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CONTRIBUTORS
Editor-in-Chief
DR. JULIE DUCHARME
Cover Layout and
Magazine Design
DR. JOSHUA DUCHARME
IZZY SPRUIT
Contributing
Writers
Lifestyle Editor and
Feature Author
TIA CRISTY
TIA CRISTY
DR. JULIE DUCHARME
KIM-ADELE RANDALL
BELINDA JANE
HEATHER COE CLARK
NIKKI TERNAY
NIURKA CASTONADA
SALLY ANDERSON
SHELBY JO LONG
LETTER
EDITOR'S
Hi, I am Dr. Julie Ducharme editor in chief of our She Talks Mag. We are so excited to have our
first-inaugural edition of She Talks Mag. This vision of She Talks was started almost 8 years ago
with the idea that we would have a platform for all women to tell their story. You don’t have to
be famous or have a certain number of followers to grace the stage. We know that your
strength of story and power transcends being a celebrity, and you don’t have to be popular to
tell your story, just be transparent and authentic. The other part of this vision was to create a
group of women who could come together and support each other in a way that women do not
usually do. To create a sisterhood where we are each other’s biggest fans, not competitors.
Where we pick each other up and climb that ladder together. I am proud to say we have been
successful in building this sisterhood across the country over the last 8 years. We also decided
that we needed to make sure we give back and that is where our women’s Veteran program
called Combat Boots to Heels comes in. This program helps women veterans transitioning out of
the military. We take a portion of funds from the ticket sales and put that towards our women
veterans to help support them in their transition. The inception of this magazine came from the
idea that we needed to expand the opportunities to tell women’s stories as all of them may not
be ready to take the stage but they might be ready to write about them. Our She Talks Mag is
filled with inspirational stories of our She Talkers’ members and more. We hit on everything
from women in leadership, to food, fashion, and great tips. If you’re interested in being a part of
this amazing community, you can join our She Talks community at https://shetalks.locals.com/.
Use the code SHETALKSMAG to get one month free. If you’re interested in being a guest writer
for our mag, apply at https://shetalksmag.com/apply-to-write/ or if you would like to be an
advertiser or collaborate check out our packages here. Most importantly, Live, Love, Laugh and
Always be your authentic self!
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Dr. Julie DuCharme
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FEATURE
Co-opetition vs. Competition
Summer Glow: Wellness for Women
for a Vibrant Summer
Less is More: 5 Tips for Versatile Outfit
for Eco-friendly Stylish Travel
Fear vs Courage
20
30
36
40
Bridging the Divide: How Investors Can Lead the Charge in Closing the
Gender Funding Gap
5 Tips for Getting Kids Ready for Back to School
Embrace Ethical Fashion for Every Occasion
11
16
Tracy Holland - Proving brains, beauty,
and bravery is more than skin deep
Leave No Paws Behind: One Woman’s
Fight for Military Pet Relocation
Support
Building a Unified Business Culture and
Cultivating Strong Client Relationships
Together We Rise: The Hysteria Tribe
Does your body and looks affect how
you are treated in the workplace?
44
48
51
54
57
Bridging the Divide: How
Investors Can Lead the Charge in
Closing the Gender Funding Gap
The gender funding gap, a pressing issue in the
financial world, remains a significant challenge.
At a recent Boardwave event, the topic was
explored in great detail, and the need for
change is compelling. Despite increasing
awareness and efforts toward gender equality,
female entrepreneurs and investors face
hurdles in accessing capital. To address this gap
effectively, we must delve into its root causes,
understand its implications, and explore
actionable strategies investors can adopt to
promote a more inclusive and equitable
investment landscape.
By Kim-Adele Randall
The gender funding gap refers to the disparity in
financial support and investment opportunities
available to men and women. Women-led
businesses receive a disproportionately small
share of venture capital and other forms of
investment compared to their male
counterparts. This gap is not just a result of
overt discrimination. A complex interplay of
social, cultural, and economic factors also
influences it.
UNDERSTANDING THE GENDER FUNDING GAP
SHE TALKS | 6
One significant factor is the
underrepresentation of women
in decision-making positions
within investment firms. With
fewer women in senior roles,
unconscious biases can
influence funding decisions,
leading to a preference for
investments that align with
male-dominated networks and
perspectives. Additionally,
women often need more
access to the same networks
and resources as men, making
it harder for them to pitch their
ideas and secure funding.
When women are
systematically excluded from
investment opportunities, their
innovative ideas and business
ventures are stifled, leading to
a loss of potential economic
growth and job creation. By
addressing this gap, investors
can tap into a wealth of
untapped potential, fostering a
culture of innovation and
growth.
THE IMPLICATIONS OF
THE GENDER FUNDING
GAP
The gender funding gap has
profound implications not only
for women but also for the
broader economy.
1. Increase Female Representation in
Decision-Making Roles: Investors should
prioritize gender diversity in their leadership
and investment teams. This can be achieved
through targeted recruitment, mentorship
programs, and promotion from within.
Diverse teams are more likely to recognize
and mitigate biases, leading to more
equitable funding decisions.
STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS THE GENDER FUNDING GAP
2. Implement Bias Training Programs:
Regular training on unconscious biases can
help investment professionals recognize and
counteract their biases. This can foster a
more inclusive culture that values diverse
perspectives and ensures fair evaluation of
all investment opportunities.
3. Establish Dedicated Funds for Women-
led Ventures: Creating specific investment
funds focused on women-led businesses can
help bridge the funding gap. These funds can
provide the necessary capital and support
to help female entrepreneurs grow and scale
their businesses.
4. Enhance Networking Opportunities for
Women: Investors can facilitate networking
events, mentorship programs, and
workshops that connect female
entrepreneurs with investors and industry
experts. These initiatives can help women
build the relationships and knowledge they
need to succeed in the competitive
investment landscape.
SHE TALKS | 7
5. Promote Transparent and Inclusive
Investment Criteria: Developing clear, objective
criteria for investment decisions is crucial.
Investors should ensure their evaluation
processes are transparent and inclusive,
allowing all applicants to be assessed equally
based on their merits. This promotes fairness
and builds trust with potential investees and
the broader community.
6. Advocate for Policy Changes: Investors can
also advocate for broader policy changes that
support gender equality in the financial sector.
This could include lobbying for regulations that
promote diversity in corporate boards, equal
pay initiatives, and support for women-owned
businesses.
While addressing the gender funding gap is
crucial for promoting equality, it also
significantly benefits investors. Investors can
enhance their performance, reputation, and
long-term sustainability by actively bridging
this gap. Here are some key benefits:
1. Access to Untapped Investment
Opportunities: Women-led businesses
represent a largely untapped market with
immense potential. By diversifying their
portfolios to include more women-led
ventures, investors can capitalize on innovative
ideas and unique market opportunities that
traditional investors often overlook. This can
lead to higher returns and a more robust
investment portfolio.
2. Enhanced Decision-Making and Risk
Management: Diverse teams, including those
with greater gender diversity, bring a wide
range of perspectives and experiences to the
table. This diversity can lead to better decision-
making, as different viewpoints help to identify
potential risks and opportunities that may not
be apparent to a homogenous group. This
broader perspective can result in improved risk
management and more innovative solutions.
The Benefits to Investors
3. Improved Reputation and Social Impact: Investors who
take active steps to address the gender funding gap can
enhance their reputation as leaders in promoting social
responsibility and gender equality. This positive image
can attract like-minded investors, partners, and clients
who value inclusivity and social impact. Moreover,
supporting women-led businesses can contribute to
broader social and economic benefits, reinforcing the
investor's commitment to positive societal change.
4. Attracting and Retaining Talent: A commitment to
gender diversity and equality can make investment firms
more attractive to top talent. As the financial industry
becomes more inclusive, professionals increasingly seek
employers who prioritize diversity and social
responsibility. By fostering an inclusive work
environment, investment firms can attract and retain
talented individuals passionate about making a
difference.
5. Long-Term Sustainability and Growth: Investing in
women-led businesses and promoting gender diversity
can drive long-term sustainability and growth for
investors. Companies with diverse leadership tend to
perform better financially and are more resilient in facing
challenges. By supporting a diverse range of businesses,
investors can ensure a steady pipeline of innovative and
successful ventures that contribute to sustained growth.
Implementing Effective Strategies
To fully realize these benefits, investors can adopt several effective strategies:
Inclusive Investment Policies: Develop and implement investment policies that explicitly support gender
diversity. This includes setting targets for investing in women-led businesses and regularly reviewing
progress to ensure goals are met.
1.
Partnerships and Collaborations: Partner with organizations and initiatives that focus on supporting female
entrepreneurs. Collaborations with accelerators, incubators, and venture capital firms dedicated to women-
led businesses can provide valuable insights and opportunities.
2.
Transparency and Accountability: Establish transparent reporting mechanisms to track progress on gender
diversity initiatives. Regularly publish reports on investment activities and outcomes related to gender
diversity to maintain accountability and demonstrate commitment.
3.
Continuous Education and Training: Invest in continuous education and training so that staff stay informed
about best practices in promoting gender diversity and inclusion. This includes workshops, seminars, and
ongoing learning opportunities to keep the team updated on the latest developments and strategies.
4.
Addressing the gender funding gap is an equity
matter and a strategic imperative that offers
significant advantages. By leveraging diverse
investments, enhancing decision-making,
improving reputation, attracting top talent, and
driving long-term growth, investors can
establish themselves as leaders in the financial
industry.
Implementing inclusive investment policies,
fostering strategic partnerships, ensuring
transparency, and investing in continuous
education are critical steps in this journey.
Such efforts contribute to a more inclusive and
prosperous financial ecosystem, unlocking new
opportunities for innovation and success.
Closing the gender funding gap requires a
multifaceted approach that combines internal
reforms with broader advocacy efforts. By
increasing female representation in decision-
making roles, implementing bias training,
establishing dedicated funds for women-led
ventures, enhancing networking opportunities,
promoting transparent investment criteria, and
advocating for supportive policy changes,
investors can help create a more inclusive and
equitable investment environment.
Addressing the gender funding gap is not just
about fairness—it is a strategic necessity that
can drive economic growth and innovation. As
investors embrace these strategies, they can
lead the way in fostering a financial ecosystem
where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
You Tube - Authentic Achievements
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SHE TALKS | 9
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