Dr. Nancy welcomes Mona Sinha, CEO of Equality Now, who shares her journey from growing up in India and volunteering with Mother Teresa’s all-girls orphanage, to learning the value of women supporting women at Smith College, to leading a global organization that drives the legal and systemic change needed to end violence and discrimination against all women and girls. Sinha discusses the rising challenges and systemic backlash against women’s rights globally, emphasizing the urgent need for collective action and collaborative leadership to protect women and girls, and the importance of building strong legal frameworks that promote universal equality. Through her inspiring work and vision for the future, she calls on everyone to listen, learn, support each other, and demand equal rights in their communities.

Dr. Denise Dunning joins the conversation to share her transformative journey as the founder of Rise Up Together, an organization dedicated to the global empowerment of women and girls by supporting local leaders in solving problems and driving impactful change. Dr. Dunning discusses the challenges women face in accessing resources and power, emphasizing the need for collective action and solidarity to reach gender equality in the U.S. and globally. Through her inspiring work, she calls on listeners to support initiatives that amplify women’s voices and create equitable opportunities.

Dr. Nancy welcomes Dr. Krishauna Hines-Gaither, a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and women’s empowerment, to discuss her inspiring journey from North Carolina to Los Angeles. Dr. Hines-Gaither shares how mentors, like her mother and other influential women in her life, shaped her path and ignited her mission to advance gender equity through women’s education. She highlights the transformative work at Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles, including The Report on the Status of Women and Girls in California, and the signature career-readiness program, (M)POWER, which helps students identify their passions and career aspirations, and provides academic guidance, career coaches, and more. The conversation explores the evolving status of women, the power of storytelling, and the importance of partnerships in driving change. Dr. Hines-Gaither emphasizes the need for collective action to create opportunities and foster a brighter future for women and girls.