Women Worldwide with Deirdre Breakenridge

With great reward often comes great risk. To be on the leading edge of progress in an evolving world, you must be willing to take chances and be brave. Today’s special guest knows all about taking risks, powering up, and being first! She made a name for herself in the rapidly evolving world of technology in the cradle of tech itself, Silicon Valley. Today she is here to share her journey from immigrant to Silicon Valley pioneer and the power of “Powering Up.”

 

Through her roles as the first investor and founding board member of Salesforce, as well as a serial entrepreneur who founded two successful companies (CyberCash and MarketPay), Magdalena Yesil established herself as a pioneer in Electronic Commerce. After graduating from Stanford University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Industrial Engineering and Management Science and Engineering and a Masters of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, she has been active in Silicon Valley for over 30 years (8 of those as a VC at US Venture Partners). Additionally, as the Founder of Broadway Angels, she currently works with an all-female board of angel investors.

 

This is an episode you won’t want to miss! For entrepreneurs and techies everywhere, men and women alike, stay tuned to hear all about Magdalena’s groundbreaking new book, Power Up: How Smart Women Win in the New Economy.

 

In This Episode

 

  • How and why you need to power up
  • The current landscape for women in tech and venture capital
  • The "Me Too" movement and power dynamics in the workplace
  • Why you need mentors and sponsors
  • Challenges and misses all professionals can relate to

 

Quotes in This Episode

 

“When an opportunity presented itself, I was always willing to take a risk.” —Magdalena Yesil

 

“I don’t do regret, I don’t think regret is a good thing. I think it’s a waste of energy, and my goal in life is always to look forward, not back.” —Magdalena Yesil

 

“Don’t just let it happen. In fact, you have more power than you think to control the situation. Now, that doesn’t mean that you can always control it [...] Let’s use the power we actually have more often than we do.” —Magdalena Yesil

 

“The key is to have the belief that tomorrow [...] is going to be better [...] that really is the bottom line of entrepreneurship.” —Magdalena Yesil

 

“You can do anything as long as you know what the risks are and you’re willing to take those risks […] Any idiot can take a risk with their eyes closed, the trick is to take the risk with your eyes open, knowing the consequences, knowing the price you’re going to pay.” —Magdalena Yesil

 

Resources

Magdalena on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn

Magdalena’s Official Website

Direct download: MagdalenaYesilonWomenWorldwide.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:58pm EDT

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