Discover how a former Wall Street executive found resilience and purpose by embracing ESG investing and prioritizing personal values. In this episode of “The Power of the Ask,” Nirupa Umapathy shares her inspiring journey from the high-pressure world of finance to a life grounded in joy and creativity.

A former Managing Director at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Whitebox Advisors, she was known for executing complex deals in structured credit markets. After leaving finance in 2017, she redesigned her life and founded Salons for Life, which empowers individuals to be agents of compassionate change throught art and storytelling.

Join Nirupa and Co-Hosts Lisa Zeiderman and Precious Williams as they discuss:

• Transcending Trauma: Hear how she overcame challenging experiences from her upbringing in India and demanding work environments to cultivate deep self-compassion and build a strong, supportive community.
• AlignIng Investments With Values: Learn how she incorporates ESG principles into her portfolio, prioritizing companies with ethical leadership and sustainable practices – without sacrificing financial performance.
• Redesigning a Life Around Joy: Uncover the secrets to creating a life that prioritizes well-being, creativity, and making a positive impact on the world.

Important Links:
Savvy Ladies
Precious Williams' LinkedIn
Lisa Zeiderman's LinkedIn
Nirupa Umapathy LinkedIn

In this episode of “The Power of the Ask,” Precious Williams and Lisa Zeiderman explore the world of financial confidence with Jen Hemphill, an accredited financial counselor and the host of the podcast “Her Dinero Matters.” Jen shares her journey of becoming a financial counselor, shaped as a military spouse. Her interest in finances developed from managing her household budget and receiving guidance from her husband. After enrolling in the FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship Program, she became an accredited financial counselor and embraced entrepreneurship to build a flexible career.

Jen’s childhood in Colombia, marked by financial hardship, profoundly shaped her perspective on money. She believes understanding your “money story” is crucial for breaking free from negative patterns and building financial confidence. For Jen, financial confidence is a mindset — trusting your ability to make sound financial decisions, learning from setbacks, and committing to lifelong financial education. She cautions listeners that without this confidence, you could remain stuck, unable to take the necessary steps to improve your financial well-being.

Join Jen, Precious, and Lisa as they discuss:

• Common financial pitfalls, including failing to plan for occasional expenses and not knowing your true bottom line.
• The impact of mindset and how our beliefs about money influence our financial habits, as well as how to shift those beliefs for greater success.
• The power of asking! Why it’s crucial for women to advocate for themselves financially and ask the right questions to achieve their goals.

Important Links:
Savvy Ladies
Precious Williams' LinkedIn
Lisa Zeiderman's LinkedIn
Jen Hemphill's LinkedIn

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, this episode of the Savvy Ladies Power the Ask podcast focuses on the often-overlooked issue of financial abuse. We rarely hear about it, but it's a devastating reality for many — and often intertwined with physical and emotional abuse.

Join us as we welcome back Mayra Alejandra Garcia of Debt-Free Latina, a certified financial coach who achieved financial independence overcoming $21,000 in debt. Get ready for a candid conversation about:

• Understanding Financial Abuse: Learn to recognize the red flags and subtle signs of financial abuse, whether you're married or in a committed partnership.
• Finding Support: Discover how to break free from the cycle of abuse, seek help from professionals, and regain control of your financial life.
• Empowerment Through Financial Literacy: Understand why financial knowledge is crucial for women, providing the confidence and tools to ask for what we need and deserve.

If you or someone you know is experiencing financial abuse, you're not alone. Savvy Ladies is here to help, offering resources and support to empower you on your journey to financial freedom.

About Mayra Alejandra García:

Mayra Alejandra García was born and grew up in East Los Angeles, CA. She moved to Laveen, AZ, a Phoenix suburb, with her husband and two children and started living the American dream, including getting into debt. By 2010, her family had credit card debt, student loans, two car loans and a house they couldn’t afford. Mayra got serious and developed a budget and strategic plan. They sold their house and moved into a small apartment, and within 17 months they had paid everything off. They were then able to purchase their current home with a 20% down payment and a 15-year mortgage. With hard work and by following a budget, Mayra transformed her life from significant debt to financial expertise. Living debt-free has increased their net worth and given them financial independence. In 2017, Mayra was able to leave her career in media and train as a certified financial coach. She’s been teaching determined individuals and families how to organize their finances and become debt free with practical strategies ever since.

Important Links:
Savvy Ladies
Precious Williams' LinkedIn
Lisa Zeiderman's LinkedIn
Mayra Alejandra García LinkedIn