowed her to create more inclusive communities and spotlight diverse female talent.
What makes Cohen's perspective particularly valuable is her willingness to question conventional approaches to women's advancement. After years of organizing events and raising awareness, she reached a point of asking whether these efforts alone were making meaningful change. "Are we perpetuating the problem rather than actually making meaningful change?" Her evolution toward highlighting solutions rather than just problems offers a refreshing and constructive path forward for anyone feeling advocacy burnout.
The conversation takes unexpected turns – from Cohen's adventures living in an Airstream trailer (which she's driven 60,000 miles across 12 states) to her deeply thoughtful analysis of how companies can build better leadership pipelines for women. Her approach combines strategic business thinking with genuine passion for creating more inclusive workplaces.
Join us for this wide-ranging discussion that will inspire you to embrace movement in your own life, build stronger connections, and find more effective ways to advocate for positive change. Robyn's journey reminds us that leadership isn't just about professional titles – it's about showing up authentically and making an impact wherever you go.
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