Favorite song: "Canon in D Major" by Johann PachelbelI used to love playing it on the piano

Dream job when you were younger: Detective or secret agent

Area of focus: I'm a filmmaker and currently work as a creative producer. I'm always making short documentaries and narrative films. At the moment, I am writing a couple features that I would like to direct.

What was the turning point of your career?
It was when I moved to Chile after undergraduate school. I have dual citizenship, but at the time, had never lived there. The U.S. was in financial crisis and the Chilean economy was on the rise. I moved without any contacts, except for some family, and found a way into the film industry. I worked with very talented directors and cinematographers, trying to absorb what I could on the job. At the time, I was making documentaries on the side, but after reading scripts and working on [film] sets, I realized there were a lot of stories I wanted to write. That is when I decided to pursue narrative filmmaking.

What's been the greatest example of someone supporting women you've experienced in your career?
One of my former female co-workers helped me get the job I have now. Having experienced catty and competitive female stereotypes in the workplace, it was refreshing to see a young woman going out of her way to help other women get ahead in their careers. I have the same responsibility to women in my industry, and through helping one another, we can change the status quo.

How do you keep yourself motivated and feeling empowered?
When I get too caught up in my thoughts, a good friend of mine taught me to always find humor in tough situations.

What is one of your proudest accomplishments (in your career, personal life, or both)?
My proudest accomplishment is overcoming an eating disorder. I don't talk about it much because it's something that has taken a while for me to feel proud of. When your mind and your body are at odds, you stop trusting yourself. Overcoming anorexia as a teenager forced me to pull myself up when I was very down. I had to be vulnerable, to be patient, and to reconsider my relationship with myself and others. There is a lot of pressure and a lot of business built around looking a certain way and my experiences have taught me to have a lot of compassion for people's body issueswe all have them.

Can you share one piece of life advice, and one piece of career advice?
In terms of lifeit is about the journey, not the goal. I constantly have to remind myself that the process is what you learn from it. So, whether it's frustrating, scary, or exciting, that's part of the experience. In terms of career, always look for opportunities to grow. If there are none where you are, look elsewhere.

Five questions with Valerie Schenkmanfrom her proudest accomplishment to the turning point of her career.

We can't wait for you to dive into our new column where we spotlight amazing female entrepreneurs, thinkers, and leaders who inspire us by speaking their minds and living out loud. Get to know the experiences that shaped the people they've becomeand, in the spirit of Women's History Month, unearth how they're changing the narrative for women.

Spotlight On: Valerie Schenkman, Director and Producer

Favorite book: "No One Tells You This: A Memoir" by Glynnis MacNicol

Dream job when you were younger: A journalist like Christiane Amanpour

Area of focus: Ive worked at a think tank, various PR agencies, at a veterans organization, at Google and now for myself. I run my own consulting business, host a few podcasts and write. Im really lucky that I have a career where I get to just be myself and do what I love.

How do you keep yourself motivated and feeling empowered?
Im really lucky to be a very internally motivated person. Surrounding myself with generous, smart, and hilarious friends is the best thing that could have ever happened to me. I love to watch my friends win and soar to new heights. What a treat to share even a tiny bit of that experience with them.

How do you maintain a good work/life balance?
After going through some life-changing medical stuff recently, Ive realized that work isnt everything. Putting your health, yourself and your relationships first is the only way youll be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor. I work from home most of the year, but Ive had to put in structure in my work day so Im not working all day. Ive also started giving myself vacation days and I intend to take all of them every single year.

Which passions and hobbies helped influence the person you are today?
I took my first plane ride when I was 10 days old and havent stopped since. From distant trips to shorter excursions away from home, travel is a life-changing experience and a chance to get outside your comfort zone. Ive learned so much about rolling with the punches and opening my mind and heart to new experiences.

Who's one person that inspires you?
My friend Shani Hilton, the executive editor for news at BuzzFeed, is my hero. Her work ethic is legendary and Ive learned so much from her both personally and professionally. Shes very successful, but always makes time and space to help and inspire everyone around her.

What do you think is the biggest issue for women leaders in the workplace?
There are many big issues that face women in the workplace but the gender pay gap is one that immediately comes to mind. It affects women of all ages, races, and education levels. At its core, its just another form of workplace discrimination. My hope is that one day all employers can show that they are committed to supporting women in the workplace by closing the gap.

Five questions with Aminatou Sowfrom her passions to her inspiration and how she stays motivated.

Spotlight On: Aminatou Sow, Writer, Influencer, and Host of &#8220;Call Your Girlfriend&#8221;

Favorite books: The "Harry Potter" series

Dream job when you were younger: Fiction novel writer or animator

Area of focus: My current job is doing outpatient therapy and comprehensive neuropsychological/psychological evaluations. I currently work at TEAMCare Behavioral Health in Lancaster, Pennsylvania where I am completing my postdoctoral fellowship.

What was a milestone of your career that changed its course?
It is one thing to read in a textbook about the difference that therapy can make, but experiencing it myself was one of the most rewarding and important milestones that has continued to keep me driven toward achieving my career goals. Working in mental health can be challenging and stressful, but when you start to see someone grow and change as a person, overcome obstacles, and lead a better life, it all feels worthwhile. I now feel privileged that I can help someone when they are going through the worst times in their life, identify the root of a problem that has been plaguing them for years, and collaborate in finding solutions. Knowing that I can make a difference has driven me to pursue my doctorate, work hard, and continuously expand my knowledge and range of skills so that I can continue to help my clients find success.

How have your experiences shaped you into who you are today?
I have always been interested in understanding the reasons why people feel and behave the way they do. As a child, my parents encouraged me to be kind, caring, patient, and infinitely curious in every facet of my life. They often reminded that my name, Samantha, means listener, which is a fitting reflection of the person I grew up to be. One of my major goals in becoming a psychologist is to change the way seeking or receiving psychological help is viewed by the general public and even by clients who receive mental health services. My conviction is that it is important to convey that seeking mental health services is not a weakness or something to feel ashamed of, but is in fact a healthy thing. Anyone can find themselves in therapy at one time or another, and helping to remove the stigma is an important step toward making it easier for people to get help when they need it.

Can you share one piece of life advice, and one piece of career advice?
My best piece of life advice is to be very deliberate in creating your support network. Whether it is friend, a romantic partner, or a family member, a healthy relationship should feel equal and caring to everyone involved. Be selective about the people you choose to surround yourself with and make sure they are people who do not detract from your life. As far as career advice, I highly recommended that if you are interested in a career, find a way to get firsthand experience regardless of your age. Do an internship, shadow, volunteer, or get a summer job, but do something to learn more about what it is you want to do from people who are actually doing it. Even if you cannot get work directly in your desired field because of your lack of experience or age, you can still develop skills that will help you in the future in other ways. For example, retail jobs are an amazing way to gain patience and perfect your customer service, babysitting teaches you creativity and how to manage different personalities, and selling cookies may help you develop tenacity. Hard work and determination are half the battle in achieving your career goals.

How do you maintain a good work/life balance?
I find that maintaining a good work/life balance often comes down to self-care. Many people tell me they feel selfish in carving out time dedicated just for themselves, but it does not mean that you need to dedicate hours each day or go significantly out of your way. An act of self-care can be built into your daily routine, and can be as simple as cooking something a bit special for yourself, wearing a sheet mask, going for a short walk, or taking ten minutes before your family wakes up to drink some coffee uninterrupted.

What do you think is the biggest issue for women leaders in the workplace?
One of the biggest challenges for women in the workplace is feeling comfortable being a leader. Women in leadership roles often face heightened internal and external criticism which can undermine the desired feelings of competence and authority. For example, if female leaders are viewed as passive or collaborative, they may be criticized as weak, overemotional, or a pushover. If they are assertive, they get called cold, aggressive, and demanding. Regardless of their leadership style, women are often riddled with self-doubt and insecurities about how they are being perceived by those they are leading. Accordingly, it can be very challenging to feel confident and competent in a leadership role. Of course, male leaders may also experience these concerns, but in general, women are more likely to experience high levels of insecurity as a leader.

One of the most important things to do as a female leader is to recognize and be comfortable with the concept that you will never be able to please everyone. Find a working style that suits your personality, be flexible and listen to feedback, and work to avoid self-sabotaging your own success by doubting your own ability. Always remember, you earned your leadership role through your hard work and skills!

Five questions with Samantha Weinerincluding what she thinks is the biggest issue women have in the workplace and how they can move forward.

Spotlight On: Samantha Weiner, Psychology Resident

Hey there!

Spotlight On: Valerie Schenkman, Director and Producer

Spotlight On: Aminatou Sow, Writer, Influencer, and Host of “Call Your Girlfriend”

Spotlight On: Samantha Weiner, Psychology Resident

Spotlight On: Valerie Schenkman, Director and Producer

Spotlight On: Aminatou Sow, Writer, Influencer, and Host of &#8220;Call Your Girlfriend&#8221;

Spotlight On: Samantha Weiner, Psychology Resident

Spotlight On: Aminatou Sow, Writer, Influencer, and Host of “Call Your Girlfriend”