Celebrating Extraordinary Women: International Women's Day Special
This International Women's Day, we're celebrating the remarkable women in our community who embody strength, vision, and compassion in everything they do. As a woman entrepreneur, mother, and dreamer myself, I've had the privilege of connecting with incredible women who are reshaping industries, uplifting others, and breaking barriers.
My own journey as the Founder and CEO of Call Emmy has been fueled by a passion to support women balancing multiple roles and responsibilities. Building a business while navigating life's various demands taught me the power of community and the importance of creating solutions that truly understand women's needs. This perspective drives Call Emmy's mission to provide services that give women the support they deserve to thrive in all areas of life—whether as professionals, mothers, or visionaries crafting their dreams into reality.
I reached out to six extraordinary women in my network to learn about their journeys, inspirations, and the wisdom they've gained along the way. Their stories aren't just inspiring—they're a testament to what's possible when women lead with purpose and passion.
Join me in celebrating these changemakers who demonstrate that vision, leadership, and ambition have no limits.
Michele Ashby: Preparing 1,000 Women for the Boardroom
After three decades in finance and mining, Michele Ashby made a powerful observation: the gender balance in boardrooms hadn't improved. This realization sparked her journey of interviewing 200 executive women, discovering that while they possessed impressive credentials, they lacked guidance on securing board positions.
"In 2016, I looked around and there were no more women in the room than when I started in finance and mining 30 years earlier and I wanted to know why," Michele shares. This led her to establish ACE LLC with an ambitious mission: preparing 1,000 women for board service.
When asked about her proudest achievement in uplifting women, Michele's answer reflects her deep personal values. She speaks of her daughter Dani, who passed away at 19 after battling cancer, as someone who "lived more in her 19 years than most people do in 40." Michele carries her daughter's wisdom—"Mom, we were picked for a reason"—through both challenges and triumphs.
For inspiration, Michele looks to St. Joan of Arc, whose unwavering faith and determination broke every mold of her time. "As women, we all have a bit of St. Joan of Arc in us these days. We are dependent on our faith or intuition or our hearts which are our strongest compasses, no matter how much noise is in our world."
Melanie Adams: Designing Comfort and Confidence for Women in Industry
Melanie Adams turned her frustration into innovation. Working in hazardous industries, she struggled to find flame-resistant clothing designed for women. Instead of accepting ill-fitting workwear as the norm, she founded EMBHER to create protective clothing that allows women to feel both comfortable and confident on the job.
Approaching life with "curiosity, resourcefulness, and energy," Melanie embraced learning new skills in clothing design and patternmaking despite having no prior background in the field. Now she channels her high energy into running her business while embracing new motherhood.
Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is refreshingly straightforward: "I tell all entrepreneurs with a great idea to just go for it! It's going to be scary and there will be self-doubt, and you'll never feel fully ready but just do it. People have great business ideas all of the time, but actually acting on it and executing it is totally another level!"
Stacy Taubman: Creating Strategic Connections for Women Entrepreneurs
Drawing from her experience building and scaling her own company, Stacy Taubman recognized a common pattern among founders: working hard but not necessarily aligning actions with revenue-driving activities. This insight led her to establish Since Growth Strategies, where she helps businesses transition from reactive decision-making to strategic growth.
Describing her approach to life as "Resilient, Strategic, Connected," Stacy finds pride in the opportunities she's created for women through intentional connections. "I'm most proud of the introductions, connections, and opportunities I've created for women. I've seen firsthand how one introduction, one open door, or one strategic connection can completely change the trajectory of a business."
Stacy admires Sarah Friar for combining business excellence with a commitment to lifting others. Her advice to women entering her field emphasizes the value of relationships: "Growth isn't just about what you do—it's about who you surround yourself with… Your relationships are your most valuable asset."
Natalie Levy: Investing in Women's Financial Empowerment
For Natalie Levy, personal experiences fueled her mission. "My lived experience as a woman and learning of the struggles of women and girls globally has been a constant source of inspiration for me," she shares. "Every #metoo moment and 'she can't' fueled me with grit and determination to succeed on my own terms."
As Managing Partner at She's Independent Investments, Natalie has created an inclusive investment group that educates and supports women in the financial ecosystem. Her team has launched dozens of women into investing and is developing the next generation of capital allocators while advocating for women's rights.
Approaching life with determination, alignment, and advocacy, Natalie credits her mother as her earliest inspiration—someone who advocated for her to have access to advanced classrooms "meant for the boys" and instilled the belief that she could do anything.
Her advice resonates beyond her field: "Take the time to get to know yourself and your values. Don't just do something because you are told you should. Uncover your path. Recognize the difference between your interests and the projections and judgment around you."
Danaya Wilson: Building Solutions for the Childcare Crisis
For Danaya Wilson, her daughter is the driving force behind her work as Founder/CEO of BetterCertify and her advocacy as a childcare strategist. "Every decision I make, every fight I take on, is ultimately for her—and for the world she will inherit," Danaya explains. "I refuse to accept a system where women still have to choose between career and family."
Recognizing that the momentum around women's empowerment was stalling instead of accelerating, Danaya authored "Changemakers Wanted" to provide women with a blueprint for leadership. She describes it as "not just about putting words on a page—it was about starting a movement."
Beyond her writing, Danaya's work in regulatory training has created opportunities for women in the trades. She admires Reshma Saujani for taking on systemic barriers and embodying what it means to be a changemaker—someone who "doesn't just talk about the problem, she builds the solution."
Her powerful advice to women: "Do not wait for permission. Walk into every room like you belong there—because you do… The world does not change by waiting for approval—it changes when people take action."
Kami Guildner: Empowering Women to Claim Their Voice
As the CEO and Founder of Kami Guildner Coaching, Kami takes pride in helping women entrepreneurs break through limiting beliefs and create businesses that change lives. "There's nothing more rewarding than seeing a woman fully claim her voice, her power, and her place in the world," she shares.
Through her coaching practice, Kami has guided thousands of women entrepreneurs to amplify their visibility and create meaningful impact. Her work goes beyond business strategy—she helps women reconnect with their authentic selves and translate that authenticity into successful ventures that align with their deepest values and purposes.
Describing her approach to life as "Bold. Soulful. Purpose-driven," Kami encourages women to embrace authenticity in business: "Own your voice. The world doesn't need another cookie-cutter business—it needs you. Your unique wisdom, your lived experiences, and your authentic message are what will set you apart. Don't wait for permission. Step forward, speak up, and trust that the right people will be drawn to your light."
Celebrating Women Who Lead and Inspire
As we celebrate International Women's Day, these stories remind us of the incredible impact women have when they lead with purpose, resilience, and authenticity. At Call Emmy, we're committed to supporting women as they balance their many roles and pursue their dreams.
Whether you're an entrepreneur, advocate, mother, or dreamer (or all of the above!), we honor your journey and the unique wisdom you bring to the world.
How are you celebrating the remarkable women in your life this International Women's Day? Share your stories with us on social media using #CallEmmyCelebratesWomen.
By Arezou Zarafshan, Founder and CEO of Call Emmy
About Call Emmy: Founded by Arezou Zarafshan, Call Emmy is dedicated to giving parents peace of mind through comprehensive support services including childcare, laundry, chores, cleaning, and companion care. Our #1 app connects families with reliable help for life's daily demands, allowing parents to focus on what matters most.